Patent ID: 7523771

Claim:
A filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine, said filling valve apparatus comprising: a primary valve portion defining an aperture and a pair of openings spaced from said aperture; a replacement valve portion coupled to said primary valve portion and defining a groove; and a release mechanism slideably mounted to said primary valve portion and selectively coupling said replacement valve portion to said primary valve portion with said release mechanism being moveable between an engaged position securing said replacement valve portion to said primary valve portion and a disengaged position releasing said replacement valve portion from said primary valve portion; said release mechanism including a locking handle having a locking element extending through said aperture and into said groove for securing said replacement valve portion to said primary valve portion when in said engaged position; said release mechanism further including a release handle connected to said locking handle for cooperating with said locking handle during said movement between said engaged position and said disengaged position; and said release mechanism further including a pair of rails connecting said locking handle and said release handle with one of said rails disposed in each of said openings of said primary valve portion for supporting said release mechanism on said primary valve portion; wherein each of said openings of said primary valve portion are further defined as a slot and said rails include longitudinal tabs slideably disposed in said slot.