US2896674A - Filling head - Google Patents

Description

July 28,'1959 cil.. DAY ETAL FILLING HEAD 7 sheets-shew:V 1

Filed .001.. 26, 1955 @mi L W ,ar Vlmzy INVENTORS 9 i n v y aA.Re ma Jh, ,P Y 2W ATTORNEYS.

July 28, 1959 Filed Oct. 26, 1955 c. L. DAY ET AL 2,896,674

FILLING HEAD 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 144 124 .Etz-g. 2. 4

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July 28, 1959 l C, L, DAY vETAL '2,896,674

FILLING HEA 'Filed oct. 26, 1955 7 Sheng-sheet s .114 F .5.. F' .6. nl i i- 13e l i 3o@ 46x 10@ 206i ly2.,10 A

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July 28, 19.59 c.L. DAY ETAL FILLING HEAD Filed yom. v2. 1955 INVENToRaun. l

l` i' l Carl, L. Dpt

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July 2,8, 1959 v v C, DAY ETAL l2,896,674'

FILLING HEAD Filedoct. rae,I 1955 v 7 sheets-sheet s vBY July v2B, 1 959 c. l.. DAY ETAL FILLING HEAD Filed oct. 26,1955 7 sheds-sheet '1" im? T s 7 100 6 F1os 7210816 34-`106 l 7 196 104 3'4 r 7 10 M ,Q m 4@ zzo 1oz 70 16 INVENTORS.- 62 .90 020179 LMI-Lay FrdezckEFhu/h, 64 Har i'EmkeQ/J r I vmf' l! g gw 320 80 4 A'rTomvEYs.

nitecl States Patent i FILLING HEAD Carl L. Day, Frederick E. Fauth, Harry F. Finke, and Maria Alphons Reymann, Jr., Baltimore, Md., assign-l ors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Ine., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application October 26, 1955, Serial No. 542,811

29 Claims. (Cl. IMI- 39) The present invention relates to filling heads and, more particularly, to filling heads of the type used in liowing carbonated liquids from counterpressure type fillers into bottles or other containers.

In filling containers with carbonated liquids, a particular problem is that of achieving a maximum flow rate of liquid into the container without producing foam in the container. In rotary type filling machine, the cycle for filling containers with a carbonated liquid includes a counterpressure stage during which the container is filled with counterpressure gas, Ka filling and vent stage during 'which the carbonated liquid is liowed into lthe container while the gas in the container is being vented therefrom and a snifting stage during which the pressure in the head space of the filled container is released to atmosphere. The time spent required for each `of the stages determines the output of filled containers from `the filling machine. Obviously, if the counterpressure, and lling and vent stages, can be reduced to a minimum length of time rwhile still avoiding foam in the container, the output of filled containers from the filling machine will be increased. An important factor in lling containers with carbonated liquid without foam is providing a rest period for the liquid in the container between the filling and vent stage and the shifting stage. Therefore, carbonated liquid must be flowed into the container through a liquid passage of ample section to enable the container to be filled in the shortest possible time and so that the liquid in the container will have sufiicient time to become quiescent or rest before snifting occurs.

An object ofthe present invention is to provide a filling head of such design that counterpressure gas can be flowed into the container at a maximum rate, and whereby the liquid and venting stage of filling may commence as soon as the container is placed under a predetermined counterpressure.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a filling head having liquid flow passages of maximum cross-sectional area whereby the quantity of flow of liquid is increased to a maximum while the velocity of fiow of liquid is slow.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lling head of such design that the flow of liquid into containers is automatically stopped when the level of liquid in the containers has reached a predetermined height.

In previous filling heads, after the fiofw of carbonated liquid into containers has been stopped, a certain amount of liquid remains in the filling head even after its filling valve has been closed. The liquid remaining in the filling head will drain down into the containers `after shifting and just prior to removal of the containers from the filling head. The carbonated liquid flowing into the containers during this portion of the snift stage oftentimes causes foaming as well as irregular fill heights of containers.

An object of the present invention is to providea fill- 2,896,674' Patented` July 28, 1959 ICE 2 ing head of such design wherein the liquid flow passage in the filling head beneath the filling valve is of minimum length, and having la minimum dump volume, thereby resulting in a minimum surface contact of liquid with the walls of the liquid passage and a uniform fill height in containers.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for quickly and smoothly filling containers with `a carbonated liquid. t

Still another object of the present invention isuto provide a filling head with a sealing ring for containers', the sealing ring being easily removable but firmly held in place in the filling head.

In present day filling `of containers with carbonated liquids, the liquid to be filled is usually pre-mixed. In other words, insteadof flowing `the syrup, fruit pulp or the like into containers separately from the carbonated Water and' then mixing them while in the container, the present trend is to rst mix the syrup, fruit pulp or the like with the carbonated water and flow the pre-mixed liquid to the filling machine. A problem in filling containerswith a pre-mixed liquid is that the syrup or fruit pulp tends to stick or clog 4the llin'g valve and other moving parts of the filling head.

An object of the present invention is toprovide a filling head of such design wherein the lling valve and the moving parts of the filling head are not affected by pre-mixed carbonated liquids. j l

A further object of the present invention is to provide a filling head of such design whichmay be quickly and easily disassembled for cleaning and reassembled.

Still another object of the present invention is Yto provide a filling head of such design that all moving parts, including the fillingand gasyvalves, will be op erable with a minimum degreeof friction `and which are of simple design and can be produced `at relatively low cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling valve for a filling head which is made of a resilient material and is capable of being flexed from the closed to the open position. t t M l A `still further object of the present invention isto provide a filling valve in the liquid passagel of a` filling head, the filling valve when'open'ed defining a restricted passage for liquid liowing through the filling-head. The restricted passage provided by the lling valve is of such optimum cross-sectional area as to cause liquid to `cease liowing into the container when pressure in the container builds up substantially equal to the pressure of the liquid in the filling machine reservoir.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a restricted passage in the liquid passage imme' diately adjacent the location of the filling valve. By providing the restricted liquid passage adjacent the filling valve, liquid is not trapped below nor is gas trapped above the filling valve when the same is closed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a filling head with gas and liquid valves which will automatically close if a container leaks or breaks during filling.

These and other objects of the invention will appear more fully in the following specification, claims and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical radial section through the reservoir of a rotary filling machine, the filling head being shown in elevation; t ,t v

Figure 2 is an exial section through` the filling head, the view showing the head with its liquid and gas valves in closed position; Y V g Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken onthe line 3-3 of Figure 2 and showing the gas valve in the closed position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2 and showing the liquid valve actuating stem moved to a position to close the liquid valve;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the filling head liq'uid'and gas valves in the counterpressure fiowstage; @j j Figure 6 is vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 and showing the gas valve in the full open position;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line -10 of Figure 8 and showing the liquid valve actuat-4 ing stem in a position where the liquid valve is closed but may be opened;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the lling head liquid and gas valves in the filling and venting stage;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Figure k8 and showing the gas valve in the open position for venting counterpressure gas from the container; Y Y

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 10-,10 of Figure 8 and showing the liquid valve actuating stem in a position where the liquid valve is opened;

Figure l1 is a schematicV view of the filling head disclosing the relative position of the filling head liquid and gas valves during the various stages of a filling cycle;

Y Figure 12 is a detailed side elevational view of the cam for operating the valves of the filling head;

Figure 13 is in end elevational View of the cam of Figure l2 and looking from the left of Figure l2; Y

Figure 14 is an end elevational view of the cam of Figure l2 and looking from the right of Figure l2;

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view of the cam taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional View of the cam taken on the line 16-16 of Figure 12;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view of the cam taken on the line 17-17 of Figure l2;

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cam taken on the line I18-18 of Figure 14;

yFigure 19 is an enlarged fragmentary view takenf on the line 19--19 of Figure 14; Y l

4Figure 20 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 20-20 of Figure 8;

Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the filling nozzle structure and showing the liquid filling valve in the closed position;

Figure 23 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Figure 22 but showing the liquid filling valve in the opened position; l

Figure 24 is an enlarged detailed view partly in elevation and partly in cross-section showing the gas valve;

V.Figure 25 is a plan view of a modified form of liquid filling valve;

'Figure 26 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the modified filling valve taken on the line 26-26 of Figure 25 and showing the modified form of filling valve Vconnected to the valve actuating stem and nozzle structure.

General arrangement and operationY containers are filled with a carbonated liquid and after.,l

filling are lowered and removed from the platforms. rEhe filling .machine is provided with a filling reservoir- 14 which may be of annular or doughnut form, and the 4 heads 12 are carried by the reservoir in circumferentially spaced relationship with each other. One filling head 12 is in vertical alignment with each container supporting platform 10, Reservoir 14 is supplied with a carbonated liquid which may be a pre-mixed liquid comprising syrup, fruit pulp, or the like, and a carbonated water; or it may 'be just carbonated water with flavoring being previously supplied to the container. The carbonated liquid is supplied to reservoir 14 through suitable connections such as are customarily provided on counter-pressure container filling machines of the rotary type. A body of gas or air at a suitable pressure is supplied to the upper portion of reservoir 14, the pressure of the gas or air being maintained at a desired pressure by the usual control means for counterpressure filling machines.

Filling head 12 includes a liquid filling valve 16, a gas valve 18 (Figures 5 and 24), and a filling nozzle structure 20. A gas tube 22 extending from Vthe gas valve 18? downwardly through and below the nozzle structure 20 is provided for supplying counterpressure gas to and vent'- ing counterpressure gas from a container C during the pressure filling machine rotates, gas valve 18 is posi-Y tively opened and places the inside of container C inl open communication with the superposed body of gas inl reservoir 14. Gas will quickly iiow into the container, filling the same to a pressure substantially equal with the pressure of gas in the reservoir. Filling valve 16 ordinarily remains closed during the counterpressure stage of the filling cycle, but, as will be described in more detail later in the specification, may open during the counterpressure stage when the pressure in the container is substantially balanced with the pressure of liquid' and the superposed body of gas in reservoir 14. In other words, event though the filling table has not moved to a position where the filling stage normally occurs, liquid may ow upon the aforementioned balanced condition of counterpressure gasV in container C and pressure of liquid and the superposed body of gas in reservoir 14. Y i

During the filling stage, a valve operating mechanism, generally indicated at 19, is moved to such a position that filling valve 16 and gas valve k18` may open upon various conditions hereinaftery discussed. Gas valve 18 remains open during the filling stage; however, it is not opened as much during Vthe' filling stage as during the counterpressure stage thereby Actn'itrollirig the rate of flow of liquid into container C. In the filling stage, both the gas valve and the liquid valve can automatically close should the condition arise where container C leaks or breaks. Y

After the level of liquid in container C'reaches a. predeterminedA height and while valve operating mechanism 19 for the filling valve 16 and gas valve 18 is still in Vthe liquid stage position, liquid flow will automatically stop because of Va balance of pressure between the pressure of the head space of the container and the pressure of the liquid and gas in reservoir 14. `A more'- invention will detailed description of this feature of` the follow later in the specification. Y

Once container C has been filled and the filling ma l chine has rotated to a position where valve operating mechanism 19 for the liquid and `gas valve 16 and 1S respectively has positively Vclosed the same, sniftvalvey leased through the snift valve to atmosphere. After the snift stage, container C is lowered away from the nozzle structure and transferred from the filling table and conveyed to suitable container closing mechanism.

DETAILED CONSTRUCTION Referring to Figure 2, reservoir 14, asv previously mentioned, is doughnut-shaped and is provided with a top cover 27 which may be removable so that the interior of the reservoir can `be cleaned and filling heads 12 can be maintained. Cover 27 is mounted on reservoir 14 in a sealing relationship therewith, any suitable holding means capable of resisting gas pressure within the tank being provided. Usually an annular resilient seal or Q-ring 28 may be provided between the top edges of the reservoir and cover 27. Reservoir 14 is provided with an outer peripheral wall 30, a bottom wall 32 and an inner peripheral wall (not shown).

Bottom wall 32 of reservoir 14 is provided with a plurality o f circumferentially spaced apertures 34, the apertures being of sufficient size for insertion of the liquid valve 16. A collar 36 depends downwardly from the bottom wall 32 of the reservoir and surrounds each of the apertures 34. Collar 36 is internally threaded at 38 and is adapted to receive and support the nozzle strucu ture 20. The outer peripheral wall is provided with a radially extending aperture 40 through which a shaft portion 42 of valve operating mechanism 19 extends. The outer end of shaft portion 42 is provided with a key 43 (Figures l2 and 13) and a trip lever 46 with a complementary keyway mounted thereon. Trip lever 46 is adapted to engage stationary trips fixed to the stationary frame of the filling machine and move valve operating mechanism 19 to various stages of operation during the fiiiing cycle.

Nozzle structure 20 includes an annular adapter member 48 which is received in collar or iange 36, a retaining ring 50 exteriorly threaded at 52 and threadedly received in collar 36 and a sealing ring 54 adapted for sealing engagement with container C. Retaining ring 50 not only supports adapter member 48 within collar 36, as best shown in Figure 2, but also supports sealing ring 54.

Sealing ring 54 is provided with a peripheral bead 56 which is received in an annular groove 58 in the inner Wall 60 of the retaining ring. The container sealing ring is made of a resilient material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like, and the major body portion thereof is of substantially the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of retaining ring 50. It will now be obvious that sealing ring 54 may be easily removed and replaced, it being necessary merely to force the sealing ring into the bore 60 of retaining ring 50` until its bead 56 expands into the groove 58. The upper portion 61 of annular sealing ring 54 is iiared inwardly and received in a complementary recess 62 in adapter member 48. Also it will be noted that upper portion 61 of the sealing ring provides a conical tapered sealing surface 64 for receiving the lip of a container and, consequently, any slight Variations in the lip of the container will be compensated for when the container is placed in sealing engagement with nozzle structure 2f).

Referring now to Figures 20 and 2l, adapter member 48 is provided with a circular recess 66 on its upper surface which is complementary in diameter to the aperture 34 in bottom Wall 32 of reservoir 14. The flat surface of recess 66 provides a seat face 67 for liquid valve 16. A thin web 68 is provided in adapter member 48 and defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced vertical apertures 70. Web 68 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 72, the upwardly extending portion and the center of the web having an axial bore 74 therethrough. 'The lower portion of bore 74 is threaded as indicated at 76 to receive the threaded end of the lower portion 86 of gas tube 22. Surrounding apertures 70 and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom is a tapered flange 82 which forms part of recess 62 and which defines a portion of liquid passage 26 through nozzle structure 211. 'The lower tip 84 of the inwardly tapered liange 82 provides a spilling lip for the nozzle structure and, as will now be obvious from Figures 2 and 2l, the liquid passage thnough the nozzle structure from seat face 67 to spilling lip 84 where the liquid is in contact with the walls thereof is of minimum length defining a dump chamber of minimum volume. However, the cross-sectional area of the liquid passage is quite large.

Adapter member 48 is provided with an inwardly extending radial bore 86 which terminates at 88; A small passage 90 in the body of adapter member 48 extends between the inner end of the bore 86 and one of the vertical passages 70. Collar 36` is provided with a bore 92 and snift valve 214 is` inserted through bore 92 and threaded into adapter member 48. Snift valve 24 is provided with a valve trip 94 which when operated by a fixed trip will place the liquid passage 26 beneath liquid valve 16 in open communication with atmosphere as disclosed in the copending Carl L. Day and Frederick E. Fauth application, Ser. No. 426,108, filed April 28, 1954. now Patent Number 2,783,785.

Bore 74 of center portion 72 of the web 68 is reduced at 96 and an upper portion 98 of gas tube 22 is received in the bore and supported by the shoulder of reduced portion 96. Although it is preferable that the upper portion 98 of gas tube 22 be a sliding fit in the bore 74, it would be within the scope of the present invention to support the upper portion of the gas tube in any other suitable manner.

Liquid valve 16 is preferably made of a resilient deformable material such as rubber, synthetic rubber, or the like and is annular shaped so as to have sealing engage-` ment with the seat face 67 of surface 66 provided in adapter member 48 on the outside of the circumferentially spaced passages 7i?. As best shown in Figures 22 and 23, liquid valve 16 is provided with an inner sleeve 100 extending upwardly from the face 102 of the valve and adapted to be received over the extension 72 of web 68; in other Words, the extension 72 of web 68 is forced into the sleeve 100 of valve 16 and valve 16 is frictionally retained thereon. An outer upwardly extending sleeve 1614 is provided on the periphery of valve 16. Outer sleeve 184 is provided with an annular groove 106 on its inner Wall where the sleeve is integnal with the face or body portion 102 of the valve. Groove 106 in the wall of sleeve 164 of the valve is adapted to receive an outwardly iiared end of a tubular valve actuating stem 168.

Refenring now to Figures l, 2, and 12 through 19 inclusive, the valve operating mechanism 19 for liquid valve 16 and gas valve 1S includes a cam 44 rotatable in side wall 30 of reservoir 14. More specifically, a cam shaft retainer sleeve 112 having a cylindrical portion 114 and a semi-cylindrical portion 116 is adapted to fit into bore 40 of side wall 14 and provide a bearing surface for the shaft portion 42 of cam 44. The cylindrical portion 114 of sleeve 112 is fitted into bore 40 from the inside of the reservoir toward the outside and is provided with threads 118 o n its end to receive a retaining nut 120. A suitable keyway 122 in the aperture or bore 40 is adapted to receive a pin 124 carried by sleeve 112 so that the angular position of the sleeve is proper when the same is placed in position in aperture 40. A suitable gasket ring 128 inserted between the shoulders of the semicyiindrical portion 116 of sleeve 112 and thewall 30 of reservoir 14 is provided to make a proper liquid and gas seal between the exterior fof the sleeve and the reservoir.

Cam 44 which includes shaft 42 is carried within the sleeve member 112, the shaft portion 42 extending through the cylindrical portion 114 of sleeve 112. An annular ridge 131i on the exterior of the shaft 42 bears against the end of the cylindrical portion 116 of sleeve 112 and retaining nut 120 retains cam 44 in longitudinal position relative the sleeve. As previously mentioned, lever arm 46 is mounted on the end of shaft 42 by fitting its end into the key 43 on the end of the shaft. A center bore 132 extending from the end terminating in radial passages 134 may be provided in shaft 42 so that the bearing sleeve 112 can be lubricated. A suitable lubrication fitting 136 is provided in the end of bore 132. In order to insure free rotation between sleeve 112 and cam 44, a bearing liner138 is provided in the bore of the cylindrical portion 114 of the sleeve member 112. To prevent lubricating oils from entering reservoir 14 and to make a gas and liquid seal on shaft portion 42 of cam 44, a groove 140 is provided on shaft 42 inwardly of the bearing liner and a sealing ring 142 is positioned therein to seal against the bore of sleeve 112. A preferred'form of sealing ring is rectangular in cross-section, as shown in Figure 4 but it is, of course, within the scope of the present invention that other types of sealing rings may be used.

In addition to sealing rings 142 and 128 which help to maintain a liquid and gas or pressure-tight connection of the valve operating mechanism 19, gaskets 144 and 146 are provided. Gasket 144 provides an additional seal between the retaining nut 120, reservoir wall 30 and sleeve 112, whereas gasket 146 provides a seal between nut 120 and the shaft 42 of cam 44.

Cam 44 is provided with an arcuate recess 148 (Figures 2, 14 and 19) on its inner end. A stud or lug 150 carried by the semi-cylindrical portion 116 of sleeve 112 and extending radially inwardly therefrom is adapted to be received in arcuate recess 148 and, as shown in Figures 4 and 10, limits the rotation of carn 44 on a horizontal axis between the closed stage and the filling and venting stage. In this regard, it might be noted that the semicylindrical portion 116 of sleeve 112 covers the top half of cam 44, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

On the exterior of cam 44 a cam surface 152 is provided for cooperating with gas valve 18 and another cam surface 154 Vis provided for cooperating with the valve actuating stem 108 of liquid valve 16. A more detailed description of the cam surfaces 152 and 154 will appear later in the specification.

In addition to cam surfaces 152 and 154, the end of cam 44 is provided with a short bore 156 which terminate's at 158, as best shown in Figures 12 and 15 to 17, inclusive. A pair of radially extending and circumferentially'spaced holes 160 and 162 respectively are provided in the wall of cam 44 and open into bore 156. A radially extending slot 164 in the wall of cam 44 extends between holes 160 and 162 and into the bore 156. As shown in Figure 17, the provision of the slot between the holes 160 and 162 provide a surface 166 on each side of the slot whichis a-second cam surface for cooperating with gas valve 18, as will be explained in more detail later in the specification.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 24, it will be seen that the upper portion 98 of gas tubev 22 terminates beneath cam 44. Gas valve 18 is cap-shaped and is adapted to t over the end of gas tube 22. The cap-shaped gas valve 18 includes a valve body portion 168, a sleeve portion 170 extending downwardly therefrom, and a resilient gasket 172 mounted within the sleeve portion 170. The lower end of the sleeve portion 170 is threaded at 174 and is adapted to receive a cap member 176 which retains gasket 1.72 in place. Cap member 176 has at its upper end at least one radially extending hole 178 which communicates with 'an annular groove 180 on the periphery of the cap member.'V Sleeve 170 also has a plurality of radially extending holes 182 therethrough whereby communication with the interior of the cap member can be through the holes 182, annular groove 180 and holes 178. Valve 18, including the cap member 176, valve body 168 and sleeve 170 slide as a unit on gas tube 22 and when the gas tube is bearing against gasket 172, the gas valve 18 8 will be closed. On the other hand, when gas valve 18 is moved upwardly with respect to the gas tube, there will be open communication between the interior of the reservoir 14 and the interior of the gas tube 22 through the passages 182, 180 and 178.

A ball-shaped extension 184 is provided on the valve body 168 and extends centrally upwardly therefrom. Ball-shaped extension 184 has a diameter substantially equal to or smaller than the diameter of holes 160 and 162 in cam 44 and may freely move vertically therethrough, as will be explained late r in the specification.

As previously mentioned, liquid valve 16 is provided with a tubular valve actuating stem 108. The tubular valve actuating stem extends upwardly in reservoir 14 concentrically of gas tube 22. A cylindrical-shaped cam follower member is secured to the upper end of valve actuating stem 108 by means of the screws 188. It will be noted that cam follower member 186 has a reduced portion 190 which fits into tubular sleeve 108 and provides a shoulder 192. Cam follower 186 is adapted to engage the cam surface 154 on either side of the cam surface 152.

A tubular guide member 194 carried by gas tube 22 guides valve stem 108 in its vertical movement with respect to the gas tube. Guide member 194 is provided with a counterbore 196 at its lower end and is adapted to slip over the inner sleeve of valve 16. As best shown in Figure 22, counterbore 196 wedges the inner sleeve 100 of valve 16 between it and the upwardly extending portion '72 of web 68. Consequently, valve 16, the upper portion 98 of gas tube 22 and guide member 194 are stationary with respect to each other and to the nozzle structure 20. The lower end ofV guide member 194 is rounded at 198 so that when valve 16 is exed open -by vertical movement of valve actuating stem 108, the body portion 102 of the valve will liex around the rounded portion 198 of guide member 194.V

To insure accurate vertical movement of valve stem 108 with respect to guide member 194, a plurality of radially extending projections 200 are provided on the upper end thereof. Projections 200 bear against the inner wall of tubular valve actuating stem 108. So that there will be a minimum of friction between the guide member 194 and the valve actuating stern 108, the projections 200 are relatively small with respect to the length of the guide member'. Apertures 202 and 204 are provided vin the upper and lower ends of tubular valve actuating stem 108 to thereby provide free flow of liquid and gas to the interior of the valve actuating stern.

A coiled compression spring 206 positioned within valve actuating stem 108 bears against the shoulder 192 of cam follower 186 and the top of the stationary guide member 194. Spring 206 constantly urges Ythe valve actuating stem upwardly and, consequently, when a low portion of the cam surface 154 is presented to the cam follower 186, the valve stem 108 will be raised vertically, flexing with it the valve 16 to open the same. However, it is well to point out that spring 206 is of such tension that valve 16 will not open until the pressure in the container balances or is substantially equal to the pressure of liquid in the reservoir 14 acting on the shoulders 208 of Valve 16. A more detailed discussion of lthis feature of liquid valve operation will follow later in the specification. Y

Gas valve 18 is constantly urged upwardly toward the opened position by a compression spring 210 which is concentric with spring 206 and which bears against the upper end of guide member 194. The upper end of spring 210 is adapted to be received in threads 212 provided on the lower end of the cap member 176 as best disclosed in Figure 24. Spring 210 will urge gas Walve 18 to the open position when a low point on the cam surface 152 is presented to the upper surface of the valve body 168.

Gas valve 18 is also opened positively by the cam 44.

Vit will be noted that the ball-shaped `extension 184 extends through the holes 160 or 162. When the cam 44 is rotated on a horizontal axis,a stem 214'of ball-shaped extension 184 rides in the slot 164 and the raised portion `or interior cam surface `5166 will bear against the under surface of the ballshaped extension causing the ball-shaped extension to be `positively lifted. A more detailed description of thepurpose of positively `opening the gas valve will follow `later in the specification under the heading Counter Pressure Stage.

As best shown lin Figures`2, '22and 23, the upper surface 66 of adapter member 48is provided with a counterbore 216 while the center portion of web `68fis provided with an annular groove 218. A screen element 220 is retained in the counterbore-216 and groove 218 and provides a means for automatically stopping the flow of liquid to the container when `the pressure of the gas in `the head space of the container is balanced with the pressure of liquid above the screen. The natural surface tension of the liquid with the screen will prevent further liquid from flowing into the container. It will be noted that the lower portion 80 of gas tube 22 is provided with an aperture 222 abowe its outlet 224. When liquid flowing into the container iills up past the aperture 222 there will be no place for gas in the head space of the container to escape and consequently the pressure of the gas in the head space will build up as liquid flows into the container until it is substantially equal to the pressure of the liquid flowing through the screen and liquid passage 26. At this instant `the liquid ow into the container will stop. The mesh of screen element 222 depends upon the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid being owed into the container.

A modiiied means for automatically stopping the flow of liquid into the container after the liquid in the container has risen above the port 222 in gas tube 22 is disclosed in Figures 25 and 26. In this form of the invention, liquid valve 18 is provided with an annular ange 226 on its outer sleeve 104. An annular space 225 between the annular flange 226 'and the wall of the aperture 34 in the bottom wall 32 of tank 14 defines a restricted passage for the flow of liquid through valve 18 when the valve is open- This restricted passage has a width in the order of .040 of an inch and this is determined by the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid being handled, for example, a carbonated mixture of one part of 30 Baume syrup andve parts water. If the liquid being filled has a greater viscosity and surface tension than the mixture just mentioned, the spacing between the flange and the wall of the aperture may be `increased and, conversely, if the liquid has a less viscosity and surface tension, the spacing may be decreased.

The modified form of invention disclosed in Figures 25 and 26 is preferably used when filling with a carbonated liquid containing a mixture of pulp or the like which would ordinarily clog the screen of the form of the invention shown in Figure 22. However-,it is possible to use a screen with some pulp or carbonated liquid mixtures. In either case, it will be noted that the .liquid flow is `stopped right at the point where the liquid valve A is opened and closed. The advantage of stopping the flow at the point where the liquid valve is opened or closed is that no liquid remains in the liquid passage below the liquid valve and no gas remains `in the passage above the liquid valve when `the liquid valve is positively closed by cam 44.` This results in more even iilling of subsequent containers -and a material reduction 4in foaming.

Operation As` `-has been indicated above, a series of `filling heads of the present invention would be provided in association `with the annular filling reservoir 14, and reservoir 14 would be lsupplied with carbonated liquid and asuperposed body of gas by any system usual to rotary counterpressure fillingv machines. Suitable means would be `provided to maintain a substantially constant level of' the liquid in the reservoir while the machine is in operation.

Empty containers C` are successively transferred to container supporting `platforms 10 as the container supporting platforms pass an inlet station on the work table of a filling machine. The containers are raised into sealing engagement with the sealing rings 54 and as the filling machine rotates, the container is then subjected to the various stages of the filling cycle which are described under separate headings below.

CLOSED STAGE Figures 2, 3, 4 and lil illustrate the position the iilling head valves will occupy during `the closed stage. The iilling head ordinarily lwill be in this condition after a container had been moved downwardly from the filling head and when an unfilled container is received by the lling head.

In the closed stage, valve trip arm 46 is in position A disclosed at the righthand sideof the schematic view of Figure 11. It will be noted that the cam follower l186 is bearing against a high point 300 on the cam surface 154 and, thus, valve stem 108 is at its lowerrnost vertin can position causing liquid valve 16 to seal tightly against valve seat 67. lGas valve 18 is also closed, it being held in closed position against the spring tension of spring- 210 by a high point 302 on cam surface 152. It will be noted that the high point 302 of cam surface 152 is holding gas valve 18 downwardly in its lowermos't position so that the `gasket 172 carried by the gas valve is pressed into sealing engagement with the upper end of gas tube`22.

While the filling head is in the closed stage, container C is elevated vertically into engagement with the gasket 54 of nozzle structure 20 and the container is then in sealing relationship with the filling head and is ready for lthe filling operation.

lever 46 into engagement with a fixed trip 304 of 'the filling machine frame. Trip 304 rotates the trip lever 46 `to the position disclosed in Figures 5, 6, 7 and position B of schematic view` Figure l1.

The above rotation of 'trip lever 46 to position B causes cam 44 to rotate approximately 50, bringing a low point or dwell 306 on the caim surface 152 over valve body portion 168 of gas valve 18. However, gas valve 18 would not normally open because the pressure of the superposed body of gas in the reservoir acting on the gas valve, is greater than atmospheric pressure and the pressure of spring 210 tending to open lthe gas valve. it will be noted 'that the under surface of the ball-shaped extension 184 of the gas valve rides on the interiorcam sur- 'face 166 and, thus, gas valve 18 is positively moved vertically to its open position during this stage of the filling cycle. During counterpressure liow stage, gas valve 18 is open a maximum amount so as to permit gas rom the upper portion of reservoir 14 to flow quickly through the passages 182, and 178 downwardly through gas tube 22 into the container as indicated by the arrows in positi'onB of Figure ll. p

While cam 44 is being rotatedfr'om the closed stage to the counterpressure flow stage, it will be noted that cam surface 154 which `normally engages cam follower 186 to close liquid valve 16, falls away from carnfollower 186. As best shown in Figures 5 and 7, a` low point or dwell 308 will beabove cam follower `186`to thereby permit cam follower 186 to be spring urged upwardly into engagement therewith when the pressure of gas flowing into the container builds up to lan amount which substantially balances with the .pressure of the `liquid acting on the `surface 208 `of liquid valve 16. The

low point or dwell 308 on cam surface 1'54'b'egins at ap- .shown in Figures 8, 9 and 11.

vproximately 45 movement of cam 44 and continues to the position for the filling and venting stage. In other words, when the cam has moved 50, the dwell 308 of cam surface 154 will permit liquid Valve 16 to open as soon as there is the aforementioned balancing of pressures between the liquid in the reservoir and gas in the container. This condition of the liquid valve opening may occur even before the cam 44 has rotated a full 110 to the filling and venting stage. The flow of gasV into the container during the counterpressure stage requires only a brief interval of time since gas valve 18 is opened the full amount and, consequently, liquid valve 16 will open simultaneously with the establishment of a full counterpressure in the container.

FILLING AND VENTING STAGE When counterpressure has been established in the container, that is, the pressure in the container becomes substantially equal to that above the liquid in .the reservoir, spring 206 will cause cam follower 186 to rmove upwardly against the dwell or low point 308 on cam surface 154 and thereby causing liquid valve 16 to open. In the meantime, the filling table is still rotating and trip lever 46 engages a fixed trip 314 on the frame of the filling machine and moves to the position shown at C in Figure ll. When in position C, which is the filling and venting stage position, cam 44 will have rotated approximately 110 and cam surface 152 will have a dwell or low point 316 which partially closes gas valve 18 as On the other hand, cam surface 154 will have a dwell or low point 318 which is even lower than the dwell or low point 308 and, thus,

valve actuating stern 108 will be moved upwardly further `to open liquid Valve 16 to its maximum position. Under normal conditions, liquid flows downwardly through liquid passage 26 as indicated by the arrows (Figure 1l) and is deflected outwardly against the walls of container C by a deflector 320 carried on the central gas tube 22. Counterpressure gas in container C flows in the direction of the arrows (Figure 11) through gas tube 22 back into the reservoir above the level of liquid therein. By having the gas `valve 16 partially closed in the filling stage as' compared with the counterpressure stage, the flow of gas from the container is relatively slower and, consequently, the iiow of liquid into the container is not s`o rapid as to cause foaming.

In the event that the container C is not in proper seal- Ving engagement with the gasket 54 of nozzle structurel "20, the counterpressure gas will have leaked out, causing an unbalance between the pressure in the container and the pressure of liquid and gas in the reservoir. Consequently, gas valve 118 which now has its ball-shaped eX- tension 184 over the passage or hole 162 in cam 44 is rapidly forced downwardly by the gas pressure in the reservoir into sealing engagement with the upper end of ,gas iiow tube 22. On the other hand, the unbalancing of the system as caused by a leaking container, results in the liquid valve closing. This occurs because the pressure in the container will be less than the pressure of liquid bearing on the shoulder 208 of liquid Valve 16.

Consequently, the liquid pressure on shoulder 208 of liquid valve 16 will overcome the spring 206 causing the liquid valve to close.

As previously mentioned in the specification, the liquid flowing into container C is automatically stopped when the level of liquid in the container reaches a predetermined height even though the valves of the lling head may be open as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 1l. Liq-e uid liowing into the container eventually covers the port 222 in gas flow tube 22 and when this condition occurs,

'there is no escape for the gas vand the pressure of the gas builds up in the head space of the container. When the pressure of theV gas has built up sufficiently high to balance the pressure Yof liquid flowing into the container, the surface tension capillary action of the liquid on thersreen V220 prevents further liquid from iiowing into the container. 1-

As shown in Figures 25 and 26, a modied means of stopping the ilow of liquid into the container does not include the screen 220 but relies on a restriction 225 in the liquid passage 26. In the modified form, the restricted passage 225 is defined by the liange 226 on the periphery of liquid valve 16 and the wall of the aperture 34. The distance between the wall and the liquid valve is controlled so that when the pressure builds up in the head space of the container, the surface tension of the liquid is sufficient to prevent further liquid from flowing into the container.

SNIFIING STAGE A few seconds after liquid has stopped flowing into the container, the filling head will have moved to position D of Figure 11 where the trip lever 46 has engaged a trip 330 and has been moved back to the closed position. By closed position, it will be understood that both the liquid valve 16 and the gas valve 18 will have been positively closed by movement of the cam so that the high points of cam surface 152 and 154 will have engaged the valve body 168 of gas valve 18 and cam follower 186 of liquid valve 16 respectively. In other words, both the liquid and gas valves are positively closed. .However, before the container is removed out of sealing engagement with the filling head by lowering of the container supporting platform 10, a xed trip (not shown) engages the valve plunger 94 of snift valve 24 and opens the head space of the container to atmosphere to thereby relieve excess pressure in the head space of the container. The trip 94 is only momentarily held -open as this is sufiicient time to relieve the excess pressure in the head space of the container.

ferred to suitable closing mechanism (not shown). The

lling head is still in the closed position and is ready then to receive another container and repeat the filling cycle just previously described.

Since the counterpressure stage is reduced to a minimum by providing a maximum opening for gas valve 18 and since the filling and venting stage is reduced to a minimum by providing a maximum annular liquid passage, there is provided a lapse of time between lling and snifting. The lapse of time allows the carbonated liquid to rest and become quiescent and, thus, foaming during snifting is materially reduced. Further, the very short liquid passage between the reservoir and the container provides a minimum dump chamber resulting in an Vthe invention being defined by the claims.

We claim:

'l. The combination in a counterpressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of said reservoir, a liquid passage extending from Ysaid reservoir to said nozzle structure, a liquid valve in said liquid passage, said liquid valve including an actuating stem extending upwardly within said reservoir, a gas ow tube extending from said nozzle structure upwardly within said reservoir, said liquid valve actuating stem and said gas flow tube being concentric and movable vertically with respect to each other, a gas valve carried on the upper end of said gas llow tube, a cam journalled in snaar/s a side wall of said reservoir and rotatable about a horizontal axis to control said gas valve and said liquid valve actuating stem, and an actuating arm on said cam exteriorly of said reservoir.

2. The combination described in claim 1 including means on said cam cooperating with said gas valve to positively open and hold open said gas valve when a container is to be placed under counterpressure, and

spring means to maintain said gas valve open when the container is being filled with the liquid.

3. The combination described in claim l including a first spring means to open said gas valve and a second spring means to open said liquid valve, said cam positively closing said gas `valve and said liquid valve.

4. The combination in a counteipressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid `and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of said reservoir, a liquid passage extending from said reservoir to said nozzle structure, a liquid valve in said liquid passage, said liquid valve including an actuating stem extending upwardly within said reservoir, a gas ow tube extending from said nozzle structure upwardly with- `in said reservoir, a gas valve carried on the upper end of said gas tube and adapted to open and close the end of said gas tube, said liquid valve actuating stem and said gas tube being concentric with respect to each other, a `cam journalled in the sidewall of said reservoir and rotatable about a horizontal axis, said cam including a rst cam surface for engaging said liquid valve actuating stem to close said liquid valve and permit said liquid valve to open appredetermined amount and a second cam surface for engaging said gas valve to close said gas Valve and `to permit said `gas `valve to open a predetermined amount during filling of a container, means on said cam cooperating with said gas valve to positively open and maintain opensaid gas valve a predetermined amount when a container is being placed under counterpressure, and an actuating arm on said carn exteriorly of said reservoir.

5. The combination described in claim 4 including spring means to open said liquid valve for filling a containerand a secondspring means to maintain said gas valve `open independently of said cam during filling of a container.

6. The combination in a `counterpressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of said reservoir, a liquid passage extending from said reservoir to said nozzle structure, a liquid valve in said liquid passage, said liquidvalve `including a tubular actuating stem extending upwardly within said reservoir,

. a gas ow tube lixedly attached to said nozzle structure and extending upwardly within said tubular liquid valve actuating stem, said liquid valve actuating stern being movable vertically with respect to said nozzle structure and gas ilow tube to open and close said liquid Valve, a gas valve carried on the upper end-ot` said gas ilow tube and adapted to open and close the same, a cam journalled in a side wall of said reservoir and rotatable about a horizontal axis to control said gas valve and said liquid valve actuating stern, and an actuating arm :on said cam exteriorly of said reservoir.

7. The combination described in claim 6` including means carried by said gas flow tube for centering and guiding said liquid valve actuating stern when the same actuating stern and the upper end of said sleeve merriber, said irst spring means urging said liquid valve actuating stem in a direction to open said liquid valve, and a second spring means positioned between said gas valve and the upper end of said sleeve member, said second spring means urging said gas valve to open.

l0. The combination in a counterpressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of said reservoir, a liquid passage extending from said reservoir to said nozzle structure, aliquid valve in'said liquid passage, said liquid valve including a tubular actuating stem extending upwardly within said reservoir, a gas flow tube fixedly connected to said nozzle structure and extending upwardly within said liquid valve actuating stem, means to move said liquid valve actuating stern vertically to open and close said liquid valve, a gas valve carried on the upper end of said gas` flow tube and adapted 'to open and close the same, means to open and close said gas valve, a sleeve member fixed to said gas flow tube between said gas flow tube'and said liquid valve actuating stern, and means on said sleeve member to guide said liquid valve actuating stem when the same is moved vertically.

l1. In a filling valve for a counterpressure filler, a container engaging nozzle structure, said nozzle structure including a liquid passage therethrough, a gas tube opening into said nozzle structure and extending centrally of said liquid passage, a exible liquid valve element fixed relative to said nozzle structure and said gas ow tube, aliquid valve actuating stem concentrically positioned and movable with respect to said gas flow tube, said liquid valve actuating 'stem being connected to and adapted to ex said flexible valve element to open the liquid passage with respect to a reservoir.

12. In a filling valveof the character described in claim 1l including a sleeve member positioned between said gas ilow tube and saidliquid valve actuating stem, said sleeve member being xed with respect to said gas flow tube and adapted to guide said liquid valve actuating stem when the same is moved.

13. In a filling valve of the character described in claim ll including a sleeve member positioned between said gas flow tube and said liquid valve actuating stem, said sleeve member being fixed to said gas flow tube and having its lower end bearing against said flexible liquid valve element, the lower end of said sleeve member being rounded so that when said liquid valve element is open by movement of said liquid valve actuating stem, the liquid valve element will assume a position around the rounded end portion of said sleeve member.

i4. lnfalling valveof the character described in claim 13 including means on said sleeve member to guide and center said liquid valve actuating stem.

l5. The combination `in a counterpressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of said reservoir, a liquid passage extending from said reservoir to said nozzle structure, a liquid valve in said liquid passage, said liquid valve including an `actuating stem extending upwardly in saidreservoir, a gas ow tube extending from said nozzle structure upwardly within said reservoir, a gas valve carriedon said gas ilow tube, a cam journalled in the side wall of said reservoir and rotatableabout a horizontal axis to control said gas valve and said liquid valve actuating stem, at least a portion of said cam having a horizontally extending bore, a circumferentially extending slot in the wall of said cam communicating with said bore and a pair of holes in the wall of said cam at the ends of said slot, said bore adjacent the slot defining a cam surface, a ball-headed extension on said gas valve, said ballheaded extension adapted to extend through one of said holes into the bore of said cam vand adapted to be moved vertically by the cam surface defined by said bore upon rotation of said cam to open said gas valve, and actuating means on said cam exteriorly of said reservoir for rotating said cam. Y Y

16. The combination described in claim 15 wherein means are provided for opening said gas valve independently of said cam when said cam is rotated to a position for filling the container with liquid.

17. The combination described in claim 16 wherein said last mentioned means to open said gas valve is a spring and wherein spring means is provided to open said liquid valve, said gas valve and said liquid valve being closed by said cam.

18. The combination described in claim 17 including cam surfaces on the exterior of said cam to close said gas valve and said liquid valve.

19. In a filling head for use with counterpressure fillers of the type having a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a nozzle structure adapted to be supported on a bottom apertured wall of the reservoir and including an annular liquid passage therethrough, a web extending transversely of said liquid passage and defining circumferentially spaced holes in said liquid passage, a portion ofthe center of said web extending upwardly of the nozzle structure, a vertical bore through the center of said web, a gas tube carried in the bore of said web and extending upwardly into the superposed body of gas in the reservoir and downwardly beneath said nozzle structure, a gas valve carried by said gas tube, means to open and close said gas valve, an annular resilient liquid valve having an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, said inner sleeve being positioned on the portion of said web extending upwardly of said nozzle structure, a liquid valve actuating stern connected to the outer sleeve of said liquid valve and extending upwardly within the reservoir concentrically of the vgas tube and means to move said liquid valve actuating stern vertically to open and close said liquid valve.

20. A filling head of the character described in claim 19 including a sleeve member carried on said gas tube and positioned between said gas tube and said liquid valve actuating stem for guiding said liquid valve actuating stem during vertical movement thereof.

21. A filling head of the character described in claim 19 including a sleeve member carried on said gas tube between said gas tube and said liquid valve actuating stern, the lower end of said sleeve member surrounding the inner sleeve of said liquid valve to thereby retain it in place with respect to said gas tube.

22. A filling head of the character described in claim 19 including a tubular member carried on said gas tube, said tubular member having its lower end rounded and bearing against said liquid valve, said liquid valve when opened by said liquid valve actuating stem being flexed about the rounded end of said tubular member.

23. The combination in a counter-pressure filler, of a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a container engaging nozzle structure in the lower portion of the reservoir, a liquid passage extending from said reservoir to said nozzle structure, Ia liquid valve in said liquid passage, said liquid valve including an actuating stein within said reservoir, a gas flow tube extending from said nozzle structure and within said reservoir, said liquid valve actuating stern and said gas ilow tube being movable with respect to each other, a gas valve on said gas flow tube, and means rotatable in a vertical plane to control said valves.

' 16 24. In a lling valve for a counterpressure ller, a container engaging nozzle structure, said nozzle structure including a liquid passage therethrough, a gas tube opening into said nozzle structure, a flexible liquid valve element `having a portion fixed relative saidnozzle Structure and Ysaid gas flow tube, a Vliquid valve actuating stem movable with respect to said gas flow tube and connected to another portion of said flexible valve element, said liquid valve actuating stern when moved being ladapted to flex said flexible valve element with respect to said nozzle structure and gas ow tube so as to open the liquid passage with respect to said reservoir.

25. In a'lling head for use with a counter-pressure filler of the typeY having a reservoir for liquid and a superposed body of gas, a nozzle structure having a container-engaging sealing surface, said nozzle structure including an annular liquid flow passage therethrough communicating with the liquid in the reservoir, a gas tube supported by said nozzle structure centrally of said liquid passage, said gas tube extending upwardly within .the reservoir and downwardly within a container to be filled, said nozzle structure having a surface surrounding said liquid passage and defining a valve seating surface, a liquid flow valve in said annular liquid passage and adapted to seat against said seating surface, means to positively open and close said liquid valve, and means in said annular liquid flow passage positioned immediately adjacent said liquid valve and at the level of said seating surface for stopping flow of liquid through said liquid valve at the level of said seating surface when the same is open and when flow of gas from the container being vfilled is stopped, said last-mentioned means preventing trapping of gas in said liquid passage above said liquid valve and liquid in said liquid passage below said liquid valve when said liquid valve is positively closed.

26. A filling head of the character described in claim 25, wherein said last-mentioned means includes a screen element positioned in said liquid ow passage adjacent said liquid flow valve at the level of said seating surface.

27. A filling head of the character described in claim 25, wherein said last-mentioned means includes an annular restriction in said liquid iiow passage dened by said liquid valve and the wall of said liquid flow passage and providing -a restricted liquid flow area adjacent said liquid flow valve at the level of said seating surface.

28. A filling head of the character described in claim 27 wherein said restricted liquid flow area has a width equal to a distance of the order of .040 of an inch.

29. l A filling head of the character described in claim 27 wherein said restricted flow area in said liquid passage is defined by a circumferential flange on said liquid valve rand the wall of said liquid passage.

i References Cited in the `tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 878,243 Schneider Feb. 4, 1908 1,364,650 Steere Jan. 4, 1921 2,063,326 ,Meyer Dec. 8, 1936 2,467,684 Meyer et al. Apr. 19, 1949 2,548,589 Chelle Apr.` 10, 1951 '2,597,943 Meyer May 27, 1952 2,640,640 YMeyer June 2, 1953 2,796,892 Meyer June 25, 1957

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