US3834429A - Method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface Download PDFInfo
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- US3834429A US3834429A US00283803A US28380372A US3834429A US 3834429 A US3834429 A US 3834429A US 00283803 A US00283803 A US 00283803A US 28380372 A US28380372 A US 28380372A US 3834429 A US3834429 A US 3834429A
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- bottle
- beverage
- lip
- outwardly
- sealing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
- B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
- B07C5/3404—Sorting according to other particular properties according to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level
- B07C5/3408—Sorting according to other particular properties according to properties of containers or receptacles, e.g. rigidity, leaks, fill-level for bottles, jars or other glassware
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07B—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS BY SIEVING, SCREENING, SIFTING OR BY USING GAS CURRENTS; SEPARATING BY OTHER DRY METHODS APPLICABLE TO BULK MATERIAL, e.g. LOOSE ARTICLES FIT TO BE HANDLED LIKE BULK MATERIAL
- B07B13/00—Grading or sorting solid materials by dry methods, not otherwise provided for; Sorting articles otherwise than by indirectly controlled devices
- B07B13/14—Details or accessories
- B07B13/18—Control
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
- B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
- G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
- G01M3/3236—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
- B67C2003/266—Means for centering the container with the filling head
Definitions
- ABSTRACT Method and apparatus are disclosed for the detection of beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface. Such detection is provided for in conjunction with the bottle filling operation wherein the filling apparatus seals on the bottle lip outwardly of the crown sealing surface and the bottle is then subjected to a counter pressure. If the counter pressure developed in the bottle is less than the pressure imposed on the beverage in the source reservoir, a short fill results. Thus, if the bottle lip is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing, a lesser counter pressure is developed in the bottle due to leakage past the seal which will result in a detectable short fill and can be rejected from the production line.
- Carbonated beverages including beer and soft drinks are enjoyed by countless people. Many people prefer drinking such beverages direct from the bottle without benefit of glass or cup, and many others are sometimes compelled to do so by circumstance.
- a persons lips When drinking directly from a bottle, a persons lips generally make contact with the portion of the bottle lip which extends outwardly from the crown or bottle cap sealing surface at the extreme upper end of the bottle.
- the bottle lip portion which extends outwardly from the crown sealing surface is damaged as by chipping, it constitutes a source of annoyance which alienates customers and provokes customer complaint.
- the apparatus further includes bottle engagement means which communicates with the beverage source and places the bottle in communication with the source.
- the bottle engagement means includes an annular sealing member which makes sealing contact with the lip of the bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface.
- Means are provided for developing a gaseous counter pressure in the bottle prior to its filling.
- means are further provided for transfer of the beverage from the source to the bottle while simultaneously venting the gaseous contents of the bottle.
- the bottle can be properly filled only if the counter pressure developed therein is generally equal to the pressure on the beverage in the source. If the counter pressure developed in the bottle is less than the pressure on the beverage in the source, foaming results during filling to preclude a proper fill and results in what is termed a short fill.
- the quality of the seal developed between the bottle and the annular sealing member is determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle. If that seal is interrupted to allow leakage from the bottle because the lip is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing member engagement, the resulting lesser counter pressure will result in DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
- the drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for the invention and are described hereinafter.
- FIG. 1 is an elevational view which illustrates generally the apparatus for filling bottles with a carbonated beverage
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial detail section showing the filling adaptor assembly of the bottle filling apparatus in engagement with a bottle in the mode of filling;
- FIG. 3 is a further enlarged partial detail section showing generally the sealing engagement with a bottle in the filling mode and providing for detection of bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface.
- a bottle 1 to be filled with a carbonated beverage is shown in connection with the filling apparatus or machine 2.
- the filling apparatus 2 includes the generally closed reservoir 3 wherein the beverage for bottling is maintained under a given pressure of CO gas.
- the reservoir 3 communicates with a valve unit 4 through a fill line 5 which extends from the lower portion of the reservoir and a pressure line 6 which extends from the upper portion of the reservoir.
- the valve unit 4 may be controlled by a suitable cam, not shown, to provide for filling of the bottle 1 in a manner hereinafter described.
- a bottle fill adaptor assembly 7 is disposed beneath the valve unit 4 and includes a vertically extending hollow filling spout or tube 8 having the upper end thereof secured within a support member 9.
- the tube support member 9 is secured beneath the valve unit 4 by means of the threaded member 10 which has a radial flange engageable under the downwardly facing external shoulder 11 of the support member.
- the fill adaptor assembly 7 further includes a bottle guide bell 12 which is slidably carried on the fill tube 8.
- the guide bell 12 is movable between a bottle engaging position generally shown in FIG. 1, wherein the internal guide bell shoulder 13 rests on the upwardly facing shoulder 14 adjacent to the lower end of the fill tube 8, and the bottle fill position wherein the upper end of the guide bellis pushed into sealing engagement with the annular sealing member 15 secured to the base of the fill tube support member 9 as generally shown in FIG. 2.
- the bottle filling apparatus 2 further includes a vertically movable bottle support stirrup l6 spaced and aligned vertically beneath the fill adaptor assembly 7.
- the support stirrup 16 is adapted to receive the bottle 1 and thereafter is actuated to carry the bottle upwardly into the fill position.
- the head 17 of the bottle enters the guide bell l2 and carries the guide bell upwardly therewith relative to the fill tube 8 which enters the bottle.
- the guide bell l2 and its internal annular sealing member 18 serve to center the bottle and its mouth 19 for entry of the fill tube 8 and to provide for proper sealing engagement with the sealing member 18.
- valve unit 4 To effect filling of the bottle 1 after the bottle arrives in the fill position, the valve unit 4 is actuated to initially place the bottle in communication with the pressure line 6 whereby to develop a counter pressure in the bottle equal to that in the reservoir 3. Thereafter the valve unit 4 is actuated to additionally open the fill line to effect a filling of the bottle 1 with the beverage passing through the fill tube 8 and entering the bottle through a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings at the lower end of the fill tube.
- the gas under pressure initially contained in the bottle is vented back to the reservoir passing successively through one or more vertically extending passages 21 in the guide bell 12 adjacent to the fill tube 8, the annular passage 22 formed between the fill tube and the sealing member 15 at the base of the fill tube support member 9, one or more passages 23 extending vertically through the fill tube support member, and then back through the valve unit 4 and pressure line 6.
- the valve unit 4 is actuated to close both the pressure line 6 and the fill line 5 and the support stirrup 16 is lowered to effect a withdrawal of the fill tube 8 from the bottle 1 and move the bottle to clear the fill adaptor assembly 7. With removal of the till tube 8, the level of the beverage in the bottle 1 will drop to a desired predetermined level to provide within acceptable tolerance limits the rated liquid contents for the bottle.
- a correct and proper fill for the bottle 1 is dependent on the development of a counter pressure in the bottle substantially equal to that in reservoir 3. With the counter pressure in bottle 1 equalized with reservoir pressure, foaming of the carbonated beverage is held to a minimum and proper filling of the bottle is'assured. In the event the counter pressure developed in the bottle l is less than reservoir pressure, excess foaming results in the filling operation to preclude a correct and proper fill of the bottle and resulting in what is termed a short fill. Short fills or bottles not filled to rated capacity are of course easily detected and removed manually or by available automatic detection and removal equipment, separate from the apparatus of the invention, such as illustrated in FIG. 1 and described in US. Pat. No. 3,133,638.
- At least a large proportion of bottles 1 having a damaged surface portion 24 of lip 25 outwardly from the crown sealing surface 26 can be detected in conjunction with the bottle filling operation.
- the invention provides that a large proportion of the bottles 1 having a damaged lip surface 24 will result in a short fill so that available detection means for short fill bottles can be relied upon to reject bottles having such imperfections.
- the annular sealing member 18 internally of the guide bell 12 is adapted to make contact with the bottle lip surface portion 24 during the bottle filling operation as best shown in FIG. 3.
- the sealing member 18 is seated in an annular recess 27 interiorly of the guide bell l2 and includes adjacent, angularly related annular surfaces 28 and 29 which form the circular edge 30 therebetween.
- the diameter of the circular edge 30 exceeds the diameter of the crown sealing surface 26 of the bottle 1 and together with the angularity of the sealing member surface 29 provides for the projection of bottle sealing surface 26 upwardly beyond edge 30 during the fill operation.
- the sealing member edge 30 must make sealing contact with lip surface portion 24 of the centered bottle 1.
- the sealing member 18 With some 30 pounds of pressure imposed from below by the bottle supporting stirrup 16, some deformation of the sealing member 18 along edge 30 results and is desired to provide good sealing contact with the bottle 1. Excessive deformation, however, is to be avoided so that the sealing member 18 will not merely deform or squash into any chipped areas present in the bottle lip surface portion 24. To preclude excessive deformation, the sealing member 18 is fabricated from a relatively hard rubber or other sealing material. While the deformation characteristics provided by a sealing member 18 fabricated from material registering a durometer hardness in the range from 72 to 82 is generally preferred, a durometer hardness range from 65 to may be passably acceptable.
- the invention thus provides a method for detecting a large proportion of those bottles 1 having lips 25 which are damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface 26. If the bottle lip surface portion 24 outwardly of the crown sealing surface 26 is damaged in the region engaged by the sealing edge 30 of the adaptor assembly sealing member 18 during the bottle filling operation, the damaged area will present a pressure leak so as to preclude development of a counter pressure in the bottle 1 generally equal to that in the reservoir 3. With a lesser pressure developed in the bottle 1, excess foaming results as the beverage enters the bottle to preclude a correct and proper fill and specifically resulting in a short fill. Such a short fill bottle is easily detected and rejected from the production line by either manually or by presently available short fill detection and removal equipment.
- sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 65 to 90.
- sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 72 to 82 to provide generally preferred deformation characteristics.
- a method for detecting beverage bottles during the bottle filling operation having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface of the bottle including making a substantially line sealing contact with the lip of the bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface, subjecting the bottle to a gaseous counter pressure through the sealing contact, filling the bottle through the sealing contact from a source of carbonated beverage under a given pressure and simultaneously venting the gaseous contents of the bottle, proper filling ofthe bottle being dependent upon development of a counter pressure in the bottle generally equal to the pressure on trhe beverage in said source to keep foaming of the beverage at a minimum with development of some lesser counter pressure in the bottle resulting in excessive foaming and a short fill, and separately detecting and rejecting any bottle that is short filled, the quality of the sealing contact being determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle so that a bottle having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing contact will develop a lesser counter pressure and thus be detectable as a short fill.
Abstract
Method and apparatus are disclosed for the detection of beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface. Such detection is provided for in conjunction with the bottle filling operation wherein the filling apparatus seals on the bottle lip outwardly of the crown sealing surface and the bottle is then subjected to a counter pressure. If the counter pressure developed in the bottle is less than the pressure imposed on the beverage in the source reservoir, a short fill results. Thus, if the bottle lip is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing, a lesser counter pressure is developed in the bottle due to leakage past the seal which will result in a detectable short fill and can be rejected from the production line.
Description
United States Patent [191 Schulz METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING BEVERAGE BOTTLES HAVING A LIP DAMAGED OUTWARDLY OF THE CROWN SEALING SURFACE [75] Inventor: Arthur F. Schulz, Milwaukee, Wis.
[73] Assignee: Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wis.
[22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 283,803
[52] US. Cl 141/83, 73/45, 209/82 [51] Int. Cl B07b 13/18, 1365b H48 [58] Field Of Search 73/37.5, 37, 49.8, 45.3,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,316,549 9/1919 Winkley 73/45.1 2,084,653 6/1937 Preston..... 3,010,310 11/1961 Rowe ..73/45.1X 3,133,638 5/1964 Calhoun 209/82 3,230,760 l/l966 Fryer et a1. 73/49.2 X 3,374,887 3/1968 Paruolo et al. 73/37 X [11] 3,834,429 [451 Sept. 10, 1974 3,390,569 7/1968 McMeekin 73/37 3,595,065 7/1971 Scribner 73/45.1 3,702,625 11/1972 Schmidt 141/95 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Queisser Assistant Examiner-Daniel M. Yasich Attorney, Agent, or FirmAndrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus are disclosed for the detection of beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface. Such detection is provided for in conjunction with the bottle filling operation wherein the filling apparatus seals on the bottle lip outwardly of the crown sealing surface and the bottle is then subjected to a counter pressure. If the counter pressure developed in the bottle is less than the pressure imposed on the beverage in the source reservoir, a short fill results. Thus, if the bottle lip is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing, a lesser counter pressure is developed in the bottle due to leakage past the seal which will result in a detectable short fill and can be rejected from the production line.
4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures REJECT CONTROL MEANS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING BEVERAGE BOTTLES HAVING A LIP DAMAGED OUTWARDLY OF THE CROWN SEALING SURFACE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface.
Carbonated beverages including beer and soft drinks are enjoyed by countless people. Many people prefer drinking such beverages direct from the bottle without benefit of glass or cup, and many others are sometimes compelled to do so by circumstance. When drinking directly from a bottle, a persons lips generally make contact with the portion of the bottle lip which extends outwardly from the crown or bottle cap sealing surface at the extreme upper end of the bottle. When the bottle lip portion which extends outwardly from the crown sealing surface is damaged as by chipping, it constitutes a source of annoyance which alienates customers and provokes customer complaint.
While no beverage dispensing house is desirous of alienating customers by using bottles having an imperfect lip, the fact remains that a bottle which is chipped on the lip portion which extends outwardly from the crown sealing surface is most difficult to detect. There is no satisfactory detection equipment available which can directly detect such bottle imperfections on a fast moving production line. It is generally an object of this invention to provide for detection of those bottles having a lip which is damaged outwardly from the crown sealing surface so that such bottles can be removed from the production line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, according to this invention, provision is made for the detection of beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface in conjunction with the bottle filling operation. In the filling operation the beverage is supplied from a source maintained under a given gaseous pressure. The apparatus further includes bottle engagement means which communicates with the beverage source and places the bottle in communication with the source. The bottle engagement means includes an annular sealing member which makes sealing contact with the lip of the bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface. Means are provided for developing a gaseous counter pressure in the bottle prior to its filling. And means are further provided for transfer of the beverage from the source to the bottle while simultaneously venting the gaseous contents of the bottle. The bottle can be properly filled only if the counter pressure developed therein is generally equal to the pressure on the beverage in the source. If the counter pressure developed in the bottle is less than the pressure on the beverage in the source, foaming results during filling to preclude a proper fill and results in what is termed a short fill. Thus, the quality of the seal developed between the bottle and the annular sealing member is determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle. If that seal is interrupted to allow leakage from the bottle because the lip is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing member engagement, the resulting lesser counter pressure will result in DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for the invention and are described hereinafter.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an elevational view which illustrates generally the apparatus for filling bottles with a carbonated beverage;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial detail section showing the filling adaptor assembly of the bottle filling apparatus in engagement with a bottle in the mode of filling; and
FIG. 3 is a further enlarged partial detail section showing generally the sealing engagement with a bottle in the filling mode and providing for detection of bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a bottle 1 to be filled with a carbonated beverage is shown in connection with the filling apparatus or machine 2.
The filling apparatus 2 includes the generally closed reservoir 3 wherein the beverage for bottling is maintained under a given pressure of CO gas. The reservoir 3 communicates with a valve unit 4 through a fill line 5 which extends from the lower portion of the reservoir and a pressure line 6 which extends from the upper portion of the reservoir. The valve unit 4 may be controlled by a suitable cam, not shown, to provide for filling of the bottle 1 in a manner hereinafter described.
A bottle fill adaptor assembly 7 is disposed beneath the valve unit 4 and includes a vertically extending hollow filling spout or tube 8 having the upper end thereof secured within a support member 9. The tube support member 9 is secured beneath the valve unit 4 by means of the threaded member 10 which has a radial flange engageable under the downwardly facing external shoulder 11 of the support member.
The fill adaptor assembly 7 further includes a bottle guide bell 12 which is slidably carried on the fill tube 8. The guide bell 12 is movable between a bottle engaging position generally shown in FIG. 1, wherein the internal guide bell shoulder 13 rests on the upwardly facing shoulder 14 adjacent to the lower end of the fill tube 8, and the bottle fill position wherein the upper end of the guide bellis pushed into sealing engagement with the annular sealing member 15 secured to the base of the fill tube support member 9 as generally shown in FIG. 2.
The bottle filling apparatus 2 further includes a vertically movable bottle support stirrup l6 spaced and aligned vertically beneath the fill adaptor assembly 7. The support stirrup 16 is adapted to receive the bottle 1 and thereafter is actuated to carry the bottle upwardly into the fill position.
As the bottle 1 is moved upwardly by the stirrup 16, the head 17 of the bottle enters the guide bell l2 and carries the guide bell upwardly therewith relative to the fill tube 8 which enters the bottle. In the event the bottle l is not properly centered relative to the fill adaptor assembly 7, the guide bell l2 and its internal annular sealing member 18 serve to center the bottle and its mouth 19 for entry of the fill tube 8 and to provide for proper sealing engagement with the sealing member 18.
To effect filling of the bottle 1 after the bottle arrives in the fill position, the valve unit 4 is actuated to initially place the bottle in communication with the pressure line 6 whereby to develop a counter pressure in the bottle equal to that in the reservoir 3. Thereafter the valve unit 4 is actuated to additionally open the fill line to effect a filling of the bottle 1 with the beverage passing through the fill tube 8 and entering the bottle through a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings at the lower end of the fill tube. As the bottle 1 is progressively filled with beverage from the reservoir 3, the gas under pressure initially contained in the bottle is vented back to the reservoir passing successively through one or more vertically extending passages 21 in the guide bell 12 adjacent to the fill tube 8, the annular passage 22 formed between the fill tube and the sealing member 15 at the base of the fill tube support member 9, one or more passages 23 extending vertically through the fill tube support member, and then back through the valve unit 4 and pressure line 6. At the conclusion of the filling operation, the valve unit 4 is actuated to close both the pressure line 6 and the fill line 5 and the support stirrup 16 is lowered to effect a withdrawal of the fill tube 8 from the bottle 1 and move the bottle to clear the fill adaptor assembly 7. With removal of the till tube 8, the level of the beverage in the bottle 1 will drop to a desired predetermined level to provide within acceptable tolerance limits the rated liquid contents for the bottle.
A correct and proper fill for the bottle 1 is dependent on the development of a counter pressure in the bottle substantially equal to that in reservoir 3. With the counter pressure in bottle 1 equalized with reservoir pressure, foaming of the carbonated beverage is held to a minimum and proper filling of the bottle is'assured. In the event the counter pressure developed in the bottle l is less than reservoir pressure, excess foaming results in the filling operation to preclude a correct and proper fill of the bottle and resulting in what is termed a short fill. Short fills or bottles not filled to rated capacity are of course easily detected and removed manually or by available automatic detection and removal equipment, separate from the apparatus of the invention, such as illustrated in FIG. 1 and described in US. Pat. No. 3,133,638.
According to this invention, at least a large proportion of bottles 1 having a damaged surface portion 24 of lip 25 outwardly from the crown sealing surface 26 can be detected in conjunction with the bottle filling operation. Generally, the invention provides that a large proportion of the bottles 1 having a damaged lip surface 24 will result in a short fill so that available detection means for short fill bottles can be relied upon to reject bottles having such imperfections.
In order to provide for short filling of bottles 1 having a damaged lip surface portion 24, the annular sealing member 18 internally of the guide bell 12 is adapted to make contact with the bottle lip surface portion 24 during the bottle filling operation as best shown in FIG. 3. As shown, the sealing member 18 is seated in an annular recess 27 interiorly of the guide bell l2 and includes adjacent, angularly related annular surfaces 28 and 29 which form the circular edge 30 therebetween. The diameter of the circular edge 30 exceeds the diameter of the crown sealing surface 26 of the bottle 1 and together with the angularity of the sealing member surface 29 provides for the projection of bottle sealing surface 26 upwardly beyond edge 30 during the fill operation. Asa consequence, the sealing member edge 30 must make sealing contact with lip surface portion 24 of the centered bottle 1.
With some 30 pounds of pressure imposed from below by the bottle supporting stirrup 16, some deformation of the sealing member 18 along edge 30 results and is desired to provide good sealing contact with the bottle 1. Excessive deformation, however, is to be avoided so that the sealing member 18 will not merely deform or squash into any chipped areas present in the bottle lip surface portion 24. To preclude excessive deformation, the sealing member 18 is fabricated from a relatively hard rubber or other sealing material. While the deformation characteristics provided by a sealing member 18 fabricated from material registering a durometer hardness in the range from 72 to 82 is generally preferred, a durometer hardness range from 65 to may be passably acceptable.
The invention thus provides a method for detecting a large proportion of those bottles 1 having lips 25 which are damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface 26. If the bottle lip surface portion 24 outwardly of the crown sealing surface 26 is damaged in the region engaged by the sealing edge 30 of the adaptor assembly sealing member 18 during the bottle filling operation, the damaged area will present a pressure leak so as to preclude development of a counter pressure in the bottle 1 generally equal to that in the reservoir 3. With a lesser pressure developed in the bottle 1, excess foaming results as the beverage enters the bottle to preclude a correct and proper fill and specifically resulting in a short fill. Such a short fill bottle is easily detected and rejected from the production line by either manually or by presently available short fill detection and removal equipment.
Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.
I claim:
1. In apparatus for filling bottles with a carbonated beverage, said bottles having a lip provided with a crown sealing surface, a source of beverage under a given gaseous pressure, bottle engagement means communicating with said beverage source for placing a bottle in communication with the beverage source, said bottle engagement means including an annular sealing member for making sealing contact with the lip of a bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface, the annular sealing member includes a pair of adjacent, angularly related annular surfaces which form a circular edge adapted to sealingly engage the lip of the bottle in a substantial line contact outwardly of the crown sealing surface, means for developing a gaseous counter pressure in the bottle prior to filling the bottle, means to provide for transfer of beverage from the source to the bottle while simultaneously venting the gaseous contents from the bottle, proper filling of a bottle being dependent upon development of a counter pressure in the bottle generally equal to the pressure on the beverage in said source to keep foaming of the beverage at a minimum, with development of some lesser counter pressure in the bottle resulting in excessive foaming and a short fill, and means separate from the filling apparatus to detect and reject any bottle that is short filled, the quality of the sealing contact between the bottle and said sealing member being determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle so that a bottle having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing contact will develop a lesser counter pressure and thus be detectable as a short fill.
2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 65 to 90.
3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 72 to 82 to provide generally preferred deformation characteristics.
4. A method for detecting beverage bottles during the bottle filling operation having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface of the bottle, the steps including making a substantially line sealing contact with the lip of the bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface, subjecting the bottle to a gaseous counter pressure through the sealing contact, filling the bottle through the sealing contact from a source of carbonated beverage under a given pressure and simultaneously venting the gaseous contents of the bottle, proper filling ofthe bottle being dependent upon development of a counter pressure in the bottle generally equal to the pressure on trhe beverage in said source to keep foaming of the beverage at a minimum with development of some lesser counter pressure in the bottle resulting in excessive foaming and a short fill, and separately detecting and rejecting any bottle that is short filled, the quality of the sealing contact being determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle so that a bottle having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing contact will develop a lesser counter pressure and thus be detectable as a short fill.
Claims (4)
1. In apparatus for filling bottles with a carbonated beverage, said bottles having a lip provided with a crown sealing surface, a source of beverage under a given gaseous pressure, bottle engagement means communicating with said beverage source for placing a bottle in communication with the beverage source, said bottle engagement means including an annular sealing member for making sealing contact with the lip of a bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface, the annular sealing member includes a pair of adjacent, angularly related annular surfaces which form a circular edge adapted to sealingly engage the lip of the bottle in a substantial line contact outwardly of the crown sealing surface, means for developing a gaseous counter pressure in the bottle prior to filling the bottle, means to provide for transfer of beverage from the source to the bottle while simultaneously venting the gaseous contents from the bottle, proper filling of a bottle being dependent upon development of a counter pressure in the bottle generally equal to the pressure on the beverage in said source to keep foaming of the beverage at a minimum, with development of some lesser counter pressure in the bottle resulting in excessive foaming and a short fill, and means separate from the filling apparatus to detect and reject any bottle that is short filled, the quality of the sealing contact between the bottle and said sealing member being determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle so that a bottle having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing contact will develop a lesser counter pressure and thus be detectable as a short fill.
2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 65 to 90.
3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sealing member is fabricated from sealing material having a durometer hardness in the range from 72 to 82 to provide generally preferred deformation characteristics.
4. A method for detecting beverage bottles during the bottle filling operatioN having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface of the bottle, the steps including making a substantially line sealing contact with the lip of the bottle outwardly of the crown sealing surface, subjecting the bottle to a gaseous counter pressure through the sealing contact, filling the bottle through the sealing contact from a source of carbonated beverage under a given pressure and simultaneously venting the gaseous contents of the bottle, proper filling of the bottle being dependent upon development of a counter pressure in the bottle generally equal to the pressure on trhe beverage in said source to keep foaming of the beverage at a minimum with development of some lesser counter pressure in the bottle resulting in excessive foaming and a short fill, and separately detecting and rejecting any bottle that is short filled, the quality of the sealing contact being determinative of the magnitude of the counter pressure developed in the bottle so that a bottle having a lip which is damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface and in the region of sealing contact will develop a lesser counter pressure and thus be detectable as a short fill.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US00283803A US3834429A (en) | 1972-08-25 | 1972-08-25 | Method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US00283803A US3834429A (en) | 1972-08-25 | 1972-08-25 | Method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3834429A true US3834429A (en) | 1974-09-10 |
Family
ID=23087609
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US00283803A Expired - Lifetime US3834429A (en) | 1972-08-25 | 1972-08-25 | Method and apparatus for detecting beverage bottles having a lip damaged outwardly of the crown sealing surface |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3834429A (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4145916A (en) * | 1977-08-09 | 1979-03-27 | Bott Gerald J | Cap inspection apparatus |
| USRE31385E (en) * | 1977-11-23 | 1983-09-20 | New Century Beverage Company | Machine for testing bottles |
| EP0522254A1 (en) * | 1991-07-08 | 1993-01-13 | Elpatronic Ag | Method and apparatus for testing of containers |
| US20050188654A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-09-01 | Ludwig Clusserath | Beverage bottling plant for filling containers, such as bottles and cans, with a liquid beverage, a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid, and a method for filling containers with the filling machine |
| CN114476159A (en) * | 2022-04-02 | 2022-05-13 | 安徽国审信息科技有限公司 | Quantitative bottling controller based on PLC adjustment and control method thereof |
| US11370646B2 (en) * | 2018-12-05 | 2022-06-28 | Krones Ag | Device and method for filling a fill product into a container to be filled in a beverage bottling plant |
Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1316549A (en) * | 1919-09-16 | Bottle handling and testing mechanism | ||
| US2084653A (en) * | 1935-06-17 | 1937-06-22 | Frank W Preston | Hydraulic testing machine |
| US3010310A (en) * | 1957-12-04 | 1961-11-28 | Emhart Mfg Co | Apparatus for testing glass containers |
| US3133638A (en) * | 1960-06-20 | 1964-05-19 | Industrial Dynamics Co | Inspection apparatus |
| US3230760A (en) * | 1964-06-12 | 1966-01-25 | Dow Chemical Co | Non-destructive testing of pressure vessels |
| US3374887A (en) * | 1966-03-11 | 1968-03-26 | Brockway Glass Co Inc | Automatic inspection means for containers |
| US3390569A (en) * | 1966-12-05 | 1968-07-02 | Brockway Glass Co Inc | Finish inspection apparatus for glass containers |
| US3595065A (en) * | 1969-09-17 | 1971-07-27 | Harry E Scribner | Differential pressure crown inspector |
| US3702625A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-11-14 | Proctor Paint And Varnish Co I | Apparatus and method for automatically filling containers with fluid material |
-
1972
- 1972-08-25 US US00283803A patent/US3834429A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1316549A (en) * | 1919-09-16 | Bottle handling and testing mechanism | ||
| US2084653A (en) * | 1935-06-17 | 1937-06-22 | Frank W Preston | Hydraulic testing machine |
| US3010310A (en) * | 1957-12-04 | 1961-11-28 | Emhart Mfg Co | Apparatus for testing glass containers |
| US3133638A (en) * | 1960-06-20 | 1964-05-19 | Industrial Dynamics Co | Inspection apparatus |
| US3230760A (en) * | 1964-06-12 | 1966-01-25 | Dow Chemical Co | Non-destructive testing of pressure vessels |
| US3374887A (en) * | 1966-03-11 | 1968-03-26 | Brockway Glass Co Inc | Automatic inspection means for containers |
| US3390569A (en) * | 1966-12-05 | 1968-07-02 | Brockway Glass Co Inc | Finish inspection apparatus for glass containers |
| US3595065A (en) * | 1969-09-17 | 1971-07-27 | Harry E Scribner | Differential pressure crown inspector |
| US3702625A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-11-14 | Proctor Paint And Varnish Co I | Apparatus and method for automatically filling containers with fluid material |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4145916A (en) * | 1977-08-09 | 1979-03-27 | Bott Gerald J | Cap inspection apparatus |
| USRE31385E (en) * | 1977-11-23 | 1983-09-20 | New Century Beverage Company | Machine for testing bottles |
| EP0522254A1 (en) * | 1991-07-08 | 1993-01-13 | Elpatronic Ag | Method and apparatus for testing of containers |
| US5317902A (en) * | 1991-07-08 | 1994-06-07 | Elpatronic Ag | Method and apparatus for testing containers |
| US5319957A (en) * | 1991-07-08 | 1994-06-14 | Elpatronic Ag | Method and apparatus for testing containers |
| US20050188654A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2005-09-01 | Ludwig Clusserath | Beverage bottling plant for filling containers, such as bottles and cans, with a liquid beverage, a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid, and a method for filling containers with the filling machine |
| US7243483B2 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2007-07-17 | Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag | Beverage bottling plant for filling containers, such as bottles and cans, with a liquid beverage, a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid, and a method for filling containers with the filling machine |
| US11370646B2 (en) * | 2018-12-05 | 2022-06-28 | Krones Ag | Device and method for filling a fill product into a container to be filled in a beverage bottling plant |
| CN114476159A (en) * | 2022-04-02 | 2022-05-13 | 安徽国审信息科技有限公司 | Quantitative bottling controller based on PLC adjustment and control method thereof |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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Owner name: STROH BREWERY COMPANY THE, ONE STROH DRIVE, DETROI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:JOS. SCHLITZ BREWING COMPANY A WI CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004117/0176 Effective date: 19830401 |
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Owner name: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, AS AGEN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWERY COMPANY, THE;REEL/FRAME:004133/0675 Effective date: 19830401 Owner name: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, AS AGEN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWERY COMPANY, THE;REEL/FRAME:004133/0675 Effective date: 19830401 |
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| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, A BANKING CORPORATION OF Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWERY COMPANY, THE;REEL/FRAME:004472/0052 Effective date: 19850930 |
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| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, AS AGEN Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWERY COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004494/0463 Effective date: 19850930 |
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| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY, RODNEY SQUARE NORTH, WIL Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004865/0663 Effective date: 19870608 Owner name: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,DELAWARE Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:STROH BREWING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004865/0663 Effective date: 19870608 |
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| AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STROH BREWERY COMPANY, THE, A CORP. A AZ, MICHIG Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY, A CORP. OF NY;REEL/FRAME:005600/0797 Effective date: 19910103 |