GB2098588A

GB2098588A - Bottle filling machines

Info

Publication number: GB2098588A
Application number: GB8213465A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MORGAN FAIREST 1981 Ltd
Current assignee: MORGAN FAIREST 1981 Ltd
Priority date: 1981-05-08
Filing date: 1982-05-10
Publication date: 1982-11-24

Abstract

A bottle filling machine is disclosed in which a bottle engaging a seal 38 around a nozzle 36 is filled with liquid 16 from a reservoir 10 through a valve 32 connected to a diaphragm 12 and opened by application of suction to space 20. In order to fill the bottle to a predetermined level and prevent dripping of the nozzle after removal of the bottle, a suction tube 40 extends from an adjustable level below the nozzle 36, through the nozzle 36 and the valve 32, and (in one embodiment) to adjacent the top of the reservoir. The bottle is overfilled, and then liquid is drawn up the suction tube 40 by a partial vacuum in the reservoir 10, so that the liquid level in the bottle descends to the bottom of the suction tube 40 and so that the nozzle is emptied of liquid. The bottle is then removed. In another embodiment the excess liquid is drawn off by the suction tube to a separate receptacle and is subsequently returned to the reservoir 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bottle filling machines This invention relates to bottle filling machines, more particularly of the type in which the liquid flows under gravity from a reservoir through a filling head into a bottle and in which the liquid is "still" (i.e., non-aerated or "non-sparkling") and the reservoir is closed and may be subjected to a vacuum or reduced pressure which may be communicated to the bottle during filling.

The word "bottle" used in this specification is not intended to be limiting to a particular shape or material of container, and is intended to cover a container having a filling aperture into which a nozzle of a filling machine can be inserted.

According to the present invention, there is provided a bottle filling machine comprising a reservoir, a flexible diaphragm closing the top of the reservoir, a liquid connection from the reservoir to a supply of liquid to be filled into bottles, a closed chamber above the diaphragm, a gas connection from the chamber to a source of suction, an outlet at the bottom of the reservoir with an upwardly facing valve seat, a valve member normally making sealing contact with the valve seat, a non-extensible connection between the diaphragm and the valve member, a discharge nozzle extending below the valve seat for insertion into a bottle mouth, a seal for a bottle mouth round the outside of the nozzle, a suction tube extending concentrically through the valve member and the nozzle, means for applying suction to the suction tube from above the valve member, control means for the source of suction to reduce the pressure in the chamber when a bottle mouth is sealed round the outside of the nozzle, whereby the diaphragm lifts the valve member from the valve seat to allow liquid to flow under gravity through the nozzle and into the bottle, control means for raising the pressure in the chamber when the bottle is full of liquid, whereby the diaphragm returns the valve member into sealing contact with the valve seat, and control means for the suction means to the suction tube then operable to suck from the bottle and the nozzle any liquid above the lower end of the suction tube.

In one preferred embodiment the reservoir is provided adjacent the diaphragm with a gas connection for connection to a source of suction, the suction tube extending to above the highest level in the reservoir to which liquid will be filled so that liquid sucked from the bottle and nozzle upon completion of filling of the bottle is returned to the reservoir.

In another embodiment the suction tube is connected by a pipe to a closed receiver for liquid, which receiver is connectable to a source of suction, whereby suction is communicated to the suction tube to suck from the bottle and the nozzle any liquid above the lower end of the suction tube, and the receiver is provided with a valve and/or pump connection with the reservoir, whereby liquid sucked through the suction tube into the receiver can be returned to the reservoir.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of a bottle filling machine, according to the invention, prior to application of a bottle to the discharge nozzle; Figure 2 is a similar view to Figure 1, but at the stage when a bottle has been applied to the discharge nozzle and filling has commenced; and Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2, but at the stage when the bottle is filled and excess liquid is being sucked from the bottle.

Referring to Figure 1, the bottle filling machine comprises a reservoir 10, a flexible diaphragm 12 closing the top of the reservoir, and a liquid connection 14 from the reservoir to a supply of liquid 16 via a valve 1 5 which is opened to refill the reservoir 10. A closed chamber 20 is formed above the diaphragm 12 with a gas connection 22 from the chamber 20 to a source of suction, 24 via a controllable valve 26.

A compression spring 25 is preferably provided between the diaphragm 12 and an opposite wall 27 of the chamber 20, to bias the diaphragm 12 downwardly.

An outlet 28 at the bottom of the reservoir 10 is provided with an upwardly facing valve seat 30 and a valve member 32 normally makes sealing contact with the valve seat 30. A non-extensible connection 34 connects the diaphragm 12 and the valve member 32. A discharge nozzle 36 extends below the valve seat 30 for insertion into a bottle mouth and a seal 38 for the bottle mouth is provided round the outside of the nozzle 36.

A suction tube 40 extends concentrically through the valve member 32 and the nozzle 36.

A pair of '0' rings 42 are located in grooves in the bore through the valve member 42 and grip and seal with the suction tube 40 sufficiently to hold the suction tube in place, but so that the suction tube 40 can be axially adjusted in the valve member 32. Thus, the lower end 44 of the suction tube 40 can be set at whatever position is required to determine the level of filling desirable in the bottles.

The suction tube 40 is preferably provided with a frustoconical collar 46 with its larger end adjacent the lower end 44 of the suction pipe 40, whereby with suitable positioning the collar 46 deflects liquid from the nozzle 36 out to the wall of a bottle being filled. The suction tube 40 can be withdrawn downwardly from the machine and can be interchanged with suction tubes having different sizes of frustoconical collars 46 to suit different sizes and shapes of bottles.

The nozzle 36 is also interchangeable with nozzles having different lengths and diameters to suit different sizes of bottle mouths.

Interchangeability of suction tubes 40 and nozzles 36 also permits of removal for cleaning.

The valve seat 30 is provided on an annular member 48 which is readily removable from the bottom 50 of the reservoir 1 0 for cleaning, a bayonet joint 52 being provided between this annular member 48 and the reservoir bottom 50.

Also, the valve member 32 may be designed to be readily removable from the non-extensible connection 34 with the diaphragm 12 for cleaning, once the annular member 48 has been removed from the reservoir bottom 50. The annular member 48 carries the seal 38 for a bottle mouth and carries the nozzle 36 around which the seal 38 extends.

The nozzle 36 is provided with a vent port 51 just below the valve seat 30, and the port 51 is connected to the atmosphere by a controllable valve 53.

The machine shown in the drawings is adapted for use for gravity filling with a vacuum or reduced pressure in the reservoir 10. The reservoir 10 is provided adjacent the diaphragm 12 with a gas connection 54 to the source 24 of suction, via a reduction valve 56 so that the degree of vacuum which is applied to the reservoir is less than the degree of vacuum in the chamber 20 when the controllable valve 26 is open; in other words the pressure in the reservoir 10 is higher than the lowest pressure obtainable in the chamber 1 2.

The suction tube 40 extends to above the highest level 56 of liquid 1 6 in the reservoir 10, so that liquid sucked from the bottle and nozzle 36 upon completion of filling of the bottle is returned to the reservoir 10 and cannot drip from the nozzle 36.

The machine is controlled cyclicly by a control system in the following manner, described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, starting with the state, shown in Figure 1, in which the reservoir 10 is filled to the desired level and the valve 1 5 is closed, the controllable valve 26 is open to atmosphere and so the valve 32 is closed, and the vent valve 53 is closed: I. A bottle 60 is raised so that its neck 62 encircles the nozzle and sealingly engages with the seal 38.

II. Then, the valve 26 is operated to connect the chamber 20 to the suction source 24 so that the diaphragm 12 lifts and causes the valve member 32 to lift from the seat 30 and so the bottle 60 starts to fill, under gravity, with liquid 1 6 from the reservoir 10, as shown in Figure 2, the liquid being discharged in a conical skirt by the collar 46 and air being removed from the bottle 60 via the suction pipe 40.

III. After a predetermined time, sufficient for the bottle to be filled to a level above the bottom 44 of the suction pipe 40, the valve 26 is returned to vent the chamber 20 to the atmosphere, and thus the diaphragm 12 returns, assisted by the spring 25, to close the valve member 32. At this time or shortly after, the vent valve 53 is opened.

IV. Thus, the partial vacuum in the reservoir 10 causes fluid in the nozzle to be drawn up the suction pipe and returned to the reservoir until the level in the bottle 60 is lowered to the bottom 44 of the suction pipe 40, as shown in Figure 3.

V. After a predetermined time, sufficient for the nozzle to empty, and with the bottle filled to the desired level, the bottle is lowered and transported away, and the vent valve 53 is closed.

VI. The reservoir can then be replenished through opening of the valve 15. Alternatively, a float valve may be employed which maintains the fluid level in the reservoir throughout the cycle.

VII. The cycle is then repeated.

A detector means may be provided to detect the presence of a bottle in position round the nozzle. The detector can be arranged to override the control system for the valve 26 to prevent lifting of the valve 32 from the valve seat 30 in the absence of a bottle around the nozzle 36.

The detector means may be a reduced pressure detector provided at the nozzle (for example, operating through the vent port 51 of the nozzle), so that the detector will also detect the presence of a ruptured bottle in place round the nozzle. The detector means may be adapted to initiate sequence control means for the remainder of the filling cycle, once the presence of an acceptable bottle round the nozzle has been detected.

The reservoir may be an annular tank with a plurality of filling heads each comprising a valve seat, valve member, nozzle and suction tube, as described above, with each valve member connected to its own diaphragm closing the reservoir off from an individual chamber, and with each chamber provided with its own control system for suction from a common suction source.

The annular tank, filling heads and chambers may be mounted for rotation above and in phase with a rotary table having vertically reciprocable supports for bottles to be filled, and the control system for the valves may be synchronised with the table drive and reciprocable support drive.

The present invention, or at ieast the embodiment described above, has the following advantages.

A bottle filling machine is provided in which when a bottle has been raised into contact with the filling head (or, though less usual, the filling head lowered into contact with a bottle) no further relative movement between bottle and filling head is necessary to effect opening of a valve in the filling head.

The bottle filling machine needs no spring or other mechanism in the reservoir to operate the dispensing valve.

The bottle filling machine is arranged so that there is no or no substantial dripping of liquid from the filling head upon removal of a filled bottle.

The bottle filling machine with the detector described above has a rapid response to the making of contact of a bottle with the filling head and to filling of a bottle.

Each bottle is filled to a predetermined level and without spillage of liquid.

In a modification of the invention described above, the machine is adapted for use for gravity filling without vacuum or reduced pressure in the reservoir 10. The suction tube 34 is connected by a pipe to a closed receiver for liquid, which receiver is connected to a source of suction, whereby suction is communicated to the suction tube - after reclosing of the valve - to suck from the bottle and the nozzle any liquid above the lower end of the suction tube, and the receiver is provided with a valve and/or pump connection with the reservoir, whereby liquid sucked through the suction tube into the receiver can be returned to the reservoir.

The machine can be readily adapted for either manner of operation, that is with or without reduced pressure in the reservoir.

Claims

1. A bottle filling machine comprising a reservoir, a flexible diaphragm closing the top of the reservoir, a liquid connection from the reservoir to a supply of liquid to be filled into bottles, a closed chamber above the diaphragm, a gas connection from the chamber to a source of suction, an outlet at the bottom of the reservoir with an upwardly facing valve seat, a valve member normally making sealing contact with the valve seat, a non-extensible connection between the diaphragm and the valve member, a discharge nozzle extending below the valve seat for insertion into a bottle mouth, a seal for a bottle mouth round the outside of the nozzle, a suction tube extending concentrically through the valve member and the nozzle, means for applying suction to the suction tube from above the valve member, control means for the source of suction to reduce the pressure in the chamber when a bottle mouth is sealed round the outside of the nozzle, whereby the diaphragm lifts the valve member from the valve seat to allow liquid to flow under gravity through the nozzle and into the bottle, control means for raising the pressure in the chamber when the bottle is full of liquid, whereby the diaphragm returns the valve member into sealing contact with the valve seat, and control means for the suction means to the suction tube then operable to suck from the bottle and the nozzle any liquid above the lower end of the suction tube.

2. A bottle filling machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein biasing means are provided to assist return of the valve member into sealing contact with the valve seat.

3. A bottle filling machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the biasing means comprises a compressing spring acting between the diaphragm and an opposite wall of the chamber.

4. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suction tube is axially adjustable in the valve member, so that the lower end of the suction tube can be set at whatever position is required to determine the level of filling desirable in the bottles.

5. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suction tube is provided with a frustoconical collar with its larger end adjacent the outlet from the suction pipe, whereby with suitable positioning, the collar deflects liquid from the nozzle out to the wall of a bottle being filled.

6. A bottle filling machine as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the suction tube is removable to be interchangeable with suction tubes having different sizes of frustoconical collars to suit different sizes and shapes of bottles.

7. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is removable to be interchangeable with nozzles having different lengths and diameters to suit different sizes of bottle mouths.

8. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is provided adjacent the diaphragm with a gas connection for connection to a source of suction, the suction tube extending to above the highest level in the reservoir to which liquid will be filled so that liquid sucked from the bottle and nozzle upon completion of filling of the bottle is returned to the reservoir.

9. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the suction tube is connected by a pipe to a closed receiver for liquid, which receiver is connectable to a source of suction, whereby suction is communicated to the suction tube to suck from the bottle and the nozzle any liquid above the lower end of the suction tube, and the receiver is provided with a valve and/or pump connection with the reservoir, whereby liquid sucked through the suction tube into the receiver can be returned to the reservoir.

10. A bottle filling machine as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein valve means is provided for the suction to the suction tube to apply suction only upon completion of filling.

11. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein detector means is provided to detect the presence of a bottle in position round the nozzle, which detector means can override the control means for the suction to the chamber to prevent lifting of the valve member from the valve seat in the absence of a bottle round the nozzle.

12. A bottle filling machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle is provided with a controllable vent to atmosphere to vent the nozzle when the valve member is closed.

13. A bottle filling machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.