GB952988A - Container filling apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

952,988. Bottling; filling casks. BURNETT & ROLFE Ltd. Sept. 29, 1961 [July 21, 1960], No. 25515/60. Heading B8T. [Also in Division F2] A method of sterilizing and then filling a container e.g. a cask with liquid includes the steps of passing steam into the container and allowing the steam escaping therefrom to act on a detecting device which acts, on detecting a predetermined temperature corresponding to the sterilization of the container by the steam, to shut off the steam supply, to cause the container to be cooled, and to apply a gas to the container to replace the steam and thus provide a counter pressure, and a timing device being then arranged to cause a liquid to fill the container, there being provision to automatically stop liquid delivery when the container is full. The apparatus of Fig. 1 includes a steam conduit 1, carbon dioxide conduit 2, a liquid, e.g. beer, conduit 3 with a pump 12 extending from a tank 13, and a cooling water conduit 20 supplying a sprayer 22. Conduits 5 and 7 lead to an adapter 27 which fits the opening of a container 25 to be filled. A conduit 6 leads to the top of the tank, and a conduit 4 has a thermostat 14, steam trap 15 and a steam outlet 16. The conduit valves A-F are electropneumatically operated via electromagnetic relays, and initially the valves A and D are opened and steam from a source 10 passes into the container and condensed steam therefrom flows through the conduit 4 and steam trap 15 to atmosphere. As the temperature of the escaping steam rises, a bellows in the steam trap closes the outflow therefrom and the thermostat 14 operates the relay &c. system so that the steam valve A is closed; a timing device is also energized and valves B and F opened so that CO 2 passes into the container and water is sprayed over it. At a predetermined time after the operation of the thermmostat the valves B and F are closed and valves C and E opened; valve D is closed before the opening of valve C. When the container is full some of the liquid extends into a device 70 which houses a pair of spaced electrodes whereby the difference in electrical resistance therebetween is altered so operating a relay closing all the valves A-F. Sterilizing agent may be passed through the conduits 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 after the opening of valves B, C and E. In a modification the conduit 2 and valve B are dispensed with, the gas at the top of the tank providing the counter pressure. The conduit 6 may be connected to a pair of receivers for foam which reforms into beer, which is forced to a sterilizer as described in Specification 924,173 the beer then passing to the tank 13.