US2613864A - Apparatus for filling containers - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1952 c. F. CARTER APPARATUS FOR FILLING. CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 5,

lam [6| 0 I an W INVENTOR. CLARENCE F CARTER BY 20 g,

A TTOIEN-E'YS Oct. 14, 1952 c, CARTER 2,613,864

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS Filed Jan. 5, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill a I H I 33 az 52 34 L 51 I a3 83 i 15 7 FIG. 3 5;, Q

M 12.7 131 .aa 'l 1 53 r I j M 7:71 13 '2 N12. l 1 E l 53 o as m' 54' ml 49 49 -60 96 1 oz, .36 t

Illllll W Oct. 14, 1952 c. F. CARTER APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 5-, 1948 INVENTOR. CLARENCE F CARTER BY Ma w H Patented Get. [4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATEN bF T-fi APPARATUS-FOR. FILLING CONTAINERS.

ClarenceFreen ont Carter, Danville; Ill.

ApplicationJanuary 5, 1948', Serial 'No. 593:

lllclaims. 1

This inventionrelates to'a method and apparatus. for filling containers such as cans; cartons,,- jars and other receptacles with 'powdered or granulated materials and particularly to a continuous automatic filling machine.

More-particularly it relates to a valvemechanism for producing pulsating pressurewithin and around a container to befille'd; saidpulsatingipressure being the means :for filling and packing said-containers; I

It: is: an. object of this invention to provide a method andapparatus 'for' automatically: and rapidlyfilling and packing a container with comminutedrmaterial of either fine'or coarse particles: to aprescribedand constant volume, weight and density,

It is a further object of the invention to provide a continuous rotary machine equipped with aplurality' of' container'filling heads depending from a rotating hopper each ofzsaid-filling heads being operatively connected with a multiple valving device to provide a predetermined-series of pulsations, or variations in pressure, within :and around saidcontainer in order to fill it.--

In= a broad aspect-,the: invention. comprises-a mechanism for producing pulsations, .said' mechanism comprising a valve-or engine blockcomprising a plurality of cam actuated, spring: im-

pelled valves, said block being divided laterally into an upper and lower'chamberbymeans of an elastic diaphragm, .certainof said valvescontrolling'ports communicably attached to :a filling head on a' filling machine, another ofthem controlling aport connectablethrough a duct to a source of vacuum, still another controllingaport communicating with the atmosphere," the lat-ter two valves operating in' conjunction" with the first inamed valves to varythe pressure at;the filling head between atmospheric and subatmospheric pressure.

Powder fillingmachines operating on thevacuum principle with or without added-agitators, or packing devices such as augers; are relatively more rapid than the augertype. The multiple valvinglmechanism covered by the present invention is usefulwith machines either using'va'cuum only as a fillin'g aid, or with thecombined vacuum andauger machines: 7

The present devicev permits alternately "evacuating a container (and restoring itzto' atmospheric pressure while it" is" in filling'relationship to a filling machine; It maybe used with: single? or multiple headimachines; generally requirin c one orig-the devices 'foriieachifilling head; :Theinvention: is particularly. useiiul in' connection. toxthe 2 divided head filling machines-suchas those. described in my United States Patent 217014691 The device herein illustrated canube used in connection with a special meanslfor positively removing containers from filling relationship to .the filling head after it isfull. It is particularly usefulin connection with machinesempldying an evacuated shroud which. surrounds. a collapsiblev container such-as paper bags orboxes during the filling operation and whichlis usedtole'qualize the pressure inside andioutsid'e the.conta'i-ner.

The invention is further understood hydro;- ferring to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is. a. side view inperspective of'the container fillingdevice, some parts beingomitted; Figure '2is a side view largely in section, show ing a lifting platform and .shroud'infillingeposi tionand another in position to receive anempty container. Figure 3is a side view partlyin 'secticnof the valve mechanism which constitutes-this invention.

Figure 4 is a; planview of the valving mechanism. V

Figure. 5 is a side view insection o f'one. form of divided. filling head, and a shroud;v withaicom tainer in filling position. l f

Figure 6 is aplan view through lines 6"''6'."of the divided filling head shown in,.Figure 5'.-

Figure 7 is a side view in sectionof a formilof vaccumilift plate" and shroud showing a special lift plate constructed'to. aid in positive removal of a container fromfillingiposition; Figures 8 to 13 inclusive'are' details'of' 'tlieair valve means used foroperatingthe lifter-plates. Figure 14 is a diagrammatic representation of a preferred filling cycle representing the conditions existing within the container and-shrouds at various stages of'the filling operation and likewise diagrammatically representing a typical operation of the valving mechanism"during'the filling operation.

In the drawings is illustrated details of 'a multi ple head filling machine 1 having' a; base wi and a; centrally locatediflangell in whichis seta stationary tubular support-22. The rotating hop par and filling mechanism i supportedionlsupfport 22 as iwillbe: hereinafter described: I Beneath base 20 and attachedv toasupport 22:is:a flange 23 threaded on the. support. 22 which has'ashoul der restingfupon flange 2|. A plugziddsrlocated inthe tubular support and an'elbow: 25 is attached thereto communicating with the interior: The elbow 'servesas a means for connecting meaning machine toi'a' source of" vacuum. A-nange -26iis attached to support 22, and serves as a part of the .air valving means for actuating the lift plates as will be hereinafter described. Resting on flange 26 and mounted for rotation around support 22 is the main driving gear 21 driven by any conventional power means, not shown, thereby actuating the filling mechanism. A multiple cam assembly 28 is mounted above the hub of gear 21, and is fixedby welding or other appropriate means to support :22. These cams serve to actuate the valves of each of the pulsator units when the machine is in operation. Mounted for rotation around support 22 and provided with appropriate sealing means to'prevent leakage of air thereinto, is a cam housing 29 upon which the several valve units (designated as 40 and 4|) are mounted by suitable means..' The sealing means may comprise an annular boss 30 fitting over the end of the support 22. Housing 29 rests upon the gear 21 adjacent the hub 3|. In seali'ng'relation'ship with sleeve 30 is a distributin manifold 32 which has outlets 33 and 34 connected by means'of flexible tubing to the vacuum side of multiple-valve units 40 and 4| respectively. As manyofthese outlets are provided as there arevalve units. 'The flexible tubes leading from the outlet to the connectors I21 are omitted for purpose of simplification. A hopper support 35 is {mounted by suitable means on cam housing 29. The hopper base 36 rests upon and is attached by suitable means to hopper support 35 thereby supporting hopper 31. When gear 21 is driven, the cam housing 29 and hopper support 35 rotate aroundthe support 22. Hopper 31 may suitably have a cone shaped inner memher not illustrated in detail, from which depend th'efilling heads 38 and 39.

Mounted on the cam housing 29 are multiple valve units 40 and 4|. These will be described later in greater detail. Also attached near the rim of the driving gear 2'! are lift plates 42 and 43. These serve as a means for elevating the containers into filling position and of lowering them after they have been filled. They are preferably pneumatically operated. There are usually 8 to 12 or more filling units for individual containers on each filling machine of thistype. Around the base 20 is a flange 44 to which a shell 45 is fastened.

Thelift plate mechanism 42 comprises a piston 46 mountedadjacent the rim of the driving gear- 21 by any suitable rigid supporting means. As illustrated, the piston has a member 41 which fits. into a hole in the rim of the driving gear and is threaded at the end to be fastened in place by nut 48. The piston is hollow in order to serve as a duct for air which passes through conduit 49 from the air valve assembly-|l. Air is introduced or released through line 49. Fitted to the piston- 45 is a cylinder 5|. Appropriate piston rings on the piston serves to form an air tight seal; between the cylinder walls and the piston and; prevent escape of air into or out of the device exceptthrough line 49. When air is introduced through piston 45, it causes lift plate 52 to 'rise upwardly. In a like manner when the air pressureris released, the lift plate drops downwardly onthe piston. The lift plate on the" right hand side ;of Figure 2 is elevated into the position it occupies when the container is being filled which means that air pressure is being exerted through line 49- In case of the lift plate on the left hand side of Figure 2, the air pressure has been releasediandthe lift plate is lowered.

On each of the pistons is a roller 53 which is used in connection with a safety arrangement and to provide positive means by which each of the lifter plates will be lowered at the end of the filling cycle. Referring to Figure 1, the rotation of the machine is in a clock-wise direction. Cam tracks 54 and 55 are provided at the part of the machine where the lifter plates are being lowered. Asa rule, roller-53 will rest on cam track 54 and-the cylinder 5| drops of its own weight and the weight of the filled container. In certain instances however, the lifter plate may be held up, in which case the roller 53 strikes the cam track 55 which rests against upright bar 56 which in turn is in contact with the actuating arm 53 of a micro-switch 51. The slightest movement of bar 55 throws the micro-switch and stops the machine. Th bar 54 extends only part way around the interior of the machine. In the event that the piston 5| should drop before it is supposed to and the roller 53 were thereby under cam bar 54, another cam bar 58 is attached to bar 56.' The roller striking bar 58 causes the lower part of bar 56 to move operating the switch and stopping the machine before damage can be done. Bar 54 is hinged at 59 so that the piston can be raised manually sufliciently for the roller to be put back on track 54. The part of the machine illustrated in Figure 1 is that approaching the end or unloading part of the cycle. On the opposite or loading side of the machine, which is substantially a mirror image of the part illustrated, the cam track corresponding to 55 serves to prevent the cylinder 5| from rising too rapidly when air pressure is applied thereby damaging the shrouds or the lifter plates. The continuation of track 54 on the opposite side of the machine starts the cylinder 5| in its upward movement thus preventing its sticking at the bottom, which might result if only air pressure were used.

Since the cylinder 5| rests and moves freely on the piston 46 there is a tendency for it to turn. This is overcome by providing a channel iron 60 attached to the inside of the piston 5| and passing downward" through a guide 6| located adjacent the rim of gear 21. This guide may suitably comprise rollers to reduce friction and permit free action.

A suitable filling head and shroud arrangement is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. Other such heads are shown in my United States Patents 2,170,469 and 2,360,198. Referring to the figures, the filling head depends from the hopper 31 and is attached thereto by flange 64. The body 65 of the filling head is provided with a pair of ducts 63 and 61 leading to filling head divisions 68 and 69, these being divided by extensions 10 of the annular throat piece A screen retaining member 12 fits into the opening from the hopper 31 and is preferably countersunk to fit fiush and at the same time to retain the screen 12' centrally. The outer periphery of the screen is held in place by the ring 11 which fits into an appropriate groove in member 65. These members 12 and 11 may be held in place by suitable means such as machine screws or the like, not shown. The ducts 66 and 61 are provided with flexible connectors'13 and 14 leading toports I28 and. |29, the actual connection being omitted for purposes of simplification, but being apparent by reference particularly to Figures 5 and 2. Member" may have a number of openings to permit passage of powder into the container, or-may have a single opening, depending on'the size of the opening;

gusset the-type -of pewter being"handlerillancljthe like.

' Attached tothebody 6-5 by anysuitable means such as cap screws, studs or thelike, isa shroud 15 preferably bell-shaped and having a connection 16 which is connected to the pulsator unit to equalize the pressure inside and outside the-container. A gasket I1 lies in member 65 and when the container 62 is raised into filling position, the top is thrust against the resilient gasket. When flexible containers such as cardboard boxes, bags, and'the like, are filled, an arrangement such as is" shown in my co-pendingapplications Serial Numbers 698,605, now Patent "#2,513-,l43-, issued June 27, 1950, and 698,606,- filed September'23, 1946, now abandoned, may be used. lih'ebellshaped 'shroud I fiares'at the-bottom eridand may have a resilient skirt 18 of rubber orthe like, cooperating with a flat rubber gasket I9 on the lifter-plate52, to make-a vacuum tight seal while the-device is in filling position.

I A- preferred form of liftplate' is shown in Figure'7. The -lift-plate52 in this case is provided with-a vacuum chamber 80 which is arecess in plate 52. A perforated plate {Hoovers the vacuum-chamb'er 8|], the perforations being arranged in apattern to lie within the outlines of the bottom ofcontainer 62. A duct 82 is provided by drilling. a hole from the outside of the lift plate 52 into chamber 80 and inserting a connector 83 which isattached by resilient tube to port I3I of the pulsator. In this way chamber 80 is evacuated whenever valve A is open. Since the container rests flush over the perforations, the suction thus created holds it fast to the lift plate 52 and the container is withdrawn from the filling head by a positive action, .and isheld on the lift plate until slid oif by the action of star wheel 84, the movement of which is synchronized with the rotation of the machine so that the arms catch the containers and slide them off the plate 52 onto a conveyor belt 85. A similardevice may be used at the inlet or loading side of the machine to-position the containers on the lifter platforms before-they are elevated into filling relationship. The air valve-by which the lifter plates are actuated is generally designated by the numeral 50 and is constructed as follows; A collar or casting 26 is rigidly attached by suitable means to tubular support 22. ,This comprises athrust bearing assembly 86- -81 of conventionaldesign. Gear 21 isniounted for rotation on the thrust bearing. Hub 3 I having a flange 88 hasan L shaped passage 89 tapped for connecting lines-49 and 49 leading to the pneumatic lifter plates. Thereis a similar device for each filling headon the machine. The passage 89 is L shaped and leads to a channel in the lower face of flange 88 into which a metal ring 90 is set. Thisring has ,a number of spaced ports 9| drilled therein, one for each lift plate in the machine, and making connection with the vertical openings. 89 in the flange 88. The ring is also provided with counters'u'nk' screws 92 (Fig. for attaching it-to the flange 88. Member 26 attached to tubular support 22 has an outwardly projecting flange 92' in which there is'an annular groove 94. At'intervals in the flange directly beneath this groove and communicating with it are cut wells '95 containing a guide 96 and a spring 91 urging a ring 98 upwardly into contact with ring 90. The ring BS'has'g roOVes 99'and lot cutin" boss IilI, the face of which is the same width as ring 90 which rests upon it. A connection is made with a'source ofi'compressed'air at I02 in fitting. 26 On the 'o'ppositeside of fitting" 26"is an outlet hole )3 6" open tethe -atmosphere. Air enters through" let I92" and passes into the groove"9-. When port 9|, communicating with one of the 1 lift plates, "coincides-with groove 9'-9, -air"-'passes through line ls" and 'through tlie piston 46 into the cylinder 5I caus'ing the lift plate 52" to-rise. When the port of the-liftplate corresponds with groove I00, the'air within the cylinder 5I' is'released through port I 03 tothe atmosphere and permits the lifter plate to fall, lowering the container; The blank spaces between the' grooves 99 and H10 form aseal.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the pulsator device-'will'now be described. Thisdevice comprises a base casting I04 equipped with fian'ges lflli for mounting the pulsator 'on housing 29. A journal IGS'is" provided for the plunger I01. A compression spring Ifl8 fits over the external portion of journal I86, resting against shoulder Hill on the bottom of plunger I01, and againstthe b'o'dyof casting I641 The end of-plunger Ill'l iorms a yoke H0 in 'which is'mo'unted a roller III. Plunger I01 extends through the journal I06 intothe'interiorof casting IM.

A second casting H2 is'designed' to fit upon casting I M and be held together by conventional means. A resilient diaphragm I I3 which ispref erably made of rubber or some other'elastomer, forms a partition between castings I04 and H0, dividing" them into two chambers. This has the advantage that" the fit between journal I05 and plunger I01 need not be vacuum tight. A valve stem H4 isadjustably attached to plunger I01, and is provided with sealingmeans whereby the valve stem extends through the resilient diaphragm without possibility of leakage of gas from onecompartment to the'other; As illustrated there is a lock nut H5 on the 'threaded'end of the valve stem. Thus the length of the stem may be adjusted and locked into place. The stem H4 is, provided with a shoulder H6 upon which the diaphragm I I3 rests, the stem passing through a hole in the rubber diaphragm into the vacuum chamber formed by casting I I2. IA spool 8 with both ends flanged is slipped over stem Ill and rests against the diaphragm opposite shoulder H6. A resilient valve head I I9 which is preferably made of rubber cast in the form illustrated, is next placed on the valve stem II] resting against the upper'flan'ge of spool I IS. A washerIZll and lock nuts I2I complete the valve assembly. When the lock nuts I21 are drawn down, the washer I20 compressingthe resilient valve head H9 against the spool H8 and in turn forces the lower part of the spool againstthe rubber diaphragm H3 so that a gas tightseal 11s formed.

Several variations of valve seat assemblies may be employed but a preferred'on is'illustrated. Another variation is shown in my co-pending application 550,001, now-Patent #2,538,441-, issued January 16, 1951, of which this application'is a continuation in-part. A plate I22 contains appropriately located openings corresponding to each of the valve heads. A valv seat I23 of rubber or other suitable material is provided with a circumferential groove "which fits over the plate I22 holding it in position. The casting I25 is relieved to form a shoulder I24'against which the seat I23 rests. It is further'r'elieved at I24" to provide a space for the resilientmember I23 to bulge upward slightly. when" theva'lve head seats against the seat I23. The'casting' I25'conta'ms the outletports to which-is made-the connections leading to the variousparts of thefilling apparatus. The castings IIMand II2, plategl22, and casting I25 are assembled by conventional means, such as cap screws I26.

A vacuum inlet I21 is provided and attached by means of an appropriate resilient duct or tube to outlet 34 of the distributing head 32 mounted on support 22. An outlet port I28 connects with line I4, duct 61 and screened head 69. Outlet I29 leads to connector 13, duct 66 and screened head 68. These actual connections are not shown for purposes of simplification but are apparent from the drawings. In the top of member I25 is an opening I30 to the atmosphere. A duct I3I extends from one end of casting II2, connecting with the vacuum chamber of lift plate 52 by means of flexible connection 83. u

The valve unit operates in a chamber formed by partitions I32, I33 and I34 in castings I04, H2 and I25 respectively. When the valve unit A is open, vacuum is applied to the lift plate, the suction holding the container firmly in place. The valve is closed only when the filled container is being slid from the lift plate as above described. When the vacuum lift plate is not used, the valve A and the chamber formed by the partitions, as described, are omitted from the device as is shown in my co-pending application Serial Number 550,001 above referred to.

An outlet I35 (see Fig. 2) from the upper chamber of the pulsator unit is connected by means of flexible duct I36 to the shroud at the connection 16. Thus when the valve B is open, the shroud will be evacuated, and when valve B is closed and valve D is open, the shroud will be restored to atmospheric pressure. In thisway the same pressure exists in the shroud and within the container at all times. The vacuum inlet I2! is so constructed that vacuum is supplied to both compartments.

Lateral partitions I31 and I39 and I38 separate the valve ports controlled by valves B, C, D and E from each other. In this way vacuum can be drawn through either port I28 or I29 or both by operation of valve B, and either valve C, or E, or both. The pressure can be restored to atmospheric by closing valve B and opening valve D, at the same time leaving valves C and E open.

The earns 28 upon which operate the valves by contact of the rollers therewith, are constructed so that the valves can be opened and closed according to a predetermined plan, such as that diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 14. Each of the circles containing the shading represents a valve and each of the shaded or unshaded areasrepresents a valve position, the unshaded portions representing the valves in closed position, i. e., a high spot on the cam, and the shaded portions representing the valves as open, that is, a low-spot on the cam.

The springs I08 are under compression hence the normal position of the valves is open. When the valve roller strikes a high spot on the cam track, the valve is closed. The circles are lettered to correspond to the valve units illustrated in Figur 3. The zero point represents the approximate point at which the empty container is placed in position on the lift plate. The filled container is removedbetween about 260 and the point. The machine as illustrated operates in a counterclockwise direction.

It should be borne in mind that each one of the lift plates and filling heads has one of the pulsator or multiple valve units controlling it. The operation is described in terms of a single unit although the usual filling machine may have 4, 6, 8, 12 or more such individual units associated with a single hopper. 7

Refer to Figures 14 and 3, particularly. At 0 point the pressure within the container is atmospheric. As the hopper rotates from 0 to 45 the container is placed in position on the lift plate and air is introduced through the air valve 50 in a manner previously described, causing the lift plate to rise, putting the container in the filling position illustrated in Figure 5 and on the right hand side of Figure 2. The cam tracks controllingthe valves are all high, engaging the rollers, so that all of the valves are closed. At approximately 45 of revolution, valves A, D, C and E are opened because of low points in the respective cam tracks. Vacuum valve B remains closed at this point but because valve A is open, the vacuum chamber is under suction and the container is held against the lift, plate. At approximately 58 the relief valve D is closed and the vacuum valve B is opened. Since valves C and E, to each side of the filling head, are open, the pressure within the container is reduced as the air is withdrawn therefrom. Port I35 to the shroud is open at all times, hence the shroud is simultaneously evacuated and the pressure inside and outside the container is equal. The container continues to be held firmly in position. At about 86 of revolution the vacuum valve B is closed and the relief valve D is opened for a space of about 10 of revolution. lSince valves 0 and E are still open the air rushes back through lines I3 and I4, and screened heads 68 and 69, clearing thescreen and restoring the pressure Within container 62 to atmospheric. Due to the fact that the shroud is connected through line 16 to port I35, the pressure outside of the container is simultaneously restored to atmospheric. At about 96 the vacuum valve B again opens while simultaneously valve D to the relief line and valve C to one side of the filling head, close. Since valve E to the other side of the filling head is still open, air is withdrawn through that side of the filling head. Due to the lowered pressure within the container, the material is drawn from hopper 31 through filling throat. This operation is continuous until about of revolutions at which time the vacuum valve is again momentarily closed, the relief valve D opened. Due to the fact that valve C is still closed and valve E is still open, air rushe from the atmosphere back through the side of the filling head controlled by valve E and clears the powder from it. At about 133 valve E is closed, the relief valve is closed and the vacuum valve B and valve C are opened. At 163 valve B controlling the vacuum to this compartment is closed, the relief valve D is opened and since valve C is still open it permits air to rush back through the other side of the filling head clearing that screen. At about 171 the vacuum valve B is again opened, the relief valve D closed, valve C is closed and valve E is opened to evacuate the opposite side of the filling head. This continues to about 201 at which point valve B is closed, valve D is opened and the air rushes back through open valve E clearing the screen. At 209 the relief valve D is closed as is valve E and vacuum valve B and control valve C are opened. At about 239 valve B is closed, valve D is opened and the screen of the side of the filling head controlled by the valve 0 is cleaned by the back rush of air. At 247 the relief valve D and valve C are closed, vacuum valve B and 'valve E are opened and held open to about aim-gees atwh-ich poin the v .anima va ve-Bis close and. b91 1 r ief'v ve; D and valve C are opened permitting ,air to :rush back through both, filling heads toaclean the screens. This continues .to abnut 2 60. Valve Alias-been open-from 45;to 260i, At, 250-=a1l of thevalves are closed. Due to the fact 1 that thereis no way provided for relievingthe vacuumin the {compartment controlling line, .I 3 1,. the 7 container, is held; againstthe perforated plate-but the vacuum continues to exist imcompartment 80. This 1ast .sufiiciently long o cennect to .be made throu h t e r l port in, ring :98 by which the lift.plate drops,.lowering the containerfrom filling. positionand out, of the shroud 15. One arm; of the:star wheel, .84 .then pushes or slidesthe container off of the pertor-ated plate. The vacuum is broken as soon as one or moreof theperiorations becomes exposed.

jlhe cycle just, described repeated ior ,each filling head during each rotation of the hopper,

.It-isadvantageous incertain instances Y to provide air ducts ['39 and Mdprovided with plugs l4! and I42 (see-Fig.6). By removing-these'plugs and japplyin an air hosefrom a source of compressedair, it is 'possibleto more thoroughly clean the screened filling head when this becomesnecessary asit. does from time to :time duetothe-accumulation of .;coarser "particles that stick in the screen. l w

, The preferred emhodimentofthe device has beenadescribed butshould not be construedas limited exactlyto the device illustratcdand described. M

I'claim-asmy invention: 1. A filling machine -comprising;a support, a op r. mou d t e on, f r r tatio a l ali y of,fillingheadsdepending from said hopper, ducts c nne inae ch zsa fi lin h ad w th. a pulseton: a t r m sing a :ho I e in block av n l alit o h pluralityo valves mounted for reciprocation therein controlling .said'ports, aresi-lient diaphragm dividing said block laterally into separate chambers, the stems of said valves-extending through said diaphragm, means maintaining said diaphragm in gastight relationship with said block,.means forming-a gas-tight seal between said diaphragm and said valve stems whereby no gas can pass from one of the'chambers to the other'but normal reciprocating. action of the valvesis, permitted, means for connecting said duets. with .said ports; means for mounting said pulsator on. said support, means whereby one. of said ports is. .connectable with a source of vacuumanother of. said ports communicating with the atmosphere, timing cams mounted on said support engaging the stems of said valves thereby reciprocating them when said hopper is rotated, container lifters corresponding to said filling heads whereby a container to be filled is placed in filling relationship with said filling head, means for positioning a container on said container lifters and means for removing filled containers therefrom.

2. A filling machine comprising a support, a hopper mounted thereon for rotation, a plurality of filling heads depending from said hopper, ducts connecting each of said filling heads with a pullsator; said p-ulsator comprising an engine block having a plurality of ports, a plurality of reciprocable valves mounted therein to control said ports, a resilient diaphragm dividing said block laterally in a gas-tight manner into separate chambers, the stems of said valves passing through said diaphragm, means for forming a gas-tight seal between said valve stems and said diaphragm,

said .sea :imeans; pe mittin normal-reg men s .p sator on: said.s n r ;m wh eby 1 d saidports is connectable with a sourceQfwacuum, another of said ports communicating with the atmosphere, timing-cams engaging the-stems of said valves thereby reciprocating them when -said hoppe r ted-meam on-p acingsa conta n t b filled i tfi lin en asementiw thsaidfi lin dstan means ierv d s n a n the a co tai r ,when u lw I i Th ppa at o la m -Wher n; the. valves om ris re i nt v lve. head an t e M lveseat id: po ts arenf-r s ientmate a iz;

support;

ine. d port mountedwfor. reciprocationin said bloc ach --of.;.s.aid v lvesizcomnrising -a..re.si1ient valve. head. a v lve tem andaroher,,sprm ma1ve tuatin means :said; roll rand nsprin imeans be n -:ext rnal-of said blecksandsa apt dstorm: ciprocate said valve when: operativelyaengag-ing a timing;.cam, a resilient.-diaphragmdividing said block laterally? into chambers, vmea-ns'ymaintain in .Said diaphragm .in gasetightxrelationship with said block, means forming-aigasntight sealawith saiddianhragm andlsaid valve .stems which ex+ tend .therethrough; xjournalbearingsinasaid blocls wherein .said valve stems -are journalled, said bearings; being in one =o'f saidachamhers; .andxthe valve ports opening.-.. fr. 'nn :the othernchamb'er; meansior mounting. saidupulsator :on=lsai'd..-;sup..-: port, means whereby one of ,saidflports is connect-. able with a source-ref svacuum, ranother ;.of-.1said ports communicating withthe atmospheregtiming cams mounted on saidsupportlengagingtheistems of ,said zlvalves' thereby 1 reciprocatingfthemlwhen saidhopper is. rotated I means for. engaging cone tainer to be-filled in filling=.relatio'nsh-ip-withesaid fillingheadsand meansfor disengagingilsaid oo'n- 'tainers .whenifull.

' journalled in said bearings and extending through said bearing casting; means mounted on said valve stems externally of said bearin casting and engageable with timing cams, means external of said casting urging the valves toward an open position, a resilient se1f-cleaning valve head attached to said valve stem, a resilient diaphragm, means to clamp said diaphragm in gas-tight relationship between said bearing castings and said second casting to form a lateral gas-tight separation between the two castings, means forming a gas-tight seal between the diaphragm and the valve stems which extend through said diaphragm, means for attachingthe top casting to the' second casting thereby forming a chamber controlled bysaid ports and valves, timing cams mounted on said support engaging the stems of said valves thereby reciprocating them when said hopper is rotated; means for placing a container to be filled in filling relationship with said filling heads and means for disengaging the container when full.

'7, A filling machine comprising a support, a hopper mounted thereon for rotation, a plurality of filling heads depending from said hopper, said filling heads comprising container receiving hoods, ducts connecting each of said filling heads with a pulsator, a duct connecting said hood with said pulsator, said pulsator comprising a hollow engine block having a plurality of ports, a plurality of valves mounted for reciprocation therein controlling said ports, a resilient diaphragm dividing said block laterally into separate chambers, the stems-50f said valves extending through said diaphragm, means maintaining said diaphragm in gas-tight relationship with said block, means forming a gas-tight seal between said diaphragm and saidvalve stems whereby no gas can pass from one of said chambers to the other but normal reciprocating action of the valves is permitted;- a vertical partition separating one of said ports and valve associated therewith from the remaining valves and ports, the portion of the chamber formed by said partition being connected by the second-mentioned duct to said hood, means connecting the last named port and one of the other ports with a source of vacuum, another of said ports communicating with the atmosphere, timing cams mounted on said support engaging the stems of said valves thereby reciprocating them when said hopper is rotated, container lifters corresponding to said filling heads whereby a container to be filled is placed in filling relationship therewith inside said hood, said lifter comprising means for closing said hood when the container is in filling position, and means for disengaging the filled containers.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said ports comprise a resilient valve seat. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the 'ports comprise a resilient valve seat and the valves comprise a resilient self-cleaning head.

10. A filling machine comprising a support, a hopper mounted thereon for rotation, a filling head depending from the hopper, a pulsator having' ports, ducts connecting said filling head with said ports of said pulsator, means for positioning a; container in filling relationship with the filling head; said pulsator comprising a hollow engine 12 block having a plurality of ports, a plurality of valves equipped with resilient valve heads controlling s aid ports, said valves being mounted for reciprocation in said block, timing means operable when said hopper is rotating for reciprocating said valves when a container is in filling position which includes means for opening the valves and means for closing the valves, resilient diaphragm means within said hollow block through which the valve stems extend, means for attaching the diaphragm means to the valve stems, and-other means for attaching the diaphragm to the block,

both in gas tight relationship, one of said ports being connectable to a source of vacuum and one communicating with the atmosphere, and means for removing filled containers from filling position.

' 11. A filling machine comprising a support, a hopper mounted thereon, a filling head depending from the hopper, a pulsator having ports, ducts connecting said filling head with said ports of said pulsator, a rotatable dial means for posi tioning a container in filling relationship with the filling head, mounted'on said dial, said pulsator comprising a hollow engine block having a plurality of ports, a plurality of valves equipped with resilient valve heads controlling said ports, said valves being mounted for reciprocation in said block, timing means operable when said dial is rotating for reciprocating said valves when a container is in filling position which includes means for opening the valves and means for closing the valves, resilient diaphragm means within the hollow block through whichthe valve stems extend, means for attaching the diaphragm means to the valve stems, and other means for attaching the diaphragm to the block, both in gas tight relationship, one of said ports being connectable to a source of vacuum and one communicating with the atmosphere; and means for removing filled containers from filling position.

CLARENCE FREEMONT'CAR'I'ER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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