US2675951A - Liquid filling machine operating by suction - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1954 s. DOMENECH ORIOL LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 April 20, 1954 s. DOMENECH ORIOL LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 INVENTOR. 5, Dome/72:4 01 0/ WWW BY 1 {M Y f April 1954 s. DOMENECH ORlOL 2,675,951

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION Filed Nov. 21, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet s IN V EN TOR.

5. Dome/web 0/40/ BY 1 W p 2 fifjy 5 April 20, 1954 Filed Nov. 21, 1949 S. DOM EN ECH ORIOL LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 llI INVENTOR.

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April 20 1954 s. DOMENECH ORIOL LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION Filed Nov. 21, 1949 Patented Apr. 20, 1954 LIQUID FILLING MACHINE OPERATING BY SUCTION Santiago Domenech Oriol, Barcelona, Spain Application November 21, 1949;. Serial No..128,5.32

Claims priority, application Great Britain October 28,1949

5 Claims. (01. 226-110) The present invention refers to a liquid filling machine operating by suction.

.The main object of the present invention is a liquid filling machine for bottles andthe like acting by suction, suitable to be applied to the bottling of liquids of different physical natures, such aslow viscosity, liquids with a high viscosity having a tendency to slide downward over'the outer surface of the central conduit which serves for the aspiration of the air contained in the inside of thebottle, being absorbed by said tube on arriving at the lower end. thereof, or liquids of. a foamy nature that fill the bottle with foam and reduce the working velocity of the machine, and wherein the cited inconveniences will be overcome. V

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a liquid-fillingmachine for bottles and the like operating bysuction which comprises abottle supporting arrangement operating by suction, including means adjustable by hand and without the intervention of-special tools, for adapting the bottle supporting arrange, ment to bottles of different heights, in combination with a distribution cock of multiple channels which controls the working thereof and interrupts simultaneously in a given case, the conduit of aspiration which connects themachine with a conventional vacuum pump.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a liquid filling machine for bottles and the like of the specified kind with a filler mouth piece having means for the adjustment by handof the height of the central conduitgthe lower end of which limits the maximum filling level obtained in the bottle.

A further object of the present invention consists in providing a bell-shaped vacuum chamber of transparent material maintained position by a single screw, the bell allowing continuous viewingof the level attained in the inside thereof by the liquid recovered from the 'air of aspiration and that the same "may be withdrawn for the cleaning thereof, in combination with a distribution box which comprises a conical valve, especially arranged so as to interrupt as desired the passage of the aspiration conduit to the mouth piece, allowing the return of the liquid contained within the vacuum chamber to the receiver of the filling, liquid.

' The means for the attainment of these objects consist in a'liquid fillin machine for bottles and the like, comprising a filler mouthpiece having coupled at thelower end thereof a lower central -conduit, mounted in an axially slidable way for adjusting the height. which its lower end. must occupy within the bottle and connecting with the mouth piece aspiration tubewhich discharges into the upper portion of the vacuum.

chamber. The. upper part of the vacuum chamber is connected with a conventional vacuum pump through the passages of two distribution valves, the first being a conical valve which has a three branch channel, specially arranged soas to. alternately connect the filling liquid receiver with the said mouth. piece. and with the bottom. of said. vacuum chamber, whilst the second constitutes a. distribution cock which likewise comprises. a; three branch conduit adapted to: connect alternatively the inside of the cylinder of the bottle. supporting arrangement. with afbr'anch. ofthe suction tube and with the atmosphere. Within the cylinder there is an adjustable piston comprising a tubular support to which the rod of the supporting plate for the bottles is coupled in a sliding manner and fixable in any desired position.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings: in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view .of the filling section-of the machine: taken uponv section line I-I of Fig; 2.

Fig. 2: is a similar sectional view taken upon section; line 22 of Fig. 1. l

q Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken upon the section line A--A of Fig. 2 showing the valve in operating position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional. view taken upon thev sectionline B-B of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the valve in another position.

Fig. 6 a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the valve in another position.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view with parts in elevation showing the supportingdevice for large bottles.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional View taken upon .the section line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional View taken upon the section line 0-0 of Fig. 8 showing the distribution valve in position for the elevation of a bottle.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken upon the section line DD of Fig. 8 also showing the distribution valve in position for the elevation of a a bottle.

Fig, 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the 3 distribution valve in position for withdrawing a bottle.

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the complete machine mounted upon a table.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken upon the section line |4-l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified form of the filling mouth piece particularly suitable for the transfer of syrupy liquids, and

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a further modification of the filling mouth piece particularly suitable for the fillin of frothy or foaming liquids.

The machine illustrated comprises a vacuum chamber I (Figs. 1 and 2) constituted by a bell of glass or other suitable transparent material the edges 2 of which are sealed on a base plate 3 by means of a sealing ring 3.

The base plate 3 is traversed by two tubes 5 and 6, of which the first is in communication with the filler mouthpiece 1 and serves to effect the aspiration of air from within the bottle 8 to be filled.

The second tube 6 communicates with a vacuum pump.

. The base plate '7 forms part of a horizontal arm terminating at its free end in the filling mouthpiece 1 shown in sectional detail in Fig.

1, it being of a form suitable for the filling of drop dispensing bottles or flasks. The mouthpiece 7 has a central conduit 9 located in and communicating with the tube or conduit 5 which is suitably prolonged in the interior of the bell. An annular space 10 is also provided in the filler mouthpiece I, which space does not communicate with the tube 5 but does communicate with a conduit H which is the passage for the delivery of the liquid.

The above-mentioned central conduit 9 is constituted by a small tube clamped with radial pressure by means of a rubber packin ring l2 located and compressed by a screw ring l3. Such fixing means can be loosened as desired and thus the position of the small tube 9 can be varied verticallyand its lower end M made to project to a greater or less extent within the bottle 6, this end hi determining the limit of the filling level. The mouthpiece l terminates in a connection member having an end piece of rubber I6 to which the edge of the neck of the bottle is applied.

The conduits 6 and H connect with a filling distribution box H shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. In this box there is provided a conical valve l8 having a manipulating handle I9 (Fig. 13) and provided with two zones with passage ways, one zone havinga diametrical passage 23 connecting the tube 6 and the suction pipe 2| and the other zone having communication through a three branch channel represented by 22 with a transverse conduit 23 (Figs. 3 and 5) in the box I! whence issues the passage I i previously referred to, with the conduit 24 by which is led the liquid to be filled, and with the conduit 25 which communicates with the bottom of the bell.

In Figs. 3 and 4 both zones of the valve are shown in a position in which its channels allow the filling operation of the machine to be carried out. Figs. 5 and 6 show the position for discharge or emptying of the bell. The position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is maintained throughout the fillin of the bottles there bein no necessity for interfering with the valve since thearrangement of the machine makes the operation thereof automatic in combination with the manipulation of a second distribution cock as hereinbeiore described.

Between the distribution box I? and the tube ll there is provided a movable obstruction formed by a gravity valve 26 (Fig. 1) the func tion of which is to rise and permit passage to the filling liquid, and to fall and close the conduit as soon as the bottle or flask has been taken away from the mouthpiece, so that the conduit l I does not lose the liquid contained therein but remains primed for subsequent fillings and dripping from the end is avoided.

The set of communication tubes or conduits are enclosed in a longitudinally divided envelope forming two half parts coupled together on a plane of symmetry (Figs. 13 and 14.). This arrangement facilitates the fittin up, cleaning and servicing of the apparatus.

Operation of the machine described with small fiasks is extremely easy and they fill rapidly, being held by the hand, and due to the gravity valve, the successive change thereof can take place with a convenient rhythm, since no liquid is lost in the operation.

For bottles of larger size a bottle supporting arrangement is required and this arrangement involves the provision of pressure means for holding the mouth of the bottle against the mouthpiece of the apparatus, so that the same purpose is effected in a manner similar to that carried out by hand in the case of the small bottles or flasks.

This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 7 in which is shown a supportin plate 21 connected with a pneumatic cylinder containinga piston, adapted to be put into communication with the vacuum pump which operates the machine, there being used for this purpose an appropriate manipulating cock.

In Fig. '7 the plate 2'! is carried by a rod 28 which passes through a stuffing box 29 mounted in the tubular support 30 and with which it may be fixedly connected by means of a nut 31 and contracting cone 32. This arrangement permits adjustment of the said rod axially to occupy different positions, by means of which is achieved a variation of the level of the support or plate 21 with respect to the filling mouthpiece, so that it is adaptable in this way to any size of bottle.

The cylinder and piston are formed respectively by the body 33 and the stufi'ing box 29 fixed on the rod 28. The cylinder is fixed to a casing 34 carrying a distribution cook 35 similar to the cock I8 previously described, the said casing 34 being fixed to the table 65 which also supports the machine.

The movement of the piston in the cylinder 33 takes place as a result of V the introduction of air and the expulsion thereof by suction, the introduction efiecting the descent of the plate 21 and suction the ascent thereof.

In the above mentioned valve chest or casing 34 (Figs. '7 to 12) is located the cock 35 having two zones with conduits, one of three-branch or T-form, i. e. that indicated by 36, and the other 31 of simple angular form. Beneath this valve there is a casing 38 having a connection 39 for the vacuum pump, and which, through a conduit 40, the cook 35 and channel 31, establishes commumnication with the tube 2! of the machine (Figs. 1 and 2). p

A further conduit 4| also provided in the casing or chest 34, serves to place 42 in communicaf tion with the casing 38 and with thesucti'on, through the passage 36. r

The casing 34 alsocontains the conduit 43 which communicates with atmosphere.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown the position corresponding to ascent of the plunger and, consequently, of the support 27, and in Figs. 11 and 1 2, is shown the cylinder in communication with atmosphere, corresponding to descent of the plunger together with the bottle.

The movement of the cook 35 is effected with the aid of. a gripper or handle shown at M (Fig. 13). r The cook 35, unlike cock [8, requires to be manipulated each time a bottle is filled and, furthermore, it serves for the closing or opening of the vacuum communication of the entire niach ine. 7

The machine described, combined with the bottle support 21-33 is generally fixed to a plate or table 45 (Fig. 13) below, or in other suitable position in relation thereto there is placed the liquid to be filled and the vacuum pump with its liquid separator.

Fig. 15 shows a modified form of the filling mouthpiece, especially suitable for filling flasks having normal necks, with liquids such as syrups and the like in the case of which there arises the difficulty that owing to their great viscosity, they tend to adhere to the tube 9 and on reaching its extremity Hi, to be drawn into the tube by the aspiration or suction instead of entering the bottle. In order to avoid this drawback, the entrance of the liquid is arranged through a tube 45 which surrounds the tube 9 and carries an elastic cone l5, adapted to form a sealing stop against the edge of the mouth of the bottle. The said tube 46, unlike the conduit II, it is provided with a closure at its lower extremity, in which closure are formed two or more outwardly inclined apertures ll which cause the liquid to emerge sideways so as to encounter the neck of the bottle immediately so as to slide over the surface thereof without in any way obstructing the suction.

The arrangement with mouthpiece, as just described is suitable ior filling with liquids which run without producing froth, but it is not'suitable for those giving rise toa large volume of froth. For the latter case, there is provided a form of mouthpiece which is shown in Fig. 16. This mouthpiece difiers from that previously described by having the relative positions of the suction and filling conduits reversed these being now respectively 43 and 49. With this arrangement, the filling now takes place through the centre tube 50 and the suction takes place through the annular space left between the centre filling tube 50, and the outer tube 5| concentric therewith.

The assembly of concentric tubes 50 and 5| is characterized in that the tube 50 reaches almost to the bottom of the bottle, whilst the outer tube 5| is capable of variation in height, at will, its lower end remaining in the zone of maximum level which the liquid is required to reach.

In this mouthpiece also there is provided an elastic member for fixing the tube 5| and having similar characteristics to those described for the mouthpiece 1.

The invention may be carried out in practice with variations as to constructional details without departing from the invention.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature ofmy said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I de-' clare that what I claim is:

1. A liquid filling machine for bottles and the like operating by suction comprising an adjustslidable in said cylinder, said piston having a tubular support, a rod for said piston, said rodextending through said support and upwardly from said cylinder, said rod having a supporting plate for a bottle to be filled, coupled at the upper end thereof, means to substantially secure said rod with respect to said tubular support, a filler mouthpiece, said'mouthpiece having a central conduit therethrou-gh, said central conduit being axially slidabl'e in said filler mouthpiece having an annular space therein, a vacuum chamber, a suctionconduit'extending from the upper-part of said vacuum chamber into said filler mouthpiece and in connection with said central conduit, a vacuum pump, a second suction conduit connecting the upper part of said vacuum chamber with said vacuum pump, a filling liquid receiver, a filling conduit connecting said annular said discharge conduit, and a channe1 in the latter means for selectively registering with and shutting off said second suction conduit, a second distribution box inserted in said second suction conduit, an exhausting conduit extending from said cylinder in said supporting mechanism to said second distribution box, said second distribution box having means for selectively connecting said cylinder with said second suction conduit and said cylinder with the atmosphere, and a channel in the latter means for selectively registering with and shutting oii said second suction conduit.

2. A liquid filling machine as claimed in claim 1, said mouth piece having a suction tube for exhausting the air from the inside of the bottle to be filled up, said central conduit being partially comprehended by the same and concentrically disposed thereto, a screw ring axially slidably securing said central conduit secured to the lower end of the said suction tube, a packing ring interposed between said central conduit and said screw ring to secure the former at a desired height to determine the maximum level of the filling liquid within the bottle, a connection member screwed to the lower end of said mouth piece, a piece of rubber fitted into the lower end of said connection member to substantially form a seating for the mouth of the bottle and said annular space communicating the liquid delivery conduit with the inside of the bottle through said connection member and the said rubber piece.

3. A liquid filling machine as claimed in claim 2, said filler mouth piece including an inverted frustro-conical shaped piece of rubber fitted into the lower end of the connection member to substantially form a seating for the bottle mouths of different sizes, a liquid filling tube inserted in 7 said rubber piece surrounding the said central inclined apertures in said lower end of said liquid filling tube to substantially guide the current of filling liquid of viscous nature towards the Walls of the bottle.

4. A liquid filling machine as claimed in claim 1, said tubular support in said bottle supporting arrangement comprising a threaded portion and a contracting cone longitudinally serrated and arranged to coact with a conical nut to substantially secure said rod with respect to the said tubular support.

5. A liquid filling machine as claimed in claim 1, said vacuum chamber comprising a transparent inverted bell and a base plate, the latter being arranged to co-operate with the upper part of a longitudinally divided envelope formed by two pieces coupled to one another in a vertical plane and disposed to enclose the connecting tubes between said mouth piece, vacuum chamber and distribution box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 956,286 Champ Apr. 26, 1910 1,232,105 Shelor July 3, 1917 1,244,552 Shelor Oct. 3-0, 1917 1,572,150 Kiefer Feb. 9, 1926 1,614,485 Muller et al Jan. 18, 1927 1,675,208 Broadhurst June 26, 1928 1,690,470 Bly Nov. 6, 1928 1,751,642 Malmquist Mar. 25, 1930 1,771,422 Suiter July 29, 1930 2,022,656 Du Plantier Dec. 3, 1935 2,509,506 Jonsson May 30, 1950

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