Patent US3580298A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3580298A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Container filling machine
Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
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Filing: 1969-09-12
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A container filling machine provided with a plurality of filling heads having provision for automatically starting and stopping the filling operation in successive filling heads which includes pneumatically operated control means for each filling head for detecting a predetermined height of the material in its container and pneumatically operated means responsive thereto for discontinuing the filling operation, the invention being characterized by improved control means facilitating adjustment of the control units for the various filling heads to obtain uniform filling heights in successive containers.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Trusselle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:23
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/02; B67C3/04; B67C3/22; B67C3/26; B67C3/2614; B67C3/2617; B67C3/2622; B67C7/00; B67C7/0006; B67C7/004; B67C7/0046; B67C2003/2685; B67C2007/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
In a container-filling machine, a filling assembly comprising a nozzle for delivering material to the mouth of the container to fill the same, a sensing device having an end adjacent the nozzle operable by impingement of the material in the container therewith to produce a signal, a filling valve for controlling flow of material through the nozzle to the container, a fluid pressure system connected to a source of fluid at superatmospheric pressure in which control is achieved by varying the level of the superatmospheric pressure in the system, comprising fluid conductor means connected in said system to which said superatmospheric pressure is supplied, pneumatically operable means connected to said fluid conductor means, said pneumatically operable means being constantly operated upon by said superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and including a pressure operable valve embodying a diaphragmsupported pressure operable valve element movable between first and second positions to effect opening and closing of the filling valve, said diaphragm-supported valve element being adapted to be held in each of said positions by fluid pressure, means embodied in said pressure operable valve operable to hold said valve element at said first position once it is moved to said first position so long as said holding pressure is maintained unchanged, means for moving said valve element to said second position in response to a change in said holding pressure effected by an increase in pressure in said fluid conductor means, said fluid conductor means containing an outlet through which said superatmospheric pressure fluid flows at a predetermined rate such as to maintain an inoperative superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and means operable in response to said signal to modify the flow of said superatmospheric pressure fluid through said outlet opening in a manner to change the pressure in said fluid conductor means from an inoperative to an operative pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
In a container-filling machine, a filling assembly comprising a nozzle for delivering material to the mouth of the container to fill the same, a sensing device having an end adjacent the nozzle operable by impingement of the material in the container therewith to produce a signal, a filling valve for controlling flow of material through the nozzle to the container, a fluid pressure system connected to a source of fluid at superatmospheric pressure in which control is achieved by varying the level of the superatmospheric pressure in the system, comprising fluid conductor means connected in said system to which said superatmospheric pressure is supplied, pneumatically operable means connected to said fluid conductor means, said pneumatically operable means being constantly operated upon by said superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and including a pressure operable valve embodying a diaphragmsupported pressure operable valve element movable between first and second positions to effect opening and closing of the filling valve, said diaphragm-supported valve element being adapted to be held in each of said positions by fluid pressure, means embodied in said pressure operable valve operable to hold said valve element at said first position once it is moved to said first position so long as said holding pressure is maintained unchanged, means for moving said valve element to said second position in response to a change in said holding pressure effected by an increase in pressure in said fluid conductor means, said fluid conductor means containing an outlet through which said superatmospheric pressure fluid flows at a predetermined rate such as to maintain an inoperative superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and means operable in response to said signal to modify the flow of said superatmospheric pressure fluid through said outlet opening in a manner to change the pressure in said fluid conductor means from an inoperative to an operative pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising adjustable means operable to vary the response of the pneumatically operable means to the change of pressure in said fluid conductor means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluid conductor means comprises a chamber and the outlet is an orifice through which said fluid under pressure flows at a predetermined rate, and the means operative in response to a signal from the sensing means to change the flow of fluid through said orifice is a diaphragm supported adjacent the orifice for movement relative thereto in response to said signal from said sensing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means operative in response to a signal from the sensing means is a diaphragm supported adjacent the orifice, the sensing means comprises an air conducting sensing tube supported with one end adjacent the nozzle and the other end adjacent the diaphragm, and wherein there is means supporting the diaphragm in confronting relation to the orifice with its center substantially in alignment therewith, and means for adjusting the initial distance between the diaphragm and the orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus accordiNg to claim 1, comprising a normally open exhaust valve in said fluid pressure system which maintains the superatmospheric pressure in said system below operating level, and means operable by positioning a container in filling position to close said normally open exhaust valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for moving a container to a filling position and removing it therefrom following filling, said means being operable successively to close the normally open exhaust valve and thereafter open the exhaust valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
Container-filling apparatus comprising a plurality of filling assemblies according to claim 1, comprising means connecting the fluid pressure system of each assembly to a common source of regulated superatmospheric fluid pressure such that the initial pressure in each fluid conductor system is proportional to said regulated pressure, and means for varying said regulated pressure and consequently the pressure in each of said fluid pressure systems simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust valve embodied in said pneumatically operable means is operable by a change in pressure in the fluid conductor means to change the holding pressure supplied to said pneumatically operable valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said diaphragm supported, pressure operable valve element is adapted to be held in a normally closed position, and there is means embodied in said pressure operable valve operable by delivery of a pulse of superatmospheric pressure thereto to move said valve element to its open position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pneumatically operable means includes a cylinder containing a piston and means connecting the piston to said filling valve, and wherein said pressure operable valve supplies fluid pressure to said cylinder to effect opening of said filling valve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein there is spring means operable when said pressure operable valve is returned to its closed position to return said filling valve to its closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said pressure operable valve contains an exhaust opening normally closed when said pressure operable valve is in its open position and open when said pressure operable valve is in its closed position, and means connecting said exhaust opening to said cylinder to induce rapid venting of the cylinder and hence retraction of the piston and closing of said filling valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is means including a conductor tube for supplying low pressure air continuously to a sensing tube in said sensing device and a second pressure operable valve interposed in said conductor tube and connected into said fluid pressure system, movable from a first position in which it permits free flow of the low pressure air supplied to the sensing tube from the conductor tube and blocks pressure from the fluid pressure system to a second position in which it blocks flow of low pressure air from said conductor tube to the sensing tube and permits flow of pressure from said fluid pressure system through the sensing tube, and means for shifting said second pressure operable valve, momentarily from said first position to said second position following completion of a filling operation and then returning it to its first position to inject a charge of superatmospheric pressure from the fluid pressure system through said sensing tube so as to clear the same.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
163 words
Filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is means including a conductor tube for supplying a gaseous medium continuously to a sensing tube in said sensing device and wherein said pneumatically operable means includes a second conductor tube for supplying a gaseous medium at a higher pressure than that supplied to said sensing tube, a second pressure operable valve interposed in said first conductor tube and connected to said second conductor tube, said second pressure operable valve being movable from a first position in which it permits free flow of the lower pressure gaseous medium through the sensing tube and blocks access of the higher pressure gaseous medium thereto, to a second position in which it blocks the lower pressure gaseous medium from the sensing tube and permits the higher pressure gaseous medium to flow therethrough, and for shifting said second pressure operable valve from said first position to said second position and back again following the conclusion of each filling operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
248 words
In a container-filling machine, a filling assembly comprising a nozzle for delivering material to the mouth of the container to fill the same, a sensing device having an end adjacent the nozzle operable by impingement of the material in the container therewith to produce a signal, a filling valve for controlling the flow of material through the nozzle to the container, a fluid pressure system connected to a source of fluid at superatmospheric pressure in which control is achieved by varying the level of the superatmospheric pressure in the system, comprising fluid conductor means connected in said system to which said superatmospheric pressure is supplied, pneumatically operable means connected to said fluid conductor means, said pneumatically operable means being constantly operated upon by said superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, a diaphragm exposed to the superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, an exhaust valve in said fluid pressure system, said diaphragm being operably connected to said exhaust valve, spring means opposing movement of the diaphragm, means for adjusting the yield at a predetermined operative pressure, said fluid conductor means containing an outlet through which said superatmospheric pressure fluid flows at a predetermined rate such as to maintain an inoperative superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and means operable in response to said signal to modify the flow of said superatmospheric pressure fluid through said outlet opening in a manner to change the pressure to said fluid conductor means from an inoperative to an operative pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
248 words
In a container-filling machine, a filling assembly comprising a nozzle for delivering material to the mouth of the container to fill the same, a sensing device having an end adjacent the nozzle operable by impingement of the material in the container therewith to produce a signal, a filling valve for controlling the flow of material through the nozzle to the container, a fluid pressure system connected to a source of fluid at superatmospheric pressure in which control is achieved by varying the level of the superatmospheric pressure in the system, comprising fluid conductor means connected in said system to which said superatmospheric pressure is supplied, pneumatically operable means connected to said fluid conductor means, said pneumatically operable means being constantly operated upon by said superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, a diaphragm exposed to the superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, an exhaust valve in said fluid pressure system, said diaphragm being operably connected to said exhaust valve, spring means opposing movement of the diaphragm, means for adjusting the yield at a predetermined operative pressure, said fluid conductor means containing an outlet through which said superatmospheric pressure fluid flows at a predetermined rate such as to maintain an inoperative superatmospheric pressure in said fluid conductor means, and means operable in response to said signal to modify the flow of said superatmospheric pressure fluid through said outlet opening in a manner to change the pressure to said fluid conductor means from an inoperative to an operative pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |