Automatic container-filler valve

Claim 2

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally upward and downward directions, b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open and closed positions, and c. control means actuated by said fluid-level sensing means and alternately moving said tip means into its up and down positions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled, said control means opening said valve means when said valve means is closed before said fluid level has reached the level of said tip means in its upward position.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, in addition, means for partially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including, in addition, container-sensing means coupled to said fluid-level sending means, said control means moving said tip means downward when said container-sensing means senses the presence of a container in position to be filled.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 in which said control means reopens said valve meanS when said tip means is moved above the level of said fluid, provided said container-sensing means still senses the presence of said container.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including, in addition, means for regulating the speed at which said tip means moves.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 5 in which said valve means can be moved into withdrawn and extended positions by said control means and is closed when in its withdrawn position and open when in its extended position.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which said valve means can be moved, in addition, into a partially extended position by said control means, the flow of said fluid from said valve being partially restricted when said valve means is in its partially extended position.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said tip means is an opening which is obstructed by said fluid when said fluid rises in said container to the level of said tip means, said fluid-sensing means operating said control means as a consequence thereof.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said fluid-level sensing means includes a manometer having first and second legs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, and means for inserting said first electrode into said electrolyte within said first leg and for the withdrawal thereof.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, including, in addition, container-sensing means coupled to said first electrode inserting and withdrawing means for the operation thereof when said valve means is in position with respect to the container to be filled.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in which said control means utilizes pressure means to move said valve means, and in which the operation of said control means depends upon the position of said first electrode within said first leg.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which said pressure means is a supply of air under pressure.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, in which said filling means includes spout means, and in which said tip means is an opening within said spout and is coupled to said second leg of said manometer.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 13, in which said spout means includes at least one additional opening through which said fluid is emitted when said valve means is opened.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 14, in which said valve means can be moved into withdrawn, extended and partially extended position by said control means, and is closed when in its withdrawn position, open when in its extended position, and partially open when in its partially extended position.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 15, including, in addition, a piston fixedly coupled to said valve for the movement thereof, and a cylinder associated with said piston, said pressure means being coupled to said piston and cylinder.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 16, in which said second electrode is movable and is inserted within said electrolyte when said valve means is not inserted within said container, and in which said control means includes a three-way solenoid air valve which shuts off said air supply when the coil of said solenoid is electrically activated, and including, in addition, switch means which activates said coil when said movable electrode is inserted within said electrolyte.

Claim 19

Apparatus as defined in claim 17 in which said inserting and withdrawing means withdraws said movable electrode from said electrolyte when said container sensing means is moved by the container to be filled as said valve means is positioned within said container, and in which said solenoid permits said air to pass into said cylinder above said piston when said movable electrode is withdrawn from said electrolyte, thereby forcing said piston and valve means to move downward, ''''opening'''' said valve means and permitting said fluid to flow from said valve and fill said container.

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 18, in which said filling means includes spout means having a pair of O-rings and at leAst one additional opening therebetween.

Claim 21

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said filling means includes spout means having a pair of O-rings and at least one opening therebetween.

Claim 22

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means including tip means and a manometer having first and second legs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, and means for making and breaking contact between said first electrode and said electrolyte within said first leg, said tip means being coupled to one of said legs of said manometer, b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open and closed conditions and said filling means including spout means, said spout means including at least one opening through which said fluid is emitted when said valve means is in its open condition, and c. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and in response thereto either opening or closing said valve means, the operation of said control means depending upon whether or not said first electrode is in contact with said electrolyte within said first leg.

Claim 23

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means including tip means and a manometer having first and second legs, first and second electrodes, an electrolyte, and means for making and breaking contact between said first electrode and said electrolyte within said first leg, said tip means being coupled to one of said legs of said manometer, b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open and closed conditions and said filling means including spout means, said spout means including at least one opening through which said fluid is emitted when said valve means is in its open condition, and c. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and in response thereto either opening or closing said valve means, the operation of said control means depending upon whether or not said first electrode is in contact with said electrolyte within said first leg.

Claim 24

Apparatus as defined in claim 21 including, in addition, container-sensing means coupled to said means for making and breaking contact for the operation thereof when said valve means is in position with respect to the container to be filled.

Claim 25

Apparatus as defined in claim 22 in which said means for making and breaking contact between said first electrode and said electrolyte includes means for inserting said first electrode into said electrolyte and for the withdrawal thereof.

Claim 26

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open, partially restricted and closed positions, and c. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled, the flow of said fluid from said valve means being partially restricted when said control means has moved said tip means to a position between its extreme downward and upward positions.

Claim 27

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising: a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. filling means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container and including valve means in said fluid path, said valve means having open, partially restricted and closed positions, and c. control means activated by said fluid-level sensing means and moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled, the flow of said fluid from said valve means being partially restricted when said control means has moved said tip means to a position between its extreme downward and upward positions.

Claim 28

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valve means in said fluid path having open and closed positions, c. control means connected to said fluid-level sensing means and said valve means, said control means being actuated by said fluid-level sensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means when said control means has moved said tip means to a position in between said generally downward and upward directions.

Claim 29

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valve means in said fluid path having open and closed positions, c. control means connected to said fluid-level sensing means and said valve means, said control means being actuated by said fluid-level sensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means when said control means has moved said tip means to a position in between said generally downward and upward directions.

Claim 30

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valve means in said fluid path having at least open and closed positions, c. control means connected to said fluid level sensing means and said valve means, said control means being activatEd by said fluid-level sensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means when said control means has moved said tip means to a position in between said generally downward and upward directions.

Claim 31

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid supplied under pressure, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. fluid-level sensing means, including tip means movable in generally downward and upward directions, b. valve means in said fluid path having at least open and closed positions, c. control means connected to said fluid level sensing means and said valve means, said control means being activatEd by said fluid-level sensing means for moving said tip means in said generally downward and upward directions in response to the level of the fluid in the container being filled and for controlling the operation of said valve means, and d. restriction means in said fluid path partially restricting the flow of said fluid from said valve means when said control means has moved said tip means to a position in between said generally downward and upward directions.

Claim 32

Apparatus for filling containers, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said path for regulating the supply of fluid to a container, said valve means having a closed position wherein no fluid is supplied to said container and having a plurality of operative positions wherein fluid is supplied to said container, b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means for sensing a predetermined fluid level in said container, said sensing means being movable to a plurality of positions, c. control means connected to said valve means and to said fluid-level sensing means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means for controlling the positioning of said sensing means, said control means responding to said sensing means and causing said valve means to move at least to its closed position upon the fluid in said container reaching a predetermined level.

Claim 33

Apparatus for filling containers, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said path for regulating the supply of fluid to a container, said valve means having a closed position wherein no fluid is supplied to said container and having a plurality of operative positions wherein fluid is supplied to said container, b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means for sensing a predetermined fluid level in said container, said sensing means being movable to a plurality of positions, c. control means connected to said valve means and to said fluid-level sensing means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means for controlling the positioning of said sensing means, said control means responding to said sensing means and causing said valve means to move at least to its closed position upon the fluid in said container reaching a predetermined level.

Claim 34

Apparatus as in claim 27 wherein said plurality of operative positions of said valve means includes an open position for allowing a full flow of fluid into the container being filled and a restricted position for allowing a restricted flow of fluid into the container being filled, and said control means causes said valve means to move to its restricted position upon the fluid in said container reaching a first level for providing a final slow fill of the container, and causes said valve means to move to its closed position upon the fluid in said container reaching a second higher level.

Claim 35

Apparatus as in claim 28 wherein, said control means includes second settable valve means coupled with said first-named valve means for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means.

Claim 36

Apparatus in claim 27 including means responsive to the positioning of a container and the valve means in a predetermined cooperative relationship for setting pressure responsive means of said control means and for causing said valve means to move to a first operative position, said first operative position being an open position for rapid fill of said container, and said pressure responsive means being responsive to fluid level in the container for causing said valve means to move from its first operative position.

Claim 37

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising, a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said path said valve means having at least first and second positions of operation comprising respectively a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container and an open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container, said fluid level sensing means being movable to a plurality of positions for detecting a plurality of fluid levels with said container, and c. control means coupled with said valve means for controlling said valve means in response to fluid-level as sensed by said fluid-level sensing means and for controlling the positioning of the sensing means, said control means comprising first means for moving said valve means to at least one of the positions thereof and comprising second means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means for controlling the operation of said first means.

Claim 38

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising, a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said path said valve means having at least first and second positions of operation comprising respectively a closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container and an open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, b. said apparatus including fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container, said fluid level sensing means being movable to a plurality of positions for detecting a plurality of fluid levels with said container, and c. control means coupled with said valve means for controlling said valve means in response to fluid-level as sensed by said fluid-level sensing means and for controlling the positioning of the sensing means, said control means comprising first means for moving said valve means to at least one of the positions thereof and comprising second means responsive to said fluid-level sensing means for controlling the operation of said first means.

Claim 39

Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes second valve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensing means for controlling the operation of said first means in positioning said first valve means.

Claim 40

Apparatus as in claim 32 wherein said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet and first and second control fluid outlets, said first control fluid outlet being coupled with said first means, and restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet and said second outlet for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means.

Claim 41

Apparatus as in claim 33 wherein said restriction in said control fluid inlet is settable for regulating the rate of movement of said valve means to said open position, and said restriction in said second control fluid outlet is settable for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means from its open position.

Claim 42

Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes second valve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensing means, and said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid and a control fluid outlet, said control fluid outlet being coupled with said first means for controlling the positioning of said first valve means, and restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet for regulating the rate movement of said first valve means to said open position.

Claim 43

Apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said second means includes second valve means responsive to a pressure condition sensed by said fluid-level sensing means, and said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid, and first and second control fluid outlets, said first control fluid outlet being coupled with said first means for controlling the positioning of said first valve means, and restriction means coupled with said second outlet for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means from its open position.

Claim 44

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closed and open position wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to said container, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container, said fluid-level sensing means sensing a plurality of fluid-levels in said container comprising at least a first fluid-level and a second higher fluid-level, and c. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-level sensing means, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioning of said valve means in response to fluid level as sensed by said fluid-level sensing means, said control means comprising second valve means for controlling the rate of movement of said first valve means, said second valve means initially causing said first valve means to move to its second position and being responsive to said fluid-sensing means for positioning said first valve means to said third position when said fluid-level in said container is above said first level.

Claim 45

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising a''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closed and open position wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to said container, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container, said fluid-level sensing means sensing a plurality of fluid-levels in said container comprising at least a first fluid-level and a second higher fluid-level, and c. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-level sensing means, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioning of said valve means in response to fluid level as sensed by said fluid-level sensing means, said control means comprising second valve means for controlling the rate of movement of said first valve means, said second valve means initially causing said first valve means to move to its second position and being responsive to said fluid-sensing means for positioning said first valve means to said third position when said fluid-level in said container is above said first level.

Claim 46

Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said second valve means includes a control fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid and a fluid outlet coupled with said first valve means for controlling the operation of said first valve means, and restriction means coupled with said control fluid inlet for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means to said second position thereof.

Claim 47

Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said second valve means comprises a control fluid inlet for receiving a control fluid, and first and second control fluid outlets, said first control fluid outlet being coupled with said first valve Means for controlling the operation of said first valve means, and restriction means coupled with said second control fluid outlet for regulating the rate of movement of said first valve means from said second position thereof.

Claim 48

Apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said fluid-level sensing means includes cavity means in said valve means and includes pressure responsive means, said cavity means serving to impart a pressure change to said pressure sensing means in response to fluid-level in said container, and said pressure responsive means being coupled with said second valve means for controlling the operation thereof.

Claim 49

Apparatus as in claim 40 including third means responsive to the positioning of a container and said first valve means in a predetermined cooperative relationship for setting said pressure responsive means and causing the same to activate said second valve means to cause said first valve means to move to its second position for initial filling of said container.

Claim 50

Apparatus as in claim 41 wherein said pressure sensing means comprises a manometer having an electrolyte and movable electrode, and said third means sets said electrode to a predetermined position upon said positioning of said container and said first valve means in said predetermined cooperative relationship, and said cavity of said fluid-level sensing means communicates with a chamber within which said electrolyte is contained for causing said electrolyte to contact said movable electrode when said fluid-level in said container reaches said first level.

Claim 51

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising 40''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closed and open positions wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to said container, said valve means being controlled to move to its second position for initial rapid fill of said container and being controlled to move from said second position through said third position toward said first position for a final slower fill of said container, ultimately moving to said first position after said container is filled to a predetermined level, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container and being movable in response to the level of fluid in said container, said sensing means being responsive to a first fluid level in said container for moving said valve means from its second position, and being responsive to a second higher fluid-level for causing said valve means to ultimately move to said first position thereof while providing said final slower fill when the level of fluid in said container is between said first and second fluid levels, and c. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-level sensing means, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioning of said valve means as a function of the fluid-level sensed by said sensing means.

Claim 52

Apparatus for filling containers with fluid, comprising 40''. means defining a fluid path adapted to supply fluid from a fluid source to a container, a. valve means in said fluid path for filling containers, said valve means having a first closed position wherein fluid is prevented from flowing to a container, a second open position wherein fluid is allowed to flow to said container, and a third position intermediate said closed and open positions wherein a restricted flow of fluid is provided to said container, said valve means being controlled to move to its second position for initial rapid fill of said container and being controlled to move from said second position through said third position toward said first position for a final slower fill of said container, ultimately moving to said first position after said container is filled to a predetermined level, b. fluid-level sensing means responsive to the level of fluid in said container and being movable in response to the level of fluid in said container, said sensing means being responsive to a first fluid level in said container for moving said valve means from its second position, and being responsive to a second higher fluid-level for causing said valve means to ultimately move to said first position thereof while providing said final slower fill when the level of fluid in said container is between said first and second fluid levels, and c. control means coupled with and responsive to said fluid-level sensing means, and coupled with said valve means for controlling the positioning of said valve means as a function of the fluid-level sensed by said sensing means.