Patent US4115081A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure-fill container filling machine
Assignee: HORIX Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1971-02-03
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-02-03
Abstract
Abstract Spaced around a supply tank is a plurality of dispensing chambers, each of which is mounted on a conduit arm extending laterally away from the tank and connecting the bottom of the tank with the bottom of the chamber. There is a first valve for closing the tank outlet and a second valve for closing an outlet from the conduit arm to a downwardly extending filling tube. A suction tube extends along the filling tube and has an inlet at its lower end located above the lower end of the filling tube. The suction tube is connected with the inside of the tank, which is maintained under subatmospheric pressure. Means are provided for filling each dispensing chamber in succession with liquid from the tank while the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. Means also are provided for causing each dispensing chamber to force liquid down through the associated filling tube into a container that has been raised around the outlet of the tube. Liquid product that rises in the container above the lower end of the suction tube therein returns through that tube directly to the supply tank.
Inventors
- 👤 C Waxlax
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 14:39
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/02; B67C3/16; B67C3/22; B67C3/26; B67C2003/266; B67C2003/2662
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
A high speed pressure-fill container filling machine comprising a supply tank provided with outlets, a plurality of dispensing chambers spaced laterally from the tank, a separate rigid laterally extending conduit arm connecting each tank outlet with the bottom of one of said chambers, a first valve for closing each tank outlet, means for maintaining subatmospheric pressure in the tank, each conduit arm having an outlet spaced laterally from the adjoining valve and chamber, a second valve for closing said conduit arm outlet, a filling tube extending down from the conduit arm outlet, a suction tube extending along the filling tube and having an inlet at its lower end located above the lower end of the filling tube, a suction line connecting the upper end of the suction tube with the inside of the tank, means for filling each dispensing chamber in succession with liquid from the tank while the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, a vertically movable support below each filling tube, means for raising each support to move the open top of a container thereon up around the filling tube above it, and further means operable when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open for causing each dispensing chamber in succession to force liquid from the chamber down througH the associated filling tube into a raised container to fill the container to a height above the lower end of the suction tube therein, whereupon the suction tube and line will return to the tank the liquid in the filled container above the lower end of the suction tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
A high speed pressure-fill container filling machine comprising a supply tank provided with outlets, a plurality of dispensing chambers spaced laterally from the tank, a separate rigid laterally extending conduit arm connecting each tank outlet with the bottom of one of said chambers, a first valve for closing each tank outlet, means for maintaining subatmospheric pressure in the tank, each conduit arm having an outlet spaced laterally from the adjoining valve and chamber, a second valve for closing said conduit arm outlet, a filling tube extending down from the conduit arm outlet, a suction tube extending along the filling tube and having an inlet at its lower end located above the lower end of the filling tube, a suction line connecting the upper end of the suction tube with the inside of the tank, means for filling each dispensing chamber in succession with liquid from the tank while the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, a vertically movable support below each filling tube, means for raising each support to move the open top of a container thereon up around the filling tube above it, and further means operable when the first valve is closed and the second valve is open for causing each dispensing chamber in succession to force liquid from the chamber down througH the associated filling tube into a raised container to fill the container to a height above the lower end of the suction tube therein, whereupon the suction tube and line will return to the tank the liquid in the filled container above the lower end of the suction tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, in which said conduit arm outlet is located in the bottom of the arm between the adjoining tank outlet and dispensing chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, including a bleeder tube extending into said conduit arm and having an inlet adjacent the chamber outlet, and a manually operable valve normally closing the outer end of said tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, including a normally open third valve in said suction line, and means actuated when a filled container is lowered for closing that valve until an empty container is raised by said support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A filling machine according to claim 4, in which said second and third valves are pneumatically operated and are closed by air pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, in which said dispensing chambers are disposed around the outside of the tank, the machine including means for moving said conduit arms and container supports continuously in a path around a vertical axis, valve means movable with said conduit arms for controlling said first and second valves, stationary cams, and means carried by said conduit arms for engaging said cams to actuate said valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, in which each of said dispensing chambers is provided inside with a flexible partition wall, said means for filling each chamber include means for evacuating it above said wall to draw the wall upwardly to fill the area of the chamber below it with liquid from the tank, and said further means include means for applying air pressure above said flexible partition wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A filling machine according to claim 7, in which each dispensing chamber has adjustable means at the side of its partition wall opposite the liquid for selectively limiting the distance that wall can be drawn away from said opposite wall of the chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A filling machine according to claim 7, in which said first valve is pneumatically operated, the machine including means for connecting the first valve with a source of reduced air pressure for drawing that valve open when said partition wall is drawn away from the opposite wall of the chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, including a fourth valve controlling said further means to normally keep said means inactive, and means movable upwardly with a container on said support for operating the fourth valve to allow said further means to function.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
A filling machine according to claim 10, including a normally open third valve in said suction line, and means connecting said fourth valve with the third valve to normally hold the third valve closed, said operation of the fourth valve disconnecting it from the third valve to permit the third valve to open.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A filling machine according to claim 1, in which said suction tube surrounds the filling tube, and the inlet of the suction tube is annular.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2144628A
Cited
US2401124A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |