Abstract A container filling machine is provided with a vertical nozzle having an outlet at its lower end for discharging a liquid product into a surrounding container. Supply of the product to the upper end of the nozzle is controlled by a normally closed valve. A vertical level-sensing tube encircles the nozzle in spaced relation with it and has a lower end above the nozzle outlet. The upper end of the tube is connected with a source of air pressure to normally cause a stream of air to issue from the lower end of the tube intermittently or continually. There are means for closing the valve which are actuated by increase in air pressure in the sensing tube caused by liquid product in the container closing its lower end. The annular space between the nozzle and the encircling lower end of the sensing tube forms the tube outlet, and this outlet must be closed all around the nozzle by liquid product in the container in order for the air pressure in the tube to increase and cause the valve to close.
In a container filling machine, the combination with a vertical nozzle provided at its lower end with an outlet for discharging a liquid product into a surrounding container, a normally closed valve for controlling supply of the product to the upper end of the nozzle, and means operated by movement of a container into filling position for opening said valve; of a vertical level-sensing tube encircling said nozzle in spaced relation therewith and having a lower end above the nozzle outlet, means for connecting the upper end of said tube with a source of air pressure to normally cause a stream of air to issue from the lower end of the tube, and means for closing said valve actuated by increase in air pressure in the sensing tube when liquid product closes its lower end and stops said air stream, the annular space between the nozzle and the encircling lower end of the sensing tube forming the tube outlet, whereby air pressure in said tube will not increase until its outlet is closed all around the nozzle by rising liquid product.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a container filling machine, the combination with a vertical nozzle provided at its lower end with an outlet for discharging a liquid product into a surrounding container, a normally closed valve for controlling supply of the product to the upper end of the nozzle, and means operated by movement of a container into filling position for opening said valve; of a vertical level-sensing tube encircling said nozzle in spaced relation therewith and having a lower end above the nozzle outlet, means for connecting the upper end of said tube with a source of air pressure to normally cause a stream of air to issue from the lower end of the tube, and means for closing said valve actuated by increase in air pressure in the sensing tube when liquid product closes its lower end and stops said air stream, the annular space between the nozzle and the encircling lower end of the sensing tube forming the tube outlet, whereby air pressure in said tube will not increase until its outlet is closed all around the nozzle by rising liquid product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a container filling machine according to claim 1, said valve opening and closing means including (a) a pneumatic cylinder operatively connected with the normally closed product valve, (b) an electrically operated air valve connected to the cylinder, (c) means operated by said movement of a container into filling position for actuating the air valve to deliver air pressure to the cylinder for opening said product valve, (d) a normally open electric pressure switch connected with the air valve, and (e) means connecting the sensing tube with the switch for closing it when said increased air pressure in the tube occurs, the air valve being designed to release air pressure from the cylinder when the switch is closed.