US3760853A — Container-filling apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 404 words

In a filling machine operable cyclically to fill containers, said machine being of the kind comprising a supporting frame, a filling head and container support arranged on said frame one above the other, said filling head embodying a nozzle extending therefrom to a position for delivering material into the top of a container resting on the container support and said nozzle and container support being relatively movable to position the nozzle within the container during the filling operation, means for effecting relative movement of the nozzle and container support to position the nozzle on the container, a source of material, and means for effecting transfer of the material from the source through the nozzle to the container, said means being of sufficient volume to completely fill the container in any cycle of operation and comprising, in combination, a chamber of predetermined constant volume, laterals at one end of the chamber connecting said one end, respectively, with the source and the nozzle, a ram supported for reciprocal movement through the other end of said chamber in one direction to discharge material therefrom through the nozzle and in the other direction to induce material from the source into the chamber, said ram being of smaller cross-section than that portion of the chamber in which it is operable so that the lateral surface of the ram is spaced all the way around from the wall of the chamber, discharge and intake valves, said valves being associated, respectively, with the nozzle and with the laterals connected to said source, said valves being operable with initiation of the movement of the ram on the discharge stroke to be respectively opened and closed and on the induction stroke to be respectively closed and opened, said valves embodying seats and valve elements arranged to be engaged and disengaged from said valve seats, motor means connected to the ram operable to effect reciprocal movement of the ram, motor means connected to each of the valves operable to positively open said valves, the one on the discharge stroke and the other on the intake stroke, springs connected with each of the valves operable, when the motors are disabled, to close the valves, control means for effecting reciprocation of the motor connected to the ram and for enabling and disabling the motors connected to the respective valves, means for initiating operation of said control means, and means for concluding operation of said control means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 404 words

In a filling machine operable cyclically to fill containers, said machine being of the kind comprising a supporting frame, a filling head and container support arranged on said frame one above the other, said filling head embodying a nozzle extending therefrom to a position for delivering material into the top of a container resting on the container support and said nozzle and container support being relatively movable to position the nozzle within the container during the filling operation, means for effecting relative movement of the nozzle and container support to position the nozzle on the container, a source of material, and means for effecting transfer of the material from the source through the nozzle to the container, said means being of sufficient volume to completely fill the container in any cycle of operation and comprising, in combination, a chamber of predetermined constant volume, laterals at one end of the chamber connecting said one end, respectively, with the source and the nozzle, a ram supported for reciprocal movement through the other end of said chamber in one direction to discharge material therefrom through the nozzle and in the other direction to induce material from the source into the chamber, said ram being of smaller cross-section than that portion of the chamber in which it is operable so that the lateral surface of the ram is spaced all the way around from the wall of the chamber, discharge and intake valves, said valves being associated, respectively, with the nozzle and with the laterals connected to said source, said valves being operable with initiation of the movement of the ram on the discharge stroke to be respectively opened and closed and on the induction stroke to be respectively closed and opened, said valves embodying seats and valve elements arranged to be engaged and disengaged from said valve seats, motor means connected to the ram operable to effect reciprocal movement of the ram, motor means connected to each of the valves operable to positively open said valves, the one on the discharge stroke and the other on the intake stroke, springs connected with each of the valves operable, when the motors are disabled, to close the valves, control means for effecting reciprocation of the motor connected to the ram and for enabling and disabling the motors connected to the respective valves, means for initiating operation of said control means, and means for concluding operation of said control means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber contains an opening through which the ram enters and a gland situated in the opening around the ram, and said gland comprising at least one ring embodying a resilient core disposed under radial compression between the opening and the ram.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 75 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber contains an opening through which the ram enters, said opening including an annular concentric recess of larger diameter than the ram providing a shoulder, and a pair of rings situated in said annular recess, each ring embodying a resilient core, said rings being disposed under radial compression in the recess against the shoulder in back-to-back relation, and a nut threaded into the recess against the outermost ring.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 55 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for limiting operation of the motor means in the direction of discharge to stop the ram at a predetermined terminal posItion within the chamber, and adjustable means for limiting operation of the motor means in the direction of induction to stop the ram at a predetermined starting position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising valve means for controlling the rate of operation of the motor means, said valve means being adjustable to cause the motor means to move the ram in a direction of discharge at one rate and in a direction of induction at a different rate.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said valve means is adjustable to cause the motor means to move the ram in the direction of discharge at a relatively low speed and in the direction of induction at a relatively high speed.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising valve means for decreasing the rate of operation of the motor means as the ram nears the end of its discharge stroke.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said motor means for effecting movement of the ram is reversible and has a predetermined maximum stroke.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 127 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said motor means for effecting reciprocal movement of the ram comprises a cylinder and piston assembly embodying a piston rod extending from the piston through one end of the cylinder, means connecting the piston rod to the ram, first means at said end of the cylinder operable by engagement of the piston therewith as the latter moves to said end to effect operation of the means for closing the valve associated with the nozzle, second means operable to effect operation of the means for closing the valve associated with the source, and means mounted on the rod for movement therewith operable by engagement with said second means at the conclusion of the induction stroke to effect actuation of said second means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 69 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said motor means for effecting reciprocal movement of the ram is a reversible motor which has a predetermined stroke for effecting movement of the ram in discharge and induction, comprising means connecting the motor to the ram, said means being adjustable, and valve means operable by adjustment of said adjustable means to disable said motor means at less than its maximum induction stroke.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said means mounted on the rod comprises a part threaded thereon movable relative to said second means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said part comprises a sleeve concentric with the piston rod, said sleeve being movable longitudinally on the rod by rotation thereon and means at an end of the sleeve movable therewith to engage said second means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 75 words

Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said part is divided intermediate its ends, into a sleeve threaded on the piston rod and a sleeve slidable along the piston rod, said latter sleeve being adapted by engagement with said one end of the cylinder to stop the piston, and a spacer member adapted to be interposed between said sleeves to increase or decrease the distance between said latter sleeve and said last-named means a predetermined amount.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 63 words

Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sleeves contain at their adjacent ends circular recesses and said spacer has ends corresponding in diameter to the recesses, contains an axial slot of sufficient width to admit the piston rod and is interposable between said sleeves about said piston rod to seat said ends in the recesses without disconnecting the piston rod from the ram.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 72 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means operable to effect movement of the valves comprise single acting power-operable motor cylinders operable, respectively, to open each valve and to hold it open until the ram reaches the end of its stroke, means operable at the end of the stroke to disable, respectively, one of said power-operable motor cylinders and spring means for closing the valves upon disabling of said one power-operable cylinder.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 225 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor means for effecting reciprocation of tHe ram comprises a cylinder and piston assembly including a rod connected to the ram, and wherein said control means comprises a source of air pressure, conductors connecting the source to the ends of the cylinder, respectively, first and second valves, one in each conductor, a starting valve and a charging valve, first and second pilot conductors connecting the starting and charging valves to the first and second valves, said starting valve being operable to supply pressure through one of the pilot conductors to said first valve to open said valve and hence to start the piston on said displacement stroke, a vent valve at the lower end of the cylinder operable by engagement of the piston therewith to vent the pressure in said one pilot conductor to an extent to cause said first valve to close, said charging valve being operable to supply pressure through the other pilot conductor to said second valve to open said valve and hence to start the piston on its induction stroke, means movable in consonance with the ram as the latter moves upwardly to stop the piston at a predetermined terminal position, and a second vent valve operable at said predetermined position to vent the other pilot conductor and hence to close said second valve.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 106 words

Apparatus according to claim 16, comprising a first and second single acting pressure operable motors associated one with each of said valves, respectively, means connecting the first motor to said one pilot conductor for operation of said first motor simultaneously with the actuation of the starting valve and means connecting the said second motor to said other pilot conductor for operation of the said second motor simultaneously with the actuation of charging valve, said motors being deactivated by said vent valves respectively, and spring means operable to return said valves associated with the nozzle and source to closed positions upon deactivation of the motors associated therewith.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein there is adjustable means movable in proportion to the movement of the ram during its induction stroke for effecting operation of the second vent valve at predetermined distance from the point of origin of the induction stroke of the ram.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 103 words

Apparatus according to claim 17, comprising a third valve situated in said other pilot conductor between the second valve and the lower end of the cylinder, a third pilot conductor connecting the third valve to the one pilot conductor and a fourth valve in said third pilot conductor operable near the end of the displacement stroke of the ram to supply pressure from the one pilot conductor through the third pilot conductor to close said third valve and hence to trap pressure at the lower end of the cylinder to slow the piston down as it approaches the lower end of the cylinder.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus according to claim 19, comprising adjustable reduction valves in each of the conductors between the first and second valves and the ends of the cylinder operable to control the rate of flow of pressure fluid to the cylinder.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 232 words

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said motor means for effecting reciprocation of the ram comprises a cylinder and piston assembly including a rod connected to the ram and wherein said control means comprises a source of air pressure, conductors connecting the source of pressure to each end of the cylinder, respectively, first and second valves, one in each conductor, first and second pilot conductors connected to said valves, a starting valve connected to said source, a motor connected at opposite ends to said source, a third valve at one end of the motor, a fourth valve at the other end of the motor, said starting switch being adapted by being held open to close the third valve and to supply pressure to said fourth valve to open it and supply pressure from the source to the motor to effect movement in one direction, a first trip valve connecting the fourth valve to the first pilot conductor operable as the motor moves in said one direction to sUpply pressure through the first pilot conductor to open the first valve to effect downward displacement of the ram, and a second trip valve operable as the motor moves in the other direction to connect the second pilot conductor to the second valve to open said second valve and supply pressure to the other end of the cylinder to effect upward displacement of the ram.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus according to claim 21, comprising an adjustable reduction valve in each of the conductors between the first and second valves and the ends of the cylinder, operable to control the rate of flow of pressure fluid to said ends.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 340 words

In a filling machine operable cyclically to fill containers, said machine being of the kind comprising a supporting frame, a filling head and container support arranged on said frame one above the other, said filling head embodying a nozzle extending therefrom to a position for delivering material into the top of a container resting on the container support and said nozzle and container support being relatively movable to position the nozzle within the container during the filling operation; a source of material, and means for transferring the material from the source through the nozzle to the container, said means comprising, in combination, a chamber of predetermined constant volume having openings at its opposite ends, the opening at one end being of smaller cross-section than the interior of the chamber, a manifold connected to the other end of the chamber and respectively to the source and to the nozzle, said manifold defining a straight line flow passage from the source to the nozzle which is situated at right angles to the cylinder, a ram supported in the one open end of the cylinder having a cross-section corresponding to said opening for reciprocal movement through said chamber in a direction to discharge material through said opening into the nozzle and in the other direction to induce material from the source through said opening into the chamber, said ram being limited in its stroke to the chamber such that it does not enter the manifold passage, discharge and intake valves associated, respectively, with the nozzle and source operable upon initiation of movement of the ram on the discharge stroke simultaneously to open the discharge valve and close the induction valve and upon initiation of the induction stroke simultaneously to open the induction valve and close the discharge valve, motor means operable to effect reciprocal movement of the ram, motor means for effecting operation of the valves, control means for effecting sequential movement of said motor means, means for initiating operation of said control means, and means for concluding operation of said control means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 340 words

In a filling machine operable cyclically to fill containers, said machine being of the kind comprising a supporting frame, a filling head and container support arranged on said frame one above the other, said filling head embodying a nozzle extending therefrom to a position for delivering material into the top of a container resting on the container support and said nozzle and container support being relatively movable to position the nozzle within the container during the filling operation; a source of material, and means for transferring the material from the source through the nozzle to the container, said means comprising, in combination, a chamber of predetermined constant volume having openings at its opposite ends, the opening at one end being of smaller cross-section than the interior of the chamber, a manifold connected to the other end of the chamber and respectively to the source and to the nozzle, said manifold defining a straight line flow passage from the source to the nozzle which is situated at right angles to the cylinder, a ram supported in the one open end of the cylinder having a cross-section corresponding to said opening for reciprocal movement through said chamber in a direction to discharge material through said opening into the nozzle and in the other direction to induce material from the source through said opening into the chamber, said ram being limited in its stroke to the chamber such that it does not enter the manifold passage, discharge and intake valves associated, respectively, with the nozzle and source operable upon initiation of movement of the ram on the discharge stroke simultaneously to open the discharge valve and close the induction valve and upon initiation of the induction stroke simultaneously to open the induction valve and close the discharge valve, motor means operable to effect reciprocal movement of the ram, motor means for effecting operation of the valves, control means for effecting sequential movement of said motor means, means for initiating operation of said control means, and means for concluding operation of said control means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 79 words

Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the ram enters the chamber at the top and the material enters the chamber through the bottom and is induced into the chamber to fill it about the ram by inductive movement of the ram and a bleeder valve is mounted in the chamber adjacent the top to enable bleeding air from the chamber to in turn permit the chamber to be completely filled with material by said inductive movement of the ram.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-09-24	1977-03-26	1977-09-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-09-24	1981-03-26	1981-09-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-09-24	1985-03-26	1985-09-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Container-filling apparatus

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