US3774658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vent tube with slidable spreader for filling containers
Assignee: ARTHUR PRODUCTS Co
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Filing: 1972-03-03
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1992-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A vent tube for container filling machines of the type in which the container to be filled, such as a bottle or can, is moved into contact with a filling valve which discharges a beverage into the container. The vent tube projects into the container and permits gas to flow out of the container as the beverage flows in. The vent tube is provided with a spreader that deflects the beverage outwardly toward the sides of the container. In order to prevent damage to the spreader or the container if it should not be properly aligned with the vent tube when the container is moved into engagement with the valve, the spreader is loosely mounted on the vent tube. If a container should strike the spreader as the container is being moved into the valve, the spreader will simply move upwardly out of the way.
Inventors
- 👤 A Abramoska
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:51
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/02; B67C3/22; B67C3/26; B67C3/2614; B67C3/2625; B67C3/2628; B67C2003/2645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
Vent means adapted for substantially vertical disposition in the fluid flow passage of a machine for filling containers with a fluid, said vent means comprising an elongated hollow conduit having a lower end adapted for insertion downwardly into a container, an annular spreader disposed on the conduit for deflecting said fluid laterally, said spreader having a clearance with respect to the conduit to permit it to move freely therealong in the event that it is struck by an improperly aligned container, and stop means on the conduit to support and limit the extent of downward movement of the spreader toward said end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
Vent means adapted for substantially vertical disposition in the fluid flow passage of a machine for filling containers with a fluid, said vent means comprising an elongated hollow conduit having a lower end adapted for insertion downwardly into a container, an annular spreader disposed on the conduit for deflecting said fluid laterally, said spreader having a clearance with respect to the conduit to permit it to move freely therealong in the event that it is struck by an improperly aligned container, and stop means on the conduit to support and limit the extent of downward movement of the spreader toward said end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vent means of claim 1 in which said clearance is sufficient to permit passage of said fluid therethrough and thereby impart a self-cleaning action between the conduit and spreader.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vent means of claim 1 in which the upper part of said annular spreader has a substantially frustoconical exterior surface with the smaller diameter at the top thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vent means of claim 1 in which said stop means comprises a laterally extending abutment on said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vent means of claim 1 including a sleeve on said conduit interposed between and adapted to contact said spreader means and said stop means to vary the effective position of the stop means on the conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vent means of claim 5 in which said sleeve has a clearance with respect to said conduit sufficient to permit passage of said fluid therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The vent means of claim 4 in which the lower end Of said spreader is outwardly beveled in a direction away from said end of the hollow conduit to provide a camming surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vent tube adapted for vertical disposition in the fluid flow passage of a machine for filling bottles with a fluid comprising a tube having one end adapted for attachment to said machine and the other end directed vertically downwardly for insertion into a bottle, an annular spreader concentrically disposed about the tube, said spreader having a generally frusto-conical cross-section with the laterally disposed surfaces thereof having a concavity in a vertical direction, said spreader having a clearance with respect to said tube permitting the spreader to move freely up and down the tube whereby the spreader can move upwardly along the tube in the event that it is struck by an improperly aligned bottle and then move downwardly along the tube after the bottle has been properly aligned, said clearance being sufficient to permit fluid therethrough to impart a self-cleaning action to the tube and spreader, and stop means on the tube engageable with the bottom of the spreader to limit its movement downwardly toward said other end and to support the spreader means at a normal position of operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
181 words
A vent tube adapted for vertical disposition in the fluid flow passage of a machine for filling bottles with a fluid comprising a tube having one end adapted for attachment to said machine and the other end directed vertically downwardly for insertion into a bottle, an annular spreader concentrically disposed about the tube, said spreader having a generally frusto-conical cross-section with the laterally disposed surfaces thereof having a concavity in a vertical direction, said spreader having a clearance with respect to said tube permitting the spreader to move freely up and down the tube whereby the spreader can move upwardly along the tube in the event that it is struck by an improperly aligned bottle and then move downwardly along the tube after the bottle has been properly aligned, said clearance being sufficient to permit fluid therethrough to impart a self-cleaning action to the tube and spreader, and stop means on the tube engageable with the bottom of the spreader to limit its movement downwardly toward said other end and to support the spreader means at a normal position of operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Vent means according to claim 1 wherein the bottom surface of the spreader is beveled and is adapted to deflect such container laterally.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |