US3799219A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filling unit for counter-pressure filling machines
Assignee: Seitz-Werke GmbH
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Filing: 1968-12-16
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1988-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An electrical control probe is provided longitudinally movable in a passage of filler valve means and the probe can be retracted and introduced with respect to a container engaged with a counter-pressure filling unit. A proximity switch, loading gas valve, liquid valve and magnetic control valve are affected by probe movement for actuation and deactuation respectively during liquid filling into the container. A sleeve around the probe includes passage means communicating for liquid filling, loading gas supply and exhaust with respect to the container. A control rod engageable with a valve seat collar determines valve opening and closing according to probe position. An electrical plug card and contact strip interconnect electrical and electronic control units for the filling operation.
Inventors
- 👤 G Uth
- 👤 R Riedel
- 👤 K Kaiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:46
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/02; B67C3/22; B67C3/28; B67C3/282; B67C3/285; B67C3/06; B67C3/12; B67C3/281; B67C3/26; B67C2003/2685; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage and comprising a frame having a portion for engaging the top of an article and having a vertically positioned tubular section therein, a valve seat means in said tubular section, a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubular section for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when said valve means is moved to an open position, means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valve seat means, means engaging said valve means to control the position thereof, a probe slidably positioned in the bore of said valve means and having a portion extending downwardly from said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein when at a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valve means engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated when beverage contacts the downwardly extending portion, and control means operatively mounted on said frame to raise and lower said probe independently of movement of said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
A filling head for apparatus for filling articles with beverage and comprising a frame having a portion for engaging the top of an article and having a vertically positioned tubular section therein, a valve seat means in said tubular section, a tubular valve means having a bore slidably positioned in said tubular section for flow of beverage through said valve seat means when said valve means is moved to an open position, means for supplying beverage to said tubular valve means and said valve seat means, means engaging said valve means to control the position thereof, a probe slidably positioned in the bore of said valve means and having a portion extending downwardly from said valve means into an article to contact beverage therein when at a predetermined level, electric circuit control means for said valve means engaging means connected to said probe to be actuated when beverage contacts the downwardly extending portion, and control means operatively mounted on said frame to raise and lower said probe independently of movement of said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
A filling head according to claim 1 for individual and multiple-chamber counter-pressure filling machines receiving individual containers to hold material from a fluid supply and gas pressure source, further comprising: a filling material valve means having a passage therein alignable with a respective container, said probe being an electrical control probe mounted within a passageway formed in said valve means and capable of introduction into a container during filling unit operation for automatically regulating gas pressure source, fluid supply and relief in the passage of said valve means and controlled by the filling material in affecting filling machine operation, and said control means including means for introducing said probe to advance into the container engaged with the filling unit of the machine at the start of filling operation and means for retracting said probe from the filled container before removal from the filling unit of the machine at the termination of the filling operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A filling head according to claim 2 in which valve operating apparatus with said probe controls the opening and closing of said valve means, and a switch remote from said probe determines electrical energization operatively therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A filling head according to claim 3 in which said switch is a proximity control member operative electrically upon container engagement to control closure procedure of relief valve means and to regulate opening procedure of gas pressure and fluid valve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A filling head according to claim 2 in which an electric proximity switch influenced selectively by gas pressure or fluid valve means triggers release from introducing said probe into the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A filling head according to claim 5, in which a pneumatic stroke device and magnetic control valve fOr said device are provided in operative association with said probe, said magnetic control valve with said stroke device being actuated in response to triggering movement of said switch electrically energized upon opening movement of said fluid valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A filling head according to claim 6, in which a fluid valve body and a shaft portion are included with said valve means and extend in the range of said electric switch, said shaft portion forming a seat for said gas pressure valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A filling head according to claim 7, in which said probe is carried concentrically in a bore through the gas pressure and fluid valve means and is guided longitudinally moveable therein, the bore within the fluid valve shaft portion collectively forming loading and return gas path in range of gas space of filled container, and a seal means against atmosphere surrounding preferably a free body end of gas pressure valve means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A filling head according to claim 8, which includes a return gas chamber communicating into an exhaust and a sleeve forming the return gas path, said sleeve being inserted inside the passage means of said valve body of the loading gas valve means and communicating with further passage means in said fluid valve shaft portion, said probe being in a bore within said sleeve from the upwardly open passage means to bottom of said valve body whereby a housing chamber is formed by way of a throttle member, controllable valve means and the like communicating selectively with atmosphere and container connection having pressure differential or relative to a filler container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A filling head according to claim 6, in which an intermediate member provides adjustable engagement with respect to the stroke and introducing movements of said stroke device and said probe for setting desired filling height in the engaged container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A filling head according to claim 5, in which means for actuating said proximity switch are provided for selectively making said probe effective and ineffective at least during introducing and retracting respectively with respect to the engaged fill container, and adjustable switch means provided to adapt sensitivity of said probe to conductivity of the particular fill material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A filling head according to claim 3, in which a pneumatic stroke device actuates said valve means at least in part, and a magnetic control valve affected by container engagement when container lift occurs is provided to effect energization of said electric switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
123 words
A filling head according to claim 12, in which said electric switch comprises a proximity switch affecting said magnetic control valve of said stroke device of said valve body for the loading gas valve of said valve means and a stroke cylinder influenced by said proximity switch is provided to effect lifting of the container into engaging relationship with the filling unit, there being a stroke member extension of said stroke cylinder having affect upon said electric switch, said extension being directly across from said electric switch upon engagement of the container with respect to the filling unit, and means additionally having an overstroke of said stroke cylinder shifting said extension out of the range of said switch when a container is lacking.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A filling head according to claim 12, in which a lever supports said electric switch, a cam path forming means affecting pivotal movement of said lever, a stroke member in a range of said electric switch, a spring urging said lever with respect to said stroke member and to said electric switch, an extension of said stroke device and said cam path forming means to effect cut-off relief positioning of said electric switch out of contacting range with respect to said extension for container filling engagement with the filler unit and prior to evacuation and loading having effect to return to start position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
A filling head according to claim 3, in which a stepped throttling means including a magnetic control valve is effective upoN a liquid valve means with respect to liquid feed, and a stroke device controlled by said magnetic control valve, said switch being a proximity switch effective whereby said magnetic control valve is actuated in response to opening of said liquid-loading gas valve means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
91 words
A filling head according to claim 2, in which an exhaust valve means is provided on an exit side branching by a passage into an under pressure generating canal and an inert gas source canal communicating with each other whereby both canals are separated from said exhaust passage, and a magnetic control valve including a valve portion closing said under pressure generating canal by way of a switch effective upon container engagement and including a further valve portion closing said inert gas source canal in response to actuation by said probe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |