US3817301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Filling machine
Assignee: Stork Ima NV
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Filing: 1969-12-24
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1989-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A machine for filling containers with a liquid. A tank holding a liquid revolves around its vertical axis and has a plurality of filling stations distributed around its circumference, each station having a valve with a control member. A rotatable feeding member having a plurality of locations to house containers to be filled, fees the containers to the machine. A feeler is positioned in each location to detect the presence or absence of a container to be filled. Each feeler is operatively connected to one of two entry pieces which are in turn operatively connected to the control members. If a location in the rotatable feeding member holds a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to hold open a valve. If a location does not hold a container to be filled, a feeler signals one of the entry pieces to close a valve, thus preventing fluid from being wasted.
Inventors
- 👤 T Blik K Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:53
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B57/00; B65B57/02; B65B57/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A filling machine comprising: a tank for containing a fluid mounted for rotatable movement about its vertical axis; a plurality of filling stations uniformally spaced around the circumference of said tank, each of said filling stations having a valve with an operating member to discharge fluid from said tank; a rotatably mounted supporting table having a plurality of first locations for housing containers to be filled located under said tank and rotating synchronously therewith; at least two impulse members; a rotatably mounted fEed member having a plurality of second locations for housing containers to be filled located in juxtaposition to said supporting table, and rotating synchronously therewith to transfer said containers to be filled to said first locations in said support table; a feeler situated in each of said second locations to detect the presence of a container to be filled, alternate feelers operatively associated with one of said impulse members, and intermedial feelers operatively associated with the other of said impulse members, said feelers actuating said impulse members when a container is located in a second location of said feed member; and at least two pivotally mounted entry pieces positioned at the location of juxtaposition between said supporting table, said entry pieces being operatively associated with said valve operating members and each operatively connected with a different one of said impulse members to alternately actuate said valve operating member to open and close said valves upon a signal, received from one of said feelers through one of said impulse members, that a container to be filled is properly positioned in one of said first locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A filling machine comprising: a tank for containing a fluid mounted for rotatable movement about its vertical axis; a plurality of filling stations uniformally spaced around the circumference of said tank, each of said filling stations having a valve with an operating member to discharge fluid from said tank; a rotatably mounted supporting table having a plurality of first locations for housing containers to be filled located under said tank and rotating synchronously therewith; at least two impulse members; a rotatably mounted fEed member having a plurality of second locations for housing containers to be filled located in juxtaposition to said supporting table, and rotating synchronously therewith to transfer said containers to be filled to said first locations in said support table; a feeler situated in each of said second locations to detect the presence of a container to be filled, alternate feelers operatively associated with one of said impulse members, and intermedial feelers operatively associated with the other of said impulse members, said feelers actuating said impulse members when a container is located in a second location of said feed member; and at least two pivotally mounted entry pieces positioned at the location of juxtaposition between said supporting table, said entry pieces being operatively associated with said valve operating members and each operatively connected with a different one of said impulse members to alternately actuate said valve operating member to open and close said valves upon a signal, received from one of said feelers through one of said impulse members, that a container to be filled is properly positioned in one of said first locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 1, further characterized in that said feelers are comprised of: long and short spring loaded pins slidably mounted in said second locations of said feed member for movement in a radial direction thereof, such that when a container to be filled is housed in said second location said pin is displaced radially into said feed member, and in the absence of a container being housed in said second location an end of said pin protrudes from said feed member; said long pins being positioned in alternate said second locations, and said short pins being located in intermedial said second locations; and a magnetic activating member affixed near the end of said long and short pins opposite that end which protrudes from said feed member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that: at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member affixed to said short pins, and at least one recorder is operatively associated with said magnetic activating member affixed to said long pins, such that when a second location in said feed means houses a container to be filled said magnetic activating member will not activate said recorders, and in the absence of a container to be filled said magnetic activating member will activate the recorders; and a relay operatively associated with said recorders to transmit an amplified signal from said recorders to said impulse members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
A filling machine substantially as set forth in claim 3, further characterized in that said impulse members are comprised of: at least two pneaumatic valves, each operatively associated with said relay and a source of compressed air; and at least two air cylinders, each operatively associated with one of said pneumatic valves and one of said entry pieces such that upon receipt of a signal through said relay that a first said location does not hold a container to be filled, one of said air cylinders associated with said first location will be displaced to its inactive position so it may not activate said valve opening member, thus preventing fluid from being discharged from said tank.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |