Means for electronically comparing the extent of fill in containers with a preset extent

Claim 2

In a container handling apparatus having an endless conveyor on to which containers are sequentially placed and transported on individual container stations of the conveyor, means for providing an indication of the extent to which each container has been filled with material in comparison with a preset selected filled extent comprising a separate means traveling with each individual container station for sensing the extent to which the container at said station has been filled and providing an electrical signal corresponding thereto, a separate electronic circuit means traveling with each individual container station, non-traveling electrical means separate from said conveyor and being selectively settable to provide an electrical signal corresponding to said selected filled extent for said containers, means electrically connecting said non-traveling electrical settable means with each of said traveling separate electronic circuit means to transmit said selected electrical signal to each of said separate electronic circuit means, said separate electronic circuit means comparing said electrical signal corresponding to the sensed extent to which the container at said station has been filled with said selected electrical signal and providing an electrical signal in response to the comparison to indicate the deviation of the extent to which the contaner is filled from the selected filled extent.

Claim 3

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 1 and characterized further in that the setting of said non-traveling selectively settable electrical means is changeable during travel of said conveyor, and said electrically connecting means transmits a changed setting signal from said electrical settable means to said separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 4

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means transmits said changed setting signal to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 5

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 2 and characterized further in that each of said separate electronic circuit means includes means for latching said electrical signal from said connecting means for continued operation at the latched signal valve until a subsequent charged signal is received.

Claim 6

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 2 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes electrical commutator means connected to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said traveling separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 7

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said commutator means transmits electrical power from a source to said traveling separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 8

In a container handling apparatus, means for providng a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes means for regulating the electrical signals transmitted from said commutator means to said separate electronic circuit means to minimize extraneously imposed variations in said signals.

Claim 9

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 1 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providing an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuits means corresponding to the weight sensed.

Claim 10

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes a master electronic circuit means mounted on said conveyor for travel therewith and connected to each of said separate station electronic circuit means for distribution of said selected electrical signal to each of said separate station electronic circuit means.

Claim 11

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 9 and characterized further in that the setting of said non-traveling selectively settable electrical means is changeable during travel of said conveyor, and said master electronic circuit means transmits a charged setting signal to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 12

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 10 and characterized further in that each of said separate electronic circuit means includes means for latching said electrical signal from said master electronic circuit means for continued operation at the latched signal valve until a subsequent charged signal is received.

Claim 13

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 9 and characterized further in that said master electronic circuit means includes means for storing received selected electrical signals and subsequently transmitting said stored signals to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 14

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 9 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes electrical commutator means connected to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 15

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 13 and characterized further in that said commutator means transmits electrical power from a source to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 16

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 13 and characterized further tin that said master electronic circuit means includes means for regulating the electrical signals transmitted from said commutator means through said master electronic circuit means to said separate electronic circuit means to minimize extraneously imposed variations in said signals.

Claim 17

In a container handling apparatus, means for providing a comparison indication of the extent of fill of each container according to claim 9 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providing an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuit means corresponding to the weight sensed.

Claim 18

In an apparatus for filling containers with material that is dispensed from a supply through flow control means into containers traveling sequentially on an endless conveyor that has individual container stations, means for controlling said flow control means to stop filling of each container in relation to a preset selected filled extent comprising a separate means traveling with each individual container station for sensing the extent to which the container at said station has been filled and providing an electrical signal corresponding thereto, a separate electronic circuit means traveling with each individual container station for receiving the signal from the sensing means at the same station, means providing an electrical signal corresponding to a desired filled extent for said containers, said separate electronic circuit means comparing said electrical signal corresponding to the sensed extent to which the container at said station has been filled with said electrical signal corresponding to the desired filled extent and providing an electrical signal to said flow control means in response to the comparison to cause said flow control means to stop filling of the container at the station when the filled extent corresponds with the desired filled extent.

Claim 19

In an apparatus for filling containers with material that is dispensed from a supply through flow control means into containers traveling sequentially on an endless conveyor that has individual container stations, means for controlling said flow control means to stop filling of each container in relation to a preset selected filled extent comprising a separate means traveling with each individual container station for sensing the extent to which the container at said station has been filled and providing an electrical signal corresponding thereto, a separate electronic circuit means traveling with each individual container station for receiving the signal from the sensing means at the same station, means providing an electrical signal corresponding to a desired filled extent for said containers, said separate electronic circuit means comparing said electrical signal corresponding to the sensed extent to which the container at said station has been filled with said electrical signal corresponding to the desired filled extent and providing an electrical signal to said flow control means in response to the comparison to cause said flow control means to stop filling of the container at the station when the filled extent corresponds with the desired filled extent.

Claim 20

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 17 and characterized further in that said means providing an electrical signal corresponding to a desired extent fill is selectively settable and is a single means providing said signal to all of said separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 21

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 17 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providing an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuit means corresponding to the weight sensed.

Claim 22

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 17 and characterized further in that each said separate electronic circuit means further compares the electrical signal from said sensing means after filling has stopped with said preset signal and applies a corresponding compensating adjustment to the subsequent electrical signal to said flow control means.

Claim 23

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 20 and characterized further in that said corresponding compensating adjustment is determined to correspond to the average difference indicated by a preceding plurality of comparisons.

Claim 24

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 20 and characterized further in that said compensation adjustment is determined to be a portion of the difference obtained by said after filling comparison.

Claim 25

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 17 and characterized further in that said separate electronic circuit means determines the average rate of fill from a plurality of the electrical signals from said sensing means as said signals approach said desired extent of fill signal and provides said electrical signal to said flow control means in response to a comparison of the average rate of fill with said desired extent of fill signal, thereby minimizing any extraneously caused deviations in said fill extent sensing.

Claim 26

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 17 and characterized further in that said means for providing a desired extent of fill signal includes non-traveling electrical means separate from said conveyor and being selectively settable to provide said desired extent of fill signal, and means electrically connecting said non-traveling electrical settable means with each of said traveling separate electronic circuit means to transmit said desired extent of fill signal to each of said separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 27

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 24 and characterized further in that the setting of said non-traveling selectively settable electrical means is changeable during travel of said conveyor, and said electrically connecting means transmits a changed setting signal from said electrical settable means to said separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 28

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 25 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means transmits said changed setting signal to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 29

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 25 and characterized further in that each of said separate electronic circuit means includes means for latching said electrical signal from said connecting means for continued operation at the latched signal valve until a subsequent charged signal is received.

Claim 30

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 24 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes electrical commutator means connected to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said traveling separate electronic circuit means.

Claim 31

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 28 and characterized further in that said commutator means transmits electrical power from a source to said traveling separate electronic circuit means. PG,31

Claim 32

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 28 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes means for regulating the electrical signals transmitted from said commutator means to said separate electronic circuit means to minimize extraneously imposed variations in said signals.

Claim 33

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 24 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providing an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuit means corresponding to the weight sensed.

Claim 34

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 24 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes a master electronic circuit means mounted on said conveyor for travel therewith and connected to each of said separate station electronic circuit means for distribution of said selected electrical signal to each of said separate station electronic circuit means.

Claim 35

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 32 and characterized further in that the setting of said non-traveling selectively settable electrical means is changeable during travel of said conveyor, and said master electronic circuit means transmits a charged setting signal to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 36

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 33 and characterized further in that each of said separate electronic circuit means includes means for latching said electrical signal from said master electronic circuit means for continued operation at the latched signal valve until a subsequent charged signal is received.

Claim 37

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 32 and characterized further in that said master electronic circuit means includes means for storing received selected electrical signals and subsequently transmitting said stored signals to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 38

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 32 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes electrical commutator means connected to said traveling conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 39

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 36 and characterized further in that said commutator means transmits electrical power from a source to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 40

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 36 and characterized further in that said master electronic circuit means includes means for regulating the electrical signals transmitted from said commutator means through said master electronic circuit means to said separate electronic circuit means to minimize extraneously imposed variations in said signals.

Claim 41

In an apparatus for filling containers, controlling means according to claim 32 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providng an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuit means corresponding to the weight sensed.

Claim 42

In a rotary filling machine that has a rotating conveyor with filling stations on which containers are supported and into which liquid is dispensed through filling head assemblies at each individual station, with the filling head assemblies having valve means for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, means for controlling the operation of said valve means to stop filling of each container in relation to a preset selected filled extent comprising a separate means traveling with each individual container station for sensing the extent to which the container at said station has been filled and providing an electrical signal corresponding thereto, a separate electronic circuit means traveling with each individual container station for receiving the signal from the sensing means at the same station, non-traveling electrical means separate from said conveyor and being selectively settable to provide an electrical signal corresponding to a desired filled extent for said containers, means electrically connecting said non-traveling electrically settable means with each of said traveling separate electronic circuit means to transmit said selected electrical signal to each of said separate electronic circuit means, said electrical connecting means including a master electronic circuit means mounted on said conveyor for travel therewith and connected to each of said separate station electronic circuit means for distribution of said selected electronic signal to each of said separate station electronic circuit means, said separate electronic circuit means comparing with said electrical signal corresponding to the sensed extent to which the container at said station has been filled with said electrical signal corresponding to the desired filled extent and providing an electrical signal to said valve means in response to the comparison to cause said valve means to close to stop filling of the container at the station when the filled extent corresponds with the desired filled extent.

Claim 43

In a rotary filling machine that has a rotating conveyor with filling stations on which containers are supported and into which liquid is dispensed through filling head assemblies at each individual station, with the filling head assemblies having valve means for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough, means for controlling the operation of said valve means to stop filling of each container in relation to a preset selected filled extent comprising a separate means traveling with each individual container station for sensing the extent to which the container at said station has been filled and providing an electrical signal corresponding thereto, a separate electronic circuit means traveling with each individual container station for receiving the signal from the sensing means at the same station, non-traveling electrical means separate from said conveyor and being selectively settable to provide an electrical signal corresponding to a desired filled extent for said containers, means electrically connecting said non-traveling electrically settable means with each of said traveling separate electronic circuit means to transmit said selected electrical signal to each of said separate electronic circuit means, said electrical connecting means including a master electronic circuit means mounted on said conveyor for travel therewith and connected to each of said separate station electronic circuit means for distribution of said selected electronic signal to each of said separate station electronic circuit means, said separate electronic circuit means comparing with said electrical signal corresponding to the sensed extent to which the container at said station has been filled with said electrical signal corresponding to the desired filled extent and providing an electrical signal to said valve means in response to the comparison to cause said valve means to close to stop filling of the container at the station when the filled extent corresponds with the desired filled extent.

Claim 44

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 40 and characterized further in that each said separate electronic circuit means further compares the electrical signal from said sensing means after filling has stopped with said preset signal and applies a corresponding compensating adjustment to the subsequent electrical signal to said valve means.

Claim 45

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 41 and characterized further in that said corresponding compensating adjustment is determined to correspond to the average difference indicated by a preceding plurality of comparisons.

Claim 46

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 41 and characterized further in that said compensating adjustment is determined to be a portion of the difference obtained by said after filling comparison.

Claim 47

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 41 and characterized further in that said separate electronic circuit means determines the average rate of fill from a plurality of the electrical signals from said sensing means as said signals approach said desired extent of fill signal and provides said electrical signal to said valve means in response to a comparison of the average rate of fill with said desired extent of fill signal, thereby minimizing any extraneously caused deviations in said fill extent sensing.

Claim 48

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 40 and characterized further in that the setting of said non-traveling selectively settable electrical means is changeable during travel of said conveyor, and said master electronic circuit means transmits a charged setting signal to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 49

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 45 and characterized further in that each of said separate electronic circuit means includes means for latching said electrical signal from said master electronic circuit means for continued operation at the latched signal valve until a subsequent charged signal is received.

Claim 50

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 40 and characterized further in that said master electronic circuit means includes means for storing received selected electrical signals and subsequently transmitting said stored signals to said separate electronic circuit means sequentially during a cycle of said traveling conveyor.

Claim 51

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 40 and characterized further in that said electrically connecting means includes electrical commutator means disposed axially with respect to said rotating conveyor for transmission of said selected electrical signal to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 52

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 48 and characterized further in that said commutator means transmits electrical power from a source to said master electronic circuit means.

Claim 53

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 48 and characterized further in that said master electronic circuit means includes means for regulating the electrical signals transmitted from said commutator means through said master electronic circuit means to said separate electronic circuit means to minimize extraneously imposed variations in said signals.

Claim 54

In a rotating filling machine, controlling means according to claim 40 and characterized further in that each of said separate sensing means comprises a shear beam strain gauge load cell mounted at each conveyor station for weighing support of containers thereon and providng an electrical signal to said separate electronic circuit means corresponding to the weight sensed.