Filler nozzle with capillary action and its method of operation

Claim 1

A filling nozzle particularly adapted to fill containers with potable liquids containing pulp fibers therein, such as fruit juices, the containers having top seal areas and a maximum intended fill level, which is below the top seal area, the nozzle being adapted for mounting on a valve, the valve having a valve seat for closing the valve when it is desired to stop flow through the nozzle, the nozzle including an orifice head having upper and lower surfaces, wherein the orifice head has an imaginary longitudinal axis, the orifice head having a plurality of spaced-apart fluid passageways extending completely through the orifice head, each said passageway being angled such that the stream of liquid flowing therethrough strikes the container at an inside wall portion thereof at a point above said maximum intended fill level of the container, each such passageway having an uppermost part and an exit end, the uppermost part of each said passageway lying in the same plane as the upper surface of said orifice head, said plane being perpendicular to the imaginary longitudinal axis of said orifice head and wherein the spacing between the uppermost portions of said angularly disposed passageways is at least about 1/32 of an inch, whereby a land portion of about 1/32 of an inch is defined between the uppermost portions of said passageways to thereby inhibit the build-up of pulp fibers which may be in said potable liquid flowing through the nozzle, and wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes of the exit end of the passageways and said imaginary longitudinal axis of the nozzle is less than 90°, the ratio of the length of the passageways to their diameter or width having a mimimum value of four, and being such that when the valve is shut off to stop the flow of liquid through the valve and through the nozzle, capillary attraction of the liquid within the passageways is great enough to prevent further flow through the passageways, whereby closing the valve will not only stop fluid flow through the valve, but will also prevent dripping and drooling of the liquid through the passageways of the orifice head, until such time as the valve is again opened and fluid flow through the passageways recommences.

Claim 6

A method of filling containers with potable liquids containing pulp fibers therein, such as fruit juices, the containers having top seal areas and a maximum intended fill level, which is below the top seal area, which includes the step of directing at least one stream of liquid through a filling nozzle vertically disposed above the container, the nozzle being adapted for mounting on a valve, the valve having a valve seat for closing the valve when it is desired to stop flow through the nozzle, the nozzle including an orifice head, wherein the orifice head has an imaginary longitudinal axis and upper and lower surfaces, the orifice head having a plurality of spaced-apart fluid passageways, extending completely through the orifice head, said passageways being angled such that the stream of liquid flowing therethrough strikes the container at an inside wall portion thereof at a point above said maximum fill level of the container, each such passageway having an uppermost part and an exit end, the uppermost part of each said passageway lying in the same plane as the upper surface of said orifice head, said plane being perpendicular to the imaginary longitudinal axis of said orifice head and wherein the spacing between the uppermost portions of said passageways is at least about 1/32 of an inch, whereby a land portion of about 1/32 of an inch is defined between the uppermost portions of said passageways to thereby inhibit the build-up of pulp fibers which may be in said liquid, flowing through the nozzle, wherein the orifice head has an imaginary longitudinal axis, and wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes of the exit end of the passageways and said imaginary longitudinal axis of the nozzle is less than 90°, the ratio of the length of the passageways to their diameter or width having a minimum value of four, whereby foaming and/or splashing of said liquid being dispensed from the nozzle into the container is minimized.

Claim 7

A method of filling containers with potable liquids containing pulp fibers therein, such as fruit juices, the containers having top seal areas and a maximum intended fill level, which is below the top seal area, which includes the step of directing at least one stream of liquid through a filling nozzle vertically disposed above the container, the nozzle being adapted for mounting on a valve, the valve having a valve seat for closing the valve when it is desired to stop flow through the nozzle, the nozzle including an orifice head, wherein the orifice head has an imaginary longitudinal axis and upper and lower surfaces, the orifice head having a plurality of spaced-apart fluid passageways, extending completely through the orifice head, said passageways being angled such that the stream of liquid flowing therethrough strikes the container at an inside wall portion thereof at a point above said maximum fill level of the container, each such passageway having an uppermost part and an exit end, the uppermost part of each said passageway lying in the same plane as the upper surface of said orifice head, said plane being perpendicular to the imaginary longitudinal axis of said orifice head and wherein the spacing between the uppermost portions of said passageways is at least about 1/32 of an inch, whereby a land portion of about 1/32 of an inch is defined between the uppermost portions of said passageways to thereby inhibit the build-up of pulp fibers which may be in said liquid, flowing through the nozzle, wherein the orifice head has an imaginary longitudinal axis, and wherein the angle between the longitudinal axes of the exit end of the passageways and said imaginary longitudinal axis of the nozzle is less than 90°, the ratio of the length of the passageways to their diameter or width having a minimum value of four, whereby foaming and/or splashing of said liquid being dispensed from the nozzle into the container is minimized.