GB1147341A - Improvements in and relating to a method and apparatus for filling containers with liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

1,147,341. Bottling. ENZINGER-UNIONWERKE A.G. 30 March, 1966 [31 March, 1965], No. 14016/66. Heading B8T. In rotating-table apparatus for charging carbon dioxide-containing liquids into bottles &c., pressurized gas is firstly introduced to the bottle 25 through a conduit 39 from a chamber 7, when the bottle is pressed upwardly by a support 27 into sealing engagement with a head 24. When the required pressure is attained a valve 35 is closed, and a valve 51 is opened to allow the filling liquid to flow into the bottle from a reservoir 5 through a pipe 28. The gas forced from the bottle by the inflowing liquid passes along a conduit 52 and past a float valve 54, 57 and a non-return valve 63 to enter a chamber 4. The float valve 54, 57 comprises a ball resting on a castellated support, Figs. 3, 4 (not shown), which permits passage of gas in either direction. In place of the castellated support the float valve may have a permeable lining below the bore in which the ball floats. When the level of liquid in the bottle 25, Fig. 7, rises above the delivery end of the pipe 28 a valve 70 above the float valve 54, 57 is opened to vent the gas to a vessel 31 through a throttle aperture 73, and thence to atmosphere. The size of the throttle aperture 73 may be adjustable. The internal pressure in the bottle 25 is thus reduced and the non-return valve 63 closes under the action of the excess pressure in the chamber 4. The filling of the bottle 25 then proceeds at an enhanced rate, due to the decreased pressure within the bottle, until the liquid rises into the conduit 52 and closes the float valve 54, 57 by floating the ball of the valve up into engagement with a seating at the top of the valve. The valve 51 then closes, stopping the filling process, and the bottle is lowered on its support 27, out of engagement with the head 24, the residual gas in the bottle escaping as the remaining liquid in the conduit 52 flows into the bottle. Control of the valves 35, 51 and 70 is by tappets 19, 20 and 21 operated through a crank-shaft by a star-wheel (17), Fig. 1 (not shown). Liquid is drawn from the reservoir 5, Fig. 7, through a pipe 11, which includes a valve whereby supply of the liquid is cut off in the event of leakage due to a bottle bursting &c. The head 24, together with the filling pipe 28 and the valve 51, may be dismantled from the apparatus to facilitate clearing and sterilization.