US2698156A - Automatic container filler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 28, 1954 BRONK 2,698,156

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLER Filed May 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. F4) 5. spam/r I115 ATTORAZEY Dec. 28, 1954 F. E. BRONK AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1951 INVENTOR.

FAY E. BRONK "/5 ATTORNEY Dec. 28, 1954 F. E. BRONK 6 AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLER Filed May 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. FA) 5. BRONX HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FILLER Fay E. Brook, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Ritter Company, Inc., Rochester, 'N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 24, 1951, Serial No. 228,099

Claims. Cl. 249-58) This invention rel-ates to automatic fountain devices for filling removable containers, such .as a drinking glass, with water or other liquid and more particularly to devices adapted to form a part of an article of furniture,

, or equipment, as for example, a dental equipment stand,

one object of the invention being to provide a fully automatic and more simple and efficient device of the above character for controlling a supply of water to fill a drinking glass or other container.

Another object is the provision of such a device having a more sensitive valve actuating mechanism specially adapted for responding in an accurate and reliable manner to a relative small force such as the Weight of a drinking glass.

A further object is to provide a device of the nature described, capable of operation without any unsightly dripping or spilling of the water.

Still a further object is to provide a device capable of operating as described above without requiring use of a special anti-drip discharge nozzle.

To these and other ends the invention resides in cer- Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional elevation substantially along line 3--3 in Fig. 2 and shows the positions of the valve and the valve actuating mechanism when the container is removed;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 3, but shows the positlons of the operating parts whenan empty container is in position for filling;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but further enlarged to more clearly show the position of the valve actuating mechanism when the container is removed;

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5, but shows the position of the valve actuating mechanism when the container supported thereon is filled, and

Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view substantially along lme 7-7 in Fig. 6.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, herein disclosed by way of illustration, shows it as applied for use with a tumbler or drinking glass carried by an article of furniture such as a medical or dental equipment stand. Referring more particularly to the drawings, 21 (Fig. 1) shows generally a housing for supporting a drinking glass 23 (shown by broken lines in Fig. l) and for enclosing ail-automatic filling mechanism therefor embodying the present invention. I 1

Housing 21 comprises, preferably, a bottom portion 25 from which rise side walls 27. Housing 21 has at the opposite ends thereof, projecting portions 29 and 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) by means of which the housing may be readily fastened by bolts or other suitable means to a dental equipment stand.

Drinking glass 23 is adapted to be placed on a circular support plate 33 which is located in the forward or right-hand end of housing 21, as viewed in Figs. l and 2, and which forms the forward end of a support lever 35. Lever 35 is pivoted adjacent its other end, as by means of a pintle 37 mounted at its ends in the side walls of housing 21. Lever 35is connected adjacent the left end thereof, by means to be hereafter more fully described, to a valve 39 (Figs. .3 and 4) which controls the flow of fluid through a discharge pipe 41 (Fig. 1) into a tumbler or other container when said tumbler .is placed in position on the circular end of support lever 35. The mechanism for connecting support lever 35 to valve 39 is so constructed that when an empty tumbler or other container is placed on the right end of support lever 35, the

weight of the empty container moves said lever to an intermediate position at which'point valve 39 is opened. As the container becomes filled, lever .35 is moved downwardly until it strikes against a stop. The above automatic valve mechanism closes valve 39, thereby shutting off the flow of fluid to the container just as support lever 35 reaches its lowermost position. When the filled container or tumble-r is removed from support lever 35, said lever is moved upwardly to its initial position, as shown in Fig. l, by a compression spring 43 (Fig. 1) during which movement valve 39 is held in its closed position by the above actuating mechanism, thereby eliminating unsightly dripping from discharge pipe 41.

Tumbler support 33 is preferably in the shape of a circular plate and has moisture collecting grooves 45 and drain holes 47 formed therein. Housing 21 is pro vided with a drain vent 49 (Figs. 1 and 2) to which is attached a suitable drain pipe, not shown. Support lever 35 is moved upwardly by coil spring 43, the lower end of which bears against housing bottom 25 while the upper end engages an adjusting screw 51 (.Fig. "71) mounted on lever 35. A vertically extending bolt53 fastened to housing 21, as shown in Fig. 1, serves as a gtgp for limiting downward movement of support lever A valve housing shown generally at 55 (Fig. 1) is fastened to bottom 25 adjacent the left end thereof by bolts or other suitable means, not shown. Valve housing 55 has a longitudinally extending bore 57 (Fig. 3) for the reception of a vertically extending valve stem 59. Bore 57 is slightly greater than the diameter of valve stem 59 and is counterbored at the upper and lower ends thereof for forming outlet and inlet chambers 61 and 63, respectively. inlet and outlet chambers 63 and 61 are separated by a Web portion 65 the lower surfiace of which forms a valve seat 67 which is adapted to be engaged by the upper surface of valve member 39 on valve stem 59, as shown in Fig. 3. Valve 39 is held in posi* tion on the stem by a threaded plunger 69 which slides in a bore in a plug 71 screwed into the bottom of the inlet chamber As valve 39 moves towards and away from valve seat 67, plunger 69 reciprocates loosely in said bore in plug 71 and serves to guide and cushion the action of the valve stem thereby removing any tendency of the valve to squeal or chatter during the operation of the tumbler filler. Inlet chamber 63 is preferably connected by a passageway 73 (Fig. 3) to suitable warm' and cold water supply lines (not shown) which in the present instance may be connected to the opposite ends of inlet T 75 (Fig. 2).

The upper end of outlet chamber 61 is preferably sealed by a flexible diaphragm 77 (Figs. 3 and 4) of natural or synthetic rubber material, such as that which is available under the trade-mark Hycar, or other known and suitable material. Diaphragm 77 'is held in position against a shoulder formed in outlet chamber 61 by a collar or. plug 79 which threadedly engages an enlargement of the upper end of output chamber 61, as shown in Fig. 3. A washer 81 (Fig. 3) is inserted be{ tween the lower end of plug 79 and the upper surface of diaphragm 77 to insure proper sealing and protect'th'c diaphragm as the plug is tightened into place. Dia phragm 77 is attached to valve stem 59 by nuts 83 (Figs. 3 and 4) and is adapted to flex vertically asthe valve stem reciprocates. Small washers 85 (Fig. 3) are placed on opposite sides of the diaphragm to insure a proper seal around valve stem 59 and to prevent nuts 83 from tearing the diaphragm as they are tightened into position, This construction effectively seals outlet chamber 61; against leakage while at the same time it presents a.mini-. mum of resistance to the vertical reciprocation of valve stem 59.

Outlet chamber 61 is preferably connected by a passageway 87 (Figs. 3 and 4) to a suitable fitting 89 (Fig. 2) to which is connected the lower end of discharge pipe 41. Pipe 41, as shown in Fig. 1, extends upwardly and forwardly so that the opposite end thereof is in position to overhang a drinking glass 23 or the like resting on the right end of support lever 35. Outlet chamber 61 is connected to inlet chamber 63 by bore 57 in web 65 so that when valve 39 is moved downwardly, by means to be hereafter described, the water may flow from inlet chamber 63 into outlet chamber 61 and through discharge pipe 41 to the container positioned on support lever 35.

The means for transmitting the pivotal movement of support lever 35 to valve stem 59 for reciprocating valve 39 comprise, preferably, a nut 91 (Figs. 3-6) adjustably threaded on valve stem 59 adjacent its upper end and an upwardly extending, U-shaped, link member 93, of spring metal, which is secured at the lower center portion thereof to nut 91, as shown in Figs. 3-6. Member 93 has a curved notch 95 (Figs. 5 and 6) formed adjacent the upper ends thereof for engagement with a pair of opposed U-shaped links 97. Links 97 are pivotally mounted on support member 35, as shown in Figs. 3-7, and as hereafter described, transmit the movement of the support member 35 to valve stem 59 and valve 39. The downward movement of valve stem 59 is limited by a collar 99 (Figs. 3-6) which is adjustably threaded to the valve stem and which, asthe valve stem moves downwardly from its position shown in Fig. 3, to its position shown in Fig. 4, strikes against the upper end of a vertically extending sleeve 101 loosely surrounding stem 59 and secured to housing bottom 25. Collar 99 is located below nut 91 and is provided with a lock nut 103 for securing it in adjusted position. Valve stem 59 passes loosely through an elongated, slot-like opening 104 in lever 35 and a tapered nut 105, adjustably threaded on the upper end of valve stem 59, is adapted to be engaged by support lever 35 when in its uppermost position for limiting the upward movement of support lever 35 and for holding valve 39 in its uppermost, or closed position. A lock nut 107 holds nut 105 in adjusted position.

It is to be noted that when support lever 35 is in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 3, valve stem 59 is held in its uppermost position by the engagement between nut 105 and the sides of the opening in [ever 35, and links 97 which connect said support lever to valve stem 59 have their inner, or free ends lower than the outer ends thereof. To start the cycle of operation it is only necessary to place an empty container on the free end of support lever 35. As said lever moves downwardly under the weight of the empty container thereon, links 97 transmit this downward movement to valve stem 59, thereby opening valve 39. Valve stem 59 moves downwardly until collar 99 engages the upper end of sleeve 101, as shown in Fig. 4, at which point it is in its lowermost position and valve 39 is fully opened, thereby allowing water to rapidly fill the container. This flow of liquid into the container increases the weight on support lever 35 and causes the lever to continue to move downwardly against the tension of spring 43. However, valve stem 59 can no longer move downwardly, because of the engagement between collar 99 and sleeve 101, and as a result, there is a relative movement between lever 35 and valve stem 59 which brings links 97 into a horizontal or centered position, through resilient yielding of link member 93. As lever 35 continues downwardly, links 97 snap past their center position and the free ends thereof slant upwardly, as in Fig. 6. This movement of links 97 moves valve stem 59 upwardly bringing valve 39 into engagement with seat 67 and shutting off the flow of liquid to the container ,or tumbler on lever 35. Collar 99, spring 43 and stop 53 are preferably adjusted so that this valve closing action occurs when the desired amount of fluid has passed into the container, and support lever 35 is either in engagement with, or is about to engage, stop 53.

When the container is removed from support lever 35, spring 43 quickly moves the lever to its uppermost position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. During the first part of this return movement, links 97 which slant upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, push upwardly against spring link 93 and thereby hold valve 39 closed. As lever 35 continues upwardly, links 97 snap past their center position, and slant downwardly toward the valve stem, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. However, it is to be noted that because link 93 and continue to hold valve 39 closed. As a result of this action plus the pressure of the water under valve 39, said valve remains closed throughout the return movement of tumbler support lever 35. Lever 35 moves upwardly under the action of spring 43 until it strikes against nut 105 on the upper end of valve stem 59. At this point spring 43 acts through lever 35 and valve stem 59 to hold valve 39 in its uppermost or closed position, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, there is no unsightly dripping or spurting of water from discharge pipe 41, nor is it necessary to provide a special siphon head on pipe 41, which has been commonly necessary with tumbler fillers of known construction in which the valve is momentarily opened after the filled container is removed and as the parts are returning to their initial positions.

Thus, it will be seen that the above invention provides a fully automatic tumbler or container filler, the operating mechanism of which is so arranged and constructed that it multiplies the limited force exerted by a container and the contents thereof to provide sufiicient force for insuring positive and accurate operation of the mechanism and valve. In addition, the device is easily adjusted for containers of varying weights and for varying the amount of liquid delivered per cycle of operation. The screw 51 for regulating the action of spring 43 and the nut 105 for limiting the upward movement of support lever relative to valve stem 59 are both readily accessible from the top of the housing. Housing 21 is preferably provided with a port 109 (Fig. 1) through which collar 99 and nut 91 may be readily adjusted for further controlling the action of the filling mechanism.

In addition, the device is provided with a single valve and seat which are held in sealing engagement throughout the return of the operating parts to their normal positions, and as a result, the device operates without any dripping or spilling of water and without requiring a special siphon or other type of anti-drip nozzle on the upper end of discharge pipe 41.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic container filler comprising a housing, a container support member pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on said housing, a fluid supply line for filling a container on said support member, a valve in said line, a member connected to and movable with said 3 valve, link means on one of said members, resilient means on the other of said members engaged by said link means, said link means and resilient means being moved in substantially the same direction by said support member to open said valve as said support member is moved to an intermediate position by the weight of a container thereon, said resilient means being moved in a second direction by said link means as said support member is moved downwardly by the weight of a filled container thereon, said resilient means moving in a direction opposite said second direction for swinging said link means in a direction opposite the first direction of movement thereof for moving said valve to its initial closed position as said support member is moved to its lowermost position by the weight of a filled container thereon, resilient means for returning said support member to its initial position upon the removal of the container therefrom, and means engaged by said support member during its return movement to initial position for maintaining said valve in closed position.

2. An automatic container filler comprising a housing, a container support member pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on said housing, a fluid supply line for filling a container on said support member, a valve in said line, a member connected to and movable with said valve, opposed links pivotally mounted on one of said members, resilient means on the other of said members engaged by said links, the inner ends of said links-slanting downwardly towards each other in the initial, uppermost position of said support member, said links and resilient means being moved downwardly in said position by said support member to open said valve as said support member is moved to an intermediate position by the weight of a container thereon, said resilient means being moved in one direction by said links as said support member is moved downwardly by the weight of a filled container thereon, said resilient means moving in the opposite direction for swinging the inner ends of said links upwardly for moving said valve upwardly to its closed position as said support member moves to its lowermost position under the weight of a filled container thereon, resilient means for returning said support member to its initial position upon the removal of the container therefrom, and means engaged by said support member during its return movement to initial position for maintaining said valve in closed position.

3. An automatic container filler comprising a housing, a container support member pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on said housing, a fluid supply line for filling a container on said support member, a valve in said line, a member connected to and movable with said valve,

link means on one of said members, a U-shaped resilient means on he other of said members engaged by said link means, said link means and resilient means being moved downwardly by said support member for moving said other member downwardly to open said valve as said support member is moved to an intermediate position by the weight of a container thereon, said resilient means being moved in one direction by said link means as said support member is moved downwardly by the weight of a filled container thereon, said resilient means moving in the opposite direction for swinging said link means upwardly for moving said other member upwardly to move said valve to its initial closed position as said support member is moved to its lowermost position by the weight of a filled contaner thereon, resilient means for returning said support member to its initial position upon the removal of the container therefrom, and means engaged by said support member during its return movement to initial position for maintaining said valve in closed position.

4. An automatic container filler comprising a housing, a container support pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on said housing, a fluid supply line for filling a container on said support, a valve in said line, a valve stem connected to and movable with said valve, a pair of opposed links pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof on said container support, resilient means on said valve stem engaged by said links, the inner ends of said links slanting downwardly towards each other in the initial, uppermost position of said container support, said links and resilient means being moved downwardly in said position by said container support to open said valve as said support is moved to an intermediate position by the weight of a container thereon, said resilient means being moved in one direction by said links as said support member is moved downwardly by the weight of a filled container thereon, said resilient means moving in the opposite direction for swinging the inner ends of said links upwardly to move said resilient means and said valve stem upwardly for moving said valve upwardly to its initial closed position as said support member moves to its lowermost position under the weight of a filled container thereon, resilient means for returning said support member to its initial position upon the removal of the container therefrom, and means engaged by said support member during its return movement to initial position for maintaining said valve in closed position.

5. An automatic container filler comprising a housing, a container support member, a fluid supply line for filling a container on said support member, a valve housing connected to said supply line and having inlet and outlet chambers, a single valve in one of said chambers for controlling the fiow from said inlet chamber through said outlet chamber to a container on said support, an elongated member connected to and movable with said valve, said member extending from said inlet chamber outwardly through said outlet chamber, a sealing means at the outer end of said outlet chamber comprising a flexible diaphragm attached to and movable with said elongated member, link means on one of said members, resilient means on the other of said members engaged by said link means, said link means and resilient means being moved in substantially the same direction by said support member to open said valve as said support member is moved to an intermediate position by the weight of a container thereon, said resilient means being moved in a second direction by said link means as said support member is moved downwardly by the weight of a filled container thereon, said resilient means moving in a direction opposite said second direction for swinging said link means in a direction opposite the first direction of movement thereof for moving said valve to its initial closed position as said support member is moved to its lowermost position by the weight of a filled container thereon,

resilient means returning said support member to its initial position upon the removal of the container therefrom, and means engaged by said support member during its return movement to initial position for maintaining said valve in closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,421,926 Elder July 4, 1922 1,915,739 Johnson June 27, 1933 2,198,309 James Apr. 23, 1940 2,200,602 Harriman May 14, 1940 2,278,655 James Apr. 7, 1942 2,395,674 Lauterbach Feb. 26, 1946

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