Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling machine assembly having supports for supporting any suitable fixture. At least one of the supports includes a plurality of modules with each of the modules including at least one coupling member for interlocking adjoining modules to form a continuous uninterrupted support. The modules can include sides with at least one coupling member mounted to each side. The coupling members are preferably complementary in configuration with each other for interlocking the first and second modules.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling machine assembly having supports for supporting any suitable fixture. At least one of the supports includes a plurality of modules with each of the modules including at least one coupling member for interlocking adjoining modules to form a continuous uninterrupted support. The modules can include sides with at least one coupling member mounted to each side. The coupling members are preferably complementary in configuration with each other for interlocking the first and second modules.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling machine assembly having supports for supporting any suitable fixture. At least one of the supports includes a plurality of modules with each of the modules including at least one coupling member for interlocking adjoining modules to form a continuous uninterrupted support. The modules can include sides with at least one coupling member mounted to each side. The coupling members are preferably complementary in configuration with each other for interlocking the first and second modules.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine includes a primary valve portion. A replacement valve portion is coupled to the primary valve portion. A release mechanism is slideably mounted to the primary valve portion. The release mechanism selectively couples the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion, and the release mechanism is moveable between an engaged position securing the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion and a disengaged position releasing the replacement valve portion from the primary valve portion.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a flange for mounting to a beverage filling machine. A shank extends through the flange and is mounted to the beverage filling machine. A locking device is coupled to the shank with the locking device having an unlocked position loosely connected to the shank and a locked position with at least a portion of the locking device wedged between the flange and the shank for fixedly securing the filling valve apparatus to the beverage filling machine. The subject invention also includes a servicing kit for servicing the filling valve apparatus. The servicing kit includes the shank, the locking device, and a wrench assembly as well as other components.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a variety of different maintenance devices for use with a filling valve apparatus. The maintenance devices each include a movable component and a locking mechanism. An actuator of the locking mechanism is coupled to a caming section of the movable component for moving the movable component between a release position with a rim of the movable component spaced from fingers of the locking mechanism and an engaged position with the rim abutting the fingers. The fingers are wedged between the movable component and the filling valve apparatus when the movable component is in the engaged position for securing the device to the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine includes a primary valve portion. A replacement valve portion is coupled to the primary valve portion. A release mechanism is slideably mounted to the primary valve portion. The release mechanism selectively couples the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion, and the release mechanism is moveable between an engaged position securing the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion and a disengaged position releasing the replacement valve portion from the primary valve portion.

Abstract: A filling machine assembly having supports for supporting any suitable fixture. At least one of the supports includes a plurality of modules with each of the modules including at least one coupling member for interlocking adjoining modules to form a continuous uninterrupted support. The modules can include sides with at least one coupling member mounted to each side. The coupling members are preferably complementary in configuration with each other for interlocking the first and second modules.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: The subject invention discloses a variety of different maintenance devices for use with a filling valve apparatus. The maintenance devices each include a movable component and a locking mechanism. An actuator of the locking mechanism is coupled to a caming section of the movable component for moving the movable component between a release position with a rim of the movable component spaced from fingers of the locking mechanism and an engaged position with the rim abutting the fingers. The fingers are wedged between the movable component and the filling valve apparatus when the movable component is in the engaged position for securing the device to the filling valve apparatus.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid. The apparatus includes a body portion and a stem. A sleeve is disposed over the stem and is removable from the stem and the body portion when the filling valve apparatus is serviced. A seal is mounted to the bottom of the sleeve. At least one component is movably connected to the sleeve and remains connected to the sleeve when the sleeve is removed from the stem and the body portion during the servicing of the filling valve apparatus. Similarly, a valve assembly, having a housing and a movable plunger is removable from the body portion. At least one member is mechanically connected to one of the housing and plunger for creating a unitary valve assembly that remains intact when the valve assembly is removed from the body portion during servicing of the filling valve apparatus.