Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product liquid into a series of cartons in sequence is described. The apparatus includes a discharge valve arrangement that directs the liquid obliquely against the wall of the carton to reduce the tendency to produce foam. Also, the apparatus includes a bellows and valve system for controlling the flow of liquid to the discharge valve. A method of operating the system that is described minimizes the liquid pressure differential at the discharge valve when the valve opens.

Abstract: A control arrangement is provided which permits precise metering of a bellows pump. The control arrangement permits the predetermined setting of an amount of fluid to be dispensed from a single pump or a plurality of pumps. The control system permits a double bellows pump to cooperate with a drive mechanism in order to precisely meter the fluid to be dispensed from the pump by selecting a predetermined amount of fluid from a range of settings of the control mechanism. When a plurality of double bellows liquid dispensing pump units are provided, a plurality of electric motors are arranged to drive an adjustable stop element and provide a limit on the length of stroke of a driving rod connected to the bellows pump. The motors are controlled by a program logic circuit which monitors the degree of movement of the stop elements and controls the motors in response to a preset or selected fill condition.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing liquids, especially for filling cartons at a higher rate of speed, is disclosed. The machine includes three bellows arranged in vertical alignment, with upper and lower sleeves interposed between the bellows. The discharge nozzle is located below the lowest bellows. The upper sleeve moves axially relative to the nozzle to control the opening and closing of the discharge valve. The lower sleeve also moves axially to control the filling and recharging of the bellows directly above the discharge nozzle. The method of operating the components in timed relation to achieve effective and efficient carton filling, as well as draining and cleaning, is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing unit is described. The unit includes a first valve element that is held within a liquid passageway by a first spring mechanism. This spring mechanism is designed to yield under pressure to allow the first valve element to move off a valve seat in the opening to allow liquid to pass through. In order to allow air that is trapped on the downstream side of the valve element to escape, air vents are provided in the first valve element. A second valve element is held under compressive force by a second spring over air vents located in the first valve element.

Abstract: A driving device for a double bellows dispensing unit is disclosed. The device includes a cylinder slidably mounted on a fixed vertical shaft and a plate mounted on the cylinder. The plate is connected with the dispensing unit. A rotary cam and cam follower cooperate to impart oscillating motion to the plate upon upward movement of the cylinder along the shaft. A control valve controls the flow of fluid under pressure to the cylinder for selectively displacing the cylinder in opposite directions. When the cylinder is displaced downwardly by the control valve, the cam and cam follower are disengaged, so that the oscillating motion stops.

Abstract: A machine for erecting flat, collapsed tubular cartons and for filling and sealing the erected cartons provides higher production rates without significantly increasing the cycle rate or the floor space required by the machine. A rotatable mandrel assembly rotates about a horizontal axis and has pairs of radially extending mandrels at equally spaced circumferential positions. The mandrel assembly is driven in a stepwise sequential manner to bring each pair of mandrels sequentially into alignment with a series of work stations. At a loading station, a two-stage loading assembly erects a pair of carton blanks and loads carton blanks onto the pair of mandrels. One carton blank is inserted directly onto a mandrel, while the other carton blank is advanced to an intermediate holding position for loading during the next operating cycle. At subsequent work stations the bottom ends of the carton blanks are formed and sealed.

Abstract: A carton filling apparatus supplies precise quantities of a liquid food product, such as milk or fruit juice, into an open top container such as a thermoplastic coated paperboard carton. The carton filling apparatus includes a fill tank or reservoir which holds the liquid product and a vertical passage which has an inlet at its upper end communicating with the fill tank and an outlet at its lower end from which liquid is dispensed into the carton. A pumping chamber is connected to the vertical passage to draw a controlled quantity of liquid from the fill tank and then pump that liquid through the vertical passage to the outlet. A vertically oriented linear movable valve rod or stem extends along a vertical axis downward through the fill tank and the vertical passage.