Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for a liquid filling system is herein disclosed incorporating means for generating greater overall production rate efficiencies (i.e. number of filled containers per minute per filling station) for automatic systems utilizing diverter valve and/or walking beam (i.e. continuous-motion) filling technologies with, for example, non-traditional ratios between the number of filling stations and the number of filling nozzles. The methods/apparatus disclosed herein also incorporate means to more efficiently changeover and clean up, in either a clean-in-place (CIP) or clean-out-of-place (COP) configuration, the product contact parts that become “dirty” when used in a production environment. Finally, an improved method and apparatus designed to provide a means for priming and air purging the product contact path of liquid filling machinery, a fill volume calibration procedure, and a fill weight verification cycle is also herein described.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for a liquid filling system is herein disclosed incorporating means for generating greater overall production rate efficiencies (i.e. number of filled containers per minute per filling station) for automatic systems utilizing diverter valve and/or walking beam (i.e. continuous-motion) filling technologies with, for example, non-traditional ratios between the number of filling stations and the number of filling nozzles. The methods/apparatus disclosed herein also incorporate means to more efficiently changeover and clean up, in either a clean-in-place (CIP) or clean-out-of-place (COP) configuration, the product contact parts that become “dirty” when used in a production environment. Finally, an improved method and apparatus designed to provide a means for priming and air purging the product contact path of liquid filling machinery, a fill volume calibration procedure, and a fill weight verification cycle is also herein described.

Abstract: A metering pump wherein the head is provided with internal threads terminating adjacent to internal shoulders at each of the pump cylinder, inlet valve and outlet valve ports. The cylinder, inlet valve and outlet valve each include a flange secured to the shoulder by a collar threadably received in each of the ports. O-rings are provided in a circumferential groove in the body or cylinder of the pump inlet valves and outlet valves downstream of the flange. A piston pump structure includes a bushing mounted to the piston rod between the piston head and a second breakaway stop connected to the piston rod. The piston head includes a plurality of circumferential grooves for receiving respectively a cup seal or an O-ring seal. A suck-back mechanism is provided in a bore in the head and includes a stem having an eccentric cam which interacts with the valve structure to adjust the degree of closure by rotation of the stem.

Abstract: A filling machine including a manifold having a supply inlet and supply outlet and one or more nozzles connected to the manifold by individual time controlled valves. A circulation system is provided connecting a supply and the manifold for continuously circulating liquid through the manifold from the supply inlet to overflow the supply outlet such that the supply outlet determines the liquid level in the manifold and the head pressure at one or more nozzles. The manifold is structured to have a manifold section with a supply inlet on the manifold section and a stand pipe connected to the manifold section. The stand pipe includes the supply outlet and is vented to atmosphere. By varying the height of the stand pipe or the location of the outlet, the level within the manifold and the head pressure at the nozzles is adjusted. For sequential filling, bulk fill nozzles are controlled by a single timer and one or more fine fill nozzles are controlled by individual timers.

Abstract: A volume control for a multi-nozzle rotary pump filling system in which a plurality of rotary pumps are driven from a common drive. Each pump is connected with its own nozzle by way of a connection that includes a volume control operable to adjust the back pressure on the rotary pump to thereby vary the amount of product dispensed by the nozzle. In case of more viscous products, a by-pass line which includes a relief valve is also provided between the inlet side of the control unit and the in-feed side of the pump.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers with a fluid product by the use of filling nozzles with two substantially parallel filling channels which are formed in part by two separate conveyors, with a vacuum filling mechanism connected with the filling nozzles, with a support for the filling nozzles, with a mechanism for lowering and raising the nozzle support and therewith the filling nozzles into and out of containers held stationary under the filling nozzles, with an indexing mechanism for determining the correct number of containers to be filled at the same time in a respective channel during a given filling operation while held stationary in their filling positions, with a reciprocating mechanism for the nozzle support to alternately place the filling nozzles over the containers to be filled in one channel and after completion of the filling operation to move the nozzle support over the other channel to fill the containers which have been brought into filling position in the meantime in the other channel

Abstract: An automatic high-speed filling machine with lowerable nozzles for simultaneously filling a predetermined number of containers, in which the control of the machine is transferred to the star wheel of the indexing mechanism, when the star wheel is released after completion of the filling operation; the drive actuating the filling units is thereby stopped while the star wheel performs its indexing function during rotation thereof.

Abstract: A volume-adjusting mechanism for a filling machine adapted to fill a number of containers with a predetermined amount of a product from a corresponding number of filling units; to enable a volume adjustment while the machine is running, the part of the filling unit normally connected with a relatively fixed part of the filling machine includes a selectively adjustable lost motion volume-adjusting mechanism to permit adjustment of the suction and discharge stroke of the filling unit.

Abstract: A fine adjusting mechanism for a number of individual filling units of a high-speed filling machine, operated in tandem from a common drive, which provides an adjustable lost motion between a common drive bar and the pivotal connection with the piston rod of a respective filling unit; the lost motion is adjustable by screwing an adjusting member more or less into the path of the sliding movements of a bearing member sliding in an elongated slot of a swivel member.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for high-speed filling machines preventing accidental spilling in case of misalignment between a nozzle and the container into which it is to be lowered during filling; a safety arm which normally closes a switch is displaced by a nozzle in case the latter encounters an obstruction and moves relative to its nozzle holder after overcoming the restraining force of a releasable detent mechanism to thereby open the switch and therewith stop the filling operation.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling several containers with predetermined amounts of a product in which the several filling units are actuated by a common driving member; the common driving member itself is actuated by two eccentric drive mechanisms each including a volume-changing adjusting mechanism of the lead screw type; the eccentric drive mechanisms are adapted to be stopped in a predetermined position by a volume-changing stoppage device to enable the installation of an interconnecting member between the two volume-changing adjusting mechanisms to assure identical adjustments.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling containers with a product that is not liquid at normal room temperature, in which the filling nozzle or nozzles to be lowered into a respective container as well as the associated filling units are housed within a temperature-controlled chamber, in which the temperature is maintained such that the product supplied in liquid condition remains in substantially liquid condition during its passage through the filling unit and discharge nozzles.

Abstract: A high-speed filling machine for filling a fluid product into small containers, in which a continuously moving conveyor belt brings empty containers to their filling position underneath filling nozzles, where the empty containers are held stationary by an indexing mechanism while the filling nozzles are lowered into the empty containers, the fluid product is discharged into the containers and upon completion of discharge stroke of the filling units, the nozzles are again raised whereafter the indexing mechanism will release the filled containers for further movement by the conveyor belt; the single channel from the inlet end thereby branches out into two parallel channels upstream of the filling station, each provided with its own indexing mechanism, while a nozzle support structure which raises and lowers the filling nozzles into the containers, is also adapted to reciprocate so that alternately the empty containers in one channel and then in the other channel are filled.