Abstract: A novel beverage dispensing apparatus and process for use by a consumer in a grocery store to fill recyclable containers with beverages, such as soft drinks. The apparatus includes a retraction assembly which comprises a yoke configured to engage a bottle for retracting the neck of the bottle into a dispensing chamber where the opening of the bottle is sealed in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing nozzle. The beverage dispensing nozzle is configured with three ports--a syrup port, a carbonated water port and a relief port. Through the syrup port, a syrup may be introduced into the center of the bottle. The carbonated water port is configured such carbonated water may be directed through onto a side wall of the bottle. The relief port is positioned concentrically about the syrup port and between the syrup port and the carbonated water port and provides a port through which the fluid being displaced by the beverage entering the container may exit the container.

Abstract: A novel beverage dispensing apparatus and process for use by a consumer in a grocery store to fill recyclable containers with beverages, such as soft drinks. The apparatus includes a retraction assembly which comprises a yoke configured to engage a bottle for retracting the neck of the bottle into a dispensing chamber where the opening of the bottle is sealed in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing nozzle. The beverage dispensing nozzle is configured with three ports--a syrup port, a carbonated water port and a relief port. Through the syrup port, a syrup may be introduced into the center of the bottle. The carbonated water port is configured such carbonated water may be directed through onto a side wall of the bottle. The relief port is positioned concentrically about the syrup port and between the syrup port and the carbonated water port and provides a port through which the fluid being displaced by the beverage entering the container may exit the container.

Abstract: A can (1) has a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in communication through a restricted orifice and its exterior maintained at atmospheric pressure. The can (1) is filled with beer through a filling block (24) from a bowl (8). Prior to filling the can (1) is pressurized through the block (24) with nitrogen gas to greater than atmospheric pressure and subsequently evacuated to atmospheric pressure. Such pressurization and evacuation is repeated sequentially to dilute the atmospheric oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers. A gas exchange conduit (40) extends between the bowl headspace (12) and the can (1). Conduit (40) has a gas control valve (55) closeable by movement of lever (60). A beer flow valve (37/46) controls flow of beer (9) from the bowl. During nitrogen pressurization of the can (1) the lever (60) is adjusted to maintain valves (55) and (37/46) closed and insure that high pressure gas in the can (1) cannot flow through conduit (40) into the bowl (8).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling bottles or similar containers, whereby the containers are rinsed and pre-pressurized with an inert gas in a preliminary pressurizing phase that precedes the filling phase. For the rinsing as well as the at least partial pre-pressurization, the return gas from a return gas channel is utilized. To keep the return gas as free from bacteria as possible, the containers are treated with a sterilization medium in a preliminary treatment phase that precedes the preliminary pressurizing phase. Furthermore, air and sterilization medium that are displaced in the sterilization phase and in the preliminary pressurizing phase are withdrawn to the atmosphere or to a channel that is separate from the return gas channel.

Abstract: A process and device for filling a vessel with a liquid. The vessel is placed on a lifting plate and guided up to a filler spout a predetermined distance measured from its base, the vessel's opening being lifted into a sealed filling position below the filler spout. The vessel is filled up to a predetermined filling level by opening a valve associated with the filler spout, whereupon the supply of liquid is terminated, and a volume of liquid still present between the valve and the filling level flows into the vessel. This after-flowing liquid volume is controlled as a function of the vessel height so that in the case of a vessel having a height smaller than a mean vessel height there is an afterflow of a larger volume of liquid than in the case of a greater vessel height where the afterflow is of a smaller volume of liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling containers with a liquid material. The filling machine has a plurality of filling elements that form filling stations. At least one filling station is provided with a flowmeter that cooperates with a control device. On the basis of measurement data delivered by the flowmeter, the control device forms a control value that is used to control the filling stations that do not have a flowmeter.

Abstract: A counterpressure type container filling apparatus typically includes a housing defining an annular liquid feed passageway therein, a valve for opening and closing the liquid feed passageway, a holding member externally fitted to the housing in a slidable manner and provided with a sealing element for sealing a container to be filled, and a gas pipe for introducing gas into the container or for allowing gas to escape from the container. The gas pipe is detachably mounted to the holding member and is projectable into the container in cooperation with the holding member. The improvements offered by the present invention act to apply an appropriate sealing pressure to the container, to facilitate the replacement of the holding member and the gas pipe, and to prevent the application of an excessively large pressure to the side wall of the container.

Abstract: A filling element for filling machines is provided and includes a liquid flow valve, which comprises a valve body that can be moved back and forth in a filling element axis between a position that closes the liquid flow valve off and a position that opens this valve. Also provided is an electrical probe for determining filling heights of liquid material in containers. The probe includes a first probe element that projects beyond the underside of the filling element and has an electrode, and a second probe element that at least partially surrounds at least part of the first probe element. The lower end of the second probe element is spaced further from the underside of the filling element than is the first probe element.

Abstract: Filling valves for counterpressure filling of containers with carbonated liquids. The filling valves comprise valve bodies for conducting the carbonated liquids to the container from an external reservoir, the valve body having an end from which the carbonated liquid is dispensed to the container. The valves further comprise counterpressure valves movably mounted in the valve body for controlling the flow of counterpressure gas to the containers. Vent tubes mounted in the valve bodies through the dispensing end of the valve bodies, the vent tubes being slidable with respect to the valve bodies from a retracted position to an extended position in the containers in response to the counterpressure gas are provided. Pressure relief passages interfaced through the valve bodies for venting gas from the valves after the liquid has filled the containers whereby movement of the vent tubes from the extended position to the retracted position is substantially unimpeded are further provided.

Abstract: Counterpressure valves for filling cans with liquids under pressure such as carbonated beverages are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a filling valve in which the seal between the valve and a can is created by an O-ring seal disposed about a valve member. Preferably, two concentric, axially-spaced O-rings are used; a first O-ring serves as a guide, while the second, slightly larger O-ring creates a seal. Since the sealing O-ring may be moved axially along the can to permit the head space volume to expand, the need for a shift valve or similar relief valve is eliminated. Sealing valves utilizing radially expandable gaskets are also disclosed. In these embodiments, the gaskets expand radially under counterpressure to form a seal with the inner surface of the can.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling cans with a liquid such as beer or soft drinks. The filling machine includes a turntable having a surface to support a plurality of open top cans and a reservoir containing a liquid is spaced above the supporting surface. A plurality of filling heads are mounted on the reservoir and serve to dispense the liquid into the individual cans. Each filling head includes a spring loaded cylindrical tulip adapted to seal against the upper edge of the can and a vent tube and fill tube are disposed concentrically within the tulip. The lower end of the vent tube communicates with the can while the upper end is sealed against the surface of the reservoir and when the sealing engagement is released the vent tube communicates with the headspace of the reservoir. The lower end of the fill tube carries a valve that controls flow of liquid from the reservoir into the can.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling bottles or other containers under the influence of counterpressure by of a filling unit, pressurized gas is led into the bottle after terminating the inflow of liquid, with the pressurized gas valve and liquid valve being closed and with a bypass of the gas return tube, and the liquid that thereby remains above the lower open tip of the gas return tube is expelled into a space having a lower pressure than exists in the bottle.

Abstract: A system for the lubrication of a drive chain of a conveyor includes a container precharged with pressurized air and at least partially filled with lubricant. A pressure regulator located within the interior of the container is connected, at one end, to a container outlet and, at the other end, to a conduit for the flow of lubricant. An adjustable needle valve located externally of the container is connected to the conduit for regulating the flow of lubricant. A solenoid valve is connected to the conduit downstream of the needle valve for controlling the flow of lubricant, and a nozzle is located downstream of the solenoid valve for dispensing a lubricant onto the drive chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling cans with a liquid such as beer or soft drinks. The filling machine includes a turntable having a surface to support a plurality of open top cans and a reservoir containing a liquid is spaced above the supporting surface. A plurality of filling heads are mounted on the reservoir and serve to dispense the liquid into the individual cans. Each filling head includes a spring loaded cylindrical tulip adapted to seal against the upper edge of the can and a vent tube and fill tube are disposed concentrically within the tulip. The lower end of the vent tube communicates with the can while the upper end is sealed against the surface of the reservoir and when the sealing engagement is released the vent tube communicates with the headspace of the reservoir. The lower end of the fill tube carries a valve that controls flow of liquid from the reservoir into the can.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to aseptically dispense liquid under counterpressure for filling thereof into a container. In a sterilization phase that precedes the filling, the inner surfaces of a container, the container mouth, as well as an outer surface of the container adjacent to the mouth thereof, are acted upon by a hot, pressurized, gaseous or vaporous sterilization medium. During both the sterilization and filling phases, the respective container is thereby completely disposed in a chamber in such a way that the interior of the container communicates via the mouth thereof with the interior of this chamber. The sterilization medium is introduced into the container at a distance from the mouth thereof via a filling tube that later serves for filling.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing carbonated liquids into a container under counterpressure. The introduction of liquid under a filling pressure into a container that is in a sealing position with a filling element is effected during a filling phase that follows pressurizing of the container. Return gas displaced by incoming liquid is at least briefly withdrawn from the container via a return gas passage of the filling element. After termination of the filling phase, with the container still in a sealing position with the filling element, first a pre-relief of pressure in the container to a pre-relief pressure is effected, and subsequently a relief to atmospheric pressure is effected.

Abstract: In a method for filling bottles or other containrs under the influence of counterpressure by means of a filling unit, pressurized gas is led into the bottle after terminating the inflow of liquid, with the pressurized gas valve and liquid valve being closed and with a bypass of the gas return tube, and the liquid that thereby remains above the lower open tip of the gas return tube is expelled into a space having a lower pressure than exists in the bottle.

Abstract: Counterpressure valves for filling cans with liquids under pressure such as carbonated beverages are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a filing valve in which the seal between the valve and a can is created by an O-ring seal disposed about a valve member. Preferably, two concentric, axially-spaced O-rings are used; a first o-ring serves as a guide, while the second, slightly larger O-ring creates a seal. Since the sealing O-ring may be moved axially along the can to permit the head space volume to expand, the need for a snift valve or similar relief valve is eliminated. Sealing valves utilizing radially expandable gaskets are also disclosed. In these embodiments, the gasket expand radially under counterpressure to form a seal with the inner surface of the can.

Abstract: A method and filling element for dispensing a liquid into a bottle or some other container. A filling element is provided with a liquid flow valve and a delivery opening via which, in a filling phase, with the liquid flow valve open, the liquid that is to be dispensed flows into a container that is to be filled through an opening thereof. In a rinsing phase that precedes the filling phase, the interior of the bottle is supplied with a rinsing gas via a tubular member that extends through the container opening into the interior thereof. The rinsing gas is discharged into the container from a gas conduit opening provided at the bottom of the tubular member. This discharge opening is in the form of an annular opening that extends concentrically about the filling element axis. By introducing the rinsing gas into the interior of the container via this annular opening, the quantity of residual air that remains after rinsing is considerably reduced despite a short rinsing time.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, under counterpressure, with carbonated liquids. The return gas that is to be withdrawn from a container that is being filled is conveyed, accompanied by a pressure differential, into a return gas chamber via a connection that is provided with a flow control mechanism. In this return gas chamber a pressure is regulated that is adjustable within a range that is between the filling pressure and the critical pressure of the flow control mechanism. In this way, the flow velocity with which the dispensed liquid flows into a container that is being filled can be smoothly adapted in an infinitely variable manner to the filling characteristics of a respectively dispensed liquid, and/or to the respective output requirements of the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A method for filling containers, under counterpressure, with carbonated liquids. The return gas, that is to be withdrawn from a container that is being filled, is conveyed, accompanied by a pressure differerntial, into a return gas chamber via a connection that is provided with a flow control mechanism. In this return gas chamber a pressure is regulated that is adjustable within a range that is between the filling pressure and the critical pressure of the flow control mechanism. In this way, the flow velocity with which the dispensed liquid flows into a container that is being filled can be smoothly adapted in an infinitely variable manner to the filling characteristics of a respectively dispensed liquid, and/or to the respective output requirements of the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A method for filling liquids includes first supplying container with a gas-generating water or water in an amount somewhat greater than a predetermined amount thereof and subsequently filling the container with a predetermined amount of an undiluted solution by injection thereof, after which the excess portion of the gas-generating water or water is removed from an upper stratum or portion of liquid in the container. Thereby, the amounts of the two liquids filled into the container correspond to the predetermined amounts. By first supplying the container with the gas-generating water or water and subsequently filling the container with the undiluted solution, the gas-generating water or water is unsusceptible to mixing with the undiluted solution. The final filled quantity of the liquid product is controlled by removing excess quantity of the first supplied gas-generating water or water, whereby the accuracy of the contents and amounts of liquids filled is improved.

Abstract: In a filling valve for a counterpressure filling machine for filling containers, such as bottles, cans and the like, comprising a filling valve body including a filling channel, a centering tulip for positioning a container below the filling channel in sealed connection therewith, second channels in said valve body coacting with said filling channel for at least one of evacuating, pressurizing and relieving a container located within said second channels, wherein the improvement comprises each said auxiliary valve includes an axially elongated control bolt located in said filling valve body for opening one of said second channels, said control bolt having a first end located within said filling valve body and a second end located on the outside of said filling valve body, a cam plate located opposite the second end of said control bolt outside of said filling valve body and selectively engageable by the second end of said control bolt, and means associated with said centering tulip for cooperating with said c

Abstract: A filling element for filling machines, with the filling element having no filling tube and serving for filling bottles, cans, or similar containers with carbonated or non-carbonated liquids. The filling element includes a signal emitter for detecting the designated filling height in a container that is pressed onto the filling element and is to be filled. The signal emitter cooperates with a vertical bore that is disposed in the filling element coaxial to a container seal thereof, and is protected from the entry of liquid from the liquid guidance conduit of the filling element. The signal emitter is part of a measuring device which, when the designated filling height is detected, transmits a signal that triggers closing of the liquid flow valve of the filling element.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves the filling of beer into containers with a minimum of air/oxygen pickup by forming a layer of displacement gas (normally CO.sub.2) in the bottom of the container, discharging beer into the displacement gas adjacent to the bottom and maintaining the layer of displacement gas above the beer as the beer level rises in the container to push the air out of the top of the container through a vent valve or vent restriction and closing the container with little or no foaming of the beer to drive the air out of the headspace above the beer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a bottle with an oxygen sensitive liquid such as beer in which the bottle is pre-evacuated, pressurized with pure CO.sub.2, over-filled with liquid at constant pressure and then brought back to the proper fill level by injecting pure CO.sub.2 and forcing the excess back into the gas pressurized liquid storage tank while the bottle is still coupled to the filling head. After uncoupling, the bottle is transported to under a closure cap applying device at which there are nozzles that project CO.sub.2 under the device and over and around the mouth of the bottle so the space even within the cap is purged of air. The CO.sub.2 used for purging is adequately free of air since it is taken from the storage tank to which CO.sub.2 is returned from the bottles as a result of filling liquid displacing the CO.sub.2 gas which is diluted only to the extent that pre-evacuation is not perfect.

Abstract: Containers such as bottles, which are to be filled with liquid from a tank pressurized with non-oxidizing gas, are coupled to a filling device and evacuated of air that is discharged to the atmosphere. Next gas from the tank is fed to the bottles. When gas pressure in the tank and bottle equalize, the liquid flows by gravity into the bottle to displace the gas and return it to the tank. After filling with liquid is cut off a charge of pure non-oxidizing gas is injected in the bottle to fill it to the top with pure gas. Excess pure gas is fed back into the tank to make up for the dilution of the gas that results from the evacuation of air from the bottles being necessarily imperfect. The bottles are uncoupled from the device after they are filled with pure gas and they are then sealed.

Abstract: In accordance with a method of filling liquids under counterpressure in containers, such as bottles, cans, and the like, reaching or raising the liquid into a rear gas portion is prevented, and evacuation of a surrounding air from the interior of the container as well as pre-tensioning and unloading of the container take place via passages which are not loaded with liquid residues, wherein the evacuation is performed via a gas path which is used for pressurizing of the container, filling step is stopped shortly before reaching the gas path, the unloading takes place after termination of the filling of the container, and at least one of the evacuation or unloading steps is carried out at least partially via this gas path.

Abstract: Pressurization of containers with liquid nitrogen to impart container strength and content protection is effected by injecting a small quantity of liquid nitrogen before sealing the container by the methods and apparatus including a gas pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen is maintained by control means at a constant pressure with nitrogen gas being separated from liquid nitrogen before dispensing and a recirculating pump pressure system wherein liquid nitrogen from a second of two supplies is pumped through a conduit to a dispensing gun and surplus liquid and gas is returned to the supply.

Abstract: Containers 6, adapted to receive a product which does not of itself give off a gas, receive an amount of a liquefied pressurizing gas from a tank 1 provided with an outlet nozzle 3. The containers 6 are aligned on a machine 7 which conveys them, in the direction of the alignment, under the tank 1 which is provided with trunnions 2 and is oriented in such manner as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the direction of alignment. A control device 8 regulates the angular position of the tank 1. The amount of the liquefied pressurizing gas received in each container depends on the angular position of the tank relative to the vertical position.

Abstract: During the process of filling containers with an oxygen-sensitive liquid under pressure, a buffer layer of gas is maintained over the surface of the liquid throughout the filling process in order to maintain the liquid separated from any oxygen which may be present within the container.

Abstract: A method of recovering inert gas used during a filling process for pressurizing containers which are to be filled with a liquid. The method includes the steps of expelling the air found in the container, and pressurizing the container, with a mixture of air and heavy inert gas; filling the container with the liquid and thus expelling the pressurizing gas mixture; centrally collecting the expelled mixture from a plurality of containers and conveying the mixture to at least one accumulator; subjecting the pressurizing gas mixture in the at least one accumulator to at least one gravity effect for partially separating off the lighter gas components and producing a mixture of predominantly inert gas; adding additional inert gas to a mixture of predominantly inert gas; and returning the resulting mixture to the filling process, at least as a pressurizing gas mixture, for use with subsequent containers which are to be filled.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling electrically controlled filling elements in bottle filling machines for filling liquids into containers by opening a liquid flow valve, and including at least one signal emitter responding at a predetermined liquid level to the liquid in the container to be filled. After response to the signal emitter, the liquid flow valve is closed with a time delay under the influence of a correction factor. A system for carrying out the foregoing method has associated with each filling element a correction element connected to the signal emitter of the filling element, with the output signal thereof acting on a control unit which in turn acts on the liquid flow valve.

Abstract: A counter-pressure type bottling valve assembly includes a vent tube and valve stem that are movably supported independently of the movable valve member of the main bottling valve and that can be displaced vertically by means of a pneumatic cylinder adapted to be driven by the counter-pressure gas. The movable valve member of the main bottling valve, operable from outside of the valve assembly between its closed and opened positions. Snifting means is provided for snifting the counter-pressure gas confined in the space delimited by the main bottling valve, a lower portion of a main body of the valve assembly, and a bottle neck portion sealing coupled to the bottom of the main body of the valve assembly. The vent tube is replaceably connected to the valve stem for varying the length of the vent tube to fill a bottle.

Abstract: A beer bottling operation includes pressurizing the interior of an empty bottle prior to pouring beer into the bottle in two steps. In the first step, according to a first preferred embodiment, the interior of the bottle is pressurized by air fed from a pressurized air source, while in the second step the interior of the bottle is pressurized by means of pressurized air fed from a bottling tank where the beer to be bottled is stored. According to a second preferred embodiment, in the first step the interior of the bottle is evacuated substantial to a vacuum condition, while in the second step the interior of the bottle is pressurized by means of carbon dioxide gas fed from the bottling tank, and in the subsequent step of pouring beer into the bottle the beer is poured from the bottom portion of the bottle.