US2763416A - Liquid filling apparatus - Google Patents

Description

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1951 INVENTOR. flr't h U? wormser Sept. 18, 1956 A. WORMSER LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1951 INVENTOR. flvtbur Wormsev Sept, 18, 1956 A. WORMSER 2,763,416

LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 figure 4 INVENTOR. fl rthuzwormsev Agent Sept 18, 1956 A. WORMSER 2,763,416

LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1951 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 4,

Fgiqu re 10 .IN V EN TOR.

LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm k INVENTOR. flrthur worse?- Age-mi Sept. 18, 1956 r A. WORMSER 2,763,416

LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Arthur- Morn wet" United States Patent 2,763,416 LIQUID FILLING APPARATUS Arthur Wormser, Tucson, Ariz., assignor to Infilco I'ncorporated, Tucson, Ariz., a corporation of Delaware Application June 25, 1951, Serial No. 233,409

16 Claims. (Cl. 226-93) This invention relates to multiple filling apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for filling in unison a bank of containers from the bottom.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type referred to, which is capable of simultaneously filling any desired number of containers.

Another object is to provide a multiple filling device adapted for filling degasified liquid into containers without entrainment of air.

Another object of the invention is a device of this general type which can be operated with a minimum of power.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a multiple filling device which needs a minimum of space and can be adapted to the space available in individual installations over a wide range of height and width. A further object is to provide a device of this type whose main parts are standardized.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for filling a bank of containers from the bottom which performs automatically a series of operations after initial starting of the operation.

Other objects will become apparent from a consideration of the specification and claims.

The apparatus of the present invention is useful whenever it is desirable to fill in unison a multiplicity of containers from the bottom. In some cases the purpose of such filling from the bottom is merely to avoid splashing, as in filling of toxic liquids; in others it is necessary to prevent entrainment of air, as in the process disclosed in the patent to Embshotf, No. 2,528,875.

The invention lends itself particularly well to the filling of ice cans with degasified water, in accordance with the process of said patent, and will therefore be described herein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, as applied to an ice can filling apparatus.

It is usual in the ice making industry to handle a bank of ice cans simultaneously. A number of cans is usually lifted in a bank and brought by a suitable overhead trolley crane to a dumping device where the cans are dumped and refilled in unison. Once filled, the cans are transported to their place in the freezing brine tank where they are lowered into place and left immersed in circulating freezing brine. When the water is frozen, the cans are lifted in unison from their place in the brine tank and taken to a hot water tank where the bank of cans is immersed in hot water to thaw the outside of the ice blocks from the inside walls of the cans. The bank of cans is then hoisted and transported to the dumping device into which the bank of cans is set. The dump rack tips the entire bank of cans over on its side such that the ice blocks slide out and run oil in a suitable chute to a storage room or loading platform. The empty bank of cans is tipped to an upright position and refilled with water after which the trolley crane again picks up the bank of filled cans and transports them to their place in the brine tank. The procedure briefly outlined above is applied quite generally to the makingof raw water ice.

ice

The bank of cans is usually filled from an overhead bank of tanks which are filled to a common measuring level by a float controlled supply valve. Each of the tanks has an outlet that empties its contents into one of the ice cans, and in this manner the bank of cans is filled to a common and properly controlled content, such that by volume measure all of the cans are filled alike and the resulting ice blocks are of substantially the same weight. The outlets of the tanks are above the upper rim of the cans, and the water drops through the full height of the cans. A valve is provided in every outlet, and the bank of valves is operated by a common lever.

This method of filling the cans permits the water to fall into them through the air, and there is, therefore, a considerable amount of aeration of the water. This is permissible in the conventional raw water ice manufacture, where the water in the freezing cans is continuously agitated during the freezing process by bubbling air through the freezing water. Obviously, in such a process it does not matter that some air is entrained in the water during filling of the ice cans.

In the process of said Patent No. 2,528,875 the water is demineralized and degasified before freezing and is frozen into clear ice without agitation. Obviously, in such a process the water cannot be permitted to fall through the air and thereby pick up air before freezing. Therefore, in this process the water is preferably introduced from the bottom of the cans.

The filling of a bank of cans in unison and from the bottom without changing the design of existing cans involves problems which are not involved in filling individual containers from the bottom. To fill in unison a bank of ice cans, for instance, it is necessary to provide a corresponding number of filler tubes which are swingable from a filling position, in. which their lower ends are within, and adjacent the bottom of, the ice cans, to a non-filling position, in which their lower ends are retracted and clear the upper rims of the cans. The space available for the swinging movement of the tubes is usually quite limited in ice plants. The overhead trolley crane limits the movement vertically, and frequently a wall in the rear of the dump limits the movement horizontally. Further, in the non-filling position all parts of the filling mechanism vmust clear the dumping path of the cans. This imposes a further limitation to the positioning of the operating parts. Since the vertical and horizontal space limitations vary from plant to plant, it is desirable to provide a filling device which can be adapted to a wider range of space variations and still permits the use of standardized parts. Such ready adaptability to varying space limitations cannot be obtained by moving the filler tubes on a circle. With tubes moving on a circular path there is a minimum distance of the center of rotation from the ice can at which the tube will just clear the can in all parts of its travel. No decrease of this minimum distance can be obtained by increasing the vertical extension of the movement, any increase in the vertical path obviously increasing also the horizontal extension of movement and vice versa. Apparatus utilizing filler tubes rotating about a center, therefore, cannot always be adapted to the space available in existing ice plants. To obtain the necessary adaptability, I propose to use a four link motion for moving the filler tubes. With such a four link motion the ratio of vertical and horizontalextension can be varied widely. Thus, when the overhead space in a plant is small but ample space is available in the rear of the dump, the tubes can be moved through an arc which has a relatively large horizontal and a relatively small vertical component. And conversely, where ample overhead space is available but little space in the rear of the dump, the arc can have a predominantly vertical extension. In a preferred form 3 v of the invention such adaptations are obtained while using standardized four link mechanisms by incorporating a suitably shaped cam into the apparatus.

The invention will be more readily understood from a consideration of the drawings, which form a part hereof and wherein similar numerals in the several figures designate similar elements. I

Figure l is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, of a filling device according to the invention, showing the device intermediate the filling and non-filling positions;

Figure 2 is a partial front elevation, partially in section, of a device according to the invention, showing the device in filling position;

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically the path through which a filling device according to the invention is moved from its non-filling position (indicated in full lines) through an intermediate position to its filling position (the intermediate and filling positions being indicated in dotted lines);

, Figure 4 shows a filling device according to the invention in its conventional surroundings;

Figure 5 illustrates diagrammatically the several positions of a preferred embodiment of a filling device according to the invention utilizing a cam with the fourlink mechanism;

Figure 6 is a partial rear view of the embodiment of Figure 5 showing a preferred support; 7

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a foot valve according to the invention;

Figure 8 is an end view of the apparatus showing the far end, as seen in Figure 1, and the drive means;

Figure 9 shows a wiring diagram for carrying out the operations of moving the filling device and for starting and stopping its liquid supply; and

Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a filling device connected directly to an overhead tank.

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically 'a bank of ice cans 10 supported in upright position on a conventional dump rack 11, such as generally used in ice plants, which is swingable about an axis 12. The filling device includes a stationary liquid header 20, supported by any suitable means such as supports 21, a bank of filler tubes 22, one for each can, flexibly connected to the header 20 as by hoses or tubes 23 and provided with foot valves 24, and four-link mechanisms 25 supporting and moving the tubes 22. The filler tubes 22. are shown in Figure l in an intermediate position between their non-filling position (shown in full lines in Figure 3), where their lower ends are retracted from the cams, and their filling position (shown in Figure 2), where their lower ends are adjacent the bottom of the cans. As shown in Figures l and 2, the four-link mechanism for each filler tube has two of the four links split into parallel arms, one on each side of the tube. While this construction is preferred because it gives the structure high stability and prevents lateral movement of the tubes, it is entirely feasible to operate the filling device with all links built as simple parts.

Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a simple four-link mechanism 25 and the positions through which it moves and directs its tube 22. The four joints of the four-link mechanism 25 are indicated by the letters A, B, C and D. A and B are stationary bearings, and AB is the stationary link of the mechanism. Joints C and D are formed on the tube 22 so that the connecting link CD is represented by the tube 22. Link B-C is formed by a lever or arm 26 which-is rigidly connected to, and driven by, a shaft 27 which is rotatably supported in fixed bearings B. Shaft 27 runs the .full length of the filling device. The other end of the arm 26 is pivotally connected to joint C on the tube 22. The fourth member AD of the four-link mechanism is formed by a link 28 pivotally connected to the joint D with one end, and rotatably supported with its other end as by a shaft 29 being rotatable in fixed bearings A. The shaft 29 may be a through-going shaft, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, or the several links 28 may be supported individually.

When shaft 27 is driven counterclockwise, the arm 26 lifts the tube 22 to a position where the foot valve 24 at the end of the tube clears the upper rim of the can 10. The other three members of the four-link mechanism give the tube 22 a definite angular position during this motion so that the tube stays clear of the walls during the entire motion. In the uppermost position of tube 22 the hos e 23 is bent upwardly to keep the tube connected with the main 20.

Any suitable means may be used for moving the shaft 27. For purposes of illustration a hydraulic cylinder 30 is shown in Figure 8. The movement of the piston rod 31 of the hydraulic cylinder 30 can be transmitted to the shaft 27 in any desired manner, such as by a rack carried by the rod and meshing with a gear segment atfixed to the shaft, or as shown, by connecting the free end of the piston rod 31 to shaft 27 by means of a crank 32. The hydraulic cylinder 30 is connected to a source of water under pressure, not shown, such as a city supply, by an inlet conduit 33, which connects through a T 34 to each of two solenoid operated three-way pilot valves 35 and 35a, respectively. A regulating cook 36 may be provided in each of the two supply lines leading from the T 34 for regulating the rate of the movement of the tubes 22.

The valves 35 and 35a have pressure water connections' 37 and 37a to the opposite ends of cylinder 30 and have waste connections 38 and 38a. The solenoids 39 and 39a controlling the valves 35 and 35a, respectively, are electrically connected in such manner that they are energized and deenergized in unison and that the waste connection 38 of valve 35 closes and its pressure water connection 37 opens when its solenoid 39 is energized, whereas the waste connection 38a of valve 35a closes and its pressure connection 37a opens when its solenoid 39a is de-energized. Thus, when a circuit through the solenoids 39 and 39a is closed, pressure water is admitted to the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 30 (as seen in Figure 8) to move the piston rod 31 downwardly and turn the crank 32 to the position shown in Figure 8 to lower the filling device into filling position. When the circuit through solenoids 39 and 39a is broken, the pressure water line 37 of valve 35 closes, and its waste line 38 opens to relieve pressure from the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder. Simultaneously, the waste line 38a of valve 35a closes, and its pressure water line 37a opens to admit pressure water to the lower end of hydraulic cylinder 30 (as seen in Figure 8) to move the piston rod 31 upwardly and turn the crank 32 through an angle as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8 to move the filling device to its non-filling position.

As shown in Figure 4, the main 20 receives liquid from an overhead tank 40 through one or more pipes 41. The overhead tank 40 may be a storage tank in which the liquid level is kept within predetermined limits by means of a float 42 operating an electric float switch 43. As will be described in detail below, the switch 43 is 0011- nected in an electric circuit to the starter of a pump motor, and the float opens the switch 43 when it reaches its predetermined upper position and closes the switch when it reaches its predetermined lower position in the tank 40. If sufficient space is available, a large overhead tank for a number of fillings can be used. Ordinarily, however, the tank 40 will be of a size that the volume of liquid between the predetermined upper and lower liquid level is sufiicient for one filling of a bank of ice cans. Liquid will be pumped into the tank 40 from a low level storage tank or other suitable source of liquid, not shown.

While so far tubes 22 have been described as connected to a main 20, which in turn receives water from the overhead tank 40, the main can be eliminated, and the tubes 22 can be connected directly to the overhead tank 40, as shown in Figure 10. In such case each filler :bearing 48 for the shaft 27. :each bearing 48 is a disc 49 provided with slots 50. The discs 49 support the shaft 2?. By means of the slots 50 .the shaft 29 can be brought into a desired angular posi- :tion with regard to shaft 27, and since bracket 47 may .also be fastened to the main 20 at varying angles, the four-link mechanism is adaptable to conditions varying 5 t-ub'e 22 is connected to the overhead tank 40 by a flexible tube or hose 23a, which may be screwed directly into the tank bottom, as by nipples, or may be connected to pipes 41a of any suitable length, as shown. This construction will be preferable in many cases due to space limitations.

If sufficient room were always available, nothing more than the simple four-link mechanism shown in Figure 3 would be needed. However, in existing ice plants the space available for the filling device and its movement is often limited vertically or horizontally or both. This will become clear from further consideration of Figure 4, which shows the filling device according to the inventionfitted into its normal surroundings. The numeral 44 designates an overhead crane, such as is used quite genterally in ice plants for carrying a bank of cans filled with water or ice from and to the dump rack 11. The inumeral 45 designates a wall in the rear of the dump rack tthrough which the ice blocks are dropped and which usually limits the available space horizontally. When the ice cans have been disconnected from the crane 44, the dump rack l1 swings counterclockwise about its axis of rotation 12 until the cakes of ice slide out of the cans 1t), whereupon the dump rack swings back into upright position where the cans can be filled. The blocks of ice slide down under the wall 45 over a chute 46 or the like to a storage room or loading platform, not shown, on the other side of the wall 45. The dumping path of the dump rack 11 and cans 10 and the path of the ice cakes over the chute 46 must be clear when the filling device is in its retracted position. Therefore, the space available for the filling device is determined mainly by the crane 44, wall 45, and for the retracted position also by the dumping path of the rack 11 and the cans 10 and the path of the ice cakes sliding over the chute 46.

in Figure 4 a preferred form of supporting the shafts 27 and 29 is shown. The main is made of sufiicient rigidity that it supports not only itself over its entire length but is also capable of supporting the two shafts 27 and .29. The main 2t; may rest with its ends on supports such as shown in Figure 1 at 21.

Clamped on the main 20 near each end thereof is a bracket 47 which carries a Centered on, and bolted to,

from one plant to another.

in addition to supporting the ends of the two shafts 27 and 29 in this manner, as many intermediate support brackets, bearings, etc., as needed for the chosen length of the filling device can be provided. The intermediate supports can be arranged between any two pipes 22.

The four-link mechanism in Figure 4 is of the same type as described in connection with Figure 3. Obvious- 1y, this simple mechanism could be adapted to almost any conditions of available space by properly proportioning the length and mutual relations of the four links in each individual case. However, it is desirable to work with standard parts for the four-link mechanism and still obtain a wide range of adaptability to space limitations. To provide for such adaptability without change in the main parts of the mechanism itself, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 5, a cam is incorporated into the four-link mechanism.

The four-link mechanism of Figure 5 is quite similar to that of Figure 3; however, in this embodiment of the invention joint A1 is made movable by arranging it on an arm 54 which is fiXed to a shaft 55 rotatable in stationary bearings A2. A cam 56 is rigidly fixed to the drive shaft 27 and rotates with it. A roller 57 rides on the edge of the cam 56, and the roller arm 58 is connected to the shaft 55. Thus, the link A1-D is moved through a path defined by the shape of the cam56;'froni' the non-filling position, shown in full lines, over an in termediate to the filling position, shown in dotted lines.

When using this type of four-link mechanism in a filling device, each four-link mechanism will have an arm 5d; but all arms 54 will be held by a single through-going shaft 55. Only one cam 56, roller 57 and roller arm 58 are needed to move shaft 55 to position all arms 54.

In Figure 6 a preferred support for the four-link mechanism of Figure 5 is illustrated wherein the main 20 is used for supporting the shafts 27 and 55. Figure 6 shows the drive end of the shaft 27. The end of the main 20 is supported by a support 21, and the main is made sufliciently rigid to support itself over its entire length and also to support the two through-going shafts. Fastened on the main 20, as by clamping, is a bracket 60, which carries a bearing 61 for the drive shaft 27. The bracket so can be fastened to the main at varying angles whereby the position of the drive shaft 27 can be adapted to the conditions of each individual plant. Centered on, and bolted to, the bearing 61 is a disc 62 provided with slots, such as the slots 50 in the disc 49 of Figure 4. The disc 62 supports the shaft 55. Due to the slots in disc 62 the disc can be rotated about the bearing 61 to bring the shaft 55 into any desired angular position with regard to the shaft 27.

As described in connection with Figure 5, the cam 56 is aiiixed to the shaft 27, roller 57 rides on the edge of cam 56, and roller arm 58 is connected to shaft 55. Also connected to shaft 27 is the crank 32, which is driven by the hydraulic cylinder as described in connection with Figure 8. The other ends of the main 20, drive shaft 27 and shaft 55 are supported in the same manner by elements 21, 6t), 61 and 62, and,if necessary, intermediate supports 60-61-62 for the two shafts can be fixed to the main 20.

With the angular positions of the two shafts 27 and 55 thus variable with regard to the main and to each other, the entire four-link mechanism becomes adaptable to conditions varying from one plant to another. At the same time the distance between the shaft 27 and the shaft 55 is standardized. Thus, with the embodiment of Figure 5 supported in this manner, all parts of the four-link mechanism and its support can be standardized. All that is needed to adapt the movement of this standardized fourlink mechanism over a wide range with regard to height and width is the proper shaping of the cam 56 in accordance with the requirements of each individual installation. Obviously, the cam 56 can be shaped to adapt a standard four-llnk mechanism to almost any space limitations. The use of a cam permits choosing the uppermost position of the tube 22 at varying angles according to whether the horizontal or vertical space limitations are predominant. A further advantage of using a cam is that the path of the tube 22 inside the can 10 can be shaped so that the foot valve 24 approaches the bottom of the can perpendicularly to its plane, as shown in Figure 5. The importance of this perpendicular approach will become apparent upon consideration of the construction and operation of the foot valve 24.

As shown in detail in Figure 7, the lower end of tube 22 carries a foot valve 24. The valve casing 70 of the foot valve 24 is attached to the lower end of the tube 22 by any suitable means, such as by the bolts shown. Clamped between the upper flange of valve casing 70 and the lower end of tube 22 is an inlet orifice 71 and a gasket 72. The valve casing 70 may be shaped to provide an integral annular valve seat, or, as shown in Figure 7, a valve seat 73 may be bolted to the valve casing. The seat 73 surrounds an outlet port 74. A lug 75 on the seat 73 acts as a stop. A valve stem 76 is slidable in bushings 77, which are supported from the valve casing 70 by means of webs 78 and eyes 79. A valve member 80, of suitable sizeto close the port 74 when seated on the seat 73, is afiixed to the stem 76. The member 80 may comprise a valve disc Sland a rubber ring 82 and is held on stem 76 by a ring 83 and a nut 84. The nut 84 extends downwardly beyond the valve seat 73 and the stop '75. The opening in nut 84 is closed by a rubber plug 85 as shown. A short spring 90 surrounds the upper part of the stem 76 and abuts with one end against the upper eye 79 and with the other against a nut 91 on the upper end of stem 76. The spring 90 is arranged to urge the valve member 80 upwardly in valve opening direction, but is made so short that its force is spent long before the valve port 74 is fully open.

The operation of the filling device will be readily understood. Assuming that the ice cans 10 are in upright position on the dump rack 11 and ready for filling, the filling device is in non-filling position with the filler tubes 22 retracted; and the overhead tank 40 has been filled to the predetermined upper level. The cycle of filling operations is started by manually closing a normally open switch 100 (Figure 9) whereby a circuit through the solenoids 39 and 39a of the hydraulic cylinder is established. As described above, when the solenoids are energized, pressure water is admitted to the upper end of hydraulic cylinder 30, and the filler tubes are moved from the non-filling position, shown in full lines in Figure 3, through the path shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 to the filling position, shown in full lines in Figure 4.

When the tubes 22 approach their lowermost position, as determined by the four-link motion, the plugs 85 touch the bottoms of the cans, whereby the valve discs 81 are prevented from further downward movement. The valve casings 70 and valve seats 73, however, continue their downward movement with a force derived from the drive means of the four-link mechanisms until the tubes 22 have reached the predetermined lowermost position. Thus, the foot valves 24 begin to open simultaneously as soon as the plugs 85 touch the bottoms of the cans and continue to open until the downward movement of the tubes ends. The stops 75 determine the maximum valve openings.

' Opening of the valves 24 is opposed by the water pressure on the valve discs 81. If this water pressure were unopposed, a high pressure would build up on the can bottoins before the valves could open, and a large force would be needed to lower the tubes, valve casings and seats'totheir lowermost position. By opposing this water pr'es'su're'with the force of the springs 90 which act in 'vIalve opening direction, a substantial portion of the valve closing force due to the water pressure is balanced, and thevalves open without'subjecting the can bottoms to undue pressure and without necessitating a large opening force. As' soon as the foot valves 24 open and the water starts flowing into the cans, the water pressure, and consequently also the pressure on the can bottoms, drop rapi'dly'and soon reach a value which is only a fraction of the's'tatic' pressure. Therefore, the length of the springs 90islsuch that the springs are fully expanded when the water pressure reaches a small value. By turning the nuts "91 on the stems 76, the spring force can be set to balance a desired portion .of the valve closing force of the water pressure. However, the value of the spring force is limited bythenecessity of avoiding that the spring opens the foot valve 2 4 in the raised position of the filler tube 22. In'this position, where the filling system is not subjected to pump or other extraneous pressure, the value of the water pressure acting in valve closing direction is smaller, and the value of the spring force acting'in valve opening direction must always be less than this smaller value of the water pressure.

'After;the:valves 24=have opened, filling proceeds. Due

to thepr'essure drop across the orifices 71, substantially equalkfillingof {the cam is obtained despite the friction h'e'adilosses-and velocity head recovery along the header 20. "When-the liquid level in storage tank 40 reaches its predetermined lower elevation,the float 42 closes the switch 43 to deenergize the solenoids 39 and 39a of the hydraulic cylinder 30 to start the retracting movement of the filling device. When the casings 70 of the foot valves 24 are lifted off the can bottoms, the foot valves begin to close and are fully closed when they have reached the position shown in Figure 7. Thereafter, the liquid head on the valve seats 73 holds the valves closed against ingress of air and egress of water until the valves reach again the position shown in Figure 7 during the downward movement of the filling tubes in the next filling cycle when the forces derived from the hydraulic cylinder 30 and the springs again open the valves. The filler tubes 22 are full of liquid at all times, and thus entrainment of air is prevented.

Closing of the switch 43 when the float 42 reaches the predetermined lower liquid level also starts flow of liquid to the storage tank 40 by actuating the motor 101 (Figure 9) of a pump, not shown. Filling of the storage tank 40 continues thereafter until the predetermined upper liquid level has been reached, at which time the switch 43 is opened and the pump stopped. At about the same time the filling device reaches its retracted non-filling position. With the storage tank 40 filled to the predetermined upper level, the apparatus is ready for a new filling operation, which is initiated by again pressing the push button switch 100, as described above.

Filling of the overhead tank 40 may take longer than the retracting movement of the filling device. However, there is ample time available for the filling of the overhead tank 40. After the retracting movement of the filling device is completed, the cans filled with water must be hoisted away and a new set of cans filled with ice deposited on the dump and the ice blocks dumped from this set. Only after completion of these operations a new fill.- ing cycle begins.

An electrical wiring diagram for carrying out the movement of the filling device and the filling of the tank 40 is shown in Figure 9. 102 is a two pole relay (one pole serving as an interlock) including coil 103, resistor 104 and poles 105 and 106. When the operator starts the cycle of operation by momentarily pressing normally open push button switch 100, a circuit is established from sourceof power L1 through conductors and 111, push button switch 100, coil 103 of relay 102, resistor 10.4 and conductor 112 to source of power L2. This energizes the coil 103 of relay 102 and brings poles 105 and 106 in contact with terminals 107 and 10$, respectively. Pole 105 in contact with terminal 107 establishes a holding circuit from L1 through conductors 110 and 113, terminal 107, pole 105, coil 103, resistor 104 and conductor 112 to L2, which keeps the relay energized after the push button switch 100 hasbeen opened. Pole 106 in contact with terminal 108 closes a circuit from L1 through conductors 110 and 114, terminal 108, pole 106, conductor 115, solenoids 39 and 39a, conductors 116 and 112 to L2.

Energizing of both solenoids causes the waste line 38 of valve 35 to close and its pressure line 37 to open, and the waste line 38a of .valve 35a to open and the pressure line 37a to close. Pressure water is now admitted to the upper end of hydraulic cylinder 30 to move the filling device to the filling position, as described above. The circuit through the solenoids 39 and 39a remains closed until the float 42. reaches its predetermined lower position, i. e., until the cans have been filled. Thus, the filling device is held in the filling position by positive liquid pressure during the entire filling time.

43 is a double pole float switch whose poles 121 and 122-are opened by the float 42 when the float reaches the predetermined maximum liquid lever in tank 40. and are closed by the float when the float reaches the predetermined minimum liquid level. Closing of pole 1 21 closes a circuit from L1 through conductors 110 and 113, terminal 107, pole 105, conductor 123, closed pole 121, conductor 124,. resistor 104 and conductor 112 to L2. This short-circuits the coil 103 of, relay 102 to de-energize the relay and open its poles 105 and 106. Opening of pole 106 breaks the circuit through the solenoids 39 and 39a so that valve 35 opens its We ate connection 38 and closes its pressure line 37 to relieve pressure from the upper end of the hydraulic cylinder 30. Simultaneously the waste line 38a of valve 35a closes and its pressure line 37a opens to admit pressure liquid to the lower end of the hydraulic cylinder to efiect the retracting movement of the filling device to the non-filling position, as described above.

Closing of pole 122 of float switch 43 completes a circuit from L1 through conductor 130, motor starter 131 of pump motor 101, conductor 132, pole 122 and conductor 133 to L2. This starts the pump motor, and filling of the tank 40 begins. The circuit through pole 122 remains closed until the float reaches the predetermined upper liquid level and opens the switch 43. Opening of pole 122 breaks the circuit to the motor starter 131 whereby the pump motor is stopped. Opening of the pole 121 does not affect the solenoids 39 and 39a, which remain de-energized, as the circuit through them is broken at pole 106 of relay 102. All circuits are now broken and remain broken until a new cycle of operations is started by closing of the starter switch 100. Meanwhile, pressure on the lower side of the hydraulic cylinder continues due to solenoid 39a being de-energized, so that thefilling device is held in its retracted position by positive liquid pressure.

It will be seen that I have invented a filling device which is capable of filling in unison and from the bottom a bank of containers of any desired length and which can be made almost entirely of standardized parts and still readily adapted to varying space limitations. The device operates automatically except for the starting of the filling cycle.

Many changes in the structure shown and described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, for example, when using the construction of Figure 10, the orifices 71 can be located in the inlets of the pipes 41a instead of in the inlets to the foot valves, as shown, without changing their function as a means of obtaining substantially equal filling of all containers. Obviously, other drive means than a hydraulic cylinder can be used to move the shaft 27. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of the construction shown and described for purposes of illustration but not of limitation.

I claim:

1. A device for filling a bank of containers in unison from the bottom comprising a bank of filler tubes mov able between a filling and a non-filling position, a flexible connection to a source of liquid attached to one end of each tube, the other end of each tube in the filling position being adjacent the bottom of its associated container and in the non-filling position being retracted to clear the upper rim of the container, a rotatable shaft, fixed support bearings for said shaft, a plurality of first links pivotally connected to said tubes with one end and rigidly connected to said shaft with their other ends, a plurality of second links pivotally connected to said tubes with one end and rotatably supported with their other ends, and means for driving said shaft through a predetermined angle to move said tubes through non-circular paths between their filling and their non-filling position.

2. In a device for filling in unison a bank of containers with liquid comprising a stationary header connected to a source of liquid, a bank of filler tubes, flexible connections between said header and said tubes, valve means regulating the flow of liquid from said tubes, mechanical means operative to swing said tubes through non-circular paths between a non-filling and a filling position, said mechanical means including a shaft, fixed support bearings for said shaft, a first link rigidly connected to said shaft with one end and pivotally connected to one of said filler tubes with its other end, a cam rigidly affixed to said shaft, a rotatably supported member positioned by said cam, a second link pivotally connected to said filler tube with one end and pivotally connected to said member with its other end, and means for rotating said shaft through an angle to move said tubes between their filling and non-filling position.

3. A device for filling in unison a bank of containers from the bottom comprising a stationary header connected to a source of liquid, a bank of filler tubes, flexible connections between said header and the inlet ends of said tubes, mechanical means for supporting said tubes and moving them in unison through non-circular paths between a filling position wherein their outlet ends are adjacent the bottoms of said containers and a non-filling. position wherein said outlet ends are retracted from saidv containers, said mechanical means including two shafts, fixed support bearings for each of said shafts, first links, one for each tube, rigidly connected to one of said shafts: with one end and pivotally connected to said tubes with their other ends, and second links, one for each tube, rotatably supported by the other shaft with one end and pivotally connected to said tubes with their other ends, drive means for one of said shafts; and valve means regulating flow from said tubes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support bearings are supported by said header.

5. A device for filling in unison a bank of containers with liquid from the bottom comprising a bank of swingably supported filler tubes connected to, and communicating with, a source of liquid, mechanical means connected with said tubes and movable through a predetermined angle, said tubes in one end position of said mechanical means being in their filling position adjacent the bottom of said containers and in the other end position of said mechanical means being in their non-filling position retracted from said containers, drive means for said mechanical means, and a foot valve at the outlet end of each tube automatically regulating flow from said tubes to start when said mechanical means reach said one end position and to stop when said mechanical means begins to move from said one end position, each foot valve comprising a casing fixed to the outlet end of its tube, said casing having an open top portion forming an inlet port,

and an open bottom portion forming an outlet port, a,

valve seat surrounding said outlet port, a valve stem slidably supported in said casing, a valve member alfixed said stem and closing said outlet port when seated on said. seat, said valve member being held to said seat by liquid head in said casing, said valve member having a portion extending through said outlet port when said valve member is seated on said seat and arresting further downward movement of said valve member when it contacts the bottom of said container, and a spring acting on said valve member in valve opening direction and balancing a predetermined portion of the liquid head acting on said valve member in valve closing direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including an orifice restricting said inlet port.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 including adjusting means for varying the portion of liquid head balanced by said spring.

8. A device for filling in unison a bank of containers from the bottom comprising a stationary main, a bank of filler tubes flexibly connected to said main, one foreach container, said tubes being swingable from a filling position wherein their lower ends are adjacent the bottom of the containers to a non-filling position wherein theirlower ends are retracted from the containers, valve means regulating flow from said tubes, mechanical means for supporting said tubes and moving them in unison through non-circular paths between their filling and non-filling positions, said mechanical means including a plurality of four-link mechanisms, one for each of said tubes, and

having a common drive shaft rotatable through a predetermined angle, a second shaft, a plurality of levers, each of said levers being pivotally connected with one 1 1 endtoalink of a four-link. mechanism andrigidly connected with its other. endto said second shaft, a. cam on saiddrive, shaft, a. member positionedby said, cam. and connected to saidsecond shaft, drive means for said drive shaft, first support bearings for said drive shaft, second support bearings for said second shaft and supported by saidlfirstI support bearings, andumeans for rotating said:

tionary supply tank, a member responsive to the liquid level in said supply tank and controlling the supply of liquidto said, supply tank, abank of filler tubes connectedto said supply tank, mechanicalmeans for supporting said tubes and moving them in unison throughnon circular. paths between a filling and a non-filling position,

said mechanical means including a plurality of four-link mechanisms, one foreach tube, two links of each fourlink mechanism being pivotally connected to spaced points of, a tube with one end and rotatably supported with the other end, a common drive shaft for said four-link mecha: nisms rotatable through,- a predetermined angle, drive means forv said shaft, control means for said drive means includinga manually instigated switch for movingsaid tubes to filling position, and said liquid-level responsive member fonmoving said tubes to their non-filling position, and valve means automatically opening and closing to start and stop flow from said filler tubes when said tubes reach a predetermined position ontheir downward and upward movement, respectively.

11.. A device forfilling in unison a bank of containers from the bottom comprising a bank of filler tubes, one,

for each container, said tubes. being swingable from a filling. position, wherein their. lower. ends are adjacent the...

bottom of the containers to a non-fillingposition wherein theirlower ends are retractedfrom the containers, a flex ible connection from asource of liquid to each of said tubes, mechanical means for supportingsaid tubes and moving them in unisonthrough non-eircular paths be-; tween their filling and non-filling positions, said mechanishaft, drive means for said drive shaft, andfoot valves.

regulating flow from said tubes, each foot valve comprising a casing fixed to the outlet end of its tube, said casing having an open top portion forming an inlet port and an open .bottom portion forming an outlet port, an'orifice restricting said inlet port, a valve seat surrounding said.

outlet port, a valve stem slidably supported in said casing, a valve member affixed to. said stemv and closing said outlet portwhen seated on saidseatand held. to said seatby.

liquid head in said casing,.saidvalve member having. a portion extending through said outlet port when said valve member is seated ,on said seat, and a spring balancing. a predetermined portion of the liquid head acting on saidv valve member in valve closing direction, during. a predetermined portion of the valve opening movement.

12. A device for filling a bank of containers in unison from .the bottom comprising a bankv of swingably supported filler tubes, a flexible connection between a source of liquid and the inlet end of eachof said tubes, a bank of four-link mechanisms, one associated with each tube,

sunnorti-ngsaid tubes, eachfour-link mechanism includ ing two links being rotatably supported withone-end and. having..their other ends pivotally connected to spaced points on their. associated tube, and means for rotating said links through a predetermined angle to move said tubes through non-circular paths between their filling, position where their outlet ends are adjacent the bottoms of the containers and their non-filling position where theirv outlet ends are retracted to clear the top rims of'said containers.

13. A device for filling in unison a bank of cans from the bottom comprising a bank of filler tubes movable from a filling position wherein their lower ends are adjacent the bottoms of the cans to a non-filling position wherein theirlower ends are retracted from the cans, a flexible connection from a source of liquid to eachof said filler tubes, valvemeans regulating flow. from said tubes, a plurality of four-link mechanisms corresponding in numher to said tubes, supporting'saidtubes and moving them.

through non-circular paths between their filling and'nonfillingpositions, a common drive shaft for-said four-link mechanisms rotatable through a predetermined angle, means for moving saidshaft through said angle, each four-link mechanism including a first link pivotally connected to a filler tube with one end and rigidly connected .7

to saidshaft with: the other end, a second link pivotally connected: to said filler tube with one end, and an arm pivotally connected with one end to the other end of said second link, and rotatably supported with its other end,

a cam rigidly connected to said drive shaft, and a-member positioned by said camand operatively connected'to one of said arms.

14. A device for filling a bank of containers in unison from the bottom.comprising a bank of filler tubes, one foreachcontainer, said tubes being swingable from a fillingv positionwherein their. lower ends are adjacent the and the. non-.filling position, each four-link mechanism including a first anda second movable link pivotally connected: to. spaced points of a tube, whereby said tube forms a third link of its four-link mechanism, means for rotatingsaid first links in unison through a predetermined angle about a fixed center of rotation, and means for moving said second links in unison through non-circular'paths, and valve means controlling the discharge from said tubes.

15. A device for filling a container from the: bottom,

comprising a swingably. supported filler tube, a flexible connection between a source of liquid and the-inlet of said; tube, :a, four-link mechanism supporting'said tube. said fourrlink mechanism including two links rotatably supported with one-end and having their other endpivot ably connected to spaced points on said tube, and means:

for. rotatingsaid links through a predetermined angleto move said tube-through a noncircular path between itsfilling position, where its'outlet end is adjacent the bottom of the--container-,.and its non-filling position, where its outlet end is retracted to clear the top rim of said container.

16. A liquid flow control valve comprisinga valve body having an outlet port, a valve seat surrounding saidoutlet port,- -a valve stem and a valve disc attached to said'stem and adapted to be seated'on said seat and when so seated closing said outlet port, said stem and bodybeingmovable relative to each other in valve openingv and closing direction,-means for moving said stem and valve body relative to eachother, inletrneans for introducing liquid into said valvebody, said valve disc being so arrangedrelativeto said inlet means and. seat that liquid introduced through. said inlet means acts on .said disc in valve closing directionin all positions. of said disc, and a spring operativelycon nected to -said valve disc and acting on said valve disc in 1 valve opening direction during. a predeterminedinitial- 13 portion only of the valve opening movement and, during said predetermined initial portion, balancing a predetermined portion of the liquid pressure acting on said disc in valve closing direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 7 Davis Aug. 27, 1918 Strater Jan. 3, 1922 Shipley Jan. 29, 1924 Shipley Aug. 2, 1927 Raetz June 17, 1930 Schneider Ian. 8, 1935 White Nov. 7, 1939 Lenzke Mar. 26, 1940 Foster et a1 Dec. 17, 1940 Funk et al. June 22, 1948 Tamminga July 22, 1952

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