US2699718A - Filling apparatus with beverage preparation mechanism - Google Patents

Description

F. x. WRIGHT 2,699,718

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FILLING APPARATUS WITH BEVERAGE PREPARATION MECHANISM Jan. 18, 1955 Filed April 10. 1952 United States Pate O FILLING APPARATUSWITH BEVERAGE PREPARATION MECHANISM Francis X. Wright, Cleveland Heights, Ohio Application April 10, B52, Serial No. 281,494

9 Claims. Cl. 99 -275 .This, invention relates to filling apparatus, and more. particularly to such apparatus which is suitable for; use

for carbonated beverages.

.At thepresent time, systems which involve the use of filling apparatus also include a .numbergof separate units which are so arranged'as to pass bottles-to be filled with the carbonated beverage from'station to station on related, but timed separate machines. The vari ous positions into which the bottles passinvolve the use of a syruping device wherein the said bottles are provided 1 with a slug of syrup and thereafter moved into positions beneath a storage. tank in which water previously carbonated by a separate apparatus is stored and supplied to the bottles as they move with respecttot he machine. in a circular path while the filling operation takes place.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an apparatus which, literally speaking.) combines forth in the appended specification and claims, and illus-.

substantially all of the prior units into oneunit, thus ob-..

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel form of combined storage and filling unit wherein a saturator is located, and to so divide the apparatus as to effectively carry on all of the foregoing different operations in one unit while still providing the same type of operation which has been found to be mas desirable in connection with carbonated beverage manufacture.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an apparatus which is of relatively simple construction, and into whichwater or other liquid may be introduced to thereafter be saturated and without transfer to janother device be delivered to the bottles from which the beverage is finally dispensed. A still furtherobjectof as costof apparatusfor effectthis invention is to provide a novel arrangement, which avails of the inherent qualities of air and carbon dioxide gas, such that the air may be removedwithout substantial loss in quantity of the carbon dioxide gas, relyingupo'n the Stratification of the respective air and carbondioxide gas. A

It is a still further ob ect of this lnvention to provlde novel control elements for the apparatus, which are responsive to changes in liquid levelso as to regulate the movement of air with a minimurn amount of loss of carbon dioxide gas.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide V means for effecting a mixture of carbonated water with syrup whereby the thus carbonated beverage maybe dispensed directly to the bottles without resort to 'a previous syruping operation.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a filling apparatus in which the carbonating of the liquid introduced thereto, in accordance with well-known desirable characteristics, by the introduction of refrigerated water, will take place in a quiescent manner, without unnecessary agitation of the liquidso as to maintain the carbonated concentration of the liquid and reduce the tendency for the carbon dioxide to befreed and be 'un-j necessarily wasted thereby.

Other and further objects of this'invention will be set trated in the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a'view partly in section and partly in. elevation, showing the general relationship of the parts which comprise this invention, and in particular certain of the details by which the objects thereof are carried out.

Figure 2 is a section, somewhat fragmentary in nature, taken about on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the control unit for regulating the movement of air from -the storage tank.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken about on theline 4-4 of Figure 1, illustrating certain of the.

details of the syruping portion of. the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of one ofthe filling heads Referring now to Figure 1 where is shown the apparatus of this invention generally-designated 1, which includes a substantially cylindrical tank 2, mounted for.

rotation'upon a support 3. The tank 2 comprises a cylindrical outer wall, including inner cylindrical member M3 and an outer cylindrical member 4 spaced therefrom;

Between the members 3 and 4, suitable insulating material 5 is provided, and said members 3 and 4 terminate in a flange 6, to which is fastened the top 7 of the tank, by

provision of a suitable flange 8 thereon by means of the. bolts 9. The top 7 of the tank is of course formed so as to include the insulating material between the inner and outer members 10 and 11 thereof, the top 7 being removable as is apparent.

Thebottom 12 of the tank is formed of double construction and includes insulating'material therein also,-

between the inner and outer members 13 and"14, re.- spectively. The bottom 12 of the tank is in. turn equipped with a suitable trunnion member 15, from which extend the arms 16, the member 15 being provided with a raceway 17 at its lower base adapted to engage a corresponding raceway in the support 3.

Located substantially centrally of the bottom of the tank and passing upwardly therethrough is a water supply tube, designated 18, which tube 18 is suitably sealed with respectto the bottom byprovision of the packing 19, maintained in its sealing position by the flange nut 20 in any' suitable manner. The supply tube 18 is fixed against rotation, and at its lower end is connected with a pipe or tube 21, leading from a pump 22, which pump 22 is connected to any suitable source of water, said water of 'coursebeing refrigerated in accordance with well-known practice.

At the upper end of the tube 18, and substantially centrally of the tank, is the saturator 23 which may be constructed in any well-known manner, and comprises a series of pans 24 and 25. The water forced into the tube 18 by the pump 22 flows out of the top of the tube at 26 and passes in a circuitous path over the upper pan in a thin film at the outer edge of the pan, and downwardly into the lower pan 24, and through suitable openings 27 therein. The water follows this path in repetition over the series of pans as shown in the Figure 1, until it reaches the lowermost pan thereof. Carbon dioxide gas having been introduced at the upper part of the tank, the said water will have absorbed the necessary quantity of gas during its path of travel as above outlined, in accordance with well-known practice. The provision for the introduction of the carbon dioxide gas will be subsequently described.

When the carbonated water has thus reached the lowermost pan 24, it passes downwardly through the openings 27 which are closely adjacent the tube 18, on to a syruping unit generally designated 28. The syruping unit 28 includes a flat circular pan 29 on to which the carbonated water flows, and the syrup is metered to the water on the pan by the provision of a tubular ring 30 in which a series of holes at the lower portion thereof, designated 31, are formed. The ring 30 is supplied by a small tube 32, which tube 32 passes through the tube 18 and is supplied by a pump33. The pump 33is in turn supplied from Patented Jan. 18, 1955 a filling any suitable source of syrup, and a calibrated valve 34 in the tube 32 is provided for regulating the flow of syrup to the syruping ring 30 in any preferred proportion in accordance with previously determined concentration desired.

Of course the tube 32 is sealed with respect to the tubes 18 and 21.

When the syrup and carbonated water passes over the pan 29 at its outer edge, it is flowed on to the lower cylindrical pan 35 and thus inwardly toward the tube 18 and downwardly through holes 36 closely adjacent the tube with a space in the bottom of the tank provided for temporary storage of the liquid.

it should be understood that any preferred form of saturator 23 may be provided, and that the syruper 28 may be of any likewise preferred form, the same shown herein being suitable for the purpose.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood from a consideration of Figure 1, that the saturator 23 is located in a section which will be designated 37 as the carbon dioxide gas section. This section is formed by reason of the provision of a cylindrical baffle 33 suitably fixed at its upper end to the top 7 of the unit, and depending from the said top to a point in a plane spaced from the usual liquid level which will be maintained in the tank. Since the baffle 38 is spaced from the side 3 of the tank, there is thus formed an annular area which will be designated '39 and denoted the carbon dioxide gas and air section.

These two sections 37 and 39 are of course in communication by reason of the position of the lower edge of the baflie 38.

A transverse batfle 40 is provided suitably fixed to the baffle 38 and may preferably be placed in a somewhat diagonal plane as respects the axis of the tank, the periphery of the baflie 40 being very close to the inner member 3 of the wall so as to provide a substantial sealing engagement therewith. There is thus formed what is termed an air chamber 41 between the baffle 40 and the lower member of the top of the tank 7.

In order to provide for the control of the level of liquid within the tank 2, there is provided a float unit designated 42, which includes a float member 43 suitably fastened to a vertically extending float rod 44, the float rod 44 being guided in members 45 fastened to the inner side of the baffie 38, the rod 44 at its upper end being pivotally connected at 46 to a lever arm 47 which lever arm 47 is pivoted substantially centrally thereof at 48 to a bracket 49, depending from the top 7 of the tank. Located substantially centrally of the top of the tank, is a gland unit 50, which includes tubular non-rotatable member 51, having a flange 52 fastened integrally thereto. The flange 52 is adapted to be supported upon an upwardly extending outlet portion 53 of the tank top 7, and a suitable gland nut 54 is provided, having threads 55 therein adapted to engage corresponding threads on the extension 53. By means of a suitable seal element 56, and suitable tightening of the gland nut 54, said tubular member 51 may be sealed in place as respects the tank. With the tubular member 51 closed at both ends, an opening is provided in each end closure through which a vertically movable rod 57 is operated by the lever arm 47 previously referred to. At the upper end of the rod 57, a suitable head member thereon 58, is adapted to engage a lever 59 pivotally supported at 60 by a bracket (not shown) readily provided by one skilled in the art, the lever 59 having at its outer end pivotal engagement with a switch unit 61.

The switch unit 61 may be of any preferred form, the same illustrated being comprised of contact unit 62, and contact unit 63 operable by the arm 59. It will thus be apparent that upward movement of the rod 57 will cause a corresponding downward movement of the switch member 63 so as to contact the member 62, and thus effect operation of the motor for the pump 22 previously referred to. In view of the arrangement of the control unit 42 just described, it will be apparent that when the liquid level in the tank falls from the position designated A therein, to a position designated by the dotted line B, the float 43 will be thus following the liquid level, and in turn cause an actuation of the switch 61 so as to start into operation the pump 22, and thus supply the tank with additional liquid to be carbonated.

The tubular member 51 at the top of the tank is additionally provided with tube 64 passing therethrough by means of which the carbon dioxide gas is admitted into previously mentioned. The source of carbon dioxide gas may be as is usually the case, any suitable storage tank, and the same is controlled by means of a valve 65 in accordance with conventional practice.

The top of the tank 7 is provided with a valve generally designated 66 which may be used to permit the carbon dioxide gas within the tank to be drawn off as the occasion demands, during certain phases of the use of the apparatus herein being discussed.

Near one edge of the top 7, there is provided a control unit generally designated 67, whereby the air within the chamber 41 may be permitted to flow to the atmosphere during operation of the apparatus as will be subsequently set forth. The control unit 67 is more particularly shown in Figure 3, and includes a casing 68, having a cylindrical bore 69 therein, the casing 68 being preferably formed of two parts, 70 and 71. The two parts 70 and 71 may be fastened together by means of the flanges 72 and 73, the flanges in turn being fastened by means of the bolts 74. The lower section 71 includes a supporting member 75 adapted to be seated on the outer member 11 of the top 7 and maintained in place thereon by'means of the bolt 76. Within the cylindrical bore 69 of the casing 68, there is mounted a piston 77, adapted to be reciprocated up- .wardly and downwardly by means of a piston rod 78 extending through the lower section 71 of the casing. The piston rod 78 is in turn engaged with a lever 79, the lever 79 being pivoted at 80 on the support 75, and suitably attached at 81 to the said lever 79 at one end, and at 82 to downwardly extending substantially vertical rod 83. The rod 83 passes through a gland member 84 in the top 7 of the tank, and downwardly through the air chamber 41, and a further gland member 85, and at its lower end is provided with a float member 86. The float member 86 is adapted to rise and fall in response to changes in liquid level within the tank, and in doing so, the member 86 imparts upward and downward movement to the piston 77 previously mentioned. The piston 77 is so arranged that in its lowermost position, an exit or outlet line opening 87, in the upper section 70 of the unit 67, is uncovered, the outlet line extending from the top of the air chamber 41 as indicated at 87a. A suitable atmosphere port 88 is uncovered at the same time as the port 87, and permits air to flow from the chamber 41 to the atmosphere, over the head of the piston 77. When the piston 77 is moved upwardly, the same closes the ports 87 and 88, and when the ports 87 and 88 are closed, the ports 89 and 90 are uncovered, the port 90 being connected by means of a suitable tubular member 91, to the carbon dioxide gas and air section 39 of the apparatus. Thereby air flowing through the tube 91 and passing through the port 90 when the piston is in the dotted line position in the figure, will be transferred through the port 89 and tube 92 to theair chamber 41. This foregoing of course takes place when the float 86 has moved downwardly in response to a lowering of the liquid level to a point such as indicated by the dotted line C in Figure 1, as will be subsequently explained during operation of the apparatus.

Around the lower periphery of the tank 2 there may be provided the usual filling heads 93, in any preferred number, the said heads being of generally conventional construction, such as illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. The filling heads 93 include the usual valve disc 94 thereon, operable in timed relation so as to be moved by the arms 95 and 96 thereon into the various positions shown in the respective Figures 5, 6 and 7. During the move-v ment of the disc 94, the liquid within the tank is permitted to flow by gravity into the bottles carried by the arms 16 in accordance with conventional construction. The filling heads 93 include therein the outlet passage 97, connected so as to direct the flow of liquid out of the tank 2 111 one position of the valve disc 94, said heads being additionally provided with the counterpressure passage 98 therein, which as is known, passes through the valve disc 94 and downwardly through the passage 99 in the filling nozzle 100, the filling nozzle 100 being provided with the usual bell-shaped member 101, said member 101 being equipped with a sealing gasket, 102, therein adapted to enthe section 37, which is the carbon dioxide gas section as 85 ions passages 97, 98 and 103 to be connected so as to carry out the respective functions thereof, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 and as will be subsequently explained during the description of the operation of this apparatus.

In the event that the syruping unit 28 previously mentioned, is not to be used, the apparatus may be used in conjunction with the usual syruping apparatus, generally designated 105, as shown in Figure 1, the same being operated in a conventional manner and therefore, not hereinafter referred to since the same is well known.

It should be noted that a counterpressure conduit 106 is provided, leading from the passage 98 into the interior of the tank 2 and thence upwardly to a point slightly above the bottom edge of the cylindrical baflle 38, each one of the filling heads 93 of course being provided with such a conduit.

The operation of the apparatus of this invention will now be set forth, the filling of the bottles being carried out in the usual conventional manner. If the apparatus of this invention is intended to be used without the syruping unit 28, the conventional syruping unit 105 is availed of and the bottles are entered thereinto and carried thereby to the various positions, whereby each bottle is provided with a slug of syrup in accordance with the predetermined desirable concentration of the final product.

When the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is started into operation, rotation of the unit 1 takes place, on the supporting member 3. Initially however the pump 22 has been started into operation and carbon dioxide gas is permitted to enter the chamber 37 by means of the valve 65 which is calibrated so as to introduce the same in a desired quantity. Thus, with the pump 22 in operation, water flows upwardly in the tube 18 and the carbon dioxide gas entering the tube 64 is absorbed thereby as the water passes over the saturator 23. Since the water level in the tank gradually rises, it reaches a point where the float 43 is moved upwardly which in turn, when the water level has reached the position A in Figure 1, will cause the switch unit 61 to be actuated and thereby interrupt the circuit which operates the pump 22. Thus, the liquid in the tank 1 has reached the level A with a carbonated mixture which is to be delivered through the filling heads 93 to the bottles supported on the arms 16. As the arms 16 rotate with each having a bottle thereon received from the syruper 105, the filling head 93 is actuated so as to cause the valve disc 94 to assume the position shown in Figure 5. There is thus elfected a connection of the interior of the bottle by means of the passage 99, and passage 98 to the counterpressure conduit 106, causing an equalization of the pressure within the bottle and within the tank 1. This is in accordance with the usual desired conventional operation, the bottle being in engagement with and hermetically sealed under the valve 93. Passage 97 for the carbonated water is of course closed, and the balance of the pressure in the complete system is effected as above pointed out. After the counterpressure action has taken place, the valve disc 94 is moved into the position shown in Figure 6, as the tank 1 continues to rotate. The counterpressure conduit 106 remains in connection with the passage 99, and the carbonated water leaves the nozzles of the filling tube 100 to gently flow down the wall of the bottle and over the syrup. The counterpressure gas in the bottle is displaced by the carbonated water entering the same, and flows up the counterpressure conduit 106 into the carbon dioxide gas and air section 39 of the unit 1. In view of the fact that the air is lighter than the carbon dioxide gas, the same will rise to a position just beneath the bafile 40 and remain there during the operation. As the liquid level in the tank 1 reaches the point C, the control unit 67 is actuated by reason of the fact that the float 86 falls somewhat, causing a movement of the piston 77 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3. Thus, the ports 89 and 90 are placed in connection, and the air flows through the tube 91, through the ports 90 and 89 and hence through the tube 92 into the chamber 41.

Subsequently, in view of the fact that the liquid is being drawn off from the tank 2, the float 43 also drops slightly, causing the switch unit 61 to be actuated by reason of the switch elements 63 and 62 coming into contact to thereby again commence operation of the pump 22. Thus, liquid water again flows upwardly through the tube 18 and further carbonated liquid is thus provided as previously set forth. When the liquid level has again reached the position A, the float 86 of the control unit 67 also rises, and moves the piston 77 in the said control unit, downwardly so as to first close the ports 90 and 89 and subsequently open the ports 88 and 87 for connection of the interior of the chamber 41 with the atmosphere through the port 87a. Thus the air in the chamber 41 is permitted to flow to the atmosphere, and since the air in this chamber is only very slightly, if at all, diluted with carbon dioxide gas, a minimum amount of waste of the carbon dioxide gas takes place .in the cycle above set forth.

As the tank 2 continues to rotate, the valve discs 94 on the various filling heads 93, eventually reach the position as shown in Figure 7 to thereby close the carbonated water passage 97. However, just prior to the closure of passage 97, the liquid in the bottle being filled has risen to a point whereby the counterpressure tube 99 is closed at its end by the liquid. Since a balance of pressure exists within the system, the shut oil? of the flow of liquid to the bottle takes place in accordance with conventional operation of other types of filling apparatus.

When the fiilling head valve disc of each respective filling head 93 has reached the position shown in Figure 7, as previously mentioned the flow of liquid is positively shut off by rotation of the valve disc, and a gradual snift of the gas above the carbonated water takes place through the passage 103.

Subsequently of course the bottle is removed from the filling head after the filling operation takes place, and passes thereafter to the usual crowning mechanism whereby the bottle is sealed and subsequently deposited for further delivery to its eventual place of use.

The foregoing explanation of the operation of this apparatus should be supplemented by stating that in view of the position at which the gas passing out of the bottle during the filling operation is entered into the tank 1, through the counterpressure conduit 106, said gas being introduced into the section 39 just above the bottom of the baffle 38, so as to prevent a mixture of this carbon dioxide gas and air mixture with the carbon dioxide gas in the section 37, and Stratification of the gas and air takes place, there are in effect three sections provided within the single tank. These sections are the sections 37 39 and 41, as previously indicated, the chamber 41 being completely sealed from the other two sections, and being operatively connected with section 39 by the control unit 67 responsive to changes in the liquid level in the tank.

In the event it is desired to eliminate the use of the syruping unit 105, the previously described syruping unit 28 may be availed of, by starting into operation the syrup pump 33, and regulating the flow of syrup therefrom by means of the valve 34. All of the foregoing of course will take place while the pump 22 is in operation so as to pump water into the saturator and the syrup pumped by pump 33 will be moved through the pipe 32 to the syruping ring 30. The syrup will pass from the ring 30 in droplets through the openings 31 therein, and in to the carbonated liquid flowing over the pan 29. Thus, by predetermined calculation the amount of syrup to be mixed with the carbonated water from the saturator may be determined, and thus the liquid stored in the tank will be a completely carbonated beverage of the desired flavor in accordance with the type of syrup passing through the syruping unit 28. There is thus provided a simple means of eliminating the syruping unit with the consequent increase in production and reduction of cost of installation and maintenance of the various equipment provided hereby.

It should also be understood that by reason of the provision of a tank such as the unit 1 which has a removable top therefor, cleaning of the apparatus may be readily aifected for changing from one syrup flavor to another, and the loss of carbon dioxide gas will be minimized as will be apparent.

The apparatus shown and described herein will vastly simplify the usual type of carbonating equipment that is at present available since it combines in a single unit all of the attributes of three other prior units, including the saturator, the storage tank and the syruping unit. At the same time, the desirable operation of carbonating apparatus as at present known, is maintained by the provision of the tank such as the unit 1, wherein all of the various balancing of pressure together with the control of the liquid level and the saturation of the water passing into the tank may take place, as well as a syruping of the saturated water being possible to be carried out.

I claim:

1. A fillingapparatus of theclass described, in combination, a closed liquid storage tank, liquid supply means for said tank, carbonating means for liquid supplied to said tank, a liquid outlet unit for said tank, a first central carbon dioxide gas section in said tank, a second carbon dioxide gas and air section separate from the first section and connected therewith, an air storage chamber sealed from both of the sections aforesaid, a counterpressure line extending from the said liquid outlet unit to the said second section, and a unitfor controlling the flow of air from said second section to the air storage chamber.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are-provided for regulating the flow of air from the air chamber to the atmosphere.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit is adapted to alternately connect the second section with the air storagechamber and the air storage chamber with the atmosphere.

4. An apparatus as-claimcd in claim 1, wherein the control unit is operable in response to variations in the height of liquid in the tank.

5. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carbonating means comprises a saturator unit supported in the first section, means being provided to supplyzcarbon dioxide'gas thereto, combinedwith a syruping unit including a member to receive carbonated liquid supplied by the saturator, a flow controlelement adapted to dis tribute syrup uniformly through said liquid, and means to supply syrup to said-element.

6. A filling apparatus of the class described, in combination, a closed liquid storage tank, liquid supply means for said tank, a first central carbon dioxide gas section in said tank, a saturator unit in said section, a second car- 8; bon dioxide-gas and air section surr'ounding the first section and connected therewith an air chamber surrounding the first section and sealed from both the first and second sections, filling heads connected to said tank for controlling the flow of liquid from said tank, counterpressure conduits leading from said fillingheads to positions above the level of liquid in the tank, and. a unit for controlling the movement'of air from the second section aforesaid to the atmosphere.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control unit includes instrumentalities operable to regulate movement of. air fromthe said second section to the air chamber, and from. the air. chamber to the atmosphere.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second sections are separated by acylindrical baffle extending downwardly from the top of the tank, spaced from the wall thereof, and the airv chamber is formedby a transverse bafile extending between the cylindrical baflle and the wall aforesaid.

9. An apparatusas claimed in claim .7, wherein the control unit is operable in response to changes in the liquid level in the tank.

References Cited in the file of this, patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,372,899 Kantor Apr. 3, 1945 2,434,374 Tull Jan. 13, 1948 2,462,019 Bowman Feb. 15, 1949 2,603,399 Vance July 15, 1952 2,617,510 "Little Nov. 11, 1952 2,657,628 Von'Stoeser -Nov, 3, 1953

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