1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Filling valve apparatuses for beverage filling machines are known in the art for injecting liquids into beverage containers. However, as the filling valve apparatus is used, certain parts of the filling valve apparatus may begin to wear. For instance, the liquid being injected into the beverage container with the filling valve apparatus may corrode certain parts of the filling valve apparatus. Once corroded, those parts of the filling valve apparatus must be replaced before the beverage filling machine may continue operating. Replacing the corroded parts of the filling valve apparatus can be difficult and time consuming since this often requires removing and replacing the entire filling valve apparatus, which takes considerable time. Also, the beverage filling machine typically incorporates many filling valve apparatuses, and replacing one filling valve apparatus requires stopping the entire beverage filling machine. When filling large quantities of bottles each day, stopping the beverage filling machine to replace the filling valve apparatus reduces production and results in lost profits.
To solve this problem, the filling valve apparatus may include a release mechanism that allows removal of a single part of the filling valve apparatus. Even though the beverage filling machine must still be stopped when the component is removed and replaced, the release mechanism reduces the downtime of the beverage filling machine. One such release mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,733 (the '733 patent). The '733 patent discloses the filling valve apparatus having an upper portion and a lower bell adjacent to the upper portion. A valve stem extends through the upper portion and the lower bell. A release mechanism is circumferentially mounted to the lower bell and includes a nut threadably mounted to a shank. The shank is pivotally mounted by a pin whereby loosening the nut permits the shank to be pivoted. Once loosened, the lower bell is released from the upper portion.
Although release mechanisms for filling valve apparatuses such as the one disclosed by the '733 patent may allow removal of the lower bell when corroded by the liquid without having to change the entire filling valve apparatus, there remains an opportunity to improve upon the filling valve apparatuses and release mechanisms of the prior art. For instance, other parts of the filling valve apparatus may need to be replaced in addition to or in lieu of the lower bell. Therefore a filling valve apparatus is needed that either allows removal of other parts than the lower bell or includes multiple release mechanisms so that multiple parts of the filling valve apparatus may be replaced without replacing the entire filling valve apparatus. Additionally, a filling valve apparatus is needed that further reduces downtime when replacing the corroded parts of the filling valve apparatus to improve overall production of the beverage filling machine. Furthermore, a release mechanism is needed that allows the corroded parts of the filling valve apparatus to be removed more easily and quickly, such as with one hand by an operator of the beverage filling machine.
The subject invention provides a filling valve apparatus for a beverage filling machine. The filling valve apparatus includes a primary valve portion and a replacement valve portion coupled to the primary valve portion. The filling valve apparatus further includes a release mechanism slideably mounted to the primary valve portion. The release mechanism is selectively coupled to the primary valve portion and moveable between an engaged position securing the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion and a disengaged position releasing the replacement valve portion from the primary valve portion.
Accordingly, the release mechanism being selectively coupled to the primary valve portion and moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged position allows the replacement valve portion to be quickly and easily removed from the filling valve apparatus and replaced. This helps to reduce downtime when operating the beverage filling machine. In addition, the release mechanism may be placed in various locations on the filling valve apparatus, allowing multiple parts of the filling valve apparatus to act as the primary valve portion and the replacement valve portion. Furthermore, the release mechanism of the subject invention allows the parts of the filling valve apparatus to be more easily removed.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a filling valve apparatus is shown generally at reference numeral 20. Generally, the filling valve apparatus 20 is used with a beverage filling machine (not shown). Beverage filling machines are known in the art for injecting a fluid into a container (not shown), such as injecting a beverage into a bottle or can. The beverage filling machine often uses many filling valve apparatuses for filling many containers simultaneously. Typically, a conveyor (not shown) is used to bring the container to the filling valve apparatus 20. The filling valve apparatus 20 then descends over the container and fills the container with the beverage. Once filled, the filling valve apparatus 20 lifts up and the conveyor moves the container away from the filling valve apparatus 20.
Referring now to
The filling valve apparatus 20 includes at least one valve 34 coupled to the lower bell 26. Those skilled in the art realize that various types of valves may connect to the lower bell 26. For instance, a sniff valve (not shown) may be coupled to the lower bell 26 for releasing pressure inside the lower bell 26. Alternatively, a clean in place (CIP) valve 36 may be used for cleaning the fluid passage 24 defined by the lower bell 26 and the upper portion 22. In another alternative, the filling valve apparatus 20 may include both the sniff valve and the CIP valve 34.
As the fluid flows through the fluid passage 24 or through the valve 34, various components of the filling valve apparatus 20 may begin to corrode. Therefore, the filling valve apparatus 20 includes at least one release mechanism to quickly replace corroded portions of the filling valve apparatus 20. Those skilled in the art realize that the filling valve apparatus 20 may include any or all of the release mechanisms described herein. For instance, the filling valve apparatus 20 may include a valve body release mechanism 37 for releasing the lower bell 26 from the upper portion 22, a valve stem release mechanism 39 for releasing the stem 30 from the adapter 28, and/or a valve release mechanism 41 for releasing the valve 34 from the lower bell 26. Each of these release mechanisms operate similarly. Generally, each of the release mechanisms couple a replacement valve portion to a primary valve portion of the filling valve apparatus 20. Specifically, the replacement valve portion is fixed to the primary valve portion with the release mechanism such that the replacement valve portion may be selectively removed from the primary valve portion with the release mechanism. Preferably, the release mechanism is slideably mounted to the primary valve portion, thus selectively coupling the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion. The release mechanism is moveable between an engaged position securing the replacement valve portion to the primary valve portion and a disengaged position releasing the replacement valve portion from the primary valve portion. Specifically, the release mechanism slides along the primary valve portion from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and back to the engaged position.
The release mechanism described above may be used to release various parts of the filling valve apparatus 20. In other words, different components of the filling valve apparatus 20 may act as the primary valve portion and the replacement valve portion. Furthermore, as discussed in greater detail below, a component may act as the primary valve portion in one embodiment and the replacement valve portion in another embodiment.
Referring now to
The release mechanism further includes a release handle 48 coupled to the locking handle 38 for cooperating with the locking handle 38 during the movement between the engaged position and the disengaged position. To connect the locking handle 38 to the release handle 48, the release mechanism further includes a pair of rails 50. The rails 50 extend between the locking handle 38 to the release handle 48 and are held to the locking handle 38 and the release handle 48 with pins 52. The rails 50 may have a round configuration when viewed in cross-section and define at least one notch 54. Also, as shown in
Referring again to
Alternatively, the spring 60 may be a tension spring attached to the locking handle 38 for biasing the locking element 40 into the aperture 42 and the groove 44. Here, the locking handle 38 defines the cavity 62 for housing the biasing element 58 in the cavity 62 between the locking handle 38 and the upper portion. As in the previous example, the upper portion defines the pocket 64 and the biasing element 58 extends from the cavity 62 of the locking handle 38 into the pocket 64 for biasing the valve body release mechanism in the engaged position. Here, the biasing element 58 is disposed in the cavity 62 between the locking handle 38 and the upper portion 22.
In operation, the valve body release mechanism 37 is biased in the engaged position with the biasing element 58. Specifically, as shown in
Referring now to
The valve stem release mechanism 39 further includes a pair of rails 78 and the adapter 28 defines a slot 80. The rails 78 include longitudinal tabs 81 slideably disposed in the slot 80 defined by the adapter 28. Here, the tabs 81 of the rails 78 rest in the slot 80 defined by the adapter 28 regardless of whether the release mechanism 38 is in the engaged or disengaged position. In this embodiment, the rails 78 are integrally formed with the locking handle 66 and held to the release handle 72 with pins 82. Here, the adapter 28 defines an aperture 84 and the stem 30 defines a corresponding groove 86 as described in the previous embodiment.
In operation, the valve stem release mechanism 39 is biased in the locked position with the spring 76. Specifically, as shown in
In a third embodiment, as shown in
Referring to
In operation, the valve release mechanism 41 is biased in the engaged position with the biasing element 96. Specifically, as shown in
Accordingly, the subject invention provides a filling valve apparatus 20 having at least one release mechanism being selectively coupled to the primary valve portion and moveable between the engaged position and the disengaged position to allow the replacement valve portion to be quickly and easily removed from the filling valve apparatus 20 and replaced regardless of which parts of the filling valve apparatus 20 act as the primary valve portion and the replacement valve portion 42. This helps to reduce downtime when operating the beverage filling machine. In addition, the release mechanism may be placed in various locations on the filling valve apparatus 20, allowing multiple parts of the filling valve apparatus 20 to act as the primary valve portion and the replacement valve portion. Furthermore, the release mechanism of the subject invention allows the parts of the filling valve apparatus 20 to be more easily removed.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/723,536 filed Oct. 4, 2005.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60723536 | Oct 2005 | US |