Fluent material handling – with receiver or receiver coacting mea – With conveying means to supply successive receivers – Fill triggered by receiver
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-19
2001-07-24
Douglas, Steven O. (Department: 3751)
Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting mea
With conveying means to supply successive receivers
Fill triggered by receiver
C141S146000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263925
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to can filling apparatus used for automatically filling cans with carbonated beverages. More specifically, the invention deals with an actuator for a valve trip mechanism for a needle valve used to open a passageway to charge beverage cans which are being filled with carbon dioxide prior to introduction therein of a beverage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Can filling devices typically utilize an annular sleeve, commonly referred to as a “tulip” which engages the top of an empty can. The mechanism includes passageways for allowing gravity flow into the can of the beverage liquid and a central tube for introduction of carbon dioxide gas into the can. The carbon dioxide gas is introduced for the purpose of flushing out any air from the interior of the can and to charge the can. Opening of the central tube also equalizes pressure in the system, allowing liquid to run into the can. The central tube has a stem at the top thereof which is engaged by a bifurcated lever and raised and lowered to cause opening and closing of a valve at the top of the tube, thereby starting and stopping the flow of carbon dioxide gas into the can.
The forked or bifurcated lever used to control the opening and closing of the stem valve is raised and lowered by rotation of a shaft with which it is integral. The opposite end of the shaft from the bifurcated lever has a two-pronged handle secured thereto commonly referred to as a “butterfly”. Opening of the needle valve is accomplished by pushing downwardly on the uppermost arm of the butterfly to rotate the shaft in one direction, whereas closing thereof is caused by passage of the lower arm of the butterfly along a cam surface, which causes rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction. Generally the cam surface is a stationary track and the can filling apparatus is traveling in a circular path wherein the butterfly is acted on by the cam surface at an appropriate position required for closing of the needle valve at the appropriate time in the can filling cycle.
In accordance with current practice the shaft carrying the bifurcated lever is caused to rotate by extension against the upper butterfly arm of an extendible and retractable shaft which is actuated by an pneumatic cylinder. The extendible/retractable shaft has a blunt end with rounded edges which is of a small diameter and spaced so as to strike the butterfly arm at a point offset from the central axis of the rotatable shaft.
Due this design, the upper arm of the butterfly routinely wears out or becomes grooved or gouged by repeated action there against of the extendible arm. Also, the rotatable shaft, itself, becomes loosened in its bearings due to the torque applied by the off-axis impact of the end of the extendible rod. The rotatable shaft is desirably frictionally held so as to avoid free rotation thereof. When worn, the shaft will rotate too easily so that the needle valve may open too rapidly and thereby be allowed to impact against other parts of the mechanism usually, the top of the beverage-containing reservoir, eventually causing the needle valve to fail. Failure of this mechanism causes a substantial loss in terms of down time, wasted beverage and various problems caused by the need to disassemble the can filling apparatus.
In view of the foregoing problems, a need has existed for improved mechanisms for controlling the valves in can filling equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved control mechanism for effecting opening of a can charging valve of the type used in filling cans with carbonated beverages. In accordance with a related aspect of the invention, the actuator mechanism provided by this mechanism, substantially minimizes wear of a butterfly control arm. Such arms are often formed of a plastic material.
In accordance with a related aspect of the invention, an actuator is provided which has a butterfly lever arm-engaging surface of a width approximating the length of the butterfly lever arm which it engages, and in any event, having the width of at least major portion, ie, at least ¾ of the length of the butterfly lever arm.
In accordance with another related aspect of the invention, the actuating surface is an arcuately curved surface with a curvature of a substantially greater radius than heretofore used is such actuating devices. This contour allows for a somewhat rolling action of the actuator against the butterfly lever arm as it slides along the length of the arm thus substantially minimizing the stresses imposed on the actuator mechanism.
In accordance still further aspects of the invention, the central axis of the actuator arm is closely aligned with the central axis of the rotatable arm which rotates to lift the bifurcated lever arm and, hence, the needle valve. Thus bending forces which cause excessive wear of the shaft bearing are minimized.
Briefly, the invention provides an actuator mechanism for a device for automatically filling cans with a carbonated beverage. The filling apparatus is of a type wherein a valve is raised and lowered for the purpose of introduction of pressurized gas into each successive container and wherein raising and lowering is accomplished by rotation of a shaft having an end with operates to raise a valve member. The opposite end of the shaft has a lever arm extending therefrom which is depressed for the purpose for rotating the shaft. The invention provides an improved actuator mechanism supported on the apparatus and which has an extendible and retractable piston member actuated by a pneumatic cylinder for depressing the lever arm. The piston member supports a lever arm-engaging block having a surface for engaging the lever arm which block is convexly, arcuately contoured and has a width substantially equal to the length of the lever arm. Preferably the convex surface is asymmetrically contoured and a part of its surface which is adapted to engage and depress lever arm generally parallels the surface of the lever arm.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the attached claims and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4522238 (1985-06-01), Minard
patent: 5058632 (1991-10-01), Lawarre, Sr. et al.
Douglas Steven O.
Ryan Kromholz & Manion SC
LandOfFree
Actuator for can filling apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Actuator for can filling apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Actuator for can filling apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2464860