GB1300061A - Improved liquid filling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1300061 Filling containers GIMSON & CO (LEICESTER) Ltd 6 July 1970 [15 April 1969] 19135/69 Heading B8T An apparatus for filling a keg 1 or other container having a closure valve with beverage, e.g. beer, includes a dispensing head 10, e.g. under which the keg is moved by a conveyer, the dispensing head 10 having a beverage inlet controlled by a valve 6 and an outlet for displaced gas, e.g. controlled by a solenoid valve 11, a valve opening member, e.g. a skirt (13), Fig. 2 (not shown), and means which causes the head to be depressed, e.g. a pneumatic ram 4, to engage and open a keg closure valve 2, a pressure sensitive device 7 being provided to sense the pressure within the keg, and means activated by said device to close the inlet valve when said pressure rises due to beverage obstructing said outlet. The keg may actuate a switch 3 which causes the head to be depressed and also opens the inlet valve 6. As the keg fills, displaced gas exits through the outlet until this is blocked by the liquid level, pressure then rising until it actuates high pressure contacts in a sensor 7, via a pressure line 12, to close valve 6. Valve 11 may also be moved into a fully open position in which it will rapidly pass the excess beverage. Keg pressure therefore diminishes and low pressure contacts in the sensor 7 are actuated to retract the ram. The keg may be pre-charged with CO 2 via a line (19), Fig. 3 (not shown), and the beverage inlet may have a valve (15), and the gas outlet a non-return valve (22) to prevent beverage drips from the retracted head. The kegs may be filled in the inverted position and may be steam cleaned via the head.