초록 ▼

A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem

A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A filling valve for filling a container comprising: a valve body having a chamber,a nozzle being connected to the chamber, the nozzle comprising an outlet,a valve seat having at least one aperture connecting the valve body chamber with the nozzle,a substantially planar sealing surface around the

1. A filling valve for filling a container comprising: a valve body having a chamber,a nozzle being connected to the chamber, the nozzle comprising an outlet,a valve seat having at least one aperture connecting the valve body chamber with the nozzle,a substantially planar sealing surface around the at least one aperture,a closure valve selectively engaging the sealing surface, adapted for controlling the flow of fluid through the at least one aperture the closure valve comprising a rod and an o-ring,a valve stem being adapted for operatively moving the closure valve between a valve open position and a valve closed position,a cap vertically positioned above the valve stem, the cap comprising an aperture, an end of the rod extending through the aperture,a rotatable valve cam positioned above the cap, the cam having a bearing surface, a groove and a recess, the end of the rod selectively engaging the cam, anda spring positioned between the cap and the closure valve, the spring, urging the rod upward,wherein, when the cam provides a downward force against the rod, the spring is compressed, the o-ring is seated against the sealing surface and the closure valve is closed. 2. The filling valve of claim 1, where the cap remains in contact with the bearing surface adjacent the groove to urge the valve stem downward in the valve closed position. 3. The filling valve of claim 1, where further rotation of the cam past an edge of the bearing surface causes the closure valve to close, and a snift valve is actuated to remove most of a gas in the container prior to filling to pre-evacuate the container prior to re-pressurization and filling. 4. The filling valve of claim 3, where further rotation of the cam allows the cap to begin to lift enabling a valve spring to urge the valve stem upward, while the cap remains in contact with the cam. 5. The filling valve of claim 4, whereas the rod of valve stem lifts, the container is re-pressurized, while no liquid will flow. 6. The filling valve of claim 5, where further rotation of the cam causes the cap to be partially off a high lobe of the cam, and as the vent tube rod of the valve stem continues to lift, liquid begins to flow from the reservoir through the valve seat and into the container after re-pressurization. 7. The filling valve of claim 1, where an edge of a bearing surface of the cam is configured to enable a partial opening of the valve to an intermediate position, thereby providing a reduced flow rate through the valve seat and into the container to minimize any production of foam at the beginning of a fill cycle. 8. The filling valve of claim 4, where further rotation of the cam causes the recess in the cam to pass over the cap enabling the valve spring to urge the valve stem and cap upward to a full-open position, enabling a full flow rate of fluid through the valve seat. 9. The filling valve of claim 8, where upon reversing rotation of the cam, the bearing surface is made to engage the cap and the end of the vent tube rod to close the valve and compress a pressure spring and the valve spring. 10. The filling valve of claim 1, where the valve stem comprises at least one outwardly extending protrusion for guiding the valve stem within the valve body chamber. 11. The filling valve of claim 10, where the valve stem comprises three or more protrusions positioned about the periphery of the valve stem for centering the stem in the chamber. 12. The filling valve of claim 1wherein the cap and valve stem translate axially up and down between an upper and a lower position, andwherein the bearing surface on the cam holds the cap and the end of the vent tube rod in the valve closed position, the recess is configured for actuating the valve stem and the spring is adapted for pressing the vent seal against the vent tube for closing the closure valve when the cap and valve stem are in the valve closed position, andwherein rotation of the valve cam to a counter-pressure position causes the groove in the valve cam to pass over the end of the vent tube rod thereby enabling a pressure spring to urge the vent tube rod upward into the groove to remain in contact with the earn and cause the vent tube rod to disengage the from the sealing surface to thereby open the vent seal and cause pressurizing gas to flow through the vent tube and into the container. 13. The filling valve of claim 1, where the cam comprises an intermediate position that provides a partial filling mode or a reduced flow rate for inhibiting foaming action as an initial flow of fluid enters the container. 14. The filling valve of claim 13 wherein after the initial flow of fluid enters the container, the cam is rotated to provide a full-open flow rate.