Filling valve apparatus

A filling valve apparatus for filling a container with a fluid, said apparatus comprising:

• a body portion defining an aperture for directing the fluid into the container with said body portion defining a sealing seat about said aperture and having an inner wall extending at least partially below said seat outboard of said aperture to define a trap for the fluid;
• a cage extending from said body portion with said cage having an inner wall mating with said inner wall of said body portion to define a continuous inner surface;
• and
• a movable member having a seal movably disposed within said body portion between a closed position with said seal seated against said sealing seat for blocking a flow of the fluid into the container and an open position with said seal spaced from said sealing seat for allowing the fluid to flow into the container;
• said apparatus characterized by said movable member having an outer surface that is complementary in configuration with said continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed through said aperture and into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between said inner and outer surfaces and into the container.