Filling device for filling containers

An apparatus for filling bottles having open mouths, which comprises:

• a source of liquid to be filled into bottles;
• a filling tube having an upper portion in liquid flow communication with said source and a lower portion receivable through the open mouth of a bottle so that liquid can flow from said source through said filling tube into the bottle;
• an exhaust tube extending through said filling tube, the lower end of said exhaust tube being adapted to extend into and communicate with the interior of the bottle and the upper end of said exhaust tube being adapted to communicate with the ambient atmosphere so that air can be discharged from the bottle while the bottle is being filled with the liquid;
• a sealing member surrounding said filling tube and adapted for sealing the perimeter of the open mouth of the bottle;
• means defining pressure detecting port means located and arranged to communicate with the interior of the bottle when said bottle is sealed by said sealing member so that the internal pressure of the bottle is applied to said port means;
• a first valve movable between open and closed positions for controlling the flow of liquid from said source into the bottle and means connecting said first valve for actuation to its closed position in response to an increase of pressure at said port means, caused when the level of the liquid in the bottle has risen so as to block the lower end of said exhaust tube, whereby to stop flow of liquid into the bottle.