Method and apparatus for minimizing foam in filling cartons

Apparatus for dispensing liquids comprising:

• a machine frame;
• a discharge nozzle having an internal bore, a liquid inlet conduit;
• support means on said frame for supporting said nozzle and said conduit at fixed locations in alignment along a central axis;
• first and second sleeves arranged coaxial with said central axis;
• a first bellows mounted between said nozzle and said second sleeve, a second bellows mounted between said second sleeve and said first sleeve, a third bellows mounted between said first sleeve and said liquid inlet conduit;
• a discharge valve element mounted in said nozzle for reciprocating movement along said central axis, into and out of engagement with a valve seat, said discharge valve element includes a valve stem, and spring;
• said first sleeve having a control valve therein for controlling the flow of liquid from said third bellows to said second bellows when the pressure of the liquid in the third bellows is greater than the pressure in the second bellows;
• said second sleeve being in engagement with said valve stem upon movement of said second sleeve toward said nozzle;
• and
• said first, second and third bellows being coaxial with said central axis, whereby relative axial motion of said first and second sleeves selectively controls the discharge of liquid out of said nozzle at a predetermined rate.

A method of dispensing liquids into cartons comprising

• (a) providing a fixed nozzle above a carton that is to be filled, said nozzle having a discharge valve element mounted for reciprocating axial movement between an open and closed position,
• (b) providing first and second sleeves in substantially axial alignment with said nozzle, with a first bellows between said nozzle and said second sleeve, and a second bellows between said second and said first sleeve, and a third bellows between said first sleeve and a liquid inlet, said first, second and third bellows being mounted in substantially vertical alignment,
• (c) displacing said second sleeve toward said nozzle while maintaining the volume of said first and second bellows substantially constant,
• (d) opening said discharge valve element in response to said second sleeve displacing, to allow discharge of liquid from the nozzle,
• (e) displacing said first sleeve toward said nozzle at a predetermined rate to compensate for the flow of liquid from said nozzle,
• (f) closing said discharge valve element, and
• (g) subsequently displacing said first sleeve away from said nozzle to recharge liquid in said first and second bellows, said first sleeve including a check valve to control liquid flow between said second and third bellows.

A method of dispensing liquid into cartons comprising:

• (a) positioning a carton under a nozzle, said nozzle having a central axis and a discharge valve element between an open and closed position,
• (b) filling a first and second bellows through a liquid inlet from a third bellows with a predetermined volume of liquid, said bellows being axially aligned with and in liquid communication with said nozzle, said first and second bellows being separated by a second movable sleeve and said second and third bellows being separated by a first movable sleeve,
• (c) closing the liquid inlet of said first and second bellows,
• (d) opening the discharge valve element by axial displacement of the valve element, said axial displacement induced by axial displacement of said second sleeve, and
• (e) maintaining the inlet of said first and second bellows closed while said discharge valve element is opening and
• (f) subsequently closing said discharge valve element so that a predetermined quantity of liquid is dispensed from said first and second bellows.