Filling valve for counterpressure filling of cans
AssigneeCrown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.
InventorChung J. Yun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Counterpressure valves for filling cans with liquids under pressure such as carbonated beverages are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a filing valve in which the seal between the valve and a can is created by an O-ring seal disposed about a valve member. Preferably, two concentric, axially-spaced O-rings are used; a first o-ring serves as a guide, while the second, slightly larger O-ring creates a seal. Since the sealing O-ring may be moved axially along the can to permit the head space volume to expand, the need for a snift valve or similar relief valve is eliminated. Sealing valves utilizing radially expandable gaskets are also disclosed. In these embodiments, the gasket expand radially under counterpressure to form a seal with the inner surface of the can.
Claims19
A valve for the counterpressure filling of cans with a pressurized fluid comprising:
- (a) a valve body;
- (b) valve member movable with respect to said valve body from a closed position to a substantially open position for dispensing the pressurized fluid to the cans;
- (c) sealing means coupled to said valve body for sealing the cans to the valve body, said sealing means comprising a flexible ring-shaped member movable from a normally unexpanded position to an expanded position, said ring-shaped member being moved by said pressurized fluid from said normally unexpanded position to said expanded position such that in said expanded position said flexible ring-shaped member exerts a radial sealing pressure on said cans.
A valve for counterpressure filling of cans with carbonated liquid and counterpressure gas, said cans being of the type having a flanged open end, said valve comprising:
- (a) a valve body;
- (b) a first valve member movable with respect said valve body from a closed position to a substantially open position for dispensing the counterpressure gas to the cans;
- (c) a second valve member movable with respect to said valve body for dispensing the carbonated liquid to the cans;
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- (d) sealing means coupled to said valve body for sealing the cans to the valve body without excessive endloading, wherein said sealing means comprises an expandable gasket movable from a normally unexpanded position to an expanded position, said gasket being displaced by entry of the counterpressure gas into the cans such that said gasket exerts a radial sealing pressure on said cans whereby said sealing means moves into sealing engagement with the flanged open end of the cans substantially when said first valve member moves to its open position.
An apparatus for the counterpressure filling of cans with pressurized fluid comprising:
- (a) a valve body;
- (b) a valve member movable with respect to said valve body from a closed position from a closed position to a substantially open position for dispensing the pressurized fluid;
- (c) sealing means coupled to said valve body for sealing the cans to the valve body without excessive endloading, wherein said means comprises an expandable gasket movable from an unexpanded position to an expanded position, said gasket being displaced by entry of the pressurized fluid into the cans such that said sealing means moves into sealing engagement with the cans substantially when said valve member moves to its open position;
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- (d) means for moving said cans into a filling position in engagement with said sealing means without excessive endloading of the cans.
A sealing device for use with a filling valve for counterpressure filling of cans with pressurized fluid, wherein said filling valve is adapted for movement from a closed position to a substantially open position, said device comprising:
- (a) a flexible member moved by entry of pressurized fluid into the cans from a normally unexpanded position to an expanded position such that said flexible member exerts a radial sealing pressure on said cans substantially when the filling valve moves to its open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.