Carton filling system
AssigneeTetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
InventorsJohn Rodrigue, Susan G. Perreault
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for dispensing liquid food products is disclosed. The product is drawn from a source to a metering chamber through a supply valve, and then conducted to a dispensing valve to fill performed containers. The valves have a valve stem that reciprocates to open and close the valve. The valve stem is supported in the passage through which the product flows by bearings. The bearings have balls that engage the stem and the wall of the passage. The use of balls to support the stem facilitates cleaning of the passage after use, and yet provides good support for the valve stem.
Claims10
Apparatus for dispensing liquid products comprising:
- a source of liquid product;
- dispensing valve means for selectively dispensing a quantity of liquid product;
- liquid conduit means for conducting liquid product from said source to said dispensing valve means;
- said conduit means including metering chamber means for displacing a predetermined quantity of liquid product and including supply valve means for controlling flow of liquid product from said source into said metering chamber;
- said supply valve means including a valve element and a valve stem connected to said valve element for displacing said valve element relative to a valve seat;
- bearing means for said valve stem, said bearing means being positioned in said conduit means and including a plurality of balls engaging said valve stem.
An apparatus for dispensing liquid food products of the type having a control valve for controlling the flow of said product, said control valve having a valve body which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening and an internal passage between the inlet and outlet opening, said control valve including a valve element for closing said outlet opening upon engagement with a valve seat and a valve stem connected with the valve element for displacing the valve element relative to the valve seat, the improvement wherein said valve stem is guided within said internal passage by bearing means, said bearing means including a plurality of balls in said internal passage engaging said valve stem.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.