Patent · US Expired

Umbrella valve assembly having drip-prevention structure disposed about product fill pipe

US5819823A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
35References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 28, 1996
Grant dateOct 13, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 28, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65B39/004
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A filling system is set fort that assists in maintaining the hygienic nature of the filling process. The filling system includes a fill pipe having an inlet for receiving a liquid product and an outlet overlying a container path along which the containers are successively transported for filling beneath the fill pipe. A drip-prevention structure is disposed about the outlet end of the fill pipe and includes a downwardly directed honed edge. The filling system further includes an umbrella valve assembly. The umbrella valve assembly comprises a linear actuator, an umbrella valve cone disposed proximate the outlet end of the fill pipe, and a valve rod disposed in the fill pipe between the linear actuator and the valve cone. The linear actuator is connected to move the valve rod and umbrella valve cone between a first position in which product is prevented from exiting the fill pipe and a second position that allows product to flow from the outlet of the fill pipe. The downwardly directed honed edge of the drip-prevention structure wipes the umbrella valve cone when the linear actuator moves the valve rod and umbrella valve cone between the second and first positions during each succes…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.