Importance

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Abstract

A filling apparatus (10) for filling beverage containers (C) with carbonated liquid beverage (B) includes a rotating filling table (16) in which is supported a central tank (26). Beverage containers (C) are sequentially brought into registry with the filling table (16) where they undergo successive phases of vacuum, counter pressure, fill/vent, and snifting before they are released to a separate capping operation. A liquid supply (14) feeds liquid beverage (B) to the bottom of the central tank (26) and a CO2 supply (32) feeds pressurized CO2 into the top of the central tank (26). A plurality of valve housings (44) are spaced in generally equal radial and equal circumferential increments about the periphery of the filling table (16) and are associated with a beverage container (C) being filled. Liquid (36), gas (38) and vent (40) conduits extend between the central tank (26) and each valve housing (44). Each valve housing (44) includes a liquid chamber (54) having an outlet (52) for discharging liquid into the beverage container (C), and a vent chamber (60) isolated from the liquid chamber (54). A reciprocating valve (100) is linearly slidably disposed in each valve housing (44) for selective movement between a closed position sealing the outlet (52) and a fill position for passing liquid through the outlet (52) to the beverage container (C). The valves (100) each include a liquid section immersed in the liquid chamber (54), and a vent section disposed in the vent chamber (60). The durable reciprocating valves (100) can be retrofit on central tank filling units still in service, as well as used in new manufacture central tank filling machines.

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First Claim