Title: Food dispensing valve means and control system for automatic container filling machines

Abstract: A valve and control system for filling sequentially presented containers with measured charges of semi-solid food product and the like from a feed hopper is provided in which the food product is charged into a product cylinder from the feed hopper through the valve and then discharged into a container through the valve in timed sequence with the reciprocating strokes of a piston in the product cylinder. Means are provided to monitor the discharge stroke of the piston to reverse the valve from the discharge position to the charge position before the discharge stroke of the piston is completed to cause the food product in the product cylinder to be returned to the feed hopper. This results in a dynamic discharge that precludes tailing of the food product at the valve discharge port and maintains the food product in the feed hopper in a homogenized state. The stroke of the piston is adjustable to predetermine the quantity of food product dispensed. An override is provided to preclude discharge of food product in the absence of a container to filled.

Do you think this is a good invention? Vote now:

Votes so far: For:(0) Against:(0)
Other info:

Inventors: Tiernan, Stanton W. (Baltimore, MD, US)
Epple, Richard R. (Glen Burnie, MD, US)

Application Number: 510575
Filing Date: 1974-09-30
Publication_date: 1976-01-27
Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation (Owings Mills, MD)
Primary Class(es): 141/115 141/140, 141/248, 141/258
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

3168225	Feb, 1965	Miller et al.	141/157.
3847162	Nov, 1974	Seil	141/261.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Bell, Jr., Houston S.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Birch and Birch