Ted F Mckaughan

US Patent:

7350545, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Mar 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/685858

Inventors:

Edwin K. Ruble - Parkton MD, US
Demetrios Stavrakis - Booklandville MD, US
Ted McKaughan - Forest Hill MD, US

Assignee:

ADCOR Industries, Inc. - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

B65B 43/42

US Classification:

141147, 141 57, 141144, 141146, 141285, 141302

Abstract:

A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

US Patent:

20050199314, Sep 15, 2005

Filed:

Mar 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/079157

Inventors:

Edwin Ruble - Parkton MD, US
Demetrios Stavrakis - Booklandville MD, US
Ted McKaughan - Forest Hill MD, US

International Classification:

B65B001/04

US Classification:

141146000

Abstract:

A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

US Patent:

58846778, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

Sep 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

/145669

Inventors:

Ted McKaughan - Forest Hill MD

Assignee:

Crown Simplimatic Incorporated - Lynchburg VA

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141145

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).

US Patent:

59244623, Jul 20, 1999

Filed:

Sep 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/922657

Inventors:

Ted McKaughan - Forest Hill MD

Assignee:

Crown Simplimatic - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

B65B 306

US Classification:

141145

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).