Two chamber filling tank

摘要

A beverage filling machine (10) for conserving beverage at the end of a production run of the type comprising at least one filling assembly (20) for filling a beverage container (22) and a supply tank (12) for supplying beverage (32) to the filling assembly (20). The machine (10) is characterized by the supply tank (12) including a an endless wall (42) movable between an open position disposed above a ledge (38) disposed vertically above said bottom (28) for allowing beverage (32) to level completely across the tank (12) and a closed position in sealing engagement with the ledge for dividing said tank (12) into an isolated volume (34) and a useable volume (36) for removing beverage (32) from said isolated volume (34) and allowing beverage (32) to level only in said useable volume (36). An actuator (46) moves the endless wall (42) vertically between the open and closed positions. A main supply line (60) establishes beverage flow with the bottom (28) of said tank (12) below the ledge (38) and a secondary supply line (62) establishes beverage flow above said ledge (38) and outside of the endless wall (42). Valves (68, 70 and 74) control the flow of beverage to and from the tank (12) and the useable volume (36), abetted by a pump (76).