GB1233688A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,233,688. Filling containers; stopping articles on endless conveyers. H. J. HEINZ CO. 19 March, 1970 [8 May, 1969], No. 13398/70. Headings B8A and B8T. In a machine for filling cans with fluid, e.g. ketchup, under aseptic conditions, the cans are carried through an elongated chamber filled with steam in which the filling operation is carried out. The conveyer system, comprises link conveyer 10, 12, driven continuously by motor 21 via chain or sprocket system 20, 22 (Fig. 1). The cans are carried past a proximity switch 100 until they are stopped by star wheel 30, when six containers are aligned under six filling heads 50. The star wheel is held against counter clockwise rotation by pawl 36 acting in groove 35 of cam wheel 34 (Fig. 3) attached to the same spindle 31 as the star wheel. On completion of filling, relay 41 causes high pressure air to be admitted to cylinder 39 briefly pushing rod 40 outwards to disengage pawl 36 from groove 35, the rod 40 then returns, allowing the pawl 36 to engage cam 34. The star wheel rotates one revolution before the pawl again engages groove 35, thus permitting the six filled cans to pass along the conveyer. The completion of a revolution of the star wheel is detected by proximity switch 44 registering the passage of rod 43 attached to the cam 34. The filling system, comprises nozzles 54, filling valves 56 and level detectors 80, Fig. 6. The product flows from tank 71 via manifold 69 and pipes 68 to the filling heads 50. The flow is controlled by valves 56 actuated via valve stem 57 and rod 63 by means of a pneumatic piston and cylinder 65 which is controlled by relay 67. A biological seal is provided around valve stem 57 by pipe 59 into which high pressure steam is fed from pipe 60, the steam being removed via pipe 61. Electrical probes 80 detect when the containers have been filled. The probes 80 are attached to angle bar 78 and may be raised or lowered through chamber wall 8 by link work 85, 86, 88, and shaft 89. Shaft 89 may be oscillated by link work (90), (91), Fig. 7 (not shown), actuated by means of a pneumatic piston and cylinder (93) which is controlled by a relay (98). The position of the probes is detected by switches (96) and (97). The operating schedule.-Initially the filling valves are closed and the level probes are in their raised position. Cans are fed on the conveyer system past proximity switch 100 which will allow filling to commence after six cans have passed it. When six cans are positioned below the filling head the level probes are lowered and the filling valves opened. When the cans have been filled to the height of the level probe, the filling is stopped, when all the cans have been filled the level probes are lifted and the star wheel is released for rotation of one revolution, permitting the six cans to leave the filling station. When the star wheel has completed its rotation proximity switches 100, and 44 start the cycle over again.