GB344408A - Improvements in and connected with the evacuation of containers or vessels for holding substances - Google Patents

Abstract

344,408. Preserving food ; stoppering jars, bottles, &c. FORSTER, A. C., Brookside, Knowsley, Lancashire, and BLACK, G. J. F., 6, Derby Road, Burton-on- Trent. Nov. 1, 1929, No. 33204. [Class 49.] In packing food or other substances in containers, e.g. jars or bottles, having removable stoppers, the surface or the upper part of the contents are sterilized and the containers are sealed by enclosing all or the upper portion only of each container in a removable enclosure device to which steam, hot air or other sterilizing gaseous fluid or fluid mixture is then supplied, after which the container may be evacuated and is finally closed by attachment of the stopper. In one form, Figs. 1 and 2, the containers a are placed on a rotating table 1 in sockets 2 which can be arranged for different sizes of containers by insertion of rings 26 of various sizes. The table carries each container round under enclosing means in the form of a bell 3 which slides up and down in guides 9 on the main frame of the machine. The bell has a vacuum connection 12x, and a connection 12 for the sterilizing medium communicating through a ring port 36 and apertures 35 with the interior of the bell. The bell is operated from a rotating shaft 4, eccentrics 6 on which engage rods 5, the lower ends of which are connected by pin joints with slides 7 fitting and moving in cylinders 8 formed on the bell 3. The slides 7 press on springs 8x within cylinders 8 giving non-rigid pressure between the bell and the table. A ring of flexible or soft material 13 on the bell gives a yielding airtight joint with the table. After evacuation and sterilization, the stopper is pressed down by a rod 14 having a head 15 with a rubber &c. pad 15x, the rod passing through a neck 16, having suitable packing, on the bell 3. The rod 14 is moved down by a cam 17, on rotating shaft 4, which acts on a pin or roller 18 on a head 19 on a rod 23. The rods 14 and 23 are connected through a sleeve 24, sliding in a stationary case 21, and a spring 25, the rods having heads 14x, 22 on which spring 25 bears. A spring 20 in case 21 presses the rod 23 upwards after the cam 17 has pressed the rod 14 down and has left pin 18, so removing the presser 15 from the stopper. When the presser 15 has moved the stopper down, the rod 14 does not move further but spring 25 is compressed. The table 1 is intermittently actuated from shaft 4 through Geneva stop mechanism. In another form, Fig. 3, the table has deep sockets 37 for taking the containers 0 and the upper part of each container is surrounded by the bell 3, the space there-between being closed by indiarubber &c. packing 13x which also engages the upper edge of the socket 37. The closing stopper 41 is supported above the container 0 by springs 39 on a metal ring 40 resting on a projecting lip on the top of the container. After sterilization and evacua,- tion, the stopper 41 is forced past the springs 39 on to the container 0 by presser 15. In other forms, the bell 3 may be arranged so that the packing 13x will come on to the mouth of the container, or a shoulder on the container below the mouth, and make an airtight joint, no joint being made with the table. The bell may also be operated by using a starting and stopping clutch for operating the shaft effecting the raising and lowering, and the containers may be moved to and from the table or support by hand.