GB591402A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of capsules containing liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

591,402. Collapsable tubes ; filling containers. POSNER, K. July 8, 1944, Nos. 13085 and 20171. [Classes 66 and 94 (i)] [Also in Groups V and VI] Apparatus 'for the manufacture and filling of containers made of plastic material, e.g., gelatine cellulose ethers or esters, polymerization products, comprises means for extruding a tube of the material, tools for applying heat and pressure to close the tube at one region, at least two guide rollers for feeding the tube to the tools, and a hollow member adapted for communicating with the interior of the tube for introducing content material, the arrangement being such that the tools act successively on different regions of the tube as it is fed to the tools thereby entrapping the content material between two closed regions. As shown in Fig. 3, plastic material is fed through an electrically heated cylinder 5 by a screw 4 to an annular nozzle 13 in member 14 formed with a tubular mandrel 18. Member 14 is provided with a heater 15. The plastic tube 19 so formed passes between guide rollers 16, 17, the former being embossed at 22 to impress a suitable mark on the tube. Alternatively, the embossed parts may be supplied with ink or the roller 16 may attach a label to the tube. The tube then passes to rotating tools 32, 33, heated by heaters 34, whereby it is closed at pre-deterrnined distances along its length. After the tube has been closed, a cam 28 closes contact 29 in an electric circuit including a solenoid-operated valve 52, which is opened for a predetermined period to allow the passage of liquid from tank 50 which may be fitted with a cooling device. To prevent the plastic tube from collapsing, compressed air is introduced through pipe 61 and passage 60. To equalize the pressure, pipe 61 also leads to the top of tank 50. After being filled with the desired amount of liquid, the descending tube is closed by the next set of tools 32, 33 and is thereafter severed by tools 45, 46. Alternatively, tools 45, 46 may merely indent or perforate the tube so as to leave a string of capsules which may subsequently be severed manually or in an automatic vending machine, or the tools may be omitted. The rollers 16, 17, and tools 32, 33, 45, 46 are geared together, the shaft 31 taking the drive. In Fig. 4, the tube 70 is intermittently fed to the filling and sealing mechanism by rollers 75, 76, the intermittent movement resulting from the action of a continuously rotating gear wheel 73 having a section free of teeth. A rotating coaxial gear wheel 74, operating through gears 77, 83, 84, causes eccentric studs 90, 91 to rotate in reverse directions, these studs engaging slots 92, 93 in plates 94, 95 which are thereby caused to reciprocate in a slide formed on the frame 96. A piercing device 97 arranged on plate 94, communicates with the outlet 100 of a filling tank and injects liquid through the wall of the tube 70 when a stud 101 on plate 94 closes switch 56 thereby energising the solenoidoperated valve 88. Electrically heated tools 102, 103 close the tube at the point where the device 97 has pierced it thereby sealing the hole, and tools 104, 105 sever, indent or perforate the tube at the closed region. Fig. 7 shows a modification with the filling &c. mechanism similar to that of Fig. 4, wherein the tube is extruded intermittently by a reciprocating piston 112. In another modification, the arrangement is as shown in Fig. 7, except that the filling device is as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 9, the filling, closing and cutting devices are similar to those of Fig. 4, but are movable with the tube to enable this to pass continuously through the device. They are accordingly mounted on plates 135, 136 slidably mounted on plate 142 which is in turn mounted on slides on frame 137. Downward movement of plate 142 is effected by the action of a cam 153 on a roller 154 mounted on the plate, the return movement being ensured by springs 157. The cam is so shaped that the speed of the downward movement is the same as that of the tube 181 passing through rollers 151, 152. Movement of the plates 135, 136 is effected by electromagnets 162, 163 against the action of springs 160, 161. A cam surface 170 co-operates with a lever 172 to close switch 166 for an appropriate period in the cycle thereby causing the filling device 130, closing tools 131, 132 and severing tools 133, 134 to operate on the tube. A further cam surface 176, co-operating with lever 174 closes a second switch 173 for an appropriate period to open solenoidoperated filling valve 168. Tube extruded by the device of Fig. 3, may be employed. Fig. 17 shows a form of closing tool which may be used. Specifications 570,128, 570,451 and 591,442 are referred to. According to the first Provisional Specification, the tube may be left open at the end remote from extrusion nozzle and the content material introduced through the open end, which is then sealed. According to the second Provision Specification, the tube may be squeezed and severed from say four sides.