GB625122A - Improvements in and relating to the drawing, evacuation and sealing of ampoules and like containers - Google Patents

Abstract

625,122. Machine for sealing ampoules. MAY & BAKER, Ltd., and DANCEY, T. L. Aug. 14, 1946, No. 24197. [Class 81(i)] Apparatus for drawing, evacuating and sealing ampoules or like containers comprises means whereby the charged am poules or the like are spaced in a series of relatively movable upper and lower grippers upon a carrier adapted to be rotated to carry the ampoules or the like successively through a series of stations in determined positions in relation to the axis of rotation of the carrier, the ampoules or the like being in sequence carried through a heating zone in which the neck parts are heated, subjected to drawing by relative separation of the upper and lower grippers for the formation of corresponding capillaries, subjected to evacuation, again heated for the sealing of the capillaries and finally ejected. As shown in Fig. 1, a circular base frame 1 has a central vertical standard 3 upon which is mounted a rotatable carrier 4, supported on bearings 6 seated in a central recess on the upper face of the frame 1 and comprising a circular platform 7 having a lower annulus 9 spaced therefrom by means of rigid struts 8. Sets of complementary grippers are provided on the platform 7 and annulus 9. The lower grippers, seated on the annulus 9, comprise two jaws 20 which may be opened by engagement with cams 23, 24, 25, Fig. 2, (not shown), on the upper face of the base frame or manually by the handles 26. The upper grippers, suspended from the platform 7, each comprise a tubular stem 30 surrounded by a collar 31, which confines a sleeve 32 upon the stem, said sleeve being slidably fitted and provided at its lower end with depending gripper levers 34 having jaws 35 for gripping the upper part of an ampoule between them. The levers are formed at the upper end with inwardly directed arms 36, which are pivoted to the lower end of lugs lying at opposite sides of the sleeve 32. A collar 38 is secured to the upper end of the sleeve 32 and has flanges 39 which are engaged by one arm of a bell crank lever 41, pivoted on the bracket 40 carried on the undersurface of the platform 7. The other arm of the bell crank lever carries a roller 42 adapted to engage a continuous annular cam 43, mounted on supports 44 on the upper face of the base frame 1. The annular cam is so formed that, as the carrier 4 rotates, the bell crank levers 41 move to an extent sufficient (a) at the end of the loading station, to close the jaws of the upper grippers around the ampoules; (b) after heating, to cause the jaw levers 34 and sleeve 32 to rise, thus stretching the heated neck of the ampoules to form capilliaries; (c) after cooling, to thrust the necks of the ampoules so stretched into resilient sleeves 52 secured to the ends of the tubular stems 30 and against the heads 50 of the valves, Fig. 3A, (not shown), which open to suction applied by the exhauster 53, and (d) after sealing at a second heating stage and finally cooling, to release the ampoules therefrom. The cams 23, 24, 25, Fig. 2, (not shown), which operate the lower grippers, provide that the grippers are (a) closed at the loading station where the ampoules are inserted by hand, (b) slightly open after the formation of the capilliaries, during evacuation of the ampoules, and when the ampoules are finally released by the upper grippers, on sealing, and (c) fully open on the discharge stage when the ampoules drop through an opening 29, Fig. 2, (not shown), in the fixed annulus 28 into a delivery chute. The grippers, in contrast to the automatic ones described, may also be operated by hand.