GB655622A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for vacuumizing, gassing and closing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

655,622. Food canning. CONTINENTAL CAN CO., Inc. Jan. 6, 1948, No. 449. Convention date, Dec. 20, 1946. [Class 49] An apparatus for vacuumizing gassing and closing containers comprises in combination a vacuumizing and gassing machine A, a closing machine B, means for feeding filled containers and closures into the vacuumizing and gassing machine, means for gradually drawing a relatively low vacuum in a first stage in the vacuumizing machine, means for drawing a relatively high vacuum in a second stage in the vacuumizing and gassing machine, the said closures having provision for engaging in and effecting a temporary friction closure of the containers and means of bring- ing this about so as to avoid disturbing the vacuumized and gassed condition in the containers as they are being fed from the vacuumizing and gassing machine into the closing machine to be perma- :nently sealed therein. As shown, containers 64 are fed on to a disc 137 and are presented to the screw 142 which times them on to the chain 144. The containers move past a cam 192 which when no container passes operates to prevent covers 62 which otherwise are fed by the mechanism D on to the containers which have passed into the pockets of a turret 150 which diverts the containers and covers on to pads 51 of the vacuumizing and gassing machine turret 12. The pad is lifted into position to seal the container treating bell 53 with the container and cover therein loosely assembled (Fig. 4). A chuck 73 is then lifted to free the fingers 78 and permit them to lift the cover 62 from the open top of the container 64. With the cover held above the open top of the container a port 117 comes into communication with a port 107 through which a low vacuum is drawn in the container. The port 117 next passes into communication with a high vacuum duct 109 to effect completion of vacuumization. The port 117 next passes into communication with a gas duct 112 through which the container is gassed. After the vacuumizing and gassing is completed the chuck 73 is forced downwardly causing release of the cover by fingers 78 and a temporary tight friction assembly as the lower heel portion 63 is forced into the container. Thereafter the pad 51 is lowered and the temporary closed container is transferred by a turret 164, guide 165 and turret 167 from the vacuumizing and gassing machine to a closing turret 168 of the closing machine. A control 194 operates to close a valve 120 to prevent vacuumizing and gassing when no container is present. U.S.A. Specification 1,752,912 is referred to.