GB723075A - An improved form of vacuum closing machine for tinplate containers and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

723,075. Closuring containers in vacuo. CLARKE, D. Feb. 4, 1954 [Nov. 5, 1952], No. 27801/52. Class 125 (2). Relates to machines for closuring containers in vacuo in which a sleeve 8 is raised around a container 4 carried on a platform 6 until it abuts a gasket on the underside of the sealing head 1, suction is applied by a valve 20 to the enclosed space around the container and the rest 6 is raised to introduce the container top into the sealing head. According to the invention, the sleeve is open-bottomed, the bottom being closed in the raised position by cooperation with a fixed closure member 7. This allows liquid to drain from the sleeve into a catch tray 14 when the former is lowered. As shown, the sleeve has a restricted lower end which fits the closure member 7. Alternatively, the sleeve may be of uniform diameter and the closure member may be expanded into engagement with the lower end thereof by suction means. As shown the sleeve is carried by a member 9 fixed to a cylinder 21 slidable on a hollow, fixed piston rod 22, the space above the piston being connected by the rod and by a pipe 25 and three-way valve 26 to the suction valve 20. In operation, a container is pushed by hand on to the platform 6 and rotates a lever 27 to rotate a rod 31 which removes a catch 30 from member 9. This allows spring 29 to raise the sleeve 8 and then valve 20 vacuumizes the container space. The container is then raised, sealed and lowered and valve 20 operates to vent the container space and apply suction to pipe 25. This draws down the cylinder 21 and sleeve 8 which is retained lowered bv the catch 30 when the sealed container is removed. In modifications the cylinder 21 may be fixed and the sleeve 8 carried on the piston rod or the sleeve may be raised by a system of levers.