GB784922A - Improvements in or relating to a machine and method for supplying a charge of propellant to an aerosol container and for thereafter sealing the latter - Google Patents

Abstract

784,922. Filling and closuring aerosol containers. PRECISION VALVE CORPORATION. Jan. 25, 1956 [May 4, 1955], No. 2465/56. Class 125(2). In filling an aerosol container having a valved closure, the mouth of the container carrying the closure loosely is sealed to a filling head, the closure is lifted clear of the mouth, propellant is supplied to the container, the closure is lowered to the container and then sealed thereon, and lastly the seal between the head and the container mouth is broken. Preferably the closure is of the type which is expanded into engagement with the mouth as disclosed in Specification 680,067 [Group XXIX]. As shown, the head comprises upper and lower cylinders 20, 21 fixed to an arm 6 carried at the top of a vertically slidable rod 8 reciprocated by a continuously-running motor 13 through a brakeclutch mechanism 15, gear box 10 and a crank 13. In operation, a container C is placed in a locating member 50 and actuates a switch 51 which causes a timer to be energized. The timer first actuates a control 52 which throws in clutch 15 and crank 13 moves through half a revolution to lower the arm 6, the clutch being then thrown out by a switch 18 actuated by a cam 16 driven from gear box 10. At this stage the shoulder of the container seals against a gasket 53 at the bottom of cylinder 21 and the closure X seals against a gasket 30 carried by a cylindrical flange 29 depending from the lower piston 28. The timer now opens a solenoid valve 54 in pipe 45 so that vacuum is applied above piston 28, this vacuum being communicated through a bore 55 to the upper side of the closure to hold it against the gasket 30. The timer then opens a solenoid valve 56 to admit pressurized air through pipe 46 below the piston 28 which is thus raised carrying the closure with it. The timer then opens twin valves 49 so that propellant flows into the container through pipes 48 which are tangential to the inner bore of block 27 to reduce foaming. After filling valves 49 close and vent valves 57 in pipes 45, 46 are opened so that a spring 44 lowers piston 28 and the closure is freed from the gasket and enters the container mouth. The timer then actuates a valve 42 so that pressure air passes through pipe 40 to the upper side of piston 37 in the upper cylinder 20. The piston descends and a plunger 39 depending therefrom expands fingers 35 so that the closure is expanded into the container mouth. When the piston 37 reaches its lowest point, it opens a switch 58 which reverses valve 42 so that pressure air flows through pipe 41 to raise the piston 37. The timer then actuates control 52 so that the crank 13 makes another half-turn to raise the arm 6 and then the clutch is thrown out by a cam 17 actuating switch 19. In a modified form the head may be fixed and the container support movable vertically.