GB822674A - Filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

822,674. Filling machines. CARTER, C. F. Aug. 7, 1957 [June 20, 1957], No. 24823 /57. Class 94(1). [Also in Group XVIII] Apparatus for filling lined or unlined containers with powder comprises a shroud to enclose a substantial portion of the container and having in its upper wall an opening conforming to the exterior cross-section of the container, a support for positioning the container within the shroud with its upper end or the upper end of the liner extending through the opening, a filling head spaced above the opening and adapted to make sealing engagement with upper end of the container or liner, means for applying a vacuum to the interior of the container through the head to cause powder to flow into the container and means for evacuating the shroud. A shroud 14 and filling head 15 are suspended from scale mechanism 12, the shroud supporting a cylinder 42 to which pressure-fluid may be admitted to raise a platform 40 supporting a container C having a liner L. The mouth of the liner extends outwardly and downwardly over a venting ring 60 formed with apertures 63 communicating with perforated tubes 61 which extend downwardly between the container and liner. The container is raised until the liner engages a gasket 70 on the head 15 and a sealing ring 57 on the shroud. If the liner and venting ring are admitted, the gasket and sealing ring engage the upper end of the container. Vacuum is applied to the shroud through a pipe controlled by a valve 58 so that air is withdrawn from the space between the container and liner to prevent collapse of the latter during the filling operation, the shroud being subsequently vented through the valve 59. The head 15 comprises ports 71, 72 covered by screens 73, 74 to which vacuum is applied alternatively under the control of valves 75, 76 to cause powder to flow in increments through pasasage 81 controlled by main and secondary valves 80 and 82, further valves 77 and 78 being provided to connect the ports 71, 72 periodically to atmosphere to clean the screens 73, 74. The scale beam 20 is arranged to operate two microswitches A and B controlling the valves 80 and 82 respectively, the switch A being operated when the beam commences to rise so that the valve 80 is closed and a restricted flow of powder continues through the valve 82, and the switch B being operated when the beam reaches its upper limit position to cause closure of the valve 82. The shroud 14 is fitted with a door 31 which may be opened and closed by a lever 34 operated by a fluid-pressure cylinder 35 to allow insertion of an empty container and the ejection of a filled container by a pusher 51 operated by a fluid-pressure cylinder 50 carried by the shroud. Specification 786,368 is referred to.