GB938872A - Method and apparatus for filling and sealing containers and conveying devices for use in such apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

938,872. Bottling. W. PECHMANN. Nov. 27, 1959 [Nov. 29, 1958], No. 40450/59. Class 125(2). [Also in Group XXX] Apparatus for filling and sealing ampoules comprises a conveyer chain 12 having recesses 13 into which the ampoules are introduced in groups from a magazine 15, a filling station 11 with filling needles 18 for simultaneously filling a group of ampoules and a sealing station 10 where the ampoule stems are melted and fused, there being provision for gas to be introduced or evacuated from the ampoule during the sealing operation. The conveyer 12 which is slightly inclined so that the ampoules rest against the curved part 14 of the recesses is advanced intermittently an amount equal to the length of the group of ampoules being treated and the magazine 15 follows this movement but returns to its initial position relatively slowly during which time the ampoules drop from the magazine into the recesses 13 of the conveyer. At the filling station, Fig. 4, the ampoule 19 is positioned by gripping devices 20, 21 below a filling needle 18 mounted on a frame 25 which is moved vertically by a rack 26. The grippers 20, 21 are operated by two levers 36, 37 having forked ends and being normally held by a bolt 43 against the action of springs 40, 41 joining the ends of the levers to a pin 42 on the frame. When the bolt is moved in the direction of arrow 44, the levers slide in guideways to operate the grippers. If no ampoule is fed to the filling head the levers then slide in the guideways until a locking nose 45 engages the rack 26 to prevent the filling needle being lowered. The filling operation is thus stopped since a clamp 27 on the supply pipe to the needle is only operated on the downward movement of the needle. Each filling needle has a separate pump 46, Fig. 5, the piston 47 of which is driven from a crank 54 reciprocating a lever 53 to which via a link 51 a Bowden cable 48 connects a two armed lever 49 operating the piston. The stroke of the piston is adjustable by vertical movement of the link 51 and by adjustment of the stop 59. Springs 67, 72 at either end of the outer casing of the Bowden cable give to render the mechanism inoperative under abnormal stress, i.e. a sticking piston. During the sealing operation the ampoule stem 78 is held by a wire 81 in the forked end of a gripping member 80. Burners 82 heat the stem to render it plastic and the gripper parts 80, 81 are then lifted to lengthen the stem. The ampoules are then passed to a further sealing station at which a tube for supplying or withdrawing gas is inserted in the top of the stem and the final sealing operation is carried out whilst the evacuation or supply of gas is continued.