US1716009A

US1716009A - Capsule filling and closing machine

Info

Publication number: US1716009A
Application number: US167236A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schmidt Karl Wilhelm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1926-02-17
Filing date: 1927-02-10
Publication date: 1929-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 1946-06-04

Description

June 4, 1929.

K. W. $CHMIDT CAPSULE FILLING AND CLOSING MAGHINE Filed Feb. 1o, 1927 4 sheets-sheet i June 4, 1929. K. w. SCHMIDT 1,716,009

CAPSULE FILLING AND CLOSINQ MACHINE 'Fi1ed`Feb- 10, 1927 4 sheets-sheet 2 .7n ven/on- EfL SCAM dt CAPSULE FILLING AND CLOSING MACHINE Patented June 4, 1929.4

UNITED STATES 1,716,009I PATENT OFFICE.

KARL WILHELM-SCHMIDT, OFNUREMB'ERG, GERMANY.

CAPSULE FILLING AND CLOSING MACHINE.

VApplication filed February 10, .1927, Serial No. 167,236, and in Germany February 17V, 1926.

My invention 4relates to improvements in capsule filling and closing machines such as are used for filling dosed amounts of powderous or granular medicines into capsules.

More particularly my invention relates to machines for filling capsules or boxes comprising ak bottom part and a top part or lid.

Heretofore capsules or boxes have been filled by hand or by comparatively simple hand operated apparatus. Therefore, filling and closing of the said capsules in chemical factories is exceedingly expensive.

The object of the improvements is to provide a machine by means of which capsules and with this object in view my invention consistsfin providing a filling machine having two rotary conveying apparatus one` for supplying the bottom part of the capsule or box to a filling apparatus, and the other for supplying the top parts or lids to the filled capsules and placing the same thereon. In the preferred construction a third conveying apparatus is provided for automatically sup r plying the said bottom parts to the firstnamed conveying apparatus.

For the purpose of explaining the invention an .example embodying the same has been shown inthe accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters have been used in all the-views to indicate corresponding parts. In said drawings,

y Fig. l is a sectional elevation showing my improved mechine,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1 partly in section,

Fig. 3 is'a sectional elevation taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a-detail sectional view showing one of the plungers for lifting the top parts or lids of the capsules, i l

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is-a sectional elevation 011 an enlarged scale showing one of the plungers forming a part 'of the conveyiner apparatus for the bottom parts of the capsu es,

Fig. 8 is an elevation on an enlarged scale showing a detail,

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view showing the means for lifting the filled capsules or boxes,

Fig. l0 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 10-#10 of Fig. 1, and

or boxes can be filled and closed at low cost,l

Figs. 11 to 14 are sectional elevations showing a modification of the apparatus for plac- .the parts vin the position in which the lid is about to be placed on the bottom part, Fig. 12 showing the parts in an intermediate'position, Fig. 13 showing the 'same in the position in which the. lid has been placed on 'the box and also showing the filled and closed box 4elevated away from the guiding apparatus, and Fig. 14 illustrating the parts of Figs. 11 to 13 in conjunction with mechanism for operating them and in their relation to the rotary tables with which they are associated. Referring now to the example illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10, my improved machine comprises three conveying apparatus I, II and I II, the apparatus II being used for conveying the bottom parts of the capsules into position below a funnel 43 and to the conveying apparatus III by means ofwhich lthe top part or lid is placed on the bottom part, and the filled box is carried to a chute 63, and the conveying apparatus I being `used for carrying a bottom partto the conveying apparatus II.

The conveying apparatus I is constructed as follows:

On a frame 5 a circular table 6 is mounted bottom parts of the boxes or lcapsules mto position for being taken up by the table 6, a

rotary star .3 being provided for intermittently moving the said bottom parts into the proper position belowthe table 6, in which the boxesare held by a stop 4. At its bottom the table 6 is formed circumferentially with a series of cylindrical chambers 8, and at its top it is formed with a central cylindrical chamber 9 communicating with the chambers 8 through radial passages 10.

The chambers 8 are closed at their bottoms by means of rings 8a screwing therein and providing guides for plungers 12 formed at their top ends with flanges 1l. The outer diameters of the bottom ends of the said plunger-s correspond to the inner diameters of-the bottom parts 1 of the capsules to be' filled, so that the plungers can be passed into said bottom parts. Further, tbe plvungcrs are closed by valve disks 15 the stems 15a ofv formed at their bottom faces with shallow recesses 13 communicatinnr with the top parts of the chambers 8 throug passages 14 made in the plungers. Further, annular linings 12a of rubber or the like are fixed to the bottom parts of the plungers in order to reduce the wear thereof in the operation ofthe machine, the said linings being best shown in F ig.` 5. As is shown in detailin Fig. 7 the bores 14 of the plunger-s 12 are adapted to be which are guided in plugs 15b screwing in bores of the plungers 12. Springs 16 disposed between the top facesgof the rings- 8'* and the bottom faces of the flanges 11 tend to force the plungers 12 upwardly.

' The trough 2'and the stop rim 4 thereof are so disposed relatively to the table 6 that upon intermittent rotaryvmovementl of the table the plunges 12 are successively brought into axial alignmentwith the said bottom arts.

Theedge portion of the axial cham er 9 of the table 6lis inair-tight engagement with astationary pipe 17 which is formed at one side with an axial. passage 18the top and bottom ends of which are directedl outwardly, the top end being connected with a pipe 18' and the bottom end being adapted for successive communication with the radial 4passages 10. Tlhe position of the passage 18.re1- atively to the table 6 is such that the passage 18 communicates throughthe passage 10'with the cylindrical chamber 8 located diametrically opposite the trough-2. The pipe 17 is in communication with a vacuum chamber or vacuum pump, and it is adapted to transmit the vacuum to the chambers 8. The passage 18 and the pipe 18 are connected with a supply of compressed air. To the top face of the t-able 6 a gear wheel 19 is secured which is in mesh with a gear wheel 20 carried by the conveying device II, as will be described hereinafter.

In brackets 21, 21 projecting laterally from the frame 5 a rod 22 is vertically guided, which rod is formed at its top end with a hook 22 adapted for engagement with lugs 28 formed on theplungers 12, a spring 24 engaging the bottom face .of a collar 23 of the sald rod and tending to force the said rod upwardly. Below thebrackets 21 a cam vdisk 25 is rotatably mounted on the frame 5, vand the said cam disk is formed with a cam groove 26 engaging a. pin 27 fixed to the bot.- tom end of the rod 22, rocking movement being imparted to the cam disk 25 by suitable means, as will be described hereinafter; The plunger 12 disposed in position above the inner end of the gutter 2 is adapted to be pulled .downwardly by the hook 22a lof the rod 22 engaging the lug 28, and the rod being rocked downwardly by the cam 25.

The conveying apparatus II comprises a frame 29 similar in construction to the frame 5, and on the said frame arotary table 30 is 'posed relativel ifnaooal rotatably mounted, anti-friction bearings 30a being preferably provided for supporting the table 30. 'The table' 30 is located with one side'below the table 6 and the plungers 12 mounted thereon.

From the middle of the table there rises a. pillar 31 on'which the gear wheel 2() is rotatably mounted, and concentrically around the 37, coiled springs 38 being provided between the bottom faces of the partition walls 40 and collars 39 formed on the stems 35 and tend` ing to push the stems 35 and pistons 34 downward-ly and into the recesses 32.

The conveying apparatus I and IIxare disto eachother so that the plungers 12 an the pistons 3.4 and stems ,35 are brought into axial alignment when moving through the oint y indicated in Fig' 2, the said point being the point of contact of the horizontal 'projections of the circles passed through the axes of the plungers 12 and the pistons 34. At the side of the table 30 'diametrically opposite the point v/ a bracket 41 is provided on the frame29, and on the said frame a cam disk '42 is rotatably mounted, which cam disk is rotated from a suitable art of the gearing ofthe machine so as to orce the stem 35 and the piston 34 located above the same L upwardlyatf th proper moment. p

Between the points y and z and, looking in the direction of the'rotation of the table 30 indicated in Fig. 2 by the arrow at the i rear of the point y, a funnel 43 is provided the delivery pipe 44Iof which ends exactly above the recesses 32 passing below the same,'the said funnel being adapted to dispense the powderous or granular matter through the said pipe 44 and into thebox passingbelow the same. The. pipe44'includes a cock 45 adapted to be opened and closed at the propertime by suitable mechanism connected with the drivingl shaft of the machine, and by means of the said cock soA much powderous or granular matter is supplied to the box as is necessary for properly filling the saine.

At thc-right of the conveying and filling 50 provided at the top side of the table is engaged by a pipe 55 formed at one side with a passage 56, the construction of the said pipe being similar to the pipe 17 and passage 18 provided in connection with the apparatus I. The pipe 55 is connected with a vacuum chamber, and the passage 56 with a supply of compressed air. A chamber 5() communicates through radial bores 49 with the cylindrical chambers 48, and the passage 56 is adapted for communication through the passages 49 successively with the cylindrical chambers 48 passing upon rotation of the table 47 above a chute 63 shown at the right of Fig. 1. AAt one side, the table 47 projects above a portion of the table 30. lVithin the chambers 48 spring-pressed plungers 51 are mounted in the same way as has been described with reference to the kplungers 12. As distinguished from the construction of the plungers 12, the outer diameter of the end of the plunger projecting downwardly from the table is equal'to the inner diameter of the tops 52 of the capsules. Further, the plungers are enlarged at their bottom ends and on the said enlarged portions caps 53 are located, which caps are axially shiftable, and carry lugs 54. i To the top of the table 47 a gear wheel 57 is secured, which is in mesh with the gear wheel 20 carried by the conveying apparatus II. o

Laterally of the table 47 and below the same there is a trough 58 for the supply of the top parts 52 of the capsules, the said trough being provided with a feeding cross 59 and a stop or rim 60 similar to the rim 4. YThus the lids`52 are successively brought into position below a plunger 51 located in the position z. At the delivery end of the trough 58 a rod 62 is mounted in brackets 62a of the frame 46, the construction and operation of the said rod and associated parts being similar to that of the rod 22, the cam for operating the rod 62 having received in Fig. 4 the reference character 61; By means of the said rod and cam disk the plunger 51. and cap 53 are pulled downwardly against the action of the spring 51EL acting on the plunger 51 when they pass over the trough 58. At the side adjacent to the chute 63 a bracket 64 is provided on the frame 46, and the end of the said bracket is adapted to engage the lug 54 of the cap. 53 moving past the same, the object of the said arm being to hold the cap in engagement with the bottom face of the table 47 when ejecting the filled capsule. The operation of the machine is as follows: By mechanism described hereinafter intermittent rotary movement isimparted to the table 30, and the said movement is transmittcd by the

gear wheels

20, 19 and 57 to the tables 6 and 47. Thus the tables are intermittently rotated through an angle corresponding to the distance between

successive chambers

8, 48 and recesses 32, and the said chambers and recesses are successively brought into position for taking up a bottom part 1 vfrom the gutter or trough 2, depositing the same at the pointfz/ on a piston 34 of the table 30,', carrying the same into filling position belowv the pipe 44 of the funnel 43, carrying the same into the position ,e in which a lid is placed thereon, and finally depositing the same on the chute 63. Further, by the said rotary movement the lids 52 are carried by the table 47 into the position s.

When the tables are at rest, the cam disk 25 is rocked thus pulling the plunger 12 located above the trough 2 downwardly and into the bottom part 1. By reason of the vacuum produced within the chamber 8 and transmitted through the passages 14 to the recess 13 the bottom part 1 sticks to the bottom face of the plunger 12, so that upon the return movement of the camA disk 25 and upward 'movement of the plunger 12 by the spring 16 the bottom part is carried along.

`Further, by the intermittent movement a bottom part 1 carried by a plunger 12 is brought into the position y, in which the chamber 8 communicates through the

passages

10 and 18 and the pipe l8rL with the supply of compressed air. Thereby, the bottom part 1 is made loose from the plunger 12, and the plunger is moved downwardly by the airpressure against the action of the spring 16, the valve disk 15 falling on its seat and closing the passages 14, so that the plunger presses the bottom part- 1 into the recess 32 and on the piston 84. 12 is forced upwardly by suitable mechanism such for example as a lever 80 rockingly mounted at 81 andV acted upon by a rod 82 bearing on a cani disk 83.

By 3() the bottom part is carried into filling position below the pipe 44, and whenever a box or capsule has arrived in iilling position, the cock 45 is opened'for delivering the desired amount of powderous or granular matter into the bottoni part l. Thereafter the cock is automatically closed. i

Thereafter thel plunger' the intermittent movement of the table The filled capsules are carried to the point e, and simultaneously a lid or top part 52 is carried by one of the plungers 51 into position above the said filled box, the method of taking a lid from the trough 5S being'similar to the method described With reference to the plunger-s 12. lVhen a bottom part 1 and a lid 52 have arrived at the position .a the cam disk 42 is rocked thus forcing the piston 34 and the bottom part carried thereby upwardly and into the lid 52, as is shown in Fig'. 1. Exact fitting of the top and bottom parts is insured by the bottom part being centered within the'recess 32, and the top part being centered within the cap 53.

After the 4 box has thus been closed the cam disk 42 is rocked backwardly, and the piston 34 is forced downwardly by the springthe chute 63, in which position the chamber 48 communicates with the supply of compressed air. In this position the cap 53 bears with its lug` 54 on the arm 64. Thus the plunger 51 is pressed downwardly by air pressure, while the cap 53 remains in elevated position. Therefore the plunger 51 ejects the capsules from vthe cap 53, whereupon the filled box is carried away by the chute 63.

Any suitable. mechanism may be provided for operating the parts of the machine. In Figs. 1 and 10 I have shown an example. A main driving shaft 90 is conneotedwitli a source of power by suitable mechanism such for example as a beltr pulley 91. By gear wheels 92 a crank disk 93 is rotated to which a link 94 is jointed, which link is connected with an arm 95 rockingly mounted on the bottom part of the frame 29. A pawl 96 mounted on the arm 95 is adapted for engagement with a ratchet disk 97 carried by the table 30.

Thus by Ithe rotary movement of the disk 93 intermittent movement is imparted to the table 30, which intermittent movement .is transmitted to the tables 6 and 47 in the manner described above.-

The cross 3 is intermittently rotated from the table 6. For instance, the gear wheel 19 provided on the table 6 may transmit rotary movement to the cross 3 by means of

gear wheels

99 and 99. In a similar way the cross 59 may be driven from the table 47. Fprimparting'the necessary rocking movement to the

rods

22, 82 and 35, a rock shaft 100 is provided which is driven from the main shaft 90 through the intermediary of'a disk 101 formed with a cam groove 102, alink 103 and a crank 104. The

cam disks

25 and 83 arel keyed to the said rock shaft 100, and the cam disk 42 Vis connected with the shaft by means of gear wheels 105. At its right-hand end the shaft 100 is connected by a bevel gearing 106 and spur gears 107 with a transverse shaft 108, which shaft has the cam disk 6l keyed thereto.

I wish it to be understood that my invention 1s not llmited to the use of lconveying apparatus 1n the form of rotary tables, or to the u sel of pneumatic means for holding and ejecting the capsules, the mechanism shown in the drawing having been chosen for illustration of the invention for the reason that, as far as I am now aware, the best results are obtained thereby.- l

lVhen pressing the filled bottom part of the box into the top part thereof by meansof the'mechanism so far describedit may I described above.

happen that the top and bottom parts are not exactly in alignment, or that the upper rim .of the bottom part projects outwar ly and into position for engaging the rim of the top-part, in which case the box and the contents thereof are spoiled when closing the box., In Figs. 11 to 14 I have shown guiding means for the top and bottom parts of the box in which the said objection ,is obviated. As shown inthe said figures the said guiding means comprise av stationary guide member (for instance secured to the frame 46) provided with va downwardly Haring through aperture 71 circular in horizontal section, this apertured portion of the guide member 70 being located at a level be-` cated aborc the path ofthe plunger 34 ro-' tating with the table 30, the latter having recesses 32 as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 10. The guide aperture 71 is located above the right-hand portion ofthe table 30 and below the left-hand portion of the table 47 in such a position that at certain times the vertical axis of said aperture will coincide or be in line with the vertical axis of one of the recesses 32 and the vertical axis of one of the plungers 51 and its cap 53. Said cap has a recess-forming cy lindrical inner wall 72 of larger diameter than the upper end of the guide aperture 71, while the recesses 32 are also shown as made with a cylindrical` inner wall 73. As the upper end of the aperture 71 is narrower than the lower end of therecess surrounded by the wall 72, there is formed, on the guide member 70 atthe upper end of said aperture, an annular shoulder 74 adapted to support one of the top parts or lids 52, or at least to prevent downward movU ent of such lid. In the operation offtlis secondV by the cylindrical wall 73, and is made to I rest on the corresponding plunger 34 while the said parts are stationary in the position y, whereupon the said parts are carried along by the table 30 rst to the delivery pipe 44 of the funnel 43, and thereafterinto the position z and below the guide member 70.

At the same time a top part 52 is placed on the shoulder'74 of said guide memberby means of the plunger 51,.the operation'-of the said plunger being the same as has been The parts are then in the position illustrated by Fig. 11. While, the

tables 30 and 47 are atl rest, the 'plunger 34 is moved upwardly as described herein'- before. This lifts the box bottom 1 from its position within the recess 32' (Fig. 1-1) t'o the spare surrounded by the Haring ring 33,

and slightly below the guide member 70 4(Figs. 12 and 14). Then, as the plunger 34 continues to rise, the box bottom 1 is raised into and through the aperture 71 of the guide member 70, and caused to enter the box lid 52 contained in thc recess of the cap 53, see Fig. 13. During this movement, the side wall of' the bottom part 1 is guided by the Haring wall of thc aperture 71, so that the side wall of the box bottom 1 will be forced properly into the lid 52, the said lid being held in position by the bottom i'ace of the plunger 51, as is shown in Fig. 13. This also lifts the entire closcdbox (bottom 1, lid 52, and contents) clear of the guide.

member 70, so that, after the plunger 34 has been retracted to its lower position, the tables and 47 are free for the next partial rotation, the closed box being carried by the plunger 51 and its cap 53, to the ejecting position above the chute G3, as in the Jform of my invention first described. Thus, the only substantial difference between the two forms of my invention consists in the fact that the second form has the stationary' guide member 70 `with its flaring,VV aperture 71 cooperating with the corresponding parts carried by the tables 30 and 47, as set forth above; in all other respects, the two forms illustrated herein are practically alike.

I claim:

1. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, 'an intermittently rotatable conveying table adapted to convey said bottom parts, an intermittently rotatable conveying table for said top parts located at one side above a portion of' said conveying table for safd bot-l tom parts, means for filling said bottom parts being conveyed on their table, and means operative when a bottom part and a top part are in alignment with each other for putting said bottom and top partstogether for closing the box.

2. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, an intermittently rotatable conveying table adapted to convey said bottom parts, an intermittently rotatable conveying table for said top parts located at one side above a portion of said conveying table for said bottom parts, means for filling said bottom parts` being conveyed `on their table, means operative when a bottom part and a top part are in alignment with each other for putting saidbottom and top parts together for closing the box, and an intermittently rotatable vconveying table adapted to convey a bottom part to said first-named conveying table.

3. In a machine Jfor filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top part with its opening directed downwardly into' position 'for placing the same on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to remove the same with the bottom part, means to put the said bottom and top parts together for closing the box` a third conveying apparatus adapted to convey sai-d bottom part to said first-named conveying apparatus, and gutters and intermittently rotatable crosses adapted to place respectively bottom parts and top parts into position for engagement with the conveying apparatus therefor.

4. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top part with its opening directed downwardly into position for placing the same on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to remove the same with the bottom part, said conveying apparatus for the top parts being formed with cylindrical holes, plungers movable in said holes and in position for carrying said top parts, means for producing a vacuum in said cylindrical holes for lifting said plungers, and means for putting said bottom aiid top parts together for closing the box.

5. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having' a bottom part and a top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top part with its opening directed downwardly into position for placingfthe same on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to (remove the same with the bottom part, fluid operated plungers in said conveying apparatus for said top parts adapted to holdsaid top parts and to convey the same into position for closing said bottom parts, and ato carry said top parts and filled bottom partsoutiof closing position, and means for putting said top kparts and bottom parts together for closing the box.

6. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes I having a bottom part and atop part, a conveying apparatus adapted .to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top part withits opening directed downwardly into position for placing the saine on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to remove the same with the bottom part, s aid conveying apparatus for the top part being formed with cylindrical pockets, plungers mounted in said pockets and adapted to hold said top part being conveyed, means for producing a vacuum in said pockets, means operative when said plungers are in positionfor taking up a top part for pulling the same out of their pockets and into engagement with a top part, means for moving said bottom part www from its conveying apparatus into said top part, and means for supplying pressure iiuid to said pockets.

7. In a machine for lilling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, a ccnveyin g apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to conveya top part with its opening directed downwardly into position for placing the same on said bottom part locatedon its conveying apparatus and to remove the same with the bottom part, said conveying apparatus for the top part being formed with cylindrical pockets, plungers mounted in said pockets and.4 adapted to hold said top part being conveyed, means for producing a vacuum'in said pockets, means operative when said plungers are in position for taking up a top vpart for pulling tlie same out of their pockets and into' engagement with a top part, means for moving said bottom part from its conveying apparatus into said top part, means for supplying pressure Huid to said pockets, said plungers being formed at their outer endfaces with recesses and passages connecting said recesses with said pockets, and a valve for automatically closing said passages.

8. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for illing said bottom part, a convey-` ing apparatus adapted to convey a top part with its opening directed downwardly into position for placing the same on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to remove the saine with the bottom part, means to put the said bottom an-top parts together for lclosing* the box, and a third conveying apparatus adapted to convey, said bottom part to said first-named conveying apparatus,

said third conveying apparatus comprising cylindrical pockets, plungers mounted in said pockets in position for holding the bottom part,meansoi producing aivacuum lin said pockets for pulling said -plungers inwardly,

` and means operative when said pockets are in position for deliverm the bottoml art to saidirst-named conveying apparatus or producinlg fluid pressure in said pockets'.

9.. n a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom' part with its opening' directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top part with its opening directed downwardly into position for placing the sameon said bottom part located on its conveying a paratus. and

to remove the same with the ottom part, means to put the said bottom and top dparts together for closing the box, and a thir conveying apparatus adapted to convey said bottom part to said first-named conveying apparatus,

said third conveying apparatus comprisin cylindrical pockets, plungers mounted in sai pockets in osition for holding thebottom parts and ormed at their outer faces with recesses and passages through-which said recesses communicate with said pockets, valves adapted to close said passages, means for protion for placing the same on said ottom part located on its conveyin apparatus and to remove the same with the ottom part, means to lput the said bottom and top parts together for closing the box, and a third conveying apparatus adapted to convey said bottom part to said first-named conveyingv apparatus, said third conveying apparatus comprising cylindrical pockets, plungers mounted in said pockets in position for holding the bottom part and formed at their outer face with recesses and passages through which said recesses communicate with said pockets,l

valves adapted to close said passages, means for producing a vacuum in said pockets for pulling said plungers inwardly, and means operative when said pockets are in position for delivering the bottom part to said firstnamed conveying apparatus for producing fluid pressure insaid pockets, and cam oper ated means one for pulling the plungers out of their pockets and into position for taking up a bottom part, and another one operative after a plunger has delivered a. bottom part for forcing the piston inwardly.

11. In a machine for lillin capsules or boxes having a bottom .part an a. top part,'a

conveying apparatus adapted to-convey a bottom part with its openin directed up" lwardly,'means for filling sai bottompart,

ratus :comprising vertically mova le pistons iii-'position for receiving the bottom part, and a cam member adapted for successively moving said pistons with the bottom part placed thereon into the4 top part carried by the second-named' conveying apparatusT 12. In a machine for filling capsules or boxes having a bottom part and a, top part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a bottom part with its opening directed upwardly, means for filling said bottom part, a conveying apparatus adapted to convey a top partV with its opening .directed downwardly into position for placing the same on said bottom part located on its conveying apparatus and to yremove the same with the bottom part, a guiding device between said conveying apparatus comprising a member having a through aperture the wall of which contracts upwardly from the bottom of said aperture, and means connected with said first-named conf veying apparatus for shifting 'a filled bottom part past said upwardly contracting wall and into a top part. f

13. In a machine of the character described, a guiding device having a cylindrical recess adapted to hold a top part, and having, at a `level below said recess, an outwardly and downwardlyHaring aperture the upper end of which has a diameter smaller than that of said cylindrical recess, so as to form an annular shoulder adapted to support a top part, and means for shifting a filled bottom part through said flaring aperture and into a top part contained in said cylindrical recess.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aiix my signature.

KARL WILHELM SCHMIDT.