US1881783A - Method of and apparatus for packaging - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1932.

E. MALLlNCKROD T, JR., ET AL 1,881,783

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Shet 1 l, l r 13 9 2 9 55 l3 03 Q l 4 I W 285 j i E 1 7, 1: 7 A 1 I 4 7 I .d 4

Och 1932- E. MALLINCKRODT, JR. ET AL 1,881,783

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 Octll, 19 E. MALLINCKRODT, JR., ET AL 1,881,783

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METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 9 1932- E. MALLINCKRODT, JR, ET AL 1,881,783

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E. MALLINCKRODT. JR., ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 Oct. 11, 1932.

E. MALLINCKRODT, JR., ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Origin a1 Filed March 14.

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METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 192'. 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 0 'IIIIIIIII VII/III I 1932- E. MALLINCKRODT. JR, ET AL 1,831,783

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METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet l2 fi z/ g 1 6.

Get. 11, 1932.

E. MALLINCKRODT, JR" ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14, 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 E. MALLINCKRODT, JR

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ET AL 1,881,783

Oct; 11, 1932.

16 Sheet-Sheet 14 Original Filed March 14, 1927 1932 E. MALLINCKRODT. JR., ET AL 1,881,783

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 1 1932. MALLINCKRODT, JR., ET AL 1,381,783

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Original Filed March 14. 1927 1 6 Sheets-Sheet l6 /2 a fii w/gig 511 Nihrayen om f q; /05 F p X Egg KFSWM x v Patented Oct. 11 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD MALLINCKRODT, JR., ST. LOUIS, AND HENRY V. FARR, OF FERGUSON, MIS- SOURI, ASSIGNORS TO MALLINCKROD'I CHEMICAL WORKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING Application filed March14, 1927, Serial No. 175,096. Renewed February 29, 1932.

This invention relates broadly to a method of, and apparatus for packaging materials; and with regard to certain more specific features, to a method of, and apparatus for packaging ether or a like perishable material.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of relatively high speed, automatic means for packaging ether 1 which is used for anaesthesia and other purposes, where all possible deterioration during periods of storage should be prevented; the provision of improved automatic means for packaging ether or the like out of the presonce of air or a similar fluid deleterious to the ether or the like, and packaging it in the presence of an inert fluid such as gaseous nitrogen or a like non-deleterious fluid; the provision of improved automatic means for replacing the air found in the packages to be used, by the said inert gas, prior to the packaging process per se and using said inert gas ambiently duringthe packaging process; the provision of a means of the class described which requires for its separate elements of construction only inherently rugged members, which can be depended upon to provide continuous and satisfactory service; and the provision of apparatus for carrying out the process described which shall be low in cost and upkeep, and which is simple in operation and in manipulation.

Another object of the invention is to displace, the deleterious fluid such as air in'the packages with a non-deleterious fluid such as nitrogen and also to absorb the deleterious fluid by diffusion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a counter current between the deleterione and the non-deleterious fluids in order to vide simple means for compensating a plurality of measured liquid charges for temperature changes.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the patent application of Edward Mallinckrodt, J12, Serial No-118,440, filed June 25, 1926, was disclosed a method for packaging materials in which alternate evac-' nations were made from chambers carrying the packages to be filled and the device as a whole was maintained in an ambient atmosphere of non-deleterious fluid.

The present invention involves either or both the method of diffusion or displacement between the non-deleterious and deleterious fluid. No evacuations are used, nor is the device as a whole maintained in an ambient atmosphere of non-deleterious fluid, although the fluid being filled is maintained in an ambient atmosphere of non-deleterious fluid. These two methods, it is believed, present the only means for accomplishing the end sought, namely, the automatic packaging of pure ether.

.The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combination of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structure hereinafter described, and the scope of' the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing the approximate slope thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device showing certain parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a dial feed mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 18 and shows a valve and cam plate;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 19;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken'through one of the can filling units of the device, showin a can in its lowered osition Fig. is a view similar to ig. 6 showing section v broken away Fig. is a fragmentary section taken on 1 line 10-10 of Fig. 12;

on line 12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 2, showing partsbrokenaway;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig.- 10 taken on line 1111 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 12 is a cross section taken substantially Fig. 14 is a cross section taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 13 but showing certain added parts not shown in said Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 taken clockwise and to the right thereof, when the machine is viewed from above;

Fig. 16 is a cross section taken on line I 16*16 of Fig. 6 but showing certain added portions not shown in said Fig. 6 and also shows parts broken away;

Fig. 17 is a cross section taken substantially at elevation 17 -17 of Fig. 4 but showing added elements of certain safety fill devices;

Fig. 18 is a crosssection taken substantially at elevation 18--18 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of a valve plate and i is taken substantially at elevation 1919 of eral views of the drawings.

General construction Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated at numeral 1 a 1 base having an upper surface 3 machined on approximately a four degree slope, the purpose of which is to slope the apparatus as a whole, such that the supply tank 24 thereof will have a greater depth of liquid (ether on one side than on another (see line A- of Fig. 1). By sloping the machine in-this manner, the effect to be described is attained, and yet all parts may be machined in the right angular relationships, such as are usually employed in machine construction.

The base 1 supports five members, namely, first, a punch pressP of more or less conventional construction (the modifications required being noted herein), second, a. standard S for supporting a cap supply tube 5,

third, a table T supported on suitable legs 7 fourth, an over traveling bracket B jome at its left end to said press P and at its'right end to said base 1, and fifth, a base E for supporting the main frame and parts of the device.

The stationary base E supports a stationary spoked frame or wheel 9 carrying at its outer periphery a can-raising cam 11 and carrying on its inner hub a stationary cam and)valve plate 13 (see also Figs. 4 and 6 to 8 by said base E and rests on an anti-friction ball 17 located within a suitable recess in said base.

The shaft 15 is rotatable with res ect to the wheel 9 and also to the valve p ate 13 bolted to the wheel 9, the wheel 9 being revented from turning with respect to the ase E by means of a crown or other suitable coupling 19.

At a short distance above the valve plate 13, the shaft 15 is provided-with a flanged hub 21 made fast to said shaft. Outside of the periphery of plate 13, the hub 21 engages with a can supporting wheel 23 (see Figs. 4, 6.to 8 and 14 to 18)., The construction of wheel 23 will be described more in detail later.- a The shaft 15 continues upwardly to a point 22 (Fig. 9) where it is'shouldered and adapted to receive thereon gwith a force fit and key connection) a sup y tank 24 to the bottom of which is cast a ange 25 (see also Figs. 1 and 6 to 8).

Positioned between the flange 25 and the cam supporting wheel 23 is a peripheral cam track 27, supported by means of a bracket 29 extending to said table T, a bracket 31 extending to said bracket B and a bracket 33 extending to the cap supply tube 5. As will be seen later, the cam 27 is adapted to raise and lower certain annular nitrogen filling tubes 35 which telescopically coo erate with certain stationary ether tubes 3 at points An upstanding shaft 15 is rotatably borne" within the confines of said flange 25 (see also Fig. 20) I a Dial feed mechanism M (see Figs. 1 to 3) that any other suitable number of movements may be employed.

a In order to accomplish the result, thirtytwo notches 39 are equally spaced in the periphery ofv said wheel. One of said notches 39 is adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed locking pawl 41 each time that the wheel 23 approaches a halt. The locking pawl 41 tends to maintain its position against the wheel 23 because of a spring 53. The pawl 41 is pivoted on said table T. At the same time another one of said notches 39 is about to be engaged by another pawl 43 (pressed by a spring 45) said pawl 43 being pivoted to a slider 47 held in guides 49 located on said table T. The spring 45 is also mounted on said slider 47.

An arm 51 of the pawl 41 is normally held by the spring 53 so that the pawl engages the wheel 23. The spring 53 leads to a stationary pin 55. A plate 57, held fast to the slider 47, pivotally carries a releasing bar 59 adapted to engage a pin 56 on the plate 57 when the slider 47 moves to the right (Figs. 2 and 3). The other end of the bar 59 functions to wipe the arm 51 of the pawl 41 whenever the slider 47 starts its forward movement.

The slider 47 is moved back and forth by means of the oscillating movements of a bell crank 61 which is connected to said slide 47 by an adjustable connecting rod 63. The oscillations of the bell crank 61 are due to a connecting rod 65, moved by means of a crank pin 67 eccentrically located with respect'to the crank shaft 69 of said press P. Adjustment of the throw of the slider 47 is obtained by moving the pin 67 in a slot 71 provided for in a crank disc 73 and the position of the throw (after its length is determined) may be adjusted at the rod 63.

The operation of the dial feed 1s as follows:

The shaft 69 rotates at a predetermined speed, being suitably geared to the drive shaft 75 of the press P, said drive shaft 75 receiving motion from a belt 77 and pulley 79. The motion com-es from a suitable source, not shown. The linkage 65, 61, 63 and 47 is thereby oscillated. Movement starts from a position such as shown in Fig. 2. The pawl 43 moves a short distance without efiect on the wheel 23. At this time the bar 59 opens the pawl 41 thereby releasing the wheel 23 for movement. Next, the pawl 43 drops into its respective notch and drives the wheel 23 forward one space. In the meantime the bar 59 passes over the arm 51 of the pawl 41, whereby the pawl 41 reengages the wheel 23 to drop into the next notch 39 whereby the wheel is halted at a predetermined position.

Upon return of the slider 47, the pawl 43 automatically leaves its notch and the bar 59 y is itself moved by a contact with the pawl 41 because of the resiliency of the spring 72.

- The pawl 41 is not withdrawn from its notch.

Thus, for each revolution of the shaft 69 of the press the wheel 23 is positively advanced of a revolution.

Fig. 2 shows the dial feed mechanism M at the left-hand of its throw and Fig. 3 shows said mechanism at the right-hand end of its throw. e

Can control From the above it will be seen that the can wheel 23 moves intermittently and, in order to receive and later eject a can at each period of rest, the outer peripheral portion 81 of said wheel 23 is providedwith thirty-two re cesses or pockets 83, each one of which is adapted to snugly receive a can controller or pusher piece or movable pocket 85 (see Figs. 6 to 8 and 14 to 17). The pushers or pockets 85 are so formed that each one is adapted to snugly receive a can from a can supply mechanism K (Figs. 1, 2 and 2 1), that is, when the pusher 85 is in one of its retracted positions and the wheel 23 at a certain point of rest.

Each pusher 85 is provided with a slidable slotted arm 87 arranged radially of the wheel 23 in polygonal or rectangular guides 89. Each slotted arm 87 has fastened at its inner portion a radially arranged stem 91 borne in a bearing 93, also formed in said wheel 23. The inner ends of the stems 91 are provided with upwardly extending roll followers 95 which engage a cam track 97 formed in the lower surface of said stationary valve and cam plate 13. The track 97 has the form shown in Figs. 14, 15, 19 and 21.

It will be understood from the above, that the cam and valve plate 13 is stationary and that the "shaft 15 rotates the wheel 23 (by means of the hub 21) with the radially sliding pusher members described. The engagement of the moving roll followers 95 with the stationary cam track 97 results in said pushers 85 receiving a radially outward and inward movement once for every revolution of the wheel 23. They cannot twist out of alignment because of the polgonal hearings or guides 89.

As will be seen hereinafter, the press P is stationed at the radial apex of the track 97 and hence the pushers 85 are adapted to push cans outwardly from the wheel 23 when the press station PS is reached (see Figs. 1, 8, 14, 15 and 21). The cam track 97 is so shaped that by the time the can supply station CS is reached, the pushers 85 have been again retracted. They then remain retracted until need for their outward movement is again required near and at the press station PS. v 1

Can. supply means K The conventional can supply means K is il-' the cans D and is fed over a pulley 103. A

portion of the can supply means K is broken away at Q in Fig.1 for purposes of clarlty but Fig. 2 shows the continuity of the construction. I

The can supply station CS for this can supply means is so arranged that when the wheel 23 stops, a can D is pushed into the pocket or pusher 85, which pusher is then in retracted position ready to receive thecan D. As the wheel 23 makes its next movement the said can D is carried away with the wheel 23, being prevented from falling out ,of the wheel 23 by a rail 105 formed therearound and held on suitable supports 34. As each can-D moves away in the wheel 23, the next one is automatically pushed into the next pusher 85. ,The wheel 23 is thus being con tinuously loaded .at the can supply station CS. j

Filling control means As each can D is pressed into its pocket or pusher85, it engages a control pin 107 (see Figs. 6 to 8' and 17). Each pin 107 is slidably borne in the wheel 23 and extends loosely through its; respective pusher 85.

thereby providing means for permitting movement of the pusher independently of the pin. An inner head 109 of each pin 107 bears against an actuating arm 111, said' arm 111 being fastened to a hollow rotatable rod 113 rotatably borne at points 115 within the wheel 23. This rod 113 has fastened at its lower end a lug 117 pivotally' carrying an actuating piece 119. The hollow rod 113 is normally pressed counter-clockwise (viewed from above) by a spring 121 so that said actuating piece 119 is not adapted to engage a peripherally arranged lifting cam 123 on the wheel 9 but lies directly on said wheel (see- 8). The outer end 125 of each actuating piece 119 is adapted to engage a.

lifting stem-127 of the valve system of the next adjacent valve system, that is, when the actuating piece is rotated clockwise into I on the cam 123 to act ate the next successive stem 127, which is t e stem for the can in question. Each can functions its own stem 127 but each stem 127 is slidably borne in the bearing piece 113 adapted to actuate the next successive stem 127 (see Fig. 17) However, whenever a can is so positioned, the actuating piece 119 is thrown so that it may ride on the cam 123 and. thereby be caused by the cam 123 to actuate the next successive stem 127.

By referring to Fig. 9 it will be seen that the actuating rods 127 pass upwardly into bearing and sealing tubes or glands 129 located in, the supply chamber 24. There each one is equipped with an overhanging arm 131 which cbntrols the movement of a spring pressed ether valve 133 adapted to permit emptying of a measuring'cup 135 into one of said vertically stationary ether supply pipes 37. Each of the supply pipes, as will be seen later, is adapted to supply ether to a can D. I

From theabove it is evident that if, due to one cause or another, one of the pushers 85 should failto receive a can there is no possibility of ether flowing and spilling out of its respective fill tube, because no can is present to actuate the member 119 so that said member 119 is controlled by the cam 123. In other words, in order that the cam 123 may become effective to cause opening of an ether valve 133, it is necessary that a can be positioned in the respective pocket. If a can is not so positioned the actuating member 119 will not engage the cam 123. It is now evident that the rail 105 also maintains the cans in their respective places against-the pressure of the pins 107. It is also evident that the slots 137 in the arms 87 are for the purpose of clearing the stems 127.

Can lifting means In order to lift each can (for purposes to be described) as it moves around with the wheel 23, there is provided beneath each movable pocket of the pusher 85 and elevator I39 slidably arranged in the wheel 23 (Figs. 6 to 8). The top of the elevator 139 is flush with the surface or platform of the wheel 23, that is, when said elevator is in its lowermost position. In order that the elevator 139 may be raised and lowered, the cam 11 is arranged on the rim of the stationary wheel 9 to engage the lower ends of said elevators 139. A lowered position of the elevator 139 is shown in Fig.6 and an elevated position in Fig. 7.

cm zzin heads 16). The heads are so arranged that they.

form a practically continuous peripheral surface 149 for purposes to be made clear (see Fig. 16). The'ring 145 provides the polygonal bearings or guides 89, referred to above.

Each head- 147 (see Figs. 6 to 8 and 16) comprises a casting 151 bolted to said ring 145. The ring 15 providing with slightly tapering holes 153 adapted to receive in sealing contact lower portions 155 of said castings 151. The lower portion 155 of each cast-

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