US2092860A - Vacuum capping machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14, 1937. R. J. STEWART ET AL 2,092,860

VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 14; 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7'0 View/Mi Sept. 14, 1937. R. J. STEWART ET AL 2,092,860

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 .JZWAV/? y a a ZZZ? VACUUM CAPPING MACHINE Filed May 14, 1955 Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES vacuum carrme MACHINE Robert J. Stewart and John E. Erhardt, Baltimore, MIL, assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, MIL, a corporation of New York Application Mas 14, 1935, Serial No. 21,423

25 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for capping receptacles under a vacuum so that the contents of the receptacle are subjected to the vacuum at the time that the caps are applied. The apparatus of the present invention, however, may be used to cap receptacles under atmospheric air pressure, since the vacuum producing means can readily be rendered ineffective if desired. Moreover, the apparatus is capable of use as a simple vacuumizing apparatus because the cap applying means can be rendered inoperative, at will. I r

Although the apparatus of the present invenr tion may be used to apply many different types of closures to a wide variety of receptacles, it is particularly adapted for use with closures of the type shown in the application I of Robert J. Stewart, Serial No. 746,457, filed October 1, 1934.

It is an object of the present invention to pro- 20 vide a machine for the purposes described which is simple and compact and inexpensive to build,

Preferably, the machine is portable, so that it may be moved from place to place in the packing plant where it is being employed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine having a novel and eflicient method of operation. Preferably, the cycle of operation will be performed automatically after a particular batch of receptacles has been placed 30 in the machine and the operation initiated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide electrical control means whereby the machine may be used, selectively, to cap the receptacles at atmospheric pressure; to subject the 35 receptacles to the influence of a vacuum without the application of positive capping force; or to cap the receptacles by positive capping applying I force while subjected to a vacuum.

The machine of the present invention is pref- 40 erably so constructed that it may be connected to a suitable vacuum source and to a source of electric energy to perform the desired operations upon the receptacles. In the preferred embodiment of the invention described below, hydraulic force is used to supply the capping pressure, and an electric motor-pump circuit is employed to create the hydraulic pressure. When the machine is used both to vacuumize and to cap receptacles, initiation of the hydraulic capping pressure is preferably controlled by a predetermined degree of vacuum in the capping chamber. Furthermore, the cap applying forceis terminated when the capping operation has been completed by means controlled by the hydraulic pres- 55 sure itself, the said means serving to cutoff the pump motor, relieve the hydraulic force, and, break the vacuum in the capping chamber. Also, means for adjusting the maximum vacuum which can be created in the 'capping chamber are provided, together with means for adjusting the degree of vacuum effective to initiate application of the cap applying force. Moreover, adjustablemeans for controlling the amount of hydraulic capping force which can be applied to the receptacles are provided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel combination of electrical control elements connected in a novel electric circuit with a novel combination of mechanical and hydraulic elements to provide a plurality of entirely new selective cycles of operation. I It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine which is adjustable for different sizes of receptacles.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel closing means for the vacuum capping chamber in the'form of specially constructed, pivotally mounted doors. v

Other and further objects and advantages of the machine will be apparent to one skilled in the art after a consideration of the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and described below.

In the drawings:

Figurel is a vertical sectional view of the machine looking toward the rear.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine partly in section, taken from the left of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontalsectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fi ure 2. p

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the hydraulic pressure chamber and relief valve.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail of the vacuum relief valve.

Figure 6 is a circuit diagram of the machine showing the novel combination of elements employed, together with the vacuum lines, the oil pressure circuit, and the electrical control circuits.

The machine of the present invention preferablyv comprises a base casting it provided with wheels or casters ll, so that the machine can be moved from place to place, as desired. Projecting upwardly from the base is a cylindrical post l2, which may be integral therewith or a separate piece appropriately secured in place. Within the cylinder l2 there is an elongated piston I3 having a head l4 provided with an appropriate packing IS. The upper end of thepiston The upper end of the cylinder 12 is flanged-outwardly as at It and is provided with a depressed chamber I9 having a drain plug 2' to permit drainage of water used for washing the chamber. The flanged portion It serves as a support for the vacuum chamber indicated generally at 2|. The chamber comprises upstanding side walls 22, 23, connected together by a top wall 24.

These walls may conveniently be in the form of an inverted U-shaped casting, or they may be separate pieces bolted or otherwise secured together. The front and rear ends of the chamber are thus normally open, and specially constructed doors .25, 28 are provided for the purpose of closing these open ends.

Referring to Figure 2, the front end door 25 is shown, in the full lineposltion, as being swung upwardly to closed position. The upper edge of the door 25 is provided with a horizontally and forwardly projecting flange 25' or the like, adapted to act as a bridge spanning the space between the infeed conveyor X and the chamber when the door is open. Furthermore, this element serves as a weight tending to urge the doors to open position. The side edge of the door 25 at its upper end is provided with an appropriate stud 21.journal1ed in the upper end of a diagonal cross lever 28. This lever is pivoted to the side wall of the chamber at 29, and its other end is pivotally connected to stud 30, formed on the lower side edge of the rear door 26. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the opposite side edges of the doors are provided with a similar cross lever 28'.

In addition to the two cross levers gonnecting the two doors together, each door is provided with a pair of guide links, the links of each pair being disposed on opposite sides of the chamber. Door 25 is provided with link 3| (Fig. 2) connected to stud 32 at one end and to a fixed stud 33 at the other. A similar guide link for the door 25 is disposed at the opposite side of the machine, as shown at 3|, Fig. 1. The door 26 is connected to the chamber by guide links 34, 34', plvotally connected to studs 35, 36.

An adjustably mounted presser head is disposed within the chamber 2i. Although many alternative means for mounting the head at various diflerent heights in the chamber will occur to one skilled in the art, the means disclosed herein has been found to be particularly satisfactory. Each side wall of the chamber is provided on its inner surface with a pair of racks 31, 38, 39, 43. The racks have a plurality of vertically spaced slots 4| formed therein. The presser head 42 has laterally projecting side edges 43 which fit into any desired set of slots. The presser head is removable and. insertable through the open doors, so that it may be taken from one position and inserted into the: chamber at a different position to accommodate different sizes of Jars.

It should be noted that the presser head is provided with a smooth, plain, uninterrupted lower face 42'. Also, the receptacle carrying tray l1 preferably has a plain uninterrupted receptacle supporting surface in the form of a rubber or other resilient pad l'l'. Thus, the necessity for positioning the receptacles in accurate, predetermined position is avoided. Moreover, the rubber pad compensates for the usual, slight variations 1n the height of the Jars, and prevents breakage of the same during capping.

. The base ll at a point oil-set from the upstanding cylinder i2 is formed with an enlarged opening 45 which serves as a convenient space to receive an underslung, flanged oil reservoir 49. The flange 41 thereof is positioned over the margins of the opening ll to support the parts. The upper side of the reservoir 46 is closed by a plate 48 which servesas a supporting base for the operat-. ing mechanism, now to be described.

An electric motor 49 is connected in conventional manner to a hydraulic force pump II, which may conveniently be of the meshing gear, expansible chamber type. The pump 50 is connected to a suitable intake conduit 5| extending through the plate 43 down into the reservoir, to a point near the bottom thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The high pressure discharge side of the pump is connected through a special pipe fitting 52 to a pressure chamber 53 by means of conduit 64. A conduit 55 leads from the high pressure chamber 54 to the space 56 below the piston head M. This space may be defined by a cylinder head 51 appropriately bolted in place.

Another branch of the Y-iltting 52 carries a pressure responsive electric switch 58, adapted to make and break an electric circuit upon predetermined pressure changes in the hydraulic pressure line, as will beexplained below in connection with the operation of the machine. This switch includes adjustable means to render it effective .to make and break the circuit at different pressures, as desired by the operator. An oil pressure gauge 59 is also connected to the fitting 52.

The high pressure chamber 53 is provided with a pressure relief valve indicated generally at 60 (Figs. 1 and 2). The valve is controlled by a vertically reciprocable stem 6| having a spring 62 enclosed within the sleeve 62a, normally tending to urge the valve downwardly to closed position. The valve (Fig. 4) comprises a head 60a adapted to, close downwardly 0n the seat 602). .he rod 6| extc as upwardly through a guide sleeve'62b threaded in sleeve 62a, and acting as an adjustable abutment for the upper end of spring 62. The upper end of the valve rod 6| extends between the bifurcated end 83a of a lever 63, pivoted at 63b to an upwardly extending bracket 62c supported by sleeve 62a. Rod 6|, above the lever 63, is provided with a downwardly facing abutment, such as a nut Gla, engaging the upper surface of the lever.

Referring to Figure 1, the interior of the vacuum chamber 2| is in communication with a conduit 64 by means of an appropriate connection extending through a side wall thereof. The conduit 64 is connected at its lower end with a valve housing 65, and the latter is provided with 2. laterally disposed port 66, (Fig. 2) which, in turn, is connected to, conduit 61 terminating in a fitting 68 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of vacuum. The source may be a constantly or intermittently running vacuum pump, or a pump in circuit with a relatively large vacuum tank.

Disposed within the valve housing 65 is a slidable balanced vacuum control valve 69 having heads 10, 1| and a stem 12. Surrounding the stem 12 is a compression spring 12a, tending to raise the valve 69, the lever 63 and the oil pressure relief valve 60. The strength of spring 12a, and the mechanical advantage resulting from its point of operative connection with lever 63 are sufiicient to overcome the downward force exerted by spring 62, so that, in the normal position the parts are raised upwardly from the position shown in Figure 1. When the valve 62 is inthe position shown in Figure 1, the interior of the chamber 2| will be in direct communication with the source of vacuum connected to thefltting 68. When the valve is in the upper position so that the head II is disposed between the orifice at the end of conduit 64 and the orifice 66, the interior of the vacuum chamber will be in direct communication with the atmosphere through the lower open end of valve housing 65.

Connected to the vacuum conduit 64 is a branch pipe 64a having a manual valve 64b leading to an adjustable vacuum switch 640, adapted to play an important part in the cycle of operation of the pump driving motor, as will be described below.

At atmospheric pressures this electric switch is open, but is closed by the creation of a predetermined, adjustable vacuum in the chamber 2|.

As a means for controlling the operation of the vacuum valve 69 and the pressure relief valve 69, there may be provided a solenoid 15 connected to the lever 63. The lower end of the valve stem 12 is connected to the free end of the lever, and, as previously noted, the valve stem iii of valve 60 has a unidirectional, one-way connection with that lever.

The operating parts supported by the plate 48 are preferably enclosed by a housing 11 bolted or otherwise secured to the base. The pressure responsive and vacuum responsive switches and the pressure gauge are positioned somewhat above the other parts, and are enclosed by. a readily removable hood T8, to permit inspection and adjustment of the parts.

As a means for controlling the degree of vacuum to be created in the vacuum chamber, a spring-pressed vacuum relief valve and a vacuum gauge are provided. The vacuum relief valve may be of any approved construction, but

the one disclosed in Figure 5 is preferred. A spring 81 serves to urge the valve stem 82 and valve body 83 upwardly to closed position. The tension of the spring may be varied by changing the position of the nut 84, so that the valve will open under varying degrees of pressure differential, to permit the vacuum to be relieved automatically at different degrees of vacuum.

The operation of the machine, and the combination of electrical control devices, and the circuit which effects that operation can best be explained by a reference to the circuit diagram of Figure 6.

The two wires of a conventional power line are represented by- 9001. and b, respectively. A magnetic relay switch 9| is provided with two out-put terminals 92, 93, and a plurality of control switches 94, 95, 96. The switch 96 is known in the art as a limit switch, and includes an arm 96a (Fig. 1) adapted to be controlled by one of the links or levers pivoted on the side of the chamber so that the switch will be momentarily moved to circuit closing position as the doors are closed. The switch is connected in parallel with the vacuum switch 640, for purposes described below. The switch 94 is a manual control switch to facilitate starting and stopping of the machine in certain instances. The contacts 94a are normally closed, but may be opened temporarily by pressing a stop? button associated with the switch. A circuit from contact 94b to 94a. may be temporarily completed by pressing a start button associated with the switch 94, for purposes to be described below.

In the operation of the machine for vacuumizing and capping the receptacleathe switch 94 is in normal position with the circuit closed through contacts 94a. When the doors are closed, the

switch 96 will be temporarily closed, and the current will flow from the line 9011 through line 97, through the switch 96, thence through switch 94 and back to the double pole magnetic. relay 9| by line 96. This will energize the electro-ma'gnet 9|a of the relay and throw the switch to closed position, to permit the current to flow from the terminals 92, 93. a I 4 The electro-magnet 9|a is kept energized and the relay held closed by a flow of current from the terminal 93 through wire 93a, through thenormally closed oil pressure switch 56, wire 931), normally closed contacts 94a of a switch 94, wire 96, electro-magnet-9la. to line 9%. Thus, as long as the oil pressure switch and the manual control switch remain in the normal closed position the electro-magnet 9la. of the magnetic relay will remain energized and the relay switch closed.

The current flows in one circuit from contact 93 of the magnetic relay directly to solenoid"- through lines 93a|09. From the solenoid, the current returns to the contact 92 of the relay by means of lines "ll-92a. Thus, the solenoid 15 will be energized, the vacuum control valve 69 will be shifted to vacuumize the chamber, and the oil pressure relief valve 60 will be closed.

As soon as the vacuum in the chamber has reached a predetermined desired point, the vacuum switch 640 will be closed, and a second circuit will be completed. Current will flow from the contact 93, through the lines 93a-I90, through vacuum switch 640, line I02 and thence to motor 49. From the motor the current will flow through line IM to line 92a and back to the contact 92 of the magnetic relay. As a result of this-circuit, the motor 49 will drive the pump 50 and raise the piston l9 to cap the receptacles. When a predetermined capping pressure has been created, the oil pressure switch 58 will be actuated to break the control circuit for the electro-magnet 9|a of the relay 9|, whereupon the relay will open and both of the circuits mentioned above will be broken. Thereupon, the motor 49 will be stopped and the solenoid I5 de-energized, which will result in shifting the valve 69 to vacuum breaking position and shifting the oil pressure relief valve to relief posi- 1 tion. Thereupon the piston I; will descend and the doors 25, 26 will swing to open position under the influence of gravity, when the air pressure inside of the chamber equals atmospheric pressure. removed and a new trayful put into the machine and the doors again closed, the switch 96 will again close the relay control circuit, and the cycle of operation will be repeated.

Whenthe machine is to be used for applying caps at atmospheric pressure, the manual vacuum valve 13 is closed so that valve 69 and the vacuum control switch are ineffective. Theswitch 95 which is connected in parallel-with vacuum switch 64c is closed, thus shunting out the open vacuum switch. After a tray of receptacles to be capped has been placed in the chambers, the doors are left open, and the start button of manual switch 94 is pressed, temporarily making a contact between elements 94a to 942; of that switch. Current then fiows'through the relay control circuit from line 90d, through. line 91, contacts 94b- 94a of switch 94, 'and from the latter through line 99 to magnet 9la of the magnet relay 9|, to close the same. Current After the capped receptacles have been flows from terminal 99 through the oil pressure switch 58 and back to the magnet No, as previously described to hold the relay closed. Another circuit is established from terminal 93 through line I90 and solenoid 15 back to terminal 92 to close the oil pressure relief valve. Simultaneous- 1y, current flows from contact 93 through line I90, line 9541, switch 95, line 95b, line )2, to motor 49, and thence through line Ifll, back to contact 92. After a predetermined capping pressure has been created, and the caps have been applied thereby, oil pressure switch 59 breaks the relay hold circuit, de-energizes the magnet 9la and. opens relay 9|. Thereupon, the motor is stopped, and the solenoid I5 is de-energized, permitting the oil pressure relief valve to open, which allows the piston l3 to descend. When the machine is to be used for vacuumizing only, the motor and oil pump must be rendered inoperative. The hand valve 64b between the a vacuum control valve 69 and the vacuum switch 54c is closed, to render that switch inoperative. Furthermore, the switch 95 which, in the mode of operation described immediately above serves to shunt out the vacuum switch, is also open, whereby no current can flow to the motor 49. It must be remembered that the motor is always in series either with the vacuum switch 640 or the manual switch 95. Therefore, if both of these switches are open, the motor cannot operate. When the doors are closed, the relay control current will flow from line 90a through line 91, limit switch 96, thence through contacts 94a of switch 94 and conduit 98 back through the relay magnet 9|a to line 99b. The relay hold circuit will be the same as described above. Current will flow from terminal 93 through solenoid 15, and back to contact 92 as previously described. The solenoid will shift the vacuum valve to vacuumizing position, andQafter a predetermined degree of vacuum has been created, as indicated by vacuum gauge 85, the operator will press the stop button on switch 94 which will break the relay hold circuit by interrupting the flow of current between contacts 94a94a. This will cause the magnetic relay to open, and the solenoid 15 will be de-energized, and the valve 69 shifted to vacuum breaking position, where upon the doors may be opened and the jars removed.

The use of the machine as a vacuumizer, and with the capping means rendered inoperative is advantageous when certain types of receptacles and caps are being operated upon, notably Mason jars with the present well known two-piece Mason cap.

Although the circuit and the combination of electrical control elements have been described in considerable detail above, in connection with the method of operation of the machine, it must be understood that we contemplate many changes in the relation of parts and in the particular combination of elements disclosed. For instance, it is entirely feasible to use automatic means to eliminate the manual control of switch 94 when the machine is being used for vacuumization alone. Asupplemental vacuum switch could readily be used to break the relay control circuit after a predetermined vacuum has been created in the chamber, to terminate the vacuumizing operation when the machine is used for that purpose alone. Other and further modifications and changes will readily occur to one skilled in the art, and all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims or their equivalents are to be considered as being within the present invention.

We claim:v

1. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a receptacle and a cap to be .applied thereto, means for exhausting the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein, means for applyingcapping pressure to thecap and receptacle, means controlled by the capping pressure for breaking the vacuum in the chamber after a predetermined capping pressure has been applied to the cap and receptacle, and means for automatically relieving the capping pressure.

2. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a receptacle and a cap to be applied thereto, means for exhausting the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein, means for applying capping pressure to the cap and receptacle, means for limiting the amount of capping pressure applied by the pressure applying means, means controlled by the capping pressure for breaking the vacuum in the chamber after a pressure sufilcient to complete the capping opera- 9 tion has been applied to the cap and receptacle,

and means for automatically and simultaneously relieving the capping pressure.

3. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a---receptacle and a cap, means for closing the chamber to atmosphere after the receptacle and cap have been placed therein, means for exhausting the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein, an electrical motor, means independent of the means for exhausting the chamber and actuated by said motor for applying capping pressure to the cap and receptacle, means for rendering said motor and the capping pressure applying means effective to cap the receptacles after a predetermined exhaustion of the chamber, means controlled by the capping pressure applying means to break the vacuum in the chamber after a pressure suilicient to complete the capping operation has been applied to the cap and receptacle, and means for automatically relieving the capping pressure.

4. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a receptacle with a cap positioned loosely thereon, a door for closing the chamber to atmosphere, means within said chamber for supporting the receptacle and cap between relatively movable members, means for exhausting the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein,

means for applying force to one of said members to apply capping pressure to the cap and receptacle, means controlled by said force applying means to break the vacuum after sufllcient pressure has been applied to said cap and receptacle by said member to complete the capping operation, and means for relieving the force applied to said member.

sure applying means to break the vacuum in the 1 chamber and relieve the-hydraulic pressure simultaneously after a predetermined capping pressure has been established.

'7. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a plurality of receptacles, each of which may have a cap positioned loosely thereon, means for exhausting the chamber, valve means adapted, in one position to establish communication between the exhausting means and the chamber to create a partialvacuum therein and, in another position, to break the vacuum in the chamber, means for applying capping pressure to the caps when the valve means is in the first mentioned position, and means controlled by the capping pressure applying means to actuate said valve means to a position to break the vacuum in the chamber after a predetermined capping pressure has been applied to the caps.

8. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a plurality of receptacles, each of which may have a cap positioned looselythereon, means for exhausting the chamber, valve means adapted, in one position toestablish communication between the exhausting means and the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein, and in another position, to break the vacuum in the chamber, a piston adapted to apply capping pressure to the cap, means'for applying hydraulic pressure to the piston, and means responsive to said hydraulic pressure to actuate said valve means to position to break the vacuum in the chamber after a predetermined capping pressure has been established.

9. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a plurality of receptacles, each having a cap loosely positioned thereon, means including a valved conduit for exhausting the chamber to create a partial vacuum therein when the valve is in one position and to break the vacuum when the valve is in another position, a piston adapted to apply capping pressure to the caps, a pump for applying hydraulic pressure to the piston, a hydraulic pressure relief valve, solenoid means operatively connected to said two valves, and a pressure responsive switch adapted to be actuated by said hydraulic pressure to actuate said solenoid means when a predetermined capping pressure has been established, to shift the first men- I tioned valve to position to break the vacuum and to shift the second valve to position to relieve said hydraulic pressure.

10. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a partial vacuum comprising a chamber adapted to receive a plurality of receptacles and caps, a source of vacuum, a conduit leading from said source to said chamber, an air control valve in said conduit adapted in one position to establish communication between said source and said chamber and in another position to open the chamber to atmosphere, hydraulic cap applying means, a source of hydraulic pressure, a liquid conduit extending therebetween, a liquid control valve in said liquid conduit adapted, in one position to relieve the hydraulic pressure. pressure responsive means in communication with said liquid conduit, and means associated with said pressure responsive means to change the position of both of said valves after a predetermined cap applying pressure has been established, to open the air control valve to atmosphere andto open the liquid control valve to relieve the hydraulic pressure.

11. A portable apparatus for tacles under a partial vacuum comprising a wheeled base including .an upwardly projecting cylinder, a vacuum chamber at the upper end of the cylinder adapted to receive receptacles to be capped, a pistonin the cylinder terminating upwardly in a receptacle supporting platform discannin recep posed within the chamber, a valved air exhaust conduit communicating with said chamber and adapted to be connected toa suction source, said a pump in said conduit and a relief valve bypassing the pump from the conduit to the reservoir, and means responsive to pressure in the liquid conduit to control the position of said valves to open the chamber to atmosphere and to open. said relief valve to by-pass position when a predetermined pressure has been established in said cylinder.

12. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a vacuum comprising a capping chamber, hydraulic capping means for receptacles in the chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber, another valve for controlling the flow of liquid to and from. the hydraulic capping means and electrical means responsive to hydraulic pressure, in the capping means to control the positions of said valves to cause a flow of'air to said chamber and a flow of liquid from the capping means after a predetermined capping pressure has been established.

13. An apparatus for capping receptacles in a partial vacuum comprising a vacuum chamber, a hydraulic cap applying device for receptacles positioned in the chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber, another valve for controlling the flow of liquid to and from the hydraulic capping device, solenoid means operatively connected to said valves to change the positions of the same, and a pressure responsive switch for controlling saidsolenoid means in accordance with pressure changes in the hydraulic capping device.

14. An apparatus for capping receptacles in a partial vacuum comprising a vacuum chamber, a hydraulic cap applying device for receptacles positioned in the chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber, another valve for controlling the flow of liquid to and from the hydraulic capping device, a single solenoid operatively connected to both of said valves to change the positions of both simultaneously, and a pressure responsive switch for controlling said solenoid in accordance with pressure changes in the hydraulic capping device.

15. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a vacuum comprising a capping chamber, capping pressure applying means in the chamber, means for controlling theflow of air to and from the chamber, means for controlling the capping pressure applying means to initiate, terminate, and relieve the capping pressure, said last-mentioned 20 conduit having an orifice leading to atmosphere means being controlledjointly by the degree of vacuum in the chamber and the degree of capping pressure appliedby the pressureapplying means.

16. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a vacuum comprising a capping chamber, hydraulic capping means for receptacles in the chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber, other valve means for controlling the flow of liquid to and from the hydraulic capping means, and electrical means responsive to a predetermined degree of partial vacuum in the chamber to initiate the application of hydraulic pressure to said hydraulic capping means.

17. An apparatus for capping receptacles under a vacuum comprising a capping chamber, hydraulic capping means for receptacles in the chamber, valve means for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber, other valve means for controlling the flow of liquid to and from the hydraulic capping means, electrical means responsive to a predetermined degree of partial vacuum in the chamber to initiate the application of hydraulic pressure to said hydraulic capping means, and electrical means responsive to hydraulic pressure in the capping means to control the positions of said valve means in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure to cause a flow of air to said chamber to break the vacuum therein and to cause a flow of liquid from the capping means to terminate and relieve the capping pressure.

18. A vacuum capping apparatus comprising a capping chamber connected to a source of vacuum, valve means for establishing communication between said chamber and said source and between said chamber and atmosphere,-respectively, power driven means for applying capping pressure to receptacles in the chamber, a switch responsive to vacuum in the chamber to render said power means effective, and means responsive to a predetermined degree of capping pressure to shift said valve means to vacuum breaking position, and to terminate the application oi! capping pressure by rendering said force ineffective.

' 19. An apparatus of the class described comprising means for supporting a receptacle, means for subjecting the same to a partial vacuum, means for applying a closure to the receptacle, and control means for selectively rendering either of said last-mentionedmeans effective independent of the other to vacuumize the receptacle or to cap the receptacle, said control means also serving selectively to render both of said means eflective simultaneously to vacuumize and cap the receptacle.

20. An apparatus for treating filled receptacles! comprising means for subjecting a receptacle to a partial vacuum, means for applying positive capping pressure to the receptacle, control means to render both of said means simultaneously eiiective, and other control means to render one of said means effective independently of the other.

21. An apparatus for treating filled receptacles comprising a chamber in which a receptacle may be positioned, electrically driven means for applying positive capping pressure to said receptacles, electrically controlled valve means for aoeaaao evacuating said chamber, and electrical control means to render said electrically driven means and said electrically controlled valve means eiiective simultaneously to vacuumize and cap the receptacle, or to render either one eflfective independently of the other to cap or to vacuumize the receptacle only. 4

22. An apparatus of the class described comprising a vacuumizing and capping chamber for receptacles, hydraulic cap applying means for the chamber, an electric motor driven pump for delivering hydraulic force thereto, a hydraulic pressure responsive electric switch in the hydraulic line adapted to be actuated to open position upon creation of a predetermined high pressure, valve means for controlling the flow of air to and from the chamber to establish and relieve a vacuum therein, electro-magnetic means for controlling the position of said valve means, a vacuum responsive electric switch operatively connected to said chamber and adapted to be actuated to closed position by a predetermined, relatively high degree of vacuum, a source of current and electric conduits connecting said electro-magnetic meanswith said source in one circuit, and connecting said motor, and said vacuum responsive switch, in series with said source in another circuit, both of said circuits being controlled by said hydraulic pressure responsive switch, whereby said first mentioned circuit will shift the valve means to vacuumize the chamber, and the second circuit will be closed by the vacuum responsive switch after a predetermined vacuum has been created in the chamber, to start the motor and cap the receptacles, said hydraulic pressure responsive switch serving to break both of said circuits after a predetermined pressure has been established, to shift the valve means to relieve the vacuum in the chamber, and to. stop the pump motor.

23. An apparatus for capping receptacles comprising a vacuumizing and capping chamber, a pair of substantially vertically disposed doors at opposite ends of the chamber for sealing the same from atmosphere, and supporting means for 'said doors, said supporting means comprising a pair of levers pivoted to opposite sides of the chamber, and guide links pivoted adjacent each lever, each of said levers being pivotally connected at one end to an upper portion of one door and at its other end to a lower portion of the other door, each of said guide links having one end pivoted to said chamber and its other end pivoted to one of said doors and disposed in parallelism with the adjacent lever, whereby one door may be swung downwardly and the other upwardly to open position.

24. A device in accordance with claim 23 in which one of said doors is of greater weight than the other, to give the doors a positive swinging tendency in one direction.

25. A device in accordance with claim 23 characterized in that the door which swings downwardly to open position is of greaterweight than the other, whereby the first mentioned door overbalances the second and results in a tendency to swing the doors to open position.

ROBERT J. STEWART. JOHN E. ERHARDT.

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