US2262685A - Apparatus for gassing containers prior to filling thereof - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11, 1941.

A. L. KRQNQUEST APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS 'PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed D ec. 7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet l Nov; 11 1941. A. L. KRONQUEST APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THERE OF '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. '7', 1939 FTTORA/Y-S N 1 ,,19 1- A. L. KRONQUEST 3 3 APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed Dec 7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 4f 4Z2 3? H I: I 44 "ii 90 J6 if J4 Li? J 4 5'1 a nun W, 5 l @5 I. d v. I I 93 74(5- J6 i J/VVE/I/TOI'? 8 W98 2$ Nov. 11, 1941. A. 1.. KRONQUEST 2,262,635v APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF.

Fileq Dec. 7. 19:59 7 Sheets-Sheet s uan rm? Nov. 11,1941. A. L, KRONQUEST 2,262,685

APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed Dec. 7, 1-939 'TSheeEs-Shqet e v JM/EA/Tw? W i Nov. 11,1941. 11.1.. KRONQUEST 2,262,685

APPARATUS FOR GASSING- CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Filed Dec. 1'7, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ill" f Tll ml" In y i l #70 519- I l 9 i I I mm L? P- JVVEA/TOI? Patented Nov. 1 1 1 9 41 APPARATUS FOR GASSING CONTAINERS PRIOR TO FILLING THEREOF Alfred L. Kronquest, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 7, 1939, Serial No. 308,092 I 14 Claims.

The invention relates generally to the art of filling and closing portable receptacles and primarily seeks to provide a novel apparatus for eiiecting displacement of air from containers about to be filled and the replacement of the air with an inert air excluding gas.

It has long been recognized as desirable to remove air from containers into which products are to be filled and preserved, and this is particularly true with respect to certain beverages of which beer forms an example. It has been found that air in containers filled with beer has a tendency to cause the beer to deteriorate and be objectionably affected as to both color and taste. For this reason various means have been employed in attempts to eliminate air from the containers during the packaging of beer and similar products. Attempts have been made to Withdraw air from the containers after they are filled and before they are closed by the drawing of a vacuum in the head spaces of the containers, or by blowing air out of said head spaces by cross directed jets, but these methods of accumplishing the desired end are objectionable because of tendencies to cause the beer to be displaced by rapid withdrawal of air from the body thereof or by force jet contact. Other methods of displacing air from containers have been attempted in one of which the air is displaced by directing gas into the containers through a tube projected into the containers so that the gas is discharged adjacent the bottoms thereof, but such methods have been found objectionable because of adulteration due to admixture of the air with the gas directed into the containers. Such methods also have been found objectionable because of re-adulteration by introduction of air during the transfer of the gassed container from the gassing mechanism to the filling mechanism. Therefore, the invention has for an object to provide a novel apparatus for definitely displacing the air from containers and substantially totally replacing that air either in a manner for assuring against adulteration by air inclusion or re-adulteration by introduction of air prior to filling and closing.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in the provision of novel means for mechanically displacing air from the containers by introduction thereinto of a solid walled body shaped and sized to substantially fill the container, and means effective, while retaining the body in the container, for forcing a gas into the bottom of the container for the purpose of forcibly expelling air not displaced by the solid, and

means for removing the body While continuing the introduction of gas so that air will be totally displaced from the container and totally replaced by the gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for introducing an air displacing plug into each container to be filled, each said plug being of a size and shape for displacing substantially all air from the container into which it is introduced but which is spaced slightly from the container at the bottom and sides of the container, and means for introducing gas at thebottom of the spacing thus provided for displacing air from said spacing, and means for continuing the introduction of gas while removing the plugs from the respective containers so as to wholly fill the containers with gas.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which is included a rotary turret including a gassing chamber and a plurality of Vertically reciprocable chamber sealing supports onto which containers are individually fed and which serve to lift the containers into air displacing plug-receiving positions and for again lowering said containers to effect relative withdrawal movement between the plugs and the containers during introduction of gas into the containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turret of the nature stated, and means for individually lifting and lowering the individual container supports through two stages, in the first stage of which said support is left spaced from the gassing chamber to permitexpulsion of air by introduction of gas into the bottoms of the containers around the plugs, and in the second stage of which each said plug serves to seal the gassing chamber against ingress of air.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for sealing containers against ingress of air following the withdrawal of the air displacing plugs therefrom and prior to introduction of the containers into a filling mechanism.

With these and other objects in View which will more fully appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by following the description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view illustrating the invention mounted in cooperative relation with a container filling machine and a container closing machine.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic partial develop? ment'of the container supporting block lifting and lowering cam and illustrates the relative positions of container supporting blocks being lifted and lowered thereby.

Figure '7 is a view similar-to Figure .1 and il-- lustrates a slightly modified arrangement of the invention.

Figure 8 is a. fragmentary vertical cross sectiontalgen on the line 8'8 on Figure 7,

- The apparatus herein disclosed in illustration of the invention includes a feed-in mechanism generally designated A, the air displacing and gassing unit B, a rotary vturret filling machine C, and a suitable accelerating diskv and feedaway equipment D for transferring the filled containers from the filling machine through a transfer-way E to the closing machine. enerally designated The emptyv containers fed into the apparatus by the mechanism. A have the air contained therein displaced and supplanted by CO2 gas in the unit B, after which they are filled with beer or. other beverage or product and are delivered through the feed-away equipments D and E into the closing machine F whereinthey have end closures secured thereon in the usual manner. See Figure 1. .It. is to be understood that following'the displacement of air from the empty containers and the gassingthereof, the containers are maintained in a C02 gas atmos: phere at all times when they are out of actual contact with the filling mechanisms which serve to seal the mouths or open tops thereof so that ingress of atmospheric air into the head spaces of the containers or the product therein prior to sealing of the containers-is prevented. The feed-in mechanism A includesa can-rundelivery-Way 5 which delivers onto a supporting rail 6 and in passing over the rail 6 the empty containers move beneath a toprail l and between suitableconfining side guides. At one side there is provideda guide rail 8 which includes an adjustably mounted end Wall portion 9, and at the other side of the feed-way the empty containers are opposed by a feeding and timing screw Ill. The screw I is rotatably supported as at I and is driven through the medium of a gear couple I I I2 from a driver shaft l3 rotatably supported as at l4 and which is in turn driven through a gear couple I5 from a driver shaft I6 disposed be neath the level of the screw in suitable bearings l1. i

From the floor I8 onto which the empty containers are delivered from thefeed- way 6, 8, I0, said containers are transferred by a star Wheel I Sintothe air displacing and container gassing unit B, "suitably'guided by the arcuate 1 70'. The star Wheel I9 is secured upon the upper,

confining wall'20. See Figures 1, 2 and 4.

end of a vertically disposed shaft'li rotatably mounted in frame bearings 22 and which car,- ries a spur gear'23 at its lower endand a, bevel gear ZA'intermediate'itS ends. Thebevel gear 24 meshes with a bevel pinion 25 securedupon the shaft I3 and by this means rotation is imparted from the shaft 2| to the shafts l6 and I3 and the feed-in timing screw l8. ures 2 and 4.

The unit B includes a stationary frame including a base portion 26 provided with a. cenas at 32, thebase plate being in turn secured as at 33 upon a driving head 34 fixed upon the upper end of the shaft 28. At its lower end the shaft 28 carries a spur gear 35 which meshes with the spur gear 23 and serves to impart rota' tion to the shaft 2| on which said last named gear is mounted. The gear 35 carries a. sprocket 36 -to which rotation is imparted in a manner later to be described. See Figure 4.

The turret rotor shell includes an enlarged headportion 31 at the upper extremity thereof, and it will be observed that this enlargement extends a considerable distance beyond the cylindrical lower portion or skirt of the rotor. The head portion is provided'vvith a plurality of vertical cylindrical bores 38 disposed in equidistant 1y spaced relation about the axis of the rotor.

and which serve to form gassing chambers. In this particular illustration 12 such bores are shown, but it is to be understood that the number can be increased or diminished to suit particular demands of use. The bores are closed at their upper ends and they open at their lower ends through a horizontally disposed, concentril he lower ends of the purpose that will cally stepped wall 39. bores are flared as at 43 for a later become apparent.

A solid walled plug 4| is secured at A2 to the top or ceiling of the head portion 3} of the rotor and depends in concentric relation within each bore so as to confine the gassi g chamber formed. within the bore to a relatively narrow annular space. The lower extremity of each plug is tapered as at 43 and terminates flush with the uppermost stepped portion of the wall 39. Each plug 4| also includes a central bore A l which registers with a bore, formed in the top or ceiling of the head portion 31, thus forming a pas sagewaythrough the plug communicating with the gassing chamber at a point below the plug and with the space above the head portion 3i through the bore provided in that portion.

connected by a pipeline 4! with any suitablesource of CO2 gas under pressure (not shown).

The base plate 3| includes a depending edge skirt portion to which a plurality of bearing members 48 are removably secured. A bearing member 48 is provided for each of the gassing chambers and each such member is disposed in axial alignment beneath one of the chambers. Ineac'h bearing'member 48 a rod 49 is reciprocably mounted, and each rod carries an actuator roller 5ll which rides in a grooveway 5| in a cam See Fig,

The head plate is equipped,

shell 52 secured upon the base frame portion 26. At its upper end, each rod 49 carries a supporting pad or base block 53. Each block 53 isyieldably mounted as at 54 upon its supporting rod and has its head portion equipped with a replaceable wear plate 55, the upper surface of which is stepfaced as at 56 and has a snug moving fit with the stepped wall 39 defining the lower terminus of the head portion 31 of the turret rotor; The inner and outer surfaces of the blocks 53 have a snug moving fit in the opposed concentric wall portions of the rotor shell 30 and the casing shell 29, and the end surfaces of the respective blocks engage in'snug moving fit as at 51. Thus the blocks engage in gas sealing contact with each other and with the opposed turret rotor and casing shell portions. See Figures 1 and 6.

The casing shell 29 isprovided with an opening which extends from the point 58 at which the empty containers are fed onto the supporting blocks 53 of the turret around to the point indicated at 59. Around substantially the whole of the remainder of the turret, or from a point just beyond the opening terminus at 59 onward, the mutual contact relation of the blocks 53, the turret rotor and the casing shell serve toseal the gassing chambers or bores 38 against egress of CO2 gas or ingress of air. See Figures 1 and 6.

- The cam groove 5| is so shaped that the uppermost or container supporting surfaces of the blocks 53 are presented at the level of the floor I8 at the container receiving station, and from that point on the cam groove rises so that an upward movement will be imparted to each block and the empty container thereon until the block reaches the point indicated at 60, at which time the uppermost surface of the block will have been elevated until it is spaced only a slight distance from the stepped wall 39 of the head portion. See Figures 1, 5 and 6. This spacing is preferably limited to 9s of an inch and the cam groove includes a dwell portion which causes this slightly spaced relation of the parts to pertain at the point indicated at 60 to the point indicated at 6| or a distanceslightly greater than twice the diameter of one of the gassing chambers or bores 38. The gassing port or recess 46 extends to the point designated 60 and it will be obvious that while each block is held slightly spaced from the under surface or stepped wall bottom 39 of the head portion 31 throughout the interval stated, CO2 gas will be forced through the respective plug bore 44 into the lower extremity of the empty container and up through the very small annular space intervening the respective plug and said container, thereby serving to expel all air from the container and force it downwardly through the confined annular space surrounding the container within the cooperative bore 38 and out through the space intervening the respective block and the head portion and the lateral opening in the casing shell 29. See Figure 5. By this means all air is expelled from each container as it is being moved through that portion of the turret travel intervening points designated 68 and SI.

Following the point designated 6|, the cam groove includes a slight lift portion and serves to lift the respective block while passing from the point designated 6| to the point designated 62, at the latter of which points the blocks will have been raised and yieldably pressed into sealing contact with the under surface or stepped wall 39 of the head portion 31. The cam grooveis so shaped that this contact See Figures 4 and 6.-

pertains from the point designated 62 to the point designated 63, and following this point the cam groove serves to lower the blocks and return them to the initial, container receiving level hereinbefore referred to. This lowering. of the blocks commences at the point designated 63 and is completed at the point 64, and it will be observed that the gassing port or recess 46 terminates at the point 64. While the blocks are being lowered in passing between points 63 and 64 they effect a'lowering of the container supported thereon and from which all air has been expelled by forced introduction of CO2 gas, and it will be observed that during the lowering of these containers, the CO2 gas continuingto enter through the port or recess 46, will fill the containers and replace air previously contained therein. Thisinrushing of gas also serves to fill the chamber space formed beneath the chambers 38 by the gradually increased volume occasioned by the lowering of the blocks.

The turret shell or casing is attached to the frame of the filling machine generally designated 0 and the head portion or filling section of this machine preferably is encased with a gas trapping wall or housing generally designated 65 so that the area surrounding the filling spouts of the filling machine will contain a C02 gas atmosphere serving to exclude atmospheric air. 'It is to be understood that the filling machine with which the invention is combined or connected in cooperative relation may be of any approvedtype of the many forms of such machines which include filler spouts 66 equipped with sealing rings 61, filler tubes 68, and vertically reciprocable supports or pads 69 which individually receive the gassed containers from the turret hereinbefore described and lift them into sealing contact with the sealing ring equipped spouts.

The gassed containers indicated at 10 are transferred from the supporting pads of the gassing turret by a star wheel 1| secured'upon the upper end of a vertical shaft 12 driven as is the star wheel l9 by a gear couple 13 with the turret gear 35. The filling machine may include a gas confining housing portion 14, and since the containers are delivered directly from the star wheel onto the receiving pads of the filling machine which are promptly elevated to force the 7 open upper ends of the containers into tight contact with the filling spout within an atmosphere of 002, the filling operation immediately succeeds the complete substitution of CO2 gas for the atmospheric air previously contained in the containers and aeration of the beverage and inclusion of air in the head spaces of the containers above the filled beverage is avoided.

Following the filling of the containers, the filled containers are stripped from the supporting pads 3 of the filling machine by a stripper wall I5 and are engaged by the feeder fingers 16 of the accelerating disk D and transferred by any suitable conveying means over a feedway 11 into the closing machine generally designated F. In passing from the filling machine to the closing machine the filled containers pass through a CO2v gas confining housing 18 and are thus presented to the closing devices without possibility of adulteration of the beverage with atmospheric air or introduction of said air into the head spaces overlying the filled beverage. It is to be understood that the closing machine generally designated F may be of any approved type.

Rotation is imparted to the turret through the -medium of a driver chain 19 which takes over the turret sprocket 36 and, over a; sprocket. 80? mountedion ashaft 81. which. carries a pinion. 82: enmeshed: with a ring gear 83' movable. with thefilling machine' turret.

' In operation, the air filled containers are fed one byone onto the supporting blocks 53 ofthegassing turret. In movingfrom thev position: at:

which a container is received thereon to the point designatedv 60,, each block is. elevated. untilf it' comes within approximately 3 2 of: an inch from contacting the. stepped wall or bottom 39' of the head; portion". 3 1.. While the block-is passing: from the point Ell to the: point 6|, duringwhich'period it will'remadnspaced. below thehead portion in: the manner stated, CO; gas will be forced into. the bottom of the container and aboutthe. outer solid wall surface of the. respective plug serving to expel thesm-all amount of air which has. not: been displaced by the introduction: of the: plug into the container during its movement to the point 60. See Figure: 5.

. As the supporting blocks lower the containers 1!! and bring about a. withdrawal ofthe plugs therefrom while: the blockszare passing from the point 6-2 to: the pointv 63,. the gas. continuing to flow from the lower end of the. plug will completely fill the container and. the space. above the blockwith CO2 gas. The containers: thus. ex

cluded of all air content and filled with CO2 gas are transferred to the filling machine where they are filled with liquid without ingress of atmospheric air in the mannerhereinbefore described;-

By-prbportioning the' container receiving chain;- hers-i orybores '38 and the solid walled plugs 41in the? manner herein described, annularspa'ces off very limited area: are provided: between the. plug and the inner walls of a container and betweenthe outer walls-ofc the containers and the inner walls of the chamber when'a container is posi tioned' in. said chamb'enpand b-y introducingthe CO2 ga's' under pressure centrally of the plug and: at the: extreme bottom of the. container, a very effici'ents driving out of air from the small space. surrounding the plug is provided for. It will be obvious also that the major: portion of the air It is to be understood: that theunder surfacev of the casing or housing; portion of the turret intervening the star wheel H and the receiving station at which. the empty containers are presented to'the supporting blocks is concentrically stepped in thesame manner as is the. stepped wall 39. of

' the turret head portionv 31 sosas to engage in gas sealing contact with the upper: concentrically stepped surfaces housing equipments mospheric air I InFigures 7 and 8 of the' drawings, I. have illustrated a slightly modified arrangement. of the invention in which theinfeeding unit A and'the" air excluding and gassing unit-B function in the manner previously described. In. this adaptation of. the invention the star the gassed containers, from the: turret B onto a suitable feed conveyor 85in a COz.gas. atmosphere confining tunnel 8.6. having. lateral guide- 1 ways 81 thereinand which delivers theagassed.

containers to a star wheel 88. within a C02 gas atmosphere confining housing 89 includingia' hood portion 90 extending inwardly over the containers 10 being transferred to the. filling. machine and beneath. the filling spouts B6. of the filling machine. l invention the gassed. containers. were: delivered. directly from the gassingtuflet B to the filling In the=previously described form of". the

machine butin this. modified disclosure, it will be noted that they are indirectly fed through a CO2 gas atmosphere confiningtunnel which per-- 1 mitsa spaced relation between the gassing turj ret. B and gassed containers are filled they may be stripped from the supporting pads of the machine by a suitably positioned stripper bar 91 and, delivered to the closing machine in! the. manner hereinbe'foreidescribedr Q the filling machine C. After the 56 of the supporting blocks 53:- Followingthe: filling of the containers they are delivered tov the:closing machine through the 18 which enclose a COagas atmosphere and assure delivery of the containers to the closing mechanisms without ingress of atwheel. 8.4 delivers;-

displaced from the containers is displaced by mere introduction. of thexsolid walled plugs 41 into the containers; It will be obvious also that:

becauseof the close spacingof the parts'refer'red to, and because of. utilizing the gas to expel the remaining" air while the blocks 53 are spaced only: slightly below the stepped wall or bottom por-= present a container in the annular gassing chamber',. the flared and tapered surfacesrof the rotor head and plug structures respectively designated M and 43 will facilitate entrance of the con-- tainers into 'said chambers and round up any containers which mi'ghtLbe' out of round.

It is of course tobe understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modifiedwithout departing' from-the spirit and scopeo'f my invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

a support for anempty container, means for forming a confining chamber about a container on the support, a solid walle'd plug of 'a size for" substantially filling a container, means for. bringing about relative movement between the support and the plug for causing the latter to enter a container on the support and displace substantially all air from the container and then.

withdraw from said container, and means for" directingja as into said container" to replace the air displaced therefrom.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

a support for an empty container, means for forming a confining chamber about a container onthe support, a solid walled plug of asize for substantially filling a container, means for bringing about relative movement between the support? and the. plug for causingthe. latter to enter a container on the support and displace substantially all air from the container and then withdraw from said container, said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating; with the interior bottom portion of a container, and. means for directing a gas through the plug. bore into said container before; withdrawal thereof for forcing air from the container not dis-'- placed :by entrance of the plug and for continuiingv the gas introduction during withdrawal of said plug for replacing; with gas all air displaced fromthe container,

3; In: apparatus of. the character described;-

a support for an empty container, means for forming a confining chamber about a container on the support, a solid walledplug of a size for substantially filling a container, means for bringing about relative movement between the support and the plug for [causing the latter to enter a container on the support and displace substantially all air from the container andthen withdraw from said container, said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom portion of a container, means for directing a gas through the plug bore into said container before withdrawal thereof for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of said plug for replacing with gas all air displaced from the container, a container filling machine, a container closing machine, and means for delivering the gassed container to the filling machine and from the filling machine to the closing machine in an inert gas atmosphere.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a support for an empty container, a body having a bore therein forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chamber, said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom portion of a container, means for bringing about relative movement between the support and the plug for causing the latter to enter a container on the support and displace air therefrom and then withdraw from said container. and means for directing a gas throu h the plug bore into said container before withdrawal thereof for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of said plug for replacing with gas all air displaced from the container.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a support for an empty container, a body having a bore therein forming a gassing'chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chamber, said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom portion of a container, means for bringing about relative movement between the support and the plug for causing the latter to enter a container on the support and displace air therefrom and then withdraw from said container, and means for directing a gas through the plug bore into said container before withdrawal thereof for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during Withdrawal ofsaid plug for replacing with gas all air displaced from the container, said body bore and said plug respectively including flared'and tapered portions effective to guide entrance of containers into the gassing chamber.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including a head and empty container supporting means opposed to said head, said head having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of 75' containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed'concentrically with respectto each gassing chamber and of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers,'each Isaid plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means ,for

bringing about relative movement between the for delivering gas filled containers from said supporting means.

'7. In apparatus of the character described, a, rotary turret including a head and empty container supportingmeans opposed to said head, said head having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed concentrically with respect to each gassing chamber and of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for bringing about relative movement. between the supporting means and the plugs for causing the latter to enter containers on the supporting means and displace-airtherefrom and then withdraw from said containers, means for directing a gas through each plug bore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, means for feeding air filled containers onto said supporting means, means for delivering gas filled containers from said supporting means, and housing means associated with said delivery means for maintaining an inert gas atmosphere about-the gassed containers as they are being delivered away from said turret. I

8. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including a head and empty 'container supporting means opposed tosaid head, said head having a plurality of bores therein each forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed concentrically with respect to each gassing chamber and of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be'gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means 'forbringing about relative movement between the supporting means and the plugs for causing the latterto enter containers on the supporting means and displace air therefrom and then withdraw from said containers, means for directing'a'ga's through-each plug bore into a container before withdrawal of the 'plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not diswith the skirt and shell in ing the skirt and shell beneath the head, said placed by entrance of the plug and for continu- ,ing the gas introduction during withdrawal of,

the plugs for replacing with gas all air .displaced from said containers, .means for-feeding air ,filled containers onto said supporting means, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said supporting means, said head and said supporting means includingopposed mutually engaging and engageable surface portions, effective to provide a restricted air and gas escape passage open during the air expulsion by gas in- 'jection functions and for sealing the gassing chambers following completion of the air expulsion and during withdrawal of the plugs from plug disposed concentrically with respect to each gassing chamber and of a diameter only slightly 7, less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a'bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for bringing about relative movement between the supporting means and the plugs for causing the latter to enter containers on the supporting means and displace air therefrom and then with draw from said containers, means for directing a gas through each plug bore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plug for replacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including a stationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereof extending over and com municating with a plurality of the plug bores. and a ductfor delivering an inert gasjunder pressure into said recess, means for feeding air filledcontainers onto said s lpportingmeans, and means for deliveringgas filled containers from said supportingmeans.

' 10. In apparatus of thecharacter described, a rotary turret including a head enlargement, and a dependingskirt, a casing 'shell'surround ing the turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt, 'a plurality of individually reciproeable container; supporting blocks movable in contact'with each other and the space interven head having aYplurality of bores'therein each centered over one block and forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter] than. the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a' solid walled plug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightly "less than the. internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough 'for communieating with theinter'ior bottom of containers,

means for rotating the turret, means for suc- 3 cessively lifting the .blocks to cause the-plugs to venter containers .on the blocks and displace air therefrom :and then lower the blocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from "the containers, means for directing agasthrough each f plug bore v:into a, container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for :for'cing'airfroin the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all airdisplaced'from said containers, means for .feeding air filled-containersonto the blocks, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said blocks. V

11. In apparatus of the character describeda rotary turret including a head enlargement and a depending skirt,,a casingshellsurrounding the turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt, a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocks movable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in thespace intervening the skirt and shell beneaththehead, said head having a plurality of bores therein ach centered over one block and forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a

solid walled plug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightly less I than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrou'gh' for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret, means for successively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs to enter containers on the blocks and displace air therefrom and then lower the. blocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers, means for directing a gas througheach plug bore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not displaced .by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing Withgas all air displaced from said (containers, said gas vdirecting means including a stationary. plate having an arcuate recess in,the under surface thereofextainers from sa'id b'locks.

12. In apparatusof the character described, a

rotary turret including 'a head enlargement and a depending skirt, a casing shell surrounding the turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt, a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocks movable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in the space intervening "the skirt and "shell beneath thhead, said head having 'a plurality of bores therein each centered over one block and forming a gassing cham'ber only slightly larger in diameter'than the-external diameter of containersto be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed'concentrically'in each chamber and of adiam'e'ter only slightly less than the internal diameter of contai-ners-to' be gassed in said chambers, each said plug "having -a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret, means iorsuccessively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs'to enter containers on the blocks and displace air therefromand then lower the blocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers-means .for directing a'rgasithrough each plug bore iintoza container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for [forcing air from'the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing :the gas introduction during 'with drawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including a stationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereof extending over and communicating with a plurality of the plug bores and a duct for delivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess, means for feeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having an opening therein extending from the point at which the air filled containers are fed onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond the commencement of the gassing recess, and said block lifting and lowering means including a cam effective to lift each block into and hold it for an interval of travel in close proximity with but out of contact with the head while a plug is in air displacing relation in the container supported on the particular block, then lift the block into sealing contact with the head, and then lower the block after the block next succeeding has been moved into sealing contact with said head.

13. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including a head enlargement and a depending skirt, a casing shell surrounding the turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwardly from the skirt, a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocks movable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in the space intervening the skirt and shell beneath the head, said head having a plurality of bores therein each centered over one block and forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret, means for successively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs to enter containers on the blocks and displace air therefrom and then lower the blocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers, means for directing a gas through each plug bore into a container before Withdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including a stationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereof extending over and communicating with a plurality of the plug bores and a duct for delivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess, means for feeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having an opening therein extending fromthe point at which the air filled containers are fed onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond the commencement of the gassing recess, and said block lifting and lowering means including a cam effective to lift each block into and hold it for an interval of travel in close proximity with but out of contact with the head while a plug is in air displacing relation in the container supported on the particular block, then lift the block into sealing contact with the head, and then lower the block after the block next succeeding has been moved into sealing contact with said head, each said block having provision for yieldably engaging said head.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary turret including a head enlargement and a depending skirt, a casing shell surrounding the turret in engagement with the head and spaced outwrdly from the skirt, a plurality of individually reciprocable container supporting blocks movable in contact with each other and with the skirt and shell in the space intervening the skirt and shell beneath the head, said head having a plurality of bores therein each centered over one block and forming a gassing chamber only slightly larger in diameter than the external diameter of containers to be gassed therein, a solid walled plug disposed concentrically in each chamber and of a diameter only slightly less than the internal diameter of containers to be gassed in said chambers, each said plug having a bore therethrough for communicating with the interior bottom of containers, means for rotating the turret, means for successively lifting the blocks to cause the plugs to enter containers on the blocks and displace air therefrom and then lower the blocks to bring about withdrawal of the plugs from the containers, means for directing a gas through each plug bore into a container before withdrawal of the plug therefrom for forcing air from the container not displaced by entrance of the plug and for continuing the gas introduction during withdrawal of the plugs for replacing with gas all air displaced from said containers, said gas directing means including a stationary plate having an arcuate recess in the under surface thereof extending over and communicating with a plurality of the Plug bores and a duct for delivering an inert gas under pressure into said recess, means for feeding air filled containers onto the blocks, and means for delivering gas filled containers from said blocks, said shell having an opening therein extending from the point at which the air filled containers are fed, onto the blocks to a point a distance beyond the commencement of the gassing recess, and said block lifting and lowering means including a cam effective to lift each block into and hold it for an interval of travel in close proximity with but out of contact with the head while a plug is in air displacing relation in the container supported. on the particular block, then lift the block into sealing contact with the head, and then lower the block after the block next succeeding has been moved into sealing contact with said head, each said plug having a tapered end portion and each plug surrounding head bore having a fiared portion for facilittaing entry of and rounding up containers being gassed.

ALFRED L. KRONQUEST.

Images