US2672272A

US2672272A - Apparatus for filling ampoules

Info

Publication number: US2672272A
Application number: US129654A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harris Sidney Ernest; Engel Carl Emil
Original assignee: F Hoffmann La Roche AG
Current assignee: F Hoffmann La Roche AG; Hoffmann La Roche Inc
Priority date: 1949-11-26
Filing date: 1949-11-26
Publication date: 1954-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-03-16

Description

March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs Filed Nov. 26. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 A I /f ci?? I t March 16,1954 E, HARRlsl ET AL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12 Sheets-Sheet I5 Filed NOV. 26, 1949 March 16, 1954 s E. HARRIS ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 l2 Sheets-Sheet 4 @ggf March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 26, 1949 Lvllll Il A@ f fa,

7 f wir AMJ TO FLLING TUBES 4 v /0 no M Wmm l IM To PUMP March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 6/60 g4 /ef/f.

March 16, 1954 s, E, HARRIS ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES v Filed Nov. 26. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nllltl'l 16, 1954 s E, HARRls ETAL 2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 March 16, 1954 s, E HARRIS ET AL y2,672,272

APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Filed Nov. 26, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12 Sheets-Sheet l0 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 i MQ March 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 MalCh 16, 1954 s. E. HARRIS ETAL APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPoULEs 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Nov. 26, 1949 a f f Patented Mar. 16, 1954 APPARATUS FOR FILLING AMPOULES Sidney Ernest Harris, Nutley, and carl Emil Engel, Glen Rock, N. J., assignors to Hoimann- La Roche Inc., Nutley, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 26, 1949, Serial No. 129,654

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls or like containers with a fluid, such as a medicinal liquid.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved ampul-lling machine which will ll ampuls at high speed, with a minimum of human intervention and with minimum loss due to improper lling of ampuls. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a machine which is simple in construction, adjustment, operation, and maintenance.

To this end, the invention provides an apparatus which comprises a means for storing fluid. means for withdrawing a measured amountV of fluid from said storage means, means for dividing the withdrawn fluid into a plurality of equal portions,.and means for transferring each portion into a respective ampul. The apparatus is also characterized by means for preventingthe insertion of more than a single charge into each ampul. The apparatus is further characterized by means for avoiding internal wetting of the necks of the ampuls by the fluid with which they are filled; the purpose of this provision is to avoid vloss of ampuls during a subsequent step (not performed by the apparatus of this invention) in which the ampuls are sealed by fusing their necks; if the necks are free of iiuid, any loss due to charring of the iiuid in the necks, or to bursting of the seals'by gases formed from the iiuid, is avoided; The apparatus is still further characterized by means for preventing breakage of ampuls due to improper insertion of the filling needles. The'apparatus is still further characterized by -means which permit the adjustment of the de- Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic drawing, partly in section, showing the arrangement of the elements of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. L.iis aview of the clutch device, partly in section.

-Figs. 5, 6,' and 7 are views showing details 4of .the clutch device o Fig. 4.

`A'FigstY and 9 are` views, partly. section and with parts broken away, showing details of the pump and the valve-device of Fig.- l.-

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the valve device gf Fig. `1, with certain parts broken away. 3,-

Fig. 11 is a view, partly in cross section, along the line I l-H of Fig. l0, looking in the direction of the arrows.y p I Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the valve devicepf Fig. 1 in another position of said valve device, with certain parts broken away. A Y

Fig. 13 is a view, partly in cross section, along the line I3--l3 of Fig. 12, looking in the direction of the arrows. l

Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 17 are lsidey elevations, partly in section, of the lller box iorrningdpart of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 18 is a top plan view showingin greater detail the arrangement ofY the valve discharge lines rand equalizing valves in the apparatus orf` Fig. l.

Fig. 19 is a plan View, partly in section, showing internal details of the ller bore. I y *Y l Fig. 20 is a top plan view yofla traycarrying a plurality of ampuls, ready to beinserted intoA the apparatus of Figure 1. n Y n Fig. 21 is aplan View showingnaJ trayrof ampuls inthe filler box Vbut prior to positioning therein. Fig. 22 is a plan view showingl atray of ampuls after positioning in the iiller box.

Figs. 23 and 24 are plan viewsQpartlyin section, corresponding respectively to Figs. 21 and 22.

Figs. 25 and 26 arefront elevations,H partlyin section, showing the position of the filling needle inthe ampul and the action of th"s ck''back. Figs. 27 to 33 are diagrammatic representations of successive phases in the vcycle of operation of the apparatus. v Fig.f34 is a diagrammatic view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 35 is a view, partly in section,` of a detail of the device of Fig. 34.

Fig. 36 is a. diagrammatic view of a third embodiment of the invention. y

Fig. 37 is a side view, partly in section, kci a modified form of lling needle.

Fig. 38 is a cross section alon "the line 38--38 of Fig. 37, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 39 isa side view of a modified forrfn Vof clutch arrangement. 1

CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVICE suchV that the pump withdrawsk uid from the U source of supply on its intake cycle and discharges fluid to the filler box, and thus to the ampuls, on its discharge cycle, the valve device regulating both the intake and the discharge.

Considering the fluid lines in greater detail, supply source I is connected to valve device 4 by a flexible tube 5, and valve device 4 is connected on the one hand to pump 2 by a flexible tube 1 and on the other hand to filler device 5 by a plurality of flexible valve discharge lines 8. The valve discharge lines 8 are respectively connected, through equalizing valves 9, to flexible needle discharge lines I and thus to filling needles I I.

Pump 2 is driven as follows: Motor 3, through reduction gearing i2, drives pinion I3, in mesh with gear I4, rigidly connected to the driving half I5 of a conventional solenoid-controlled pin-operated clutch |6 comprising a driving half I5 and a driven half 2 I. As appears more clearly in Figs. 3, 4, and driving half i5 rotates freely on a shaft I1 journaled in frame supporting members I8, and is provided with `collar I9, ltoothed on its inner face as at 20. Driven 'half 2| of clutch 6 is to shaft il' and bears a pivoted dog 22 which is normally extended by a spring 23 into engagement with toothed inner face 20 of collar I9, as shown in Fig. 7. A pin 24 integrally connected with the armature of a solenoid 25 normally extends into the annular space between driven half 2| and collar I9 of driving half I5. When extended, pin 24 engages dog 22, as shown in Fig. 5, and forces dog 22 into retracted position, out of engagement with toothed surface 25. When the motor is running, driving half 5 rotates freely on shaft I1, and driven half 2i f remains stationary, so long as pin 24 is extended. But when pin 24 is withdrawn, upon energization of solenoid 25, dog 22 is urged by its spring 23 into engagement with toothed surface 20, and the rotation of driving half I5 is imparted to driven half 2| and thus to shaft I1. This rotation continues only so long as dog 22 does not abut pin 24. Pin 2/1 is only momentarily withdrawn; the pin is then again extended, upon de-energization of solenoid 25; dog 22 is rotated until it is again in abutment with pin 24, as shown in Fig. 1, and the dog is then again retracted against driven half 2| (Fig. 5), and rotation of the latter and of shaft I1 ceases. Therefore, for each withdrawal of pin 24, driven half 2| travels through one complete rotation, but only one. Shaft I1, when it does rotate, serves to rotate an eccentric 25 (Figs. 3, 8, and 9), which is provided with a radial slot 21, in which is adjustably fixed a bearing block 28, to which in turn is pivotally connected a connecting rod 29 attached to the piston 3i] of pump 2. Eccentric 26 also has attached thereto a fixed cam 3| and an adjustable cam which lies in a circumferential recess 33' of eccentric 25, and may be adjusted to lie closer to or farther from a center line drawn through the leading edge of fixed cam 3|. Cams 3| and vare Aso arranged as to contact switches |69 and I I5, respectively, at different times in the cycle of lower disc 33 as by screws 39. A port 40 communicates with the lower part of manifold 31 at its center, and a passageway 4| communicates with manifold 31 at a point near its circumference. Lower disc 33 is bored out on its upper face to provide a valve seat 42. At the center of its upper face, lower dise 33 is provided with a fixed stud 43, and on the stud is rotatably mounted upper disc 34 on a bushing 44. A cap screw 45 maintains the upper disc in contact with the lower disc. The pressure of contact between the upper and lower discs is controlled by the setting of set screws 46, which are mount- `ed in brackets 41 secured to lower disc 33 as by screws 48. A positioning pin 49 is provided to assist in positioning bracket 41 on lower disc 33 during assembly of the parts. Upper disc 34 is further provided on its lower surface with an abutment 50, which mates with and seats in valve seat 42. An anti-friction liner 5| of soft metal is xed to the lower surface of abutment 5U, and the surface of contact between the liner and valve seat 42 is suitably lubricated. A circumferential groove 52 in the valve seat is provided to collect excess lubricant.

Upper disc 34 is also provided with a passageway 53 and a corresponding valve intake port 54 on the upper surface of the disc. A mating passageway y55 is provided in liner 5|. In the relative position of the upper and lower discs illustrated in Figs. l0 and 1l, passageways 53 and 55 and port 54 are in register with passageway 4| in lower disc 33, but upon partial rotation of the upper disc as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, passageways 53 and 55 and port 54 are brought out of register with passageway 4I. Upper disc 34 is further provided with a plurality (sixteen in the embodiment shown, corresponding in number to the number of filling needles in the filler box, to be hereinafter described) of passageways 56 and corresponding valve discharge ports 51. A plurality of mating passageways 58 are provided in liner 5 I. In the relative position of the upper and lower discs shown in Figs. l2 and 13,

passageways

56 and 58 and ports 51 are respectively in register with a plurality of corresponding passageways 59 in lower disc 3'3 communicating with manifold 31, but upon partial rotation of the upper dise to the position shown in Figs. 10 and 11,

passageways

56 and 58 and ports 51 are brought out of register with passageways 59. It will be apparent, then, that when the parts 4|, 53, 54, and 55 are all in register, the

parts

56, 51, 58, and 59 are out of register (Figs. l0 and 1l), but conversely, when the

parts

56, 51, 58, and 59 are in register, the parts 4I, 53, 54, and 55 are out of register (Figs. l2 and 13).

Flexible intake tube 5 is connected to valve intake port 54, and flexible valve discharge lines v8 are connected to respective valve discharge ports 51.

Fixed to an arc of upper disc 34, as by screws 59, is a sector gear Bt, in mesh with a rack 6I mounted to reciprocate in a guide 62. The guide is secured to the main supporting frame of the device, as by threaded rods 63 and nuts 64. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, one end of rack 6| is integrally connected with the common armature 55 of a pair of

solenoids

66 and 61. These are so arranged that upon energization, solenoid 66 pushes the armature toward the valve device, while solenoid 61 upon energization pushes the armature away from the valve device.

Considering now the filler box in greater devtof/theV main'supporting' Structure of the lling apparatus-(Figsf and 19).` Journaled ini-crossmembers of. frame 68 is*Y ashaft BSI-which carries a pair of gears 'Iii adjacent to and'interiorly of the side walls' of frame 68.r Shaft 69 is extended exteriorly of frame 68 and has secured thereto at theexterlor end'an operating handle 1I. A second shaft 12 is Ajournaled in crossmembers of frame 68,' and carries at its ends a pair of ygears 13, whichk mesh withk respective gears10.

The main supporting structure includes a'pair of vertically disposed guides 14 (Fig. 14) in which are slidably mounted a pair of racks 15, extending upwardly into the' interiorofframe 68. At their upper endsfracks 'I5 arev toothed as at 'I6 to mesh with gears 13.' Fixed 'to racks 15, Aa's by brackets 11, is a horizontal riser plate 18, disposed for up-and-downinovement' in an opening 'I9 in front panel 8e of frame 68.' Exteriorly ofiront panel 88, riser p`ate 18 carries an inverted L-shaped angle 8i, the horizontal leg 82 .of which is notched as at 83 (see Fig. 21)` for a purpose to be hereinafter' explained. The notches are aligned with respective iilling needles Il, as shown in Fig. 2'. Along its front edge, riser plate .18 carries a hinge-flap comprising a cylinder 84, Yeccentrically hinged asfat 85 (see Fig. 15) and provided at its ends with a pair of arms 86 (Fig.

2) to support a striker bar 81 parallel to cylinder 84. A

A .yoke '88, hung above -angle 8|, as by hangers 88 (see Figs. `2 and 14) supports a plurality (sixteen, in the embodiment illustrated) 'L l of generally cylindrical ampul guides 89, slidable for up-and-down movement in yoke 88. The bottom faces of ampul guides 89 are countersunk, as shown at 98, and the countersinks communicate with central bores SI in the guides 89.

An upper yoke 92, secured to front panel 80, supports hangers 88' and a plurality of filling Vneedles I I (sixteen in the embodiment shown) which pass into central bores 9|. When ampul guides 89 are-in lowermost position (Fig. 14) the ends of needles I I do not extend into countersinks 90, but when the ampul guides are vraised (Fig. 17) the needles extend lower than the countersinks. y

Frame 68 also includes atop panel 93, which supports a topyoke 94 wherein ,are mounted equalizing valves 9, one for each .filling 'needle Il. A pair of stop rods, 95 and. 96, threaded at their upper ends, areadjustably mounted, as by lock nuts S1, at the approximate center of the l top panel 93 .(see Fig. 15)'. y

Riser plate 18 at its rear edge is provided with a pair of anti-friction Arollers 98V (Fig. 19), .and

ystop |84, provided in the bottom panel of frame 58.. The switches are electrically connected with sliding {contacts' H15. whichl slide' along*A contact bars I 86,' provided inthe rearpanel lof vframe A68. By, means `of thes'ef'contacts, switches" 99 and' I'Il are electrically connected to other 'electrical parts OPER Theopration' qfthe "device may beexplained 'as follows :jForwv convenie'nce'l vnQhauidIing, the am- 'puls to' be'iilledVv are loade'ddnto trays, and conveniently each tray will contain a number of 'ampuls 1cprrespondin`g to the number of `illing needles (sixteen' in j the embodiment shown), as 4s howrriin Figzzc; '-'A surment-numberof trays for steaidy'jfeedingjis imaintained at one sideoff the' machine', convenientlyith'e left sideV asL seen 'in Fig. l. The operator, seated in seat I01, slides the loaded tray o nto riser yplate 18 (which is'now atthe"bottomoff'itsftravel, as shown in Fig. 14) ibetw'eenLf-angle' 8l and' cylinder 84 of the hinge ilap (s ee Figs. '2,1"and 23). YfThe operator then raises theL hinge iiap 'toward vertical position; `e cc ntrically mountedcylinder 84 thus moves the 'tray 'toward the verticalleg of L-'angle 8I`, and strikrbar 81jconta'cts the necks'of the ampuls urgesthem` into respective notches 83 in horizontal leg 82,ojf' L -angle 8| (Figs. 22 and 24). 'The 'ampuls are thus 'positioned under respective j'llingneedlesl I. Now, the operator pullshandle Il Vtowards her, and A gears 18 rotate gears 13 to elevate racks 15 and 'th'us'to' elevate the riser plate. `'I l1e :"r`iecks of the ampuls'are thereby brought into registration with respective countersinks 90, which" "serve "to 'center' the ampul necks with relation to respective filling needles I I., As the riser plate continueslto rise, the ampul guides are'jforced :upwards and lling needles jII pass into the necks 'of the -respective ampuls,

see' Fig. 1'5; at'this timefthe operator moves the hinge-flap back to the position shown in Fig. 15. The exact positionof needlesII in yoke 92 isso "adjusted, `as1by setl screws SG1, that when riser plate 18 isA at theftop of its travel, the ends of the iilling needles extend just below the constrictions kin the necks of the respective ampuls, as shown in Fig-25; It will be evident' that, by means of the L-angle, thhinge-iiap and the ampul guides, accidental breakage of `ampuls Aby the filling needles is avoided. l

Whenthe ampuls'have been filled, by the operation of the machine shortly to be described, the operator pushes handle 1I back, away from her, and the riser plate moves to its bottom position.

yThe operator then slides in a second tray of ampuls from the left, which has the effect o f pushing the'tray of filled ampuls onto a conveyor belt'I08j(Fig. 2), by means of which the tray'of lledampuls is carried to a suitable sealin'g devicev (not 'part of the invention) for sealing the necks of the ampuls by fusing said necks.

-f'ifTh'ey operations of the' machine which transfer fluid Afrom the supply7 sorce'to the ampuls may 'best-be understood from Aa "considerationy of Figs.

`3y a'nd`27 i033. lMotor 3 is controlled by a main switch -I 25 in Athepower line, and the motor therefore v'operates continuously ywhile themachine is beingused'. Solenoid 2 5 which controls clutch I6 is itself:controlledy by the two switches 99 Vand IDU; 'since these are"connecte`d in series `with each other, itis lapparent that solenoid 25 willbe energized-only whenswitc'hes ligand IDU aire -both' closed. lSolenoid 66 is'controlled by 'switch H39` and :is energized' only during the periodl that switch IBB' is closed; i. le., duringl con- The cycle of operation of the device may be traced in Figs. 27 to 33. Fig. 27 represents the starting point in the cycle: Operating handle Il is all the Wayback; the riser plate is all the way down. Solenoid 25 is not energized, consequently pin 24 is extended and Clutch I6 is disengaged. Eccentric 2S is stationary, and the fixed cam 3| is some distance away from contact with its switch |09. Upper valve disc 34 is so positioned that the pump is connected to the supply source. The pump piston is just short of the bottom of its stroke. The motor is running, but all other parts of the device are stationary, and this may be considered the .idling position of the machine.

Now, when the operator pulls the handle towards her (Fig. 28) the riser plate begins to rise. The normally open switch 99 is closed; since switch IBI] is also closed, current flows to solenoid 25, as indicated by the heavy black circuit lines, and pin 24 is withdrawn. The clutch engages, and permits the motor to rotate the eccentric; cam 3| is thus brought into contact with switch 28e and the circuit through the latter is closed, thus energizing solenoid B5, as indicated by the heavy black circuit lines. Rack 6| is pushed toward the valve, thus rotating upper valve disc 34, so that the pump is at this point connected to discharge lines 3 and thus to the filling needles; the pump piston is at the very botllmm of its stroke, ready to begin its discharge cyc e.

Fig. 29 shows the condition an instant later: The riser plate has risen to its top position. Switch |90, which was previously closed, is now opened by contact with front stop rod 95. The circuit to solenoid 25 is opened, the solenoid is de-energized, and pin 24 is again extended. However, since clog 22 is now past pin 24, the clutch remains engaged. Eccentric 2S is rotated further so that cam 3| is now past its contact with switch |69. The circuits to

solenoids

66 and 61 are open and the solenoids are not energized. The rack remains stationary, and upper disc 34 remains in the same position as in Fig. 28. The pump piston begins its discharge stroke and luid flows out of the discharge lines and needles I I into the ampuls.

In Fig. 30, the operating handle is still all the way forward, and the riser plate is still at its top position, with the ampuls in lling position. Switch H39 is still open, and no current flows to solenoid 25, so that pin 24 remains extended; but

since dog 22 is now past pin 24, the clutch remains engaged. Eccentric 28 is rotated further,

so that cam 32 approaches its contact with switch I IG. The circuits to solenoids 65 and 6l are open and the solenoids are not energized. The rack remains stationary, and upper disc 34 remains in the same position as in lFig. 28. The pump piston has reached the very top of its discharge stroke and uid has just ceased flowing from the iilling needles, but a drop of uid remains at-the tip of each filling needle, as shown in Fig. 25 and diagrammatically at in Fig. 30.

In Fig. 3l, the positions of the operating handle, the riser plate and switches 89 and |28 remain the same as in Fig. 30. No current ows to solenoid 25, and pin 24 remains extended. However, dcg 22 is now past the pin and the clutch remains engaged; thus eccentric 25 continues to rotate, and cam 32 is now about to contact switch I I0. However, the circuits t-o .solenoids SEV-and 61 lare stlllopen and the solenoids are not energized, so that the rack remains staticnaryand Cil `uprzerdisc -34 remains in the Same position as in Fig. 28, that is, the pump is still connected to the needle discharge lines. The pump piston now begins its return stroke, thus creating suction in the discharge lines so that the liquid at the tips of the filling needles is sucked-back, as indicated diagrammatically at II in Fig. 3l. The importance of the suck-back" operation is that no excess liquid remains on the lling needles to wet the necks of the ampuls as these are withdrawn from the needles.

In Fig. 32, the positions of handle 'I i, riser plate '53, switches 99 and |08, and pin 24 remain unchanged. Clutch |6 remains in engagement, and eccentric 26 continues to rotate, thus bringing cam 32 into momentary contact with switch IIS, and closing the circuit to solenoid 61, .as indicated by the heavy black circuit lines. Rack 6| is now pulled away from the valve device, thus rotating upper disc 34 so that pump 2 is now connected to the source of supply through intake line Ii. The pump piston continues its return stroke and commences the intake of uid into the cylinder from the source. this time the suck-back has been completed, as indicated in Fig. 26 and diagrammatically at II in Fig. 32.

Fig. 33 indicates the next step. The operator, hearing the click due to the shift of upper valve disc 34 (Fig. 32) knows that the nlling step has been completed and that intake from the source begun; she therefore pushes operating handle 'Il away from her, thus beginning the lowering of riser plate l2 with its tray of filled ampuls. As the riser plate is lowered, switches 92 and IDG are brought out of physical contact with their respective stop rods 95 and Spring-loaded button lili of switch 99 now flies up and switch 9S is again open. Switch |56 remains open, since its top button |62 remains depressed. Both switches being open, no current flows to solenoid 25, and pin 24 remains extended. However, the clutch remains engaged and eccentric 25 continues to rotate, now taking cam 32 farther away from switch lll! and bringing cam 3| closer to vswitch |99. Switches |139 and IIE! are open, no current flows to solenoids G6 and 67, rack GI remains stationary, upper valve disc 24 remains in the same position as in Fig. 32, that is, the pump is connected to the supply source, and the pump piston continues its return stroke and its intake of uid from the supply source. No liquid is discharged from the lling needles.

Fig. 27 represents the end of the cycle of operation, as well as the beginning. Operating handle 'il is now all the way back, and riser plate 'I8 is now at the bottom of its travel. Bottom button |233 has contacted bottom stop 504, thus closing switch |08. However, switch 99 remains open, and therefore no current flows to solenoid 25, so that pin 24 remains extended. Dog 22 has now contacted pin 24 and has been retracted, so that clutch IG is again disengaged. Eccentric 26 is stationary, with both cams 3| and 32 out of contact with their respective switches |89 and ||0. Solenoids 66 and 61 are not energized, rack 6| is stationary, valve disc 34 also remains in the same position, and the pump is connected to the supply source. The pump piston is almost at the bottom of its stroke and the intake of fluid is almost completed. Only the motor is now running, the pump and the eccentric are stationary, and the machine is at the ,vidling position. It is at this time that the loperator slides -in a fresh tray of unfilled ampuls, thus pushing the tray of iilled ampuls onto the conveyor belt (Fig. 2).

gif-,37.32272 MODIFICA'IIONSV The invention may be embodied in devices other than the particular embodiment described above. Another form of the invention isillustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 34, and may be considered a modification of the device of-Fig. 3. In the device of 3, theintake valve, the'manifold, and the discharge valve are incorporated into a single structure, i. e., valve device d; but in the modification of Fig. 34, these functions are separated. In the modification of Fig. 34, intake of fluid into the pump and discharge of fluid froml the pump are controlled by a three-Way valve 20|, which is operated by a rod 202 connected to common armature 35 of solenoids 65 and 3'?.` The manifold is a separate structure and may take the form of a tubular chamber 203, closed at one end by a cap 20d and at theother end by asuitable ltering device 205. A manifold feed line 203 conducts uid from three-way valve 20| to filter 205, and a plurality of manifold discharge lines 20? conducts iiuid from the manifold to respective equalizing valves 3, thence to respective needle discharge lines 208 and needles I I. A line 209 conducts fluid from a source of supply to three-way valve 20|, and a line 2|0 Aconducts fluid between said valve and pump 2.

At the instant represented in Fig. 34, valve 23| is in intake position, the pump piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the lpump cylinder is full, fixed cam 3| is just ahead of the point of contact with switch |00, and therefore solenoid 66 is about to be energized. In the arrangement of Fig. 34, solenoid 56, when` energized,lthrows three-way valve 20| into discharge position, in which pump 2 is connected .to manifold12|l-3- After solenoid 03 has been energized and the valve has moved ,to discharge position, the pumppiston moves to the top of its stroke, forcing ii'uid through lter 205 into manifold 203 and thus into discharge lines 267|. The pump piston then starts its return stroke, suck-back offluid ,from needles |I occurs, and at the instant when adjustable cam 32 contacts switch IIO, suck-backis completed, solenoid is energized, throws valve 20| into intake position, and the pump cylinder is filled from the source of supply.

In the modification, of vFigrSl'A the discharge cut-off valve is between the pump and the manifold (not between Ythe manifold and the filling needles, as in the embodiment of Fig. 3). Therefore, in the device of Fig.v 34, there is no positive cut-ofi between the manifold and lthe filling needles. At the end of suck-back,A the liquid level in discharge lines 208 must be above the liquid level in manifold 203, or otherwise the fiuid in the manifold would siphon out of the manifold through the discharge lines and the filling needles. For this reason, lines 208 are formed into goosenecksf or elevated bends', 2 I and the relationship of cam 32 to cam 3| is so adjusted that the liquid level 2|2 in goosenecks 2II at the end of suck-back is above the liquid level in manifold 203 (see Fig.'34 and detail in Fig. 35).

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 36, the intake and the discharge cut-off'valves are embodied in a three-way valve 300, but the manifold is part of a valve device'30I, which also embodies in the same 'unitary structure manifold discharge cut-off valves between the manifold and respective discharge lines 8. In the modification of Fig. 36, valve device 30| is essentially similar to valve device 4 illustrated in Figs. 11 and 13, except that port 54 and passageways 4|, 53, and 55are Ielix nirlatsed'"their `'function being 10 served by three-way valve 300. Valve device 30| comprises an upper and a lower disc, the lower disc being formed with a manifold 3l, a port 40, and a pluralityof passageways 50 as in the device of Figs. 11 and 13, but lacking,r passageway 4| of the device of Figs. 11 and 13. The upper disc is formed with a plurality of passageways 516 and ports 5l, which may be brought into or out of register with corresponding passageways 59 in the lower disc, but the upper disc lacks the structures 53 and 54 found in Fig. 1l. Antifriction liner is attached to the upper disc, and has passageways 58, corresponding with respective passageways 56, but lacks passageway 55 of the liner of Fig. 1l. A line 302 conducts fluid from three-way valve 300 to valve device 30|, a line 303 conducts fiuid from the source of supply to three-way valve 300, and a line 304 conducts fluid between three-way valve 300 and pump 2.v Valve 300 is shifted by a sector gear 305, which is in mesh with a rack 306 rigidly connected to the common armature 55 of solenoids 66 and 6l. Y

y At the instant represented in Fig. 36, the valve 300 is in intake position, the pump piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the pump cylinder is full, fixed cam 3| is just ahead of the point of contact with switch |09 and therefore solenoid 66 is about to be energized. In the arrangement of Fig. 36, solenoid 60, when energized, throws the valve 300 into discharge position, in which pump 2 is connected with manifold 3l, and also simultaneously throws valve device 30| into open or discharge position, in which discharge lines 8 (with respective ports 5'I and passageways 56 and 58) are in registration with passageways 50 in the lower disc. After the solenoid 66 has been energized and valve 300 and valve device 30| thrown into discharge positions, the pump piston travels to the top of its stroke, forcing fluid into filling needles I and into the ampuls. The pump piston then starts its return stroke, suckback of fluid from needles II occurs, and at the instant when suck-back is completed, solenoid 6l is energized, throws valve 300 into intake position and closes valve device 30|, and

the pump cylinder is again filled from the source of supply.

In the modification of Fig. 36, the positive cutoff of iiuid between the manifold and the filling needles, furnished by valve device 30|, obviates the need for goosenecks in the discharge lines 8. In this respect, the devices of Figs. 3 and 36 are similar.

Figs. 37 and 38 illustrate a modified form of filling needle, in which the central tubular liquid channel 40| is provided with a concentric annular gas channel 402, the latter being in communication with a side-arm 403. A gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide may be introduced into side-arm 403 at the same time that liquid is introduced into channel 40|, where there is a need for filling ampuls in an inert atmosphere.

Fig. 39 illustrates a modified form of gearing, wherein the meshing gears which transfer the motive power from reduction gears I2 to clutch I6 are beveled gears, rather than spur gears as in Fig. 3. The detail of Fig. 4 also shows gear I4 as a beveled gear.

Pump 2 is illustrated in the drawings as a syringe type of pump, but it will be apparent that any pump having separate intake and discharge cycles may be employed. In the syringe type of pump illustrated in the drawings, the amount of fiuid withdrawn by the pump from the apra-'cve scurce of supply on the intake cycle, Vand delivered at the filling needles on the discharge cycle, may be adjusted by altering the length of stroke, as by moving bearing block 28 up or down in radial slot 21. Where a greater adjustment is desired in the amount of iiuid delivered, it will sufce to replace the cylinder and the pistn o'f the pump by larger r smaller corresponding parts. By using 'a series of pistons and cylinders, of different sizes but having interchangeable fittings, the apparatus may be adapted to fill ainp'uls having a wide range of capacity.

The preferred 'number o'f filling needles, as illustrated 'in the drawings, is sixteen. Ampuls 'are ordinarily supplied in boxes each containin'ga g'rs's, arranged in nine rows of sixteen ampuls per row; and in filling the trays (Fig. ift will usuall'ybe V(':onvenien't to load 'the ampuls 'inte nine trays, each 'containing sixteen ampuls. 'It i's te be understood, however, that a 'smaller ,''r `'greater number c'f ampuls thanl sixteen may be filled at each loading Vif the machine, -de'- pending uppn the number of ampuls which it is desired 'to dll 'and f'r 'which filling needles are provided. I

-The -function 'of'the edualizing vvalves '9 is to fjdj''st the rate of nw from each suing 'needle yIl, -sfo that the tbt'al amount 'o'i' 'l'lid displaced by, 'the 'pump 'on each discharge 'c'ycle will be 'equally subdivided ainrig the respective filling needles, 'and so tha't these will 'deliver identical 'ainon't's 'of fluid 'to 'the 'respective ampuls. 'cn'veni'ent 'forin "of adjustable flow-'ccntrolling vali/efe. vgfa needle valve, may be used 'a't '9.

` The ie'se'rvoirpr 'so'urce ci supply l is 'shown in the drawing (Fig. 1') asa bo'ttle 5B1, which 'is replenished by 'tw'ov larger bottles 502 and '553. B'o'ttle l may bet'is'ola'ted from the larger bottle's, as by clamps l5011i and 505, 's'o that either or bth f 4'the'larger 'bottles may 'be replaced withb't interrupting the cc'n'tin'uit'y of operations. I't sheuld 'be'iinders'teodhowever, that any other 'fim ofreserv'oir br source 'o'f s'pplymay `be used. Specific "frins 'f vcdn'struc'tiri and arrangelment have been 'described ab'dve fr purposes f expianaudn. but it will 'be 'bvious 'that 'various indications inay be 'in'ade within -the 's'c'cpe of thednvention, which is claimedas follows:

1. A 'device for simultaneusiy suing 'a ,piur'ality ef ampuls which'eeinprises 'a puinp, means for connecting 'said'pump alternately toa s'cur'ce 'df supply of fluid and Ato 'a'pluralit'y 'of discharge means, a plate for carrying 'a plurality of ampuls'an'd movable between 'an ainpul-loading position 'in 'which 'Said a'riipill's 'are vloaded 'Ont'O "said .'p'l'alt'e 'and 'an 'a'inp'ul-'lling `position in which said 'a'r'n'p'uls are respectively V'presented to 'said discharge means, a continuously operfated'source of 'motive power, a sol'e'ncid-'cntrlled pin-'operated clutch for intermittently transferring 'motive power to said pump, 'and switch 'means cnt'rolling said solenoid, said 'swit'ch means 'bein'g closed inomen't'mily 'once during the `cycle 'of travel of said plate between 'ampul-l'oading 'and 'ampul-llin'g positions and beingv open vat all 'o'th'e'r times during s'a'id'cycle of travel.

2. 'A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls which comprises a 'source of 'supply f fluid, 'a pump having -an 'intake cycle 'and 'a vdischarge cycleand connected to 'said sbin-ceja manifold connected to said pump, '"apl'uralit'yof 4discharge m'e'an's'conne'cted to said manif'o'ld, rs't valve means controlling passage of iiiid btween'said s'urce'and 'said'pmp second valve means controlling passage of fluid between said pump and said discharge means, means synchronized with said pump for keeping said first valve means closed and said second valve means open during the discharge cycle of said pump and a minor portion of its succeeding intake cycle, and means synchronized with said pump for keeping said iirst valve means open and s, ..1 second valve means closed during the remainder of said intake cycle.

3. A device according to claim 2 in which each of said discharge means is further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate of discharge from said respective discharge means.

4. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls which comprises a reservoir for uid, an intake valve connected to said reservoir, a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle and connected to said intake valve, a manifold connected to said pump, a plurality of discharge valves connected to said manifold, means synchronized with said pump to keep said discharge valves open and said intake valve closed during the discharge cycle of said pump and a minor portion of its succeeding intake cycle, means synchronized with said pump for keeping said discharge valves closed and said intake valve open during the remainder of said intake cycle, and a plurality of discharge means respectively connected to said discharge valves.

5. A device according to claim 4 in which each of said discharge means is further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate oi discharge from said respective discharge means.

6. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls which comprises: a source of supply of fluid, a manifold device provided with a chamber and with a plurality of discharge means communicating with said chamber, a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle and connected through a three-way valve alternately to said source and to said chamber, said three-way valve in its iirst position conne-" ing said pump to said chamber, and in its second position connecting said pump to said source, means synchronized with said pump to l`- "i said valve in its first position during the charge cycle of said pump and a minor pm 1 of its succeeding intake cycle, and means synchronized with said pump to keep said valve its second position during the remainder of intake cycle.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which each of said discharge means is further provided with an adjustable valve for controlling the rate of discharge from said respective discharge means.

8. A device according to claim 6, in which said manifold device is further provided with a plurality of manifold rvalves controlling passage cf fluid between the chamber and the respective discharge means, 'and means synchronized with said pump to keep said manifold valves open during said first position of said three-way valve and closed during said second position of said three-way valve.

9. A device for simultaneously filling a Vplurality of ampuls which'comprises: a pump having an intake cycle and 'a discharge cycle; a valve. connected to said pump 'and comprising a fixe-:l lower disc provided with a manifold, an intake passage leading thereto 'and 'a plurality of discharge passages leading therefromyand an upper disc concentric with and rotatable on said'lower disc between jan 'intake position and 'a :discharge position' vand"'l'ircvi'ded'withan "intake 'port'iregi'stering with said intake passage in intake position but not in discharge position, and a plurality of discharge ports respectively registering with said discharge passages in discharge position but no?. in intake position; means synchronized with said pump to rotate the upper disc to discharge position at the end of the intake cycle of said pump; and means synchronized with said pump to rotate the upper disc to intake position shortly after the beginning ofthe intake cycle of said pump.

10. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls which comprises: a source of supply of iiuid; a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a xed lower disc provided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port anda plurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, and also comprising an upper disc concentric with an rotatable on said lower disc between an intake position and a discharge posi-- tion and provided with an intake port registering with said intake passage in intake position but not in discharge position and a plurality of discharge ports registering respectively with said discharge passages in discharge position but not in intake position; said intake port being connected to said source of supply, said pump port being connected to said pump and said discharge ports being respectively connected to a plurality of discharge means; means synchronized with said pump to rotate said upper disc to discharge position at the end of the intake cycle of said pump; and means synchronized with said pump to rotate said upper disc to intake position shortly after the beginning of the intake cycle of said pump.

l1. A device according to claim in which each of said discharge means is further provided with an adjustable Valve for controlling the rate of discharge from said respective discharge means.

12. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls which comprises a source of supply of fluid, a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle and connected to said source, a manifold connected to said pump, a plurality of discharge means connected to said manifold, rst valve means controlling passage of uid between said pump and said source, second valve means controlling passage of uid between said pump and said discharge means, rst solenoid means for simultaneously closing said iirst valve means and opening said second valve means, a second solenoid means for simultaneously opening said rst valve means and closing said second valve means, a first switch which, when closed, energizes said rst solenoid means, a second switch which, when closed, energizes said second solenoid means, a fixed cam means set to close said first switch at the end of the intake cycle of said pump, and an adjustable cam means set to close said second switch at an adjustable short interval after the beginning of the intake cycle of said pump.

13. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls which comprises: a source of supply of fluid; a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a fixed lower disc provided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port and a plurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, and also comprising an upper disc concentric with and rotatable on said lower disc between an intake position and a discharge po- 14 sition and providedwith 'an ntakeport register-e, ing with said intake passage in intake position but not in discharge .position and. a .pluralityof discharge ports registering respectively with said discharge passages. ini discharge position but not in intake position; said intake port being connected to said source of supply, said pumpport being connected to said pump and said discharge ports being respectively connect'e'dto'l a plurality of discharge lines, each. of said discharge lines being provided with an adjustable valve to regulate the rateof discharge. therefrom; `a rst solenoid means for throwing said upper disc into discharge position; a second solenoid means for throwing4 said upper disc into intake position; a' rirst switch which, when closed, energizes said first solenoid means; a second switch which, when' closed, energizes said second solenoid means; a iixed cam means set to close said rst switchat Athe end of the intake cycle of lsaid pump; and an adjustable cam means set to close said second switch at anadjustable short interval after thebeginning of `the intake cycle of said pump.

14. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls which comprises: a source of supply oi fluid; a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle; a valve device comprising a fixed lower disc provided with a chamber and with an intake passage, a pump port and a plurality of discharge passages communicating with said chamber, and also comprising an upper disc concentric with and rotatable on said lower disc between an intake position and a. discharge position and provided with an intake port registering with said intake passage in intake position but not in discharge position and a plurality of discharge ports registering respectively with said discharge passages in discharge position but not in intake position; said intake port being connected to said source of supply, said pump port being connected to said pump and said discharge ports being respectively connected to a plurality of discharge lines, each of said discharge lines being provided with an adjustable valve to regulate the rate of discharge therefrom; means synchronized with said pump to keep said upper disc in discharge position during the discharge cycle of the pump and a minor portion of its succeeding intake cycle; means synchronized with said pump to keep said upper disc in intake position during the remainder of said intake cycle; a plate for carrying a plurality of ampuls and vertically reciprocable between an ampul-loading position in which said ampuls are loaded onto said plate and an ampul-lling position in which said ampuls are respectively presented to said discharge means; and means coordinated with the movement of said plate to limit said pump to a single discharge during a single stay of said plate in ampul-lling position.

15. A device for simultaneously lling a plurality of ampuls which comprises a pump, means for connecting said pump alternately to a source of supply of fluid and to a plurality of discharge means, a plate for carrying a plurality of ampuls and movable between an ampul-loading position in which said ampuls are loaded onto said plate and an ampul-lling position in which said ampuls are respectively presented to said discharge means, a continuously operated source of motive power, a clutch for intermittently transferring motive power to said pump, and means responsive to the movement of said plate to limit said clutch to a single cycle of operation for each.

'15 traverse of said plate between successive ampullling position.

16. A device for simultaneously filling a plurality of ampuls which comprises a source of supply of fluid, a manifold having a `capacity at least equal to the combined capacity of said plurality of ampuls. a pump having an intake cycle and a discharge cycle and connected alternately to said source and to said manifold, discharge means connected to said manifold, rst cut-0E means controlling `passage of fluid between said source .and said pump, lsecond cut-off means controlling passage of uid between said pump and said discharge means, and means synchronizcd with said pump for keeping said first cut-olf means closed and said second cut-01T means open during the discharge cycle of said pump .and a minor portion of its succeeding intake cycle and for keeping said first cut-off means open and said second cut-off means ,closed during the remainder of said intake cycle.

SIDNEY ERNEST HARRIS. CARL EMIL ENGEL.

References Cited in the nie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Jackson l Aug. 8, y1893 Reinhardt Mar. 20, 1906 Willmann Aug.. 30, 1910 Weeks Oct. 30, 1928 Sickel V June 24, 1930 Marzocchi July 11, ,1933 Schaeffer Sept. 5, 1933 Baldwin ,V Apr. 21, 1936 Cozzoli Mar. 14, 1939 Chapman Mar. 12, 1940 Codney et a1. May 18, 1943 Barker Aug. 28, 1945 Applezweig v Apr. 14, 1950 Gozzoli Nov. 14, 195.0

FGREIGN PATENTS Country vDate Great Britain Jan. 19, 1945