US3861409A

US3861409A - Automatic cleansing apparatus for use in association with ampoules or similar containers

Info

Publication number: US3861409A
Application number: US334248A
Authority: US
Inventors: Shin-Ichi Taniguchi
Original assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Priority date: 1972-02-21
Filing date: 1973-02-21
Publication date: 1975-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-21
Also published as: DE2308234C3; GB1411871A; FR2173556A5; DE2308234B2; IT977841B; CH570938A5; JPS5140507B2; JPS4887971A; DE2308234A1

Abstract

An automatic cleansing apparatus for use in association with ampoules or similar containers in which ampoules to be cleansed are successively fed to a rotatory supply disc having a plurality of ampoule receiving pockets by a suction force. The ampoules held in the pockets of the supply disc are rotated through a certain angle carried by the supply disc and then transferred to the transport drum formed with a plurality of nozzles radially outwardly projecting therefrom for injecting liquid into the interior of each of the ampoules. The ampoules are, during a period in which they are carried by the transport drum, successively cleaned and dried, which are thereafter transferred to a removal unit from which the ampoules are fed to the following process.

Description

United States Patent Taniguchi Jan. 21, 1975 AUTOMATIC CLEANSING APPARATUS 2,347,057 4/1944 Lakso 134/010. 1 x FOR USE IN ASSOCIATION WITH 3,311,500 3/1967 Seto 134/66 X AMPOULES OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS Primary Examiner-Robert L. Bleutge [75] Inventor: shin'lchi Taniguchi Nara Japan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [73] Assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.,

Osaka, Japan [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1973 An automatic cleansing apparatus for use in association with ampoules or similar containers in which am- [21] Appl' 334248 poules to be cleansed are successively fed to a rotatory supply disc having a plurality of ampoule receiv [30] Foreign Application Priority Data ing pockets by a suction force. The ampoules held in Feb. 21, 1972 Japan 47-18331 the pockets of the pp y disc are rotated through a certain angle carried by the supply disc and then [52] U.S. Cl 134/43, 134/DIG. 1, 134/62, transferred to the sp rt d u ed with a plu- 134/68, 134/79, 134/134, 134/152, 134/171 rality of nozzles radially outwardly projecting there- [51] Int. Cl B08b 3/02 from for injecting liquid into the interior of each of [58] Field of Search 134/D1G. 1, 43, 62, 66, the ampoules, The p ul s a du i g a period in 1154/ 3 7 79 134 152 171 which they are carried by the transport drum, successively cleaned and dried, which are thereafter trans- [56] References Cit d ferred to a removal unit from which the ampoules are fed to the following PI'OCESS.

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AUTOMATIC CLEANSING APPARATUS FOR USE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AMPOULES OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cleansing ampoules, or similar narrownecked containers, prior to sealing of said containers.

There are known cleansing devices for ampoules or similar narrow-necked containers, a typical example of these known devices being comprised of a rotatory transport disc or drum, and nozzles for ejection of a washing or cleansing fluid. In such a device ampoules, phials or similar containers (below abbreviated to ampoules) are supplied to the rotatory drum or disc which carries them around a circular path. During a certain portion of this circular path, a cleansing fluid nozzle is inserted into the mouth of each ampoule and cleansing fluid is injected into the ampoule. However, such conventional systems suffer from the disadvantage that there is inevitably shaking of the ampoules, since they are transported mechanically and nozzles for injecting cleansing fluid are inserted into their mouths by mechanical shifting means. As a result of this shaking, satisfactory alignment of nozzles and ampoule mouths is hardly ever attained. This is particularly true since the mouth of an ampoule is very narrow and therefore if an ampoule deviates by even a small angle from perfect alignment with a nozzle, the nozzle may strike against the lip of the ampoule, or even miss the ampoule altogether. Moreover, the mechanical shaking of ampoules, etc., obviously increases with speed of operation, which leads to an increased possibility of misalignment between ampoules and cleansing fluid nozzles, so that above a certain speed the cleansing operation becomes almost completely ineffective. Thus, these apparatus are not only unsatisfactory at moderate speeds of operation but also impose severe restrictions on the upper limits of the speed of operation.

In an attempt to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, automatic cleansing devices have heretofore been proposed wherein the above-described rotatory disc or drum is further provided with a separate attachment for centering ampoules with respect to the cleansing fluid nozzles. However, such devices also been found to present disadvantages that make them effectively impractical. The principal disadvantage is that such separate centering attachments, by their very presence, hinder the operation of bringing ampoules to be cleansed to the nozzles and are liable to damage the ampoules. Another disadvantage is that such attachments increase the size of the transport drum assembly; and, when it is further considered that an automatic cleansing apparatus also requires the provision of means, such as a heater, for drying, disinfecting and depyrogenizing ampoules that have been washed, it is evident that the provision of still further attachments on the drum make it practically impossible to attain a rational construction.

Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules or similar narrow-necked containers which can be utilized in connection with nozzles or similar pipes for injecting cleansing fluid into ampoules with substantial elimination of the above-mentioned disadvantages inherent in the conventional apparatus of similar character.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules of the type above referred to wherein ampoules, or similar narrow-necked containers are held correctly positioned and centered with respect to cleansing fluid ejection nozzles, which are automatically inserted in the ampoules, the whole operation being carried out accurately and at an efficient rate; and which also makes possible, in a simple construction, necessary post-cleansing operations such as drying, disinfecting, depyrogenizing, etc.

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules essentially comprising a rotatory drum, which transports ampoules, etc., during the cleansing stage, and a rotatory disc which is connected to and rotates synchronously with the rotatory drum, and supplies ampoules to be cleansed to the rotatory drum. The rotatory supply disc possesses pockets disposed at equal intervals around its periphery. These pockets are round or polygonal in cross-section and they are connected to a vacuum producing means whithin or attached to the disc. Ampoules to be fed to the rotatory transport drum for cleansing are inserted into these pockets, held there by the suction force produced by the vacuum means in connection with the pockets, and while thus held, are carried to a point where they meet the rotatory transport drum in the common normal line connected between both central axes of the rotatory supply disc and the rotatory transport drum. As each ampoule reaches this meeting point, connection between the vacuum producing means and the pockets in which the ampoule is being carried is blocked, with the result that the ampoule is free to be transferred to the rotatory transport drum, as is described in full detail below. At this meeting point between supply disc and transport drum, ampoules may come out of the pockets due to their own weight or their exit may be effected or assisted by a blast of compressed fluid. The rotatory transport drum has nozzles for the ejection of cleansing fluid disposed around its periphery at equal intervals. The speeds of rotation of the supply disc and the transport drum and the pitches of the pockets and nozzles thereof are such that successive nozzles on the transport drum arrive at the meeting point between the transport drum and supply disc simultaneously with successive pockets in the supply disc. When an ampoule in a supply disc pocket comes to this meeting point, it is released from the suction force holding it in the pocket, is tilted and inserted into a transport drum nozzle, and thereafter is carried by the transport drum with the nozzle. Cleansing of ampoules is carried out while they are being carried on the rotatory transport drum. After the cleansing stage they are released from the nozzles either by falling free therefrom under their own weight or by being pushed therefrom by pressurized fluid.

As described above, the rotatory disc supplies ampoules to the rotatory transport drum for cleansing. Ampoules are fed to the rotatory supply disc by means of a rotary conveyor belt, or similar means, which brings ampoules from an outer source, (for example, an accumulating or stacking table) and guides them one at a time and upright into a charger adjacent to the rotatory supply disc. Ampoules are transferred bottom first into the above-mentioned supply disc pockets. One ampoule is transferred to each successive pockets, and the transfer is effected by a combination of suction force applied within a pocket and by the ampoule falling under its own weight. When ampoules have been thus transferred they are carried around in the supply disc pockets with their heads extending outwardly. Ampoules are held in the supply disc pockets by suction force applied to their peripheries within the pockets, and this suction force is applied in that portion of the supply discs rotation during which ampoules are to be carried by the supply disc.

The cross-section of the pockets is circular or polygonal. Since ampoules are not held in the pockets mechanically, but are held there by a suction force, which allows some adjustment of ampoule position, suitable selection of pockets size and dimensions can ensure correct positioning and centering of ampoules within the pockets. 7

The suction means can be, for example, air passages drilled within the supply disc, each passage connected at one end to a pocket and at the other end to a fixed vacuum-producing means. When ampoules reach the point where they are to be transferred from the supply disc to the rotatory transport drum (i.e. the abovementioned supply disc and transport drum meeting point), they are released from the suction force. When the suction force is removed from an ampoule and the supply disc continues to rotate, the ampoule starts to point downward due to its weight or due to an external force applied to it and so slides out of its pocket with its head forward. Transfer of ampoules can also be effected or assisted by compressed fluid (e.g., water under pressure, or compressed air) directing the ampoules towards the transport drum nozzles.

In the present invention, by selecting suitable dimensions and shape of the pockets in the supply disc, positioning of ampoules in the pockets can be satisfactorily controlled since they are not held rigidly in the pockets by mechanical means, but by a suction force, Also, when an ampoule on the supply disc reaches the transport drum and supply disc meeting point, it comes into line with a transport drum nozzle. Since the alignment of an ampoule in a supply disc pockets is controlled and since the alignment of the transport drum nozzles is predetermined, when an ampoule comes to this meeting point the corresponding nozzle is perfectly centered with respect to the ampoule mouth, and when the ampoule is extended from the pocket, in which it has been transported, its neck portion fits accurately around the nozzle, without any risk of impact between the nozzle and the ampoule. Moreover, this transfer from the supply disc to the transport drum is effected by a force from a compressed fluid or by natural movement of the ampoule, and therefore the whole operation is much smoother and more accurate than is possible when transfer is effected by mechanical elements. As described ealier, ampoules are carried in pockets at equal intervals on the periphery of the supply disc, and the nozzles on the transport drum also are disposed at equal intervals. The disc and drum rotate synchronously, and successive pockets are positioned opposite successive nozzles at the supply disc and transport drum meeting point, and therefore successive ampoules are transferred from the supply disc to the transport drum at this meeting point. Thus the invention presents the advantage that insertion of nozzles into ampoules is automatic and efflcient.

The inventors carried out tests and found that, as opposed to conventional apparatus the operational efficiency of supplying ampoules according to the device of the present invention was as much as 2-3 times greater when transfer was effected by compressed fluid, and about 1.5 times as great even when ampoules 5 were simply allowed to move naturally from the supply disc to the transport drum. lf ampoules are to be moved out of the supply disc pockets by the force of a compressed fluid, an easy and suitable means for achieving this is by a compressed fluid supply apparatus which communicates with the above-described suction passages when the pockets reach the position where ampoules are to be transferred, (i.e., the supply disc and transfer drum meeting point). As each pocket, and the ampoule it is carrying, reaches this point, the suction force applied through the corresponding air passage is discontinued, and therefore the passage is free to used for directing a compressed fluid against the ampoule in the pocket to which the passage is connected.

The invention presents the further advantage that even when an ampoule is faultily constructed and improper alignment between a nozzle and the ampoule results, the ampoule and nozzle are not forced together, as when mechanical means are used, but they are simply moved together, either by a compressed fluid or by the ampoule moving naturally under its own weight. As a result, faulty ampoules automatically fail to be transferred, and there is no damage due to such ampoules being forced onto the transport drum. Also, since ampoules and cleansing fluid ejection nozzles are automatically aligned with respect to one another and nozzles automatically inserted into ampoules, the invention dispenses with the need for providing the transport drum with auxiliary centering apparatus. This has the advantages that there is no risk of such apparatus damaging ampoules or hindering the supply of ampoules to the transport drum, and also means that the drum assembly is not thereby enlarged and unduly complicated, and therefore it is possible to provide means such as a heating chamber on the line of travel of ampoules on the drum, for post-cleansing treatment such as drying, disinfecting, depyrogenizing, but still maintain a compact construction.

Moreover, in conventional apparatus, when an auxiliary centering apparatus with mechanically sliding parts is used in association with a transport drum provided with both cleansing and heating means, since it is adjacent to these means it is subjected to rapid cycles of wetting, by the cleansing means, and drying, by the heating means. This results in severe oxidation and rusting of the mechanically sliding parts of the centering apparatus. This rusting leads to fouling of the ampoules and further lowering of the efficiency of the cleansing unit. The present invention avoids such problems, since no auxiliary centering apparatus is necessary, and the cleansing operation can proceed smoothly and efficiently.

In the invention, the actual step of cleansing when nozzles are inserted into ampoules can be by any known method, for example by passing cleansing fluid or air through a nozzle into the ampoule in which the nozzle is inserted, or by an ultrasonic cleansing method. If an ultrasonic cleansing method is used efficiency is quite high, because there is no auxiliary centering equipment which could reflect or deflect sound waves and thereby lower the efficiency of the operation.

In the subject invention, after ampoules have passed the cleansing stage on the transport drum (or if the drum is also provided with a heating chamber, after they have passed the post-cleansing heating stage), they are removed from the drum nozzles by the application of a compressed fluid, or by sliding off under their own weight. This method of removal has the advantage that it is smoother and more efficient than removal by mechanical means. If the method for removal employs a compressed fluid, an example of such a method is as follows. As each nozzle and the ampoule in which it is inserted reach a particular point on the rotatory path of the transport drum, compressed fluid from a suitable supply system is passed through the nozzle and into the ampoule, thus pushing the ampoule away from the nozzle. Alternatively, means can be provided for expelling'compressed fluid near a fixed point on the rotatory path of the transport drum positioned so that the compressed fluid it expels is directed obliquely against the outer surface of each ampoule in turn, as the ampoules are carried around with the nozzles to the location of the blower. Needless to say the compressed fluid employed can be any suitable fluid, and when, for example, it is required that the ampoules be kept germor dust-free, the fluid employed can be correspondingly germor dust-free.

The preferred embodiment of the invention also provides means for automatic rejection of ampoules that are broken in the cleansing, drying or heating, etc., stage, due to ampoule defects such as interior deformation, cracks, etc. This rejection means consists, for example, of a compressed fluid blower and a vacuum suction duct. The blower is positioned near the base portions of the transport drum nozzles and directs a flow of compressed fluid towards the nozzle tips. The suction duct is fixed facing the blower opening. Thus any broken ampoules are blown off the nozzles and drawn into and removed by the vacuum suction duct.

These and other features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the description below taken in conjunction with preferred embodiments of the invention and with reference to the attached drawings, in which;

FIG. I is a schematic perspective view of an automatic cleansing arrangement and its associated parts according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the casing removed and portions thereof sectioned or blocked for the purpose of illustration of various component parts,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line IIIIII in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 to FIG. are partially cross sectional views of the apparatus taken along the lines IV-IV to XX in FIG. 2, respectively and each shown on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing a cushioning device employed in the apparatus taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a partially perspective view showing a guide-out board employed in the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a partially plane view showing an alternative feeding means similar to that employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a partially front view showing another embodiment of a rotatory supply disc and a rotatory removal disc employed in the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14.

Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings. It is further to be noted that the present invention is hereinafter described as applied in cleansing ampoules used to contain medical solution.

The ampoule cleansing apparatus according to the present invention generally comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a feeder unit X including a screw conveyor A and a rotatory supply disc B; a cleansing unit Y including a rotatory transport drum C, a cleansing liquid bath D and a drying device E; and a removal unit Z including a rotatory removal disc F and a screw conveyor G. The units X, Y and Z are carried by a suitable framework and arranged in a substantially triangular arrangement as will be apparent from the following description. However, for facilitating a better understanding of the present invention, the description will be made in connection with these individual units X, Y and Z in the order given above.

FEEDER UNIT X Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, the screw conveyor A in the feeder unit X may be of any known type and includes a screw-conveyor helix 2 having a pitch substantially equal to the outer diameter of each ampoule 1. This screw conveyor A is used to sequentially supply a plurality of ampoules I, placed on a suitable tray 3, which may otherwise be in the form of an endless belt conveyor or any other cage, to the rotatory supply disc B. The screw conveyor A is driven by a suitable electrical motor (not shown) at a predetermined speed as will be mentioned later.

The rotatory supply disc B is, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, mounted on a shaft 4 rotatably extending through a bearing structure 5, which forms a part of the machine framework. One end of the shaft 4 rigidly carries said supply disc B and the other end rigidly carries a driven gear 6. This rotatory supply disc B is rotated in a predetermined direction by an electrical motor M, the rotational force of which is transmitted to the disc through said gear 6 in a manner as will be described later.

The rotatory supply disc B must have a thickness greater than the outer diameter of the body la of each ampoule l to be used with the cleansing apparatus herein disclosed. Along the periphery of said rotatory supply disc B and on the surface thereof facing the screw conveyor A, the supply disc B is formed with a plurality of diametrically equidistantly spaced and radially arranged cut-out portions 7 of substantially U- shaped cross section. Each portion 7 is so sized as to accommodate therein the body 1a of the ampoule 1, fed from the screw conveyor A, while a substantially tapered head portion lb of said ampoule l is partially or wholly radially outwardly projected from the peripheral surface of said supply disc B. The rotatory supply disc B is formed therein with a plurality of independent vacuum passages 8, each having one end 80, in open communication with the corresponding cut-out portion 7 at a position corresponding to a substantially intermediate portion of the body la of the ampoule l and the other end 8b intersecting the other surface of said supply disc B. It is to be noted that. on the other surface of said supply disc B facing the bearing structure 5, the open ends 8b of these vacuum passages 8 are arranged in a circular configuration in an equidistantly spaced relation with respect to the shaft 4 or the axis of rotation of the supply disc B.

The rotatory supply disc B is also formed therein with a plurality of independent blow passages 9 having one end 9a communicating with the corresponding cut-out portion 7 at a position corresponding to the bottom of the ampoule 1 and the other open end 9b intersecting the other surface of said supply disc B. It is to be noted that, on said other surface of said supply disc B, the open ends 9b of these blow passages 9 are arranged in a circular configuration in an equidistantly spaced relation with respect to the shaft 4 and also with respect to the open ends 8b of the vacuum passages 8. As will be described later, during rotation of the supply disc B, the vacuum passages 8 are selectively placed into communication with a suction unit H, which may comprise a vacuum pump operated by an electrical motor, for holding each of the ampoules l in the corresponding cut-out portion 7 by suction and the blow passages 9 are selectively placed into communication with an electrically operated compressor unit J for producing a blast of compressed air.

For this purpose, the following arrangement is provided in a space between the rotatory supply disc B and the bearing structure as clearly shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. In the space between said disc B and said structure 5, a stationary disc 10 is non-rotatably supported by the bearing structure 5 by means of at least one pair of leg members 10a, each having one end rigidly connected to one of the disc B and the structure 5 and the other end slidably received by the other element. In the embodiment as shown, each of the leg members 10a is shown as having one end rigidly connected to the disc B and the other end slidably inserted in a recess 5a formed in the bearing structure 5. This stationary disc 10 is urged towards the supply disc B by means of a compression spring 11 mounted, for example, on the shaft 4 within said space, with one surface of said stationary disc 10 slidably contacting the surface of the rotatory supply disc B. The resiliency of the compression spring 1 1 should be selected such that the contact between said stationary disc 10 and said supply disc B is sufficiently tight to avoid a pneumatic leakage of air from the passages 8 and to be supplied to the passages 9, both through said disc 10 as will be described later, and can allow said supply disc B to rotate relative to the stationary disc 10.

On the surface of the stationary disc 10 facing the surface of the supply disc B, a curved groove 12 having leading and trailing ends relative to the rotational direction of the supply disc B, is formed to comply with the circular path of travel of each of the ends 8b of the respective passages 8. In addition, the stationary disc 10 is formed therein with a passage 13 whereby the curved groove 12 to may communicate with the suction unit H. The curved groove 12 is arranged in such a manner that, while the screw conveyor A horizontally extends so as to successively feed the ampoules 1 from the tray 3 to the supply disc B in a row and in an upright position, the trailing end of said curved groove 12 is situated on the vertical line passing through the axis of rotation of the supply disc B. Thus, as any one of the ends 8b of the vacuum passages 8 approaches the trailing end of the curved groove 12 during the rotation of the supply disc B, communication between the suction unit H and the corresponding cut-out portion 7 in the supply disc B is established through the passage 13 via the corresponding vacuum passage 8, permitting the first of the ampoules l in the row to be drawn into and held in the cut-out portion 7 by suction. The leading end of the curved groove 12 is situated at a position such that the amouple 1 held in the cut-out portion 7 in the rotating supply disc B is substantially horizontally supported as will be described later.

The stationary disc 10 is also formed therein with a passage 14 having one open end adapted to selectively communicate with any one of the ends 9b of the blow passages 9 in the supply disc B and the other end adapted to communicate with the compressor unit J. The position of the first mentioned end of said passage 14 should be selected such that, only when each of the ampoules 1 held in the cut-out portions 7 becomes horizontally positioned with the head portion lb oriented towards the rotatory transport drum C of the cleansing unit Y, will compressed air be supplied from the compressor unit J to the corresponding blow passage 9, a blast of air emerging from the open end 9a of the passage 9 being used to eject the ampoule 1 from the cutout portion 7 onto the rotatory transport drum C. To enable the ampoules l to be ejected from the respective cut-out portions 7 in the supply disc B in a sequential manner, it is to be noted that the leading end of the curved groove 12 is situated to permit communication between the curved groove 12 and any of the vacuum passages 8 to be discontinued immediately after the communication between a passage 14 and the corresponding one of the blow passages 9 has been established, as shown in FIG. 5. Nevertheless, the first mentioned end of the passage 14 is situated on the circular path of travel of the open ends 9b of the respective blow passages 9 for establishing selective communication therebetween during the rotation of the supply disc B.

In the arrangement so far described, the speed at which the screw conveyor A feeds the ampoules l and the rate of rotation of the supply disc B should be synchronized so that the cut-out portions 7 in the supply disc B, rotating in the clockwise direction as viewed from FIG. 2, are successively registered with the first of the ampoules l in the row. With the above in mind, each time the ampoules l are successively brought in position to register with one of the cut-out portions 7 in the supply disc B, communication between the passages 8 and the curved groove 12 is established, whereby the amouples 1 fed by the screw conveyor A can be drawn from said conveyor A into the corresponding cut-out portions 7. The supply disc B is rotated in the clockwise direction with some of the cutout portions 7 receiving therein a corresponding number of the ampoules 1. Each time the front of the ampoules held in the cut-out portions 7 is to be horizontally positioned, the communication between the passages 8 and the curved groove 12 is interrupted. Immediately after this communication has been interrupted and at the time the front of the ampoules held in the cut-out portions 7 is in a horizontal position, communication between the passage 9 and the passage 14 is established whereby a blast of compressed air can be applied to the bottom of the ampoule 1, thus permitting the latter to be ejected from the corresponding cut-out portion 7 with the head portion lb of said ampoule oriented towards the rotatory transport drum C.

Cleansing Unit Y Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 9, the rotatory transport drum C is mounted on a shaft rotatably extending through the bearing structure 5 and having one end rigidly carrying said transport drum C and the other end rigidly carrying a driven gear 16. Gear 16 meshes with a drive gear 17 which is rigidly mounted on a motor shaft 18 of the electrically operated motor M. The shaft 15 also has a first intermediate gear 19 mounted between said driven gear 16 and the bearing structure 5, which meshes with the driven gear 6 on the shaft 4 through a suitable gear train, generally indicated by 20. It is to be noted that the supply disc B and the transport drum C should be rotated by the common motor M in opposite directions with respect to each other at such respective speeds that the peripheral velocities of said disc B and said drum C are equal.

The transport drum C is formed therein with a plurality of fluid passages 21 each having one open end 21a situated on the peripheral surface of said drum C another other open end 21b situated on a surface of said drum C facing towards the bearing structure 5. It is to be noted that the open ends 21a of the passages 21 in the drum C are diametrically spaced with respect to each other at a distance equal to the distance between adjacent Cut-out portions 7 in the supply disc B. Nozzles 22 corresponding in number to the cut-out portions, radially outwardly extend from the peripheral surface of said transport drum C. Each of the nozzles 22 must have a sufficient length to permit the tip of the nozzle 22 to be inserted in the ampoule 1 as shown in FIG. 6 to an extent to be positioned adjacent the bottom of the ampoule.

The minimum distance between the periphery of the supply disc B and the periphery of the transport drum C is achieved when the ampoule 1, held in the cut-out portion 7 in the disc B, and the nozzle 22 in the drum C are both horizontally aligned with respect to each other as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The transfer of the ampoules 1 from the supply disc B to the transport drum C is successively performed by the action of a blast of compressed air applied from the open end 9a of the passage 9 to the bottom of each ampoule when the head portion 1b of the ampoule is aligned with one of the nozzles 22; the open end of the ampoule adapted to receive said nozzle 22 therein in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 5, the ampoule being transferred from the cut-out portion 7 in the disc B to the corresponding nozzle 22 in the drum C is clearly illustrated by a double chain line. It is to be noted that either the open end of each ampoule or the tip of the corresponding nozzle 22 is spaced from the other at a distance of a few millimeters, preferably, within the range of 2 to 3 millimeters.

There will be a possibility that the ampoule ejected from the cut-out portion 7 and mounted on the corresponding nozzle 22 will be broken when the open end of said ampoule abuts against a coupler 22a used to connect the nozzle 22 to the open end 21a of the passage 21 in the transport drum C. To avoid this possibility, a cushioning device K is provided at a position where the nozzles 22 successively receive the respective ampoules. This cushioning device K comprises, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11, a pair of leaf springs 23, each suspended from the machine framework in any suitable manner and a rubber pad 230, preferably made of silicon rubber, secured to a free end thereof. The leaf springs 23 are urged toward each other by their own resiliency and the rubber pads 23a are in contact with each other. However, when any one of the nozzles 22 is brought into position to receive the ampoule 1 from the supply disc B during rotation of the transport drum C in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from FIG. 2, the nozzle 22 is inserted between said rubber pads 23a as shown in FIG. 11 thus forcing the leaf springs 23 away from each other. This condition of FlG. l1 continues until the transfer of the ampoule from the supply disc B to the transport drum C completed. From the foregoing, it is clear that, because of the employment of the rubber pads 23a, no ampoule is broken upon transfer of the ampoule to the transfer drum C.

It is to be noted that, instead of the use of the cushioning device K separated from the transport drum C, rubber coverings, each of which may be made of the same material used in the rubber pads 23a, may be employed with each nozzle 22 extending through a rubber covering. However, the use of the rubber coverings instead of the cushioning device K should be determined depending on what type of container which the cleansing apparatus herein disclosed is used for. In the embodiment as shown, in view of the fact that the drying device E operates at an elevated temperature, a separate cushioning device K is employed to avoid a possibility that, if the rubber coverings are employed, they will be burned, deformed or deteriorated.

Disposed below the transport drum C is an ampoule support 24, shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 as comprising a pair of spaced guide rail. Alternatively, the support 24 may comprise a strip material having a width smaller than the diameter of the body la of the ampoule l. The support 24 extends along the peripheral surface of the transport drum C in a constantly spaced relation relative to said peripheral surface of the transport drum and has one end situated adjacent to an ampoule receiving position where the ampoule held in the cutout portion 7 ane the corresponding nozzle 22 in the transport drum C are centered or aligned with respect to each other as hereinbefore described. The other end is situated adjacent the removal unit Z. This support 24 acts to, when the ampoules'mounted on the respective nozzles 22 are radially downwardly oriented during the rotation of the transport drum C, avoid a possible separation of the radially downwardly oriented ampoules from the corresponding one of the nozzles 22.

Also disposed below the transport drum C is a cleansing liquid bath D filled with cleansing liquid and including an ultrasonic wave emitter L for vibrating the cleansing liquid in the bath D so that the whole outer surface of each of the ampoules, 1 when successively submerged in the cleansing liquid bath D, can be cleaned.

In order to clean the interior of the ampoule with cleansing liquid supplied through the nozzles 22, the following arrangement is employed.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, a stationary disc 25 is carried by the bearing structure 5 and urged towards the transport drum C by a compression spring 26 interposed between said structure 5 and said stationary disc 25. The stationary disc 25 is supported by the bearing structure 5 in substantially the same manner as the manner in which the stationary disc is supported, and the details thereof are thus omitted for the sake of brevity.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the stationary dsic has one surface in sliding contact with the corresponding surface of the transport drum C. The disc 25 has a curved groove 27 formed therein and in alignment with the circular path of travel of each of the open ends 2112 of the respective passages 21 formed in the transport drum C. This curved groove 27 communicates with a pumping device N by means of a passage (not shown) having one end in communication with said curved groove 27 and the other end connected with said pumping device N through a suitable conduit, said pumping device N being in turn connected with a suitable source of cleansing liquid which is preferably separate from the cleansing liquid bath D.

The curved groove 27 has a leading and trailing end with respect to the rotational direction of the transport drum C. The trailing end of said curved groove 27 is situated at a position where any of the ampoules transported by the transport drum C with the nozzles 22 inserted therein is substantially ready to submerge in the liquid bath D, and the trailing end thereof is situated at a position where any of the ampoules that have been cleaned in the bath D substantially emerges from said liquid bath D. Because of this arrangement of the curved groove 27 in the stationary disc 25, during a period extending from the time at which the passage 21 begins to communicate with the curved groove 27 until the time the communication between said passage 21 and said curved groove 27 is interrupted, cleansing liquid under pressure can be injected by the pumping device N into the interior of each of the ampoules having therein a corresponding nozzle 22 then communicated with the curved groove 27. The injected cleansing liquid flows under pressure as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6 to clean the interior of one of the ampoules and then flows out of said interior into the liquid bath D. It is to be noted that, although not shown, the liquid bath D is provided with an overflow pipe to maintain the liquid level at a constant height.

The stationary disc 25 also has a curved groove 28 formed therein and extending in alignment with the circular path of travel of each of the open ends 21b of the respective passages 21 in the transport drum, said curved groove 28 having leading and trailing ends with respect to the rotational direction of the transport drum C, said trailing end being situated at a position substantially corresponding to the entrance to the drying unit E while said leading end is located at a position substantially corresponding to the exit from said drying device E. This curved groove 28 communicates with the compressor unit J by means of a conduit (not shown) for supplying compressed air to the interior of each of the ampoules then passing through the drying unit as described in detail hereinafter. It is to be noted that the conduit extending between said compressor unit J and said groove 28 includes a suitable switching valve (not shown) disposed therein, said switching valve being normally closed to interrupt the supply of the compressed air to the interior of said ampoules through respective nozzles 22 via said groove 28 and adapted to open to permit the compressed air to be supplied thereto in an emergency, for example, when the motor M ceases to operate, or otherwise, as described hereinafter.

The stationary disc 25 is further formed on the same surface and at an intermediate position between the leading and trailing ends of the

respective grooves

27 and 28 with a recess 29 aligned with the circular path of travel of each of the open ends 21b of the respective passages 21. This recess 29 communicates with the compressor unit J for applying a blast of compressed air from the compressor unit J successively to the interiors of the ampoules emerging from the liquid bath D. This is for the purpose of removing from the interior of each of the ampoules that have emerged from the liquid bath D. liquid drops sticking to the interior surfaces thereof.

The drying device E is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 and comprises a hood 30 of substantially U-shaped cross section suitably suspended from the machine framework and curved to conform to the curvature of the transport drum C, and a heating element generally indicated by 31 and housed within said hood 30. This drying device E concurrently acts a sterilizer. Referring now to the curved groove 28, the ampoules, which are relatively fragile, may be subject to thermal deformation during their passage through the drying device E. In such a case, the switching valve disposed in the conduit connecting the compressor unit J and said curved groove 28 should be opened to supply compressed air from said compressor unit J, whereby overheating of the ampoules can be avoided.

The ampoules that have emerged from the exit of the drying device E are transferred to the removal unit Z by means of a pick-up device 0 which will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 8.

The pick-up device Q is, as shown in FIG. 2, disposed on the imaginary line passing between the axis of rotation of the transport drum C and that of the rotatory removal disc F of the removal unit Z and between the peripheries of the respective drum C and disc F. As clearly shown in FIG. 8, this pick-up device 0 comprises a pair of solid blocks 32 of symmetrical construction having respective edges as at 32a with rounded projections inwardly extending toward each other. These solid blocks 32 are suitably supported by the machine famework in any known manner in a spaced relation with respect to each other, thus providing a space 33 for successively accommodating therein the am poules emerging from the drying device E.

The spaced solid blocks 32 are respectively formed with passages 34 each having an open end 340 communicating with a suitable source of compressed air which may be the compressor unit J as shown, and another open end 34b open towards the space 33 and oriented to apply a blast of compressed air to a shoulder portion of the ampoule l. The blast of compressed air may be continuously applied through the open ends 3412 of the passages 34.

From the foregoing, it should be clear that, each time the ampoules enter the space 33, the ampoules can be removed from the corresponding nozzles 22.

The ampoules blown off from the nozzles 22 are successively transferred to the removal unit Z which will be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8, 9 and 12.

It is to be noted that the rejector device P is disposed at a position preceding the cushioning device K and following the pick-up device Q with respect to the rotational direction of the transport drum C, the details of which is shown in FIG. 10. With reference now to FIG. 10, the rejector device P comprises a pair of nozzles 35 suitably suspended by the machine framework and communicating with a source of compressed air, for example, the compressor unit J. These nozzles 35 are preferably arranged in a symmetrical relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of each of the nozzles 22 on the transport drum C, the tips of said nozzles 35 locating adjacent the coupler 22a and oriented towards the tip of the nozzle 22.

The rejector device P further comprises a receiving duct 41 having one open end oriented toward and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of each of the nozzles 22 on the transport drum C and another open end communicated with a trash box (not shown) of any suitable construction. The receiving duct 41 is at a reduced pressure due to a suitable vacuum device R for sucking into said receiving duct 41 broken ampoules blown off from the corresponding nozzles 22 one after another by the blast of compressed air fed through the nozzles 35. The vacuum device R may be omitted, in which case it will be advisable to let the broken ampoules, after being blown off the nozzles 22 and received in the conduit 41, fall into the trash box by gravity.

From the foregoing, it has now become clear that the broken ampoules can be positively and effectively removed away from the nozzles 22 prior to completion of each rotation of the transport drum C, i.e., preceding the subsequent receipt of a new and uncleaned ampoule by the same nozzle 22.

Removal Unit Z Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8, 9 and 12, the removal unit Z is disposed substantially at a position corresponding to one of the vertices of the triangle while the supply disc B and the transport drum C occupy respective positions of the other two vertices of the same triangle, and at a position preceding the supply unit X with respect to the rotational direction of the transport drum C with the rejector device P interposed therebetween. As hereinbefore described, the removal unit Z includes the rotatory removal disc F and the screw conveyor G, both similar in construction to the supply disc B and the screw conveyor A, respectively, of the supply unit X.

In view of a number of similarities in construction present between the supply unit X and the removal unit Z, like parts employed in either the supply unit x or the removal unit Z are, for the sake of brevity designated by like reference numerals employed in the other unit Z or X but each having a single prime.

The rotatory removal disc F is rigidly mounted on a shaft 4 rotatably extending through the bearing structure 5 and rigidly carrying a driven gear 6', a rotational force of the motor M being transmitted to said driven gear 6 through the shaft by means of a gear train This removal disc F is rotated in the same direction as the supply disc, but counter to that of the transport drum C. Moreover the peripheral velocity of the removal disc is the same as that of the supply disc B and the transport drum C. The rotatory removal disc F is, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, in contact with a stationary disc 10' as are the supply disc and the transport drum.

The rotatory removal disc F is formed therein with the corresponding number of cut-out portions 7' and the passages 9', each having a pair of

open ends

9a and 9b, all of the same configuration as those formed in the supply disc B.

The screw conveyor G may be the same as the screw conveyor A employed in the supply unit X. and is driven in synchronism with the screw conveyor A.

However, some differences resides. only these differences being hereinafter described.

The stationary disc 10' is formed on the surface facing the removal disc F with a substantially semicircular groove 36 having a length selected such that a trailing end of said groove 36 with respect to the rotational direction of said disc F is situated on the imaginary line connecting the axis of rotation of the removal disc F and that of the transport drum C while a leading end of said groove 36 with respect to the rotational direction of said disc F is substantially situated at a position where the ampoules are successively transferred to the screw conveyor G. This semicircular groove 36 communicates with the suction unit H through a passage 31 formed in said stationary disc 10'. This semicircular groove 36, in turn, communicates successively with the open ends 9b of the passages 9' formed in the removal disc F. In other words, the groove 36 extends in alignment with the path of travel of each of said open ends 91) of said passages 9.

Preferably, each pocket defined by the corresponding cut-out portion 7 and a segmental plate 42 arranged adjacent the surface of the removal disc F facing opposite to the stationary disc 10' has an opening or entrance axially outwardly enlarged as shown in FIG. 8. It is to be noted that the passages 9 correspond to the passages 9 in the supply disc B, but differ in function from said passages 9. In other words, while the passages 9 in the supply disc B permit compressed air to pass therethrough to the corresponding cut-out portions 7 in the supply disc B, the passages 9 in the removal disc F are substantially held under vacuum so that the cleaned ampoules blown off from the respective nozzles 22 on the transport drum C can be successively accommodated in the corresponding pockets defined respectively by the cut-out portions 7' and the segmental plate 42.

The removal disc F is, in addition to the passages 9', formed on the surface opposite to the stationary disc 10 with a discrete groove 38 arranged substantially in a circular configuration and having a depth as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 12. As clearly shown in FIG. 12, this discrete groove 38 is associated with a nail member 39 having a knife edge 39a integrally formed therewith, said nail member 39 being stationarily supported by the machine framework at a position adjacent the screw conveyor G. This nail member 39 is constantly engaged in the discrete groove 38 with the knife edge 39a acting as a deflector for successively deflecting the ampoules held under suction in the respective cut-out portions 7' towards the screw conveyor G. It is to be noted that, at the moment when each ampoule has been transferred to the screw conveyor G from the removal disc F, communication between the passage 9' and the semicircular groove 36 is interrupted, thereby permitting the ampoule to be smoothly transferred to the screw conveyor G by the nail member 39 without substantially resistance to said nail member 39 which may otherwise occur if the communication in question is maintained.

The ampoules successively received by the screw conveyor G are then transported to the subsequent process, for example, a solution injecting process or any other process, in any known or desired manner.

FIG. 13 illustrates a modification of a portion of the supply unit X, which may apply to a corresponding portion of the removal unit Z as well. Referring to this drawing, a deflector 40 is employed instead of the screw conveyor A. This deflector comprises a pair of side walls 40a of different length; one locating close to the supply disc B and the other remote therefrom. The front of the longer side wall, which is located remote from said disc B, is curved or bent to form a deflecting element with which the ampoules transported on the tray 3, by the application of a suitable external force, are successively deflected towards the supply disc B.

As stated above, this arrangement of FIG. 13 can be employed in the removal unit Z as well with a slight modification, i.e., by securing the nail member 39 to the shorter side wall 40a.

In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the arrangement is made such that the ampoules are successively supplied to the transport drum and the removal disc by gravity. For this purpose, the supply disc B, the transport drum C and the removal disc F are arranged in a line and disposed on an imaginary line passing through the axes of rotation of these rotatory members B, C and F, while said discs B and F are in the form of a bevel wheel. Furthermore, in the arrangement of FIGS. 14 and 15, no passage means such as designated by 9, 12 and 14 and 9', 36 and 37, which are required in the supply and removal units of the foregoing embodiment, are required. Although it is clear that the arrangement of FIGS. 14 and 15 does not accommodate the employment of the liquid bath D employed in the foregoing embodiment, it may be satisfactory if the arrangement is used for cleansing the interior of each of the ampoules, the cleansing of the outer surfaces of said ampoules being left to a subsequent process.

So far as the supply unit X of FIGS. 14 and 15 is concerned. the ampoules fed from the tray in a horizontal position are successively sucked into the corresponding cut-out portions 7 and then rotated through 180 carried by the supply disc B. At the end of the 180 rotation of the supply disc B, the ampoule is vertically downwardly oriented and falls by gravity on to the corresponding nozzle 22 on the transport drum C then aligned with said vertically downwardly oriented ampoule.

In the removal unit Z of FIGS. 14 and 15, each time the transport drum C carrying the ampoules on the respective nozzles 22 completes rotation through 180, each of the ampoules successively downwardly oriented falls by gravity into the corresponding pocket then aligned with said downwardly oriented ampoule. Since the segmental plate 42 has a sufficient length to cover half the periphery of the removal disc F, the ampoules received in the respective pockets can be effectively transported to a receptacle (not shown) disposed vertically below the transport drum C. Cleansing of the interior of each of the ampoules is, of course, performed in the same manner as in the foregoing embodiment during transportation of these ampoules by the transport drum C.

The arrangement of FIGS. 14 and I5 satisfactorily functions with no substantial reduction in performance as compared with the foregoing embodiment.

From the foregoing full description of the present invention in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof, it has now become clear that the automatic cleansing apparatus functions satisfactorily and effectively to clean the amouples or similar containers at a relatively high speed. The handling capacity of the apparatus herein disclosed has been found to be approximately 2 to 3 times, in case of the first mentioned embodiment, and approximately 1.5 times. in case of the second mentioned embodiment, that of the exemplary type of the conventional apparatuses of similar kind.

Although the present invention has been fully described, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, without the employment of the drying device E and without connecting the groove 28 to the compressor unit J, warm air may be supplied to the interior of each of the ampoules or containers to be dried after having been cleaned. In this case, what is necessary is to connect the groove 28 to a suitable source of the warm air. Accordingly, these changes and modification should be construed as included within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise departing therefrom.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules or similar containers, which comprises:

a rotatory transport drum having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of cleansing fluid, each of said plurality of nozzles projecting radially outwardly from and at equal intervals around the periphery of said rotatory transport drum, said nozzles adapted to be inserted within said ampoules;

a rotatory supply disc positioned adjacent said transport drum and having pockets therein, each pocket adapted to hold an ampoule in position therein and disposed at equal intervals around the periphery of said supply disc;

means coupled to said transport drum and supply disc for driving the transport drum and the supply disc in predetermined directions, the rates of rotation of the transport drum and the supply disc and the pitches of the nozzles and pockets respectively thereof being such that nozzles on the transport drum successively arrive at a meeting point be tween the transport drum and the supply disc such that a nozzle and an ampoule supported within said pocket are in alignment;

means coupled to said supply disc for holding ampoules in the pockets while the ampoules are being transported to the meeting point, ampoules being released therefrom at said meeting point;

means operatively positioned for transferring an ampoule from said supply disc to said transport disc at said first meeting point so that the nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ampoule, and comprised of means for supplying a fluid under pressure for pushing each ampoule from its pocket toward the nozzle;

means operatively positioned for supplying cleansing fluid to the nozzles of the transport drum during a cleansing stage which occurs along a portion of their rotatory path;

means positioned a predetermined distance from the transport drum for preventing ampoules from falling off the nozzles during their travel in the cleansing stage; and

means operatively positioned for removing an ampoule from the nozzle of the transport drum after said ampoule has passed through the cleansing stage on the transport drum.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said removing means is comprised of means for supplying fluid under pressure for pushing the ampoule away from the nozzle.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises means for generating a suction force for sucking ampoules into the pockets.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said preventing means comprises an arcuate member having the same angle of curvature as the transport drum so as to guide and slide the bottom portions of ampoules thereon.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said transferring means is associated with a shock absorber for absorbing any possible impact upon transfer of an ampoule from the supply disc to a nozzle of the transport drum.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotatory transport disc has a bevelled outer periphery in which there are formed ampoule-carrier pockets spaced at equal intervals about the periphery.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotatory supply disc is associated with a means for supply and loading ampoules into the pockets in succession at the initial position of the transporting stage.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a tank filled with cleansing fluid and associated with an ultrasonic waves emitter device, into which ampoules held by the nozzles and the preventing means are submerged during part of the cleansing stage.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a heating chamber for drying ampoules held by the nozzles of the rotatory transport drum after they have been submerged into the tank and removed therefrom.

10. An automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules or similar containers which comprises a rotatory transport drum having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of cleansing fluid, each of said plurality of nozzles projecting radially outwardly from and at equal intervals around the periphery of said transport drum and adapted to be inserted into an ampoule, a rotatory supply disc having pockets for holding ampoules in position therein, said pockets disposed at equal intervals around the periphery thereof, a rotatory removal disc having pockets for holding ampoules in position therein, said pockets disposed at equal intervals around its periphery, means operatively connected for driving the transport drum, the supply disc and the removal disc in predetermined directions, the speed of rotation of the transport drum, the supply disc and the removal disc and the pitches of the nozzles and the pockets being such that nozzles on the transport drum successively arrive at a first meeting point between the transport drum and the supply disc simultaneously with successive pockets in the supply disc such that a nozzle and an ampoule held in a pocket come into alignment and said nozzles subsequently arrive at a second meet ing point between the transport drum and the removal disc simultaneously with successive pockets in the removal disc such that a nozzle with an ampoule thereon and a pocket of the removal disc come into alignment, means operatively connected to the supply disc for holding ampoules in the pockets of the supply disc during its transporting stage before arriving at the first meeting point where an ampoule is released therefrom, means for transferring an ampoule from said supply disc to said transport disc at said first meeting point so that the nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ampoule. and comprised of means for supplying a fluid under pressure for pushing each ampoule from its pocket toward the nozzle, means positioned a predetermined distance from the transport drum for preventing ampoules from falling off the nozzles during their travel in a cleansing stage.'means operatively connected for supplying cleansing fluid to the nozzles of the transport drum during the cleansing stage on part of their rotatory path, means operatively positioned for transferring an ampoule from the nozzle of the transport drum toward the corresponding pocket of the removal disc with its bottom outermost at the second meeting point after said ampoule has passed through the cleansing stage on the transport drum so that the ampoule is inserted into the pocket of the removal disc. and means for holding ampoules in the pockets of the removal disc during its transporting stage from the second meeting point to a removal point whereat ampoules are released therefrom.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said removing means is associated with a shock absorber for absorbing any possible impact upon transfer of an ampoule from the nozzle of the transport drum to the pocket of the removal disc.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said rotatory removal disc has a bevelled outer periphery in which there are formed ampoule-carrier pockets spaced at equal intervals about the periphery.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said removal disc holding means is comprised of means for supplying suction force for sucking ampoules into the pockets.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, further comprising a means operatively positioned for removing ampoules from the pockets of said removal disc in succession at the second removal point.

* l l l=

Claims

1. An automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules or similar containers, which comprises: a rotatory transport drum having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of cleansing fluid, each of said plurality of nozzles projecting radially outwardly from and at equal intervals around the periphery of said rotatory transport drum, said nozzles adapted to be inserted within said ampoules; a rotatory supply disc positioned adjacent said transport drum and having pockets therein, each pocket adapted to hold an ampoule in position therein and disposed at equal intervals around the periphery of said supply disc; means coupled to said transport drum and supply disc for driving the transport drum and the supply disc in predetermined directions, the rates of rotation of the transport drum and the supply disc and the pitches of the nozzles and pockets respectively thereof being such that nozzles on the transport drum successively arrive at a meeting point between the transport drum and the supply disc such that a nozzle and an ampoule supported within said pocket are in alignment; means coupled to said supply disc for holding ampoules in the pockets while the ampoules are being transported to the meeting point, ampoules being released therefrom at said meeting point; means operatively positioned for transferring an ampoule from said supply disc to said transport disc at said first meeting point so that the nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ampoule, and comprised of means for supplying a fluid under pressure for pushing each ampoule from its pocket toward the nozzle; means operatively positioned for supplying cleansing fluid to the nozzles of the transport drum during a cleansing stage which occurs along a portion of their rotatory path; means positioned a predetermined distance from the transport drum for preventing ampoules from falling off the nozzles during their travel in the cleansing stage; and means operatively positioned for removing an ampoule from the nozzle of the transport drum after said ampoule has passed through the cleansing stage on the transport drum.

10. An automatic cleansing apparatus for ampoules or similar containers which comprises a rotatory transport drum having a plurality of nozzles for ejection of cleansing fluid, each of said plurality of nozzles projecting radially outwardly from and at equal intervals around the periphery of said transport drum and adapted to be inserted into an ampoule, a rotatory supply disc having pockets for holding ampoules in position therein, said pockets disposed at equal intervals around the periphery thereof, a rotatory removal disc having pockets for holding ampoules in position therein, said pockets disposed at equal intervals around its periphery, means operatively connected for driving the transport drum, the supply disc and the removal disc in predetermined directions, the speed of rotation of the transport drum, the supply disc and the removal disc and the pitches of the nozzles and the pockets being such that nozzles on the transport drum successively arrive at a first meeting point between the transport drum and the supply disc simultaneously with successive pockets in the supply disc such that a nozzle and an ampoule held in a pocket come into alignment and said nozzles subseqUently arrive at a second meeting point between the transport drum and the removal disc simultaneously with successive pockets in the removal disc such that a nozzle with an ampoule thereon and a pocket of the removal disc come into alignment, means operatively connected to the supply disc for holding ampoules in the pockets of the supply disc during its transporting stage before arriving at the first meeting point where an ampoule is released therefrom, means for transferring an ampoule from said supply disc to said transport disc at said first meeting point so that the nozzle is inserted into the mouth of the ampoule, and comprised of means for supplying a fluid under pressure for pushing each ampoule from its pocket toward the nozzle, means positioned a predetermined distance from the transport drum for preventing ampoules from falling off the nozzles during their travel in a cleansing stage, means operatively connected for supplying cleansing fluid to the nozzles of the transport drum during the cleansing stage on part of their rotatory path, means operatively positioned for transferring an ampoule from the nozzle of the transport drum toward the corresponding pocket of the removal disc with its bottom outermost at the second meeting point after said ampoule has passed through the cleansing stage on the transport drum so that the ampoule is inserted into the pocket of the removal disc, and means for holding ampoules in the pockets of the removal disc during its transporting stage from the second meeting point to a removal point whereat ampoules are released therefrom.