US3868808A

US3868808A - Applicaton of container closures

Info

Publication number: US3868808A
Application number: US414730A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Richard Preston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-22
Filing date: 1973-11-12
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04
Also published as: JPS505187A; AU6218573A

Abstract

Apparatus for applying a closure lid to a container comprising a rolling head operable to deform a peripheral flange of the lid to hold it to the container. The rolling head comprises a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis, a series of working rollers mounted on the support structure by roller carriers which are pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about horizontal pivot axes and a backing roller disposed about the vertical axis of rotation of the rolling head and acting on the working rollers to bias them laterally outwardly as they run around the peripheral flange of the lid so as to deform it. The rolling head is movable vertically within a chamber which receives the container and can be evacuated to enable the container to be closed under vacuum conditions.

Description

ilnited States Patent [191 Preston Mar. 4, 1975 1 APPLHCATON OF CONTAINER CLOSURES [76] Inventor: Henry Richard Preston, 18 Corella Ave., Melton, Victoria, Australia [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,730

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 22, 1972 Australia 1327/72 [52] US. Cl. 53/97, 53/338 [51] Int. Cl 1365b 31/02, B65b 7/28 {58] Field of Search 53/86, 97, 101, 102, 330,

Pn'mary E.\aminer-Travis S. McGehee [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for applying a closure lid to a container comprising a rolling head operable to deform a peripheral flange of the lid to hold it to the container. The rolling head comprises a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis, a series of working rollers mounted on the support structure by roller carriers which are pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about horizontal pivot axes and a backing roller disposed about the vertical axis of rotation of the rolling head and acting on the working rollers to bias them laterally outwardly as they run around the peripheral flange of the lid so as to deform it. The rolling head is movable vertically within a chamber which receives the container and can be evacuated to enable the container to be closed under vacuum conditions.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.038.476 9/1912 Bagar 53/338 1,452,410 4/1923 Boucher 53/340 2,033,951 3/1936 Nordquist 53/97 X 2,610,779 9/1952 Fouse 53/343 X Z lmmn 55 U APPLICATON 01F CONTAINER CLOSURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the fitting of closures to containers. It has particular, but not exclusive, application to the vacuum packaging of foodstuffs in drums.

2. Description of Prior Art It is now general practice when preparing small goods and other foodstuffs for bulk distribution in drums under vacuum to actually cook the foodstuffs in partially closed drums and thereby expel air from the drums before finally sealing them. There has been to date no satisfactory way of packing precooked or uncooked footstuffs at ambient temperatures. The present invention enables this to be achieved. However, although the invention has arisen to satisfy a need in the field of vacuum packaging, the particular apparatus which will be described in detail below incorporates a novel form of rolling head for deforming a container closure member and this rolling head could be applied with advantage in drum closing apparatus which does not apply a vacuum to the drum. It is to be understood that the invention also extends to such apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The vacuum packing apparatus of the present invention comprises a vessel defining a vacuum chamber and including door means to provide access to the chamber whereby to enable a container to be placed in the chamber, means to evacuate the chamber when the door means is closed, and container closure member applicator means to hold a container closure member within the chamber and operable to apply the closure member to the container while the chamber is evacu ated. As used herein, the term evacuated merely implies the generation of a subatmospheric pressure ap propriate to the vacuum packaging technique and does not necessarily imply a high vacuum condition.

The invention also extends to apparatus for applying a closure to a container, comprising means to support the container and a rolling head operable to deform a peripheral flange of a container closure member fitted to the container, wherein the rolling head comprises a working roller support structure rotatable about an axis of rotation of the rolling head, a working roller rotatable on a roller carrier which is pivotally mounted on the support structure to mount the working roller for swinging movement laterally of the axis of rotation of the rolling head, and means to rotate the rolling head and to bias the working roller laterally outwardly of said axis of rotation.

In order that the invention may be more fully ex plained one particular apparatus for sealing food in drums under vacuum will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned side elevation of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 in FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a partly sectioned detail of one of a pair of hinges supporting the door of a vacuum vessel of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a partly sectioned detail of a valve controlling the application of vacuum to the vacuum vessel;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-section through a rolling head assembly of the apparatus prior to application of a drum lid to a drum;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-section through part of the rolling head assembly shown during application of a lid to a drum; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a pneumatic control circuit of the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE .PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The illustrated apparatus is comprised of a vessel 11 defining a vacuum chamber 12 and a rolling head, denoted generally as 13, which is located in the upper part of the chamber and is operable to apply a lid to a drum placed within chamber 12.

Vessel 11 is constructed as a sturdy steel pressure vessel with domed front and rear walls 14, 15 and a peripheral wall 20. The base 16 of the vessel may be welded or otherwise fastened to a stable pedestal frame for appropriate installation in a food packing line. The top part 17 of the vessel carries a superstructure 18 which serves as a mounting for the rolling head assembly 13 and its associated drive motor.

Front wall 14 of vessel 11 has a circular opening surrounded by a flange l9 and a sturdy domed door 21 is swung on a pair of

hinges

22, 23 so that it can be swung from an open position to a position in which it closes this opening. Flange 19 is grooved and fitted with a rubber or plastic sealing gasket 24 of circular cross-section and the door has a thick edge rim 26 provided with a flat face 27 to engage and compress this gasket. In op eration of the apparatus door 21 is held in the closed condition by the pressure difference between the evacuated chamber 12 and the outside atmosphere and no mechanical locking device is required.

Hinges

22, 23 are constructed to provided a free-floating action whereby the door can align itself under the influence of the pressure differential such that gasket 24 will be firmly compressed around the whole of its periphery. Door 21 is fitted with a U-shaped handle 28.

The construction of

hinges

22, 23 is detailed in FIG. 3. Each comprises a first articulated hinge structure 29 connected to the front wall 14 of vessel 11 and a second articulated hinge structure 31 connected to door 21 and the two articulated structures are pivotally connected to one another by a central hinge pin 32. Hinge structure 29 comprises upper and lower boss portions 33, 34 pivotally connected together by a vertical pivot pin 36 formed integrally with the upper boss portion 33 and held together by a flat headed retaining stud 37 screwed into the bottom end of pivot pin 36. Lower boss 34 of structure 29 is mounted from the vessel wall 14 via a hinge plate 38. The upper boss 33 is connected by a hinge plate 39 to a boss 41 to receive the upper end of the central pivot pin 32.

Hinge structure 31 comprises upper and lower bosses 42, 43 pivotally connected by a pivot pin 44 formed integrally with the upper boss and retained together by a flat headed retainer stud 46 screwed into the bottom end of pivot pin 44. Upper boss 42 is mounted from vessel wall door 21 by a hinge plate 47. The lower boss 43 is connected by a hinge plate 48 to a further boss 49 which carries the central hinge pin 32.

As illustrated, hinge pin 32 may be formed integrally with boss 49 in which case the two central bosses 41, 49 may be held against separation by a flat headed retainer stud 51 screwed into the upper end of pivot pin 32. It will be appreciated however that the hinge pin details can be varied and loose pivot pins can be used.

The construction of upper and

lower hinges

22, 23 is identical and the three pivot pins of the upper hinge are co-axial with the three pivot pins of the lower hinge. The three hinge axes defined by these co-axial pivot pins are disposed in a triangular array when the door 21 is closed as shown in FIG. 2. Because the door can pivot independently about these three axes it is free to self align under the influence of the pressure difference between the evacuated chamber 12 and outside atmosphere to ensure proper sealing around the entire circumference of the door opening.

A vacuum pump 52 is connected to chamber 12 via a vacuum control valve 53 and through the rear wall 15 of vessel 11. Vacuum pump 52 may be of any convenient type and is not fully illustrated. Valve 53 is actuated by an air cylinder 54. It comprises a valve body 56 defining a central valve chamber 57 defined by two coaxial cylindrical bores 58, 59 meeting at a shoulder 61. Air cylinder 54 is mounted on one end of valve body 56 and operates a piston rod 62 which extends into valve chamber 57 and carries a valve disc 63. A vent 64 extends from the lower end of chamber 57 to atmosphere and two

further ducts

66, 67 are connected respectively to the lower part of the chamber defined by bore 59 and the upper part of the chamber defined by bore 58. Duct 67 is connected to the suction side of vacuum pump 52 and duct 66 extends through the rear wall 15 of vessel 11 to provide communication with the vacuum chamber 12.

By actuation of air cylinder 54 valve disc 63 can be moved from an upper position in which it engages shoulder 61 as shown by the full lines in FIG. 4 and a lower position in which it blocks vent 64 as indicated by broken lines in that figure. When the valve disc is in its lowered position duct 67 is in communication with duct 66 via valve chamber 57 and the vacuum pump is thus connected to chamber 12. When the valve disc is raised against shoulder 61, which serves as a valve seat, the chamber 12 is vented to atmosphere via vent 64 and the suction side of the vacuum pump is blanked off by the valve disc.

Rolling head assembly 13 is carried at the bottom end of a vertical drive shaft 71 driven by an electric drive motor 72 which is mounted on superstructure 18. More particularly the superstructure is comprised of a number of vertical rods 73 supporting an upper platform 74 and serving as guide rails for motor slide members 76. The motor. and with it the drive shaft 71 and the whole rolling head assembly, is thus mounted for vertical movement on rods 73. An air cylinder unit 77 mounted on platform 74 is connected by a vertical connecting rod 78 to the body of motor 72 so as to be operable to control this vertical movement.

Drive shaft 71 extends vertically through a stuffed gland 79 in the top of peripheral wall of vessel 11. The gland is formed by a hollow spigot 81 charged with stuffing material 82 which is held in place by a screw cap 83. It permits vertical and rotary movement of shaft 71 relative to the wall of the chanber while vacuum conditions are maintained within chamber 12.

The construction of rolling head 13 can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. It comprises a working roller support structure 84 which is fitted to the lower end of shaft 71 so as to be rotatably coupled to the shaft but free to move vertically through a limited distance relative to the shaft. Structure 84 is comprised of a generally cylindrical upper member 86 and a lower member 87 which is screw fitted to the upper member at 88.

Shaft 71 includes a separately formed bottom extension member 89 which screws into the main part of the shaft at a screw thread 91. An annular washer 92 is inserted between the extension part 89 and the main part of the shaft to provide an annular shoulder on the shaft within the working roller support structure 84. A spring 93 disposed within structure 84 acts between washer 92 and the lower member 87 of the support structure to bias the support structure downwardly onto an annular flange 94 formed on shaft extension member 89 near the lower end of that member. Structure 84 is coupled for rotation with the shaft by one or more pins 96 extending outwardly from the shaft engaging one or more vertical slots 97 formed in the upper end of member 86 so that structure 84 can be raised relative to shaft 71.

The lower member 87 of working roller support structure 84 carries three working roller assemblies 101 each comprised of a working roller 102 mounted by a roller bearing 103 on an axle 104 which is fastened to a carrier 106 by a fastening nut 107. The three axle carriers 106 are pivotally connected to the lower member 87 of working roller support structure 84 by means of three pivot pins 108. More particularly axle carriers 106 have plate like arms 109 which fit into radial slots 111 in member 87 and receive pivot pins 108. Working rollers 102 are thus mounted for swinging movement about the pivot pins 108. They are held spaced apart against inward swinging movement under the influence of their weight by engagement with a common backing roller 112 which is mounted by a ball bearing 113 on the lower end of shaft extension member 89.

Shaft extension member 89 also carries a magnet holder 114 which holds a permanent magnet 116 of solid cylindrical formation. Holder 114 is comprised of a bottom socket portion 117 to receive the magnet, a vertical rod or stem 118 which extends upwardly through a neat fitting bore in shaft extension member 89 to an enlarged head portion 119 which is slidable in an enlarged bore 120 in the upper part of the shaft extension member 89. Holder 116 is thus mounted for vertical movement relative to the bottom end of shaft 71 quite independently of working roller support structure 84.

In use ofthe apparatus a drum 121 to be closed under vacuum condition is inserted into vacuum chamber 12 to rest on a shelf 122 formed in the bottom part of the chamber. The drum, which may be packed with small goods or other foodstuffs (not shown) is of the usual type comprising a cylindrical peripheral wall 123, a circular bottom 124 and an annular top 126 defining a central opening 127 which is to be closed by a lid 128. When the drum 121 is placed within chamber 12 the lid is also inserted into the chamber and raised against rolling head 13 in which position it is retained by magnet 116.

As best seen in FIG. 5 the top opening of the drum has an upwardly rounded rim 129 produced by a rollforming operation. Lid 128 is of generally dished formation having a central disc part 131 and an upstanding peripheral flange 132 which is outwardly hooked to fit over the upwardly rounded rim 129 of the drum opening. A plastic sealing ring 134 is fitted under hooked flange 132 so as to be compressed between that flange and rim 129.

Each working roller 102 includes an upper head portion 136 having a downwardly facing side face or shoulder 137 to engage the rim of the outwardly hooked flange 132 and, extending downwardly from the head portion, an entering portion 138 of reduced cross section to enter within the peripheral flange. The lower end of entering portion 138 has a peripheral bead 139 of semi-circular cross-section. it is the upper head portion 136 of the working rollers which are engaged by backing roller 112, which is of downwardly convergent frusto-conical formation.

As shown in FIG. 5 the entering portions of working rollers 102 fit neatly within lid flange 132 and so provide for accurate centering of the lid when it is fitted to the rolling head. Shoulder 137 extends over the rim of the hooked flange and the bottom roller bead 139 engages the inner wall of the flange.

When a drum and lid have been placed in position within chamber 12, vessel 11 is closed and evacuated by the vacuum pump 52. Air cylinder 77 is then operated to lower motor 72, drive shaft 71 and rolling head assembly 13 so that lid 128 is fitted to the drum opening. The motor 72 is operated to rotate the shaft 71, working roller support structure 84 and the working roller assemblies 101 to cause the working rollers to run around the peripheral flange of the lid. The lid flange engages drum rim 129 before downward movement of the motor and rolling head assembly is complete. Further downward movement of the rolling head assembly causes relative vertical movement between structure 84 and shaft 71 whereby spring 93 is compressed to produce a strong downward bias on pivot pins 108. At the same time backing roller 112 continues to move downwardly with shaft 71 and because of its frusto-conical configuration produces a wedging action tending to spread the working rollers apart. The combined effect of the downward bias on pins 108 and the rolling action of rollers 112 produces a combined downward and outward force on working rollers 108 causing downwardly facing roller shoulder 137 to curve the upper part ofthe lid rim outwardly and downwardly around the drum rim 129 and the bottom roller bead 139 to indent the flange to form in that flange an outwardly projecting rib 141 which is disposed immediately below the top wall 126 of the drum and interferes with rim 129 to hold the lid firmly in place.

The apparatus may be fitted with automatic control gear to provide an automatic cycle of operation. The circuit of one suitable control gear is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this figure sources of pressurised air are illustrated by circular symbols and flow lines are indicated by letters whereas valves are indentified by numerals. The circuit comprises a valve 150 which may be operated in response to actuation of a micro switch 151 mounted on the flange 19 of vessel 11 and actuated by an actuator plate 152 disposed on the rim of the door. When the chamber door is closed switch 151 is actuated and valve 150 operates to supply air from source A to one end of an air control spool valve 153. This positions the spool of valve 153 to allow pressurised air to flow from source B through line C to the top of air cylinder 54 so operating valve 53 to move valve disc 63 downwardly and resulting in evacuation of chamber 12. Air passing through line C simultaneously passes through line D to energise timing valve 154 which determines the time of operation of vacuum pump 52. This time is predetermined to ensure sufficient evacuation of chamber 12 after which timing valve 8 allows air to pass from supply source E through line F to one end of a spool valve 155. This sets the spool of valve 155 so that pressurised air is supplied from source G through line H to the top of air cylinder unit 77 so initiating downward movement of the motor and the rolling head assembly.

Downward movement of the motor and the rolling head assembly causes operation of a further control valve 156. This may be achieved by mounting a micro switch 157 on the upper end of vessel 11 to be actuated by a plate 158 on the lower motor slide member 76 as shown in FIG. 1. Operation of valve 156 admits air from source I through lines K and L to initiate the operation of motor 72, so causing rotation of the working rollers. Simultaneously air in line K operates a timing valve 159 to control the period of operation of motor 72. After expiration of this pre-set time air flows through from source M through lines N and Q to valve 153 to reverse the position of the spool in this valve. This diverts the air from source B to the lower end of cylinder unit 54, so raising valve plate 63. Chamber 12 is thus vented to atmosphere via pipe 64 and the vacuum pump 52 is isolated from the chamber. At the same time air from line N passes through line Q to spool valve 155 to reverse the spool in this valve also, thereby diverting air from source G to the lower end of air cylinder unit 77 to raise the motor and the rolling head assembly to its upper inoperative position.

An emergency valve 161 can be operated at any time by a push-button 162 to supply pressure air from source S to lines 0 and 0 so as to resist control valves 153 and 155 such that chamber 12 is vented to atmosphere and the rolling head assembly is raised to its inoperative position.

The control gear is mounted in a casing 163 mounted on the back wall of vessel 11.

The illustrated apparatus is very simple and effective in operation. The location of the drum and the lid supplying rolling head within an enclosing vacuum chamber obviates the need for any complicated seals between the rolling head and the drum. The manner in which the working rollers are shaped and pivotally mounted to provide both downward and outward biasing enables a single set of working rollers to perform the dual purpose of forming the retaining rib 141 in the lid and deforming the upper end of the lid flange closing around the drum rim 129 so obviating the need for multiple sets of rollers to perform these functions. The illustrated construction has, however, been advanced by way of example only. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of this construc tion and that many modifications and variations will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an open-topped container under vacuum conditions, the container opening having an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an upstanding, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit over and around the container rim, which apparatus comprises a hollow vessel defining a vacuum chamber and including door means to provide access to the chamber whereby the open topped container can be placed in the chamber; means to evacuate the chamber when the door means is closed; and lid applicator means to hold the lid within the chamber and operable to apply the lid to the opening of the container while the chamber is evacuated; said applicator means comprising a. a rotary rolling head disposed in an upper-part of the chamber and including a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about respective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers rotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes disposed outwardly of said horizontal pivot axes;

b. lid holding means carried by the rolling head and effective to hold the lid beneath the rolling head;

c. means to cause relative vertical movement between the container'and the rolling head whereby to apply the lid to the container opening; and

d. means to rotate the working roller support structure to cause the working rollers to run on the peripheral flange of the lid.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vessel has a fixed container support and the means to cause relative vertical movement between the container and the rolling head is operable to move the rolling head vertically with respect to the vessel.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rolling head is carried on the bottom end of a rotary drive shaft extending downwardly through a top wall of the vessel and movable up and down through a vacuum sealing gland in that top wall.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upright rotational axes of the working rollers are inclined downwardly and inwardly of said axis of rotation of the rolling head.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each working roller includes a head portion having a downwardly directed side face to engage the rim of the outwardly hooked peripheral flange of the lid and, extending downwardly from said side face, an entering portion of reduced cross-section to enter within the said peripheral flange, said entering portion having an outwardly projecting rib or bead to engage the inner wall of the outwardly hooked flange whereby on operation of the rolling head the side faces of the working roller head portions forces the rim of the lid flange around the rim of the container and the ribs or beads of the working rollers indent the iner wall of the lid flange to form therein a rib which projects outwardly beneath the container rim to hold the lid in place on the container.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling head carries a backing roller disposed about the axis of rotation ofthe rolling head, which backing roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the applicator means to wedge the working rollers laterally outwardly of said axis of rota tron.

7. Vacuum packaging apparatus comprising a vessel defining a vacuum chamber and including door means to provide access to the chamber whereby to enable a container to be placed in the chamber, means to evacuate the chamber when the door means is closed and container closure member applicator means to hold a container closure member within the chamber and operable to apply the closure member to the container while the chamber is evacuated;

wherein said closure member applicator means comprises rotary rolling head rotatable about an axis which rolling head comprises;

a. at least one working roller to run around and to deform a peripheral flange of a circular closure member whereby to complete the closure;

b. a working roller support structure rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rolling head;

0. a roller carrier for the or each working roller pivotally mounted on the support structure to mount the respective working roller for swinging movement laterally of the axis of rotation of the rolling head; and

d. a backing roller disposed about the axis of rotation of the rolling head to engage the or each working roller which backing roller is tapered and movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the applicator means to wedge the or each working roller laterally outwardly of said axis of rotation; and

wherein the or each working roller includes a head portion having a side face to engage the rim of an outwardly hooked peripheral flange of a closure member and, extending from said side face an entering portion of reduced cross-section to enter within said peripheral flange, said entering portion having an outwardly projecting rib or bead to engage the inner wall of the outwardly hooked flange whereby on operation of the applicator means said side face holds the rim of the hooked peripheral flange to said rib or bead indents the inner wall of the hooked flange to form therein an outwardly projecting rib to engage the interior side of the container rim.

8. Apparatus for applying a closure to a container,

comprising:

means to support the container and a rolling head operable to deform a peripheral flange of a container closure member fitted to the container, wherein the rolling head comprises a working roller support structure rotatable about an axis of rotation of the rolling head, a working roller rotatable on a roller carrier which is pivotally mounted on the support structure to mount the working roller for swinging movement laterally of the axis of rotation of the rolling head, means to rotate the rolling head and a backing roller disposed about said axis of rotation to engage the working roller, which backing roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the rolling head to wedge the working roller laterally outwardly of the axis of rotation.

9. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an open-topped container, the container opening having an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an upstanding, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit over and around the container rim, which apparatus comprises:

a. a container support;

b. a rotary rolling head disposed above the container support and including a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about respective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers rotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes; standing, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit c. means to cause relative vertical movement beover and around the container rim, which apparatus tween the container support and the rolling head; comprises: and a. a container support; d. means to rotate the working roller support strucb. a rotary rolling head disposed above the container ture to cause the working rollers to run on the peripheral flange of the lid and thereby to deform it to effect a container closure, wherein each working roller includes a head portion having a downwardly support and including a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about redirected side face to engage the rim of the outspective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers wardly hooked peripheral flange to the lid and, exrotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes; tending downwardly from said side face, an entermeans to cause relative vertical movement being portion of reduced cross-section to enter within tween the container support and the rolling head; the said peripheral flange, said entering portion and having an outwardly projecting rib or bead to end. means to rotate the working roller support strucgage the inner wall of the outwardly hooked flange ture to cause the working rollers to run on the pewhereby on operation of the rolling head the side ripheral flange of the lid and thereby to deform it faces of the working roller head portions forces the to effect a container closure, wherein the rolling rim ofthe lid flange around the rim ofthe container head carries a backing roller disposed about the and the ribs or beads of the working rollers indent axis of rotation of the rolling head, which backing the inner wall of the lid flange to form therein a rib roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of which projects outwardly beneath the container said axis of rotation relative to the working roller rim to hold the lid in place on the container. support structure on operation of the applicator 10. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an means to wedge the working rollers laterally outopen-topped container, the container opening having wardly of said axis of rotation. an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an up-

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an open-topped container under vacuum conditions, the container opening having an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an upstanding, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit over and around the container rim, which apparatus comprises a hollow vessel defining a vacuum chamber and including door means to provide access to the chamber whereby the open topped container can be placed in the chamber; means to evacuate the chamber when the door means is closed; and lid applicator means to hold the lid within the chamber and operable to apply the lid to the opening of the container while the chamber is evacuated; said applicator means comprising a. a rotary rolling head disposed in an upper-part of the chamber and including a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about respective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers rotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes disposed outwardly of said horizontal pivot axes; b. lid holding means carried by the rolling head and effective to hold the lid beneath the rolling head; c. means to cause relative vertical movement between the container and the rolling head whereby to apply the lid to the container opening; and d. means to rotate the working roller support structure to cause the working rollers to run on the peripheral flange of the lid.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling head carries a backing roller disposed about the axis of rotation of the rolling head, which backing roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the applicator means to wedge the working rollers laterally outwardly of said axis of rotation.

7. Vacuum packaging apparatus comprising a vessel defining a vacuum chamber and including door means to provide access to the chamber whereby to enable a container to be placed in the chamber, means to evacuate the chamber when the door means is closed and container closure member applicator means to hold a container closure member within the chamber and operable to apply the closure member to the container while the chamber is evacuated; wherein said closure member applicator means comprises rotary rolling head rotatable about an axis which rolling head comprises; a. at least one working roller to run around and to deform a peripheral flange of a circular closure member whereby to complete the closure; b. a working roller support structure rotatable about the axis of rotation of the rolling head; c. a roller carrier for the or each working roller pivotally mounted on the support structure to mount the respective working roller for swinging movement laterally of the axis of rotation of the rolling head; and d. a backing roller disposed about the axis of rotation of the rolling head to engage the or each working roller which backing roller is tapered and movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the applicator means to wedge the or each working roller laterally outwardly of said axis of rotation; and wherein the or each working roller includes a head portion having a side face to engage the rim of an outwardly hooked peripheral flange of a closure member and, extending from said side face an entering portion of reduced cross-section to enter within said peripheral flange, said entering portion having an outwardly projecting rib or bead to engage the inner wall of the outwardly hooked flange whereby on operation of the applicator means said side face holds the rim of the hooked peripheral flange to said rib or bead indents the inner wall of the hooked flange to form therein an outwardly projecting rib to engage the interior side of the container rim.

8. Apparatus for applying a closure to a container, comprising: means to support the container and a rolling head operable to deform a peripheral flange of a container closure member fitted to the container, wherein the rolling head comprises a working roller support structure rotatable about an axis of rotation of the rolling head, a working roller rotatable on a roller carrier which is pivotally mounted on the support structure to mount the working roller for swinging movement laterally of the axis of rotation of the rolling head, means to rotate the rolling head and a backing roller disposed about said axis of rotation to engage the working roller, which backing roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the rolling head to wedge the working roller laterally outwardly of the axis of rotation.

9. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an open-topped container, the container opening having an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an upstanding, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit over and around the container rim, which apparatus comprises: a. a container support; b. a rotary rolling head disposed above the container support and including a working roller support structure rotatable About a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about respective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers rotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes; c. means to cause relative vertical movement between the container support and the rolling head; and d. means to rotate the working roller support structure to cause the working rollers to run on the peripheral flange of the lid and thereby to deform it to effect a container closure, wherein each working roller includes a head portion having a downwardly directed side face to engage the rim of the outwardly hooked peripheral flange to the lid and, extending downwardly from said side face, an entering portion of reduced cross-section to enter within the said peripheral flange, said entering portion having an outwardly projecting rib or bead to engage the inner wall of the outwardly hooked flange whereby on operation of the rolling head the side faces of the working roller head portions forces the rim of the lid flange around the rim of the container and the ribs or beads of the working rollers indent the inner wall of the lid flange to form therein a rib which projects outwardly beneath the container rim to hold the lid in place on the container.

10. Apparatus for applying a lid to the opening of an open-topped container, the container opening having an upwardly rounded rim and the lid having an upstanding, outwardly hooked peripheral flange to fit over and around the container rim, which apparatus comprises: a. a container support; b. a rotary rolling head disposed above the container support and including a working roller support structure rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation, working roller carriers pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting movement about respective horizontal pivot axes, and working rollers rotatable on said carriers about upright roller axes; c. means to cause relative vertical movement between the container support and the rolling head; and d. means to rotate the working roller support structure to cause the working rollers to run on the peripheral flange of the lid and thereby to deform it to effect a container closure, wherein the rolling head carries a backing roller disposed about the axis of rotation of the rolling head, which backing roller is tapered and is movable longitudinally of said axis of rotation relative to the working roller support structure on operation of the applicator means to wedge the working rollers laterally outwardly of said axis of rotation.