GB991170A - Method of filling and closing containers and a machine for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Abstract

991,170. Packaging-machines; filling and closing containers. AERATOM A.G. Aug. 16, 1961 [Aug. 16, 1960], No. 29528/61. Headings B8C and B8T. A machine for filling with flowable material a container having a detachable cap comprises means for forcing material into the container through an unconstricted hole in the cap and means for feeding and inserting a non-releasable sealing plug into the cap, the plug feeding means being operated in timed relation with the filling means in each operational cycle to abstract one plug from a magazine, convey the plug to the cap of the containerto be filled, and insert the plug into the hole in the cap when filling is complete. The container, such as a flat tube 10, reciprocates with a cylinder 7 into registry with a stationary table 5 for filling and corking. In operation: (1) Compressed air enters simultaneously through ports 34 and 40 to lower a cylinder 26 and ram 32 to their bottom position; through a port 12 in cylinder 7 to cause tube holder 8 to rise so that a filled tube 10 may be taken from a semi-circular recess 9 and an empty one inserted ; and through a port 46 in a fixed cylinder 45 to lower a piston 42 and draw a predetermined volume of liquid such as hot liquid floor polish from a storage vessel 51 into a cylinder 41. (2) Compressed air enters simultaneously through a channel 23, to cause a piston 21 to thrust a plug 17 from the magazine 18 into the feed shaft 25, and through a port 11 in the cylinder 7 so that the screw-threaded or pushon cap 14 of the tube 10 descends into liquidtight engagement with a mouthpiece 13 and sealing washer 15. The air in the tube is evacuated by a vacuum pump 38. (3) Compressed air enters a port 33 of the two-stage cylinder 26 so that the ram 32 lifts the plug 17 in the shaft 25 until the plug seals the end 35 of the vacuum channel 36 in airtight manner. (4) Compressed air is admitted through ports 62 and 47 in cylinders 60, 45 respectively to move piston 61 to the right, lifting valve cone 65 from its seat 64 and then opening the feed valve 53, and simultaneously to lift piston 42 to displace the predetermined volume of liquid in the cylinder 41 through the feed valve 53 and the hole 16 in the cap 14 into the tube 10. (5) When the tube is full, compressed air enters ports 63 and 39 in cylinders 60, 26 respectively to return valve cone 65 to its seat 64 and cause the ram 32 to push the plug 17 up into the hole 16. The storage vessel 51 communicates with cylinder 41 via piping 50, a non-return valve 49, and a duct 48. The volume of liquid drawn from the vessel 51 is determined by a central rod 56, connected to the piston-rod 43 by an arm 55, which actuates a control lever of an impulsity air valve at the end of the upward stroke of piston 42.