US2017766A - Sealing machine and method - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 15, 1935. e. w. MULLEN 2,017,766

SEALING MACHINE AND METHOD Original Filed Oct. 10, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 -.l E": 21 22 3} iZ3 E 16 25 Z j 73 f? 30 17.

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INVENTOR flea ye VI ll! [Z673 Jw'a ATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1935. G. w. MULLEN SEALING MACHINE AND METHOD Original Filed Oct. 10, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet n v 1 R 3 4 m m m A WM 0 6 5 4* W5 2. 3 z w fl Oct. 15, 1935. G. w; MULLEN 2,017,766

SEALING MACHINE AND METHOD Original Filed Oct. 10, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hum" INVENTOR fieogge Wily/[6m ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 15, 1935 PATENT OFFICE SEALING MACHINE AND METHOD George W. Mullen, Lo

wville, N. Y., assignor to Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 10, 1928, Serial No. 311,426 Renewed December 17, 1934 26 Claims.

The present invention relates to the art of sealing closures to containers and more particularly to a machine and method for hermetically sealing containers with a partial vacuum therein.

Heretofore it has been customary to utilize expensive machines for vacuum sealing necessitating vacuum pumps. In some instances, the pumps are integral with sealing machines and in other instances a separate vacuum tank and exhaust pump are used. In both cases, the cost of the sealing equipment is expensive. Frequently defective pumps impair the vacuum resulting in losses where vacuum seals are necessary.

Due to the complicated machines necessary for vacuum sealing, some packers go to the trouble of heating the contents of the packages before sealingin order to get a partial vacuum therein. The containers pass through and remain in a water bath for a substantial period of time in order to permit the contents to reach a substantial temperature. This method can only be used for products requiring a low vacuum and even then it is very unsatisfactory. The reason is that the contents cool, particularly the air space in the container during the interval while the container is being removed from the bath to the sealing machine. Further, the containers must be handled hot, which is very objectionable. Another fatal handicap is that production is materially reduced on account of the heating operation. The operators in an effort to speed up production, frequently cut down the period that the containers remain in the bath, and a very low vacuum results which occasions losses.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art structures by providing a very simple machine and method which will effectively produce a high vacuum without necessitating pre-heating the contents or using mechanical pumps.

An object of the invention is to simplify the present method and apparatus for sealing products under a vacuum.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate complicated machinery thereby to reduce the cost of manufacture; and to increase the speed of production in packing plants by eliminating the necessity for heating the contents of packages to produce a partial vacuum therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effective method and machine readily applicable to present packers equipment for sealing containers under a vacuum without heating the contents and without utilizing complicated .pumping mechanisms.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrated embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

Described generally, the above objects may be attained by a machine adapted to hold for an instant, a container and cover spaced slightly from each other and during this time to direct a jet of steam into the mouth of the container to displace the air therein. The jet of steam in addi tion to displacing the air also heats up the cap and the upper surface of the contents of the container giving a very high vacuum and sterilizes these parts to a considerable extent prior to the sealing operation. Preferably, the packages are presented to the sealing head with the caps thereon, and raised upwardly until the caps are en- 2 gaged by resilient means associated with the sealing head after which the container is lowered slightly to separate it from the cap. At this point, a jet of steam is directed between the cap and the container to displace the air. The container is again raised to sealing position and the sealing operation eflected. In some cases, it is more practical to feed the containers and caps separately, in which case steam may be passed over the open end of the container at the time of placing the cap on the container to displace the air and sterilize the product. Immediately thereafter, the container is moved to the sealing position for the sealing operation. Suitable drains may be utilized for removing the condensate and 3.", suitable mechanisms may be utilized to maintain the steam in a superheated state to avoid the condensate collecting upon parts of the package.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, which demonstrates one way of practicing the method. has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein v Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of apart of a machine illustrating an embodiment of the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the sealing head as the sealing operation is completed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken in a direction diagonal to that of Fig. 1 illustrating features of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a spinning mechanism for sealing containers, illustrating the application of the invention thereto;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the appll- 5 cation of the invention to a sealing machine for cans where the caps and containers are fed sep arately; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a cam member for operating the means for presenting the containers to the sealing machine.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1,

2, and 3, the present invention is shown applied to a machine for sealing closures to glass containers. Since the details of the machine are not a part of this invention only those portions are shown, which relate particularly to the sealing mechanism. A table I, supported bylegs 2, is provided for the vessels with a seat in form of a piston 4 extending through asuitable aperture 5 at the center of thetable adapted to move avessel 6 to and from sealing position. A cam I, by means of thecam roller 8 androd 9, positions the container in timed relation to the sealing mechanism. Preferably, the seat 4 is resiliently retained in position by means of a spring I which eliminates the necessity for accurate adjustment of the table.

The sealing mechanism may comprise a hollow casting ll having an upper die l2 attached to the central portion thereof with its lower end shaped to fit about the upper part of a closure cap l4. A plurality of sealing jaws I 5, preferably four in number, are adapted to cooperate with the up-- per die l2 to efiect the seal on the receptacle. These jaws l are pivotally attached by means of the pins l3 to a member it which in turn is suspended within the casting ll by a pair of rods l1. These rods are reciprocated in a vertical direction by a suitable source of power which may be connected to the rod l3 to oscillate an arm l9 about a suitable pivot to raise the bifurcated portions 20. The latter are-connected throughpin 2| and links 22 to the rods l1.

The rods l1 and the jaws l5 are shown in their lowermost position in Fig. 1. .When raised upwardly, the outer surfaces of the jaw engage a'ring 24 which acts as a cam to force the jaws inwardly into sealing engagement with the bead of the cap as shown in Fig. 2.Suitable springs 25 retain the jaws normally in their ineffective position. The mechanism so far described will seal caps to containers-but no vacuum will be -more particularly --in Fig. 3. As thejawsv move, upwardly to seal .the closure, thev member l6.

moves upwardly also; and hence the spring fingers are moved to the position shown in Fig.2

with the ends thereof above thecylindrical sur-jv face 29 of the upper die.

In other words, the spring fingers move out of the way of the sealing jaws to permit. them'to effect the sealing operation. When .the sealing jaws are moved to their downward position again','

the ends 28 of thesprings 26 slide on the inclined surface of the upper die down over the cylindrical other cap.Y A steam conduit 30 extends through the casting I I and is adapted to direct a jet of steam in:-

termediate two of the sealinglaws 15. As shown in Fig. 1, a three-way valve 3l'controls the flow of steam and is operated through anarm 32 androd 34 operatively connected to a suitable cam which is driven in timed relation to the cam 1., 5

Preferably, the steam is superheated to avoid condensation and may be permitted to run continuously for the same purpose. During the period that the steam is cut off from the sealing head, the valve 3| permits a flow of steam through apipe 35 so that there will be no accumulation of water when steam is again directed into the sealing head II. In order to drain the condensate from the parts of the machine, there is provided a casting 35 beneath the sealing head adapted. to catch the drip and conduct it to adrain pipe 31.

In the operation of the device, thecontainer 6 is placed on the seat 4 and the cam l operates to raise the container with a cap l4 thereon until the top of the cap fits within the recess in the upper sealing die. In reaching this position, the cap moves through thespring fingers 28 and is retained by these within the upper sealing die. The cam I then lowers the seat 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3, where the cap and container are 26 separated slightly. At this point, the valve 3| is operated to introduce steam through theconduit 30, the path of the steam being between a pair of jaws, on one side of the sealing head, over the top of the receptacle and under the closure, as

, shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 3, out through thedrain pipe 31. While the steam is being injected, the cam 1' moves the vessel upwardly to the sealing position as shown in Fig. 2 and the sealing operation is effected by means of the upward movement of the rods II, pulling the jaws l5 upwardly into engagement with the cap. The outer surface'of the jaws is such that thering 24 exerts a cam action to press them inwardly into their proper position to effect the sealing opera- 40 tion as the jaws are moved upwardly (see Fig. 2). Thepipe 21 removes the condensate which collects in the casting 36. The steam may continue to flow into the sealing head, throughout the sealing operation, but it is usually suflicient if sup- I plied until the jar reaches the closure. In fact.

, very excellent results may be obtained with a shorter period of emission.

The steam fills the space about the upper end of the container and displaces the air creating a very high vacuum. In addition, its temperature is such that it helps to sterilize the upper part of the receptacle and the closure cap. The steam, being permitted to run continuously, is in a vaporous state when it reaches the receptacle and there is practically no condensation and no water left within the receptacle, hence it may be used with any type of product. 7

In Fig.4 the invention is illustrated as applied to a spinning head machine for sealing closure caps. Described generally, the mechanism compri ses a casting 40 within which an upper rotating die 4] is mounted to move upwardly and downwardly as shown by the arrows. Adjacent die, there is provided aroller 42 which moves inwardly and outwardly to effect thesealing of the closure to the container. The movement of theroller is controlled by themember 44. In

order to simplify the drawings and to avoid confusion, the'mechanism connecting theroller 42 surface as shown in Fig. 3 ready to receive an- 7 andmember 44 is not shown herein but its general construction may be found in Patent No.

1,605,954.!11re lower part of the casting u 1 through which the receptacle is raised is provided with a plurality ofspring members 45, preferably four in number located ninety degrees apart.

In the operation of the device, thereceptacle 6 with a closure I4 thereon is raised upwardly to a point where it is engaged by thesprings 45 and held by these. Thereafter the vessel is moved downwardly by a cam l to the position shown in Fig. 4 at which time steam is introduced through thepipe 30 as described hereinbefore and passes over the top of the receptacle just below the closure. The cam 1 then moves the receptacle upwardly until it engages the cap and moves toward the die 4| whichin turn moves downwardly to effect the sealing operation.

In Fig. the invention is shown applied to a mechanism for sealing cans where the covers are fed separately.from the containers. As shown, the covers are fed in from the right through apassageway 48 to a point just below thedie 49 and just over anaperture 50 through which acan 5| is adapted to be moved. A pair of spinningrollers 52 are adapted to seal the closure to the can.

In the operation of the device the closures are fed through thepassageway 48 until they are positioned between the cap and the upper sealing die. Thereafter thecan 5| is moved upwardly and when it reaches a point spaced slightly from the closure cap, a jet of steam is emitted through thepipe 30 to pass over the can and to displace the air therein, after which the can moves up to engage the closure and press it against the upper sealing die so that it may be operated upon by therollers 52 and properly sealed to the container. A casting 54 may be provided to catch the condensate and to run it 011 through aconduit 55. If desired, the can may be moved directly upward until it is engaged by the upper die. The injection of the steam is suflicient to create a vacuum in a very short period of time. Naturally, if the upward movement of the can is stopped at the time it is subjected to steam, better results may be obtained.

It will be seen that the present invention is readily applicable to existing commercial machines and that it may be applied to these with a minimum of trouble and expense. Further, it is simple in construction and operation, and readily constructed from commercial parts. It eliminates the necessity for vacuum pumps and other complicated equipment. The results are certain because they are not dependent upon a closed chamber; as long as steam flows through the conduit, over the container at the proper time, excellent results are obtained. Further, the device is rugged in construction and fully capable of withstanding the rough usage to which it may be subjected.

While steam is the preferred heating medium, it is clear that other fluids may be utilized with excellent results. As various other changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The method of sealing containers which comprises presenting a container to a sealing mechanism, supporting a closure cap, moving the container away from the sealing mechanism to space the cap from the container throughout its periphery, injecting a hot fluid between the cap and container to partially remove the air therefrom and thereafter sealing the cap to the container.

2. The method of vacuum sealing which comprises presenting a container with a closure thereon for the sealing operation, moving the container slightly away from the sealing position while maintaining the cap in its sealing position, directing a jet of steam between the separated cap and container and thereafter sealing the cap on the container.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sealing mechanism, means for elevating a container into its sealing position, means for directing a jet of hot fluid into and across the top of the container prior to the sealing operation, and means associated with said sealing mechanism for collecting the resulting condensate of the fluid.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sealing mechanism, means associated with said sealing mechanism for engaging and removing a cap from a container, means for raising a container towards its sealing position, a cam member for operating said means, said cam member being efiective to raise the container whereby the cap is removed by said engaging means, said cam member being also effective to lower the container 3. short distance and thereafter adapted to again raise the container to present it to said sealing mechanism,

and means for directing a jet of hot fluid over the upper end of the container to produce a vacuum after the container has been lowered and the cap has been separated therefrom.

5. The method of vacuum sealing which comprises presenting a container to a sealing mech anism, holding the container and closure cap spaced from each other, injecting a hot fluid between the cap and container to provide an atmosphere of hot fluid above the upper end of the container and sealing the cap to the container in said atmosphere of hot fluid while said fluid is being injected.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of means for raising a container with a cap thereon into sealing position and for lowering said container, devices for engaging the cap prior to the lowering of the container, and mechanism for injecting steam about the upper end of said container while said cap and said container are separated to provide a partial vacuum above the contents of the container.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sealing head, a plurality of rollers associated with said head adapted to reform the skirt of a cap resilient means associated with said head, devices for raising a container with a closure thereon into operative relation to said resilient means and for lowering said container to separate said closure and said container prior to the sealing operation and means for creating a partial vacuum about the container.

8. In a sealing mechanism, the combination of a sealing head, means in said sealing head for engaging a cap, devices for raising the container with a cap thereon into operative relation with said engaging means and for lowering said container, devices for introducing a vapor in the space about the upper end of said container, and mechanism for raising said means upon the operation of the sealing mechanism.

9. In a sealing mechanism, the combination of a sealing head, means for raising a container to sealing position, devices for directing a jet of steam across the upper end of said container prior to the sealing operation, and means for draining the condensate from the sealing head. 10. In a sealing mechanism, the combination of a sealing head comprising an upper member for engaging the upper side of the cap and sealing jaws for forming a seal, means associatedwith said upper member, devices for raising the container with a cap thereon until the cap en gages said upper member and is held in-position into sealing position, said sealing head being provided with means for removing a cap from a container when said raising means are effective and devices connected to said sealing head for directing a jet of hot fluid across the upper end of said container prior to the sealing operation.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sealing head, means associated with said head for engaging and holding a cap, dew vices for bringing a container with a cap thereon into operative relation to said means, mechanism for lowering said container to separate said cap' and said container, and devices for introducing steam about the upper end of the container.

13. The method of sealing containers which comprises moving a container having a cap thereon under a sealing head, removing the cap from the container, maintaining the cap spaced from the container throughout its periphery, subjecting the upper portion of the container to an at-. mosphere of steam to displace the air and thereafter sealing the cap on the container while in said atmosphere of steam.

14. The method of vacuum sealing which comprises presenting a container with a closure thereon to be sealed, separating the cap from said container, creating an atmosphere of steam between the cap and container, said atmosphere of steam being efiective about the entire periphery thereof, and thereafter sealing the cap on the container while subjected to said steam.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a sealing head for sealing closure caps to containers, means for presenting a substantially filled container with a closure cap thereon to the sealing head, devices for engaging the closure cap, said means being adapted to lower said container and means for creating an atmosphere of vapor about the unfilled portion of the container when said lowering means are eifective.

16. In a device of the class described, the combeing adapted to separate the cap from said container, and means for creating an atmosphere of vapor about the upper end of the container while said first means are effective.

17. In a sealing mechanism, the combination of a sealing head, devices associated with said prises presenting a container to a sealing mechanism, holding the container and closure cap spaced from each other, injecting a hot vapor between the cap and container to provide an atmosphere of hot vapor above the upper end of the 5 container, sealing the cap to the container in said atmosphere of hot vapor while said vapor is being injected, and collecting the resulting condensate of said vapor.

19. The method of vacuum sealing containers, 10 which comprises presenting a container having a cap thereon to a sealing mechanism, enclosing only the upper end of the container within a sealing chamber, spacing the cap from the container, subjecting the container momentarily to 15 an atmosphere of steam and sealing the cap to the container in said atmosphere of steam, while said steam is effective.

20. The method of sealing containers which comprises presenting a container having a closure 20 thereon to a sealing mechanism, moving the container downwardly to separate the closure and the container, injecting superheated steam between the closure and the container to partially remove the air therefrom and thereafter sealing 25 the cap to the container.

21. The method of vacuum sealing which comprises presenting a container to a sealing mechani m, creating 'an atmosphere of steam at and substantiallyabove the upper end of thecontainer 30 while a cap for sealing the container is out of sealing position with respect to the container, moving the container into engagement with the cap while in said atmosphere of steam and sealing the cap to the container while thecontainer 35 is subjected to said atmosphere of steam.

22. The method of vacuum sealing, which comprises moving a container into a chamber, creating an atmosphere of steam about and above the open end of the container, moving acontainer 40 into engagement with a cap to apply the cap to the open end of the container, injecting steam over the open end of the container between the cap and container, simultaneously with the application of the cap, and sealing the cap to the container while in said atmosphere of steam.

23. The method of vacuum sealing, which comprises moving a container into a chamber, creat- .ng an atmosphere of steam about and 'above the upper end of the container, moving the con-. tainer into engagement with the cap to apply the cap to the container in the chamber, causing a jet of steam to impinge on the cap and on the upper end of the container simultaneously with the application of the cap thereto, continuing the movement of the container with the cap applied thereto to bring the cap into engagement with a sealing mechanism, and sealing the cap to the container while in said atmosphere of steam.

24. The method of sealing containers which method comprises moving a container into a chamber which extends upwardly a substantial distance from the upper end of the container, creating an atmosphere of steam in said chamber, applying a cap to the container and simultaneously directing steam between the capand upper end of the container, and sealing the cap on the container while the container is in said chamber and is subjected to said atmosphere of steam.

25. The method of vacuum sealing containers which method comprises, supporting a closure in a steam chamber, moving the upper end of a container into engagement with the closure to apply the closurethereto, directing a jet of steam about 15 the upper end of the container during the applia cap to the upper end of a container while in cation of the closure, and thereafter sealing the said chamber, means for directing vapor or steam closure to the container in the atmosphere of between the cap and the upper end of the consteam in said steam chamber. tainer during the application of the cap, and

5 26. In a device of the class described, the commeans in said chamber for sealing the cap on the 5 bination of a chamber adapted to extend above container.

the upper end of a container, means for applying GEORGE W. MULLEN.

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