Patent GB-1436681-A (GB)
Title: Automatic continuous barrel-filling method and apparatus thereof
IPC: B67C3/34
Filed: 1974-05-24
Abstract: 1436681 Automatic barrel filling and sealing apparatus MITSUBISHI JUKOGYO KK 24 May 1974 [24 May 1973] 23374/74 Heading B8T An apparatus for automatically filling and bunging barrels comprises delivery means for supplying empty barrels to a rotatable table e, bunghole locating means for automatically locating and aligning the bunghole of each barrel with a filling nozzle which fills the barrel to a preselected level, bunging means for applying a bung and sealing the barrel, and finally removal means which effects the removal of the filled and sealed barrels from the apparatus. Delivery means.-The delivery means consists of an input conveyer g along which the empty barrels h travel, each in turn passing on to a turn table a having a U-shaped opening in its top, the table receiving each barrel in turn and rotating it until its longitudinal axis is directed toward the centre of rotatable table e. Table a is rotated by an hydraulic ram 21, Fig. 3, translational motion of the ram being converted into angular motion by a lever mechanism. Each barrel is transported via a trolley b which moves radially with respect to rotatable table e on rails 26, the motion being governed by a ram 27. The trolley comprises rollers 37 supported on a table 29 which is carried by a ram 30 until the rollers engage and lift the barrel free of turntable a, thereby enabling it to be carried by the trolley to one of a plurality of support stations on the rotatable table e where it is deposited. During its transport to the support station, the barrel is held on the trolley by clamp means 31, 31<SP>1</SP>, this serving to centralize the barrel relative to the trolley. Each support station consists of a recess e<SP>1</SP> in the rotatable table e and rollers 38 which take the weight of the barrel; the rollers being prevented from rotation by a braking mechanism 50, Fig. 11. After the barrel has been deposited on the support staion, the table e is rotated by a ram 13, Fig. 1, via a lever mechanism 12 which has means to selectively engage evenly spaced apertures in the base of table e so that the table e is rotated in 30 degree increments. Bunghole locating means.-Following the first such rotation, the barrel h is moved to the bunghole locating means, which comprises two stations c and d. The first such station c rotates the barrel rapidly in order to detect and position the bunghole to facilitate its alignment with the filling nozzle. A table, Fig. 11, is raised by a ram 49 until rollers 44 mounted thereon engage the barrel supporting rollers 38 while at the same time disengaging braking mechanism 50. Rollers 44 are subsequently rotated by a motor (not shown) and rotate the barrel h via rollers 38, alignment of the barrel and the table being maintained by rotatable clamps at either end. A sensor (not shown) directs an air jet on to the the surface of the barrel, and detects the change in back pressure which occurs as the bunghole passes the jet; the motor is then automatically stopped and the rotation of the barrel ceases with the bunghole at a preselected position relative to the vertical. The barrel is subsequently moved on to station d at which the bunghole 43, Fig. 14, is caused to be aligned with the nozzle 6. A table 54 is raised by ram 53 until rollers 55 engage barrel supporting rollers 38, the braking mechanism being again disengaged. A ram 56 then rotates rollers 55 via a rack and pinion mechanism, thereby rotating the barrel until bunghole and nozzle are aligned, this being detected by the nozzle which is supported on the surface of the barrel by a wheel, descending into the bunghole, the descent operating a switching mechanism (75), (75<SP>1</SP>), Fig. 17 (not shown) to stop the rotation of the barrel. Barrel filling and bunging.-With the nozzle inserted into the hunghole, the barrel is filled with liquid while the table e continues to turn in increments of 30 degrees. The maximum required level of liquid is determined by a vent channel which is integral with the nozzle and through which air is extracted by a pump during the filling operations. The vent is obstructed by liquid when the latter has reached the required level, the resulting fall in pressure being detected by a pressure sensing device, Fig. 15 (not shown), which causes the flow of liquid to to cease and the nozzle to be withdrawn from the barrel. At this stage in the operation the barrel has reached the bung feeding station; the bungs, which are delivered via a bung feeder l 1  are inserted in turn into the bungholes of each filled barrel which is then moved to the bunging station f. This comprises a spring hammer, Fig. 18 (not shown), which drives the bung into the bunghole thereby sealing the barrel. Removal of barrel from machine.-The final stage of the operation is effected by each filled barrel being conveyed to an outlet station at which it is transferred via an outlet trolley b<SP>1</SP> to a turntable a<SP>1</SP>, similar to trolley and table b, a respectively and thence along an outlet conveyer g<SP>1</SP>.