Patent GB-1001996-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for filling hypodermic syringes, ampules, etc
IPC: A61M5/178
Filed: 1963-07-17
Abstract: 1,001,996. Filling and sealing containers. B-D LABORATORIES Ltd. July 17, 1963 [July 31, 1962], No. 28320/63. Heading B8T. In a method of and apparatus for filling and sealing a syringe or like container, the latter is initially charged with a predetermined quantity of liquid, a stopper is placed above its open top, the liquid surface is subjected to a vacuum and the stopper is then moved into the open top and into contact with the whole of the upper surface of the liquid in the container. The various operations take place within a sealed cabinet 20, Fig. 1, with windows 22, 24 and ports 23 spaced therearound, the latter leading into gloves for the hands and forearms of attendants to manipulate the parts within the cabinet. Liquid supply tubes lead from an auxiliary cabinet 27 to the main one whereby liquid is pumped to the syringes to be filled. The syringes are first placed in racks 35, Fig. 16, and introduced to the main cabinet at one end through doors 29. The racks also receive rubber or like stoppers 38, Figs. 7, 13, with peripheral grooves, aligned with and located above the stoppers. A conveyer may transfer the racks to a liquid filling station where each rack is supported between two hollow columns 55. An array of filling nozzles 69 is supported above the rack, one nozzle aligned with each syringe, by posts 53 extending through the columns. The lower ends of the posts engage cams on a shaft 63 which is driven via a one revolution clutch, whereby the posts and nozzle array are moved downwardly to bring the nozzles into the syringes and are then returned to their upper positions. During this stage the stoppers in the rack are moved out of alignment with the syringes. This drive automatically brings into operation a set of liquid dispensing units within the auxiliary cabinet 27, one unit per syringe, each unit comprising a piston or plunger 45, Fig. 8, within a cylinder 43 pivoted at 44. Each plunger is driven by an adjustable eccentric pin 46 on a motor-driven rotatable member 47, whereby a predetermined quantity of liquid is pumped via a line 49 to each filling nozzle 69 when the member 47 is driven through one revolution. The operation of the pistons and cylinders is such that an aspirating action occurs on the filling nozzles as they are withdrawn from the syringes, whereby dripping is prevented. Cylinders 43 of various sizes may be accommodated. Each rack with the filled syringes is then transferred to an evacuation station where the stoppers are applied. At this station a rack of filled syringes with overlying stoppers is mounted within a housing 80, and a vertically slidable closure panel 82 with a window 84 is then moved upwardly via a guideway 87, and then laterally against a seal 81 and against the action of spring-urged balls 89 by upwardly driven wedge members 90. The panel and wedges are driven via crank rods. A horizontal member 98 extends above the syringes and between rods 95<SP>1</SP>, and carries a series of push rods 110, one for each syringe. When the housing has been sealed and suction applied thereto through a tube 101<SP>1</SP>, the member 98 and rods 95<SP>1</SP> are driven downwardly by a crank rod whereby the rods 110 move pusher pins 112 into engagement with the stoppers and force them into the tops of the syringes and into contact with the liquid therein. The pusher pin assemblies are carried at the top of the housing, and each includes a secured bushing 104<SP>1</SP> with sealing rings, and through which a rod 110 extends. The lower end of each rod carries a sleeve 111 with a spring-urged pin 112 which, in operation, extends into a recess of a stopper. Pneumatic and electrical components which are switch operated control the operations of the various parts of the apparatus. The housing 80 may additionally be filled with one or more floodings of inert gases with intervening vacuum whereby to flush out harmful gases.