Patent GB-503545-A (GB)
Title: An improved machine for filling with pharmaceutical and medicinal liquids flasks or bottles having caps or covers of puncturable material
IPC: B65B3/00
Filed: 1937-10-09
Abstract: 503,545. Filling medical and like containers; bottling. CHAPMAN, H. E. Oct. 9, 1937, No. 27499. [Class 81 (i)] [Also in Group XVII] A machine for filling liquid into bottles through needles piercing puncturable self - sealing caps thereon comprises a re-. servoir which delivers measured quantities of liquid by gravity to a battery of burettes from which the liquid is ejected through filling needles by pneumatic pressure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the machine comprises a casing made up of an upper section 59 and a lower section 1 fastened to each other in an airtight manner. The section 1 has doors 6 at either end which can be airtightly closed. A tray having - movable false bottom 16 resting on flanges, slides in the grooves II formed by members 12 and 14 and is positioned longitudinally by arms 9 attached to the doors. On the false bottom are placed bottles 15 having self-sealing caps which may be of the type . described in Specification 451,839, [Group XVII], these being positioned by the perforated tray 19 which is firmly secured by the slotted fasteners 21 attached to the rods 20. These rods have. projections 22 below the tray which may be engaged by rods 23 slidably mounted in collars 24 on the base of the machine. The rods 23, which may be raised by the bars 29 swinging on links 30 operated by the lever 34, have flanges 26 and 27 at either end. These have rubber discs 28 which by making contact with the upper or lower ends of the collars 24 ensure a gas tight seal in the raised or lowered positions. By raising the tray the caps of the bottles are pierced by the filling needles 35 attached to the two rows of burettes 49 and 50. The burettes are of metal except the two designated by 50 which are nearest the operating end of the machine and which are of glass shrouded by metal and graduated, being visible through the window 68. Above the burettes is the tank 85 for the liquid having a gauge glass 87 visible through the window 90. The burettes are filled by gravity from this tank by means of tubes 53; one for each burette, which are in connection with the burettes by means of taps 36. The latter also connecting the burettes to the piercing needles. The taps comprise cones with suitable channels loosely cottered to the rods 40, one for each row of burettes, these cones being retained firmly in their seatings by springs 43 bearing against collars 44. Both rods 40 are operated by a common control 62. After the burettes are filled with the required quantity of liquid the taps 36 are adjusted to connect the burettes with the piercing needles, lever 34 is operated and the liquid forced out by pneumatic pres' sure conveyed to each burette by the headers 70. This pressure is conveyed to the apparatus by the union 82 and pipe 81 into the multipleway valve 77, which can place the pipe 81 in connection with the headers 77, the tank 85, or the constant-leak valve 101. It also has a pressure gauge 98. The tank may be filled with liquid by the union 86. The .apparatus may be rendered sterile by passing steam into the unions 82 and 86 and suitably operating the valve 77 and taps 36. Steam escapes into the casing by the constant-leak valve and renders the casing sterile, escessive pressure being prevented by the safety valve 108 and condensate being drawn off by the tap 109. The apparatus may be charged by the equipment indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 4. Compressed air is sterilized at 123 and travels via the pipe 122 to the union 82. It also forces liquid from the storage tank 120 to the filter. 126, where it is sterilized by wet steam, thence to the secondary filter 128 and thence to either of containers 129, each holding several fillings of the tank 85 of the machine. Steam may be led in by the valves 131 for the sterilizing operation. The Provisional Specification also describes an air filter in the place of pipe 81 and says the valve 77 may be operated simultaneously with taps 36 by coupling them together by a chain belt.