Patent GB-803469-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic machines for washing, filling and sealing ampoules or similar receptacles
IPC: B08B9/20
Filed: 1956-06-14
Abstract: 803,469. Washing ampoules. ANREP, R. June 14, 1956 [June 20, 1955], No. 18375/56. Classes 56 and 138(1). [Also in Group XVII] An ampoule filling or washing machine using the vacuum method comprises an air-tight chamber 1 containing a filling or washing liquid in which ampoules are held in an inverted position, and has means for maintaining the level of the liquid constant relative to the necks of the ampoules during the period in which the ampoules are dipped in the liquid. In an embodiment the chamber contains a tank 11 which is pivoted at one end at 12 and is suspended at the other end on springs (not shown) and a lever 14 pivoted on a shaft 15 and counterbalanced by a weight 16. A mercury switch 17 is attached to the lever 14 and a plunger 18 is fixed to the roof of chamber 1 to dip into the liquid in the tank 11. A box of ampoules is held by a grid 20 on a plate 6 which pivots axially about a supporting arm 19. The plate 6 is inverted and the ampoules depend into the tank 11, a gasket 7 making an air-tight seal between the chamber 1 and the plate 6. On locking the plate in position by a lever, a vacuum pump is operated and air is withdrawn by pipe 3 while liquid is syphoned into the tank 11 through pipe 2 from a reservoir 37. As the tank fills with liquid it pivots until the mercury switch 17 closes at a predetermined inclination at which the necks of the ampoules dip into the liquid. The flow of liquid is then stopped and on a sufficient vacuum being reached a pressure switch stops the vacuum pump and opens the chamber to atmosphere through pipe 4. Liquid is then forced into the ampoules and, as the tank becomes lighter the pivoting of the tank keeps the level of liquid relative to the necks of the ampoules constant. As adapted for washing, Fig. 11, the machine is additionally provided with a fork-shaped lever 46 operating with a projection 47 on the tank 11 and with a drainage syphon 48 by which the washing liquid is returned to the liquid reservoirs 37 through a filter 49. The filling process is carried out as described above but while the ampoules are being filled the tank 11 is prevented from pivoting back to the original position by the lever 46 so that there is now a gap between the necks of the ampoules and the liquid in the tank. The vacuum pump is then restarted and the ampoules empty the washing liquid into the tank. Finally air is readmitted and the syphon 48 opened, draining the washing liquid to the reservoir 37. The drops of liquid which may remain in the necks of the ampoules are removed in a vacuum bell when the ampoules are removed from the washing machine, Fig. 9 (not shown). Four washing machines may be spaced around a central shaft so that an operation of the washing sequence is carried out at each machine. The machines may also be arranged so that the washing and filling of ampoules is carried out at a series of machines, one step at each machine. In further embodiments, to keep the level of the liquid constant with respect to the ampoules the plate 6 may be movable at the end of a parallel linkage while the tank 11 is fixed, the amount of liquid entering the tank may be controlled by a float switch or the tank may be slidable vertically in the chamber 1. Sealing ampoules (Fig. 10).-After filling, the ampoules are sealed by a line of blow pipes 42 supported by a threaded collar 41 on a screw 43 which when rotated by motor 44 causes the blow pipes to move over a case of ampoules.