Patent GB-190422618-A (GB)
Title: Machine for Filling Collapsible Tubes or other Receptacles.
Inventor: HOLDSWORTH JAMES ELDRIDGE
Filed: 1904-10-20
Granted: 1905-08-24
Abstract: 22,618. Holdsworth, J. E. Oct. 20. Bottling. - Relates to a machine for filling collapsable tubes and other receptacles with predetermined quantities of liquid or semi-liquid materials, such as pomades, emollients,oiland watercolour paints, &c, A number of the tubes (say six or twelve dozen) are filled simultaneously. The material to be filled into the tubes is contained in a tank 1, having its bottom formed by a grid 2 adapted to slide over a perforated plate 3, the plate and grid forming a multiple slide valve to control the supply of material to the filling-nozzles 4. The grid is moved by a hand-lever 21, pivoted to the frame of the machine and connected to the grid by a link 23. In the form of the machine shown, the nozzles 4 pass through a chamber 9, which may be steam or water heated to maintain in a liquid state unguents which congeal at ordinary temperatures. The collapsable tubes 11 are packed in a box 19 adapted to be adjusted by stops 29 on a vertically-movable table 15. The table and its load are counterbalanced so that the quantity of liquid introduced into the tubes will be indicated by the level to which the table descends during the filling operation, so that the operator will know when to actuate the hand-lever. If great accuracy is required, the table may be supported from one arm of a steelyard, but for ordinary usage the table is supported, as shown, by a spring 18, the movement of the table being indicated by a pointer 20 passing over a scale on one of the supports 14. In a modification, the pointer 20 may carry an electric contact, adapted in the extreme positions of the table to complete electric circuits and so to energize electromagnets adapted to operate the grid automatically. The table may be retained in its lowest position by a weighted tumbler lever while the box of filled tubes is removed and replaced by a box of empty ones. When released, the table is returned to its upper position by the springs. If the materials dealt with are of such a nature as to be incapable of flowing freely through the nozzles, pressure is brought to bear on the surface of the material in the tank. A ram 30, Fig. 5, is provided at the lower end of a screw 31, which works through a nut 32 carried by a yoke 33<a>. In its inoperative position, the ram is retracted clear of the tank, and is provided with guide-pins 34 adapted to enter holes in the yoke, and the yoke is pivoted to the frame so that it can be turned down clear of the tank. When dealing with materials of very thick consistency, means are provided for cutting off the supply independently of the slide valve, the valve being preferably dispensed with. In this case, on the cessation of the pressure applied as above described, each tube is caused to rotate suddenly and rapidly about its own axis, and, the columns of plastic and coherent material being broken, the entire set of tubes &c. may be removed from beneath the tank without mess or waste of material. The tubes are arranged in parallel rows in a frame 19<a>, Fig. 8, and pass loosely through holes in horizontal shelves 49, the shoulders of the tubes resting in holes in a shelf 48. The milled edges of the inverted screw caps 11<a> of each row of tubes are engaged at opposite sides by the serrated edges 41 of a pair of horizontal rackbars 35, 35<a> adapted to be moved simultaneously in opposite directions. All the rack-bars adapted to move in one direction are connected together by cross-bars, to one of which an operating-handle is attached, the motion being transmitted to the oppositely-moving set of bars by spur pinions 40. The serrated edges of the rack-bars are held in yielding contact with the milled edges of the caps by india-rubber rings 44, which form cushions at the bottoms of the grooves of rollers 45 adapted to support and guide the rack-bars during their movement.