Patent GB-188361-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to method and apparatus for canning
IPC: B65B31/02
Filed: 1921-07-06
Abstract: 188,361. Jensen, C. A., (Malmquist Machine Co.). July 6, 1921. Preserving fruit &c.-Fruit &c. to be preserved is placed in cans which are then exhausted, the exhaustion being continued until the air is withdrawn from the pores of the fruit &c. The can is then filled with syrup &c. and sealed. Apparatus for automatically performing these processes comprises a casting rotating about a vertical axis and containing a number of radiallyarranged chambers 10, each of which is formed with a portion 15 adapted to be raised and lowered by a cam mechanism. Each of the chambers 10 contains a platform 108 provided with a stem 109 carrying a roller 135 engaging with a cam 131 for raisng and lowering the platform and enclosing a spindle 155 adapted to be rotated by a gear actuated by a cam so as to reciprocate a can-holder 114 on the platform 108 through a pinion 111 and a rack. The can is received in the holder 114 as shown in the lefthand side of Fig. 1, clamped in position by a cam-actuated lever 152 and brought into the position shown in Fig. 12, to receive a charge of syrup through a pipe 137 controlled by a valve 166 actuated by tappets carried on a fixed disc 93 and gearing with a star wheel 145 on the valve stem. While the can is being charged with syrup it is pressed against a gasket 127, a disc 128 filling the space which will afterwards be occupied by the cap. The can is carried on a spring-supported disc 124, in the middle of which is a post 126 which, when the can is pressed against the ring 127 presses in the bottom so as to diminish the capacity of the can by an amount equal to the volume of the residual liquid which will flow from the pipe 137 after the valve 144 is closed. When the can is lowered it regains its ordinary form, thus making room for this liquid. The can is then brought beneath an opening 50 over which a cap has been placed and the chamber arrives beneath a sealing-device 165 of known type. The sealing device is carried by an upright 167 on a swinging arm 166 containing spindles 181 and 185 and gear for operating the sealing-device and so actuated by cams that the sealing-device is pressed on the cover of the chamber 10 and moves with it while sealing takes place, and is then slightly raised and returns to its original position. In order to exhaust the chambers 10 and maintain the vacuum therein as described they are put in connection successively through passages in castings 58<a>, 65 controlled by rotary valves 85 operated by cams on the disc 93 through star wheels 106, with concentric tubes 57, 58 connected to separate air pumps. Relief valves 85<a> are also provided. The cans are fed to the apparatus by a bandconveyer 196, Fig. 3, which brings them against a lever 240. The end of this lever is thus brought into the path of a reciprocating block 235 which moves a slide carrying the lever, thus passing the can on to one of the carriers 114. The filled and sealed can is delivered to the conveyer 196 by a guide 214. The slide carrying the lever 240 also receives the lowermost cap of a pile and places it in position over the opening 50. A can attached to the slide operates reciprocating blades to release the cap from the pile. A second cam moves the star wheels 106, 145 on the valve spindles so as to move them into and out of the paths of the actuating-cams as required.