Patent GB-1065474-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for handling ampules
IPC: B08B9/20
Filed: 1966-02-28
Abstract: 1,065,474. Washing ampoules; vibrating conveyer; orientating ampoules. H. TATIBANA. Feb. 28, 1966, No. 8730/66. Headings B8A, B8S and B8T. Ampoules 4 are washed while supported in inverted positions by their shoulders on rows of partitions 53 in a retaining case 50, cleansing detergent from a chamber 19a of a tank 19 being forced upwards through tubes 20 under the action of pressurized gas in a lower chamber 19b, to clean the ampoules 4 internally and externally. The tubes 20 may slide upwards with the tank 19 to enter the necks of the ampoules 4 to complete internal washing. The ampoules may also be dried by hot air or sterilized whilst inverted. Vibrating conveyers.-The procedure for placing the ampoules 4 in the case 50 prior to washing is as follows. The ampoules are initially introduced in upright positions on to a supply surface (A), Fig. 1 (not shown), of a horizontal vibrating table (2) from which surface they are fed by the vibratory motion of the table to a section (B) of the table where vertical partitions (5), Fig. 2 (not shown), arrange them into parallel rows. The leading ends of the partitions (5) are staggered relative to each other to facilitate entry of the ampoules between the partitions. The source of vibration is an electromagnetic vibrator (1) to which the table (2) is rigidly attached. After passing between the partitions (5) the ampoules enter the receiving section (C) of the table, on which is placed a receiving case (3), Fig. 3 (not shown), having internal partitions (8) aligning with the partitions (5). The upper surface of the base-plate (3a) of the case (3), Fig. 4 (not shown), is flush with that of sections (A) and (B) of the table (2), so that the ampoules enter the receiving case and fill the channels defined by the partitions (8) and the outer walls (3b, 3c). The engagement of slotted lugs (3d) on the walls (3c) of the case (3), with clips (2g) on lugs (2f) attached to the table (2), ensures the correct positioning of the case relative to the table. When the case (3) is full a plate (7) is slid down into a space adjacent the end of the partitions (5) nearest to the case (3). A further plate (9), having horizontal lugs (10) to rest on corresponding horizontal lugs (11) on the side walls (3c) of the case (3), is slid down next to the plate (7), to retain the ampoules within the case (3). The retaining case (50), Fig. 9 (not shown), is now placed over the necks of the ampoules in the receiving case (3), partitions (53) resting on the shoulders of the ampoules, and horizontal lugs (12) resting on the lugs (10, 11) on the plate (9) and case (3) respectively. The cases (3) and (5) and plate (9) are then lifted by means of the lugs (10, 11, 12), and inverted over the washing device as shown in Fig. 11, the necks of the ampoules passing into vertical bores 17 in a supporting frame 16. Orientating ampoules.-After the process of washing &c., described above, the cases 3 and 5 and plate 9 are transferred to a support (21), Fig. 13 (not shown), of a transfer device, where the case (3) and plate (9) are removed. The ampoules are then pushed from the retaining case (50), sliding along the partitions (53) on their shoulders, to engage a roller (23) shaped so as to conform to the body part of the ampoules, Fig. 14 (not shown), and rotating about a horizontal axis so as to guide the ampoules downwards as they leave the case (50). The ampoule necks pass into the leading ends of slots (25) at the upper ends of inclined shoots (24), and the shoulders of the ampoules engage with the shoots. As the ampoules slide down the shoots they tip into a base-first orientation, the length of the slots (25) being sufficient to permit this. A receiving box (29) is provided at the lower end of the shoots (24), and a conveyer (28) then transfers the ampoules to a filling and sealing station.