Patent GB-1379123-A (GB)
Title: Container filling and sealing apparatus
IPC: B65B31/00
Filed: 1972-03-08
Abstract: 1379123 Filling and closing pressurized containers MARDON PELOREX Ltd 8 March 1972 [8 March 1971 8 Dec 1971] 10821/72 Headings B8T and B8C [Also in Division F1] An aerosol dispensing container filled with concentrate has an open end covered by a loosely seated closure member, and propellant is introduced under pressure through the open end into the container. In the main embodiment the container is inverted and filled through its base end. The closure member is subsequently welded to the container. The whole cycle is controlled by cam-shaft (36), Fig. 1 (not shown), which rotates to operate switches (LS), and contacts are thereby operated so that relays and solenoids are energized to open and close valves which connect piston housings to air and vacuum pumps and propellant supply respectively. Initially, welding member 172 projects downwardly below seal 108, Fig. 4, and cup 112, Fig. 2, rests on the upper surface of piston 94. An inverted container C, Fig. 16, is placed in holder 26 with closure member 251 loosely seated on the container. The closure member and container may be composed of thermoplastic material. The operating cycle, which is initiated by pressing button (287), Fig. 12 (not shown), is as follows:- (i) Air is directed to the upper side of piston 77 in cylinder 78, Fig. 2, to retract bar 73 and lower a filling head 42 and a welding head 43. Centring bell 113 engages the container, and seal 116 abuts against the bottom of the container. Closure member 251 is lifted upwardly from the container bottom by vacuum. (ii) Air is directed to the upper side of piston 85 in chamber 86 and the downward movement of the piston moves piston 94 and attached stem 98 downwardly so that seal 108 is disposed below welding member 172. Chamber 95 is evacuated, air pressure in cylinder 56 is transmitted through container C, and adaptor 96 is lifted upwards relative to piston 94, Fig. 16. Holder 26 is raised and closure member 251 engages seal 108 so that the container is ready for the propellant filling operation, Fig. 16. (iii) Air is forced into chamber 156 of charging cylinder 44, Fig. 3, against the upper-side of piston 159 which moves down to displace propellant via ram 160 into chamber 161 and thereby into chamber 127, Fig. 4. Piston 155 is adjustable to vary the volume of charge received in cylinder 44. The pressure in chamber 127 builds up and finally valve 124 opens and propellant flows into the container via opening 138 and passages 139 and 140. At the end of the downstroke of ram 160 spring 130 closes valve 124. (iv) Adaptor 96 is lowered relative to piston 94, so carrying container C down and temporarily away from closure member 251. Residual propellant trapped in members 138-140 is thereby allowed to flow by gravity into container C. (v) Adaptor 96 is raised relative to piston 94 and container C lifted against closure member 251 thereby sealing the contents of the container from atmosphere. (vi) Seals 108 and 116 are disengaged from member 251 and container C respectively, and welding member 171 is left in contact with closure member 251 which is seated in a groove (244), Fig. 8 (not shown), formed in the wall of container C. A welding programmer (300), Fig. 12 (not shown), energizes ultrasonic converter 170 for a predetermined time and heat generated in member 171 welds the closure member and container together. (vii) The propellant filling and welding head is lifted by piston 78 and container C is removed from holder 26. Piston 159 and displacement ram 160 are raised so as to prime charging cylinder 44 for the next cycle. Alternatively, Figs. 21-23 (not shown), the container is held in normal upright position and charged with concentrate and propellant through its upper end. Also a plurality of holders 26 and head assemblies vertically aligned with the holders can be mounted on rotatable turrets. The closure member may be sealed on by spin welding.