Method of and Apparatus for Filling Tubes with Viscid or Semi-fluid Material.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan.. 1895-4ccepted. 4th May, 1895
[Communicated from abroad by HERMANN PLATZ, of 10, Friedenstrasse, Karlsruhe,
Germany, and SAMUEL LEENDERT HUIZER, of 180, Riouwstraat,'s Gravenhage,
Holland, Engineers.]
Method of and Apparatus for Filling Tubes with Viscid or
Semi-fluid Material.
1, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, in the
County of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent. do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to a method of filling tubes with a viscid or semi-fluid mass,
such for instance as opium, and also to machinery or apparatus for automatically
carrying out this operation. For the filling cylindrical squirts with long nozzles are
employed. The main point to be observed is that the tubes shall be very uniformly
filled and that there shall be no cavities or air bubbles in the charges. For this
purpose the tube is so placed under the squirt that the nozzle reaches almost to the
bottom and then, as the tube fills either this is lowered or the squirt is raised or both
motions are effected so that the discharge opening shall follow the level of the mass
during the entire filling.
Lastly, on the removal of the filled tube, care must be taken that the viscid
thread of semi liquid mass hanging down from squirt shall not be drawn out
considerably in length and thus cause the soiling of the tube. This is prevented by
causing the said thread to be broken by a sudden moving apart of the tube and
squirt.
In this operation account must be taken of the fact that the viscid mass is
compressed somewhat by the pressure of the piston or plunger of the squirt, and
expands again on being released from such pressure. On this account, after the
filling has been effected, the further operation must be suspended until the mass
remaining in the squirt has expanded again, and has thereby ejected a further
quantity into the tube, or the capacity of squirt must be so adjusted that it is
practically emptied at each filling operation, so that no expanding action occurs;
furthermore, it is of advantage to wait a little with the breaking action of the thread
after the filling in order that the thread may become somewhat attenuated by
sinking down whereby the breaking is facilitated.
I will describe the construction of machinery for carrying out the above described
process, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which shew a machine
in which the squirt or squirts is or are fixed to the framing, while the tubes
are moveable; the arrangement may however be reversed as above mentioned.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 shew respectively a side view, front view, and section on
line I-11, Figure 2, of a machine for filling a single tube at a time.
Figures 4 and 5 shew to a larger scale the tube table or holder in various
positions.
Figures 6 to 8 shew a side view, section and plan of a filling machine with a
number of squirts.
Figures 9 and 10 shew to a larger scale, vertical sections of part of the machine
with a squirt and the tube holder of the machine, Figures 6 to 8 in two positions,

page_text: Figures 11 to 16 shew to a larger scale details of the construction shown at
Figures 9 and 10, Figures 11 to 13 shewing the coupling device for throwing the
squirts in and out of action, Figure 14 the nozzle of the squirt, Figures 15 and 16
the tube holder in two views at right angles to each other.
Figures 17 and 18 represent developments of the cam grooves for regulating
the motions of the plungers and tubes.
Figures 19 and 20 shew in two views an arrangement for connecting and
disconnecting the coupling of the plunger rods of the squirt.
Figures 21 to 24 shew an arrangement for disconnecting the tube holders.
Figures 25 to 33 shew the arrangement for the automatic feed of the tubes,
Figure 25, shewing the side view, Figure 26 the front view, Figure 27 a plan of the
tube feed channel with closing device, Figures 28 and 28 shew a horizontal section
on line III-IV, Figure 25, with two positions of the parts, Figure 29 is a section
through the tube ejector, while Figures 30 to.33 shew separate details.
Figures 34 to 37 shew an apparatus for cleansing the squirt nozzles, Figure 34
shewing a side view, Figure 35 a cross section. Figure 36 a plan and Figure 37 a
detached detail.
In the machine shown at Figures 1 to 5 the squirt A is fixed in a vertical position
to the arm a¹ of the standard a; the viscid mass is supplied to it by means of
a channel connected to the branch pipe A¹.
The plunger B moving in the squirt forms the lower end of a rod b that is guided
in its up and down motion by the arm a of the framing.
The motion of the rod bis effected by the crank c the rod c¹ from which imparts
an up and down motion to a slide 2 working between guides on the framing, and to
which the rod b is attached at 61. Below the squirt A is a table D on which the
tube to be filled is accurately held in the axis of the squirt by a suitable socket.
The table with the socket also has an up and down motion simultaneously with the
plunger of the squirt, the downward inotion being effected by the plunger rod 6 while
the upward motion is effected by the balance weight. 2. The mode of moving the
tube is of great importance for effecting the filling of the tubes in a proper manner.
In particular no bubbles or cavities must be produced; in order to prevent this, the
table with the tube, is, at the commencement of the filling, held so high that the
long nozzle A2 of the squirt reaches nearly to the bottom of the tube; the table D
then moves with the tube in proportion to the descent of the plunger, that is to
say, as the filling takes place, so that the mouth of the squirt is always at about the
same level as that of the mass.
When the tube is filled to the required extent and the plunger has completed its
downward motion; the thread of the mass hanging down from the nozzle must be
broken off, in order that the tube may be removed from its holder without soiling
the same.
This tearing off of the viscid thread is effected by the sudden lowering
of the tube by causing the table to fall. It is shewn from experience to be of
advantage for the breaking of the thread, if the sudden downward motion of the
tube is delayed a little for two reasons.
In the first place in consequence of the considerable pressure exercised by
the plunger upon the viscid and more or less elastic mass this is compressed to a
certain extent in the squirt owing to its resistance to flow through the very narrow
channel of the nozzle and as soon as the pressure ceases after the completion of the
plunger's stroke, the mass in expanding again, causes a farther quantity to flow out
of the nozzle.
Although this may be prevented by an arrangement of the plunger, to be presently
described, whereby practically the whole of the mass is expelled from the squirt,
yet the delay of the downward motion of the tube is nevertheless of advantage,
because the viscid thread has time to stretch and thereby to become thinner which
facilitates the breaking thereof.
The said motion is effected automatically as follows:
In a projection of the column a there is a vertical moveable rail g as shewn
at Figures 4 and 5; at about the middle it carries the lever h with the two beaks h

page_text: and A. On the lower beak * rests, during the filling, the table D carrying the
tube, which table also slides vertically in guides on the projection of the column.
At the commencement of the filling the lever i loaded with the weight i holds
the rail g in the raised position by pressing against a stop 9' thereof, while the
table D rests on the beak h². At top, the rail y has an arm g' that lies in the path
of rod connected to the rod b. Both rods are connected at top by a transverse
piece Figure 2; the rod f is also guided at f on the arm a' of the column, and
has at bottom a collar f³. During the descent of the plunger, the mass in the squirt
is in the first instance compressed. At the moment afterwards when the mass begins
to flow out, the rod f bears with the collar against the arm g' of the rail g and
moves this downwards together with the table D carried thereby. After the partial
descent of the table, this is released by causing the beak A to strike against a
stop in consequence hereof the lever h, Figure 5, turns so that its beak /*
moves from under the table. But as the table, as before explained, is not to drop
at once, but it is to remain a certain time at rest, a locking device is provided
whereby the rail g is put in and out of action.
This device consists of two upright fingers k' and k³, that are fixed on a spindle k
which carries a horizontal arm which is pressed upward by a spring * so that
the fingers are thereby pressed with spring action against the rail On the down-
g.
ward motion of g, the tapered lower end g³ thereof pushes the one finger k' back and
thereby causes the other one & to move into a position in which it stops the down-
ward motion of the table, as at Figure 5 until, on the reascent of the plunger rod
the rail is raised to such an extent by the weighted lever that its end y³
releases the locking device again so that the fingers k' and k² are forced back again
by the spring k*.
The table then suddenly falls into the lowest position, shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 5, thereby causing the viscid thread to be broken, as before described.
The stop is preferably made adjustable as shewn, so that the moment at which
the table is liberated can be accurately adjusted to the moment when the plunger
rod has completed its downward stroke.
After the table D has fallen, the filled tube is removed and replaced by an
empty one and the table is then raised to the position where it rests on the beak h².
To facilitate the removal and introduction of the tubes the tube holder C rests on
a slide that can be drawn forward on the table D when the spring catch D³ is.
pressed downward.
The machine is not actuated directly by the shaft carrying the crank c but by
the shaft d the arrangement of which is shewn in the section Figure 3.
It transmits its motion by means of the worin d to a worm wheel c² on the crank
shaft. d are the driving pullies. The putting in and out of action is effected by
the lever e this is fixed on a shaft e' connected by the arm e³ the rod et and
lever e with the coupling d³. The spring acting on the arm 3 Figure 2 holds
the lever e with the beak e pressed continuously against the periphery of the
crank plate
C. The latter has a notch, and as soon as the lever falls with its
beak into this the coupling is thrown out. The throwing out of action is
effected automatically after each operation, the notch of c being so placed that
the throwing out of gear is effected at the moment when the squirt plunger has
passed slightly up from its lowest position, to such an extent as to suck back the
mass still contained in the squirt, in order to prevent any dropping.
throwing in gear is effected by pressing down the lever e which must be kept
down until the crank plate c has turned to such an extent that the beak e' is no
longer situated over the notch. If the machine is to work uninterruptedly, it is
only necessary to secure the stopping mechanism in the starting position, Figure 2,.
this being effected by a nipping screw e or by other means.
The
The machine may of course be modified in its details, particularly as regards.
the stopping mechanism, and the locking device for the table, the essential feature
is the relative motion between the squirt plunger and the tube.
Figures 6 to 8 shew a machine for filling tubes in which a number of squirts

page_text: are made to operate simultaneously, the operation being effected in stages so that
the separate tubes are not all filled simultaneously but consecutively, so that there
is always a single filled tube being removed and replaced by an empty one, whereby
the machine is rendered capable of giving a large yield of filled tubes with a
minimum of labour. The speed with which the machine operates can be still
farther increased by arranging in combination therewith an automatic feed of the
empty tubes, and removal of the filled ones. The filling operation, that is the
reciprocal action of the squirts and the tubes is the same as in the above described
machine, each tube being first made to descend gradually during the filling and
then to drop suddenly for breaking the viscid thread.
The construction of the machine will be readily seen in Figure 8. The
framing consists of the base E and the upper part G which two parts are firmly
connected by columns.
The base is surrounded at top by a ring H this has guiding cam grooves that
as will be presently explained effect the up and down motion of the tubes.
A similar ring J with cam groove is provided at the upper frame G for actuating
the squirt plungers.
Both rings which are fixed are situated concentrically one above the other.
Between them is the frame F which can revolve upon its vertical axis, and which
carries the squirts and the tube holders.
This frame, in the arrangement shewn, rests upon the base E and is guided by
the rings fixed thereto.
In the same way the upper ring J might be made to serve as the guide for the
frame.
The frame F is in addition guided in the base E and upper framing G by means
of a central shaft that is preferably made hollow so that the supply of viscid
mass to the squirts may be effected through it, as also the supply of steam for
heating &c.
The arrangement for guiding the frame F between the rings H and J is shewn
at Figures 9 and 10, the frame and parts that partake of its motion being indicated
by the closer hatched sections.
The frame F carries two rings F' and F³. The lower one F¹ has holes F' in
which the tube holders Q slide up and down. To the upper one F³ the squirts
are attached. The rotation of the frame F can be effected by any suitable means
the ring F3 may advantageously be formed as a toothed ring F with which
gears a worm or pinion at R Figures 6 and 7, the shaft of which is suitably
driven at R¹.
The feed of the squirts is effected as shewn at Figure 8, by means of the radial
passages L' arranged within the frame in a transverse partition which passages
all radiate from the hollow shaft of the frame F with which the pipe L is
connected so as to rotate therewith and which is connected by a stuffing box 12
with the fixed supply pipe L3 so that no escape of material can take place at
the joint. By means of the cock L' shewn in Figure 8 the pipe L and passage Li
can be emptied when the machine is put out of action.
The passages L' are advantageously heated from the outside in order to maintain
the viscid mass flowing through them somewhat more liquid and thus facilitate its
flow into the squirts. For this purpose a pipe SI Figure 8, is arranged to lead
steam over the partition containing the passages L¹.
The water of condensation is led off by means of the conduit S, the funnel
shape of the partition facilitating the collection thereof.
As the frame F with the squirts rotates, the plungers are moved continuously
up and down by means of the cam groove J2 on the ring J, while at the same time
the viscid mass is continuously supplied to the squirts.
The cam groove does not act directly but indirectly upon the plungers these
being provided with a carrier having a roller that runs in the cam groove.
These carriers are coupled to the plunger rods in such manner that they can be
connected thereto or disconnected therefrom so that in the first case, the plungers

page_text: and carriers are moved up and down by their rotation round the ring J while in
the latter case only the carriers in ove up and bra, sliding upon was plange ol
without actuating these.
These carriers are suitably constructed as double sockets as shewa at Figures 9
and 10.
The socket m fitted directly upon the rod is loose in the second one l, to which
the guide roller is connected, both sockets being secured together by means of
screwed unts screwed on to the ends of the inner socket m.
This
According as the inner socket is adjusted higher or lower in the outer one, the
plunger will be adjusted in a correspondingly higher or lower position.
adjustment is facilitated by arranging the inner socket so that it can slide
longitudinally in the outer one but is prevented from revolving in it by mean;
of groove and stud.
The arrangement for coupling the carrier 1 m with the plunger rol is shewn at
Figures 9 to 13.
The inner socket m terminates at the upper end in a fork m' aud a similar
fork is fixed in an inverted position on the upper part of the plunger rod b.
In the position shewn in Figures 9 and 11 the forks rest upon each other with
their prongs and the socket m filis the space between the fork n' and the shoulder &
of the rod so that the carrier must move the plunger rod up and down with it.
If, on the other hand, the coupling is to be disconnected the plunger rod with
the upper fork is turned round 90°; the one fork then fits with its prongs into
the spaces between the prongs of the other one, as shewn in Figure 12 so that in
this position the carrier I mean slide on the plunger rod without moving it.
It is necessary to secure the coupling fork n' in the one or the other position :
so that the coupling may not be shifted unintentionally.
For this purpose the upper fork n' is fixed to a square plate n* having star
shaped notches n³.
The edges n of this star are slightly curved to fit the curve of the smooth
projecting surface J' of the ring J. The star n² is of such a size as to accurately
fill the space between the fork and the surface J' Figures 9 and 10, when one
of its edges lies against the said surface. By this means the star is prevented
from turning and consequently it keeps the fork n' in the same relative position
to m' during the entire rotation of the frame. The edges n of the star n' and
the guide surface J¹ must of course be worked very accurate and smooth and the
surface J must be of such a height that the star does not pass beyond it in its
up and down notion with the plunger.
The turning of the star through 90° for putting the plunger in or out of action
is effected at a point where the guide surface J is formed with a recess J³ as
shewn at Figure 17. This recess is situated at the divisions 22 to 24 in which the
cam groove is at its lowest point and consequently where the plungers are at
the end of their downstroke as will be seen in the developed view of the cam
groove at Figure 17.
Thus it is only after the squirts have been emptied that the coupling devices can
be disconnected, and in like manner they can only be connected again at the same
point before the commencement of the suction stroke.
In order to enable the squirts at will either to be thrown out of action at the
said point, or to continue in action, there is provided in the said recess a slide o as
shewn at Figures 8. 19 and 20.
This slide is generally held in its lowest position by means of the weighted
lever O. in which position its flat upper surface is flush with the surface J' so that
the stars n² can slide uninterruptedly over it. If however the lever O is raised, a
pino situated at the lower part of the slide in front of a recess o¹ in a projection o
is brought into the path of the stars n² so that, on the passing of these, the pin
enters one of the notches ³ at the corners thereof, and thereby effects the turning
of the star together with the plunger rod and fork n' through 90° by which means
the coupling forks are either thrown into gear or out of gear according to which

page_text: was the position that they previously occupied and the squirts are thus either put
in or out of action.
For facilitating this action the points of the star are preferably rounded off.
Thus by merely raising the lever O while the apparatus continues in motion, one
or more or all the squirts can be thrown consecutively out of or into action.
In Figures 19 and 20 the slide rod has furthermore a stop of which prevents the
slide from being raised too high so as to insure its proper position relatively to the
stars.
The details of the above described construction can of course be variously
modified thus in place of the slide may also be employed any equivalent device
for turning the coupling forks n' as described.
It is of importance that the squirts shall be emptied as completely as possible at
the down stroke of the plungers, for the purpose before mentioned but as the long
nozzles A prevent the complete attainment of this end, the capacity thereof is
reduced as much as possible by the introduction into them of a rod A³. These
rods form in the nozzle an annular channel of so small a sectional area that the
viscid mass can only just pass through it. Thus at the end of the down stroke of
the plunger, very little material remains in the nozzle and the before mentioned
effect due to expansion is avoided. The lower end of the rod A³ is formed with a
V groove as shewn at Figure 14, so as to leave a clear space at the mouth of the
nozzle in order not to interfere with the outflow.
While the frame F with the squirts A revolves and the plungers perform their
up and down strokes, the tubes also have to be moved up and down in a corre-
sponding manner as before described for this purpose they are carried in vertically
sliding tube holders Q that move in holes F2 of the ring F¹ of frame F. The
arrangement of the tube holders is shewn at Figures 9. 10 15 and 16.
They are fixed with their lower ends in slides r which slide in vertical guides s¹
extending downwards from the rings which is fixed to the frame F so that these
parts revolve with the latter. The vertical motion of the slides with the tube
holders is effected by means of the cam groove H¹ formed in the ring H in which
groove run the rollers carried by the slide. The form of the cam groove is
shewn in the developed view at Figure 18.
The tube holders Q are preferably constructed as follows: They consist of four
long spring bars or limbs qq 92 92 which are arranged opposite each other in pairs
and form between them a cylindrical passage open at bottom their lower ends being
fixed in an eye or opening of the slide r.
The limbs are longer at the upper end than 92 92 and form there two
cheeks qq between which the tube T is held. The limbs 92 42 have at their
upper end inward projections 73 q³ which serve as abutments to the bottom of the
tube T.
Each tube holder is opened and closed by causing its limbs to be alternately
pressed together and allowed to expand as they move up and down through the
holes F2 so that in the first case they grip the tube, and in the second they set it
free so that it can fall down through the holder. For this purpose the limbs
4
5
are
formed with enlargements 9° 9° while the tops of 92 q* are formed with rounded
edges at qq Figure 10. In the position shewn in this figure, being the lowest
position of the tube holder this is expanded. When it is moved slightly upward
into the position Figures 15 and 16 the limbs q² are first pressed together so that
the projections 93 are in position to support the tube T. After this has been
inserted into the holder, the latter in moving farther upward is entirely closed in
the limbs q being pressed together by the cheeks F' acting on the enlargements 9°
.as they pass through into F2 as at Figure 15 and the cheeks q' are thus made to
grip the tube so as to hold it securely in position as it performs its up and down
motion, being released again when the holder arrives at its lowest position
Figure 10 again: when the tube falls down through it.
As described with reference to the single tube filling machine the motions of the
squirt plungers and of the tubes and their holders take place accurately in relation

page_text: to each other, as will be seen on comparing the developed views of the cams at
Figures 17 and 18:
These are so drawn that the corresponding separate divisions of the two cam
grooves lie exactly over each other as in the actual machine, so that these views
shew a diagram of the relative motions of the above parts.
The lower ring H has two cam grooves H and H2 of which the one is straight
and horizontal, while the other rises and falls.
The parts in the divisions 28 to 30 and 0 to 1 are common to both grooves.
By means of a switch arranged in the recess H³ in division 1-2 which is shewn to
an enlarged scale at Figures 21 to 23 the rollers of the tube holders can be made
to travel either in the lower groove H2 or in the upper one H. If they travel
in H the tube holders are not made to move up and down, and are consequently
out of action.
This is, for example, necessary when the tube holders have to be cleansed or
repaired.
Ordinarily the putting out of action is effected by controlling the squirts alone,
as above described.
The switch, Figures 21 to 24 consists of a slide K with two grooves K' K''so
arranged that according as the slide is brought into the position Figure 21 or
Figure 22 the rollers of the tube holders are caused to travel either in the lower
groove H or in the upper one.
The squirt plungers inove slowly downwards at the divisions 0 to 23 of the cam
groove: from 23 to 30 they move at a quicker speed upward, so that the forcing
motion of the plungers for filling the tubes is effected during a longer space of time
than the return motion.
The tube is first rapidly raised in the divisions 1 to 7, Figure 18, during the
first part of the descent of the plunger.
During this raising of the tube, no forcing out of the viscid mass takes place, as
this is first compressed by the motion of the plunger.
Only when the tube has reached its highest position the mass begins to issue
from the squirt. The tube is then gradually moved downwards in proportion as it
is filled, so that the mouth of the squirt is always situated at the level of the mass in
the tube.
The filling is completed as soon as the plunger arrives at the division 23 of the
groove, and the refilling of the squirt then commences.
The slight farther downward motion of the tubes in the divisions 23. 25 of the
groove H' corresponds to the expansion of the small quantity of material remaining
in the nozzle of the squirt. At the end of this period, the rapid downward motion
of the tubes takes place in order to break the viscid thread of the material. The
groove H¹ reaches its lowest point at the divisions 28. 29 which corresponds to the
position of the tube holders in Figure 10, in which they are entirely opened, so
that the tubes can fall out freely.
In the following divisions 29. 30 and 0. 1 the groove rises slightly corresponding
to the position of the tube holder in Figures 15 and 16, where the limbs q are
already pressed inwards so that the next empty tube can be inserted.
When this has been effected the above described operation is repeated.
For introducing and removing the tubes special devices may be employed.
At the place where the filled tubes drop out, a tubular conduit may be provided
which leads them to a place where they can be readily removed or to a machine
that effects the automatic closing of the tubes.
The
The feed of the empty tubes is preferably effected automatically by means of the
apparatus shewn at Figures 25 to 33. It is fixed to the filling machine as shewn
at Figure 6, by screwing on the base M or in any other suitable manner.
base M carries by means of the upper part M' the inclined channel M' in which is
a tube N through which the tubes are led into the machine Figures 25 to 27.
The upper end of the tube N can be extended to any length so that a greater
number of the tubes T may be contained therein, one behind the other.

page_text: At the lower mouth N³ Figure 25 is provided an ejector a shewn separately at
Figure 30. This ejector consists of a socket or trough having a downward directed
rib which is pivotted at a to the part M³ of the base. The two positions of the
ejector are shewn at Figure 25 in full and dotted lines. When the ejector is in
the upper full position, the channel thereof lies in the continuation of the channel N
so that the lowest tube can slide into the ejector.
The mouth of the latter is, in this position closed by a fixed flap, W. If the
ejector then moves into the lower dotted position the tubes can fall out freely as
the flap W no longer prevents this. The tube then slides into the funnel V and
thence into the feed channel U from which it passes directly into the tube holder Q
which is passing at the time. As however the tube is generally longer than the
tube holder, and projects above the top edge of the ring F and in order that the
channel U may not obstruct the farther motion of the tube, this channel is formed
of two parts U and U2 of which the one part is fixed, while the other can turn on
the pivot u.
At the moment when the tube has fallen into the holder Q, the part U
is turned back so as to open the channel U and thus allow the tube to move
onward.
The opening of the channel U and the actuation of the ejector is effected as
follows by pins or studs t, which are applied to the ring F in definite positions
relatively to the openings F in which the tube holders work.
These pins hear, at the moment when the corresponding tube holder arrives
under the channel U and the tube falls into it against a lever u' that is attached
to the part U2 so that this is pressed backward thereby so as to allow the tube to
proceed.
The part U2 is connected at top to a second lever 2 which is turned with it
and is thereby made to actuate the ejector a through other lever connections as
follows The lever u² is connected by rods us having universal joints with a piece u
fixed to the lower end of the lever u Figures 26 and 29. The lever u is fixed
with its upper end upon a shaft w rotatably carried parallel to the tube channel
in the base arms M M M³ Figure 27. On the shaft w is fixed the lever u the
outer end of which is connected to the ejector a Figure 29.
If therefore the lever u² is pushed back by the stop t Figure 28, the rod u³ will
move in the direction of the arrow, by this means the levers u' and u are so
turned that the ejector is raised thereby and thus brought into the position in which
the flap W prevents the discharge of a tube. In this position the bottom tube
passes into the ejector, this motion being controlled as will be presently
described.
As soon as the tube has been carried beyond the reach of the pivotted part U2
of the tube channel, the pin t also liberates the arm u¹ and this together with the
part U and the levers u² u³u u can then be moved back into their original
position this being effected by means of the spring which acts upon a rod v
connected to lever u at v Figure 26.
In order to adjust all the said parts accurately in their original position and also
to enable the spring to be regulated, the rod v is provided with adjustable
abutment screw nuts v³ and an adjustable stop 2 by which latter the tension of the
spring can also be regulated.
2.2
By the said return of the parts into their original position the ejector is also
brought into the dotted position Figure 25 in which it delivers an empty tube into
'the tube channel U at the same time the next tube holder approaches the latter,
and at the moment when the tube falls into it, the next pin t comes in contact with
the arm, and the above described action is repeated.
The connection of the lever is preferably not rigid but elastic, as shewn at
Figures 29 and 30, a ring being provided with a pin 3 with screw nut passing
freely through a hole in levers us and a spring Figure 29 introduced between the
ejector and the lever holds the parts in position without looseness.
The screw nut on the pin a³ is adjustable for rendering the connection more or
less yielding.

page_text: In connection with the ejector is a farther device whereby the last tube in
the feed channel N is held back as long as the ejector is in the lowered position.
This is effected by means of a spring lever y mounted loose on the spindle w, as
shewn at Figure 27 and in the sections Figures 32 and 33.
The last two figures shew the lever in the two positions in which the tube T is
on the one hand held back and is on the other hand released.
The lever y. is held down by a spring y² attached to the collar w³ so that the
pressing piece y at its extremity passing through an opening N' in the channel N
is pressed against the tube. At the side of this loose lever y an arm w' is fixed
in the spindle wc, which bears with a screw or stud against the lever. When the
spindle w is turned so as to raise the ejector into the position in which it receives
the next tube, the arm wo in rising raises the armi y somewhat, as shewn at
Figure 32, so that the tube T is released and can consequently slide down.
During the ejection the arm wol descends again and allows the arm y to press
upon and hold the next tube as at Figure 33.
The arrangement for holding back the tube can also he otherwise arranged
but it is necessary for it to act as described independently of the motion of
the ejector.
In order that the operations may take place uninterruptedly, care must be taken
that a supply of tubes is always contained in the channel N. In order to ensure
this a device is provided for giving a signal as soon as there are only a few tubes
left in the channel N so that a fresh supply may be introduced.
In
This device consists in a spring lever which similar to the last described
arrangement, is pressed, by a spring 2 so as to bear with a pressing piece z¹ pro-
jecting through an opening N' of channel N against the tubes as they pass.
like manner to the arm y this arm z is raised by means of the screw or stud of a
lever w² on spindle w while the ejector is in the raised position, so that all the
tubes can then slide forward the length of one tube.
If now at any time there should be no tube under lever z, it is moved to a
greater extent downwards and thereby closes an electrical contact on a circuit
including an audible or visible signal which indicates that a fresh supply of tubes
has to be introduced into the channel N. This device may of course be replaced
by any other suitable arrangement or it may be entirely dispensed with.
Figures 34 to 37 shew an auxiliary apparatus for cleansing the nozzles of the
squirts. This is effected by causing the squirts, while rotating with the frame F
to pass in contact with an endless moistened band that is continuously in motion
so that this removes any drop of the viscid mass that may adhere to the nozzle
after the thread has been broken as described. The cleansing is effected at that
part of the machine where the tube holders are situated in the lowest position, thus
leaving the nozzles accessible.
The endless cleansing band Z hangs with its lowest part in a vessel P filled with
water. At the top it is led in a horizontal position by means of the rollers 1. 2.
& 3. and this part of the band is brought in the path of the passing squirt nozzles.
The rollers 1. 2. 3. are carried by a support 14 that can be secured in any
convenient manner such as by a thumb screw to any part of the framing of the
machine.
The front roller 3 is placed obliquely so that the band Z also lies transversely
in an oblique position.
By this means the cleansing of the nozzle mouths A which are led transversely
across the band is facilitated and they are prevented from striking against the
edge of the band Z.
The two sides of the pendant loop of the band are led between two pairs of
rollers. The one pair Y'Y' serves for driving the band the one roller Y being
mounted with its axis in the side of the vessel P. Figure 35 and carrying a worm
wheel 10 with which gears a worm 9. on the driving shaft 8. The roller Y¹
against which Y bears as it rotates, has its axis carried by a vertical frame 4
pivotted at 5. To the upper end of the frame is connected a fork 6 Figure 3b.
B

page_text: which is pressed in the direction towards the rollers by a spring 7. so that the
roller Y is thereby pressed against Y and consequently the band passing between
them is caused to travel by the rotation of Y.
The second pair of rollers X X' serves to keep the band stretched this being
necessary as the bottom loop is not held but hangs free in the water.
The two rollers X X¹ have their axes held by two vertical spring bars 12. 13.
that are fixed to the bracket 11 secured to the side of the vessel P. Figures 35, 37.
The spring bars 12. & 13. press the rollers together with sufficient pressure to nip
the hand from which they also express the superfluous moisture.
The vessel P. is preferably provided with a continuous supply of water and an
overflow.
As before stated the various above described constructions can be variously
modified in detail, so long as the essential feature be maintained, whereby the
tubes and the squirts receive the herein described vertical motion relatively to
each other.
The multiple filling machine might also be so constructed that the frame
carrying the squirts remains stationary while the rings with the cam grooves are
rotated. The arrangement for throwing the squirt plungers in and out of action
as also those for supplying the tubes and for cleansing the squirt nozzles might
also be differently constructed. The above described process is particularly
adapted for filling tubes with opium and the machines described for carrying out
the process are capable of producing a maximum of yield with a minimum amount
of manual labour.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
:-
1. A method of filling receptacles such as tubes with a viscid or semi liquid
mass wherein such mass is forced out of a nozzle in a thin stream in such manner
that the nozzle is first situated in close contiguity to the bottom of the vessel after
which the nozzle and vessel are moved apart in proportion as the filling proceeds
so that the mouth of the nozzle shall always be situated at or about the level of
the mass in the vessel while when the filling is completed the nozzle and vessel are
rapidly moved farther apart in order to cause the thread of viscid material to be
broken substantially as described.
2. In the method of operating set forth in the first claim causing the nozzle and
vessel to remain stationary for a certain time after the filling is completed and
before the rapid separation is effected, in order to allow time for the remainder of
the mass to flow out of the nozzle or for the viscid thread to become thinner so as
to facilitate the breaking thereof substantially as described.
3. A machine for carrying out the method of operating referred to in Claims 1
and 2. in which a fixed squirt A supplied with the viscid mass delivers the same
into a tube C. carried by a holder and table C. D. on a vertically moveable rail g,
that is held in a raised position by a weighted lever or spring and that is pushed
downwards by means of the downward motion of the plunger of the squirt, while
at the end of the filling operation the table or holder is detached from the rail g
by a suitable détaching gear so as to fall with the tube and thereby effect the
breaking of the thread of viscid material, substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings.
4. In a machine for filling tubes such as is referred to in the third claim the
use of a spring stop or finger such as k² so arranged that in the downward motion
of the rail g of the tube holder it is brought by the rail into such a position as to
stop the table and holder from falling after its detachment from the rail until this
has been raised again sufficiently to allow the stop or finger to resume its original
position in which it leaves the table and holder free to fall substantially as described
with reference to Figures 4 and 5.
5. A machine for carrying out the method of operating referred to in the first
:1

page_text: claim in which a number of squirts with a corresponding number of tube holders
are arranged round a revolving frame such as F and in which the vertical move-
ments of the squirts plungers and tube holders are effected by means of cam
grooves such as JH' substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.
6. In a multiple tube filling machine such as is referred to in the 5th claim
supplying the viscid mass to the squirts through the hollow axis L of the machine
connected by a stuffing box with the supply pipe L³ from which axis radial
channels L' convey the mass to the squirts such chanuels being preferably heated
by steam or otherwise for facilitating the flow of the material substantially as
described.
7. In the multiple tube filling machine such as is referred to in the fifth claim a
device for coupling the plunger rods with the carrier sockets l, in fitted thereon
that receive the up and down motion from the cam groove consisting of two forked
shaped parts m' and n¹ of which the one part is fixed to the carrier while the
other part is connected to the plunger rod the said forks being so arranged that
in the operative position they bear with the ends of their prongs upon each other
while in the disengaged position the one is turned relatively to the other so that
its prongs fit into the spaces thereof substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 9 & 13.
8. In the coupling device referred to in the seventh claim constructing the
carrier with a double socket of which the inner one m carrying the coupling
fork m' is vertically adjustable in the outer one 1 for regulating the position of the
squirt plunger substantially as described.
9. In the coupling device referred to in the seventh claim the combination with
the rotatable coupling fork n' of a plate n² which is held in position by a guide
surface J'so as to be prevented from turning and a recess in the said guide
surface provided with a slide o in one position of which the said plate passes over
the recess without turning while in another position of the slide the plate and its
fork are enabled to turn one quarter round in the recess, substantially as
described.
10. In the device referred to in the ninth claim constructing the plate n³ with
notches at the corners while the slide o is provided with a pin o² which on the
passing of the plate n² takes into one of the said notches and thereby effects the
turning of the plate substantially as described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13,
19 & 20.
11. In the multiple filling machine referred to in Claim 5 the arrangement of
the tube holders Q sliding vertically in holes in the ring F¹ of the revolving
frame F and fixed with their lower ends to a slide r, receiving an up and down
motion in guides by means of a fixed cam groove H' substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.
12. Constructing the tube holder Q referred to in the eleventh claim of two or
more limbs having spring action and forming a passage between them for the
descent of the filled tube, such limbs being opened out when in the lowered
position, so as to allow the tube to fall, while when raised through the hole of the
ring F they are contracted so as to hold the tube with their upper ends
substantially as described.
13. In the tube holder Q referred to in the 12th claim, constructing two of the
limbs shorter than the other two so that on the commencement of the ascent of
the holder, the shorter pair 92 is first contracted so as to serve as abutment for an
inserted tube, after which the longer pair q is contracted so as to grip the tube by
means of cheeks q', substantially as described.
14. In the multiple filling machine referred to in Claim 5, the combination of
two cam grooves H1, H2, for actuating the tube slide, one of which grooves
effects the up and down motion of the tubes, while the other serves to hold the
tubes in the lowered position, the guide roller of the tube slide being made to pass
into the one groove or the other according to the position of a switch K,
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 18, 21 to 23.

page_text: 15. In combination with a tube filling machine such as is herein referred to, an
apparatus for automatically feeding the empty tubes to the tube holders, wherein
a feed channel N is provided with an ejector c. actuated through a system of levers
by pins or stops on the revolving frame F in such manner that when in a raised
position the ejector receives a tube from the tube channel and when in a lowered
position it delivers the tube into a channel leading to a passing tube holder,
substantially as described with reference to Figs. 25 to 33.
16. In the feed apparatus referred to in the 15th claim an appliance for holding
back the last tube in the feed channel N while a tube is being delivered by the
ejector consisting of a spring lever y that presses against the last tube and that
is moved away from such tube when the ejector is in the raised position, by means
of an arm w¹ on a spindle w that is partly rotated by the lever system actuating the
ejector, substantially as described.
17. In the feed apparatus referred to in the 15th claim, a device for indicating
when empty tubes require to be supplied to the feed channel consisting of a
spring lever Z that is made to press against a tube in the upper part of the feed
channel but which, when there is no tube at such point, moves farther inwards so
as to close an electrical contact on a signalling circuit the said lever being
moved outward so as to allow of the free passage of the tubes by an arm w
on the spindle w when the ejector a is in the raised position substantially as
described.
18. In the feed device referred to in the 15th claim constructing the tube
channel U of two parts of which one part U2 is pivotted and so arranged as to be
moved outwards by pins or studs t on the revolving frame after a tube has passed
into the holder Q in order to allow of the free onward motion of the tube in the
holder substantially as described with reference to Figs. 25 tc 28.
19. An apparatus for cleansing the squirt nozzles of multiple tube filling
machines of the kind referred to in Claim 5 consisting of an endless travelling
band Z a loop of which is made to pass through water in a vessel P. while another
part travels in the path of the squirt nozzles, so that the mouths hereof pass in
contact with the moistened band and are thus freed from the adhering viscid
material substantially as described with reference to Figs. 34 to 37.
20. In cleansing apparatus such as is referred to in the 19th claim arranging
the endless travelling band with a loosely pendant loop one side of which is
gripped between a driving roller Y and a spring pressing roller Y₁ for imparting
the travelling motion to the band, while the other side of the loop is nipped
between two spring rollers X X' for maintaining the band in a stretched condition
substantially described.
Dated this 10th dow of January 1895.
ABEL & IMKAY,
Agents for the Applicant.