US2958171A - Apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture and filling of packages - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 1, 1960 J. DECKERS 2,958,171

APPARATUS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS MANUFACTURE AND FILLING OF PACFAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1957 par-1 A 4 Nov. '1, 1960 J. DECKERS APPARATUS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS MANUFACTURE Filed July 16, 1957- AND FILLING OF PACKAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 APPARATUS FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS MANU- FACTURE AND FILLING F PACKAGES Joseph Deckers, Rue 'Chri 39, Liege, Belgium Filed July 16, 1957, Ser. No. 672,195

Claims priority, application Belgium July 20, 1956 3 Claims. (Cl. 53-140) The present invention relates to a method of simultaneous production and filling of a package of substantially any size up to a capacity of 1 litre or more.

The present method is based on the extrusion of a synthetic substance which is generally of the thermoplastic type, and on the gradual setting of the package while the same is being filled, the package thus produced and filled usually then being closed merely by the application of pressure at the level of the flap of the unset packing.

The present method has nothing in common with the formation of very small diameter ampoules obtained by an operation closely resembling an ejection, the contents being surrounded substantially instantaneously and completely by the usually gelatinous substance forming the container. This known method cannot be used for the production of packages adapted to replace conventional packages for liquid, pasty, powdery, finely divided or even solid or sol-idifiabl-e substances.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a method wherein the gelatinous substance, While being maintained in a suitable state of plasticity, as a rule by heating, is passed through a tube, a conduit extending axially therethrough at one end, the said conduit supplying the substance for filling the subsequent packing, the arrangement being such that the plastic substance is delivered as a tubular element in direct communication with the said conduit, these means being associated with means for elfecting a closure at both ends of the said packing and for separating the pack-ings from the piece of substance issuing through the machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method, wherein in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the method, the plastifiable substance is disposed in a recipient surrounded by a jacket bounding a heating chamber adapted to receive a heating fluid; the recipient is connected to a source or generator of a pressure fluid adapted to apply to the substance in the plastic state a pressure effect such that the substance is forced through at least one delivery pipe, of the kind hereinbefore described, suitable for the formation and filling of the packages.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide any device adapted to carry the method set forth above into effect; the means for displacing the plastic substance and for efiecting the delivery of the same as a tubular element and for performing the filling and closure at both ends of the successive packings can be varied within wide limits and will become apparent from this invention inasmuch as they apply to the aforesaid process.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are axial sections of the apparatus briefly illustrating four distinctive phases of the method;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view in vertical section of the main elements of the extrusion apparatus, suitable for Fatentecl Nov. 1, 1960 the systematic application of the method according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 illustrates diagrammatically the various parts of an industrial plant adapted to perform the method automatically from the extrusion to the storage of the filled packings.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figs. 1 to 4, an extruder has a head 1; and, extending axially thereof, two concentric tubes 2, 3; the first tube is stationary and the second tube can be reciprocated axially.

The base 4 of the extruder head 1 and the bottom end of the tube 2 define an annular drawing die 5. The tube 2 is either permanently connected to the atmosphere or communicates with a pressure fluid source. The central tube 3 communicates with the source or storage device of the substance to be packed (not shown) and can reciprocate vertically at a predetermined amplitude. A sealing and severing device represented by jaws 6, 7 is disposed at a suitable distance below the base 4. A recipient 8 containing a cooling and supporting liquid for the package being produced is disposed at a suitable distance below the said sealing jaws 6 and 7.

The drawings disclose the main phases of the method are as follows:

The package-forming material is extruded through the drawing die 5 to form a tubular piece 9, the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of which are essentially variable. The piece 9 is extended over a height H determined in relationship with the length of the package to be produced and with the relative position betwen the base 4 of the extruder, the jaws 6, 7 and the level of the cooling and supporting liquid in the recipient 8.

According to a main feature of the method according to the present invention, during this first extruding phase a fluid, usually air, is supplied, usually at atmospheric pressure, by suction through the annular space defined between the two concentric tubes 2, 3. During this extrusion operation the axial tube 3 is in its highest position or is gradually following the descending movement of the base of the extruded piece 9. The lower part thereof is suitably supported and cooled in the recipient 8 by any suitable means, for instance, by dipping, spraying, blowing, wetting, aspiration or other means, that is, it is hardened, while the region level with the jaws 6, 7 still remains relatively hot. This is the state illustrated in Figure 1. During extrusion the axial conduit 3 is moved progressively into its lowest position so that its bottom end stops near the bottom of the extruded piece 9 (Fig. 2). The substance to be packed is supplied to the piece 9 and the same is charged from the bottom upwards, the axial tube 3 gradually rising as charging proceeds.

As is shown more particularly in Fig. 2, during this progressive charging the fluid, that is, the air in the piece 9 is removed through the annular space defined between the concentric tubes 2, 3.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, which represents the next phase of the process, the charging is stopped at a level below that of the jaws 6, 7, and the axial tube 3 is empty of the substances which it contains either because the initial division of the package product has started or because there has been produced in the axial tube 3 a suction effect adapted to empty the tube 3 completely without aflecting the product contained in the extruded piece 9.

As can be seen in Fig. 4, the jaws 6, 7 are moved together to produce on the corresponding part of the extruded piece 9 a cutting effect such that the filled and treated package 10 is completely closed and also separated from the extruded piece 9,

The various phases can be repeated continuously at a relatively high rate depending, of course, on the number of applications.

The various phases of the operating method just described can of course be efiected through the agency of very many and various means.

In Fig. is shown in vertical sectional View of an industrial plant in which all the aforesaid elements are incorporated, including the extruding head 1, the concentric tubes 2, 3, the base 4 of the extruding head 1, the annular drawing die 5 through which the extruded substance passes, the sealing and clamping jaws 6, 7 and the cooling recipient 8.

The present method and the present apparatus can be used in fully automatic plants, the constituent parts and functions of which should be adapted to each special application. Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically the main parts of an automatic industrial plant for large-quantity high-speed production of packages adapted to receive any product which is inert with respect to the extrusion substance. This plant has the extrusion head 1 with all the elements shown more particularly in Fig. 5 or any equivalent elements or elements of equivalent operation.

The extrusion head is of course connected to an extrusion press 11 and the tube 2 is permanently connected to the atmosphere by means of a by-pass 1.2 so that atmospheric air can enter or leave it. Of course it would be possible to consider in some cases a mechanical pressurising or depressurising of the air in dependence upon the operational phases. The vertically reciprocable axial tube 3 communicates through an appropriate conduit '13 with the tank or source of the product to be packaged, by way of a solenoid valve 14 which controls the feed of the product to be packaged. The valve 14 is controlled by a variable-height photoelectric cell 16 by means of a relay 15 which controls in turn the head of the extrusion press. The cell 16 is disposed opposite an aperture 17 contrived in the cooling and supporting fluid recipient 8 at a level which corresponds to that out by the bottom edge of the package during the sealing or cutting phase of the finished or charged package. The aperture 17 is disposed opposite another aperture 18 contrived in the opposite surface of the recipient 8. The apertures 17, 18 are covered by transparent walls 19 and 20, respectively, and opposite the aperture 18, that is, in the axis of the cell 16, there is disposed an energising lamp 21, the height of which will be preferably adjustable simultaneously with the height of the cell 16.

Opening into the recipient 8 is a conduit 22 adapted to connect the recipient 8 permanently to means for producing therein a water flow for maintaining the temperature within predetermined limits. The recipient 8 extends into the casing 23 of a scraper conveyor 24 having an outlet conduit 25 for closing the said cooling circuit. The conveyor 24 extends to above the top of the supply end of a second conveyor 26, the top run of which moves opposite drying means 27, for instance, a row of infra-red lamps. The conveyor 26 extends to above the supply end of another conveyor 2%, the top run of which moves opposite a printing press 29. Finally, the conveyor 28 effects a delivery to a recipient 30 or to crates, boxes or other suitable means for receiving the filled packages.

During the entire operation the cooling water is maintained at a constant level A-A by any means known per se. The level is maintained constant automatically since, when the bottom edge of the extruded piece 9 reaches the level of the energising lamp 21, that is, the level of the cell 16, the relay 15 and solenoid valve 19 cause the admission of the product to be packaged simultaneously with the upward movement of the axial tube 3. The extruded piece is cooled and set automatically by being dipped into the cooling liquid.

The method is developed as hereinbefore described.

The filled package, after severance from the extruded piece, drops with damping into the cooling liquid, reaches the conveyor 24, is dried while moving on the conveyor 26, receives an imprint While moving on the conveyor 28 and is then stored or packed.

Of course, this installation is given solely by way of example and the method according to the present invention can be carried into eflect by any other means or in any other installations, although such means and installations, if they apply the method according to the present invention, form an integral part thereof.

While I have disclosed one embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that this embodiment is given by example only and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the present invention being determined by the objects and the claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture and filling of packages in an extrudable material with a product, comprising in combination, means for extruding the said package-forming material through an annular drawing die, means for admitting a fluid into the said extruded member during the extrusion operation, means for cooling and supporting the bottom part of the said member during its extrusion, means for introducing the product to be packaged into the said extruded member, means for sealing and cutting the package thus charged, means disposed at the bottom predetermined level reached by the bottom edge of the extruded member and comprising a photoelectric cell disposed in a circuit including a relay controlling the head of said extruding means, a solenoid valve and an energizing lamp, said solenoid valve controlling the feeding of said product into said package.

2. An apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture and filling of packages in an extrudable material of a product, comprising in combination, means for extruding the said package-forming material through an annular drawing die, means for admitting a fluid into the said extruded member during the extrusion operation, means for cooling and supporting the bottom part of the said member during its extrusion comprising a cooling and supporting liquid, means for introducing the product to be packaged into the said extruded member, means for sealing and cutting the package thus charged, and means for controlling the said operations and comprising a photoelectric cell and an energizing lamp, which are disposed at a level below that of said cooling and supporting liquid of the bottom part of the said extruded memher.

3. An apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture and filling of packages in an extrudable material of a product, comprising in combination, means for extruding the said package-forming material through an annular drawing die, means for admitting a fluid, usually air, into the said extruded member during the extrusion operation, means for cooling and supporting the bottom part of the said extruded member during its extrusion comprising a cooling and supporting liquid, means for introducing the product to be packaged into the said extruded member during the charging operation, means for sealing and cutting the package thus charged, a container receiving said cooling liquid, and control means comprising a photoelectric cell placed opposite an aperture contrived in one of the Walls of the said container, and an energizing lamp disposed opposite an aperture contrived in an opposite wall of said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,310,413 Friden Feb. 9, 1943 2,379,816 Mabbs July 3, 1945 2,732,988 Feinstein Jan. 31, 1956 2,816,837 Holsman Dec. 17, 1957

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