GB551271A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for hermetically closing containers for food - Google Patents

Abstract

551,271. Sealing cans. CONTINENTAL CAN CO., Inc. Feb. 23, 1942, No. 2374. Convention date, March 15, 1941. [Class 125 (ii)] apparatus tor hermetically closing containers having a rapidly and continuously moving sealing turret is provided with a steam confining tunnelling leading to the turret, the filled containers being rapidly and continuously moved therethrough while steam is directed into and around them, means also being provided for directing jets of steam directly into the container head spaces to sweep air therefrom immediately before the containers arrive at the turret and covers being fed on to the containers immediately after the air has been swept from the head spaces and immediately prior to the ultimate closing of the containers so as to trap steam in the head spaces of a container, which steam subsequently condenses and creates a vacuum therein. As applied to a closing machine having a sealing turret of the type described in Specification 342,457, [Group XXII], filled containers 7 are fed over bed rails 9 by a chain 10 having driving lugs 11. The sides 13 of the tunnel 12 extend below the rails 9 and a plate 15 having apertures 19 is secured beneath the top wall 14 to form the bottom of a steam chest 17 to which steam is supplied through a pipe 18. The tunnel 12 is hinged at 20 and its end adjoins the edge 23 of an extension 23a of an arcuate wall 24 under the steam jetting means. In operation filled containers are moved continuously through the steaming tunnel 12 and pass therefrom into the pockets 25 of the continuously rotating turret 26 a cover 32 being fed simultaneously by rotary means 30 through a chamber 43a communicating with the steam chest 17 into vertical alignment with each container. Air is swept out of the head spaces of the container by steam jets issuing through the apertures 42 of an arcuate manifold 39 comprising a recessed plate 38 and a cover plate 38a and the containers with the covers, supported by the manifold, pass immediately to the closing machine 5.