US2618424A - Sealing machine - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1952 H. E. STOVER 2,618,424

SEALING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1950 S'SheetS-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

By Harry L: 6/01/61 KWMNJ NOV. 18, 1952 STQVER 2,618,424

SEALING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. rry 6/0 mLWZ MM Nov. 18', 1952 H. E. s-rovsn SEALING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 6, 1950 1 Him itdllln l PM 35 G 40 INVENTOR. flizrry A? Sim/Fr m muf INTO/FIVE) JTTUENEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 'INVENTOR.

H E STOVER SEALING MACHINE Jar/q E 6701/0 BY Nov. 18, 1952 Flled July 6 1950 N06. 18, 1952 H. E. STOVER 2,618,424

SEALING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1-950 7 5 Sheets sheet 5 INVENTOR. flax r L? Sfauer BY WA MMA I I, HTTORNEY Patented Nov. 18, 1952 SEALING MACHINE Harry E. Stover, Lancaster, Ohio, assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application July 6, 1950, Serial No. 172,318

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to the application of closure caps to containers, and more particularly to an improved device or mechanism for automatically and rapidly removing at least part of the air from a container and a closure cap prior to placing the cap on the container.

The device of the present invention embodies improvements upon and additions to sealing machines of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,361,365, owned by the assignee of the present application.

The use of vapor during the application of caps to containers, in order to form partial vacuums within the sealed packages, is widespread and a great variety of products may be satisfactorily packaged by vapor sealing processes. However, with a number of products, for example, peanut butter, mayonnaise, salad dressings, cotton-seed oil and corn-oil, vapor sealing is objectionable as condensate formed by the vapor or steam aggregates in many instances on the upper part of the product and finds some small crevice where it lodges, looking like a hair, dirt, or other impurity. This is particularly true in connection with peanut butter, and is highly objectionable to packers and housewives. Another objection to steam sealing for such products is that a globule of water is sometimes formed on top of the product, which is highly unsightly, due to the fact that oil and water do not mix. Where such a globule of water finds its way to the bottom of the container it usually becomes discolored and is most unsightly and objectionable.

A further objection to the use of vapor to form partial vacuums with such products is that many of them contain air, and the high vacuum formed by vapor sealing causes the entrapped air to expand into relatively large and unsightly cavities.

Difliculties such as the above led to the invention of gas sealing machines and processes such as disclosed in Patent 2,361,365. In such mechanisms, combustible gas instead of steam is introhaving combined with other gases during burning to form inert gases such as carbon-dioxide and nitrogen. These gases are not objectionable, even'though some may remainv in the package, as they do not attack foodstuffs.

The elevated temperature obtained by igniting the gases tends to destroy any mold spores or the like which might be present on the closures or container mouths.

The present invention aims to provide new and improved means for supplying combustible-gas to and igniting it adjacent upper portions of containers, and beneath closure caps for the respective containers, immediately prior to placing the closures upon the container mouths.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and improved means for use in sealing containers. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device for use in gas-sealing containers, which utilizes a continuous 'flame for igniting combustible fluids. b

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sealing mechanism or apparatus which embodies means for controlling operation of the mechanism in response'to burning of a continuous gas-igniting flame.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for directing a gas flowduring sealing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for controlling the delivery of a combustible fluid during sealing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for intermixing and delivering a plurality of gases during operation of the present device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for electrically controlling delivery of a combustible fluid in response to movement of containers. a

A still further object of the invention is to provide new and improved mean for electrically controlling operation of the present device and sealing machine.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment'about to be described; or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in theart upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly broken away, showing a sealing machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, with portions partly broken away and portions partly in section showing .the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view taken generally along line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the jet housing with cover removed;

Fig. 3a is a diagrammatic view showing-insection, a closure cap about to be engaged by an edge of a container and with afjet directed intermediate the container and-closure cap;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken-generally along 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a :stream of :air .rof combustible: fluid being directed .overz'azcontainerlmouthandtzpastia flame jet con- .Qduit and a .controlling :electrical conductor;

Fig. '7 is a sectional'view taken along line '1--"! iofi Fig. 2

'FigJBzisza-plan .viewrshowingmeans adapted to :operate a 1devicegof the present invention in response to movement of containers;

,:1iig.;9 is .a sectional view taken along .line'9-9 :of Fig.8;

.ZFlig. v10; is :a-sectional .view through "awalve. and solenoid which may'rbehsedto control fluid flow =through the present mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a representation of :a preferred form of wiring diagram; and

:rFig. I2 is a wiring diagram illustrating in greater detail that portion of the electrical diagram shown in simplified form within the rec- .tangulardot-dash enclosure of Fig. 11.

:The improvements of the present invention may be utilized with various different types of :sealing machines, but for'convenience of descriprtion and illustration, they will be shown-and described in connection with-straight-in-line sealing {machines such as disclosed in my British Patent 618,772 granted February 28, 1949. A imachine of -:that general type is shown in Fig. 1 .,herei-n, andcomprises a base I which encloses a suitable drive motor 6 and mechanism and'sup- :ports/a table 2 with its associated mechanisms. ;A conveyor Bextends over the table and around sprockets located adjacent opposite ends of ex- .tensions 8 bolted to the base I. Theconveyor 5 supports containers and moves them over the table 2 and beneath the various mechanisms which serve to deliver and apply the closurecaps. Helicoids ,9 and J co-operate with guide rails to guidecon'tainers as they move from the "left cf "themachine "toward the right. as shown in If desiredahead-spa'cer I3, having displacing disks Mpmay be provided for displacing excess 'contentsof overfilled containers "to there- 'iby 'provide substantiallyuniform head-spacers-in the containers. As the containers leave the head-spacer l3, they pass beneath the jet hous- -ing 23-and closurecap delivering means I 1, where -agaseous jet is directed intermediate the upper -:-portion of a container and the underside of a vclosure-cap. The closure cap is delivered to the container while the jet is ignited and directed in'termediate'the'two. The closure caps are fed from a stack I into the upper end of an-inclined :chute 13.2 (Fig. 3 :along which they slide downwardly .toward :a row .of advancing containers. :Aftendelivery from ."the chute :32 to a container zis showniin greater detaihin Figs...-2 through 10. "Both the jet-forming housing23 and the closure cap delivering means I! may be carried by one "or more lift posts 20 and vertically adjusted thereon to accommodate different height containers. As shown in Fig. 2, the jet device comprises a'regulator housng 22 and a jet housing 23. "I-hese housings are bolted or otherwise secured tosome convenient portion of the machine, and .areconnected by conduits 25 and 26 adapted to convey air and combustible fluid from regulator housing to jet housing.

As containers 3 leave the end of the headspacer 1| 3,:assumingitisused, theymove beneath a lower "wall :28 of the jet housing toward the closure 2.03713 adelivery zstation shown at thezright :ofFig. .3, where theleading edge -of the:container 3-contacts theginner surfaceof a= frontedge of an inclined closure cap 4 and pulls it out of the chute-'32 (alsosee-Fig. 8a). As "the rear edge of va .cap 4 leaves the end 'of the feed chute '32 it dropsdown onto the' movin'g container andoverlies the container mouth, a gasket carriedby'the closure cap contacting peripheral portionsof the container mouth.

Prior v'to withdrawal of -a-cap 4 from-thie-chute 3.2, a jet ofair and combustible'fiuid is directed .between the upper end of a container and the undersurface-of a closure cap 4. As shown in Figs. 3 and-3a, this jet is directed or guided bya :hollow member which-has a downwardlyin- .clinedupper-wall and-an outlet mouth of graduallyincreasing width at its underside that merges .into .a wide mouth at its discharge end. This construction gives a fan shape to an emerging jet. The means for providing this jet, "and the preferred composition of the jet, will now be described.

.Air is delivered to the hollow member 35 by -an electrically driven fan or blower -31 (Figs. 2

and '7) and passes through the conduit 25 to .an enlarged mixing chamber 38, from Which it .is discharged into a conduit 40, comprising an adapter member 4! and burner-tip -42.

Combustible 'fluid, which may be ordinarily cooking gas, butane ,gas, etc, .is delivered to the hollow jet-directing member 35 through conduit M, pressure regulator45, solenoid valve 46,

.conoluit 26, hand controlled valve .24, solenoid valve .48, .mixing chamber .38, adapter 4| and burner-tip :42. The hand controlled 'valve 24 maybe .used to control the volume :of fluid be- .ing red. .It will .benoted that theconduit which conducts air from the mixing chamber 38 is disposed generally at right angles to that portion .of the inlet .conduit 25 which conducts air into themi-xing chamber; thus the air makes .a sharp turn and is swirled about within the mixing chamber 38. The portion of :the .inlet conduit 25, which delivers combustible fluid to the mixingnchamber 38, is disposed generally at right angles to the 'air inlet conduit portion and hence, as combustible fluid enters the mixing chamber 33, it may be subjected to great turbulence-"within the mixing chamber, so that the The :blower 13?! delivers a continuous stream-of air to the common discharge conduit 40, fromwhich it is discharged adjacent the inlet portion of the hollow jet-directing member 3 5. Combustible fluid is delivered to the mixing chamber 38 in what may be spaced charge or pulses, these charges being controlled by a valve 48 which is intermittently opened and closed by a solenoid 49. The solenoid 49 is preferably actuated in response to movement of containers 3' through the machine, as will be further described hereinafter, so that each time a container is disposed adjacent the discharge end of the jetdirecting member 35, an individual charge of combustible fluid will be delivered to the mixing chamber 38 and from it to the burner-tip 42. Upon emerging from the burner-tip 42, the combustible fluid is contacted by a continuously burning flame that is directed generally transversely of the path of the stream emerging from the burner-tip. This constant flame may be provided by a conduit 21, which receives a supply of combustible fluid from the supplying conduit 26 at a location in advance of the mixing chamber 38, so that it by-passes the valve 48 and is not cutoff and on by that valve. A hand controlled valve 29 is preferably included in this by-pass line for controlling the size of the constant flame.

By utilizing a constantly flowing stream of air, into which are injected individual puffs or charges of combustible fluid, it is feasible to accurately inject combustible fluid into the air stream several hundred times per minute. Thus, there may be provided several hundred individual ignitible charges per minute at the burnertip 42 and in the hollow jet-directing member 35. Only a relatively small volume of combustible fluid need be intermittently cut on or cut oil, the volume thus stopped and started being much smaller than would be the case if a combined stream of air and combustible fluid were intermittently stopped and started. Where it is attempted to stop and start both the air stream and combustible fluid, there is a considerably greater mass to be handled and there is a limit to the number of times that such a combined stream can be stopped and started per minute. With the present device the air stream is continuously flowing and when combustible fluid is injected into this flowing stream, the stream immediately speeds it up to the speed of the stream.

The fact that the air stream is continually passing the constant flame conduit dissipates objectionable heat from it and hence the flame conduit does not heat any adjacent parts. This same air stream also maintains the jet-directing member 35 in a relatively cool condition, so that closure caps sliding down the feed chute 32 are not objectionably overheated so as to injuriously afiect their rubber gaskets or finishes.

As previously referred to, charges of combustible fluid are delivered to the continuously flowing air stream in response to movement of containers through the machine. The mechanism for achieving this is shown more particulary in Figs. 2, 8 and 9. As there shown a trip arm 55 extends over the conveyor belt 5 into the path of movement of the containers, so that each time a container 3 moves past the trip arm it rotates it about a pivot 56 and swings its opposite end 51 away from a micro switch 58 in opposition to a spring 59. When the trip arm 55 is thus actuated, it closes a circuit, through alead 60 that connects it with solenoid 49 through its leads a and 60b and energizes the solenoid 49 (Figs. 3 and 4) so as to open the valve 48 and deliver an individual charge of combustible fluid from the conduit 26 into the mixing chamber 38. In the mixing chamber the charge enters the constantly moving air stream and is carried to and discharged from the burner-tip 42 and ignited by the flame 3'0 at the flame conduit 21, thence being directed downwardly and discharged intermediate the upper portion of the container and a closure cap. The entire action or sequence of events occurs very rapidly and hence each container serves to release its own individual charge of combustible fluid for forming a partial vacuum and sterilization. The microswitch 58 is carried by a bracket 5| (Fig. 9) which may be adjusted toward and away from the operating end 51 and the trip arm 55. In addition, the trip arm 55 carries an adjusting screw 62 which may be set to open and close the contacts of the microswitch 58 at the correct instant.

Any suitable commercially available solenoid valve unit may be used adjacent the gas regulator 45 (valve 46, solenoid 41) and to control the supply of combustibl fluid charges to the constant air stream (valve 48, solenoid 49). In Fig. 10, there is shown a suitable solenoid and valve which may be used at each of these 10- cations. As shown in Fig. 10, fluid passes through the valve in the direction of the arrow when the valve disk 61 is lifted off the valve seat 68 upon energization of the solenoid coil 69. The solenoid wires or leads enter th cover 64 through conduit spud 65. The cover 64 may be removed for inspection or cleaning of the solenoid by removing the clamp nut 65.

When the valve disk 61 is down against the valve seat 68, the solenoid coil is not energized and hence no fluid can flow through the valve or any conduits connected with it. When such a valve is used to supply charges of fluid to the constantly flowing air stream, the solenoid coil 69 may be intermittently energized due to containers closing the circuit through the micro switch 58 (Figs. 2, 8 and 11). When such a valve and solenoid unit is used adjacent the pressur regulator 45 (Figs. 2 and 7) the solenoid may be continually energizedto hold the valve disk 6'! away from the valve heat 68 and allow gas to flow through the line 26 as long as the constant flame 30 is ignited. As will be hereinafter described, means is provided for deenergizing the solenoid 41 in the event the flame 30 is extinguished for any reason, thus closing the passage through the valve 45 and cutting off the supply of combustible fluid.

In Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown an electrical conductor or electrode 5| adjacent the outlet end of the pilot flame conduit 21. The end of this conductor is exposed to the flame and air between the end of the flame conduit 27 and the burner-tip 42, so that it is exposed to an ionized condition or conductivity effect existing between the flame conduit and the burner-tip when the flame is burning. The conductor is connected by suitable wiring 53 with means for stopping the machine in the event the flame goes out for any reason. Extinguishing the flame changes the ionization or conductivity in the spac adjacent the electrode 5|, and this change is used to stop the operation of the machine. This feature will be further described in detail in connection with the electrical circuits.

A preferred wiring diagram for the present machine is illustrated :more particularly in Fig. .11. The portion of thewiring diagram enclosed within the dot-dash rectangle at the upper part of .Fig. 11 is there shown in simplified manner and in detail in Fig. 12. As shown, lines 15a and 15b carry current for operating a drive motor '6 'of the machine illustrated in Fig. .1; this current maybe 220 volts. Current for operating the valve controlling solenoids 4i and 49, as well as various safety devices which will be referred to,.is supplied by lines lea-43b. This current may be of 115 volts.

When current flows through the lines l5a75b, the coil or relay 78 is energized and closes the contact bar '79 across contacts 580A and 8593. Thus, when switch '83 .is closed, current may flow from line 16a, across contact bar .iQythrough lead 84, solenoid 49, microswitch 5% (assuming this circuit to be completed by a container acting :upon :the trip .arm :55 of .liig. :2) and up through lead 85 to contact -terminal '85.

Closing of switch :813 :(inpowerlines 7lEa-'l8b) connects one side of transformer 88 into the 115 volt line and hence a secondary coil "of the transformer is energized to in turn energize and heat the vacuum tube 89. When the vacuum tube 89 is :sufii'ciently heated, the push'but'ton 9t may fbe-closedand thisallows current to flow through relay R'i, which in turn moves contactbars 9i, ill-and 96 from the solid line positions illustrated tothe dotted positions; in this relation current may flow from the contact terminal as across .the con'tact bar 52, and down through lead as to the terminal I02. The pilot flame '39 may thereupon b lighted by suitable external'means. Although a match may be used, it is preferred to utilize some means for creating a spark be tween electrode 5! and ground terminal H35; this may be by an ignition sparkplug, electrode, etc. The flame or spark thus created by the match or electrode serves to change the ionization or conductivity and thus close a circuit energizing relay R3, which in turn .m'oves contact bars-93, '97 and ill! from the solid line positions to the dotted positions shown. Closing of the contact bar 93 allows the main line current to -flow across contact bar 93, through lead 95 to the line 162), thus furnishing current to the blower motor 39, energizing solenoid M which opens the valve 46. Opening of the valve 56 --a-llow-sgas to flow to the tip of the pilot conduit 2?, where it is ignited by the spark or match flame referred to above.

Contact bar 91 is a safe start switch that indicates whether everything is satisfactory for operation. Pilotlamp lii3'is lighted when contact bar 91 is closed, indicating that the machine is ready for operation.

As long as the machine is in operation and the flame 30 remains lit, contacts 91, S2, 93, 96 and I 61 remain closed. Should the flame '39 go out however, the circuit which energizes relay Re broken between the electrode 5i and the ground Hi5. De-energization of relay R3 opens contact bars 83 and lill and closes contact bar 91. As shown, opening of contact bar 93 cuts off current to the blower motor 39 and de-en- 'er'gizes solenoids A? and 49 to close both valves '46 and 48, thus stopping the gas supply to the pilot conduit 21 and to the burner-tip A2. -Whenlamp I00 is'lighted it indicates that solehold 4'! is energized and that valve 56 is open.

:Each time a container3 moves the'trip arm 55, the micro switch 58 is operated and this switch .is :connected with the solenoid 49 to control 'its 8 energization so as to .move the valve 48 and deliver a charge of combustible fluid into the con tinuous air stream passing through the mixing chamber 38.

The circuit may be connected so as to give any other operation in lieu of shutting ofi the fluid supply; for example, the circuit could be connected so as to cut off the power in the 220 volt lines 1511-4527 which energize the main drive motor t of the machine.

If the switch 1.9 for the main drive motor 6 is opened, and the switch 83 allowed to remain closed, the machine stops running and the charge delivering valve 48 closes. The pilot flame 3!) remains lighted however as the valve 46 in the supply conduit 44 remains open, to allow combustible fluid to continue flowing around the valve 48 through pilot flame conduit 21, .until such time-as switch 83 is opened.

Fig. 12 shows in greater detail the portion of the device indicated in simplified form within the dot-dash enclosure of Fig. 11, and similar reference characters'are applied wherever feasible. Actually the transformer 88 has two primary coils PI and P2 and four secondary coils 6!, S2, S3, and S4 which are 'operativelyiinterconnected with the filament, plates and grids of the vacuum tube 89. The electrode or'conductor 5! may connect with the vacuumtube '89through contact I61 of a panel board I08. The power lines 16a'l6b may connect with panel board contacts 'ifia 'lfia" and FEW-46b to supply current to the two transformer primary coils Pl and'PZ.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved mechanism or device for displacing air from container mouths and closure caps prior to placing the latter upon the containers. Air is displaced without the use of steam and there is no steam to condense.

The present invention is adapted to consistently provide vacuums of around 14 of mercury. Gases which remain in the head space after application of a closure cap contain very small amounts of oxygen, if any. 'This is very advantageous, as the presence of oxygen in the head space causes oily products and other substances to become rancid. A vacuum of about 14 provided by the present machine results in a head space having, so far as oxygen is concerned, the equivalent of a partial vacuum of about '29 of mercury. That is, there is roughly no more oxygen in the gas sealed head space than would be present in a head space obtained by sealing with vapor or mechanical means so as to give a vacuum of about 29". Gases which remain in the head space obtained by the present mechanism are composed largely of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

The continuously flow'ingstream of air, car ryins charges of combustible fluid, passes a constant flame which ignites them; the combustible charges are delivered in response to movement of containers. If no container moves through the machine, there is no charge delivered to the air stream. Both air and combustible fluid enter a mixing chamber where "they are swirled into intimate contact. The gases pass through .a hollow member which has a flared openingthat forms the jet into fan shape. Preferably this fan shaped jet is directed to the underside of a closure cap and deflected from the latter downwardly into the mouth of *a container, so that any air withinthe closure and head-spaceis 'displaced. The flame which ignites the flowing 9 charges is enclosed so that the flowing stream is obliged to pass over it. The solenoid controlled valves give quick and positive opening and closing, so flow is very accurately controlled. Means is provided for cutting ofi the flow of combustible fluid in the event the constant flame becomes extinguished.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, means for supplying a stream of air continuously to a space between said containers and closures prior to applying of the latter, means for intermittently delivering combustible fluid to said stream of air, and means for directing a continuous flame into said stream adjacent a discharge location of said stream for ignition of said combustible fluid.

2. In a device for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, means for delivering a continuous stream of air, means for intermittently supplying combustible fluid to said stream of air, means for guiding a continuous flame directly into said stream adjacent a discharge location of said stream for igniting said combustible fluid, and means extending over a portion of the stream path for subsequently directing said stream of air and ignited fluid downwardly toward a space intermediate a closure and a container.

3. In a device for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, a conduit adapted to deliver a stream of air, an additional conduit adapted to deliver combustible fluid to said air conduit, means for providing a, continuous flame and directing it into said stream adjacent a discharge end of said first mentioned conduit for igniting said combustible fluid, and an enclosure having a portion extending around a, portion of said first mentioned conduit adjacent its discharge end and having an open mouth at an underside and front portion thereof adjacent said closure delivery station for directing said stream of air and ignited fluid toward a space intermediate a closure and a container.

4. In a machine of the class described for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, means including a conduit for delivering a stream of air continuously to a space between said container and closure prior to applying the 1atter, means including an additional conduit for delivering combustible fluid to said stream of air, a valve operatively connected with said additional conduit for closing and opening a passageway therethrough, a solenoid operatively connected with said valve for actuating it, means responsive to movement of said containers for controlling the energizing of said solenoid, and means for pro- -10 viding a continuous flame adjacent a discharge location of said stream for igniting said combustible fluid.

5. In a machine of the class described for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, means including a conduit for directing a stream of air continuously to a space between a said container and closure prior to applying the latter, means including an additional conduit for directing combustible fluid to said stream of air, a valve operatively connected with said additional conduit for closing and opening a passageway therethrough, a solenoid operatively connected with said valve for actuating it, means responsive to movement of said containers for controlling energizing of said solenoid, means for directing a continuous flame into the path of said air stream adjacent a discharge location of said stream for igniting said combustible fluid, and means including an electrical conductor having a terminal portion adjacent said flame and air stream for stopping said supply of combustible fluid to the air conduit in the event said flame is extinguished.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for delivering containers to and removing them from a closure applying station, means for delivering closures to the containers at said station, hollow means for conducting gases to said station having a downwardly inclined upper wall portion overlying a downwardly facing open mouth for discharge the gases intermediate an underside of a closure and an upper end of a container, conduits for conveying different gases to an inlet end of said hollow means, and means adapted to provide a constant flame adjacent said inlet end of the hollow means for igniting at .least some of said gases prior to their entry into said hollow means.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6 in which said hollow means has an open outlet end disposed toward the direction of movement of said containers.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said open mouth is of varying Width for discharging said gases in generally fan shaped formation.

9. A machine as claimed'in claim 1 in which said combustible fluid is intermittently supplied by means including a rotatable arm having a portion extending into a path of movement of the containers for contact therewith.

10. In a machine for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for presenting containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, a mixing chamber adjacent said station, a conduit for conducting air to said mixing chamber, another conduit for conducting combustible fluid to said mixing chamber, means in said other conduit in advance of said mixing chamber for intermittently leading said fluid therethrough, a common conduit connected with said mixing chamber for conducting said air and fluid therefrom to a location in proximity to said closure delivery station, and means adapted to provide a constantly burning flame for igniting combustible fluid issuing from said common conduit.

11. In a machine for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for pre senting' containers to a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, a mixing chamber, a conduit for conducting air to said mixing chamber, another conduit for conducting combustible fluid to said mixing chamber, a valve in said other conduit in advance of said mixing chamber for controlling passage of fluid therethrough, a solenoid operatively connected with said valve for moving it, means for intermittently opening and closing an electrical circuit of said solenoid tothereby actuate it and move said valve, a common conduit connected with said mixing chamber for conducting said air and fluid therefrom to a location adjacent said closure delivery station, and means adapted to provide a constantly burning flame for igniting combustible fluid issuing from said common conduit.

12. In a machine for applying closure caps to containers, the combination of means for moving it, means for intermittently opening and closing ,an electrical circuit of said solenoid to thereby actuate it and move said valve, a common conduit connected with said mixing chamber for conducting said air and fluid therefrom to a location adjacent said closure delivery station, and an additional conduit connected with said other conduit at a location in advance of said valve having an outlet end terminating adjacent an outlet end of said common conduit adapted to supply thereat a continuous flow of combustible fluid.

13. A machine as claimed in claim in which said air conduit includes an inlet portion disposed substantially at right angles to said common conduit and in which said other conduit has an inlet portion to said mixing chamber disposed generally in alignment with said common conduit. 7

14. A machine as claimed in claim 10 in which a pressure regulator is connected with said other conduit for maintaining substantially constant the pressure of combustible fluid delivered to said mixing chamber.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of means for moving containers beneath a closure cap delivery station, means for delivering closure caps to containers at said station, means for delivering a combustible gas to a space between upper ends of containers and undersides of closure caps adjacent said station, a valve for controlling flow of said gas, a solenoid for actuating said valve, means adapted to provide a constant flame for igniting said gas, an electrical conductor adjacent said flame, an electrical relay operatively connected with said conductor, and means operatively connecting said relay with said solenoid whereby said relay serves :to change the energization .of'the solenoid so as to close-the valveand shutoff said gas when the flame is extinguished.

for igniting said gas, an electrical conductor adjacent said flame, an electrical relay-operatively connectedwith said conductor, and means operatively connecting said relay with, said .solenoid and with said motor, whereby said relay vactuates the solenoid and interrupts ,a circuit through the motor to close the valve andshut off said gas and stop .saidmotorwhenthe.flame is extinguished.

17. A machine of the class described comprising the .combinationof aconveyor .for moving containers past a closure delivery station, means for delivering closures to containers at said station, a conduit ,for conducting an air stream to .a space intermediate the closuresand containers, an additional conduit connecting with said first conduitjior. conducting combustible fluid to said air stream, .a valve ,at a locationin advance of the connection with said .airconduit for controlling .flow of fluid throu hsaid additional conduit, a solenoid operatively connected with said valve for intermittently actuating it, a second valve ata location in advance of the connection with said air conduit for controlling flow of fluid through said additional conduit, a solenoid operatively connected withsa'id second valve for actuating it, conductors connected with said solenoids for supplying current thereto, and a switch so connected with said conductors that .in open position itserves to cutout only the first mentioned solenoid.

HARRYE. STOVER.

R F RENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,237,577 Ray Apr. 8,1941 2,253,670 Wetzel etal. Aug,'26,"19 41 2,284,631 Bell June "1942 2,296,013 Bell Sept. 15,1942 2,352,761 Bell July 4, 1944 2,361,365 Bell Oct. 31, 1944 2,361,366 Bell Oct. 31, 1944 2,408,447 Rau Oct. 1, 1946 2,510,568 Fouse June 6, 1950 2,518,856 Bell Aug. 15,1950 2,518,857 Bell Aug. '15, :1950

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