US3670786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container filling apparatus
Assignee: Wyeth LLC
•
Filing: 1970-06-02
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A rotary filling machine which comprises a tunnel disposed substantially from before the filling station to the sealing station of the machine along the direction of travel of a container, and means for introducing an inert gas into the tunnel under a slight positive pressure. The inert gas excludes air from the tunnel and provides an inert gas atmosphere within the tunnel which effectively maintains at a reduced level the oxygen content of the void space of containers being filled. The tunnel has orifices permitting the passage of reciprocating filling spouts for introducing inert gas into the containers being filled and, in a separate step, for filling the containers.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard J Levin
- 👤 Franklin M Kreider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
In a rotary filling machine for filling containers with oxidizable drugs and including a rotating, indexing machine turret having means to support open-topped containers, the improvement comprising: A. A substantially planar, gas-impermeable cover supported from a frame for the filling machine and being coextensive with and overlapping the periphery of the top of the machine turret top from shortly before an inert gas flushing station to shortly before a sealing station; B. A first wall supported from said cover and extending downwardly from said cover to the top of said machine turret top, said first wall being disposed between the center of rotation of said machine turret top and the containers, and being substantially arcuate in shape having a center of rotation substantially at the center of rotation of said machine turret top; C. A second wall supported from said cover and extending downwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the machine turret top, said second wall being disposed on the opposite side of said containers from said center of rotation of said machine turret top and being substantially arcuate having a center of rotation substantially centered at said center of rotation of said machine turret top; D. A plurality of orifices disposed in said cover and further comprising:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a rotary filling machine for filling containers with oxidizable drugs and including a rotating, indexing machine turret having means to support open-topped containers, the improvement comprising: A. A substantially planar, gas-impermeable cover supported from a frame for the filling machine and being coextensive with and overlapping the periphery of the top of the machine turret top from shortly before an inert gas flushing station to shortly before a sealing station; B. A first wall supported from said cover and extending downwardly from said cover to the top of said machine turret top, said first wall being disposed between the center of rotation of said machine turret top and the containers, and being substantially arcuate in shape having a center of rotation substantially at the center of rotation of said machine turret top; C. A second wall supported from said cover and extending downwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the machine turret top, said second wall being disposed on the opposite side of said containers from said center of rotation of said machine turret top and being substantially arcuate having a center of rotation substantially centered at said center of rotation of said machine turret top; D. A plurality of orifices disposed in said cover and further comprising:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A first orifice located so as to permit passage of an inert gas-flushing apparatus;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A first orifice located so as to permit passage of an inert gas-flushing apparatus;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A second orifice disposed so as to permit passage of a filling apparatus; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A second orifice disposed so as to permit passage of a filling apparatus; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A second orifice disposed so as to permit passage of a filling apparatus; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A second orifice disposed so as to permit passage of a filling apparatus; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said cover and first and second walls are fabricated from transparent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A third orifice for the introduction of an inert gas; E. An inert gas-flushing apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said first orifice into each container indexed beneath said first orifice; F. A filling apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said second orifice into each container indexed beneath said second orifice; G. At least one conduit connected to said third orifice and to a source of inert gas, Whereby said cover and first and second walls define a tunnel maintaining an inert gas atmosphere through which said containers pass during a major portion of the time between flushing and sealing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A third orifice for the introduction of an inert gas; E. An inert gas-flushing apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said first orifice into each container indexed beneath said first orifice; F. A filling apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said second orifice into each container indexed beneath said second orifice; G. At least one conduit connected to said third orifice and to a source of inert gas, Whereby said cover and first and second walls define a tunnel maintaining an inert gas atmosphere through which said containers pass during a major portion of the time between flushing and sealing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
A third orifice for the introduction of an inert gas; E. An inert gas-flushing apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said first orifice into each container indexed beneath said first orifice; F. A filling apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said second orifice into each container indexed beneath said second orifice; G. At least one conduit connected to said third orifice and to a source of inert gas, Whereby said cover and first and second walls define a tunnel maintaining an inert gas atmosphere through which said containers pass during a major portion of the time between flushing and sealing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
108 words
A third orifice for the introduction of an inert gas; E. An inert gas-flushing apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said first orifice into each container indexed beneath said first orifice; F. A filling apparatus mounted on said filling machine frame for reciprocation through said second orifice into each container indexed beneath said second orifice; G. At least one conduit connected to said third orifice and to a source of inert gas, Whereby said cover and first and second walls define a tunnel maintaining an inert gas atmosphere through which said containers pass during a major portion of the time between flushing and sealing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 where said cover and first and second walls are fabricated from methyl methacrylate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |