Machine for filling and crimping tubular vials

Abstract

A machine for filling and crimping tubular vials is provided, which includes a horizontally mobile conveyor for moving the filled and crimped vials and discharging the same towards an outlet station. The carousel includes vertical through-holes defining cavities for the vials. The machine includes a ramp provided under the carousel on which the lower ends of the vials bear. The ramp includes a horizontal portion followed by an inclined portion for the partial descent of the vials before discharging the latter towards the outlet station. The he machine further includes a curved rail having a vertical end connected to the lower end of the inclined portion and another end leading horizontally into the outlet station. The machine can be used for packaging wine in tubular vials.

1 . A machine for filling and crimping tubular vials, including a carousel for moving each tubular vial sequentially from one fixed station to another in order successively to fill it, cap its mouth with a capsule, and crimp that capsule, the carousel including vertical through-holes constituting housings in which the tubular vials are vertically engaged, the machine including a fixed ramp situated under the carousel, each tubular vial placed in a housing having its lower end bearing on the ramp, and wherein the ramp has the shape of a portion of a ring so that each crimped vial is evacuated from the carousel automatically by the effect of gravity as soon as it is moved beyond an outlet end of the ramp. 
     
     
         2 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ramp includes a horizontal portion followed by a portion inclined relative to the horizontal to cause partial descent of the tubular vials before evacuation. 
     
     
         3 . The machine as claimed in  claim 2 , further including a curved guide rail having a vertical end connected to the lower end of the inclined portion of the ramp and the other end of which discharges horizontally into a fixed outlet station. 
     
     
         4 . The machine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the curved guide rail lies in a plane perpendicular to the direction of conveying the tubular vials. 
     
     
         5 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1 , including a fixed member for loading tubular vials into the housings of the carousel, the loading member including a hole for engagement of the tubular vials in vertical alignment with the holes of the carousel, and a boom having its upper end situated in vertical alignment with the hole, upper end of the boom being separated from the hole by a distance greater than the length of the tubular vials, and wherein the upper end carries a lug or finger the lower end of which is separated from the hole by a distance less than the length of the tubular vials. 
     
     
         6 . The machine as claimed in  claim 1 , including a filling station, a station for routing capsules and capping the upper end of the tubular vials with them, and a station for crimping these capsules, spaced from each other along the conveyor, and a fixed inert atmosphere enclosure around a portion of the conveyor at the level of the capping station. 
     
     
         7 . The machine as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the filling station includes means for releasing in the direction of the vial a jet of the filling product that is surrounded by a sheath of inert gas, and wherein the fixed inert atmosphere enclosure has a tubular vial inlet end that is juxtaposed to the filling station. 
     
     
         8 . The machine as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the capping station includes, in the fixed inert atmosphere enclosure, means for blowing an inert gas for inerting each capsule before capping a vial with it.