Canning and processing machines

800,085. Food canning. BORDEN, CO. May 29, 1956 [June 2, 1955], No. 16554/56. Class 49. A canning and processing machine for evacuating and gassing cans containing solid foods comprises means for delivering unsealed cans to an elongated chamber 14 having charging 30 and discharging doors 46 which, when closed, give gas-tight closure, a counter mechanism 22 which activates, when the chamber is full of cans, a timing device 25 which, by making and breaking electrical circuits in sequence activates means for opening and closing the doors, means 38 for evacuating air from the chamber and means 42 for introducing inert gas to the chamber. In operation, cans from a filling and semi-closing equipment 10 pass along a conveyer 12 to the chosen chamber 14 by means of sweep-off plates 18. When the chamber is full a motor 24 is started which drives the timing device 25 which activates, in turn, a solenoid 20 to move the plates 18 to the inactive position, a solenoid 26 to close the door 30, then connects the chamber with a vacuum pump, the connection being broken at a predetermined value, and being replaced by connection to the inert gas, this connection also being broken at a predetermined value. The rear door 46 is raised by the solenoid 45, whilst a slide 47 is aligned with the discharge end of a conveyer 52. Cans pass down this slide 47 to a discharge conveyer 62 which takes them to standard sealing equipment. After the cans are discharged, door 46 is closed, door 30 opened, and chamber 14 filled for the next cycle.