Container stuffing apparatus and method

摘要

Container stuffing apparatus and methods are disclosed. The apparatus is especially useful for the insertion of two component gas generating pouches into containers of the type wherein the pressurizing gas does not come into contact with the contents of the container. The apparatus receives the pouches, performs necessary bursting operations to initiate gas pressurization, compresses the pouch into an elongate cylindrical shape and inserts the pouch into a container. The apparatus includes a bursting station which comprises first and second plates having recesses which move toward each other and compress a pouch received between the first and second plates to thereby burst a rupturable member within the pouch to initiate gas generation and direct the gas generating components toward each other. A reciprocable latch is provided to hold the pouch in position during the bursting operation. Furthermore, a projection on one of the plates and a recess on the other plate provides a bend along one edge of a pouch to thereby facilitate the deformation of the pouch into an elongate shape prior to insertion into a container. Additionally, an air pressure jet is provided to force the pouch, during the step of deformation into an elongate shape, against a surface of a chamber in which the pouch is deformed. This also facilitates the proper deformation of the pouch into the cylindrical shape necessary for it to be inserted into a container.