NZ762923A - Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers - Google Patents
Vacuum extraction and sealing of containersInfo
- Publication number
- NZ762923A NZ762923A NZ762923A NZ76292318A NZ762923A NZ 762923 A NZ762923 A NZ 762923A NZ 762923 A NZ762923 A NZ 762923A NZ 76292318 A NZ76292318 A NZ 76292318A NZ 762923 A NZ762923 A NZ 762923A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- container
- shroud
- housing
- containers
- filled
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims description 46
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 title description 7
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 57
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 42
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 25
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 25
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 25
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 18
- 238000004826 seaming Methods 0.000 description 15
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 14
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 13
- 230000032258 transport Effects 0.000 description 13
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 3
- -1 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000012254 powdered material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007142 ring opening reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
An assembly for evacuating and gassing filled containers having open tops, comprising: (a) a shroud having a closed upper and an open bottom for receiving therein a filled container, the interior of the shroud being larger than the exterior of the container to define an interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container; (b) a closure for closing the open bottom of the shroud; (c) a porous barrier positioned over the top opening of the container; (d) at least one port through which air and gasses comprising a modified atmosphere are introduced into and removed from the shroud, simultaneously introduced into and removed from the filled container through the porous barrier and introduced into and removed from the interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container; and (e) a conveyance for moving the filled container away from the shroud to a location to be closed while within a housing containing the modified atmosphere.
Description
VACUUM EXTRACTION AND SEALING OF CONTAINERS
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
BACKGROUND
Aspects of the present invention are described herein and in New Zealand
specification 762910, from which the present specification is divided. Reference may be
made in the description to subject matter which is not in the scope of the appended claims
but relates to subject matter claimed in the parent specification. That subject matter
should be readily identifiable by a person skilled in the art and may assist putting into
practice the invention as defined in the appended claims.
NZ 762910 is the national phase entry in New Zealand of PCT/ EP2018/083771
(published as WO 2019/110722), the entire contents of which are incorporated by this
reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.
The present disclosure pertains to extracting oxygen from filled containers by
vacuum process and replacing the oxygen with an inert gas and then sealing the
container. The container may be composed of metallic cans, glass jars or bottles or PET
or other containers capable of withstanding reduced pressure within the container.
Current systems for the vacuum extraction of air/oxygen from containers and then
sealing the containers include large, high production systems with as many as 30 filling
heads operating simultaneously. Such machines are very expensive and not practical for
most production settings where several or many different types of products are sealed
within cans, bottles, or other types of containers.
At the other end of the spectrum are slow-speed machines for vacuum extraction
of a container and subsequent sealing of the container. Such machines often require that
one or more probes be inserted into the substance of the container, typically a powder, to
create holes in the powder to assist in extraction of the oxygen within the powder. The
drawback of requiring the use of such probes is contamination of the powder within the
container, especially if food by insertion of the probes.
Another drawback of such machines is that when vacuum is applied to extract the
air/oxygen from the container, some of the powder or other substance within the
container is also extracted, thereby resulting in a loss of product from each container.
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The present disclosure seeks to provide an apparatus and method for vacuum
extraction of ambient oxygen from containers, the replacement of such oxygen with an
inert gas or gas mixture and then the sealing of containers, all at a production rate that is
practical for a large segment of the industry, as well as scalable to both increase or
decrease production rates.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified
form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not
intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
assembly for evacuating and gassing filled containers having open tops, comprising:
(a) a shroud having a closed upper and an open bottom for receiving therein a
filled container, the interior of the shroud being larger than the exterior of the container to
define an interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container;
(b) a closure for closing the open bottom of the shroud;
(c) a porous barrier positioned over the top opening of the container;
(d) at least one port through which air and gasses comprising a modified
atmosphere are introduced into and removed from the shroud, simultaneously introduced
into and removed from the filled container through the porous barrier and introduced into
and removed from the interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container; and
(e) a conveyance for moving the filled container away from the shroud to a
location to be closed while within a housing containing the modified atmosphere.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
for evacuating and closing a filled container, comprising:
(a) placing a filled open container within a shroud;
(b) sealing the shroud from the ambient at the bottom of the container;
(c) temporarily placing a porous barrier over the top opening of the container;
(d) simultaneously withdrawing air from the container through the porous
barrier and from the interior of the shroud external to the container;
(e) replacing the withdrawn air with a gas of a desired composition;
(f) withdrawing the shroud and the porous barrier from the container; and
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(g) moving the filled container away from the shroud to a location to be
closed while within a housing containing the gas of desired composition; and
(h) closing the container with the gas of desired composition with the
container.
In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a system for evacuating and
closing containers filled with powdered content or other content includes an enclosed
housing which is in communication with a vacuum source to remove the air or ambient
gas in the housing and replace the removed air or gas with an inert replacement gas which
contains no or very little oxygen. The housing has at least one entrance opening for
receiving the containers therein to be evacuated and then closed.
A vacuum shroud is in registry with the container entrance opening in the
housing. The shroud also is connected to a vacuum source as well as the source of
replacement gas to replace the ambient air removed from the container with an inert gas.
The shroud is movable between advancing the shroud to seal the container entrance
opening with the shroud and retracting the shroud from the container entrance opening.
A container transport system is used to insert the container through the housing
entrance opening and into the shroud. A sealing system seals the housing from the
ambient after the container is inserted into the shroud. The sealing system may be
incorporated into the structure of the container transport system.
The system also includes a closure subsystem for closing the containers once the
ambient air is removed from the container and replaced with a substantially oxygen free
replacement gas. Thereafter, an outfeed subsystem removes the closed containers from
the housing while maintaining the atmospheric content and pressure level within the
housing. The outfeed subsystem may include a suitable exit chamber for receiving the
closed container from the housing while maintaining the vacuum level and atmospheric
composition within the housing. A conveyor may be used to remove the closed container
from the exit chamber and transport the closed container away from the housing.
The shroud includes a closed proximal end and an open distal end through which
the container is received into the shroud. The distal end of the shroud is sealable relative
to the entrance opening of the housing when the shroud is advanced into container
receiving position at the container entrance opening of the housing. The shroud also
includes an actuator to advance the shroud to seal the distal end of the shroud relative to
the housing entrance opening as well as to retract the shroud away from the housing
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entrance opening after the air in the container has been replaced so that the container may
be transferred to a sealing station for placing a cover or lid over the container and
seaming the cover to the top of the container.
The container transport system may include a movable platform to advance the
platform when inserting the container through the housing entrance opening and into the
interior of the shroud. The platform is used to seal the housing entrance opening when
the container is placed into the interior of the shroud. An actuator is provided to advance
and retract the platform forward and away from the housing entrance opening.
The closure system places a closure in the form of a cover or lid over the open end
of the container. The closure system thereafter seals the cover or lid to the container.
Prior to such sealing, the pressure within the filled container can be reduced to a level
below the pressure within the housing so as to provide a reduced pressure level within the
container when sealed.
A cover/lid supply magazine is in communication with the housing to supply
covers/ lids for the containers to be closed. The cover/lid supply magazine provides a
seal between the interior of the housing from the ambient so that the housing is not
exposed to the ambient via the cover/lid supply magazine.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for
evacuating and closing containers filled with powdered material and other content
wherein the air removed from the containers is replaced by an inert gas that is
substantially devoid of oxygen. The method is performed in an enclosed housing having
an entrance opening for receiving the container. A shroud is positioned over the entrance
opening within the housing thereby sealing the entrance opening from the ambient.
Ambient air is removed from the housing and replaced with the inert gas substantially
free of oxygen. Thereafter, the container is presented through the housing entrance
opening and into the shroud. Then, the housing entrance opening is sealed from the
ambient thereby isolating the interior of the shroud with the container therein. Next, the
ambient air is removed from the container by applying a vacuum to the shroud. The
removed ambient air is replaced with an inert gas that corresponds to the inert gas of the
housing.
Thereafter, the shroud is retracted so that the container can be moved to a location
within the housing for closing the container, for example, by applying a cover or lid to the
open top of the container and then seaming the lid to the container. Then the closed
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container is removed from the housing using an airlock or other system to maintain the
inert gas composition and pressure level within the housing.
In accordance with the disclosed method, when the container is presented to the
housing entrance opening and into the shroud, the housing entrance opening and the
shroud are simultaneously sealed from the ambient.
In accordance with the disclosed method, the container is presented to the housing
entrance opening using a linear actuator. More specifically, the container is supported on
a platform that is powered by a linear actuator. Further, the platform is used to seal the
container entrance opening from the ambient.
The housing can include an entrance opening that is capable of receiving a
plurality of containers at the same time. As an alternative, the housing may include an
entrance opening for each of the plurality of containers simultaneously presented to the
housing. Whether the housing includes an entrance opening large enough for a plurality
of containers or employs individual housing openings for each container, the housing
opening(s) is/are sealed by engagement with the container platform(s).
The disclosed method also includes conveying the container(s) from a filling
station to the housing.
The method further includes entrapping the contents of the container during the
evacuation of the container. In this regard, a pervious barrier may be placed over the
open top of the container during the evacuation process as well as during the process of
replacing the evacuated air with an inert gas.
During the evacuation process, the pressure within the container may be reduced
to a level of about 10 to 20 mBar. More specifically, the pressure within the container
may be reduced to a level of about 15 mBar.
The disclosed method includes removing the shroud from the evacuated container
and thereafter closing the top of the container while the container is within the housing.
During the closure process, the pressure within the container can be reduced to a level
below the pressure level within the housing so as to achieve an evacuated or partially
evacuated container prior to the sealing of the container. The container may be sealed
with a cover or lid that is seamed onto the container in a standard manner.
After sealing the container, the container is removed from the housing while
maintaining the pressure and the inert atmosphere within the housing. This can be
accomplished by transferring the sealed container from the housing via an airlock. The
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filled container is transferred to the airlock and thereafter the airlock is isolated from the
housing before the container is removed from the airlock and transported on.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will
become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to
the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view of the system of the present disclosure taken from a
first or front side of the evacuation housing/chamber, and shown partially in schematic;
FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but taken from the opposite or back
side of the evacuation housing as shown in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of FIGURE 2;
FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view of portions of the interior of the evacuation
housing;
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary pictorial view of FIGURE 5;
FIGURES 7A-7H illustrate one example of a method using the system of the
present disclosure;
FIGURE 8A is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of FIGURE 1
specifically illustrating the construction of a shroud and lift platform;
FIGURE 8B is a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 8A taken along lines 8B-8B
thereof;
FIGURE 8C is an exploded view of FIGURE 8B;
FIGURE 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one method of utilizing the system of the
present disclosure;
FIGURE 10 is a pictorial view of a further embodiment of the present disclosure
for removal of the sealed containers from the sealing station;
FIGURE 11 is a side pictorial view of FIGURE 10;
FIGURE 12 is a pictorial view of the removal system of FIGURE 10 shown from
the opposite end of the system;
FIGURES 13A-13G illustrate the manner of operation of the alternative removal
system;
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FIGURE 14 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the alternative removal
system; and
FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a seaming apparatus in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of
various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the
only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as
an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over
other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps
described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in
order to achieve the same or substantially similar result.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the
present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some
instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to
unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be
appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of
features described herein.
The present application may include references to "directions," such as "forward,"
"rearward," "front," "back," "upward," "downward," "right hand," "left hand," "in," "out,"
"extended," "advanced," "retracted," "proximal," "distal," "above," "below," in front of,"
"behind," "on top of," and "beneath." These references and other similar references with
respect to direction, position, location, etc., in the present application are only to assist in
helping describe and understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the
present invention to these directions, positions, locations, etc.
The present application may include modifiers such as the words "generally,"
"substantially," "about," or "approximately." These terms are meant to serve as modifiers
to indicate that the "dimension," "shape," or other physical parameter, in question need
not be exact, but may vary as long as the function that is required to be performed can be
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carried out. For example, in the phrase "generally circular in shape," the shape need not
be exactly circular as long as the required function of the structure in question can be
carried out.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means “consisting
at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which
include the term “comprising”, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in
each statement can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised”
are to be interpreted in a similar manner.
In the following description, various embodiments of the present disclosure are
described. In the following description and in the accompanying drawings, the
corresponding systems assemblies, apparatus and units may be identified by the same part
number, but with an alpha suffix. The descriptions of the parts/components of such
systems assemblies, apparatus, and units are the same or similar are not repeated so as to
avoid redundancy in the present application.
Referring initially to FIGURES 1-6, a system 20 for evacuating and sealing
containers 22 filled with product, especially powdered product, is illustrated as including
in basic form a transport and delivery system 24 for transporting and presenting a
plurality of containers 22 to a sealed housing or chamber or enclosure 26 wherein
atmospheric air is removed from the containers and replaced by an inert gas and then the
containers are sealed at a closure station 28 thereby to preserve the contents within the
containers. Thereafter, the closed containers are removed from the housing 26 by a
removal system 30 for removing the closed containers from the housing without exposing
the interior of the housing to the ambient. The containers 22 are illustrated in the form of
cans, but can be of other configurations as noted below.
Describing the system 20 in more detail, the transport and delivery system 24
includes an infeed conveyor 40 that transports a set of containers 22 (six being illustrated
as an example) from an escapement, not shown, associated with a filling station, not
shown, wherein the cans are filled, typically with a powder, granular substance or similar,
or other content. The plurality of containers are loaded onto the conveyor 40 from the
escapement and then the conveyor is operated to position the cans 22 adjacent the infeed
location at a lower level of housing 26. An optical or other type of sensor is utilized to
count the number of cans transferred from the escapement onto the conveyor and
determine the locations of such containers. Also, an encoder associated with conveyor 40
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stops the conveyor when the containers 22 are in position at the housing as shown in
FIGURES 1, 3, 5, and 6.
The housing/chamber 26 is illustrated as an enclosed structure that is sealed from
the ambient. The structure 26 is supported by floor-engaging legs 50 depending from the
bottom of the housing and from the removal system 30. The housing is illustrated as
generally rectilinear in shape, but can be of other shapes. In this regard, the housing
includes a top panel 52 and a bottom panel 54 interconnected by end panels 56 and 58.
At the location that the containers 22 are presented to the housing 26 the lower portion of
the housing is cut away to define a mezzanine 59 formed by a horizontal base plate 60. A
vertical longitudinal wall 62, that intersects the inward edge of the base plate, and a
transverse end wall 64 cooperatively seal off the mezzanine section of the housing from
the ambient.
A side panel structure 66, which is mostly open in construction, is disposed along
the side of the housing where the containers 22 are presented. Such side panel
structure 66 does include a footing panel 68 through which upper actuators 70 extend, as
described more fully below. A pair of see-through doors 72 are positioned above the
footing panel 68 and a third full height see-through door 74 is located along the side panel
structure 66. The doors 72 and 74 are sealed with respect to the side panel structure 66 so
as to prevent leakage of gases between the interior of the housing and the ambient, while
being of sufficient structural integrity to remain rigid and not deform during use of the
system 20. To this end, the doors may be composed of a clear/transparent plastic or a
glass composition, for example, acrylic or poly(methyl methacrylate). As will be
appreciated, the doors 72 and 74 not only provide visibility into the housing 26, but also
may be opened to provide access to the interior of the housing, for example, for cleaning,
adjustment, maintenance, and repair, as well as to reconfigure the system 20 for use with
other types or sizes of containers, etc.
Referring specifically to FIGURES 2 and 4, the "backside" of the housing is
illustrated as composed of side panel structures 80 and 82 to which are fitted see-through
doors 84 and 86, respectively. The doors 84 and 86 may be of the same composition as
doors 72 and 74. The door 86 is located somewhat laterally outwardly from the doors 82
and 84. A step wall 88 extends laterally outwardly from the side panel 80 to define the
housing at that location. The doors 84 provide access to the location in which the
air/oxygen is removed from the containers and replaced with inert gas. The door 86 is
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adjacent the location in which the closure system 28 is located, which is described more
fully below.
As perhaps most clearly shown in FIGURES 6, 7A-7H, and 8A-8C, a circular seal
ring 87 depends downwardly from base plate 60. The top of the seal ring 87 is flush with
the top surface of the base plate. In this regard, a shoulder extends around the
circumference of the seal ring to abut against the lower surface of the base plate 60. As
described more clearly below, the seal ring 87 has a central through bore or opening 94
through which containers 22 are delivered into the interior of the housing 26.
A shroud assembly 96 is associated with each of the sealing rings 87 and
associated opening 94. Each shroud assembly 96 includes a shroud 98 having a
cylindrical, major, upper sidewall portion 100 and a lower reduced outer diameter pilot
section 89. The shroud upper sidewall section 100 is downwardly engageable within a
counter bore 90 formed at the upper portion of the sealing ring 87, and the lower pilot
section 89 of the shroud 98 closely engages within the sealing ring central opening or
bore 94.
An upper seal 91 is disposed within a lateral groove opening into the seal ring
counter bore 90 to seal against the outer circumference of the shroud sidewall
section 100. An intermediate seal 92 likewise is disposed within a lateral groove formed
in the sealing ring 87 to bear against the pilot portion 89 of the shroud sidewall.
The top of the shroud is closed by a top assembly 102, while the bottom of the
shroud at the bottom of the pilot section 89 is open. The shroud 98 is raised and lowered
by an actuator 106 connected to the shroud top assembly 102.
Referring specifically to FIGURES 6, 7A-7H, 8B, and 8C, a circular lift platform
or table 120 is associated with each seal ring 87 and opening 94. The lift platforms 120
function to lift the filled containers 22 upwardly through the sealing ring opening 94 and
into the interior of a shroud 98. The lift platform 120 includes an upper circular base
section 122 that is sized to closely fit into the circular interior of the shroud. The lift
platform also includes a slightly enlarged diameter lower shoulder section 124 which
closely fits within the sealing ring opening or bore 94. The lift platform shoulder
section 124 seals against a lower seal 93 that is mounted in a lateral groove formed in the
lower portion of the seal ring to seal against the lower shoulder section 124 of the lift
platform. The lift platform is raised and lowered by a lift actuator 128 extending
downwardly from the underside of the lift platform 120.
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It will be appreciated that when the lift platform 120 is in the fully extended
upward position and the shroud 98 is in fully downward extended position, the interior of
the shroud is isolated from both the ambient and the interior of the housing, as shown in
FIGURES 7C, and 8B. As described below, during this condition, the ambient air within
the shroud and container 22 is removed and replaced with an inert gas or gas mixture at a
pressure above atmospheric pressure.
When the shroud 98 is in lowered closed position and the lift table 120 is in
extended upper position, as shown in FIGURE 8B, both the interior of the container 22
positioned within the shroud and also the volume between the exterior of the container
and the interior of the shroud are evacuated and replaced with the modified atmosphere
of, for example, an inert gas or gas mixture through upper and lower ports 107 and 108
that extend horizontally radially inwardly from the exterior diameter of the ring seal 87.
The upper shroud port 107 intersects with the bottom of a vertical passageway 109
extending upwardly through the shroud upper sidewall section 100 to intersect with a
horizontal annular groove 110 formed in the outer circumference of a manifold ring 111.
Radial holes 112 extend inwardly from the horizontal annular groove 110 to
communicate with the open central interior 113 of the manifold ring 111. Such open
central interior 113 is in communication with the open top and thus the head space 115 of
the filled container 22.
Referring specifically to FIGURE 8B, a porous barrier 114 is mounted to the
underside of the manifold ring 111 inside of an annular seal 116 extending along the
underside manifold ring 111. As will be appreciated, the annular seal 116 serves to also
seal the top rim of the container relative to the manifold ring 111. The perimeter of the
porous barrier also seals relative to the manifold ring and the sealing ring 116. As such,
the head space 115 of the container 22 is isolated from the exterior of the container. The
barrier 114 allows air/oxygen to be drawn out of the container while substantially
preventing the powder or other content within the container from escaping from the
container as the container is being evacuated. The porous barrier may be composed of
fabric, woven material, perforated sheet material, or other appropriate material.
Continuing to refer specifically to FIGURES 6, 7A-7H, and 8B, the volume or
space between the exterior of the container 22 and the interior of the shroud 98 is
separately but simultaneously evacuated and then replaced with modified atmosphere
from the evacuation of the interior of the container. The reason for this separated
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evacuation and modified air replacement system is to prevent powder or other contents of
the container 22 from flowing from the container interior through barrier 114 during
evacuation of the container and thereby contaminating the can outer surface or face with
the powder or other content. Also, the vacuum and replacement gassing cycles are
applied to the can head space 115 and to the can exterior at the same time thereby to
avoid the can from imploding or otherwise being damaged during the vacuum cycle,
especially cans with an exterior foil wrapping. In this regard, the shroud lower port 108
is in communication with an annular cavity 117 located just above the shoulder
section 124 of the lift table. The cavity 117 is in fluid flow communication with an
upwardly extending narrow gap 118 between the exterior of the lift table upper
section 122 and the interior of the shroud upper wall section 110 as well as the shroud
pilot section 89.
Although the foregoing provides one example in which the interior and exterior of
the container 22 may be separately but simultaneously evacuated and gassed, it is to be
understood that other systems for carrying out this function may also be employed. For
example, systems that evacuate and introduce replacement gas through the closed top
assembly 102 of the shroud.
Also, the upper intermediate and lower seals 91, 92 and 93 can be of various
construction. For example, the seals can be composed of inflatable air seals which can be
inflated to achieve secure and tight seals against the shroud and lift table and also deflated
to permit the shroud and lift table to be both engaged and disengaged from the sealing
ring 87 without any significant resistance against the seals. Of course, other types of
seals may be employed, for example O-ring seals, V-seals, double or even triple V-seals,
etc.
The containers 22 that are delivered to the housing 26 by infeed conveyor 40 are
moved laterally off the infeed conveyor and onto the lift platforms 120 by a lateral pusher
system 140, as shown in FIGURES 1, 5, 6, and 7A-7H. The pusher system 140 includes
a horizontal push bar 142 for pushing against the sides of the cans 22 to remove the cans
from the conveyor 40 and onto an associated base 122 of lift platform 120. The push
bar 142 may be contoured along its leading edge 143 adjacent the containers 22 so that
the containers are indexed into correctly spaced positions along the conveyor 40. If the
cans 22 are not accurately spaced along the conveyor 40 to match the positions of the lift
platforms 120 and corresponding seal ring/housing openings 94, the pressing or urging of
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the contoured leading edge 143 of push bar 142 against the sides of the filled containers
will reposition the containers relative to each other so that they are in proper registry with
the positions of the lift platforms 120 and housing openings 94.
A linear actuator 144 is provided to support and actuate the push bar 142 to push
the cans from the conveyor 40 and onto the lift platform 120. As shown in FIGURE 7A,
a bridging ramp 146 is provided so that there is continuous surface between the
conveyor 40 and the lift platform base 122 along which the containers 22 may be slid
when pushed by the push bar 142. Although two separate pusher systems 140 are shown
in FIGURE 6, one for each set of three containers 22, a single pusher system 140 may be
utilized or more than two pusher systems may be utilized.
Continuing to refer specifically to FIGURES 1, 5, 6, and 7A-7H, a second pusher
system 150 is provided at an elevation above the pusher system 140. This second pusher
system includes actuators 70 that function to push the cans 22 laterally after the shroud 98
has been retracted upwardly once the container 22 has been evacuated and the removed
ambient air replaced with an inert gas or gas mixture, see FIGURE 7F. At this point, the
containers are pushed by the pusher system 150 onto a seamer infeed conveyor 156.
during for transport to the closure/seaming station 28. To this end, the pusher system 150
includes a horizontal pusher bar 158 that is actuated by horizontal actuators 70 mounted
to extend laterally outwardly from housing 26. The actuators 70 are sealed with respect
to the housing to maintain the atmospheric conditions within the housing. As noted
above, such atmospheric conditions include a low level of residual oxygen in a gas mixed
environment and an over-pressure of, for example, about 20 mBar gauge.
After the actuators 70 push the containers 22 from the lift platforms 120 and onto
the seamer infeed conveyor 156, a container guide bar 160 is simultaneously raised along
the conveyor 156 next to the baseplate 60 to restrain the containers in the lateral direction
relative to the direction of travel of the conveyor 156. See FIGURE 7G. The guide bar is
located between the side of the conveyor 156 and the baseplate 60 as shown in
FIGURES7A-7H. The guide bar is raised and lowered between conveyor 156 and the
baseplate 60. The guide bar 160 is in the lowered position allowing for the container to be
transferred from the lift platform 120 on to the seamer infeed conveyor 156, see
FIGURE 7F. Following the transfer of the container the guide bar is raised creating a
guide for the container to transfer along the conveyor without risk of the container being
dislodged, see FIGURE 7G.
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The seamer infeed conveyor 156 transports the containers 22 to a
closure/sealing/seamer station 28 which perhaps is most clearly shown in FIGURE 5. As
with the conveyor 136, the seamer station 28 is also within the sealed chamber 26
wherein the chamber includes a modified atmosphere environment to maintain the low
residual oxygen level achieved in the container following the extraction of the Oxygen
and replenished with gas injection. To this end, the containers 22 are fed into
circumferential, outwardly open pockets 170 formed along the circumference of a
rotatable double star wheel 172 that is mounted on a central rotatable shaft 173. A
floor 174 is provided for supporting the containers 22 when inserted within the
pockets 170. The containers are secured in the star wheel pockets by a guide rail or other
means with a clearance of approximately 2 mm between the guide rail and the depth of
the star wheel pocket. This clearance allows for a degree of flexibility to accommodate
the potential variance in the tolerance of the container dimensions.
The double star wheel 172 is indexed from a first position/station in registry with
the seamer infeed conveyor to a second position/station in registry with a stack
magazine 180 filled with covers 182, which are placed onto the open top of the containers
at the magazine station. Next, the double star wheel 172 is indexed to a seaming
station 190 wherein a cover 182 is seamed to the upper edge of the container 22 in a
standard manner. Such seamers are articles of commerce.
The above process of placing the covers 112 on the containers 22 and then
seaming the containers can occur one at a time as each can is shifted from the seamer
infeed conveyor to the double star wheel. Alternatively, all of the containers 22 can be
loaded on the double star wheel at the same time so as to fill the pockets of the double
star wheel and then the covers 182 applied to the filled star wheel cans and thereafter the
covers are seamed with the containers 22. In this manner, the seamer infeed
conveyor 156 is emptied quickly so that a second set of evacuated containers 22 can be
loaded onto the seamer infeed conveyor.
The outer circumference of the covers 182 snugly slides against the inside surface
of the lower collar portion 184 of the magazine 180. In this manner, the covers acting
against the collar 184 provide a seal between the interior of the housing 26 and the
ambient. To this end, it is desirable that a sufficient number of covers 182 are positioned
within the magazine 180 so as to maintain a seal with the collar portion 184.
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As noted above, the sealed containers 22 are removed from the housing 26 while
maintaining the atmosphere within the housing. To this end, as perhaps most clearly
shown in FIGURES 1-5, removal system 30 includes an airlock structure 200 having an
elongated housing 202 positioned over an outfeed conveyor 204 powered by an
actuator 205. The airlock structure 200 includes sealable doors 206 and 208 at the
opposite end of the housing 202 for the purpose of allowing entry of the sealed cans into
the airlock structure, and then out of the structure via the outfeed container 204. While
the airlock structure 202 is empty, the pressure within the airlock may be reduced to
match the pressure within the structure 202 and the ambient air within the structure 202
may be replaced with the same inert gas or gas mixture utilized within the housing 26 so
that when the near door 206 is open, the atmosphere within the structure 202 matches the
atmosphere within the interior of the housing 26. Thereupon a set of sealed cans may be
advanced into the airlock structure 202 and then the near door 206 closed to seal the
housing 26 from the airlock structure 202. Therefore, the far door 208 of the airlock
structure may be opened and then the sealed cans removed from the airlock structure by
operation of the outfeed conveyor 204.
FIGURES 7A-7H together with FIGURE 9 illustrate one example of the use of
the present system 20 for replacing the air in containers 22 with modified or inert gas or
gas mixture and then sealing the container 22. Under such conditions, the content within
the container 22 can be maintained in a preserved state for a prolonged period of time,
especially if the content consists of food. Substantially all of the oxygen has been
removed from the container which minimizes degradation of the container content.
The method begins at step 250 wherein the system 20 is set to start-up conditions
or parameters. In this regard, the vacuum shrouds 98 are in lowered position to close off
the entrance openings 94 in the seal ring 87 of the housing 26 via upper end intermediate
seals 91 and 92. See FIGURE 7A. The lift platforms or tables 120 are in down position
for reception of the filled containers 22 from the filling station. Any residual oxygen in
the housing 26 is flushed out and replaced with a modified atmosphere composed of, for
example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof. The pressure within the housing
may be set to approximately 20 mBar gauge, which is achieved by opening and closing
the exhaust and modified atmosphere gas valves. Of course, the over-pressure within the
housing 26 can be at other levels either above or below 20 mBar gauge. The residual
oxygen level in the housing is reduced to a range of about 2.5% to 0.5% by volume or
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less. In one non-limiting example, the residual oxygen level may be about 1.5% by
volume.
After the foregoing startup conditions are met, in step 252, in the operation of
system 20, the system confirms that there are a desired number of containers 22 at the
escapement from the filling station and that the containers are filled with the desired
amount of material, e.g., powder material.
Next, in step 254, the filled containers 22 are transferred onto an infeed
conveyor 40 and then in step 256 the containers are transported by the infeed conveyor to
a position in front of the evacuation housing 26 at a lower elevation of the housing, for
example, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.
Next, in step 258, the pusher system 40 is used to push the containers of the set
onto individual lift tables or platforms 120, see FIGURES 7A and 7B. The lift
tables 120, which are in lowered position below the mezzanine 59 of the housing. In
step 260, the actuators 144 of the pusher system 140 are retracted to their nominal (home)
position so that the next set of containers 22 can be moved onto the escapement to be
ready for the next cycle.
Next, at step 264, as shown in FIGURE 7C, the lift platforms 120 are raised to lift
the containers 22 into position within a corresponding shroud 98. The lift platforms
simultaneously seal against the bottom or lower seal 93 of the base seal ring 87 to close
off the entrance openings 94 from the ambient.
Next, at step 266, the pressure within the container 22 is evacuated through
port 107 down to approximately 15 mBar (ABS) thereby to help ensure that each
container has no more than about 2.5% to 0.5% residual oxygen by volume therein once
the inert replacement gas has been injected into the shroud, also through upper port 107.
The porous barrier 114 disposed over the open top of the container 22 during the
evacuation process prevents powder or other material within the container from escaping.
See FIGURE 7D. At the same time, the pressure between the exterior of the container
and the interior of the shroud is also simultaneously evacuated to the same pressure level
as within the container via lower port 108. As a non-limiting example, the evacuation of
the container 22 as well as the evacuation of the volume between the exterior of the
container and the interior of the shroud can be accomplished in about 5 seconds;
however, this process can be carried out over a shorter or longer period of time.
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Next, at step 268, a modified atmosphere composed of, for example, nitrogen,
carbon dioxide, or a mixture of both is injected into the container through upper port 107.
Such injection of the modified atmosphere is blown through the porous barrier 114
thereby to blow off from the barrier any material or powder that has collected thereon
during the evacuation process. See FIGURE 7D. Simultaneously, the same modified
atmosphere is injected through port 108 to fill the volume between the exterior of the
container 22 and the interior of the shroud 98. As a non-limiting example, the modified
atmosphere can be injected into the container 22 as well as into the volume between the
exterior of the container and the interior of the shroud at a pressure of about 1.5 bar for a
time period of about 1 second. This process can be carried out at other pressures and for
other time durations.
At this stage, the oxygen level within the container and shroud and the pressure
within the container and shroud could match the atmospheric conditions within the
housing itself. However, it may be desirable if the pressure within the container and
within the shroud were either higher or lower than the pressure within the housing. For
example, if the pressure within the container 22 and shroud 98 is higher than that within
the housing, this can help maintain the low residual oxygen level within the container.
Next, at step 270, the shroud 98 is retracted upwardly to an elevation above the
containers (see FIGURE 7E), thereby exposing the container 22 to the atmosphere within
the housing.
Then at step 272, the containers 22 are moved laterally by upper pusher
system 150 to a seamer infeed conveyor 156, as shown in FIGURE 7F. With the
containers now removed from the lift platform 120 at step 274, the shrouds 98 are
lowered to close off the openings 94 in the base plate 160, see FIGURE 7G. Next, at
step 276, the platforms 120 are lowered, as shown in FIGURE 7H, to await the next
group of containers 22 from the infeed conveyor 40.
Thereafter, as set forth in step 278, the filled cans 22 are conveyed by the seamer
infeed conveyor 156 to engage within a pocket 170 of star wheel 172. Next, at step 280,
the star wheel is indexed (rotated) by the use of an encoder positioned on the drive
shaft 173 of the star wheel. Simultaneously, at step 282 the number of can lids 182 in the
magazine (stack) 180 is monitored to ensure that a seal is maintained between the interior
of the housing and the external environment, which seal is created by the stack of
container lids 182 in the base portion 184 of magazine, step 282.
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At step 284, a container lid 182 is placed on the open top of each of the
containers 22 when the container is positioned below the lid magazine 180. At step 286,
the double star wheel 172 is indexed to present the container 22 with the lid/cover 182
thereon to a seamer station whereat the container is lifted and rotated to affix the lid 182
to the container 22 in a standard manner.
At step 288, after the lid 182 is affixed, the container 22 is lowered and the star
wheel 172 is indexed again to present the sealed container onto an exit conveyor 204.
This process is repeated until all of the covers/lids 182 have been attached to the
containers.
Next, at step 290, the sealed containers as a group are transported into the
airlock 200. After the airlock 200 has been sealed from the housing, at step 292, the
containers are transferred out of the airlock as a group onto the exit conveyor 204.
The foregoing represents merely one example of a method of utilizing the
system 20 of the present disclosure. It is possible that some of the foregoing steps might
be combined or eliminated or modified or replaced with a different step while still
resulting in an efficient method for evacuating and sealing containers 22, especially
containers filled with powdered material.
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be
appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
For example, although the present disclosure describes processing a plurality of
containers in sets of six at a time, a lesser or greater number of containers may be
processed as a batch. For example, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, or 10 containers could be processed as a
batch.
As a further alternative, although a separate lift platform 120 is described and
illustrated for each container 22, a plurality of containers may be positioned on a singular
lift platform and the plurality of containers lifted upwardly into a shroud for each
container or a shroud for multiple containers.
Further, various types of containers may be processed utilizing the system 20 of
the present disclosure. Such containers may consist of metallic cans, glass jars or bottles,
PET or other containers capable of sustaining a reduced pressure within the container.
Although a specific seal arrangement has been described and illustrated for
sealing the shroud 98 with respect to the housing opening 94 as well as the lift
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platform 120 relative to the housing opening 94, other sealing arrangements can be
utilized. For example, the bottom of the shroud can be sealed against the top surface of
the base plate 60, and the lift platform 120 can be sealed against the underside of the base
plate 60.
Further, although the airlock housing 202 is illustrated as being at the elevation of
the star wheel 172, the airlock housing can be located at or near the level that the
containers 22 are placed on the lift tables by the pusher system 140. In this regard, the
elevation of the infeed conveyor 40 may be substantially the same as the elevation of the
outfeed conveyor 204 which may be desirable in certain installations.
Also, the process of removing oxygen from the interior of the housing 26 and
replacing it with modified atmosphere consisting of, for example, inert gas, can be carried
out using procedures and parameters other than described above. Likewise, the
evacuation of the containers 22 and the evacuation of the volume between the exterior of
the containers and the interior of the shrouds 98 can be performed under process
conditions other than as described above.
FIGURES 10, 11, 12, 13A-13G, and 14 illustrate an alternative system 300, and
corresponding structure and method, for removing the sealed containers 22 from the
housing 26. The system 300 may be used in lieu of system 30 described above.
System 300 includes a discharge housing 302 which is shown in FIGURES 10, 11 and 12
with portions removed so that the interior components of the system can be viewed. The
housing 300 does include an entrance wall 304 which extends upwardly from a floor 305
and is transverse to incoming conveyor 306. The conveyor 306 may be a separate
conveyor or may be the same conveyor as conveyor 204 described above. Downstream
of the entrance wall 304, the housing includes an airlock wall 308 which supports side-
by-side airlock chambers 310A and 310B. An exit wall 312 is located at the end of the
housing downstream of the airlock wall 308. The incoming conveyor 306 terminates at
one side of the airlock wall 308 and a second takeaway conveyor 314 extends from the
opposite side of the airlock wall 308 and out through the exit wall 312 through an exit
opening 316. It is to be understood that the housing 302 also has side walls and a top
wall. Moreover, the entrance wall 304 is integrated with the end panel 58 of the
housing 26.
The space between the entrance wall 304 and airlock wall 308 defines a first
transfer location where containers 22 are moved laterally off of the conveyor 306 and
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onto transfer structures 320A and 320B. The transfer structures include a support floor or
platform 322 composed of a plurality of parallel spaced-apart bars 324 for supporting the
underside containers 22. The bars 324 are cantilevered from the base of the transfer
structures. The containers 22 are moved laterally from the conveyor belt 306 onto the
platform 322 by a lateral actuating system 330 composed of a vertical pushing wall 332
that depends downwardly from the actuator 330 which spans between support
sections 338 that depend downwardly from an overhead ceiling structure, not shown.
The actuator 330 is powered to moved side to side between the support sections 338
whereby the pushing wall 332 pushes the containers 22 laterally from the conveyor
belt 306 onto the platform portions 322 of the transfer structures 320A and 320B.
The transfer structures 320A and 320B are supported for movement in the
direction parallel to the length of the conveyor 306 by an actuating system 340 which
extends parallel to the conveyor 36 on each side thereof. The actuating systems are
supported by column structures 343 that depend downwardly from the overhead ceiling
structure (not shown). The actuating system 340 functions to move the transfer
structures 320A and 320B toward and away from airlock chambers 310A and 310B, as
depicted by arrow 344. The transfer structures 320A and 320B also include an airlock
door 346 which seals the adjacent opening of the airlock chambers 310A and 310B when
the transfer structures 320A and 320B have been advanced toward the airlock chambers
whereby the doors 346 close off the airlock chambers 310A and 310B.
The removal system 300 also includes transfer structures 350A and 350B on the
opposite side of the airlock wall 302 from the location of the transfer structures 320A
and 320B. The transfer structures 350A and 350B include a platform or floor 352
composed of a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal bars 354 capable of supporting the
containers 22 therein. The bars 354 are cantilevered from the base of the transfer
structures 350A and 350B. The transfer structures 350A and 350B are movable in the
longitudinal direction, parallel to conveyor 306, by actuating systems 360 which include
transfer sections 350A and 350B moveable in the direction along the length of the
conveyor 306. The actuators 360 are supported by columns 364 that depend downwardly
from the overhead ceiling structure (not shown).
As in the transfer structures 320A and 320B, the transfer structures 350A and
350B also include airlock doors 362 that are configured to close off the adjacent side of
the airlock chambers 310A and 310B when the transfer structures 350A and 350B are
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advanced toward the airlock chambers 310A and 310B. It will be appreciated that when
the transfer structures 320A or 320B and the corresponding transfer structures 350A or
350B are positioned so that the airlock doors 346 and 362 close off the airlock chambers,
the support bars 324 of the floor 322 nest between the support bars 354 of the floor 352.
The transfer structures 350A and 350B are also constructed to move laterally with
respect to the length of conveyor belt 306 by a lateral support and actuating system 370
which includes a guideway 372 for guiding the lateral movement of the transfer
structures 350A and 350B so that once the containers 22 are removed from the airlock
chambers, the containers can be moved laterally onto the takeaway conveyor 314. It will
be appreciated that rather than using actuating system 370, the containers 22 can be
removed from the transfer structures 350A and 350B using a lateral actuating system
similar to actuating system 330 described above.
The functioning of the removal system 300 is schematically illustrated in
FIGURES 13A-13G as well as in the flow diagram of FIGURE 14. At the start step 400
shown in Figure 14, the containers 22 are positioned on the incoming conveyor 306 as
shown in FIGURE 13A. In step 402, as shown in FIGURE 13B, a first container 22A is
pushed laterally off of the conveyor 306 by the lateral actuator 330 and onto
platform 322, see arrow 413.
In the next step 404, as shown in FIGURE 13C, the container 22A is pushed into
the airlock chamber 310A by the longitudinal movement of the transfer structure 320A,
see arrow 414. The transfer structure 350A has already been positioned against the
airlock chamber 310A. Simultaneously, a second container 22B is pushed transversely
from the conveyor 306 onto platform 322 of the transfer structure 320B via lateral
actuator 330.
In the next step 406, the container 22A is removed from the airlock
chamber 310A by the longitudinal movement of the transfer structure 350A, as shown in
FIGURE 13D, see arrow 415. During this transfer process, the transfer structure 320A
remains engaged with the airlock chamber 310A so as to isolate the airlock chamber from
the housing between the entrance wall 304 and the airlock wall 308. Simultaneously, the
container 22B is placed into the airlock chamber 310B by the longitudinal advancement
of the transfer structure 320B, see arrow 416. As shown in FIGURE 13D, the transfer
structure 350B is already in place with the airlock door 362 sealing the adjacent side of
the airlock chamber 310B.
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In the next step 408, as shown in FIGURE 13E, the container 22A is transferred
onto the takeaway conveyor 314 by the lateral movement of the transfer structure 350A
via the lateral actuating system 370, see arrow 417. As noted above, rather than using the
lateral actuating system 370, the lateral transfer of the containers from the transfer
structures 350A and 350B onto the takeaway conveyor 314 can be accomplished using a
lateral actuator similar to lateral actuator 330 described above.
In the next step 410, as shown in FIGURE 13F, the container 22B is removed
from the airlock chamber 310B by the longitudinal movement of the transfer
structure 350B in the direction of arrow 420. Simultaneously, the transfer structure 350A
is moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow 422 so that the airlock door 362 is
engaged against the adjacent end of the airlock chamber 310A. Also, the transfer
structure 320A is moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow 424 away from the
airlock chamber 310A to be in position to receive the next container 22C.
The cycle is shown as beginning to repeat itself in step 412 as depicted in
FIGURE 13G, wherein the container 22B is shifted laterally onto the takeaway
conveyor 314, as shown by arrow 428, and thereafter the transfer structure 350B is
positioned against the outlet side of the airlock chamber 310B, as shown by arrow 429.
Thereafter, the transfer structure 320B is shifted longitudinally in the direction of
arrow 430 so that the platform or floor 322 is removed from the airlock chamber 310B
and is in place to receive the container 22D. Simultaneously with the foregoing, the
container 22C is shifted laterally from the conveyor 206 onto the platform 322 of the
transfer structure 320A.
It will be appreciated that in the foregoing manner by the use of two airlock
chambers 310A and 310B, the containers 22 may be rapidly and efficiently removed from
the closure/sealing station 28 so as to achieve a high throughput for the overall system 20.
FIGURE 15 illustrates a system 500 for placing the covers 182 on containers 22
when it is needed or desirable to have a negative pressure in the container at the time of
sealing the container. In this regard, an airtight shroud 502 is placed around the seaming
rollers 504, and the shroud 502 is sealed to the lift table 506 of the seaming
apparatus 500.
More specifically, a shroud 502 is formed with a smaller diameter lower
portion 508 encircling most of the container 22 except at the upper portion thereof at the
elevation of the seaming rollers 504. At the upper portion of the shroud 510, the area of
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the shroud is increased to accommodate the seaming rollers 504 which are outside of the
perimeter of the cover 102 and container 22. The shroud upper portion 510 seals against
the underside of a top plate 512. An O-ring 514 or other type of seal is used to seal the
bottom of the shroud 502 against the lift table 506 of the seaming apparatus. The
seaming apparatus 500 also includes a seaming chuck 516 that places the covers 182 over
the top of the containers 22 and holds the cover in place while the seaming rollers 504
seal the covers 182 to the containers 22.
Before a cover 182 is attached to the top of a container 22, a pre-set vacuum is
generated in a vacuum reservoir 518 using a vacuum source 520 interconnected with the
vacuum reservoir 518 by a first valve 522. Just prior to seaming the cover 182 onto the
container 22, a second valve 524, located between the vacuum reservoir 518 and the
interior of the shroud 504, is opened to equalize the pressure between the vacuum
reservoir and the interior of the shroud to the desired level, i.e., desired negative pressure.
The container 22 is then sealed with the cover 182 resulting in the desired negative
pressure level within the sealed container.
PARAGRAPHS
Paragraph 1. A method for evacuating and closing at least one filled container
within an enclosed housing having an entrance opening for the at least one container,
comprising
(a) positioning a shroud over the entrance opening of the housing,
thereby sealing the entrance opening from the ambient;
(b) removing ambient air from the housing and replacing the ambient
air with an inert gas substantially devoid of oxygen;
(c) presenting the at least one filled container through the housing
entrance opening and into the shroud;
(d) sealing the housing entrance opening from the ambient;
(e) evacuating the ambient air from the at least one filled container by
applying a vacuum to the shroud;
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(f) injecting the inert gas into the shroud corresponding to the inert gas
of the housing;
(g) closing the at least one filled container; and
(h) removing the closed at least one filled container from the housing
while maintaining the inert gas composition and the pressure level within the housing.
Paragraph 2. The method of Paragraph 1, wherein after the at least one filled
container is presented through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud, the
housing entrance opening and the shroud are simultaneously sealed from the ambient.
Paragraph 3. The method of Paragraph 1 or 2, further comprising providing each
shroud with a closed proximal end and an open distal end for sealing the housing entrance
opening.
Paragraph 4. The method of Paragraph 3, further comprising creating a seal
between the distal end of the shroud and the entrance opening of the housing.
Paragraph 5. The method of any one of Paragraphs 1-4, further comprising
presenting the at least one filled container through the housing entrance opening using a
linear actuator.
Paragraph 6. The method of Paragraph 5, further comprising supporting the at
least one filled container on a support platform powered by the linear actuator.
Paragraph 7. The method of Paragraph 6, further comprising sealing the
container entrance opening in the housing by engagement of the support platform.
Paragraph 8. The method of Paragraph 6 or 7, further comprising providing a
plurality of filled containers and placing each container on an individual support
platform.
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Paragraph 9. The method according to Paragraph 8, wherein sealing the housing
openings by engagement with the individual support platforms.
Paragraph 10. The method of any one of Paragraphs 1-9, further comprising
conveying the at least one filled container from a filling station to the housing.
Paragraph 11. The method of any one of Paragraphs 1-10, further comprising
entrapping the contents of the at least one filled container during the evacuation of the
filled container.
Paragraph 12. The method of any one of Paragraphs 1-11, further comprising
evacuating the at least one filled container of atmospheric air to a pressure level of about
10 to 20 mBar.
Paragraph 13. The method of Paragraph 12, further comprising evacuating the at
least one filled container of atmospheric air to a pressure level of about 15 mBar.
Paragraph 14. The method of any one of Paragraphs 1-13, further comprising
removing the shroud from the evacuated at least one filled container and closing the filled
container while the filled container is within the housing.
Paragraph 15. The method according to Paragraph 14, further comprising
reducing the pressure within the filled container before closing the at least one filled
container with a closure placed over the filled container and then sealing the closure
relative to the filled container.
Paragraph 16. The method according to any one of Paragraphs 1-15, further
comprising transferring the sealed at least one container to an airlock and isolating the
airlock from the housing for subsequent removal of the at least one filled container from
the airlock.
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Paragraph 17. The method according to any one of Paragraphs 1-16, further
comprising presenting a plurality of filled containers to the housing in registry with the
container entrance opening.
Paragraph 18. The method according to Paragraph 17, further comprising
providing a separate entrance opening for each of the plurality of filled containers.
Paragraph 19. The method according to Paragraph 18, further comprising
providing a shroud for each of the entrance openings.
Paragraph 20. The method of Paragraph 17, further comprising providing a
shroud for each of the plurality of containers.
Paragraph 21. A system for evacuating and closing at least one filled container,
comprising:
(a) an enclosed housing in communication with a vacuum source and a
source of replacement gas to replace the ambient air evacuated from the housing, the
housing having at least one entrance opening for receiving containers to be evacuated and
closed;
(b) at least one vacuum shroud in registry with the at least one
container entrance opening in the housing, the shroud connectible to a vacuum source and
a source of replacement gas to replace the ambient air removed from the container, the
shroud movable to advance the shroud to seal the container entrance opening with the
shroud and to retract the shroud from the container entrance opening;
(c) a container transport system for inserting the at least one filled
container through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud;
(d) a housing sealing system for sealing the housing from the ambient
when the at least one filled container is inserted into the shroud;
(e) a closure subsystem for closing the evacuated container; and
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(f) an outfeed subsystem for removing the closed container from the
housing while maintaining the atmospheric content and pressure level within the housing.
Paragraph 22. The system according to Paragraph 21, wherein the shroud
comprises a closed proximal end and an open distal end to receive the at least one filled
container into the shroud, the distal end of the shroud sealable relative to the entrance
opening of the housing.
Paragraph 23. The system according to Paragraph 21 or 22, wherein the shroud in
communication with a vacuum source and a source of replacement gas.
Paragraph 24. The system according to any one of Paragraphs 21-23, further
comprising a vacuum shroud actuator operable to advance the vacuum shroud to seal the
distal end of the shroud relative to the housing entrance opening and to retract the
vacuum shroud from the at least one filled container.
Paragraph 25. The system according to any one of Paragraphs 21-24, wherein the
container transport system comprises a movable platform to advance the platform to
insert the at least one filled container through the housing entrance opening and into the
interior of the shroud, the platform sealing the housing entrance opening from the
ambient.
Paragraph 26. The system according to Paragraph 25, wherein the container
transport system further comprises a platform actuator to advance and retract the
platform.
Paragraph 27. The system according to Paragraph 25 or 26, wherein the container
transport system further comprises a conveyance system to present the at least one filled
container to be evacuated and closed to the platform.
Paragraph 28. The system according to any one of Paragraphs 21-27, wherein the
closure subsystem presenting a closure to the at least one filled container and sealing the
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closure to the container with the pressure in the at least one filled container at the pressure
within the housing or at a pressure below the pressure within the housing.
Paragraph 29. The system according to any one of Paragraphs 21-28, wherein the
outfeed subsystem comprises a sealable exit chamber for receiving the closed at least one
filled container from the housing while maintaining the vacuum level and atmosphere
composition within the housing.
Paragraph 30. The system according to Claim 29, wherein the outfeed subsystem
comprises an outfeed conveyor for removing the closed at least one filled container from
the exit chamber and transporting the closed at least one filled container away from the
housing.
Paragraph 31. The system according to Paragraph 29 or 30, wherein the at least
one filled container comprises a plurality of cans and the closure subsystem applies lids to
the cans and further comprises a seamer for sealing the lids to the cans.
Paragraph 32. The system according to Paragraph 31, further comprising a lid
supply magazine for supplying lids to the closure subsystem while isolating the interior of
the housing from the ambient.
Claims (13)
1. An assembly for evacuating and gassing filled containers having open tops, comprising: (a) a shroud having a closed upper and an open bottom for receiving therein a filled container, the interior of the shroud being larger than the exterior of the container to define an interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container; (b) a closure for closing the open bottom of the shroud; (c) a porous barrier positioned over the top opening of the container; (d) at least one port through which air and gasses comprising a modified atmosphere are introduced into and removed from the shroud, simultaneously introduced into and removed from the filled container through the porous barrier and introduced into and removed from the interior portion of the shroud that is exterior to the container; and (e) a conveyance for moving the filled container away from the shroud to a location to be closed while within a housing containing the modified atmosphere.
2. The assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a sealing ring encircling the porous barrier and bearing against the top edge of the container when the porous barrier is positioned over the top opening of the container.
3. The assembly of Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a conveyance system for placing filled containers in registry with a shroud. 67852PCT
4. The assembly of any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the conveyance for moving the filled container away from the shroud to a location to be closed comprises a pusher system and a seamer infeed conveyor, wherein the pusher system is configured to push the filled container laterally onto the seamer infeed conveyor.
5. The assembly of Claim 4, further comprising a container guide bar selectively arranged along the seamer infeed conveyor to restrain the filled container in the lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the seamer infeed conveyor.
6. The assembly of any one of the foregoing claims, further comprising a seamer station configured to seam a cover to the filled container, wherein the seamer station is located at the location where the filled container is to be closed.
7. A method for evacuating and closing a filled container, comprising: (a) placing a filled open container within a shroud; (b) sealing the shroud from the ambient at the bottom of the container; (c) temporarily placing a porous barrier over the top opening of the container; (d) simultaneously withdrawing air from the container through the porous barrier and from the interior of the shroud external to the container; (e) replacing the withdrawn air with a gas of a desired composition; (f) withdrawing the shroud and the porous barrier from the container; (g) moving the filled container away from the shroud to a location to be closed while within a housing containing the gas of desired composition; and (h) closing the container with the gas of desired composition within the container.
8. The method of Claim 7, wherein when replacing the withdrawn air with gas of a desired composition the gas passes through the porous barrier and into the container. 67852PCT
9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the withdrawn air is replaced with a gas of desired composition simultaneously within the container and within the interior of the shroud that is external to the container.
10. The method of any one of the Claims 7-9, wherein the gas of desired composition is an inert gas.
11. The method of any one of Claims 7-10, wherein the porous barrier is encircled by a sealing ring which bears against the top edge of the container when the porous barrier is placed over the top opening of the container.
12. The method of any one of Claims 7-11, further comprising retaining the gas of desired composition within the container between the time such gas of desired composition is introduced into the container and the closing of the container.
13. The assembly of Claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201762596632P | 2017-12-08 | 2017-12-08 | |
US62/596,632 | 2017-12-08 | ||
NZ762910A NZ762910A (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2018-12-06 | Vacuum extraction and sealing of containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ762923A true NZ762923A (en) | 2021-06-25 |
NZ762923B2 NZ762923B2 (en) | 2021-09-28 |
Family
ID=
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