US3674513A - Method for packing carbonated beverages into containers using electromagnetic energy - Google Patents

Method for packing carbonated beverages into containers using electromagnetic energy Download PDF

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Publication number
US3674513A
US3674513A US886106A US3674513DA US3674513A US 3674513 A US3674513 A US 3674513A US 886106 A US886106 A US 886106A US 3674513D A US3674513D A US 3674513DA US 3674513 A US3674513 A US 3674513A
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United States
Prior art keywords
beverage
container
containers
inlet opening
foam
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Expired - Lifetime
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US886106A
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English (en)
Inventor
Nils Ake Elsner
Hans Erik Nilson
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Infrarodteknik AB
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Infrarodteknik AB
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/222—Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01J—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00—Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/08—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J19/12—Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing electromagnetic waves
    • B01J19/122—Incoherent waves
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12H—PASTEURISATION, STERILISATION, PRESERVATION, PURIFICATION, CLARIFICATION OR AGEING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; METHODS FOR ALTERING THE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF FERMENTED SOLUTIONS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
    • C12H1/00—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages
    • C12H1/12—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation
    • C12H1/16—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation by physical means, e.g. irradiation
    • C12H1/165—Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification, or ageing of alcoholic beverages without precipitation by physical means, e.g. irradiation by irradiation

Definitions

  • a container is almost but not completely filled through an inlet opening thereof with a carbonated beverage, an unfilled space remaining between the level of the beverage and the inlet opening.
  • Infrared electromagnetic waves or microwaves are directed through the inlet opening into the beverage, thereby liberating the carbon dioxide in the carbonated beverage so that the carbon dioxide forms gas bubbles which form a layer of foam above the level of the liquid, filling the empty space in the container and expelling residual air from this empty space.
  • the inlet opening is fluid-tightly sealed.
  • the present invention relates generally to the packing of carbonated beverages into containers, and more particularly to a method for effecting such packing and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
  • bottling conventionally the filling of containers with carbonated beverages, and the subsequent sealing of these containers, is known as bottling irrespective of the fact whether the container is in fact a bottle, a can or another recptacle.
  • packing has been used to make it unmistakably clear that the invention is applicable irrespective of the type of container, that is that it is applicable to bottles, cans and other vessels. This term, therefore, is equivalent to the expression bottling in the broadest sense thereof.
  • Carbonated beverages such as malt beverages and the so-called soft drinks
  • Carbonated beverages are produced and packed into receptacles in exceedingly large quantities.
  • a considerable time usually elapses between the packing of the beverages into their receptacles and the opening of the receptacles for consumption purposes. Therefore, if air becomes enclosed in the receptacle when the same is sealed after filling, the presence of such air in the receptacle containing the beverage over these relatively long periods of time results in a deleterious influence on the quality of the beverage by oxidation.
  • one feature of the invention resides in a method of packing carbonated beverages into containers which, briefly stated, comprises introducing into a container through an inlet opening thereof a quantity of carbonated beverage requisite for filling most but not all of the volume of said container, so that an unfilled space remains between the level of the beverage and the inlet opening.
  • the radiation particularly suitable for this purpose consists of electromagnetic radiation within the range of the infra-red electromagnetic freqeuncy spectrum of an intensity requisite for causing foaming of the beverage to the extent that the developing foam will fill the space and thereby expell residual air from the same.
  • the inlet opening is immediatley fluid-tightly sealed to prevent the escape of liquid from the interior of the container and to prevent the entry of air thereinto.
  • the electromagnetic waves are supplied in form of a beam composed of waves predominantly within the range of infrared radiation.
  • the present invention brings about the additional advantage that the radiant energy employed has a sterilizing effect so that treatment in accordance with the present invention not only produces the primary intended result-namely expulsion of residual air from the package or container before the same is closed but also assures sterility of the container and its contents.
  • Excess foaming or over foaming can be reliably controlled in accordance with the present invention by varying the energy of the electromagnetic waves, the duration for which the contents of a container are exposed to the waves, and the radiation intensity.
  • any excessive foaming whether it had occurred unintended and spontaneously or as a result of the operation of whatever prior-art method was being employedwas always further increased by the respective prior-art methods and could not be controlled in any way.
  • this control is very simple in that, as the thickness of the layer of foam above the upper surface of the beverage exceeds a. predetermined value-determined by the radiation intensity-the radiation can no longer penetrate to the upper surface of the beverage and stimulate the development of further carbon dioxide bubbles. Instead, it then acts within the foam layer breaking down the bubbles in the region of the upper surface thereof and causing them to burst, whereby the excessive foaming is simply and reliably controlled.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side-elevation illustrating an arrangement employing the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectioned partly diagrammatic detail view, on an enlarged scale, showing an arrangement according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portion of a container in which the development of foam has been stimulated.
  • reference numeral 1 identifies generally and diagrammatically a drive in an apparatus for filling carbonated beverages into containers such as cans or bottles. No representation is made that such apparatus per se is novel, and the invention can be used with many existing bottling machines.
  • Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 identifies a relay or similar control device.
  • Reference numeral 3 is a conveyor belt on which containers-here identified as bottles 4, and 6-are advanced in the direction of the arrow first to a filling station which is shown diagrammatically, then to a device according to the present invention which is identified with reference numeral 7 and subsequently to a closing station which is also shown diagrammatically.
  • Reference numeral 4 in FIG. 1 identifies a bottle which is filled with a beverage and in whose residual interior space the development of foam has been stimulated to expel residual air; this bottle 4 is ready to be closed by means of the closure device 41: which is applied at the closing station.
  • Reference numeral 5 identifies a similar bottle containing beverage and being in process of having the development of foam stimulated by the device 7.
  • Reference numeral 6 identifies two bottles which 4 have received beverage at the filling station and are ready to advance to the device 7.
  • the device 7 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. It is a radiation generating device comprising a cover 8 which surrounds and contains within it a radiation source 9 having a filament 11 which, when electrically energized produces electromagnetic waves or rays.
  • Reference numeral 10 identifies a parabolic cavity reflector
  • reference numeral 14 identifies an additional parabolic reflector
  • reference numeral 15 identifies yet a further parabolic cavity reflector having an opening 16 with which the open necks of the bottles 4, 5, 6 are serially brought into registry as these bottles advance on the conveyor 3.
  • the rays 12 emitted thereby impinge upon the concave side of the parabolic reflector 10 and are reflected in form of a beam 13 consisting of parallel rays which are directed against the inner side of the opposite parabolic reflector 15.
  • This reflects the rays of the beam 13 inwardly to the parabolic reflector 14 from where they pass as a coherent beam 18 of rays or electromagnetic waves through the opening 16 to impinge upon beverage 19 contained in whatever container-the bottle 5 in FIG. 2-is in registry with the opening 16.
  • This ray 18 stimulates the formation of carbon dioxide bubbles in the region of the upper level of the beverage 19 so that foaming occurs above this upper level and a foam plug 20 develops which fills the neck 4a of the bottle 4 shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 3 and corresponding to the bottle 4 of FIG. 1.
  • the relay 2 cooperates with the various other components of the bottling machine to energize and de-energize the device 7 in dependence upon whatever requirements are made, for instance to energize it when a container is in registry with the opening 16 and subsequently to de-energize it until the next container has moved into such registry.
  • Such control functions as other components concerned with refrigeration of the beverage supply, dispensation of the beverage into the respective containers, protection of the operators against contact with the beam 18, and the like, are well known to those skilled in the art and are not discussed in detail because they do not form a part of the present invention.
  • devices for controlling the duration and intensity of the radiation are not discussed in detail but are to be understood as diagrammatically represented by the device 2 of FIG. 1.
  • the electromagnetic radiation of the beam 18 is primarily in the frequency field of infrared radiation which produces in the region of the upper surface of the carbonated beveage 19 suflicient heat to liberate the cabon dioxide content ained in the beverage 19 so that the same forms gas bubbles and the development of a foam plug 20 will result.
  • This plug 20 fills the neck of the bottle or the space above the upper liquid level in whatever container has been used, and expels residual air from this space.
  • the container now has the appearance illustrated in FIG. 3 and is immediately thereafter closed at the closing station so that the beer contains no more oxygen than that which is dissolved in the beer. This quantity is small enough not to affect the desired stability of the beverage.
  • the beam 18 instead of continuing to stimulate the development of carbon dioxide bubbles in the region of the surface of the beverage 19, the beam 18 now bursts and breaks down the gas bubbles in the upper region of the foam .plug 20, with the thus liberated liquid running back down into the container.
  • the overfoaming thus ceases and the foaming becomes normal as desired. This is a very important consideration because it is known that overfoaming at times may be so abundant that the entire contents or a large portion of the contents of a container is transformed into foam and lost.
  • the beam 18 does not aspirate air into the respective containers and therefore does not contribute to contamination of the interior of the containers. It does, instead, have a sterilizing effect on the contents of the container and thus serves to preserve or increase the sterility of the contents.
  • a beer having a alcohol content of 2.8% by weight was filled into bottles under such conditions that no foam was produced in the respective bottle.
  • the beer was thereupon submitted to radiation from a beam of infrared waves, emanating from a source of radiation such as that described herein and identified with reference numeral 7 in the drawing.
  • the beam entered through the open neck of the respective bottles in vertically downward direction. Immediate formation of carbon dioxide foam resulted and this foam filled the entire free space in the neck of the respective bottle to the upper open end thereof. Overfoaming did not occur at any time.
  • infrared radiation is not the only electromagnetic energy suitable for carrying out the invention. Instead, the same results can be obtained and with beams 18 of shorter time duration-with other types of electromagnetic radiation of higher energy, for instance with microwaves. However, it is recognized that the use of microwaves would increase the operating expenses involved.
  • a method of packing carbonated beverages into containers comprising the steps of introducing into a container through an inlet opening thereof a quantity of carbonated beverage requisite for filling most but not all the volume of said container, so that an unfilled space remains between the level of said beverage and said inlet opening; directing into said beverage through said inlet opening electromagnetic waves within the range of infrared radiation requisite for causing foaming of said beverage and form a foam layer of predetermined maximum thickness within said space, so as to expel the residual air from the same, the intensity of said electromagnetic waves being adjusted so that said electromagnetic waves penetrate only said foam layer of predetermined maximum thickness so as to continue foaming of the beverage beneath said foam only until the same reaches said predetermined maximum thickness, said electromagnetic waves also collapsing the gas bubbles within said foam layer when the same exceeds said predetermined maximum thickness, whereby excess foaming is prevented and immediately thereafter, fluid-tightly sealing said inlet opening at a closing station.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
US886106A 1968-12-20 1969-12-18 Method for packing carbonated beverages into containers using electromagnetic energy Expired - Lifetime US3674513A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE17558/68A SE320901B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1968-12-20 1968-12-20

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US3674513A true US3674513A (en) 1972-07-04

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US886106A Expired - Lifetime US3674513A (en) 1968-12-20 1969-12-18 Method for packing carbonated beverages into containers using electromagnetic energy

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US (1) US3674513A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS492305B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE743426A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA927338A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH508045A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1961876A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK123929B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2026689A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1261139A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6919116A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE320901B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD513180S1 (en) 2004-07-16 2005-12-27 Inventive Technologies, Inc. Bottle pourer
US20060011629A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Lindsey H M Beverage pourer with magnetic enhancement
US20060013926A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Lindsey H M Magnetic dispensing funnel
US20060172041A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Farrell Patrick L Magnetic aerator
CN102616715A (zh) * 2012-04-07 2012-08-01 浙江炜驰轻工机械有限公司 一种灌装与封罐一体机的单层式灌装桶
US20140137521A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-05-22 Thomas Niehr Method and linear installation for filling containers with a filling material

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52151705U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-05-14 1977-11-17
GB1588624A (en) * 1976-09-20 1981-04-29 Guinness Son & Co Ltd A Preparation of beverages containing gas in solution
GB8430014D0 (en) * 1984-11-28 1985-01-09 Bass Plc Beer &c
EP0841300A1 (en) 1996-10-10 1998-05-13 Olaf Dipl.-Ing. Babel A process and a device for headspace foaming of containers filled with carbonated beverages

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD513180S1 (en) 2004-07-16 2005-12-27 Inventive Technologies, Inc. Bottle pourer
US20060011629A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Lindsey H M Beverage pourer with magnetic enhancement
US20060013926A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Lindsey H M Magnetic dispensing funnel
US7300580B2 (en) 2004-07-16 2007-11-27 Inventive Technologies, Inc. Beverage pourer with magnetic enhancement
US20060172041A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Farrell Patrick L Magnetic aerator
US20140137521A1 (en) * 2011-07-05 2014-05-22 Thomas Niehr Method and linear installation for filling containers with a filling material
CN102616715A (zh) * 2012-04-07 2012-08-01 浙江炜驰轻工机械有限公司 一种灌装与封罐一体机的单层式灌装桶

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Publication number Publication date
SE320901B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-02-16
CH508045A (de) 1971-05-31
DE1961876A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-10-29
FR2026689A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-09-18
NL6919116A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-06-23
JPS492305B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-01-19
CA927338A (en) 1973-05-29
GB1261139A (en) 1972-01-19
DK123929B (da) 1972-08-21
BE743426A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1970-05-28

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