US3861116A - Apparatus for determining the oxygen content of filled packaging containers - Google Patents
Apparatus for determining the oxygen content of filled packaging containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3861116A US3861116A US378070A US37807073A US3861116A US 3861116 A US3861116 A US 3861116A US 378070 A US378070 A US 378070A US 37807073 A US37807073 A US 37807073A US 3861116 A US3861116 A US 3861116A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- packages
- suction tube
- packaging machine
- cover
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/2226—Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/2202—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state involving separation of sample components during sampling
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/24—Suction devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/2202—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state involving separation of sample components during sampling
- G01N2001/222—Other features
- G01N2001/2223—Other features aerosol sampling devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/2226—Sampling from a closed space, e.g. food package, head space
- G01N2001/2229—Headspace sampling, i.e. vapour over liquid
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N2033/0078—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00 testing material properties on manufactured objects
- G01N2033/0081—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00 testing material properties on manufactured objects containers; packages; bottles
Definitions
- ABSTRACT A packaging machine having a plurality of work stations including a protective gas confining cover between certain stations.
- the machine includes an apparatus for determining the oxygen content of a packaging container filled and sealed within the protective gas environment and comprises a gas analyzer means having an indicating instrument connected to a suction tube through a controllable valve.
- the inlet end of the suction tube is structured and positioned to draw gas from the vicinity of the unsealed openings of the filled containers as they are moved by a conveying means through the protective gas atmosphere.
- the invention relates generally to automatic packaging machines and, more particularly, to machines of this type having means for controlling and determining the oxygen content of filled packaging containers.
- the gas sample is taken by means of a probe which is adapted to be inserted for a short time into the opening of the containers.
- the probe must. be of a large cross section to permit an adequate sample to be drawn off in the short time available.
- the large cross section probe has the disadvantage that when it is inserted into the container, gas will be expelled therefrom. Then, when the probe is withdrawn from the container, atmosphere with normally a higher proportion of oxygen will be drawn into the container. Thus, the proportion of oxygen in the gas enclosed in the container after the test may be substantially higher than indicated by the gas analyzer.
- a primary aspect of the present invention resides in providing an automatic packaging machine having a plurality of work stations for filling packages and substantially predetermining the gaseous content of the packages.
- the machine includes a conveyor system for moving the packages along the work stations and a gas carrying cover such as a conduit or hood which extends over a certain path of travel of the packages between the work stations; this cover is constructed and arranged to receive and distribute an inert or protective gas.
- a gas analyzer system is provided which includes an indicator instrument for determining the gaseous content of the packages and a stationary suction tube extends into the cover and connects to the instrument and is effective to draw gas from the proximity of the path of travel of the unsealed openings of the packages.
- a more specific aspect of the present invention resides in providing an apparatus or machine or the type described in the preceding paragraph in which the suction tube is directly or indirectly arranged with an umbrella-like gas-deflecting member for enveloping the unsealed ends, or openings, of the packages.
- the gas analyzer system includes a control valve and gas pump arranged within the conduit system extending between the indicating instrument and the suction tube.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a packaging machine showing the general arrangement ofthe work stations
- FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an apparatus for determining the oxygen content in a packaging containe in accordance with the invention.
- a work station 10 is arranged at one end of a packaging machine'9.
- the work station 10 has a plurality of forming mandrels 11 around which baglike packaging containers 6 are formed from gas-tight foil drawn from a storage roll 12.
- the containers 6 are erected and inserted on a conveyor 5 by a transfer device 13.
- the conveyor 5 transfers the containers 6 to a gas-flushing station 14 where the air in the container 6 is at least partly replaced with an inert gas before the container 6 moves on to a filling station 1.
- the filling station 1 has a gas inlet 15 through which the flushing gas is introduced into a filler-material 16 during the filling operation.
- the flushing gas is directed in such a manner that it flows counter to the direction of the filler material 16 and purges the air therefrom.
- the conveyor 5 is provided with a cover 2 extending from the vicinity of the filling station 1 approximately to an evacuating station 4 having at least one chamber located at the opposite end of the packaging machine 9 from the bag forming station 10. As the containers 6 are moving on the conveyor 5 to the evacuating station 4, an opening 17 and a head-space 18 of the container 6 are covered and substantially confined by the cover 2.
- the cover 2 is comprised of a protective-gas distributing duct 19 in the upper portion thereof.
- the lower surface of the duct 19 is a gas-permeable plate 20 arranged just above the filling opening 17 of the container 6.
- the plate 20 contains finely spaced apertures 21 which permit gas to flow from the duct 19 into the head-space 18 of the containers 6. Sufficient flow of the protective gas prevents entry of ambientair, and oxygen, into the containers 6.
- the gas is substantially confined by a skirt depending from the duct 19 and telescoped over the containers 6.
- the portion of the conveyor 5, between the flushing station 14 for empty containers and the filling station 1, may also be covered by a cover 2a.
- the gas-permeable plate may be replaced by a close meshed wire fabric, sintered ceramic plate, or the like.
- the conveyor 5 transfers the containers 6 to a weight-checking station 22 and then to an ejecting station 23 arranged along the conveyor 5.
- the ejecting station 23 removes incorrectly filled containers 6. Since ambient air may enter the head-space 18 of the containers 6 when the supply of protective gas confined by the cover 2 is low, or when the container 6 breathes during the weight-checking operation, a protective-gas flushing station 3, arranged after the ejecting station 23, flushes more protective gas into the container 6.
- the container 6 may be transferred, if necessary, by the conveyor 5 to a preclosing station 32 of a conventional type.
- the container 6 is pre-closed to such an extent that only evacuating openings are left which are relatively easy to close while still allowing access to the gaseous contents.
- the flow of ambient air into the container 6 is inhibited because of the small evacuating openings.
- the container 6 is moved from the pre-closing station 32 by the conveyor 5 to a device 7 which transfers the container 6 from the conveyor 5 to the evacuation station 4, after which the container or bag 6 is completely sealed and then transferred by device 8 back to the conveyor 5. The container 6 is then moved to an exit location of the packaging machine 9.
- the present invention provides that along the cover 2 there are arranged one or more suction tubes 26 for withdrawing gas samples from the path of the containers 6 in the vicinity of their openings.
- Thesampling apparatus of the present invention includes an indicating instrument 30 connected to a pump 24 which draws gas for analysis through a valve 25 and the suction tube 26 from the protective atmosphere contained in the cover 2.
- the suction tube 26 is arranged in such a manner that a lower opening 27 is positioned in close proximity to an opening 17 in the container 6.
- a lower opening 27 is positioned in close proximity to an opening 17 in the container 6.
- more than one opening 27 may be provided and an umbrella-like, gasdeflecting member 28 may be arranged around the opening 27.
- the purpose of the member 28 is to draw gas for analysis both from within and around the opening 17 of the container 6. The analysis thus obtained provides a very accurate prediction of the composition of the atmosphere which will be sealed within the container 6. This can be demonstrated by sampling the contained gas with a very thin pointed tube as discussed earlier.
- the conveying means 5 may be provided with gripping means such as tongs 29 movable relative to each other.
- the tongs 29 are adapted to grip the necks of the bags and they may be moved apart while the gas is being drawn off so that the necks of the bags become restricted of almost flattened. The flow of surrounding gas into the bag would thus be inhibited.
- the valve 25, located-between the suction tube 26 and the indicating instrument 30, is controllable to prevent gas from being withdrawn when there is no container 6 under the opening 27. This prevents unnecessary errors in the analysis.
- conveyor means for moving said packages along the work stations
- cover means over the path of said packages between the work stations, said cover means being constructed and arranged to receive and distribute an inert or protective gas;
- gas analyzer means including an indicating instrument for determining the gaseous content of said packages
- a controllable valve connected between said suction tube and said indicating instrument
- a gas-deflecting member arranged on said suction tube proximate to the terminal end thereof for enveloping the unsealed ends, or openings, of said packages;
- said tube being effective to draw gas from within and around the unsealed openings of said packages.
- a packaging machine according to claim 1, and gripping means arranged proximate to said suction tube to flatten the unsealed opening of said containers while the gas is drawn off by the suction tube.
- a packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein said cover includes a gas supply channel or conduit and a gas distributing duct, the latter having a plurality of apertures; said suction tube extending through said supply channel and terminating adjacent to said apertured distributing duct.
- a packaging machine according to claim I wherein said gas-deflecting member is substantially concentrically disposed with respect to the terminal end or opening of said suction tube.
- a packaging machine wherein said gas deflecting member includes an umbrella-like portion positioned proximate to said terminalend.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE2234914A DE2234914A1 (de) | 1972-07-15 | 1972-07-15 | Verpackungsmaschine mit vorrichtung zum ermitteln des sauerstoffgehalts der in gefuellten verpackungsbehaeltern befindlichen atmosphaere |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3861116A true US3861116A (en) | 1975-01-21 |
Family
ID=5850772
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US378070A Expired - Lifetime US3861116A (en) | 1972-07-15 | 1973-07-11 | Apparatus for determining the oxygen content of filled packaging containers |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3861116A (de) |
CH (1) | CH555766A (de) |
DE (1) | DE2234914A1 (de) |
FR (1) | FR2192944A1 (de) |
SE (1) | SE394407B (de) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4016705A (en) * | 1974-11-01 | 1977-04-12 | Fmc Corporation | Method and apparatus for purging air from containers |
WO1984003145A1 (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1984-08-16 | Rheinische Braunkohlenw Ag | Device for taking gas samples for a container |
US5617705A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 1997-04-08 | Sanfilippo; James J. | System and method for sealing containers |
US5816024A (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1998-10-06 | Jescorp, Inc. | Apparatus and method for exposing product to a controlled environment |
US5911249A (en) * | 1997-03-13 | 1999-06-15 | Jescorp, Inc. | Gassing rail apparatus and method |
US5961000A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1999-10-05 | Sanfilippo; James J. | System and method for filling and sealing containers in controlled environments |
US6032438A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 2000-03-07 | Sanfilippo; James J. | Apparatus and method for replacing environment within containers with a controlled environment |
US6202388B1 (en) | 1998-11-06 | 2001-03-20 | Jescorp, Inc. | Controlled environment sealing apparatus and method |
US20040084087A1 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-05-06 | Sanfilippo John E. | Apparatus and method for controlling and distributing gas flow |
US20060022068A1 (en) * | 2004-08-02 | 2006-02-02 | Soria F J | Compact gassing lance |
US20060213153A1 (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-28 | Sanfilippo James J | Device and system for modified atmosphere packaging |
US10414530B2 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2019-09-17 | SN Maschinenbau GmbH | Method for the two stage filling of flexible pouches |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102018216138A1 (de) | 2018-09-21 | 2020-03-26 | Krones Ag | Getränkeverarbeitungsanlage und -verfahren zum Abfüllen eines Getränks in Behälter |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2311707A (en) * | 1938-08-16 | 1943-02-23 | Crown Cork & Seal Co | Apparatus for sealing containers |
US3157011A (en) * | 1961-07-20 | 1964-11-17 | Electronic Assistance Corp | Air elimination method and apparatus |
US3266292A (en) * | 1964-06-08 | 1966-08-16 | Nat Distillers Chem Corp | Method for detecting volatile organic contaminants in reusable containers |
US3449958A (en) * | 1966-04-25 | 1969-06-17 | Nat Distillers Chem Corp | Control atmosphere for gas sampling apparatus |
US3619975A (en) * | 1970-05-25 | 1971-11-16 | Riegel Paper Corp | Machine for packaging product in a controlled atmosphere |
-
1972
- 1972-07-15 DE DE2234914A patent/DE2234914A1/de active Pending
-
1973
- 1973-07-06 SE SE7309557A patent/SE394407B/xx unknown
- 1973-07-10 CH CH1007373A patent/CH555766A/de not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1973-07-11 US US378070A patent/US3861116A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1973-07-13 FR FR7325722A patent/FR2192944A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2311707A (en) * | 1938-08-16 | 1943-02-23 | Crown Cork & Seal Co | Apparatus for sealing containers |
US3157011A (en) * | 1961-07-20 | 1964-11-17 | Electronic Assistance Corp | Air elimination method and apparatus |
US3266292A (en) * | 1964-06-08 | 1966-08-16 | Nat Distillers Chem Corp | Method for detecting volatile organic contaminants in reusable containers |
US3449958A (en) * | 1966-04-25 | 1969-06-17 | Nat Distillers Chem Corp | Control atmosphere for gas sampling apparatus |
US3619975A (en) * | 1970-05-25 | 1971-11-16 | Riegel Paper Corp | Machine for packaging product in a controlled atmosphere |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4016705A (en) * | 1974-11-01 | 1977-04-12 | Fmc Corporation | Method and apparatus for purging air from containers |
WO1984003145A1 (en) * | 1983-02-07 | 1984-08-16 | Rheinische Braunkohlenw Ag | Device for taking gas samples for a container |
EP0116338A1 (de) * | 1983-02-07 | 1984-08-22 | Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG. | Vorrichtung zur Entnahme von Gasproben an einem Behälter |
US5916110A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 1999-06-29 | Sanfilippo; James J. | System and method for sealing containers |
US5617705A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 1997-04-08 | Sanfilippo; James J. | System and method for sealing containers |
US6032438A (en) * | 1993-09-16 | 2000-03-07 | Sanfilippo; James J. | Apparatus and method for replacing environment within containers with a controlled environment |
US5816024A (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1998-10-06 | Jescorp, Inc. | Apparatus and method for exposing product to a controlled environment |
US5961000A (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 1999-10-05 | Sanfilippo; James J. | System and method for filling and sealing containers in controlled environments |
US5911249A (en) * | 1997-03-13 | 1999-06-15 | Jescorp, Inc. | Gassing rail apparatus and method |
US6202388B1 (en) | 1998-11-06 | 2001-03-20 | Jescorp, Inc. | Controlled environment sealing apparatus and method |
US20040084087A1 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2004-05-06 | Sanfilippo John E. | Apparatus and method for controlling and distributing gas flow |
US20060102736A1 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2006-05-18 | Sanfilippo John E | Apparatus and method for controlling and distributing gas flow |
US20060022068A1 (en) * | 2004-08-02 | 2006-02-02 | Soria F J | Compact gassing lance |
US7198206B2 (en) | 2004-08-02 | 2007-04-03 | Clear Lam, Inc. | Compact gassing lance |
US20060213153A1 (en) * | 2005-03-03 | 2006-09-28 | Sanfilippo James J | Device and system for modified atmosphere packaging |
US10414530B2 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2019-09-17 | SN Maschinenbau GmbH | Method for the two stage filling of flexible pouches |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CH555766A (de) | 1974-11-15 |
DE2234914A1 (de) | 1974-01-24 |
SE394407B (sv) | 1977-06-27 |
FR2192944A1 (de) | 1974-02-15 |
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