WO2011062512A1 - Pressure sealing method for headspace modification - Google Patents
Pressure sealing method for headspace modification Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011062512A1 WO2011062512A1 PCT/NZ2010/000231 NZ2010000231W WO2011062512A1 WO 2011062512 A1 WO2011062512 A1 WO 2011062512A1 NZ 2010000231 W NZ2010000231 W NZ 2010000231W WO 2011062512 A1 WO2011062512 A1 WO 2011062512A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- container
- pressure
- headspace
- liquid
- cap
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/006—Adding fluids for preventing deformation of filled and closed containers or wrappers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/0088—Palletisable loads, i.e. loads intended to be transported by means of a fork-lift truck
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D79/00—Kinds or details of packages, not otherwise provided for
- B65D79/005—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting
- B65D79/008—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars
- B65D79/0084—Packages having deformable parts for indicating or neutralizing internal pressure-variations by other means than venting the deformable part being located in a rigid or semi-rigid container, e.g. in bottles or jars in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
- B65D81/20—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65D81/2046—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under superatmospheric pressure
- B65D81/2053—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure, or in a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas under superatmospheric pressure in an least partially rigid container
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
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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
- B67C2003/226—Additional process steps or apparatuses related to filling with hot liquids, e.g. after-treatment
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to a method of light-weighting containers by modifying the pressure in the headspace and a container utilising that method.
- the pressure modification may be undertaken either during the sealing of the container, or after sealing the container.
- This headspace modification may be achieved by filling a container with a liquid, sealing the contents of the container from contamination from outside air, and adjusting the pressure of the headspace either during the capping process or after the container has been capped or sealed.
- the headspace modification process increases the volume of content within the container, thereby increasing the internal pressure within the container. This action in turn may displace the liquid below the headspace in the upper neck region of the container downwardly prior to or after capping of the container, providing for increased top-load capability for the container.
- This invention may further relate to hot-filled and pasteurized products packaged in heat-set polyester containers.
- lighter weight containers for noncarbonated products can collapse when stackedunless special handling requirements are satisfied.
- One typical method used to increase stacked weight capability, or top-load strength, in cold fill containers is to dose the container with liquid nitrogen prior to capping. When dosed into a container, liquid nitrogen will provide some internal pressure, which allows the containers to be stacked several pallets high. Gaseous nitrogen is one utility used in the food and beverage industry to expel oxygen from products and increase shelf life.
- Nitrogen consumption can be reduced by as much as 80% using a liquid nitrogen dosing system instead of gaseous nitrogen tunnels, but as the capping or sealing of the container occurs at ambient pressure at the precise time of sealing, in both systems, the resulting pressure value is compromised. At the instantaneous moment of sealing, the pressure value can only be equal to ambient pressure. Following capping there is a subsequent rise in internal pressure as the nitrogen continues to expand but cannot escape the sealed container. However, as the nitrogen is dosed prior to sealing there is a loss of some of the nitrogen dose prior to sealing, the amount of which varies according to many factors. This leaves the process inexact in terms of identifying the dose actually in the container after sealing. It is accepted that this will always be a value less than the dose introduced to the open container prior to sealing.
- liquid nitrogen has a boiling point of -320°F (-196°C) at atmospheric pressure.
- Handling liquid nitrogen when pressurizing or inerting food and beverage containers on a production line poses challenges.
- a production facility must have a storage vessel, liquid nitrogen piping and an injection device capable of metering small amounts of liquid nitrogen accurately and consistently.
- insulated equipment is a necessity because liquid nitrogen will boil away rapidly when exposed to room temperatures.
- nitrogen does provide for a build-up of internal pressure within a container following capping. This is more practical in the case of beverages filled into the container cold, than when used in conjunction with hot fill beverages. In both cases it is possible that all dosed nitrogen disperses prior to sealing the container, for example if there is a stoppage on the line post dosing and prior to capping. However, in a cold filled application the result would be a container that at least is capped at ambient pressure and will remain at ambient pressure. While the benefit of increased top load and sidewall strength would be lost, the result is not particularly damaging as the container would still look attractive to the consumer when purchased.
- Plastic bottles need to be pressurized at all line speeds, and if control over the exact pressure achieved inside a container is compromised then the speed of the system will also be compromised in order to correctly pressurise each container.
- a liquid nitrogen dosing device will need some startup time from a room temperature condition - because all internal surfaces must be cooled down to liquid nitrogen temperatures. As with any liquid nitrogen equipment, operating procedures must be adhered to because the danger of contaminating the equipment with moisture does exist. Moisture is the biggest enemy of the cold surfaces of liquid nitrogen equipment. It takes only a small amount to freeze up the equipment internally. Equipment adjustments such as nozzle changes for different container sizes and maintenance must be able to be completed without moisture contamination or long downtimes. Each production facility has different specifications for liquid nitrogen delivery. Some applications require that the liquid nitrogen be delivered aseptically. In such a case, the dosing unit also must be capable of being sterilized.
- Consistent pressurizing or inerting results are important to the entire operation.
- a water bottle with too little pressure could collapse when stacked or not labelled properly.
- a bottle with too much pressure possibly could burst when stored in the trunk of a car due to temperature effects.
- I nerted products could oxidize or spoil if the liquid nitrogen dose was too small; too large a dose on an inerted product could cause an over-pressurized container to jam the production line.
- Nitrogen injection can be accomplished by dosing individual containers or with a steady stream of liquid nitrogen. Either method can yield consistent results.
- Liquid nitrogen will boil away rapidly once it is introduced into a container. Therefore, it is important to control the liquid nitrogen efficiently before dosing.
- ) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle with a 1 fl oz (30 ml) headspace and pressure specification of 17 psig will need approximately 0.001411 oz (0.04 g) of liquid nitrogen.
- the dose of liquid nitrogen will boil away and expand to 1.163 fl oz (34.4 ml) of room temperature nitrogen gas after the container is sealed. Add 1.163 fl oz of gas to a sealed volume of 1 fl oz, and you end up with 17 psig.
- the challenge for the liquid nitrogen dosing equipment manufacturer is to control the boiling liquid and deliver the 0.001411 oz consistently at speeds from 40 bottles/min to more than 1 ,000 bottles/ min.
- the dosing equipment can control the liquid nitrogen up to the dosing point, but it cannot control the liquid nitrogen's behavior once it has been dosed into, the container.
- the liquid nitrogen will boil away rapidly as the container travels to the capper or seamer, so travel time should be minimized for accurate results.
- the transfer from dosing to capping also should be smooth to prevent the boiling liquid from bouncing out of the container.
- container headspace varies because the fill levels are wildly different, the final bottle pressures also will be wildly different. For example, suppose the bottle previously mentioned had an 18 fl oz fill with a 1 fl oz headspace, and the next bottle on the production line had a fill of 18.3 fl oz (610 ml) with a 0.6 fl oz (20 ml) headspace. Both bottles receive a 0.001411 oz charge of liquid nitrogen.
- liquid nitrogen dosing is consistent; however, in accordance with basic gas laws, the final bottle pressure on the 18 fl oz fill is 17 psig and the bottle with a 18.3 fl oz fill has 25.5 psig final pressure.
- final bottle pressure accuracy in addition to the dosing equipment accuracy. They include container volume consistency and good sealing closures. All factors must be addressed for good results.
- Piping is another area where processors try to save money.
- Most manufacturers can make a relatively inexpensive foam-insulated pipe.
- Acquisition and installation costs are higher for a vacuum-jacketed system, but the reduced loss rate due to superior insulation makes operating costs lower than with a foam-insulated system:
- An inexpensive foam insulated liquid nitrogen injection device is not a bargain if downtime due to a frozen dosing device occurs.
- Some dosing devices require a thaw out period of up to 24 hr after use. Startup and shutdown times also are important factors to consider when calculating liquid nitrogen injection system operating costs. When considering liquid nitrogen dosing on a production line, it is necessary to look at many factors. Initial cost is only a small part of the puzzle. Most production plants considering using liquid nitrogen need the proper information and training to be successful and should consult a liquid nitrogen dosing equipment manufacturer before making a final decision. The amount of liquified gas added to a container and the head-space volume above the product filled into the container are critical elements in determining the resulting internal pressure of a container upon expansion of the liquified gas. Also, the temperature of hot filled products affects the internal pressure after cooling, according to Boyles law.
- the dosage of liquified gas dispensed into a container is based on an average expected fill level of the containers in a continuous fill operation. Using this method, any variation in head-space volume due to variations in fill level would cause under and over pressurized containers.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,154 discloses the art of providing a closed loop control circuit between a liquid nitrogen dispenser and a pressure detector. The average internal pressure of recently sealed containers is monitored to adjust the dosage of liquid nitrogen added to containers being presently dosed. Containers not meeting the preset pressure range may be rejected.
- Container pressure is measured after a container has already received a dosage and is sealed. This after-the-fact detection can result in high spoilage rates when there are sudden variations in product fill level. These sudden variations will not be detected until after the containers are sealed. Even more spoilage may result as the detection and correction of improper dosages is slow due to the averaging process. Containers must continue to be incorrectly dosed until the average values detect fluctuation.
- So called 'hot fill' containers are well known in prior art, whereby manufacturers supply PET containers for various liquids which are filled into the containers and the liquid product is at an elevated temperature, typically at or around 85 degrees C (185 degrees F). , ' ⁇ .
- the container is manufactured to withstand the thermal shock of holding a heated liquid, resulting in a 'heat-set' plastic container. This thermal shock is a result of either introducing the liquid hot at filling, or heating the liquid after it is introduced into the container.
- the present invention relates to hot-fill containers and may be used by way of example in conjunction with the hot fill containers described in international applications published under numbers WO 02/18213 and WO 2004/028910 (PCT specifications) which specifications are also incorporated herein in their entirety where appropriate.
- the container exits the filling line just above a typical ambient temperature, and the panel is inverted to achieve an ambient pressure within the container, as opposed to negative pressure as found in prior art.
- the container is labelled and often refrigerated at point of sale.
- containers are generally filled to a level just below the container's highest level, at the top of the neck finish.
- Maintaining as small a container headspace as possible is desirable in order to provide a tolerance for subtle differences in product density or container capacity, to minimize waste from spillage and overflow of liquids on a high-speed package filling line, and to reduce container contraction from cooling contents after hot fill.
- Headspace contains gases that in time can damage some products or place extra demands on container structural integrity. Examples include products sensitive to oxygen and products filled and sealed at elevated temperatures. Filling and sealing a rigid container at elevated temperatures can create significant vacuum forces when excessive headspace gas is also present. Accordingly, less headspace gas is desirable with containers filled at elevated temperatures, to reduce vacuum forces acting on the container that could compromise structural integrity, induce container stresses, or significantly distort container shape. This is also true during pasteurization and retort processes, which involve filling the container first, sealing, and then subjecting the package to elevated temperatures for a sustained period.
- the heat-setting process generally involves relieving stresses created in the container during its manufacture and to improve crystalline structure.
- a polyethylene terephthalate container intended for a cold-fill carbonated beverage has higher internal stresses and less crystalline molecular structure than a container intended for a hot-fill, pasteurized, or retort product application.
- the neck finish of the container is still required to be very thick in order to withstand the temperature of fill.
- a further and alternative object of the present invention in all its embodiments, all the objects to be read disjunctively, is to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
- the pressure sealing method of the present invention may provide for the seal of a container to be finally closed within an increased pressure environment rather than at ambient pressure. In this way an exact pressure can be achieved within the container at the moment of sealing, ensuring consistency of headspace pressure in every container. This prevents any variability caused by inconsistent timing of bottle presentation to a capper, inconsistent fill levels within a container, inconsistent container sizes and so forth.
- the present invention may improve upon dosing techniques for expanding gases such as nitrogen, by ensuring the seal is finalised only when the correct dose is applied inside the container.
- the present invention may also provide for the use of non-expanding gases to be used, such as air, filtered air, steam or other inert gas.
- non-expanding gases such as air, filtered air, steam or other inert gas.
- the present invention may also provide for fluid or liquid to be introduced under pressure into the headspace of a container as opposed to expanding or non-expanding gas.
- the liquid may be either, heated and contractible or heatable and non-contractable.
- the present invention may be suitable for cold filled and aseptic filling lines as a way of controlling nitrogen dosing into containers for increased top load to ensure consistent dose application.
- the present invention may be suitable for cold filled and aseptic filling lines as a way of increasing top load in containers but avoiding the use of nitrogen by instead increasing the pressure within containers through the introduction of some other medium, for example filtered air or water, which may be sterile and/or heated and/or cold.
- the present invention may provide for the pressure to be increased within the container immediately prior to and during capping.
- the present invention may provide for the pressure re-sealing of a container that has been initially sealed in a conventional, ambient pressure manner.
- the present invention may provide for pressurisation of the container to provide compensation for any cooling of heated contents within the container, either before or after the contents have cooled.
- the pressure sealing method of the present invention may provide for on-line gaseous or liquid dosage calibration in a conventional container filling line. The amount of pressure within the headspace may be controlled precisely at the time of sealing and may be readily adjusted to deliver consistent dosage to each container which corresponds to the container's individually measured head-space volume.
- the system may generally include an empty container in-feed station, a continuous container conveying system, a container product fill station, a container head-space dosing station, an optional liquified gas dispensing station, an optional gas dispensing station, an optional liquid dispensing station, a container sealing station, a container internal pressure sensing station, a discharge conveyor and a reject apparatus.
- One preferred embodiment of the present invention may provide for the container sealing station to incorporate the optional gas, liquefied gas, liquid and container internal pressure sensing stations.
- the system may provide for the on-line control of the head-space volume of each container after it has been filled with product and following the addition of liquid or gas.
- the head-space volume measurement may be precisely controlled at the time of sealing so that the dosage of liquid or gas delivered to each container may correspond directly to its individually measured head-space, and generally does not alter once immediately sealed, except for variations caused by temperature changes within the contained liquid.
- containers With dosages being exactly correlated to the individually measured requirements of each container, very uniform pressure ranges may be obtained opposed to dosages based on expected fill levels or after-the-fact average measurements. Therefore, containers can be down gauged as they will not be required to accommodate a wide pressure range. Furthermore, the system may achieve lower spoilage rates due to improperly pressurized containers because the system immediately self adjusts for fill variations as containers receive a dosage of liquid or gas.
- a particular advantage of the present method and system may be the greater and more precise control allows for much lower pressure dosing for hot fill containers.
- a minimum pressure value can only be assured by over pressurisation on average, such that the lowest dose achieved will meet specifications.
- This has resulted in generally high pressures achieved during the early stages of hot fill, when the container is hot and malleable.
- the container is stressed significantly in most occasions, necessitating the need for example for petaloid bases and container designs more suitable to carbonated or pressure vessels. This reduces significantly the design options available for containers, and requires additional weight in the container surrounding the base in order to achieve reasonable results.
- a container for use in hot or cold filling operations having a seal or cap adapted to provide a temporary opening or aperture into said container, said opening or aperture providing for the introduction under pressure of one or more liquids and/or gases, said seal or cap providing with a neck of said container, in use, a container headspace having a pressure, substantially at the moment of sealing, greater than existed prior to introduction of said one or more liquids and/or gases.
- an expandable container having a seal or cap that is applied to the container under an increased pressure environment such that the container headspace has a positive pressure value substantially at the exact moment of sealing to provide for increased pressure inside the container.
- a container having a seal or cap that is applied to the container under an increased pressure environment such that the container headspace has a positive pressure value substantially at the exact moment of sealing to provide for increased pressure inside the container to negate the effects of a subsequent cooling of a liquid that is heated either before or after filling into the container.
- a container having a seal or cap that is finally closed on a container under a controlled environment such that the container headspace has a controlled pressure value substantially at the exact moment of sealing to provide for increased pressure inside the container to negate the effects of a cooling of a liquid that is heated either before or after filling into the container.
- a capping unit that seals the open end of a container from the outside environment and applies pressure to the inside of the container prior to and during application of a cap or seal such that the container headspace has a positive pressure value substantially at the exact moment of sealing to provide for increased pressure inside the container.
- a capping unit that seals the open end of a container from the outside environment and applies pressure to the inside of the container prior to and during application of a cap or seal such that the container headspace has a positive pressure value substantially at the exact moment of sealing to provide for increased pressure inside the container to negate the effects of a subsequent cooling of a liquid that is heated either before or after filling into the container.
- a container having a seal or cap having a temporary opening or aperture into said container said aperture providing for the introduction under pressure of a gas, or liquid or both, said aperture also being sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of internal pressure within the container prior to cooling of the heated contents.
- a container having a seal or cap temporarily applied such that an opening or aperture into said container is provided by an incomplete seal being formed between the cap and the neck finish of the container said aperture providing for the introduction under pressure of a gas, or liquid or both, said aperture also being sealable under torque compression to provide a controlled raising of internal pressure within the container prior to cooling of the heated contents.
- a container having a seal or cap providing a temporary seal immediately post-filling and an aperture or opening being accessible under sterile conditions to provide for the introduction of a heated or sterile gas, or liquid or both, said aperture or opening also further being sealable under sterile conditions to provide a controlled raising of internal pressure within the container following cooling of the heated contents.
- a method of filling a container with a liquid includes introducing the liquid through an open end of the container, providing a seal or cap having, or adapted to have, an opening or aperture, providing at least one gas and/or liquid through the opening or aperture and sealing the opening or aperture to increase the pressure in a headspace of the container.
- a method of filling a container with a fluid includes introducing the fluid through an open end of the container so that it ,at least substantially, fills the container, heating the fluid before or after its introduction into the container, providing a seal or cap having an opening or aperture, said opening or aperture being initially sealed, providing for the heated contents to cool, providing a method of subsequently accessing the opening or aperture under controlled conditions and injecting gas and/or liquid through the opening or aperture and sealing the opening or aperture under controlled conditions, so as to compensate for the pressure reduction in the headspace of the container following the cooling of the heated contents.
- a container having an upper portion with an opening into said container, said upper portion having a neck finish adapted to include, subsequent to the introduction of a heated or heatable liquid into the container, a moveable seal, said seal being inwardly compressible or mechanically moveable while the liquid is in a heated state, or prior to heating, so as to increase the pressure of the headspace.
- a method of filling a container with a fluid includes introducing the fluid through an open end of the container so that it ,at least substantially, fills the container .heating the fluid before or after its introduction into the container, providing a _ moveable seal for the open end to cover and contain the fluid, said seal being capable of mechanical compression of the headspace of the container so as to compensate for subsequent pressure reduction in a headspace of the container under the seal as the heated contents are cooled.
- a method of sealing a container with a gas or liquid includes capping the container with the entire capping station being pressurised.
- Figures'! a-b show a container according to one embodiment of a Prior Art invention with a mechanically compressible cap applied to seal the beverage;
- Figures2a-b shows a container according to a further embodiment of a Prior Art invention with a mechanically compressible cap applied to seal the beverage;
- Figures 3a-b show part cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the compressed cap of Figures 1 and 2;
- Figures 4a-b show a container according to a one embodiment of the invention with an enlarged view of a cap including a sealable aperture;
- Figure 5a-c show enlarged views of one possible embodiment of the cap of Figures
- Figure 6a-c show one embodiment of enclosing the cap of Figures 5 with a pressure application device
- Figures 7a-c show one embodiment of a cap-sealing device suitable for use in the pressure application device of Figures 6;
- Figures 8a-c show the embodiment of cap-sealing device of Figures 7closing the cap while under compression
- Figures 9a-c show withdrawal of the cap-sealing device of Figures 8 following sealing and subsequent decompression of the compression chamber;
- Figures 10a-c show the container cap of Figures 9 following release from the compression chamber (container not shown fully);
- Figure 11a-c show enlarged views of a further embodiment of the cap of Figures 4a- b;
- Figures 12a-c show one embodiment of a cap-sealing device suitable for use in the sterilising application device of Figures 11 ;
- Figures 13a-c show one embodiment of cap-sealing device of Figures 12piercing the cap while under sterilisation
- Figures 14a-c show withdrawal of the piercing and delivery device of Figures 13 following sterilisation and subsequent pressure equalisation of the headspace;
- Figures 15a-c show the resealing of the container cap of Figures 14 prior to container release from the sterilisation chamber (container not shown fully);
- Figures 16a-c show additional views of the cap of Figures 12,13,14,15 according to one possible method of headspace modification
- Figures 17a-c show a further possible embodiment of this invention.
- Figures 18 shows a further possible embodiment of the invention using a sealing chamber
- Figure 19a-b show a possible embodiment of the invention in the form of a capping machine
- Figure 20a-b & Figures 21a-b show a further possible embodiment of the invention using a pressure chamber
- Figure 22a-c & Figures 23a-c show diagrammatically a possible method of the present invention
- Figures 24 to 27 show diagrammatically a further possible embodiment of the invention in the form of a capping machine
- FIGS. 30a-b show further embodiments of the invention using a sealing chamber
- Figure 31 shows diagrammatically a possible capping
- containers have typically been provided with a series of vacuum panels around their sidewalls and an optimized base portion.
- the vacuum panels deform inwardly, and the base deforms upwardly, under the influence of the vacuum forces. This prevents unwanted distortion elsewhere in the container.
- the container is still subjected to internal vacuum force.
- the panels and base merely provide a suitably resistant structure against that force. The more resistant the structure the more vacuum force will be present. Additionally, end users can feel the vacuum panels when holding the containers.
- the containers will be filled with a hot liquid and then capped before being subjected to a cold-water spray resulting in the formation of a vacuum within the container that the container structure needs to be able to cope with.
- the present invention relates in one embodiment to hot-fill containers and a method that provides for the substantial removal or substantial negation of vacuum pressure. This allows much greater design freedom and light weighting opportunity as there is no longer any requirement for the structure to be resistant to vacuum forces that would otherwise mechanically distort the container.
- FIG. 3 a-b shows a further embodiment of Prior Art invention.
- the cap 9 may be controllably displaced downwardly by any suitable mechanical or electrical or other means, or manually.
- the method of the present invention allows many variables in mechanical compression to be accounted for, but for larger containers where significant downward displacement would be required it is envisaged that only some of the compressive force would be obtained from a compressive cap and, more significantly, the remainder would be obtained by the methods discussed in the following disclosure.
- FIG. 4a and b an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown with a cap 80 engaged with the container neck 2.
- Figures onward from 4a all refer to upper portions of containers as similarly shown in Figure 4a.
- a cap following the introduction of a liquid, which may be already heated or suitable for subsequent heating, a cap may be applied including a small opening or aperture 81.
- a headspace 23a is contained under the main cap body 80 and above the fluid level 40 in the container.
- the headspace 23a is communicating with the outside air at this stage and is therefore at ambient pressure and allowing for the fluid level 40.
- a sealing chamber 84 is applied over the neck finish and cap combination to seal the liquid from the outside air (the upper, closed end of the structure 84 is not shown).
- a compressive force 50 for example by way of injecting air or some other gas
- the increased pressure within the sealing chamber provides for a subsequent increase in pressure within the headspace 23b and also forces the fluid level 40 to a lower point due to the subsequent expansion of the plastic container.
- a heated liquid could be injected, for example heated water. This would provide further advantage, in that the liquid injected would not be subject to the expansion that would normally occur when injecting gas into a heated environment. Thus less force would be ultimately applied to the sidewalls of the container during the early hot-fill stages.
- the headspace 23b is charged under a controlled pressure, dependant on the amount of gas delivered, and the sealing chamber may provide for withdrawal of the delivery device 83 following a release of pressure within the chamber as the container is ejected and returned to the filling line.
- the headspace 23b expands as the liquid volume shrinks.
- the fluid level 40 lowers to a new position 41 and the pressurised headspace 23b expands and loses some or all of its pressure as it forms a new headspace 23c.
- the p(ug 92 may be temporarily attached to the cap, for example by member 91 , during production of the cap.
- a liquid, as in the example illustrated, or gas, could be injected in the same manner under pressure to circumnavigate the plug and enter the container headspace under pressure, and a rod mechanism 93is then forced downwardly to advance the plug 92 into the hole permanently.
- the cap 80 has a plug 92 temporarily attached by a member (not shown).
- a sealing chamber 84 encloses the cap and provides an internal sealed chamber headspace 87 through the compression of sealing rings 89 against the upper surface of the cap. Gas or liquid, or a combination of both, is injected into the chamber headspace 87 through an inlet 86 and through the spaces around the plug into the headspace of the container. Once the required pressure within the container is obtained, the push rod 88 is advanced downwardly to force the plug 92 into position within the cap and therefore seal the container headspace under the required pressure. This provides for a calculated internal pressure to be achieved precisely at the time of sealing the container, when the plug is advanced into final position. This provides for forward compensation of the effects of subsequent vacuum generated by a cooling of any heated contents within the container.
- the present invention may be manufactured to function along very similar lines to a typical capping station on a filling line.
- a typical capping machine head unit 101 encapsulates the sealing unit 84 and provides the function of sealing and pressurising the container through the cap to seal the container.
- a typical capping unit may have optionally already torqued the cap into position, but the container would remain unsealed due to the presence of a plug being in an 'unplugged' position within the cap and allowing the passage of liquid or gas between the inside and outside of the container.
- a headspace modification unit 102 may receive capped containers 1 , and subsequently pressurise the container immediately prior to sealing the container with a cap sealing plug.
- the headspace modification unit 102 could also perform the usual function of a typical capping machine.
- the unit could receive empty containers, apply caps containing the plugs and subsequently torque the caps into position as well as pressurise the container prior to ultimately sealing the container through advancing the plug or some other sealing method.
- the cap 80 may incorporate a rubber, or other suitable material, plug 182 within the cap. This would provide the advantage of having an initially leakproof seal to the container prior to pressurising the headspace. In this way, the container could be charged with pressure from a liquid or gas either prior to the cooling of the contents, for example immediately after filling and capping by way of overpressure, or the procedure could occur after the contents have been cooled and there is a vacuum within the container.
- the cap and sealing plug 182 could be sterilized by very heated water 66 after the liquid contents have cooled . This would sterilize the upper surface of the cap and a heated liquid could then be injected to compensate for vacuum pressure.
- the sterilizing heated liquid could be removed as the container is ejected from the pressure chamber.
- the rubber seal 182 would have closed off and sealed the container to prevent any communication between the headspace under the cap and outside air present as the chamber is opened.
- FIG. 21 a- f A further alternative for a suitable plug mechanism within a cap 80 is illustrated in Figures 21 a- f.
- a ball-valve type closure 882 could be utilized to provide a hole through which headspace modification may occur within the pressure chamber unit as previously described. Once the headspace has been pressurized, a rotating push rod 883 can close the ball valve while the headspace is maintained under exact pressure as illustrated in Figures 21 d-f.
- Figures 22a-c shows a typical example method of headspace modification using the method of the present invention.
- An empty container (not shown below the neck finish) is filled or even Overfilled' to the brim of the neck finish, and a cap is applied that has an opening through which headspace modification can be achieved, for example a ball closure device.
- the capped neck finish at least, is contained within a pressure chamber (not shown) and the container is placed under a calculated pressure. This increase in pressure may be by injection of a gas as in the illustrated example, or by overinjection of further liquid. During this process the container will increase in size to a degree allowing the fluid level to drop (if gas is being injected) and the ball- valve closure may then be closed to maintain the increased pressure within the container.
- a normal cap could be applied by a capping unit but not forcibly torqued into position.
- the neck finish can then be enclosed within the chamber 84 and the liquid or gas forced into the container through the gap between the cap and the thread mechanisms of the neck finish, as shown by passage of liquid 86.
- the cap as shown in Figure 17b, can then be torqued into position by advancing the torque rod 85 within the chamber 84 while holding the container headspace at pressure.
- the method may be achieved using standard caps rather than modified caps.
- Figure 17c illustrates removal of the torque rod 85, correctly torqued cap 80, immediately prior to ejecting the container head from the chamber 84.
- the present invention offers multiple choices in carrying out a headspace modification procedure by way of modifying a typical capping machine. Such a piece of machinery could easily be employed to also provide the function of capping the container in addition to modifying the headspace during the procedure.
- Figure 24 shows how a container could be contained within a typical sealing chamber 84 from immediately below the neck support ring 33 of the container.
- Figure 25 illustrates how the whole container could be contained within a sealing chamber 84.
- the container will not be stressed from the increased pressure until after ejection from the sealing chamber.
- Figure 26 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. It is envisaged that the sealing chamber 84 could comprise optionally a lower end sealing skirt 884.
- a sealing ring of soft material may be inflated under pressure of water or gas through an inlet 883 to form a close contact with the container shoulder. Gas or liquid may then be charged into the pressure chamber headspace 87 through inlet 86 to modify the container headspace prior to final sealing.
- Figure 27 shows how the sealing chamber of Figure 26 could be incorporated into a typical capping unit station with rotary head applicators. This would allow for a modified capping unit to apply a cap in the normal manner, but to modify the headspace prior to application of torque to seal the cap on the container.
- the complete or substantial removal of vacuum pressure by displacing the headspace prior to the liquid contraction now results in being able to remove a substantial amount of weight from the sidewalls due to the removal of mechanically distorting forces.
- a cap following the introduction of a liquid, which may be already heated or suitable for subsequent heating, a cap may be applied including a small opening or aperture 81 which is temporarily covered by a communicating seal 91.
- a headspace 23d is contained under the main cap body 80 and above the fluid level 40 in the container.
- the headspace 23d is not communicating with the outside air at this stage and is therefore at typical container pressure during the stages of cooling down on the filling line.
- a sealing chamber 84 is applied over the neck finish and cap combination to seal the communicating seal 91 from the outside air (the upper, closed end of the structure 84 is not shown).
- the sterilising medium Following the introduction of a sterilising medium 66, for example by way of injecting heated water, preferably above 95 degrees C, or a mixture of heated water and steam, the sterilising medium provides for the sterilisation of the internal surfaces of the sealing chamber (84) and the communicating seal 91.
- a plug mechanism 82 is placed downwardly from a delivery device 83 towards the aperture 81.
- the plug mechanism pierces the communicating seal 91 and is withdrawn again temporarily as shown in Figures 14a-c, providing for communication between the sterilized volume within the sealing chamber above the cap (80) and the headspace (23e) below the cap.
- the sterilising medium for example heated water at 95c
- the sterilising medium is immediately drawn into the container through the open hole 81 due to the communicating seal being pierced.
- This causes equalization of pressure or removal of vacuum pressure within the container, such that the level of the headspace 23f rises higher.
- the liquid would in fact be injected into the container under a small pressure supplied from the sealing chamber 84 such that the pressure within the container would in fact be a positive pressure and the headspace would in fact be very small.
- the integrity of the product volume within the container is not compromised as the environment above the cap has been sterilised prior to communicating with the headspace, and the additional liquid supplied into the container replaces the volume 'lost' due to shrinkage of heated liquid within the container prior to the method of headspace replacement described.
- the delivery device 83 is advanced again such that the plug 82 will be injected into the hole to close it off permanently.
- the headspace 23f is under a controlled pressure dependent on the volume of liquid having been delivered to compensate for previous liquid contraction, as described above.
- the sealing chamber may now provide for withdrawal of the delivery device 83 which may now be done following a release of sterilising medium and/or pressure within the chamber as the container is ejected and returned to the filling line. It will be appreciated that many variations of sealing chamber may be utilised, for example the sealing chamber may only seal directly to the top surface of the cap, rather than enclosing the entire cap.
- the original headspace level 40 experienced following cooling of heated contents within a closed container provides for a vacuum to be present within the first headspace 23d.
- the headspace level changes and perhaps rises 41 depending on the pressure contained within the headspace and the pressure within the headspace 23f is now preferably virtually at ambient pressure or preferably slightly positive such that the sidewalls of the container are supported by the slight internal pressure.
- an alternative embodiment of the present invention also incorporates a compressible cap wherein the compression occurs after filling and prior to the cooling of the contents.
- the chamber 9 may be sterilized by the contents once it is advanced into the container.
- the compressible cap may be contained within a compression chamber as previously described, particularly for large size containers.
- Containers of the 600ml size for example will require displacement to the order of 20-30cc of liquid, but containers of the 2000ml range of size wi
- the compression chamber could provide an injection of a certain amount of gas or liquid, and a compressible cap could provide the rest of the compression required. In this way a minimum of gas is also injected into the container.
- a compressible cap could be utilised.
- the present invention provides for the hot liquid within the container to sterilize the underside of the internally presented surface of the inner chamber 9 as it has been compressed into the hot liquid contents.
- the net effect may be a temporary raised level of pressure during product cooling and substantially no pressure once product cooling has finished, or perhaps even advantageously a small amount of positive pressure.
- FIG. 29a-d another similar embodiment of the present invention provides for a mechanical cap that has a mechanically controllable "out” and “in” position.
- the compressive cap 8 is applied to the container 1 immediately post filling with a hot beverage.
- the sealing surface 10 of the compressible inner chamber 9 is displaced higher than in the previous example shown in Figures 24 a-d.
- the cap structure may be either a 2-piece construction, or a single unit whereby the compressible inner chamber 9 engages with an internal thread on the neck finish 99 and causes compression of the headspace as the cap is applied and secured to the container 1. Again, for larger size containers this provides the ability to keep gas or liquid injection to a minimum while utilising the displacement of the hot liquid contents to provide the increase in container pressure as the container is sealed.
- the disclosed system generally includes an empty container in-feed station prior to the filling station. This may be through preblown containers being fed into the Filling Enclosure, or may be through online blowmolding production as illustrated. In the case of online blowmolding the preforms are fed into an integrated blowmolder that also has its own housing that may be continuously shielded alongside and joining the Filling and Capping Enclosures,
- the system may also contain a continuous container conveying system, a container product fill station, a container head-space dosing station, an optional liquified gas dispensing station, an optional gas dispensing station, an optional liquid dispensing station, a container sealing station, a container internal pressure sensing station, a discharge conveyor and a reject apparatus.
- the conveying system, fill station and container sealing station, or capping station may all be integrally contained within an enclosure or integrated enclosures such that the inside environment may be pressurised. This results in the headspace within each container being pressurised to the desired level as the capper seals the container. Effectively the ambient pressure within the enclosure is artificially elevated while the containeris sealed and the internal pressure of the container rises immediately upon ejection of the filled and capped containers as they are presented to a lower ambient pressure outside of the system enclosures.
- the system provides for the on-line control of the head-space volume of each container as it is filled with product through elevated ambient pressure around the container opening.
- the head- space volume measurement is precisely controlled at the time of sealing so that each container corresponds directly to its individually measured head-space, and generally does not alter once immediately sealed, except for variations caused by temperature changes within the contained liquid and ambient temperature or pressure changes.
- dosages being exactly correlated to the individually measured requirements of each container, very uniform pressure ranges are obtained as opposed to dosages based on expected fill levels or after-the-fact average measurements. Therefore, containers can be down gauged as they will not be required to accommodate a wide pressure range.
- the system achieves lower spoilage rates due to improperly pressurized containers because the system immediately self adjusts for fill variations.
- a particular advantage of the present method and system is the greater and more precise control allows for much lower pressure dosing for hot fill containers.
- a minimum pressure value can only be assured by over pressurisation on average, such that the lowest dose achieved will meet specifications.
- This has resulted in generally high pressures achieved during the early stages of hot fill, when the container is hot and malleable.
- the container is stressed significantly in most occasions, necessitating the need for example for petaloid bases and container designs more suitable to carbonated or pressure vessels. This reduces significantly the design options available for containers, and requires additional weight in the container surrounding the base in order to achieve reasonable results.
- an alternative embodiment of the present invention also incorporates at least one portion of the sidewall 801 configured to respond to vacuum pressure forces.
- the amount of gas or liquid required to be forcibly injected into the container 1 within the sealing chamber 84 prior to sealing the cap 800 onto the container is reduced.
- a particular object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of stress being applied to the sidewalls to the lowest possible amount to prevent unnecessary volume growth in the container.
- an alternative embodiment of the present invention also incorporates at least one transversely oriented pressure panel 802 in the container 1.
- the transverse panel is located in the base portion of the container, but may equally be incorporated in the sidewall.
- the amount of gas or liquid required to be forcibly injected into the container 1 within the sealing chamber 84 prior to sealing the cap (800) onto the container is also reduced.
- the transverse panel may account for a portion of the required vacuum compensation, for example 40%, when moved into the inverted position as shown in Figure 33c from the initial position as shown in Figure 33a. Inversion of the element 802 may be by way.of mechanical force for example.
- an alternative embodiment of the present invention provides for both sidewall vacuum compensation and transverse panel compensation to be combined with headspace compensation for even less stress to be applied to the container during processing.
- the sidewall compensation elements 801 provide approximately 30% of vacuum compensation
- the transverse panel 802 is able to provide approximately 40% of vacuum compensation
- a charge of gas or liquid into the headspace during sealing would only require approximately 30% of that required in a container not having vacuum compensation elements equivalent to 801 and 802.
- FIG. 35 a-c a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is also provided.
- the element 803 is also configured to expand radially outwardly under internal pressure as illustrated in Figure 35c. It will be appreciated that under internal pressure charge during headspace sealing the vacuum compensation element 803 will reduce the amount of stress within the container by expanding radially outwardly first. If filled with a heated liquid, the contents will subsequently cool inside the container and a pressure reduction will occur.
- the element 803 will return to the as moulded position shown in Figure 35a and will then subsequently be able to provide further vacuum compensation.
- element 803 as shown in Figure 35a is able to provide approximately 30% of the required vacuum, then 70% of the compensation would be required to be introduced during headspace sealing.
- a vacuum compensation element 803 that is able to expand outwardly then the stress induced is reduced during the initial phases by a significant amount.
- a container of the present invention may be provided with sidewall vacuum compensation elements or may be provided with sidewall vacuum compensation elements that are able to expand radially outward under pressure to reduce stresses during headspace modification and sealing procedures.
- These containers may also be provided with transverse pressure panel compensation elements also to further reduce the amount of stress required to be imposed on the container during processing.
- the transverse panel 802 is placed in the base of the container.
- element 803 may be able to provide approximately 30% of the required vacuum compensation and base element 802 may provide approximately 30% of the required vacuum compensation. Therefore, 40% of the compensation required would be injected into the headspace during processing as previously described. As sidewall element 803 is able to expand radially outward then the stress imposed during processing and headspace modification is reduced further. With reference to Figures 37 a-c, even further stress reduction is anticipated in a further embodiment of the present invention.
- base element 804 is configured to expand longitudinally outward to relieve the pressure induced during headspace modification and injection of gas or liquid during sealing. This reduces the stresses imposed upon the container sidewall.
- sidewall element 803 is also configured to expand radially outward under the internal pressure. Therefore substantial ability is provided within the container to reduce the stresses induced as gas or liquid is injected into the container. Upon subsequent cooling of any heated contents inside the container both sidewall element 803 and transverse element 804 are able to be inverted inwardly to assist vacuum pressure compensation.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
RU2012125067/12A RU2575002C2 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-11-17 | Capping under pressure for modification of space above product |
BR112012011997A BR112012011997A2 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-11-17 | pressure sealing method for clearance clearance |
CN2010800595197A CN102686484A (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-11-17 | Pressure sealing method for headspace modification |
US13/510,881 US20120311966A1 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-11-17 | Pressure sealing method for headspace modification |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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NZ58131309 | 2009-11-18 | ||
NZ581313 | 2009-11-18 |
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WO2011062512A1 true WO2011062512A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
WO2011062512A9 WO2011062512A9 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/NZ2010/000231 WO2011062512A1 (en) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-11-17 | Pressure sealing method for headspace modification |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20120311966A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102686484A (en) |
AR (1) | AR079062A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112012011997A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011062512A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
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WO2014005706A1 (en) * | 2012-07-06 | 2014-01-09 | Khs Corpoplast Gmbh | Device and method for closing a filled container |
EP2812172A1 (en) * | 2012-02-10 | 2014-12-17 | Nestec S.A. | A method of blowing, filling and capping containers |
US20170008745A1 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2017-01-12 | David Murray Melrose | Controlled container headspace adjustment and apparatus therefor |
WO2018073341A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-26 | Krones Ag | Method and device for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed |
US10273072B2 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2019-04-30 | Co2 Pac Limited | Container structure for removal of vacuum pressure |
EP3702319A1 (en) * | 2019-02-21 | 2020-09-02 | Krones AG | Device and method for guaranteeing a container interior pressure through multiple pressurization of the headspace |
Families Citing this family (7)
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TWI472459B (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2015-02-11 | Melrose David | Headspace modification method for removal of vaccum pressure and apparatus therefor |
EP2777911B1 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2016-05-11 | Discma AG | Method of manufacturing product filled containers |
US9731870B2 (en) * | 2015-01-22 | 2017-08-15 | Gateway Plastics, Inc. | Retort closure for a container |
US9643746B1 (en) | 2016-09-20 | 2017-05-09 | Paul E. Lunn | System and method of transferring matter through a sealed container |
FR3058396B1 (en) * | 2016-11-04 | 2018-11-09 | Jalca | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRESSURE PACKAGING A CONTAINER TO BE PROCESSED AND PRESSURE CONDITIONING MACHINE THEREFOR |
US10464109B2 (en) * | 2016-11-30 | 2019-11-05 | Nolan Smith | Bottle cap thread rinsing system |
IT202100024728A1 (en) * | 2021-09-28 | 2023-03-28 | La Fonte S R L | PROCEDURE FOR THE TREATMENT OF WATER WITH REVERSE OSMOSIS |
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- 2010-11-17 WO PCT/NZ2010/000231 patent/WO2011062512A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-17 CN CN2010800595197A patent/CN102686484A/en active Pending
- 2010-11-17 BR BR112012011997A patent/BR112012011997A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-11-17 US US13/510,881 patent/US20120311966A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-11-18 AR ARP100104254A patent/AR079062A1/en active IP Right Grant
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US10273072B2 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2019-04-30 | Co2 Pac Limited | Container structure for removal of vacuum pressure |
US11377286B2 (en) | 2002-09-30 | 2022-07-05 | Co2 Pac Limited | Container structure for removal of vacuum pressure |
US20170008745A1 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2017-01-12 | David Murray Melrose | Controlled container headspace adjustment and apparatus therefor |
US10703617B2 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2020-07-07 | David Murray Melrose | Method for controlled container headspace adjustment |
EP2812172A1 (en) * | 2012-02-10 | 2014-12-17 | Nestec S.A. | A method of blowing, filling and capping containers |
EP2812172B1 (en) * | 2012-02-10 | 2022-10-19 | Discma AG | A method of blowing, filling and capping containers |
WO2014005706A1 (en) * | 2012-07-06 | 2014-01-09 | Khs Corpoplast Gmbh | Device and method for closing a filled container |
WO2018073341A1 (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2018-04-26 | Krones Ag | Method and device for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed |
CN110139824A (en) * | 2016-10-19 | 2019-08-16 | 克朗斯股份有限公司 | The method and apparatus for being used to produce beverage container fed with cooling and gas again |
US11225345B2 (en) | 2016-10-19 | 2022-01-18 | Krones Ag | Method and apparatus for producing beverage containers with recooling and gas feed |
EP3702319A1 (en) * | 2019-02-21 | 2020-09-02 | Krones AG | Device and method for guaranteeing a container interior pressure through multiple pressurization of the headspace |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AR079062A1 (en) | 2011-12-21 |
BR112012011997A2 (en) | 2016-05-10 |
WO2011062512A9 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
RU2012125067A (en) | 2013-12-27 |
CN102686484A (en) | 2012-09-19 |
US20120311966A1 (en) | 2012-12-13 |
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