Method for controlled container headspace adjustment
OwnerDavid Murray Melroseinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sealing and pressure dosing apparatus, and container filling method, including a capping machine (102) which receives containers (1). Closures (80) are applied to the containers (1) immediately following the raising of pressure within the containers (1) by a pressure dosing system in a pressure sealing chamber (84). Preferably a cooling system is integrated with the capping machine.
Claims16
A method of filling a container with a fluid including introducing the fluid through an open end of the container so that the fluid, at least substantially, fills the container, heating the fluid before or after its introduction into the container, applying a seal or cap to said container, moving the container to within a pressure sealing chamber, wherein the container has a headspace below the seal or cap, enclosing the seal or cap of the container within the sealing chamber, wherein the container has a first headspace pressure below the seal or cap when enclosed within the sealing chamber, providing a pressure within the pressure sealing chamber that is greater than the first headspace pressure, providing an opening or aperture in said seal or cap, providing an additional amount of fluid, liquid and/or gas through the opening or aperture to raise the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure, wherein the additional fluid, liquid or gas is heated or a steam, sealing the opening or aperture under the raised second headspace pressure, so as to compensate for a pressure reduction in the headspace of the container under the seal or cap following a cooling of the heated fluid contents.
A method of filling a container with a fluid including introducing the fluid through an open end of the container so that the fluid, at least substantially, fills the container, moving the container into a pressure sealing chamber wherein the container has a headspace above the fluid contents, enclosing the open end of the container within the sealing chamber, wherein the container has a first headspace pressure above the fluid when enclosed within the sealing chamber, providing an increased pressure within the pressure sealing chamber and passing at least one additional fluid, liquid and/or gas through the open end under pressure to raise the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure within the container, wherein the at least one additional fluid, liquid and/or gas is heated or steam injected through the open end, providing a seal or cap and sealing the open end under the increased second headspace pressure conditions, and removing the container from the pressure sealing chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.