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US 11,124,402 B2Granted
Ambient filling system and method
AssigneePepsiCo, Inc.
InventorEnver Bulunmaz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for filling a beverage container with a carbonated fluid at ambient temperature while minimizing foam formation are provided. The carbonated fluid can maintain a laminar flow through the filling machine.
Claims18
A beverage container filling device for filling a beverage container with a fluid at an ambient temperature, the device comprising:
- a support housing having an upper surface and a lower surface defining an inner fluid chamber for supplying the ambient temperature fluid to be discharged into the container;
- a valve housing mounted to the lower surface for controlling the discharge of the ambient temperature fluid;
- a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the second end at least partially extending through the valve housing;
- an umbellate ring surrounding the vent tube and being positioned adjacent the second end of the vent tube;
- a spring positioned about the first end of the vent tube;
- a fluid sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to the upper surface and operating with the spring to control fluid flow of the ambient temperature fluid into the beverage container, and
- a snift pipe having a diameter of greater than approximately 1.5 mm.
4 more elements
A beverage container filling device for filling a beverage container with a fluid at an ambient temperature, the device comprising:
- a support housing having an upper surface and a lower surface defining an inner fluid chamber for supplying the ambient temperature fluid to be discharged into the container;
- a valve housing mounted to the lower surface for controlling the discharge of the ambient temperature fluid;
- a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the second end at least partially extending through the valve housing;
- an umbellate ring surrounding the vent tube and being positioned adjacent the second end of the vent tube;
- a spring positioned about the first end of the vent tube;
- a fluid sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to the upper surface and operating with the spring to control fluid flow of the ambient temperature fluid into the beverage container;
- and
- an actuation lever mounted within the support housing, wherein the actuation lever is configured to manipulate the fluid sealing mechanism between an open position and a closed position.
5 more elements
A beverage container filling system, comprising:
- a carbonized tank filled with an ambient temperature fluid;
- a beverage container filling device;
- a carousel comprising at least one product supply pipe extending from the carbonized tank to the beverage container filling device;
- and
- a gas supply coupled to the carousel,
- wherein the carousel is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position,
- wherein the gas supply is configured to fill a container with an inert gas when the carousel is rotated to the first position,
- wherein the beverage container filling device is configured to fill the container with the fluid when the carousel is rotated to the second position, and
- wherein the ambient temperature fluid is maintained at an ambient temperature during operation of the beverage container filling device.
6 more elements
A beverage container filling system, comprising:
- a carbonized tank filled with an ambient temperature fluid;
- a beverage container filling device, comprising:
- a support housing having an upper surface and a lower surface defining an inner fluid chamber for supplying the fluid to be discharged into the container;
- a valve housing mounted to the lower surface for controlling the discharge of the fluid;
- a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the second end at least partially extending through the valve housing;
- an umbellate ring surrounding the vent tube and being positioned adjacent the second end of the vent tube;
- a spring positioned about the first end of the vent tube;
- and
- a fluid sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to the upper surface and operating with the spring to control fluid flow into the beverage container;
- a carousel comprising at least one product supply pipe extending from the carbonized tank to the beverage container filling device;
- and
- a gas supply coupled to the carousel,
- wherein the carousel is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position,
- wherein the gas supply is configured to fill a container with an inert gas when the carousel is rotated to the first position,
- wherein the beverage container filling device is configured to fill the container with the ambient temperature fluid when the carousel is rotated to the second position, and
- wherein the ambient temperature fluid is maintained at an ambient temperature during operation of the beverage container filling device.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.