Foaming and fill level control through stretch rod

A method for simultaneously forming and filling a container from a preform with fluid, adjusting a fill point of the fluid, and removing air from within the container, the method comprising:

• positioning a finish of the preform at a nozzle of a forming and filling system;
• extending a stretch rod into the preform such that a first opening defined by the stretch rod is within the preform and a second opening defined by the stretch rod is outside of the preform, a passageway extends from the first opening to the second opening;
• injecting fluid from a fill source into the preform through a nozzle passage defined between the nozzle and a seal pin of the forming and filling system to simultaneously form the container from the preform and fill the container;
• stretching the preform with the stretch rod while injecting fluid into the preform to form the container;
• after the container is formed and filled, actuating the seal pin to close the nozzle passage and prevent fluid and air from exiting the container through the nozzle passage, thereby trapping fluid and air within the container under pressure;
• extracting air out from within the container through the passageway defined within the stretch rod;
• extracting at least one of fluid and foam out from within the container through the passageway defined within the stretch rod to adjust the fill point of the container and create a vacuum in the container;
• and
• retracting the stretch rod out from within the container.

A system for simultaneously forming and filling a container from a preform with fluid, adjusting a fill point of the fluid, and removing air from within the container, the system comprising:

• a nozzle that directs the fluid through an opening of a finish of the container connected to the nozzle;
• a seal pin movable to an open position from a closed position to open a nozzle passage of the nozzle to allow fluid to flow through the nozzle passage and through the opening of the finish to simultaneously form the container from the preform and fill the container;
• a stretch rod seated within, and movable through, a bore defined by the seal pin, the stretch rod defining a first opening, a second opening, and a passageway extending from the first opening to the second opening, the stretch rod is movable to stretch the preform into the container as fluid is injected through the opening of the finish;
• valves in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the stretch rod;
• and
• a control module configured to:
• move the seal pin to the open position to allow fluid to flow through the nozzle passage and through the opening of the finish to simultaneously form the container from the preform and fill the container;
• and
• move the seal pin from the open position to the closed position to close the nozzle passage after the container has been filled with fluid to prevent fluid, air, and foam from flowing out of the container and through the nozzle passage;
• wherein after the nozzle passage is closed, the control module is configured to open the valves to release air pressure out of the container through the passageway defined by the stretch rod.