Apparatus and method for filling and closing a container in two stages
OwnerMatthew J. Searle, Michael E. Goarinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member (12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after opening.
Claims65
A method of closing a filled container, the method comprising the steps of:
- temporarily closing the filled container by holding a first closure member in position to close the container opening;
- cleaning the exterior of the container whilst it is temporarily closed, and
- applying a second closure member to said container opening to seal the filled container.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second closure member is secured to said container to maintain the opening thereof sealed.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior of the container is cleaned by spraying a fluid at the exterior.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior of the container is cleaned by brushing the exterior.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising the step of performing further treatments on the exterior of the container whilst it is temporarily closed.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container has been filled with a foodstuff.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container has been filled with carbonated beverage.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising the step of applying nitrogen into the container by way of its opening before said first closure member is held thereon.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said container opening is an unrestricted mouth opening.
18 A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said unrestricted mouth opening has a diameter which exceeds 30 millimeters, and preferably exceeds 45 millimeters.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second closure member is seamed, bonded, clipped, push fitted and/or screwed onto said container to seal the filled container.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein first interengaging means are provided on said second closure member, and second interengaging means are provided on said container, said first and second interengaging means being engaged when the second closure member is applied to the container, and wherein said first closure member is held in position during cleaning such that the second interengaging means are accessible and thereby subject to the cleaning.
Apparatus for closing a filled container, the apparatus comprising:
- means for cleaning the exterior of a container,
- means for temporarily closing the opening of a filled container whilst the container is cleaned by said cleaning means, and
- closure means for sealing the container opening of the filled and cleaned container.
A method of closing a filled container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Apparatus for closing a filled container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A closed and filled container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.