Head-space calibrated liquified gas dispensing system
AssigneeAmerican National Can Company
InventorRichard D. Zenger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for introducing liquified gas into filled containers in a continuous container fill line (10), wherein, the dosage of liquified gas dispensed into each container is calibrated to the individual container's particular head-space volume. The system (10) includes measuring the head-space volume of each filled container in-line and communicating that measurement to a controller (28) which can adjust the dosage of liquified gas to be dispensed to each individual container. The system also provides for measuring the internal pressure of each container after sealing, which measurement is also communicated to the controller so that the controller can make additional dosage corrections and can direct the ejectment of improperly pressurized containers.
Claims7
A method for introducing liquified gas into filled containers in a continuous container filler line, comprising:
- measuring the head-space volume of each container after filling;
- communicating the head-space measurement of each container to a responsive means for controlling the output of a liquified gas dispenser;
- adjusting the output of a liquified gas dispenser relative to the measured head-space volume so that each container receives a dosage of liquified gas relative to its measured head-space volume and so that each individual filled container will produce a selected desirable internal pressure after the container is sealed;
- dispensing the liquified gas into the container after dispenser output is adjusted;
- and
- sealing the container.
An apparatus for adjusting the dosage of liquified gas introduced into a filled container wherein the dosage for each container is calibrated to the particular head-space volume of that container, in a continuous container filler line having an empty container in-feed conveyor, a container fill station, a container sealing station and a discharge conveyor, said apparatus comprising:
- dispensing means for dispensing a liquified gas to a filled container;
- control means for controlling an output of said dispensing means;
- head-space sensing means for sensing the volume of head-space of a filled container;
- said control means being responsive to said head-space sensing means so that each container receives a dosage of liquified gas which is calibrated to the particular head-space volume of the container to achieve a proper pressurization of each container when sealed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.