US 5,329,963 A · Method of and apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container

Abstract

A can (1) has a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in communication through a restricted orifice and its exterior maintained at atmospheric pressure. The can (1) is filled with beer through a filling block (24) from a bowl (8). Prior to filling the can (1) is pressurized through the block (24) with nitrogen gas to greater than atmospheric pressure and subsequently evacuated to atmospheric pressure. Such pressurization and evacuation is repeated sequentially to dilute the atmospheric oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers. A gas exchange conduit (40) extends between the bowl headspace (12) and the can (1). Conduit (40) has a gas control valve (55) closeable by movement of lever (60). A beer flow valve (37/46) controls flow of beer (9) from the bowl. During nitrogen pressurization of the can (1) the lever (60) is adjusted to maintain valves (55) and (37/46) closed and insure that high pressure gas in the can (1) cannot flow through conduit (40) into the bowl (8).

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of packaging a beverage in a container having a primary chamber and a relatively smaller secondary chamber which communicates with the primary chamber by way of a restricted orifice which comprises the successive steps of:

(a) subjecting the interior of the container and thereby the primary and secondary chambers to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure by admission thereto of a non-oxidizing gas,
(b) reducing the pressure of gases in the interior of the container to substantially atmospheric pressure to dilute the atmospheric oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers to a predetermined percentage by volume of the gases within the container and which oxygen content is substantially negligible in its effect, if any, on the beverage which is to be sealed in the container,
(c) charging the interior of the container with said beverage and
(d) sealing the container to provide a beverage package;
and which further comprises throughout said steps maintaining the exterior of the container at atmospheric pressure and the interior of the container at not less than atmospheric pressure.

2 more elements

Apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container having in its interior a primary chamber and a relatively smaller secondary chamber which communicates with the primary chamber by way of a restricted orifice;

said apparatus comprising a work station for mounting an open mouth container with the interior and exterior of the container at atmospheric pressure;
a filing head comprising nozzle means through which the container is to be charged with beverage and which head is displaceable relative to the container into sealing engagement with the mouth of the container to communicate with the interior thereof while the exterior of the container is maintained exposed to atmospheric pressure;
gas control means by which a non-oxidizing gas is admitted at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure through said head into the interior of the container;
means controlling gas flow from the interior of the container through said head for reducing the pressure of gases within the primary and secondary chambers of said container from said pressure greater than atmospheric to not less than atmospheric pressure whereby the oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers from its original atmosphere is reduced to a predetermined percentage by volume of the gases within the primary and secondary chambers of the container for said oxygen content to be substantially negligible to its effect, if any, on the beverage which is to be packaged in the container.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of and apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container

Life of this patent

Method of and apparatus for packaging a beverage in a container

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16