Method for reducing headspace gas
First Claim
1. A method for filling a container and providing a longer shelf life for a commodity packaged in said container wherein said container has a finish with an opening at one end for attaching a closure, a generally tubular body adjacent to said finish, and a base adjacent to said body that closes off an end of said body opposite said end of said body adjacent to said finish, wherein said closure has a member protruding into said opening and one of threaded and snap-on attachment means which engages said finish, said method comprising the steps of:
- preparing the container for filling;
filling the container with the commodity to a surface level;
allowing a headspace above said surface level;
attaching the closure wherein the member displaces from the container a portion of gases in said headspace, allowing said portion of gases to escape through a clearance formed by the member and an inside surface of the finish, thereby minimizing said headspace; and
storing the container filled with the commodity.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and closure and container combination for packaging and sealing a commodity in a container that reduces headspace gases, in particular oxygen, allowing the packaged commodity to have a longer shelf life. The method is also useful for reducing stresses on containers that undergo filling at an elevated temperature and/or require in-container pasteurization or retort processes after fill and seal.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method for filling a container and providing a longer shelf life for a commodity packaged in said container wherein said container has a finish with an opening at one end for attaching a closure, a generally tubular body adjacent to said finish, and a base adjacent to said body that closes off an end of said body opposite said end of said body adjacent to said finish, wherein said closure has a member protruding into said opening and one of threaded and snap-on attachment means which engages said finish, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing the container for filling;
filling the container with the commodity to a surface level;
allowing a headspace above said surface level;
attaching the closure wherein the member displaces from the container a portion of gases in said headspace, allowing said portion of gases to escape through a clearance formed by the member and an inside surface of the finish, thereby minimizing said headspace; and
storing the container filled with the commodity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for filling a container with a commodity that reduces structural stresses of said container resulting from changes in gas pressure within said container wherein said container has a finish with an opening at one end for attaching a closure, a generally tubular body adjacent to said finish, a base adjacent to said body that closes off an end of said body opposite said end of said body adjacent to said finish, and made substantially of a polyester material, wherein said closure has a member protruding into said opening, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing the container for filling;
filling the container with the commodity at an elevated temperature to a surface level;
allowing a headspace above said surface level;
attaching the closure wherein the member displaces from the container at least 25% of gases in said headspace, allowing said gases to escape through a clearance formed by the member and an inside surface of the finish, thereby minimizing said headspace;
cooling the container filled with the commodity to substantially room temperature; and
storing the container filled with the commodity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for filling a container with a commodity that reduces structural stresses of said container resulting from changes in gas pressure within said container wherein said container has a finish with an opening at one end for attaching a closure, a generally tubular body adjacent to said finish, a base adjacent to said body that closes off an end of said body opposite said end of said body adjacent to said finish, and made substantially of a polyester material, wherein said closure has a member protruding into said opening, said method comprising the steps of;
-
preparing the container for filling;
filling the container with the commodity to a surface level;
allowing a headspace above said surface level;
attaching the closure wherein the member displaces from the container at least 25% of gases in said headspace, allowing said gases to escape through a clearance formed by the member and an inside surface of the finish, thereby minimizing said headspace;
heat-treating the container filled with the commodity with one of a pasteurization process and retort process;
cooling the container filled with the commodity to substantially room temperature; and
storing the container filled with the commodity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for filling a polyester container with a commodity wherein said container has a wide-mouth finish with a wide-mouth opening at one end for attaching a closure, a generally tubular body adjacent to said wide-mouth finish, and a base adjacent to said body that closes off an end of said body opposite said end of said body adjacent to said wide-mouth finish, wherein said closure has a member protruding into said opening, said method comprising the steps of:
-
preparing the container for filling;
filling the container with the commodity at an elevated temperature to a surface level;
allowing a headspace above said surface level;
attaching the closure wherein the member displaces from the container at least 25% of gases in said headspace, allowing said gases to escape through a clearance formed by the member and an inside surface of the finish, thereby minimizing said headspace; and
cooling the container filled with the commodity to substantially room temperature such that the container is generally free of noticeable distortion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
Specification