FLUID INJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING CONTAINER WALLS

• US 20140260100A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC (Silgan Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Silgan White Cap LLC (Silgan Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taber, James M., Orth, Kevin W., Szczesniak, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 9,428,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/436
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 3/00 Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 31/06 the nozzle being arranged for insertion into, and withdrawal from, the mouth of a filled container and operating in conjunction with means for sealing the container mouth
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 31/08 the nozzle being adapted to pierce the container or wrapper
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 7/2821 applying plugs or threadless stoppers for bottles or jars B67B1/04
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/0421 and combined with integral sealing means contacting other surfaces of a container neck
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/045 Discs B65D41/0457 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed container is provided. The container is filled with a product and is then sealed with a closure. A pressurizing fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.

Claims

1. A fluid injection method for pressurizing a filled and sealed food container comprising:

providing a container having an opening and cavity;

filling the container cavity through the opening with a food product;

sealing the opening with a closure; and

injecting a pressurizing fluid through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.

2. The fluid injection method of claim 1 wherein the pressurizing fluid is a sterile inert gas.

3. The fluid injection method of claim 1 wherein the pressurizing fluid is nitrogen gas.

4. The fluid injection method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a injection nozzle through the closure into the cavity.

5. The fluid injection method of claim 4 wherein the injection nozzle pierces through a top panel of the closure and through a liner located below the top panel, wherein the top panel is formed from a thermoplastic and the liner is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

6. The fluid injection method of claim 5 further comprising withdrawing the injection nozzle from the closure, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer self-seals to hermetically seal the container following withdrawal of the injection nozzle.

7. The fluid injection method of claim 6 wherein the thickness of a central portion of the liner is between 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches.

8. The fluid injection method of claim 6 further comprising inspecting the injection nozzle for defects following withdrawal injection nozzle.

9. The fluid injection method of claim 6 further comprising inspecting the closure and container for defects following withdrawal of the injection nozzle.

10. The fluid injection method of claim 6 further comprising filling in a hole in the top panel of the closure created by the piercing of the injection nozzle through the top panel.

11. The fluid injection method of claim 1 further comprising sterilizing the closure following sealing and prior to injection of the pressurized fluid.

12. The fluid injection method of claim 1 wherein the closure includes a top panel and a one-way valve extending through the top panel, and wherein the pressurized fluid is injected through the one-way valve.

13. A fluid injection method for pressurizing a filled and sealed plastic beverage container comprising:

providing a plastic container having an opening and cavity;

filling the container cavity through the opening with a food product;

providing an injection molded thermoplastic closure including a top panel, a skirt extending downward away from the top panel and thermoplastic elastomer liner coupled to a lower surface of the top panel;

sealing the container opening with the closure, the container having a first internal pressure following sealing of the container with the closure;

inserting a nozzle through the thermoplastic elastomer liner and into the cavity of the plastic container;

injecting a pressurizing fluid through the nozzle into the container cavity after sealing and filling; and

removing the nozzle from the thermoplastic elastomer liner, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer liner self-seals forming a hermetic seal, wherein the container has a second internal pressure after injection of the pressurized fluid and removal of the nozzle, wherein the second internal pressure is greater than the first internal pressure.

14. The fluid injection method of claim 13 wherein the thickness of a central portion of the liner is between 0.020 inches and 0.100 inches.

15. The fluid injection method of claim 13 wherein the pressurizing fluid is nitrogen.

16. The fluid injection method of claim 13 further comprising sterilizing the closure following sealing and prior to injection of the pressurized fluid.

17. A system for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed plastic beverage container, the system comprising:

an injection nozzle;

a pressurized fluid source containing a pressurizing fluid;

a conduit coupling the injection nozzle to the fluid source; and

an actuator coupled to the injection nozzle and configured to move the injection nozzle toward a closure sealing the plastic beverage container;

wherein the injection nozzle is configured to inject the pressurizing fluid through the closure into the plastic beverage container.

18. The system of claim 17 the injection nozzle is a piercing nozzle and the actuator is configured drive the tip of the piercing nozzle through the top panel of the closure.

19. The system of claim 17 the actuator is a mechanically operated machine configured to move the tip of the injection nozzle only between 0.020 inches and 0.120 inches.

20. The system of actuator 17 wherein the pressurizing fluid is a sterile inert gas.