CA2038380C - Method of filling and sealing a deformable container - Google Patents
Method of filling and sealing a deformable containerInfo
- Publication number
- CA2038380C CA2038380C CA002038380A CA2038380A CA2038380C CA 2038380 C CA2038380 C CA 2038380C CA 002038380 A CA002038380 A CA 002038380A CA 2038380 A CA2038380 A CA 2038380A CA 2038380 C CA2038380 C CA 2038380C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- lid
- stable
- product
- headspace
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 95
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003908 quality control method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004826 seaming Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
- B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65B31/028—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a lid sealed to the upper rim of the container, e.g. tray-like container
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closing Of Containers (AREA)
- Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
Abstract
A method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product, and a container containing the product. The container has a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, in which the container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, in which the container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration. The container bottom is placed in its stable downwardly extended position and the product is charged into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening. The container is then placed in a vacuum environment chamber. A generally flat lid is sealed to the container and the vacuum environment is removed from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure. Hoop stress of the hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid, the lid remaining in its generally flat configuration.
Description
PATENT
.UET~CD OF FILLING AND SEALING
A DFFORMABLE CO~JTAINF:R 2 0 3 ~ 3 8 Q
BACKGF~OUND OF THE ~NVENTION
This invention relates to a method of filling and sealina a container with a product, and more particularly, to a method of producing a package in which the integrity of the seal is preser~ed and voids within the container are virtually eliminated.
Prior methods for filling and sealing a container have provided a substantial "headspace" within the container in order that the seal area of the container is not contaminated ~Jith the product, which will result in incomplete and leaking seals.
This headspace gas hinders exploitation of sterilizable containers, because of the difficulty of accurately controllir.a the pressure within the containers during temperature changes, to ensure the seals are not ruptured or containers otherwise deformed or damaged. If the headspace gas is air, this will cause spoilage of oxygen-sensitive products.
This headspace also has the appearance of a partially filled container, giving a poor value impression to the consumer.
Additionally, the headspace allows movement of product during shipment, resulting in stressing of the lid material (which mav rupture), and also damage to the product.
It is well known to use a diaphragm of stretchable lid material to close a container which is deformed to eliminate headspace. This stretchable lid material, however, typically is not puncture resistant and, hence, requires some secondary protection to maximize quality control of the product.
It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved method of filling and sealing a container with a product, and an associated container.
Preferably, an extended package is provided in which the integrity of the seal of the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated.
Use of a diaphragm or flexible lid in addition to the seal to close a container body preferably is avoided.
Reduction of seal area contamination while increasing value impression also is desirable.
The fill volume of the container preferably should be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area and avoid seal area contamination.
In one aspect, the container may be a retortable container which allows for shorter cooking time.
Objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and from the appended drawings in which like numbers have been used to designate like parts in the several views.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration; placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position; charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber; sealing a generally flat lid to said container; removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
In another aspect there is provided a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein saidcontainer bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended osition;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace air within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to - 3a -20~8380 reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lidremains in its generally flat configuration.
In the invention also provides a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber;
sealing a generally flat lid to said container; and removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
-3b -In another aspect, there is provided a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended osition;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and a rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace gas within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said - 3c -sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as toreturn the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a method of filling and sealing a semi-rigid bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a mechanically bi-stable bottom movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration, and further having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of placing the container bottom formed of a semi-rigid material in said stable downwardly extended position, charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; flushing out the headspace gas with steam; sealing a generally flat lid to the container; allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum within the headspace; returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed container bottom is inverted into said -3d-stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into closecontact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
The invention also provides a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a bottom deformable between stable upward and downward positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom upon an anvil;
charging the container with the unribbed bottom in its stable downward position with a product to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
placing the container below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container along a leading edge of said anvil;
lowering said sealing head such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water -3e-2038380 esulting in a vacuum within the headspace;maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom is inverted to its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product and having a bottom deformable in shape between downward and upward stable positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom in said stable downward position upon an anvil;
charging the container with its unribbed bottom in its downward position with the product having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
-3f -flushing out the headspace gas with steam;sealing said lid to said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum with the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the bottom of the container is inverted into its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
In general, then this invention relates to a method of filling and sealing a package with a product, and more particularly to a method of producing a sterilized package in which the integrity of the seal and the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated.
The container is designed with a base having a deformable or drawable insert and with the correct ratio of wall strength to the radius of curvature so that the bottom is stable in either the up or down position. The whole container is made of a semi-rigid material, and hence, the bottom is not a stretchable diaphragm.
The use of laminations of thermoplastic foil, thin aluminum or steel enables the container to be puncture resistant and provides for considerable resistance to damage in handling and transportation.
- 3g -4050~0-2060 PATENT 2 0 3~ 3 ~ ~
In cperation, the container is filled with the base in i~s downward position so that the charging product ralls belo~ ~he seal surface. Thus, there is sufficient headspace to permit the lid placement without squeezina product onto the seal surface. The edse of a top cut lid is then positioned ad~acent to a rim section of the container. The filled container and lid are then transferred into a vacuum chamber with the sealing surface of the container being supported on an anvil. The gas in the vacuum chamber is then evacuated.
In this position, a sealing head above the container is in a raised position. This process lowers the pressure of the headspace gas within the container to that of the chamber.
When the desired vacuum level is achieved the sealing head is lowered and the lid is sealed to the container. Subsequent thereto, the chamber is brought back to atmospheric pressure such that the base is inverted thereby forcing the product to move upwardly to fill the headspace or voids within the container.
As such, this method to fill and seal a container enables the fill volume to be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area to avoid seal area contamination. In addition, this process eliminates the voids within the container which allow product movement.
20:~8380 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
The following detailed description, given by wav of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the container of this invention.
Fiqure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l with the base of the container in its downward position.
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the base of the container in its intermediate position.
Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 illustrating the base of the container in its upward position.
Figures 5-9 illustrate a preferred method of filling and sealing a deformable container.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a method for steam flushing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREF~RRED EM~ODIMENT
- This invention relates to a method of filling and sealing a package with a product, and more par~icularly, to a method of producing an e~tended life package in which the integrity of the seal and the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated. Referring now to Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a container 10 is provided. The body 10 has a bottom 12 which has a flexible insert 14 substantially deformable in _ 5 _ ahape. Since the hoop stress provides for tension along the cl cumference of the container ~ase, in the preferred embodiment, the container can be ~bi-stable" in that it is stationarv in either the up or down positions of the container. The base includes a deformable hoop webbing 16 between the insert 14 and the side edges 18 of the container.
These riqid side edges 18 support an upper flange 20 which extends outwardly therefrom. The upper flange 20 includes a sealing surface 22 which terminates in a crimped raised rim section 24.
As is best shown in Fig. 2, the ccntainer body is capable of receiving and retaining a top cut lid 26 which is sealed to the container in the grooves 27 formed between the sealing surface 22 and the raised rim section 24. This lid is preferably formed of a puncture-resistant plastic material, but any material, including a nonplastic material, such as reinforced paper, which is substantially puncture-resistant may be utilized. As a force A (see Fig. 2), moves the base 12 upwardly, the outer rim or hoop member 16 of the base is stretched. As is illustrated in Fig. 3, the bending at the edges of the body induces stress to restore the body 10 to its original shape in the intermediate position of the deformable bottom. After a force A is applied to the container bottom, the bottom is inverted forming an inverted U shape (see Fig.
4). This angle ~ is decreased as the hoop stress of the hoop member 16 resists the bending stress around the base.
203~380 A~ a result of this design, the bottom is stable i~
either the up or down position, and as such, the bottom is bi-stable. Since the whole container is made of a semi-rigid material, the bottom is not a stretchable diaphragm. The base 1 is thus held stable in either position by the hoop stress of the outer diameter 16 of the base 12.
In another preferred embodiment of the deformable container of this invention, the container body may have a deformable bottom which is entirely deformable in shape. In this configuration, the base does not include a hoop member, such as 16 (see Fig. 1). The body of this preferred embodiment also includes semi-rigid side members which support an upper flange which extends outwardly from the side surfaces. The upper flange includes a sealing surface which terminates in the rim section. A force A applied to the container base, moves the base upwardly thereby stretching the outer rlm of the base. In the intermediate stage, the side walls of the container are pushed outward as the base is inverted. The bending at the edges induces stress to restore the container to its original shape. When the base is in its final upward position, the hoop stress along the side edges resists this bending stress and holds the base stable in the up position.
In these or other embodiments, the containers may be manufactured with the base either up or down, provided the hoop stress induced in the outer diameter of the base can 203~380 esist the restoring stresses, and can hold the base stable in the position opposite to the manufactured position.
A preferred method for filling and sealing these deformable containers is shown in Figs. 5-9. Referring now to Fig. 5, the sealing surface 22 of the container body 10 is mounted on support arms 28 of an anvil 30. The cavity 32 of container body lO is charged with a product 34 from a filler 36. This product charge is sufficiently fluid or malleable so that it will not tend to assume any specific natural shape, but however, will fill the void volume of the container with a secured lid. In this configuration, the container is filled with the insert 14 of the base 12 in its downwardly position.
After the product has been initially charged into the container, there is still suf~icient headspace, however, to permit lid placement without squeezing the top of the product fill onto the sealing surface (see Fig. 6).
Referring now to Fig. 7, the filled container supported on anvil 30 and lid are then transferred into a vacuum chamber 38. When the container and lid are initially transferred into the vacuum chamber, a sealing head 40 is disposed in the vacuum chamber immediately above anvil 30 in its raised position. In this position, the gas in the vacuum chamber 38 is evacuated through multiple ports 42a, b and c.
Due to the force of the evacuation, an opening 44 is formed between lid 26 and sealing sur~ace 22 of the container body .0, and as ~ result thereof, the pressure of the headspace ~ir within the container is lowered to that of the vacuum chamber.
When the desired vacuum le~el is achieved within the chamber 38, and as such, gas has been exhausted throush ports 42a, b and c, the seal head 40 is lowered and the lid 26 is sealed to the sealing surface ~2 of the container body 10, as is shown in Fig. 8. Even though the preferred embodiment herein discloses that the lid may be heat sealed to the sealing surface 22 of container body 10, other methods of sealing may be utilized. These include induction sealing, spin welding, cold seal, ultrasonic sealing or seaming. The edges 46 of the seal head 40 apply pressure to the outward edges 48 of the continuous top lid 26 such that the outward edges 48 are closely confined to the sealing surface 22 of container body 10 (see Fig. 8). During this sealing process, the vacuum is maintained.
As is illustrated in Fig. 9, the container is removed from the vacuum chamber such that the container is brought back to atmospheric pressure. As a result thereof, the deformable insert 14 of base 12 is inverted upwardly, thereby forcing the product 34 in the direction of arrow B to fill the headspace and voids 50. The wet or dry products within the container must be sufficiently mobile to move into the voids. Since the product is forced into the voids S~ when the container is brought back to atmospheric pressure, the value impression of the product to the consumer is thereby _ g _ _mproved. As a resu7 t thereof, ~uch a method of ~illing and sealinq a deformable container enables the fill volume to be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area to avoid seal area contamination.
This process, however, also eliminates voids within the container which allow product movement.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the force A, as is shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 8 may be caused by either the return to atmospheric pressure of the container after the vacuum environment is terminated or by a mechanical push. In ad~ition, preferably the container body is bi-stable, i.e., the container is stable with the deformable insert being in either the up or down position. If, however, the container is not bi-stable, such that the deformable bottom will remain in the down position unless held up by a vacuum, or partial vacuum, within the container, 2 worker will then be able to recognize that a loss of sufficient vacuum occurred during filling. As a result thereof, the product should be rejected.
Additionally, this method may be utilized for steam flushing, as is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, which is an important alternative for filling the container with a hot product. Without steam flushing, the vacuum maintained during 40506~-2060 ~ 0 3 8 3 8 0 .he process would cause the hot product to boi~ lith this steam flushin~ process, the evacuation of the pack may be achieved by flushing out the headspace qas 5~ (see Fig. 10) with steam 54 from a steam duct 56 just prior to sealing the lid. The steam e~its the headspace through an extract duct 58. While the steam flushing is taking place, the lid 60 of container 62 is held above the container 62 by a lid holding device 64. As in the previous preferred embodiment, the sealing sùrface 66 of the container is mounted on support arms 68 of an anvil 70. Additionally, a sealin~ head 74 is in its raised position above the sealing surface of the container.
After the headspace gas is steam flushed, the sealing head is lowered and the lid is sealed to the sealing surface of the container body ~see Flg. 11). This steam will then condense to water, on cooling, resulting in a vacuum within the container headspace. As in Fig. 9, the container is then subjected to atmospheric pressure to invert the container bottom into its upward position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid.
With steam flushing, it is possible to utilize a container that has a bottom which is stable only in the up position. This base can be held down with a vacuum suction cup during filling and sealing, then released to invert to its original and stable position aided by the vacuum induced by the steam flush. This container design, with its dome base PATENT
20~838Q
stable in the up position, could be used with a vacuum chamber, but, in order to deform the bottom of the container dcwnwardlv, a mechanical gripper could engage any suitable attachment member extending from the container bottom.
It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including the foreaoing as well as various other such changes and modifications.
.UET~CD OF FILLING AND SEALING
A DFFORMABLE CO~JTAINF:R 2 0 3 ~ 3 8 Q
BACKGF~OUND OF THE ~NVENTION
This invention relates to a method of filling and sealina a container with a product, and more particularly, to a method of producing a package in which the integrity of the seal is preser~ed and voids within the container are virtually eliminated.
Prior methods for filling and sealing a container have provided a substantial "headspace" within the container in order that the seal area of the container is not contaminated ~Jith the product, which will result in incomplete and leaking seals.
This headspace gas hinders exploitation of sterilizable containers, because of the difficulty of accurately controllir.a the pressure within the containers during temperature changes, to ensure the seals are not ruptured or containers otherwise deformed or damaged. If the headspace gas is air, this will cause spoilage of oxygen-sensitive products.
This headspace also has the appearance of a partially filled container, giving a poor value impression to the consumer.
Additionally, the headspace allows movement of product during shipment, resulting in stressing of the lid material (which mav rupture), and also damage to the product.
It is well known to use a diaphragm of stretchable lid material to close a container which is deformed to eliminate headspace. This stretchable lid material, however, typically is not puncture resistant and, hence, requires some secondary protection to maximize quality control of the product.
It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved method of filling and sealing a container with a product, and an associated container.
Preferably, an extended package is provided in which the integrity of the seal of the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated.
Use of a diaphragm or flexible lid in addition to the seal to close a container body preferably is avoided.
Reduction of seal area contamination while increasing value impression also is desirable.
The fill volume of the container preferably should be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area and avoid seal area contamination.
In one aspect, the container may be a retortable container which allows for shorter cooking time.
Objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and from the appended drawings in which like numbers have been used to designate like parts in the several views.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration; placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position; charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber; sealing a generally flat lid to said container; removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
In another aspect there is provided a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein saidcontainer bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended osition;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace air within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to - 3a -20~8380 reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lidremains in its generally flat configuration.
In the invention also provides a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber;
sealing a generally flat lid to said container; and removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
-3b -In another aspect, there is provided a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended osition;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and a rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace gas within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said - 3c -sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as toreturn the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a method of filling and sealing a semi-rigid bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a mechanically bi-stable bottom movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration, and further having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of placing the container bottom formed of a semi-rigid material in said stable downwardly extended position, charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; flushing out the headspace gas with steam; sealing a generally flat lid to the container; allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum within the headspace; returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed container bottom is inverted into said -3d-stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into closecontact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
The invention also provides a method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a bottom deformable between stable upward and downward positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom upon an anvil;
charging the container with the unribbed bottom in its stable downward position with a product to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
placing the container below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container along a leading edge of said anvil;
lowering said sealing head such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water -3e-2038380 esulting in a vacuum within the headspace;maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom is inverted to its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
A still further aspect of the invention provides a container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product and having a bottom deformable in shape between downward and upward stable positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom in said stable downward position upon an anvil;
charging the container with its unribbed bottom in its downward position with the product having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
-3f -flushing out the headspace gas with steam;sealing said lid to said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum with the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the bottom of the container is inverted into its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
In general, then this invention relates to a method of filling and sealing a package with a product, and more particularly to a method of producing a sterilized package in which the integrity of the seal and the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated.
The container is designed with a base having a deformable or drawable insert and with the correct ratio of wall strength to the radius of curvature so that the bottom is stable in either the up or down position. The whole container is made of a semi-rigid material, and hence, the bottom is not a stretchable diaphragm.
The use of laminations of thermoplastic foil, thin aluminum or steel enables the container to be puncture resistant and provides for considerable resistance to damage in handling and transportation.
- 3g -4050~0-2060 PATENT 2 0 3~ 3 ~ ~
In cperation, the container is filled with the base in i~s downward position so that the charging product ralls belo~ ~he seal surface. Thus, there is sufficient headspace to permit the lid placement without squeezina product onto the seal surface. The edse of a top cut lid is then positioned ad~acent to a rim section of the container. The filled container and lid are then transferred into a vacuum chamber with the sealing surface of the container being supported on an anvil. The gas in the vacuum chamber is then evacuated.
In this position, a sealing head above the container is in a raised position. This process lowers the pressure of the headspace gas within the container to that of the chamber.
When the desired vacuum level is achieved the sealing head is lowered and the lid is sealed to the container. Subsequent thereto, the chamber is brought back to atmospheric pressure such that the base is inverted thereby forcing the product to move upwardly to fill the headspace or voids within the container.
As such, this method to fill and seal a container enables the fill volume to be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area to avoid seal area contamination. In addition, this process eliminates the voids within the container which allow product movement.
20:~8380 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
The following detailed description, given by wav of example, but not intended to limit the invention solely to the specific embodiments described, may best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the container of this invention.
Fiqure 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l with the base of the container in its downward position.
Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the base of the container in its intermediate position.
Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 illustrating the base of the container in its upward position.
Figures 5-9 illustrate a preferred method of filling and sealing a deformable container.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a method for steam flushing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREF~RRED EM~ODIMENT
- This invention relates to a method of filling and sealing a package with a product, and more par~icularly, to a method of producing an e~tended life package in which the integrity of the seal and the lid is preserved and the voids within the container that allow product movement are eliminated. Referring now to Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a container 10 is provided. The body 10 has a bottom 12 which has a flexible insert 14 substantially deformable in _ 5 _ ahape. Since the hoop stress provides for tension along the cl cumference of the container ~ase, in the preferred embodiment, the container can be ~bi-stable" in that it is stationarv in either the up or down positions of the container. The base includes a deformable hoop webbing 16 between the insert 14 and the side edges 18 of the container.
These riqid side edges 18 support an upper flange 20 which extends outwardly therefrom. The upper flange 20 includes a sealing surface 22 which terminates in a crimped raised rim section 24.
As is best shown in Fig. 2, the ccntainer body is capable of receiving and retaining a top cut lid 26 which is sealed to the container in the grooves 27 formed between the sealing surface 22 and the raised rim section 24. This lid is preferably formed of a puncture-resistant plastic material, but any material, including a nonplastic material, such as reinforced paper, which is substantially puncture-resistant may be utilized. As a force A (see Fig. 2), moves the base 12 upwardly, the outer rim or hoop member 16 of the base is stretched. As is illustrated in Fig. 3, the bending at the edges of the body induces stress to restore the body 10 to its original shape in the intermediate position of the deformable bottom. After a force A is applied to the container bottom, the bottom is inverted forming an inverted U shape (see Fig.
4). This angle ~ is decreased as the hoop stress of the hoop member 16 resists the bending stress around the base.
203~380 A~ a result of this design, the bottom is stable i~
either the up or down position, and as such, the bottom is bi-stable. Since the whole container is made of a semi-rigid material, the bottom is not a stretchable diaphragm. The base 1 is thus held stable in either position by the hoop stress of the outer diameter 16 of the base 12.
In another preferred embodiment of the deformable container of this invention, the container body may have a deformable bottom which is entirely deformable in shape. In this configuration, the base does not include a hoop member, such as 16 (see Fig. 1). The body of this preferred embodiment also includes semi-rigid side members which support an upper flange which extends outwardly from the side surfaces. The upper flange includes a sealing surface which terminates in the rim section. A force A applied to the container base, moves the base upwardly thereby stretching the outer rlm of the base. In the intermediate stage, the side walls of the container are pushed outward as the base is inverted. The bending at the edges induces stress to restore the container to its original shape. When the base is in its final upward position, the hoop stress along the side edges resists this bending stress and holds the base stable in the up position.
In these or other embodiments, the containers may be manufactured with the base either up or down, provided the hoop stress induced in the outer diameter of the base can 203~380 esist the restoring stresses, and can hold the base stable in the position opposite to the manufactured position.
A preferred method for filling and sealing these deformable containers is shown in Figs. 5-9. Referring now to Fig. 5, the sealing surface 22 of the container body 10 is mounted on support arms 28 of an anvil 30. The cavity 32 of container body lO is charged with a product 34 from a filler 36. This product charge is sufficiently fluid or malleable so that it will not tend to assume any specific natural shape, but however, will fill the void volume of the container with a secured lid. In this configuration, the container is filled with the insert 14 of the base 12 in its downwardly position.
After the product has been initially charged into the container, there is still suf~icient headspace, however, to permit lid placement without squeezing the top of the product fill onto the sealing surface (see Fig. 6).
Referring now to Fig. 7, the filled container supported on anvil 30 and lid are then transferred into a vacuum chamber 38. When the container and lid are initially transferred into the vacuum chamber, a sealing head 40 is disposed in the vacuum chamber immediately above anvil 30 in its raised position. In this position, the gas in the vacuum chamber 38 is evacuated through multiple ports 42a, b and c.
Due to the force of the evacuation, an opening 44 is formed between lid 26 and sealing sur~ace 22 of the container body .0, and as ~ result thereof, the pressure of the headspace ~ir within the container is lowered to that of the vacuum chamber.
When the desired vacuum le~el is achieved within the chamber 38, and as such, gas has been exhausted throush ports 42a, b and c, the seal head 40 is lowered and the lid 26 is sealed to the sealing surface ~2 of the container body 10, as is shown in Fig. 8. Even though the preferred embodiment herein discloses that the lid may be heat sealed to the sealing surface 22 of container body 10, other methods of sealing may be utilized. These include induction sealing, spin welding, cold seal, ultrasonic sealing or seaming. The edges 46 of the seal head 40 apply pressure to the outward edges 48 of the continuous top lid 26 such that the outward edges 48 are closely confined to the sealing surface 22 of container body 10 (see Fig. 8). During this sealing process, the vacuum is maintained.
As is illustrated in Fig. 9, the container is removed from the vacuum chamber such that the container is brought back to atmospheric pressure. As a result thereof, the deformable insert 14 of base 12 is inverted upwardly, thereby forcing the product 34 in the direction of arrow B to fill the headspace and voids 50. The wet or dry products within the container must be sufficiently mobile to move into the voids. Since the product is forced into the voids S~ when the container is brought back to atmospheric pressure, the value impression of the product to the consumer is thereby _ g _ _mproved. As a resu7 t thereof, ~uch a method of ~illing and sealinq a deformable container enables the fill volume to be less than the initial container volume to thereby isolate the product from the seal area to avoid seal area contamination.
This process, however, also eliminates voids within the container which allow product movement.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the force A, as is shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 8 may be caused by either the return to atmospheric pressure of the container after the vacuum environment is terminated or by a mechanical push. In ad~ition, preferably the container body is bi-stable, i.e., the container is stable with the deformable insert being in either the up or down position. If, however, the container is not bi-stable, such that the deformable bottom will remain in the down position unless held up by a vacuum, or partial vacuum, within the container, 2 worker will then be able to recognize that a loss of sufficient vacuum occurred during filling. As a result thereof, the product should be rejected.
Additionally, this method may be utilized for steam flushing, as is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, which is an important alternative for filling the container with a hot product. Without steam flushing, the vacuum maintained during 40506~-2060 ~ 0 3 8 3 8 0 .he process would cause the hot product to boi~ lith this steam flushin~ process, the evacuation of the pack may be achieved by flushing out the headspace qas 5~ (see Fig. 10) with steam 54 from a steam duct 56 just prior to sealing the lid. The steam e~its the headspace through an extract duct 58. While the steam flushing is taking place, the lid 60 of container 62 is held above the container 62 by a lid holding device 64. As in the previous preferred embodiment, the sealing sùrface 66 of the container is mounted on support arms 68 of an anvil 70. Additionally, a sealin~ head 74 is in its raised position above the sealing surface of the container.
After the headspace gas is steam flushed, the sealing head is lowered and the lid is sealed to the sealing surface of the container body ~see Flg. 11). This steam will then condense to water, on cooling, resulting in a vacuum within the container headspace. As in Fig. 9, the container is then subjected to atmospheric pressure to invert the container bottom into its upward position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid.
With steam flushing, it is possible to utilize a container that has a bottom which is stable only in the up position. This base can be held down with a vacuum suction cup during filling and sealing, then released to invert to its original and stable position aided by the vacuum induced by the steam flush. This container design, with its dome base PATENT
20~838Q
stable in the up position, could be used with a vacuum chamber, but, in order to deform the bottom of the container dcwnwardlv, a mechanical gripper could engage any suitable attachment member extending from the container bottom.
It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including the foreaoing as well as various other such changes and modifications.
Claims (18)
1. A method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration; placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position; charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber; sealing a generally flat lid to said container; removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the sealing step is achieved by sealing the lid onto the container body at a seal surface of the container.
3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein the lid is located adjacent to the sealing surface and a rim section of the container body before the headspace is eliminated.
4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the lid is formed of a puncture-resistant nonplastic material.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the lid is formed of a puncture-resistant plastic material.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the lid is supported by a groove of said container formed by said rim section and sealing surface.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 and further including a product charge that is sufficiently liquid or mobile so as not to tend to assume any specific natural shape.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 and further including evacuating the gas within the vacuum chamber and container such that the pressure of the headspace gas within the container is lowered to that of the vacuum chamber.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 and further including positioning the container in the vacuum chamber below a sealing head.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 and further including lowering the sealing head within the vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head impinges upon said lid to seal said lid to the sealing surface of the container.
11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the deformable portion may be inverted inwardly by a mechanical push when the chamber is brought back to atmospheric pressure thus forcing the product to fill the headspace voids.
12. The method as recited in claim 1 and further including mounting said sealing surface of said container within the vacuum environment along a leading edge of an anvil.
13. A method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace air within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace air within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
14. A bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber;
sealing a generally flat lid to said container; and removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber;
sealing a generally flat lid to said container; and removing the vacuum environment from the container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
15. A bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product, said container being manufactured according to a method comprising the steps of:
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and a rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace gas within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
providing a semi-rigid container having a bi-stable, unribbed bottom having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container and movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration;
placing the container bottom in its stable downwardly extended position;
charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface and a rim section of said container;
placing the container in a vacuum environment chamber below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container within said vacuum chamber along a leading edge of an anvil;
evacuating the gas within said vacuum chamber and container such that said pressure of the headspace gas within said container is lowered to that of said vacuum chamber;
lowering said sealing head within said vacuum chamber when the desired vacuum level is achieved such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container; and removing said vacuum environment from said container so as to return the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that said unribbed bottom of the container is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
16. A method of filling and sealing a semi-rigid bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a mechanically bi-stable bottom movable between a first position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable downwardly extended position, and a second position, wherein said container bottom is moved into a stable inverted domed configuration, and further having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of placing the container bottom formed of a semi-rigid material in said stable downwardly extended position, charging the product into the container to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening; flushing out the headspace gas with steam; sealing a generally flat lid to the container; allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum within the headspace; returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member overcomes the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed container bottom is inverted into said stable inverted domed configuration thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
17. A method of filling and sealing a bi-stable container, subjected to a gaseous environment, with a product and having a bottom deformable between stable upward and downward positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said method comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom upon an anvil;
charging the container with the unribbed bottom in its stable downward position with a product to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
placing the container below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container along a leading edge of said anvil;
lowering said sealing head such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum within the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom is inverted to its stable upwardly extended position therebyforcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
placing the container having an unribbed bottom upon an anvil;
charging the container with the unribbed bottom in its stable downward position with a product to a level having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
placing the container below a sealing head;
mounting the sealing surface of said container along a leading edge of said anvil;
lowering said sealing head such that the sealing head seals the lid to said sealing surface of said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum within the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the unribbed bottom is inverted to its stable upwardly extended position therebyforcing the product into close contact with said lid to reduce the headspace between said product and said lid and wherein said lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
18. A container, subjected to a gaseous environment, holding a product and having a bottom deformable in shape between downward and upward stable positions and having a hoop member surrounding the side edges of the container, said container being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
placing the container having an unribbed bottom in said stable downward position upon an anvil;
charging the container with its unribbed bottom in its downward position with the product having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
sealing said lid to said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum with the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the bottom of the container is inverted into its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
placing the container having an unribbed bottom in said stable downward position upon an anvil;
charging the container with its unribbed bottom in its downward position with the product having a volume less than the container volume but equal to the filled volume with such level defining a headspace opening;
maintaining the unribbed bottom in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
positioning a generally flat lid adjacent to a sealing surface;
placing the container in a position to be steam flushed;
flushing out the headspace gas with steam;
sealing said lid to said container;
allowing the headspace to cool, and condensing the steam to water resulting in a vacuum with the headspace;
maintaining the unribbed bottom of the base in its downward position with a vacuum suction cup;
releasing the vacuum suction cup from the base of the container and returning the container to atmospheric pressure wherein hoop stress of said hoop member resists the bending stress around said unribbed bottom such that the bottom of the container is inverted into its stable upwardly extended position thereby forcing the product into close contact with the lid to thereby reduce the headspace between the product and the lid and wherein the lid remains in its generally flat configuration.
Priority Applications (9)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP89911514A EP0434764B1 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
| AU43427/89A AU632765B2 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
| JP1510650A JP2742954B2 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | Method for filling and sealing deformable containers |
| PCT/US1989/003987 WO1990002687A1 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
| DE68916647T DE68916647T2 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | METHOD FOR FILLING AND SEALING A DEFORMABLE CONTAINER. |
| AT89911514T ATE108156T1 (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-09-13 | METHOD OF FILLING AND SEALING A DEFORMABLE CONTAINER. |
| CA002038380A CA2038380C (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1991-03-15 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
| US07/768,351 US5428943A (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1991-09-30 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
| US08/438,777 US5555705A (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1995-05-11 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US24482988A | 1988-09-14 | 1988-09-14 | |
| CA002038380A CA2038380C (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1991-03-15 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2038380A1 CA2038380A1 (en) | 1992-09-16 |
| CA2038380C true CA2038380C (en) | 1997-04-01 |
Family
ID=25674517
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002038380A Expired - Lifetime CA2038380C (en) | 1988-09-14 | 1991-03-15 | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0434764B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2742954B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE108156T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU632765B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2038380C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68916647T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1990002687A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK9400340U3 (en) * | 1994-09-06 | 1995-05-26 | Torben Boedtker | Ice cream packaging |
| GB2337746B (en) * | 1998-05-26 | 2002-09-18 | Linpac Plastics Ltd | Sealed container |
| GB9821225D0 (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 1998-11-25 | Shetland Seafood Specialities | Method |
| AU2002953207A0 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2003-01-02 | Amcor Limited | A container |
| AU2003285992B2 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2011-03-03 | Impress Australia Pty Ltd | A container with a flexible bottom wall |
| FR2856657B1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2005-09-23 | Bonduelle Sa Ets | METHOD AND INSTALLATION OF PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE. |
| KR100947895B1 (en) * | 2008-01-30 | 2010-03-18 | 김가은 | The reuseable vacuum container with flexible body and the sealed cover |
| KR101278451B1 (en) * | 2012-02-17 | 2013-07-01 | 조성오 | Packing system of bag-in-box type |
| CN109204978A (en) * | 2018-07-27 | 2019-01-15 | 福建元弘自动化科技有限公司 | Save the multi-functional packing device of type of making an uproar |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2124959A (en) * | 1936-08-08 | 1938-07-26 | Vogel William Martin | Method of filling and closing cans |
| US2768487A (en) * | 1952-06-23 | 1956-10-30 | Crown Cork & Seal Co | Method and apparatus for sealing containers |
| US3104506A (en) * | 1960-10-26 | 1963-09-24 | Howard A Rohdin | Method of sealing blister type packages |
| US3103089A (en) * | 1961-01-23 | 1963-09-10 | Lever Brothers Ltd | Method of filling containers |
| US3289383A (en) * | 1964-01-27 | 1966-12-06 | Anchor Hocking Glass Corp | Method and means for feeding caps |
| US3351265A (en) * | 1964-07-24 | 1967-11-07 | Scientific Atlanta | Container and closure |
| US3360382A (en) * | 1965-12-27 | 1967-12-26 | Scientific Atlanta | Method of packaging meat |
| US3492773A (en) * | 1967-01-25 | 1970-02-03 | Anderson Bros Mfg Co | Method of vacuum packaging |
| DE1586488A1 (en) * | 1967-05-06 | 1972-01-27 | Bellaplast Gmbh | Thin-walled plastic container with airtight seal |
| DE2430497B2 (en) * | 1974-06-25 | 1981-05-21 | Krämer & Grebe GmbH & Co KG Maschinen- und Modellfabrik, 3560 Biedenkopf | Device for packing goods |
| DE3130616A1 (en) * | 1981-08-01 | 1983-02-17 | Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart | DEVICE FOR FUMING AND SEALING PACKAGING CONTAINERS |
| JPS62260619A (en) * | 1986-05-06 | 1987-11-12 | プリマハム株式会社 | Heap-up packaging method of food and package thereof |
| FR2600305B1 (en) * | 1986-06-23 | 1989-06-30 | Vulliez Patrick | PROCESS FOR OBTAINING SEALED PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS IN CONTAINERS, INSTALLATION FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD: CONTAINER IN PARTICULAR FOR SEALED PACKAGING OF FOOD PRODUCTS |
| US4791775A (en) * | 1987-04-22 | 1988-12-20 | Raque Food Systems, Inc. | Packaging device |
-
1989
- 1989-09-13 WO PCT/US1989/003987 patent/WO1990002687A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1989-09-13 AT AT89911514T patent/ATE108156T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1989-09-13 DE DE68916647T patent/DE68916647T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-09-13 AU AU43427/89A patent/AU632765B2/en not_active Expired
- 1989-09-13 JP JP1510650A patent/JP2742954B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-09-13 EP EP89911514A patent/EP0434764B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1991
- 1991-03-15 CA CA002038380A patent/CA2038380C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH04500651A (en) | 1992-02-06 |
| EP0434764A4 (en) | 1991-08-28 |
| AU4342789A (en) | 1990-04-02 |
| EP0434764B1 (en) | 1994-07-06 |
| DE68916647D1 (en) | 1994-08-11 |
| AU632765B2 (en) | 1993-01-14 |
| JP2742954B2 (en) | 1998-04-22 |
| EP0434764A1 (en) | 1991-07-03 |
| ATE108156T1 (en) | 1994-07-15 |
| DE68916647T2 (en) | 1994-11-03 |
| WO1990002687A1 (en) | 1990-03-22 |
| CA2038380A1 (en) | 1992-09-16 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5428943A (en) | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container | |
| US3498018A (en) | Method of forming a package | |
| EP0059299B1 (en) | A process for sealing a filled container, in particular a thermoplastic based food container | |
| US4984713A (en) | Carbonated beverage dispenser | |
| FI83951B (en) | BEHAOLLARE. | |
| US5515975A (en) | Evacuated, encapsulating packaging | |
| CA2038380C (en) | Method of filling and sealing a deformable container | |
| JPS5819535B2 (en) | How to seal a sealed container | |
| EP0521642A1 (en) | Method of filling a can and can for use therein | |
| CA2543176A1 (en) | Reclosable rigid container assembly | |
| US2963834A (en) | Filling and selaing receptacles | |
| CA2115635A1 (en) | Vacuum package, method and apparatus for making such vacuum package filled with granular material | |
| US3342009A (en) | Method of providing a head space within a filled container | |
| US2864710A (en) | Display package and method of producing same | |
| US4896479A (en) | Packaging process | |
| EP0723919A1 (en) | Metal lids for vacuum-sealing of packagings for foodstuff preserves | |
| US3930401A (en) | Container and leak-testing system therefor | |
| EP0475514B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for making a vacuum-package filled with granular material | |
| AU634869B2 (en) | A process and an apparatus for leak testing a package | |
| US1362203A (en) | Means for sealing containers in vacuo | |
| US7028449B2 (en) | Sealable packaging container, packaging machine and method of sealing the packaging container | |
| US20030019539A1 (en) | Container with expandable bladder seal | |
| EP0512832B1 (en) | Lid for a pail | |
| US4001450A (en) | Method of packaging carbonated beverages in flexible containers | |
| US3360159A (en) | Filled can with head space |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |