Headspace modification method for removal of vacuum pressure and apparatus therefor

Abstract

To modify the headspace in a container to remove vacuum pressure, a container has a seal or cap which may provide a temporary opening into the container which is sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of the internal pressure as the heated contents of the container cools. A sealing chamber ( 84 ) may enable the introduction of a fluid into the headspace ( 23 b ) to force the fluid level ( 40 ) lower. Other methods and apparatus are described.

1 . A container having a seal or cap including, or adapted to provide, an opening or aperture into said container, said opening or aperture providing, in use, for the introduction under pressure of at least one fluid, said opening or aperture also being sealable, under pressure, in use, to provide an increased internal pressure within the container. 
     
     
         2 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least one fluid is introduced under pressure and said opening or aperture is sealable under compression. 
     
     
         3 . A container as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said seal or cap is temporarily applied such that said opening or aperture is provided by an incomplete seal being formed between the seal or cap and a neck finish of the container. 
     
     
         4 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said seal or cap provides a temporary sealing means after filling of the container, said opening or aperture being accessible under substantially sterile conditions to provide for the introduction of said at least one fluid. 
     
     
         5 . A container as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said at least one fluid is heated and/or sterile and said opening or aperture is further adapted to be sealable under substantially sterile conditions to provide said controlled raising of internal pressure. 
     
     
         6 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  in which said at least one fluid is a heated liquid or a gas injected through said opening or aperture. 
     
     
         7 . A container as claimed in  claim 6  in which said opening or aperture is adapted to be permanently closed following the injection of said liquid or gas. 
     
     
         8 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  in which said cap is compressible within a neck of the container towards its interior. 
     
     
         9 . A container as claimed in  claim 1  in which said opening or aperture includes a valve means which is operable to open and close said opening or aperture. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of filling a container with a fluid including introducing the fluid through an open end of the container so that it, at least substantially, fills the container, heating the fluid before or after its introduction into the container, providing a seal or cap having an opening or aperture, providing at least one fluid through the opening or aperture and sealing the opening or aperture under pressure so as to compensate for subsequent pressure reduction in a headspace of the container under the seal or cap following the cooling of the heated contents. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  in which the at least one fluid passes through the opening or aperture under pressure. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12  in which the container is positioned in a pressurizing means. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  in which the container is positioned in a sterilizing means and the fluid is a heated liquid injected through the opening or aperture. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  in which the opening or aperture is provided with a temporary or partial seal through which the at least one fluid is provided. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 11  in which a neck of the container is provided with a compressible cap which is moveable within the neck towards the heated contents before the heated contents have cooled. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A container filling apparatus for filling a container as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A container when filled by the method of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A cap for a container, the cap being adapted for use with the container of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         21 . A container filling apparatus for performing the method of  claim 14 . 
     
     
         22 . A container when filled by the apparatus of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         23 . A cap for a container, the cap being adapted for use with the apparatus of  claim 16 .