Method for filling a package, particularly a food package

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for filling thin-wall containers including a lid to be opened for use, particularly a can, wherein the container requires an internal pressure to provide a necessary stability in the filled, closed state. The container is tightly closed after filling using a lid to be opened for use and is filled with filling material and a substance used as a pressurizing gas at room temperature before the container is tightly closed. In addition to a solid or liquid first filling material, the container is filled with solid carbon dioxide as a further filling material, wherein the carbon dioxide forms the pressurizing gas after the thin-walled container is tightly closed.

1 . A method for filling a thin wall container including a lid that is to be opened for use, in particular a metal can,
 wherein the container requires an internal pressure in filled closed condition for providing a necessary stability,   wherein the container is closed tight after filling through a lid that is configured to be opened for use,   wherein the container is filled with filling material and a material that serves as a pressure gas at ambient temperature before being closed tight, and   wherein solid carbon dioxide is filled into the container as an additional filling material besides a solid or liquid first filling material, wherein the carbon dioxide forms the pressure gas after tight closure of the thin-walled container.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is filled with a first filling material that is liquid or solid at room temperature, wherein the first filling material fills a portion of the total volume of the container so that a gas volume remains defined as a difference between total volume and volume of the first filling material, wherein a volume of dry ice with reference to the gas volume is between 1 g/l and 4 g/l. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the following steps:
 providing of a thin-wall metal can body,   filling the thin-wall metal can body with a first filling material,   filling of a thin-walled metal can body with a defined volume of dry ice, and   closing the thin-walled metal can body gas-tight with a can lid within a maximum of 500 seconds after the filling the thin-wall metal can body with dry ice.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the filling material is a food material. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the container to be filled includes a thin-wall, cylindrical can body made from steel- or aluminum sheet material, which includes a total volume of more than 0.2 l and has a wall thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.12 mm at its cylindrical wall section. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is closed airtight with a tear open lid after the container is filled. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed under an inert gas atmosphere.