Pressure sealing method for headspace modification

Abstract

A container cap ( 80 ) positioned within a sealing chamber ( 84 ) has an openable aperture to allow the increase in pressure in the container headspace ( 231 ) before the aperture is resealed. In alternative embodiments the container ( 1 ) may include vacuum compensation panels ( 801, 802,803, 804 ) in its sidewall and/or base.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A sealing machine apparatus for pressurizing the headspace of a filled container while applying a seal, comprising: an apparatus for receiving a plurality of containers; a pressure chamber apparatus connected to a surface or sealing member for engaging a surface on the container or on a cap provided for the container; a source of pressure or dosing system coupled to said pressure chamber for raising the pressure within said pressure chamber and said containers; apparatus for moving the sealing member or surface into engagement with the surface on the container or cap; said pressure chamber surrounding a container sealing apparatus for applying a seal or said cap to at least one of said containers; said container sealing apparatus moving to seal said container within the pressure chamber while the pressure chamber is subjected to a raised internal pressure to create an increased pressure within the sealed container. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said sealing machine is a capping machine, and said seals are said caps or are closures. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said containers are filled with a heated liquid. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said sealing machine is a rotary device driven by a rotatable driven turret. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said containers are moved about in a generally circular path by said turret. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said pressure chamber provides temporary sealing of said containers adjacent a neck finish of said containers. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said container sealing apparatus or said pressure chamber provides temporary sealing of said containers at or adjacent a neck support ring of said neck finish. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said container sealing apparatus is a holding apparatus for holding the cap in position to engage a finish of the container. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said container sealing apparatus provides capping torque to close the container. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said source of pressure or dosing system provides at least one liquid and/or gas. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein at least one said liquid and/or gas is steam, air, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said containers are for use in hot or cold filling operations each having a said seal or said cap adapted to provide a temporary opening or aperture into said container, said opening or aperture providing for the introduction under pressure of one or more liquids and/or gases, said seal or cap providing with a neck of said container, in use, a container headspace having a pressure, at the moment of sealing, substantially greater than existed prior to introduction of said one or more liquids and/or gases. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  further including at least one vacuum compensation element in a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  or  claim 25  including at least one vacuum compensation element in a base of the container. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  including at least one expandable element in a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  or  claim 27  including at least one expandable element in a base of the container. 
     
     
         29 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said greater pressure, substantially at the moment of sealing, is positive. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  for hot filling wherein, after hot filling, the greater pressure compensates for a pressure reduction on cooling of the contents of the container. 
     
     
         31 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said seal or cap is adapted to provide said opening or aperture after said seal or cap has been applied to the neck. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said seal or cap is adapted to be pierced to provide said opening or aperture and expose the container headspace to ambient pressure. 
     
     
         33 . A cap for a container, the cap being adapted for use with the apparatus of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         34 . A system for filling a container with a fluid including introducing the fluid through an open end of the container, providing a seal or cap, providing a sealing chamber enclosing an opening or aperture between said seal or cap and said container interior, increasing the pressure within the sealing chamber by introducing at least one liquid and/or gas through the opening or aperture to create an increased pressure within the headspace of the container, sealing the opening or aperture within the sealing chamber under the increased pressure conditions. 
     
     
         35 . A system for filling a container as claimed in  claim 34 , in which the fluid is heated before or after its introduction into the container, and said system compensates for subsequent pressure reduction in a headspace of the container under the seal or cap following the cooling of the heated contents. 
     
     
         36 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  in which the at least one liquid and/or gas passes through the opening or aperture under pressure. 
     
     
         37 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  in which the container is positioned in a pressurizing area. 
     
     
         38 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  in which the at least one liquid and/or gas is a heated liquid or steam injected through the opening or aperture. 
     
     
         39 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  in which the opening or aperture is provided with a temporary or partial seal through which the at least one liquid and/or gas is provided. 
     
     
         40 . A system as claimed in  claim 35  including conveying said sealed or capped containers prior to the pressure chamber, and creating and/or providing said opening or aperture within the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         41 . A system as claimed in  claim 40  in which the opening or aperture provided within said seal or cap is provided with a temporary or partial seal for at least a period of time prior to conveyance into said pressure chamber. 
     
     
         42 . A system as claimed in  claim 41  in which said seal or cap has a liner material on an inside surface, said liner temporarily sealing the opening or aperture. 
     
     
         43 . A system as claimed in  claim 40  in which the opening or aperture is sealed under elevated pressure conditions. 
     
     
         44 . A system as claimed in  claim 34  or  40 , wherein said container includes at least one moveable pressure panel in a sidewall of said container. 
     
     
         45 . A system as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein said container includes at least one moveable pressure panel in a base of said container. 
     
     
         46 . A container when filled by the system of  claim 40 . 
     
     
         47 . A method of filling and processing 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,   applying a seal or cap to said container,   transporting or conveying said container,   creating and/or providing an opening or aperture in said seal or cap,   providing a method of introducing at least one liquid and/or gas through the opening or aperture at a pressure greater than within said container prior to providing said opening or aperture,   providing a method of sealing the opening or aperture.   
     
     
         48 . A method as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said seal or cap is subjected to at least partial sterilization treatment prior to the provision of said opening or aperture.