Headspace modification system for removal of vacuum pressure

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.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for pressure capping bottles comprising:
 apparatus for supplying a bottle filled with a liquid to a desired fill point, the bottle having a finish suitable to engage a cap and a surface;   a sealing ring having a surface for engaging the surface of the bottle;   an apparatus for moving the sealing ring from a position spaced from the bottle to a position engaging the surface of the bottle;   a source of caps for supplying a holding apparatus with a cap, the holding apparatus being adapted to hold a cap in a position to engage a finish of the bottle;   a pressure chamber surrounding the holding apparatus engaging the sealing ring;   a source of pressure coupled to the pressure chamber for introducing a sufficient volume of gas or vapor into the chamber to pressurize the headspace within the bottle above the fill point to a desired pressure; and   apparatus for moving the holding apparatus and cap within the pressure chamber while the chamber is subjected to the gas or vapor to seal the gas or vapor within the headspace of the bottle with the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure chamber comprises a peripheral wall including the sealing surface on a lower perimeter thereof for sealing engagement with a surface of the sealing ring, an upper end wall closing the peripheral wail, a central opening in the upper end wall including a seal surrounding a stem coupled to the holding apparatus and extending through the central opening, and an apparatus for rotating the holding apparatus relative to the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising apparatus for vertically reciprocally moving the holding apparatus and sealing ring in relation to the apparatus for supplying a bottle so that the bottle is capped while containing a sufficient volume of gas or vapor in the headspace within the bottle to a desired pressure.