Method for effective de-oxygenation of product containers for use as containers for oxygen sensitive products
a technology for oxygen sensitive products and product containers, which is applied in the field of packaging oxygen sensitive products, can solve the problems of reducing the effectiveness of the product for the intended use of the product, reducing the effectiveness of the product, and rendering the product unsuitable for human or animal consumption, etc., and achieves the effect of shortening the time frame for liquid nitrogen vaporization, high efficiency, and increasing the efficiency of removal
Inactive Publication Date: 2012-06-21
AIR LIQUIDE IND US LP
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Benefits of technology
"The patent describes a method for de-oxygenating and de-humidifying containers prior to filling them with highly sensitive products. The method involves depositing a volume of liquid nitrogen into the container and then applying a vacuum to accelerate the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen. This process ensures that the container is completely de-oxygenated and de-humidified before the product is filled. The method is efficient and can be used in a production line to minimize the time between the de-oxygenation and product filling steps. The patent also mentions certain operating parameters that need to be considered, such as the ratio of liquid nitrogen to container volume, the speed of container movement, and the importance of product oxygen content."
Problems solved by technology
“Highly water sensitive products” are defined as products that react with moisture to change in chemical makeup or physical properties, thereby rendering the product unsuitable for human or animal use.
In some cases this alteration renders the product unsuitable for human or animal consumption and / or reduces the effectiveness of the product for the product's intended use.
Method used
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[0057]FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an exemplary production line for filling a product into a container. Empty containers 10 are transported by conveyor system 20 into product filling station 30. Product is dispensed from bulk product source 40. Seamer 50 closes and seals the filled containers 60 which then exit the conveyor system 70. Prior to filling station 30, liquid nitrogen dispenser 80 deposits a pre-determined volume of liquid nitrogen into the container 10. The pre-determined volume is the amount necessary to produce a volume of vaporized nitrogen gas at least equal to the volume of the container cavity. Generally the pre-determine volume will be in excess of this minimum amount by at least 5%. The conveyor system 20 then moves the container to the evacuation station 90. A vacuum sufficient to accelerate the vaporization of the liquid nitrogen is applied to the container cavity. The container is then moved to filling station 30 for filling with product. Between the filling st...
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The invention generally relates to the use of liquid nitrogen to displace air, or other water and / or oxygen containing atmospheres, from containers prior to filling with a highly sensitive product. The process in general has two steps: a) depositing a volume of liquid nitrogen into the cavity of an empty container and b) applying a vacuum to the cavity of the container. The vacuum will accelerate vaporization and thereby shorten the liquid nitrogen vaporization time frame. This procedure results in a highly effective one step de-oxygenation and / or de-humidification of the container cavity. Further, the evacuation ensures complete liquid nitrogen vaporization prior to product filling.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present disclosure relates to methods of packaging oxygen sensitive products in containers pre-filled with an inert atmosphere.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Liquid nitrogen is known for use in pressurizing containers in the beverage industry and other consumer products. U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,715 describes an apparatus and method for pressurizing containers using liquid nitrogen. These pressurization techniques are not related to nor do they accomplish meaningful levels of de-oxygenation of containers.[0003]Removal of oxygen and / or moisture from the interior of a container prior to filling with a product can be critical to the stability and shelf life of products. Highly oxygen and / or water sensitive products should be placed into containers that are substantially free of oxygen and / or water.[0004]Previous applications of liquid nitrogen as a container de-oxygenation agent are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,341 to Campbell. As discussed by Campbell, “[t]he convention...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): B65D85/00B65B31/02
CPCB65B31/00B65B25/001
Inventor BRAHMBHATT, SUDHIR R.MASI, RICHARD
Owner AIR LIQUIDE IND US LP