Method and apparatus for inerting head space of a capped container

Abstract

A process to reduce oxygen in the head space of containers includes introducing an inert gas into the container head space. This may be accomplished during a capping process. Multiple conduits may be used to introduce the inert gas. The one or more conduits may be angularly offset from either or both of a plane defined by the opening of the containers and a direction of movement of the containers at the time the inert gas is introduced. In certain embodiments, the openings of the one or more inert gas conduits may be remote from spaces defined by projections of the container openings.

1 . A method for extending shelf life of a potable liquid in a container sealed by a cap enclosing an opening of the container, the container and cap cooperating to define a head space above the potable liquid, comprising the step of: 
 changing the relationship between the cap and opening from a first position to a second position, wherein a distance between the cap and opening is smaller at the first position than at the second position;    introducing an inert gas toward the opening when the cap and opening are at the second position; and    sealing the cap on the container with the inert gas enclosed in the head space,    wherein the inert gas is delivered from an apparatus having an opening remote from a space defined by a projection of the opening of the container.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is in contact with the container when the inert gas is introduced.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises only one conduit.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of conduits.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one conduit having an axis angularly offset from a direction of movement of the container at the time the inert gas is introduced.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the angular offset is in the range of from 30 to 50 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the angular offset is in the range of from 40 to 45 degrees.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a direction of flow of the inert gas from the apparatus is angularly offset from a direction of movement of the container at the time the inert gas is introduced.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one conduit having an axis angularly offset from a plane defined by the opening of the container.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the angular offset is in the range of from 15 to 40 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the angular offset is in the range of from 25 to 35 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one conduit having a bend formed therein, the bend connecting a first conduit portion with a second conduit portion.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first conduit portion defines a first axis and the second conduit portion defines a second axis, the second axis being coaxial with a direction of flow of the inert gas exiting the conduit.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the opening of the container.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein an angle between the first and second axes is in the range of from 140 to 165 degrees.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein an angle between the first and second axes is in the range of from 145 to 155 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an exit area from which the inert gas exits the apparatus based at least in part on the size of the opening of the container.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing the inert gas at a flow pressure and velocity determined not to displace the potable liquid from the container.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the flow pressure is in the range of from 10 to 30 psi.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the flow pressure is in the range of from 12 to 18 psi.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the flow pressure is about 15 psi.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the velocity is in the range of from 6-9 cfm.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the velocity is about 8 cfm.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least a first conduit and a second conduit, a direction of flow of inert gas from the first conduit defining a first angle with respect to a plane defined by the opening of the container, and a direction of flow of inert gas from the second conduit defining a second angle with respect to the plane.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second angles are substantially equal.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second angles are offset.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the first angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the first conduit more toward the cap than toward the opening of the container.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the second conduit more toward the opening of the container than the flow of inert gas from the first conduit.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the second angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the second conduit more toward the opening of the container than toward the cap.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising processing a plurality of containers, each of the containers having an opening, and wherein an inert gas exit opening of the apparatus is remote from spaces defined by projections of each of the container openings during the processing step.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus for introducing an inert gas into a head space of a container, the container and cap cooperating to define the head space above a potable liquid in the container, the apparatus comprising: 
 an inert gas source;    a least one conduit coupled to the inert gas source, the at least one conduit having an exit opening for the inert gas to exit the at least one conduit; and    a capping device for disposing a cap onto the container to seal the container,    the apparatus operable to introduce an inert gas into the head space as the relationship between the cap and opening are changed from a first position to a second position, a distance between the cap and opening being smaller at the first position than at the second position,    and wherein the exit opening of the at least one conduit is remote from a space defined by a projection of the opening of the container.    
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises only one conduit.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of conduits.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one conduit has an axis angularly offset from a direction of movement of the container at the time the inert gas is introduced.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein a direction of flow of the inert gas from the at least one conduit is angularly offset from a direction of movement of the container at the time the inert gas is introduced.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one conduit has an axis angularly offset from a plane defined by the opening of the container.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein an exit opening of the at least one conduit has an area based at least in part on the size of the opening of the container.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the at least one conduit comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, a direction of flow of inert gas from the first conduit defining a first angle with respect to a plane defined by the opening of the container, and a direction of flow of inert gas from the second conduit defining a second angle with respect to the plane.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second angles are substantially equal.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second angles are offset.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the first conduit more toward the cap than toward the opening of the container.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the second angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the second conduit more toward the opening of the container than the flow of inert gas from the first conduit.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the second angle is determined to direct the flow of inert gas from the second conduit more toward the opening of the container than toward the cap.