Method and Apparatus for Flushing a Container with an Inert Gas

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. The process may further include flushing the container with an inert gas. The flushing step may be performed while the container is empty or prior to being completely filled.

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 steps of: 
 flushing the container with an inert gas to reduce the oxygen level within the container to a first percentage lower than ambient air;    filling the container with the potable liquid while the oxygen level in the container is maintained below that of ambient air;    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.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step is performed prior to the filling step.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the filling step is partially performed prior to the flushing step.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises reducing the oxygen level in the container to less than 2%.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises reducing the oxygen level in the container to about 1% or less.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises reducing the oxygen level in the container to an amount determined at least in part by the volume of the container.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises reducing the level of dissolved oxygen within the potable liquid in the container.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a duration of the flushing step is determined based at least in part on the volume of the container.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container for a period of about 1-10 seconds.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container for a period of about 2-6 seconds.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container for a period of about 3-4 seconds.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container for a period of at least one second.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container for a period of at least 0.5 seconds.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises directing an inert gas from a source outside of the interior space of the container toward an opening in the container.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises directing an inert gas from a source located inside the interior space of the container into the interior space of the container.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flushing step comprises flushing the container a plurality of times.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one flushing is accomplished using a first flushing apparatus and another flushing is accomplished using a second flushing apparatus.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting a time period between the flushing step and the filling step based on a desired amount of trapped oxygen in the container.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting a distance which the container travels between the flushing and filling step based at least in part on a desired amount of trapped oxygen in the container.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising directing condensate from the inert gas source away from an opening in the container.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for reducing the amount of oxygen in a head space of a container having a cap, the container and cap cooperating to define the head space above a potable liquid in the container, the apparatus comprising: 
 an inert gas source;    at least one flushing device for flushing the container with the inert gas;    a capping device for disposing a cap onto the container to seal the container; and    at least one head space inerting device operable to introduce an inert gas into the head space as the cap and the container are brought closer together.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the inert gas source supplies both the flushing device and the head space inerting device.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one flushing device comprises a plurality of flushing devices.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a first flushing device is operable to flush a first container, while a second flushing device is flushing a second container.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a first flushing device is operable to perform a second flushing of a container that has already been flushed by a second flushing device.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the flushing device is operable to direct inert gas into the container to displace at least some of the oxygen in the interior of the container to reduce a level of trapped oxygen within the container to less than about two percent.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the flushing device is operable to direct inert gas into the container to displace at least some of the oxygen in the interior of the container to reduce a level of trapped oxygen within the container to less than about one percent.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the flushing device is operable to direct inert gas into the container to displace at least some of the oxygen in the interior of the container to reduce a level of trapped oxygen within the container to less than about 0.5 percent.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the flushing device has a gas exit, and wherein the flushing device is movable from a first position to a second position, the gas exit being exterior to the container in the first position and within the interior of the container in the second position.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the flushing device has a gas exit and wherein the flushing device is operable to flush the container when the gas exit is located inside the container at a distance of from about 0.25-1.00 inches.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the flushing device has a gas exit and wherein the flushing device is operable to flush the container when the gas exit is located inside the container at a distance of about 0.5 inches.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a filling device for at least partially filling the container with the potable liquid.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein a distance between the flushing device and the filling device is limited to maintain a predetermined maximum amount of trapped oxygen within the container.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein a container moving from the flushing device to the filling device travels for a predetermined amount of time, and wherein the predetermined amount of time is limited to maintain a predetermined maximum amount of trapped oxygen within the container.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , the flushing device comprising a drip shield for preventing condensate from entering an opening of the container.