Device and method for filling of a container

Abstract

A device for filling a container of a collapsible type with a liquid product, said container having two opposite side walls which abut flatly against each other in the state of the container before filling and which comprise opposite inlet portions, which are to be separated to open an inlet. The device comprises an opening for opening said inlet by separating said opposite inlet portions, and a filling nozzle, which is to be inserted in said inlet for supplying said product to said container. The device also comprises a nozzle for supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume defined by the open inlet. The invention also concerns methods of filling a container of a collapsible type.

1 . A method of filling a container of a collapsible type with a liquid product,
 said container having a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume is dependent on the relative position of the walls,   said walls comprising two opposite side walls which in the state of the container before filling flatly abut against each other, said method comprising the steps of:   opening an inlet by separating opposite inlet portions of said side walls,   supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume defined by the open inlet,   relative to the container, inserting a filling nozzle in the inlet,   supplying said product to the compartment of the container through said filling nozzle,   relative to the container, withdrawing said filling nozzle from the inlet, and   sealing said inlet.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the step of, relative to the container, withdrawing said filling nozzle from the inlet is followed by the step of supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume which is defined by the inlet above the surface level of the product. 
     
     
         3 . A method of filling a container of a collapsible type with a liquid product,
 said container having a compartment which is defined by flexible walls and whose volume is dependent on the relative position of the walls,   said walls comprising two opposite side walls which in the state of the container before filling flatly abut against each other, said method comprising the steps of:   opening an inlet by separating opposite inlet portions of said side walls,   relative to the container, inserting a filling nozzle in the inlet,   supplying said product to the compartment of the container through said filling nozzle,   relative to the container, withdrawing said filling nozzle from the inlet,   supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume which is defined by the inlet above the surface level of the product,   sealing said inlet.   
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the step of, relative to the container, inserting a filling nozzle in the inlet is followed by the step of supplying a protective atmosphere to the container. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through the filling nozzle. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through a nozzle arranged separately from the filling nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the protective atmosphere contains carbon dioxide or nitrogen gas. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the protective atmosphere has a density that is higher than the density of air. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the container is made of a laminated container material containing a core layer of mineral-filled polyolefin. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the container is made of a laminated container material containing a gas barrier layer. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the protective atmosphere contains a gas component which is supplied in a compressed and pressurised state, said gas component, after completion of the filling of the container, being allowed to expand in the container, the step of sealing the inlet of the container being performed before said gas component has finished expanding. 
     
     
         12 . A device for filling a container of a collapsible type with a liquid product, said container having two opposite side walls, which abut flatly against each other in the state of the container before filling and which comprise opposite inlet portions, which are to be separated to open an inlet, said device comprising:
 an opening for opening said inlet by separating said opposite inlet portions,   a filling nozzle, which is to be inserted in said inlet for supplying said product to said container, and   a nozzle for supplying a protective atmosphere to a volume defined by the open inlet.   
     
     
         13 . A device as claimed in  claim 12 , in which said nozzle is integrated in said filling nozzle. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , in which said nozzle is separately arranged to said filling nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . A device as claimed in  claim 12 , in which said opening comprises a pair of suction cups for engaging said inlet portions by suction. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the step of, relative to the container, inserting a filling nozzle in the inlet is followed by the step of supplying a protective atmosphere to the container. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the step of, relative to the container, inserting a filling nozzle in the inlet is followed by the step of supplying a protective atmosphere to the container. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through the filling nozzle. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through the filling nozzle. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through a nozzle arranged separately from the filling nozzle. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the protective atmosphere is supplied through a nozzle arranged separately from the filling nozzle.