Diving nozzle for gas purging a package and method for the same

Abstract

A diving nozzle for purging a package with gas, a fill machine with such a diving nozzle, and a method of purging a package are disclosed. The diving nozzle includes a straight hollow tube and a lower end extending transversely to the straight hollow tube. The lower end is arranged at an angle to the straight hollow tube. An axis of the lower end is arranged at an angle of 20° to 70° relative to a longitudinal axis of the straight hollow tube. A flow of purging gas is directed by the lower end towards a side of the package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diving nozzle for purging a package with purging gas, comprising:
 a straight hollow tube; and   a lower hollow end extending transversely to the straight hollow tube;   wherein the straight hollow tube and the lower hollow end define a flow path for purging gas.   
     
     
         2 . The diving nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end is arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the straight hollow tube. 
     
     
         3 . The diving nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of the lower hollow end is arranged at an angle of 110° to 160° relative to a longitudinal axis of the straight hollow tube. 
     
     
         4 . The diving nozzle of  claim 3 , wherein the angle between the axis of the lower hollow end and the longitudinal axis of the straight hollow tube is about 135°. 
     
     
         5 . The diving nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein an inner transition from the straight hollow tube to the lower hollow end is rounded. 
     
     
         6 . The diving nozzle of  claim 1 , further comprising a shield disposed on the straight hollow tube at a position above a transition between the straight hollow tube and the lower end. 
     
     
         7 . The diving nozzle of  claim 1 , wherein the lower end extends transversely from the straight hollow tube in a first direction and a second direction. 
     
     
         8 . A fill machine for filling a pouch with a product, comprising:
 a purge station;   a diving nozzle positioned at the purge station, the diving nozzle including:   a straight hollow tube with an inlet coupled to a supply of purging gas; and   a lower hollow end extending transversely to the straight hollow tube, the lower hollow end having an outlet disposed at a terminal end thereof;   wherein the straight hollow tube and the lower hollow end define a flow path for purging gas, and wherein the lower hollow end directs the purging gas towards a side of the pouch.   
     
     
         9 . The fill machine of  claim 8 , wherein the supply of purging gas includes one or more of N 2 , CO 2 , and O 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The fill machine of  claim 8 , wherein the lower hollow end is configured to direct a flow of purging gas towards one side of the package. 
     
     
         11 . The fill machine of  claim 8 , wherein the lower end is vertically displaceable into and out of the pouch. 
     
     
         12 . The fill machine of  claim 8 , wherein the lower end is configured to direct a flow of purging gas towards a first side and a second side of the pouch, and the first side is opposite the second side. 
     
     
         13 . A method for purging a package, comprising:
 moving a purge pipe with an angled lower end into an interior of the package; and   directing a flow of purge gas to a side of the package via the angled lower end.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 directing the flow of purge gas to another side of the package via the angled lower end; and   wherein the another side is opposite the side of the package.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flow of purge gas is directed simultaneously to both the side and the another side of the package. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the purge pipe includes an inlet coupled to a supply of purge gas. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the supply of purging gas includes one or more of N 2 , CO 2 , and O 2 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein directing the flow of purge gas to the side of the package is performed after filling the package with a product to remove residual oxygen from the package after said filling. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the angled lower end is arranged at an angle of 110° to 160° relative to a longitudinal axis of a straight hollow tube of the purge pipe. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the angled lower end is configured to discharge purge gas in a swirling-manner within the package.