U.S. patent application number 10/098177 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-29 for apparatus and method for filling and closing a container in two stages.
Invention is credited to Goar, Michael E., Searle, Matthew J..
Application Number | 20020119222 10/098177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26315928 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020119222 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Searle, Matthew J. ; et
al. |
August 29, 2002 |
Apparatus and method for filling and closing a container in two
stages
Abstract
A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first
closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The
container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning
station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure
jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a
second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member
(12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that
there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the
mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after
opening.
Inventors: |
Searle, Matthew J.; (Bruton,
GB) ; Goar, Michael E.; (London, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C.
8th Floor
1100 North Glebe Road
Arlington
VA
22201
US
|
Family ID: |
26315928 |
Appl. No.: |
10/098177 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10098177 |
Mar 15, 2002 |
|
|
|
PCT/GB00/03582 |
Sep 18, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/115 ;
215/277; 220/258.1; 220/259.3; 53/167; 53/287; 53/426; 53/432;
53/485; 53/510 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 55/24 20130101;
B67C 7/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/115 ;
220/259.3; 220/258.1; 215/277; 53/426; 53/485; 53/432; 53/167;
53/287; 53/510 |
International
Class: |
B65D 051/18; B65B
055/04; B65B 007/28; B65B 031/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 16, 1999 |
GB |
GB 9921872.9 |
Oct 15, 1999 |
GB |
GB 9924380.0 |
Claims
1. A method of closing a filled container, the method comprising
the steps of: temporarily closing the filled container by holding a
first closure member in position to close the container opening;
cleaning the exterior of the container whilst it is temporarily
closed, and applying a second closure member to said container
opening to seal the filled container.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second closure
member is applied to said container opening to replace said first
closure member.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second closure
member is applied to the container to hold said first closure
member in position, such that said first and second closure members
together seal the filled container.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second
closure member is secured to said container to maintain the opening
thereof sealed.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior
of the container is cleaned by spraying a fluid at the
exterior.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fluid sprayed to
effect cleaning is water.
7. A method as claimed In claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the fluid
sprayed to effect cleaning is air.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the exterior
of the container is cleaned by brushing the exterior.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising
the step of performing further treatments on the exterior of the
container whilst it is temporarily closed.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the further treatments
performed apply fungicides, and/or antibacterial agents to the
exterior of the container.
11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the
exterior of the container is dried whilst the container is
temporarily closed.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
container has been filled with a foodstuff.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the
container has been filled with carbonated beverage.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the carbonated
beverage is beer.
15. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising
the step of applying nitrogen into the container by way of its
opening before said first closure member is held thereon.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a jetting device is
inserted into said container before the container opening is sealed
by the application of said second closure member.
17. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said
container opening is an unrestricted mouth opening.
18 A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said unrestricted mouth
opening has a diameter which exceeds 30 millimeters, and preferably
exceeds 45 millimeters.
19. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second
closure member is seamed, bonded, clipped, push fitted and/or
screwed onto said container to seal the filled container.
20. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein first
interengaging means are provided on said second closure member, and
second interengaging means are provided on said container, said
first and second interengaging means being engaged when the second
closure member is applied to the container, and wherein said first
closure member is held in position during cleaning such that the
second interengaging means are accessible and thereby subject to
the cleaning.
21. Apparatus for closing a filled container, the apparatus
comprising: means for cleaning the exterior of a container, means
for temporarily closing the opening of a filled container whilst
the container is cleaned by said cleaning means, and closure means
for sealing the container opening of the filled and cleaned
container.
22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means for
temporarily closing the opening of the filled container comprises
means for applying a first closure member to the opening, and means
for holding the first closure member in position to close the
container opening.
23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said holding means
comprises a pressure applying arm arranged to engage the first
closure member and hold it in position against any pressure from
the contents of the filled container.
24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said means for
temporarily closing and said holding means comprise a pressure
applying arm carrying a first closure member at one end thereof,
said pressure applying arm being arranged to locate the first
closure member in position to close the container opening and then
to hold the first closure member in position against any pressure
from the contents of the filled container.
25. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24, wherein said
cleaning means comprises means for spraying a fluid against the
exterior of the container to effect cleaning thereof.
26. Apparatus as claimed in claims 25, wherein said fluid is water
and/or air.
27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein said
spray means is arranged to provide a high pressure jet of said
fluid.
28. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 27, wherein said
cleaning means comprises means for brushing the exterior of the
container.
29. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 28, wherein said
cleaning means comprises means to rotate the container during
cleaning thereof.
30. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 29, wherein said
closure means comprises means for applying a second closure member
to the opening of the container, and means for securing the second
closure member to the container to seal the container opening.
31. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said securing means
seams or bonds the second closure member to the container after the
first closure member has been removed therefrom.
32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said securing means
applies the second closure member to the container by clipping,
engaging, or by screwing.
33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said first closure
member is maintained on the container and is retained in position
by said applied second closure member.
34. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 33, further
comprising further treatment means for performing further
treatments on the exterior of the container whilst said means for
temporarily closing the opening maintains the container opening
temporarily closed.
35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein said further
treatment means comprises means for drying the container
exterior.
36. Apparatus as claimed in claim 34 or claim 35, wherein said
further treatment means comprises means for applying fungicides
and/or antibacterial agents to the exterior of the container.
37. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 36, further
comprising means for moving a container from the means for
temporarily closing the container, to the cleaning means, and then
to the closure means.
38. A filled and closed container which has been closed by a method
as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20.
39. A filled and closed container which has been closed by
apparatus as claimed in any of claims 21 to 37.
40. A filled and closed container as claimed in claim 38 or claim
39, having an opening, and a closure secured to the container to
seal the opening, wherein said opening is an unrestricted mouth
opening.
41. A container as claimed in claim 40, wherein said unrestricted
mouth opening for the container has a diameter which exceeds 30
millimeters.
42. A container as claimed in claim 41, wherein said unrestricted
mouth opening has a diameter which exceeds 45 millimeters.
43. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 42, wherein a
headspace is defined within the container opening between the
contained product and the closure, and wherein the container and/or
closure are configured to reduce the volume of the headspace.
44. A container as claimed in claim 43, wherein said closure is
inwardly deformed to extend into the headspace.
45. A container as claimed in claim 44, wherein said closure is
inwardly domed.
46. A container as claimed in claim 44, wherein said closure is
inwardly indented.
47. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 46, further
comprising a jetting device within the container.
48. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 47, wherein an
inner surface of the closure is coated with, or carries, an oxygen
scavenging material.
49. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 48, wherein the
contained product within the container is a foodstuff.
50. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 49, wherein the
contained product within the container is a carbonated
beverage.
51. A container as claimed in claim 50, wherein the carbonated
beverage is beer.
52. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 51, wherein the
container has a body member within which the product is contained,
and on which the container opening is defined, and wherein the body
member is metal.
53. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 51, wherein the
container has a body member within which the product is contained,
and on which the container opening is defined, and wherein the body
member is glass.
54. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 51, wherein the
container has a body member within which the product is contained,
and on which the container opening is defined, and wherein the body
member is plastics material.
55. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 54, wherein said
closure is a multi-part or a two-part closure, a second part of the
closure being said second closure member.
56. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 54, wherein said
closure is a single part closure and comprises said second closure
member.
57. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 55, wherein said
closure is made of metal and plastics material.
58. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 56, wherein said
closure is made of metal.
59. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 56, wherein said
closure is made of plastics material.
60. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 59, wherein the
closure is secured to the container by engaged screw threads on the
container and on the closure.
61. A container as claimed in any of claims 38 to 59, wherein the
closure has been seamed to the container to secure the closure.
62. A container as claimed in claims 38 to 59, wherein the closure
has been clipped or crimped onto the container to secure the
closure.
63. A method of closing a filled container substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
64. Apparatus for closing a filled container substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
65. A closed and filled container substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to the accompanying drawings
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
closing a filled container, and to such a container when closed and
filled.
[0002] Containers such as cans, bottles, or wide mouthed containers
for beer and other carbonated beverages, for example, are generally
filled and closed on automated filling lines. During the filling
process, particularly where the container is wide-mouthed, that is,
has a mouth opening with a diameter of 45 mm or more, some of the
content may spill, slop or foam onto the exterior of the container.
Sometimes foam is deliberately produced during filling to purge the
headspace at the opening of the container of oxygen and/or other
contaminants.
[0003] When the container is a can and has an end member seamed
thereon after filling, the can can be washed to remove any residues
or other contamination. However, if the closure is to be
mechanically engaged on the opening of the container, for example,
is a screw closure, then the area around the opening which is
contacted by the interior of the closure will be hidden from any
subsequent cleaning process.
[0004] Any area on the exterior of the container which has been
contacted with the beverage, but cannot be subsequently cleaned,
could create a biohazard as the carbonated beverage provides
nutrients for microbial growth. It is particularly important to
prevent the chance of any such contamination where the container is
specifically designed to be drunk from. European patent 0578711,
for example, describes a wide mouthed plastics material container
for beer, having external screw threads, which is specifically
designed for use as a drinking vessel after opening. With such a
container, therefore, there is a clear need to ensure that the
external screw threads are clean and uncontaminated after the
filling and closing processes.
[0005] Beer, and other carbonated beverages, contain sugar. If the
sugar remains on screw threads or other engaging means on the
exterior of a container it will act as an adhesive when a closure
is engaged thereon. This can make it subsequently very difficult
for the consumer to open the container. This is particularly
significant with a wide mouthed drinking vessel as shown in
European patent no. 0578711. European patent 0975527 shows a
two-part screw closure for such a container which is designed to
keep the opening torque low. However, if the screw threads of the
closure become adhered to those of the container, even that closure
becomes unopenable.
[0006] The present invention seeks to overcome or reduce the
problems which can arise on the filling of containers, as outlined
above.
[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method of closing a filled container, the
method comprising the steps of:
[0008] temporarily closing the filled container by holding a first
closure member in position to close the container opening;
[0009] cleaning the exterior of the container whilst it is
temporarily closed, and
[0010] applying a second closure member to said container opening
to seal the filled container.
[0011] With a method of an embodiment of the invention, the
temporary closure protects the contents of the container from
contamination by the cleaning process whilst enabling the exterior
of the container to be cleaned. Once cleaning has been completed,
the container opening may be sealed.
[0012] It is possible to have a temporary closure which is not
intended to remain on the container. Once the cleaning process has
been completed, therefore, said second closure member is applied to
said container opening to replace said first closure member.
[0013] The first closure member, which is to be subsequently
discarded, may be a plate or other closure which is held in
position on the container opening by pressure applying means such
as an arm. Alternatively, the temporary closure may be part of the
arm and subsequently reused. Where there is reuse of the first
closure member, of course, it will be necessary to arrange for the
first closure member to be cleaned.
[0014] The second closure member, which is used to seal the
container opening, may be of any type and/or configuration
required. For example, the second closure member may be a one part
closure, or may be a two-part or a multi-part closure.
[0015] Currently it is preferred that the closure used to seal the
filled container is a two-part closure, for example, as described
in European patent 0975527. The closure in this patent
specification has a first part which extends across the opening and
a second depending rotatable part which screws onto the container
to hold the first closure member in position to seal the container.
Such an arrangement is particularly suited to a method of an
embodiment of the invention where the temporary closure of the
container may be by way of the first part of the two-part closure,
which is subsequently retained in position to seal the container by
the second part of the two-part closure. Specifically, in an
embodiment of the invention, said second closure member is applied
to the container to hold said first closure member in position,
such that said first and second closure members together seal the
filled container.
[0016] As noted previously, it is possible to have a closure which
has more that two parts. For example, the multi-part closure may
incorporate a jetting device and/or an oxygen scavenging part.
Generally, such a multi-part closure is assembled, and is applied
to the container, when the container opening is to be sealed. In
this case, part of the multi-part closure forms said second closure
member.
[0017] Whilst the filled container is temporarily closed, the
container is cleaned in any appropriate manner. For example, the
exterior of the container may be cleaned by spraying a fluid at
that exterior. The fluid may be water or air. For example high
pressure jets of water and air may be used as alternatives or in
sequence. Additionally and/or alternatively, the exterior of the
container may be cleaned by brushing.
[0018] It is also possible with a method of the invention to
perform any further treatments required on the exterior of the
container whilst it is temporarily closed. For example, the further
treatments performed may apply fungicides, and/or antibacterial
agents to the exterior of the container.
[0019] In an embodiment, the exterior of the container is dried
whilst the container is temporarily closed.
[0020] Preferably, the container has been filled with a foodstuff,
such as a carbonated beverage. A method of the invention finds
particular utility where the carbonated beverage is beer.
[0021] In an embodiment, a method of the invention further
comprises the step of applying nitrogen into the container by way
of its opening before said first closure member is held thereon.
The nitrogen may be used, for example, to purge the headspace of
oxygen. Preferably, a jetting device is inserted into said
container before the container opening is sealed by the application
of said second closure member. The nitrogen is taken into the
jetting device to charge it ready for subsequent use.
[0022] Although a method of the present invention is not restricted
to use with any particular type of container, it does find
particular usefulness where the container opening is an
unrestricted mouth opening and has a diameter which exceeds 30 mm,
and generally exceeds 45 mm. The 45 mm size can generally be taken
to divide bottles with narrow mouths from containers with wide
mouths. Where a container has a wide, unrestricted, mouth opening,
there is likely to be a larger problem of spillage of the container
contents than with narrow necked containers.
[0023] The second closure member may be seamed, bonded, clipped,
push fitted, screwed onto or otherwise appropriately engaged on the
container to seal the filled container.
[0024] In an embodiment, first interengaging means are provided on
said second closure member, and second interengaging means are
provided on said container, said first and second interengaging
means being engaged when the second closure member is applied to
the container, and wherein said first closure member is held in
position during cleaning such that the second interengaging means
are accessible and thereby subject to the cleaning.
[0025] The present invention also extends to apparatus for closing
a filled container, the apparatus comprising:
[0026] means for cleaning the exterior of a container,
[0027] means for temporarily closing the opening of a filled
container whilst the container is cleaned by said cleaning means,
and
[0028] closure means for sealing the container opening of the
filled and cleaned container.
[0029] Preferably, said means for temporarily closing the opening
of the filled container comprises means for applying a first
closure member to the opening, and means for holding the first
closure member in position to close the container opening.
[0030] For example, said holding means comprises a pressure
applying arm arranged to engage the first closure member and hold
it in position against any pressure from the contents of the filled
container.
[0031] Alternatively, said means for temporarily closing the
container and said holding means comprise a pressure applying arm
carrying a first closure member at one end thereof, said pressure
applying arm being arranged to locate the first closure member in
position to close the container opening and then to hold the first
closure member in position against any pressure from the contents
of the filled container.
[0032] In an embodiment, said cleaning means comprises means for
spraying a fluid against the exterior of the container to effect
cleaning thereof. The fluid sprayed may be water and/or air.
[0033] The spray means is preferably arranged to provide a high
pressure jet of the fluid used.
[0034] Additionally and/or alternatively, said cleaning means
comprises means for brushing the exterior of the container.
[0035] To facilitate cleaning, the cleaning means may comprise
means to rotate the container during cleaning thereof.
[0036] In an embodiment, said closure means comprises means for
applying a second closure member to the opening of the container,
and means for securing the second closure member to the container
to seal the container opening.
[0037] For example, the securing means may be arranged to seam or
bond the second closure member to the container after the first
closure member has been removed therefrom.
[0038] In an alternative embodiment, said securing means applies
the second closure member to the container by clipping, engaging,
or by screwing. Preferably, in this case, said first closure member
is maintained on the container and is retained in position by said
applied second closure member.
[0039] The first and second closure members may constitute a
two-part closure for the container or may be two parts of a
multi-part closure.
[0040] Apparatus of the invention may further comprise further
treatment means for performing further treatments on the exterior
of the container whilst said means for temporarily closing the
opening maintains the container opening temporarily closed. For
example, said further treatment means may comprise means for drying
the container exterior. Additionally and/or alternatively, said
further treatment means comprises means for applying fungicides
and/or antibacterial agents to the exterior of the container.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises means for
moving a container from the means for temporarily closing the
container, to the cleaning means, and then to the closure
means.
[0042] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shared moving
means comprises either a linear conveyor or a rotatable carousel
provided in a substantially conventional filling line.
[0043] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a filled and closed container which has been closed by
a method as defined above or has been closed by apparatus as
defined above.
[0044] A filled and closed container of the invention preferably
has an opening, and a closure secured to the container to seal the
opening, wherein said opening is an unrestricted mouth opening.
[0045] In an embodiment, said unrestricted mouth opening for the
container has a diameter which exceeds 30 millimeters, and
preferably, exceeds 45 millimeters.
[0046] A headspace is defined within the container opening between
the contained product and the closure, and preferably the container
and/or closure are configured to reduce the volume of the
headspace.
[0047] For example, said closure is inwardly deformed to extend
into the headspace, and may be inwardly domed, or inwardly
indented.
[0048] In an embodiment, a jetting device is provided within the
container.
[0049] To reduce the amount of oxygen in the headspace, an inner
surface of the closure may be coated with, or carry, an oxygen
scavenging material.
[0050] Preferably the contained product within the container is a
foodstuff.
[0051] In a preferred embodiment, a filled and closed container of
the invention contains a carbonated beverage, preferably beer.
[0052] The container has a body member within which the product is
contained, and on which the container opening is defined. In one
embodiment, the body member is metal, in an alternative the body
member is glass, and in a further alternative, the body member is
plastics material.
[0053] The closure for the container may be a two-part or a
multi-part closure. Where the closure is a two-part closure, the
first part thereof may constitute the first closure member which
temporarily closed the container, with the second part of the
closure constituting said second closure member. Alternatively, the
closure may be a single part closure and comprise said second
closure member.
[0054] A multi-part closure or a two-part closure may be made of
metal and plastics material, of metal, or of plastics material.
[0055] Similarly, a single part closure may be made of metal or of
plastics material.
[0056] Preferably the closure is secured to the container by
engaged screw threads on the container and on the closure. However,
alternative means to secure the closure on the container, such as
seaming, clipping or crimping, may be employed.
[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described, by way of example, with a reference to the accompanying
drawings, in it:
[0058] FIG. 1 shows schematically a carbonated beverage container
with a rotatable two-part closure:
[0059] FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the container of
FIG. 1 to illustrate steps in a method of the invention, and
[0060] FIG. 3 shows a plan view from above of apparatus for closing
a container in accordance with the present invention.
[0061] The invention described herein is, as set out above,
applicable to any containers which are to be sealed to retain a
contained product. However, for clarity, the container will be
described further below with specific reference to containers for
containing beer and other beverages.
[0062] Beer is commonly contained in plastics or glass, thin-necked
bottles having screw closures or crown corks. Beer is also commonly
contained in aluminium cans which have a wide mouth opening to
which an end closure is seamed. The present invention is clearly
applicable to these types of containers, and it's also applicable
to any other containers it may be required to use.
[0063] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a beverage container of
plastics material for beer or other beverages having a rotatable
closure, as described in WO98/46493. The container of FIG. 1
comprises a substantially cylindrical body member 2 of plastics
material having closed end 4 and a generally circular mouth opening
6 at the end thereof opposed to said a closed end 4. An interrupted
external screw thread 8 is provided on the body member 2 and
surrounds, but is spaced from, the mouth opening 6.
[0064] The container of FIG. 1 is also provided with a closure 10
having an internal screw thread (not visible in FIG. 1) arranged to
engage the screw thread 8 of the container. Thus, when the body
member 2 has been filled with beer, the closure 10 can be engaged
thereon by engaging the screw threads of the closure 10 and of the
body member 2, and then rotating or screwing the closure 10 to its
position.
[0065] Containers, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, are filled
on conventional filling lines which may comprise linear conveying
means or rotatable carousels effective to place each container in
its turn under a filling head so that the container can be charged
with beer. Particularly where the container is wide mouthed as that
illustrated, it is likely that there will be fobbing or slopping of
the beer out of the container and onto the exterior thereof.
Spillage will continue as the container is moved from the filling
head to a closure station. In addition, foam may be deliberately
produced during the filling process to purge the headspace of
oxygen.
[0066] The container of FIG. 1 is provided, as shown in FIG. 2,
with a two part closure 10 comprising a first closure member 12
which engages with the mouth opening 6, and a second closure member
14 which has internal screw threads 16 for engagement with the
external screw thread 8 provided on the exterior of the body member
2 of the container. The first and second closure members 12, 14 are
configured such that the second closure member 14, when screwed
onto the external thread 8 of the container, holds the first
closure member 12 across the mouth opening 6 whereby the container
is sealed. In this respect, the configuration of the two-part
closure may be chosen as required and may be, for example, as
described in European patent 0975527.
[0067] During a filling operation, beer, indicated at 20, is
charged into the body member 2. Then the first closure member 12 is
positioned across the mouth opening 6 to close the mouth opening.
The closure member 12 is held in position against the pressure of
the carbonation in the beer 20 by way of a pressure applying arm
(not shown) of the filling line which contacts the exterior of the
first closure member 12 and applies pressure to keep it in place.
With the container thereby closed, its exterior can be subject to
cleaning. For example, high pressure jets of air and water may be
used to remove contaminants from the exterior of the container.
Where the cleaning is carried out by water, the container may
subsequently be subjected to a drying process. The container can be
brushed, or subjected to other mechanical processes. To facilitate
the cleaning, the container may be rotated about its longitudinal
axis. All of these processes can be arranged to take place as the
container is moved along a filling line from the filling head to
the closure station.
[0068] The filled and cleaned container arriving at the closure
station already has the first closure member 12 in position. At the
closure station, therefore, the second closure member 14 is engaged
over the first closure member and screwed into place. During this
process, the pressure applying arm holding the inner closure 12 in
position is removed. In this respect, the arm may comprise a forked
member which co-operates with the second closure member in any
suitable manner.
[0069] It would alternatively be possible to close the container by
a single part closure after cleaning. In this circumstance, the
first closure member 12 is removed from the container after the
cleaning process, and the second closure member is then applied to
the container to seal it.
[0070] Apparatus for cleaning and closing a filled container is
preferably incorporated in a filling and closing line for the
containers as indicated in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a filling head or
station 30 In the form of a carousel. Filled but open containers,
as indicated at 32, are discharged from the filling station 30 and
are fed to apparatus of the invention generally indicated at 34. As
shown schematically, the apparatus 34 generally comprises a
carousel 36 arranged to receive containers and convey them around
an annular path between an input 38 and a discharge exit 40.
[0071] The apparatus 34 is provided with means 42 for temporarily
closing an arriving, filled container 32. These means 42 may
comprise arms to move a first closure 12 into engagement at the top
of a filled container and to hold that closure in position. The
temporary closure arrives in place to close the container at
closure station 44, and remains held in place by the pressure
applying arm until the container is subsequently sealed. The
container is then moved to a washing station 46, and then to a
drying station 48, at which the temporarily sealed container is
first cleaned and then dried. This may be by spray high pressure
jets of water, and then air, against the container exterior. At a
sealing station 50 the filled and cleaned container 32 is then
sealed by way of closure means. As indicated at 52, closure means
pick up a second closure member and are effective, at sealing
station 50, to engage that closure member over the first closure
member and screw it onto the container. The filled, cleaned and
sealed container is then discharged at exit 40.
[0072] As indicated, variations in and modifications to the
embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the
scope of the appended claims.
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