Method of removing headspace from a filled container and container comprising a valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9561947-B2
Application number	US-201214119460-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 7, 2012
Priority date	Jun 1, 2011
Publication date	Feb 7, 2017
Grant date	Feb 7, 2017

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of removing headspace ( 3 ) from a filled container ( 1 ). The method comprises providing a container that is filled with a product ( 2 ) and that further holds a gas containing headspace. The container comprises a valve ( 100 ) that allows gas to be expelled from the container. The method further comprises applying a pressure difference over the one-way valve to remove gas contained in the headspace through the valve to reduce the headspace.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of removing headspace from a filled container, said method comprising:
a) providing a container that is filled with a product and that further holds a gas containing headspace, wherein the container is at least partially deformable and comprises an opening for dispensing the product, said container comprising a valve that allows gas to be expelled from the container; and the container is made of an elastically deformable material, the container having a deformed shape, the deformed shape being deformed with respect to an undeformed shape, wherein the container inclines to return to its undeformed shape and wherein the internal volume in the deformed shape is less than the internal volume of the container in the undeformed shape,
wherein the valve comprises an inner layer and an outer layer positioned on top of each other, the inner layer and outer layer each comprising at least one perforation that are positioned off-set with respect to each other,
wherein the inner layer and outer layer are made of a flexible material,
the outer layer having a higher modulus of elasticity, and
wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed by one or more sublayers,
the inner layer comprising a first sub-layer made of thermoplastic styrene,
the inner layer further comprising a second sub-layer being a conductive layer, such as an aluminum layer, which heats up when an oscillating electromagnetic field is applied,
the inner layer further comprising a third sub-layer being made of a thermoplastic material like expanded polyethylene,
the outer layer comprising a first sub-layer made of thermoplastic styrene,
the outer layer further comprising a second sub-layer forming a protection layer, for instance made of polyethylene terephthalate, and
wherein the one-way valve may be closed by induction sealing, by generating an oscillating electromagnetic field, for instance by an induction coil, to heat up the second sub-layer, leading to melting of the first sub-layer facing the inner layer and attaching to the inner layer,
and

b) applying a pressure difference over the valve to remove gas contained in the headspace through the valve to reduce the headspace.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the container is a deformable container and a positive pressure is applied to the container by deforming the container.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein in between the sub-layers of the inner layer and in between the sub-layers of the outer layer, adhesive layers are provided.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein valve comprises a filter layer.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein b) comprises monitoring the applied pressure difference not to exceed a predetermined value.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises;
c) permanently dosing the valve.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the valve comprises an inner layer and an outer layer positioned on top of each other, wherein action c) comprises sealing the inner and outer layer together.

8. A method according to claim 6 , wherein action c) comprises sealing the valve.

9. A method of filling a container with a product, the method comprising:
filling a container with the product,
providing a valve that allows gas to be expelled from the container; and
applying the method according to claim 1 .

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the method comprises labelling the container before applying the method of removing headspace from a filled container.

Assignees

• Krieg Johannes
• Günyol Özgür
• Oudehand Leon Bernard
• Van De Poll Jonkheer Theodoor Hendrik
• Conopco Inc

Inventors

• Krieg Johannes
• Günyol Özgür
• Oudehand Leon Bernard
• Van De Poll Jonkheer Theodoor Hendrik

Classifications

• B67C3/223 Primary

  by squeezing the container elastically · CPC title

• B65D2205/025

  having a removable label, sticker or adhesive foil covering the hole · CPC title

• B65D51/16

  with means for venting air or gas · CPC title

• B67C3/222 Primary

  Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam · CPC title