Title of Invention	APPLICATION OF PURGE GAS IN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
Abstract	The invention relates to a device (1) as well as a method for applying a purge gas or flushing gas to containers (2) which are intended to be filled with comestibles, particularly beverage containers. The invention addresses the problem of achreving an optimal purging effect of the containers to be filled with foodstuff without affecting the environment, particularly by high CO2 values. According to the device, this is achieved with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) which attaches to the upper container edge (2a) by means of a seal (3) and through which a purge-gas tube (9) is fed which can likewise be raised and lowered, and said socket is equipped with a gas outlet (10).

Title of Invention

APPLICATION OF PURGE GAS IN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) as well as a method for applying a purge gas or flushing gas to containers (2) which are intended to be filled with comestibles, particularly beverage containers. The invention addresses the problem of achreving an optimal purging effect of the containers to be filled with foodstuff without affecting the environment, particularly by high CO2 values. According to the device, this is achieved with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) which attaches to the upper container edge (2a) by means of a seal (3) and through which a purge-gas tube (9) is fed which can likewise be raised and lowered, and said socket is equipped with a gas outlet (10).

Full Text	Application of Purge Gas in Beverage Containers The invention relates to a device for applying a purge gas or flushing gas in containers (2), particularly beverage containers, which are to be filled with foodstuff. In case of bottles to be filled with comestibles, e.g. beverages, it is known, that O2-containing air is to be purged by evacuation and subsequent rinsing with CO2. If one applied this known technology in beverage cans that are to be filled, this had led to evacuation step, in which the very thin-walled beverage cans would be imploded and would thus become useless. Another method consists of the fact that the cans are effectively rinsed with CO2. This leads to the desired rinsing results; however this method has the great disadvantage that in direct vicinity of the corresponding unit a concentration of CO2 arises, so that the machine operator is exposed to a very high MAK-value (threshold limit value). Here the object of the invention is to create a device, with which an optimum rinsing effect can be achieved in case of cans to be filled with comestibles, without exposing the environment to high CO2-values. With a device of the type as described before, this task can be achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, namely through a socket, which can be raised or lowered, attached to the upper edge of can by means of a seal, in which a purge gas pipe is designed that can be raised and lowered, and which is fitted with a gas discharge line. The advantage of the present invention lies in enabling the application of purge gas in the ground level of the can in a stationary, open can filled with ambient air by means of purge gas pipe that can be raised and lowered, whereby this purge gas/air mixture can be removed via a gas discharge line. There is also the possibility to regenerate, if necessary the purge gas/air mixture again and to recycle the purge gas into the cycle. In addition, it is possible to dispose of the purge gas/air mixture through the hall roof. In both cases, the surrounding area of the operator is considerably improved by a suitably equipped machine, since it is not charged with CO2 or purge gas smog. The atmosphere within the can is essentially improved, thus the possibility of oxygen intake and/or foreign gas intake is minimized during the subsequent filling procedure, which leads to an improvement of the quality of the final product. Embodiments of the invention result from the subordinate claims. The cylinder carrying the purge tube is suitably surrounded from outside by a socket sealed opposite this cylinder, which is laid on the upper edge of socket during purging with its sealing edge. If the cylinder shows two areas with different diameter, then a ring collar results in such a manner that this area can be used to form the starting of the discharge gas line. The end region of the cylindrical valve body tapered in diameter is arranged in such a way that an annular gap between the end region of the socket carrying the edge seal and the valve cylinder is formed for removing the purge gas/air mixture as discussed above. In order to improve the purging and accelerate a vacuum pump foreseen at the discharge gas line. The appropriate method of purging according to the invention consists of the fact that a socket provided with an edge seal is lowered on to the top edge of a can to be rinsed and positioned against this seating; subsequently a valve cylinder supporting the purge gas supply pipe and a discharge gas line is lowered so far into the can that the outlet of the purge tube is located within the can base where a gas outlet area is left open and subsequently the purge gas supply and the discharge gas line is kept open till the can is completely filled with purge gas. A further improvement can consist of the fact that the purge gas air mixture is drawn off during purging with the help of a vacuum pump synchronized with purge gas supply. Further characteristics, details and advantages of the invention result in based on the following description as well as the drawing. This shows a partially simplified diagram of said device in purging position. The device generally designated with Iserves for bringing in a purge gas or flushing gas in cans 2 to be filled with comestibles. In order to fill the can 2 with purge gas, socket 4 provided with a lower ring seal 3 is pressed on the edge of the can designated with 2a, whereby the can rests on an appropriate support 5. The lowering and lifting of the socket 4 is characterized with a lifting and lowering mechanism shown with a double arrow 6, though not clearly represented. A socket 4 that can be lifted and lowered is guided at the cylinder 7, which is sealed gas-tight sealed vis-a-vis cylinder 7 by means of seals 8. In the cylinder 7 a purge gas pipe 9 is centrically positioned. On the outer edge-side, one or more discharge gas lines 10 are positioned, which are provided with a vacuum pump 11. The purge gas pipe 9 is lowered into the bottom region 2b of can 2, so far that CO2 can escape from there. The valve as foreseen in the purge gas pipe is designated with 12 in the figure; the valve in the discharge gas line is marked with 13. The double arrow characterizing the lifting and lowering is marked with 14 in the purge gas pipe 9. The mode of working of said device is as follows: Can 2 to be filled with comestibles is mounted to the position of said device via a support and/or a transport element 5. If the can 2 is located in the concerned position, socket 4 is lowered (double arrow 6) via a device, not shown clearly, over the can till it seizes the upper edge of can 2a with its ring seal 3 and seals the latter this against the environment. Synchronous with or separated by this downward movement as per the double arrow 6 the purge gas pipe 9 led in the cylinder 7 is lowered into the can 2 (double arrow 14). The cylinder 7 is equipped at its end pointing in the direction of the can 2 with a range 7a of smaller diameter, so that the gas escaping during purging from the can in functional position of the cylinder 7 can be drawn off by means of the vacuum pump 11 through the discharge gas line 10. For charging the can inside with purge gas, valve 12 is opened, at the same time, valve 13 of the discharge gas line and if necessary, vacuum pump 11 are operated. The purging method is time-controlled and ends with discharge of the pre-selected time interval. In addition, the purge gas pipe valve 12 and the discharge gas line valve are closed, on which further process steps follow for the purpose of filling the can. Upon completion of filling of the can, socket 4 is taken off the can, the can, filled now, can be further guided into other process steps, e.g. locking. In addition to time-controlled termination of purging, a sensor-controlled steering of purging can be foreseen. Thus, sensors can be provided for gas pressure or for determining the purge gas concentration, which upon reaching the specified setpoint trigger the completion of purging. Reference symbol list: 1 device 2 can 2a can edge 2b can base 3 ring seal 4 socket 5 support 6 double arrow 7 cylinders 7a cylinder end 8 seals 9 purge gas pipe 10 discharge gas line 11 vacuum pump 12 purge gas pipe valve 13 discharge gas line valve 14 double arrow 15 annular space We claim: 1. A device (1) for bringing-in a purge gas and / or flushing gas into the cans (2) which are intended to be filled with comestibles, particularly beverage cans, with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) attached to the upper edge (2a) of can (2) by means of seal (3), in which a purge gas tube (9) is guided that can likewise be raised and lowered, wherein the said socket (4) is equipped with a discharge gas line (10), characterized in that the discharge gas line (10) is assigned to a vacuum pump (11). 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a central cylinder (7) guiding the purge gas tube (9), which is surrounded by socket (4) carrying the head seal (3) and sealed against the letter, which is equipped with an end portion (7a) reduced in diameter, wherein the discharge gas line (10) emanates from the shoulder so formed. 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the end region (7a), reduced in the diameter, of the centric valve cylinder (7) has an outside diameter, which for forming an exhaust gas column is less than the inside diameter of the end region of the socket (4) carrying the edge seal. 4. A method for bringing-in a purge gas and / or flushing gas in cans (2) which are to be filled with comestibles, in particular beverage cans, characterized in that a socket (4) provided with an edge seal (3) is lowered on to the top edge (2a) of a can (2) to be purged and is positioned seal tight against the latter; downstream a valve cylinder carrying the purge gas supply pipe (9) and a discharge gas line (10) is lowered so far into the can (2) that the outlet of the purge tube is located in the bottom of can base leaving a gas outlet area and subsequently, the purge gas supply and the discharge gas line opened so long as the can is completely filled with purge gas. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the purge gas/ air mixture is drawn off by means of vacuum pump synchronized with the purge gas supply during purging. Title: APPLICATION OF PURGE GAS IN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Abstract: (EN) The invention relates to a device (1) as well as a method for applying a purge gas or flushing gas to containers (2) which are intended to be filled with comestibles, particularly beverage containers. The invention addresses the problem of achreving an optimal purging effect of the containers to be filled with foodstuff without affecting the environment, particularly by high CO2 values. According to the device, this is achieved with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) which attaches to the upper container edge (2a) by means of a seal (3) and through which a purge-gas tube (9) is fed which can likewise be raised and lowered, and said socket is equipped with a gas outlet (10).

Full Text

Application of Purge Gas in Beverage Containers
The invention relates to a device for applying a purge gas or flushing gas in containers (2),
particularly beverage containers, which are to be filled with foodstuff.
In case of bottles to be filled with comestibles, e.g. beverages, it is known, that O2-containing air
is to be purged by evacuation and subsequent rinsing with CO2. If one applied this known
technology in beverage cans that are to be filled, this had led to evacuation step, in which the
very thin-walled beverage cans would be imploded and would thus become useless.
Another method consists of the fact that the cans are effectively rinsed with CO2. This leads to
the desired rinsing results; however this method has the great disadvantage that in direct
vicinity of the corresponding unit a concentration of CO2 arises, so that the machine operator is
exposed to a very high MAK-value (threshold limit value).
Here the object of the invention is to create a device, with which an optimum rinsing effect can
be achieved in case of cans to be filled with comestibles, without exposing the environment to
high CO2-values.
With a device of the type as described before, this task can be achieved by the characterizing
features of claim 1, namely through a socket, which can be raised or lowered, attached to the
upper edge of can by means of a seal, in which a purge gas pipe is designed that can be raised
and lowered, and which is fitted with a gas discharge line.

The advantage of the present invention lies in enabling the application of purge gas in the
ground level of the can in a stationary, open can filled with ambient air by means of purge gas
pipe that can be raised and lowered, whereby this purge gas/air mixture can be removed via a
gas discharge line.
There is also the possibility to regenerate, if necessary the purge gas/air mixture again and to
recycle the purge gas into the cycle. In addition, it is possible to dispose of the purge gas/air
mixture through the hall roof. In both cases, the surrounding area of the operator is
considerably improved by a suitably equipped machine, since it is not charged with CO2 or
purge gas smog.
The atmosphere within the can is essentially improved, thus the possibility of oxygen intake
and/or foreign gas intake is minimized during the subsequent filling procedure, which leads to
an improvement of the quality of the final product.
Embodiments of the invention result from the subordinate claims.
The cylinder carrying the purge tube is suitably surrounded from outside by a socket sealed
opposite this cylinder, which is laid on the upper edge of socket during purging with its sealing
edge. If the cylinder shows two areas with different diameter, then a ring collar results in such a
manner that this area can be used to form the starting of the discharge gas line.
The end region of the cylindrical valve body tapered in diameter is arranged in such a way that
an annular gap between the end region of the socket carrying the edge seal and the valve
cylinder is formed for removing the purge gas/air mixture as discussed above.
In order to improve the purging and accelerate a vacuum pump foreseen at the discharge gas
line.
The appropriate method of purging according to the invention consists of the fact that a socket
provided with an edge seal is lowered on to the top edge of a can to be rinsed and positioned
against this seating; subsequently a valve cylinder supporting the purge gas supply pipe and a
discharge gas line is lowered so far into the can that the outlet of the purge tube is located
within the can base where a gas outlet area is left open and subsequently the purge gas supply
and the discharge gas line is kept open till the can is completely filled with purge gas.
A further improvement can consist of the fact that the purge gas air mixture is drawn off during
purging with the help of a vacuum pump synchronized with purge gas supply.
Further characteristics, details and advantages of the invention result in based on the following
description as well as the drawing. This shows a partially simplified diagram of said device in
purging position.
The device generally designated with Iserves for bringing in a purge gas or flushing gas in
cans 2 to be filled with comestibles. In order to fill the can 2 with purge gas, socket 4 provided
with a lower ring seal 3 is pressed on the edge of the can designated with 2a, whereby the can

rests on an appropriate support 5. The lowering and lifting of the socket 4 is characterized with
a lifting and lowering mechanism shown with a double arrow 6, though not clearly represented.
A socket 4 that can be lifted and lowered is guided at the cylinder 7, which is sealed gas-tight
sealed vis-a-vis cylinder 7 by means of seals 8.
In the cylinder 7 a purge gas pipe 9 is centrically positioned. On the outer edge-side, one or
more discharge gas lines 10 are positioned, which are provided with a vacuum pump 11. The
purge gas pipe 9 is lowered into the bottom region 2b of can 2, so far that CO2 can escape from
there.
The valve as foreseen in the purge gas pipe is designated with 12 in the figure; the valve in the
discharge gas line is marked with 13. The double arrow characterizing the lifting and lowering is
marked with 14 in the purge gas pipe 9.
The mode of working of said device is as follows:
Can 2 to be filled with comestibles is mounted to the position of said device via a support and/or
a transport element 5. If the can 2 is located in the concerned position, socket 4 is lowered
(double arrow 6) via a device, not shown clearly, over the can till it seizes the upper edge of can
2a with its ring seal 3 and seals the latter this against the environment.
Synchronous with or separated by this downward movement as per the double arrow 6 the
purge gas pipe 9 led in the cylinder 7 is lowered into the can 2 (double arrow 14). The cylinder
7 is equipped at its end pointing in the direction of the can 2 with a range 7a of smaller
diameter, so that the gas escaping during purging from the can in functional position of the
cylinder 7 can be drawn off by means of the vacuum pump 11 through the discharge gas line
10.
For charging the can inside with purge gas, valve 12 is opened, at the same time, valve 13 of
the discharge gas line and if necessary, vacuum pump 11 are operated.
The purging method is time-controlled and ends with discharge of the pre-selected time
interval. In addition, the purge gas pipe valve 12 and the discharge gas line valve are closed,
on which further process steps follow for the purpose of filling the can. Upon completion of
filling of the can, socket 4 is taken off the can, the can, filled now, can be further guided into
other process steps, e.g. locking.
In addition to time-controlled termination of purging, a sensor-controlled steering of purging can
be foreseen. Thus, sensors can be provided for gas pressure or for determining the purge gas
concentration, which upon reaching the specified setpoint trigger the completion of purging.

Reference symbol list:
1 device
2 can
2a can edge
2b can base
3 ring seal
4 socket
5 support
6 double arrow
7 cylinders
7a cylinder end
8 seals
9 purge gas pipe
10 discharge gas line
11 vacuum pump
12 purge gas pipe valve
13 discharge gas line valve
14 double arrow
15 annular space

We claim:
1. A device (1) for bringing-in a purge gas and / or flushing gas into the cans
(2) which are intended to be filled with comestibles, particularly beverage cans,
with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) attached to the upper edge (2a) of can
(2) by means of seal (3), in which a purge gas tube (9) is guided that can
likewise be raised and lowered, wherein the said socket (4) is equipped with a
discharge gas line (10), characterized in that the discharge gas line (10) is
assigned to a vacuum pump (11).
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a central cylinder (7) guiding the
purge gas tube (9), which is surrounded by socket (4) carrying the head seal (3)
and sealed against the letter, which is equipped with an end portion (7a)
reduced in diameter, wherein the discharge gas line (10) emanates from the
shoulder so formed.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the end region (7a), reduced in the
diameter, of the centric valve cylinder (7) has an outside diameter, which for
forming an exhaust gas column is less than the inside diameter of the end region
of the socket (4) carrying the edge seal.

4. A method for bringing-in a purge gas and / or flushing gas in cans (2) which
are to be filled with comestibles, in particular beverage cans, characterized in
that a socket (4) provided with an edge seal (3) is lowered on to the top edge
(2a) of a can (2) to be purged and is positioned seal tight against the latter;
downstream a valve cylinder carrying the purge gas supply pipe (9) and a
discharge gas line (10) is lowered so far into the can (2) that the outlet of the
purge tube is located in the bottom of can base leaving a gas outlet area and
subsequently, the purge gas supply and the discharge gas line opened so long as
the can is completely filled with purge gas.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the purge gas/ air mixture is drawn
off by means of vacuum pump synchronized with the purge gas supply during
purging.

Title: APPLICATION OF PURGE GAS IN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

Abstract:

(EN) The invention relates to a device (1) as well as a method for applying
a purge gas or flushing gas to containers (2) which are intended to be
filled with comestibles, particularly beverage containers. The invention
addresses the problem of achreving an optimal purging effect of the
containers to be filled with foodstuff without affecting the environment,
particularly by high CO2 values. According to the device, this is achieved
with a raisable and lowerable socket (4) which attaches to the upper
container edge (2a) by means of a seal (3) and through which a purge-gas
tube (9) is fed which can likewise be raised and lowered, and said socket
is equipped with a gas outlet (10).

APPLICATION OF PURGE GAS IN BEVERAGE CONTAINERS

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