US2984057A - Method and apparatus for bulk packaging of liquiform products - Google Patents

Description

y 16, 1961 F. A. BELLATO 2,984,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING 0F LIQUIF'ORM PRODUCTS Filed July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 .s .T Y m4 E A m M 0 k b 19 .-l U a RE 1..

May 16, 1961 F A BELLATO 2,984,057

METHOD AND AP PAR ATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING OF LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Filed July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

FRANK /4. BELLA 7-0 33 BY ATTORNEYS May 16, 1961 F. A. BELLATO 2,984,057

' METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING 0F LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Flled July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 3a 3 L b H I O 3.9 L Q" o I E I z 4/ 43 \X\\\\ l (2/ FRANK A. 55444 +0 ATTO R N EYS May 16, 1961 F. A. BELLATO 2,984,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PAGKAGING 0F LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Filed July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-$heet 4 INNTOR. FRANK /4. 5LLA T0 ATTO RN EYS May 16', 1961 F. A. BELLATO 2,984,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING OF LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Filed July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 2/ INVENTOR.

FvA/v/r 4. 5541.470

5. .7. BY T 1 M W ATTORNEY$ 1961 F. A. BELLATO 2,984,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING 0F LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Filed July 29, 1958 7 Sheets-Shet e zo'c/r ($323? C74/NDER5 INVENTOR.

Tia-E. FRANK A. BELL/1T0 ATTORNEYS May 16, 1961 Filed July 29, 1958 STEAM U 2/ U VACUUM F. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAGING A BELLATO 2,984,057

OF LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 VACUUM W Z4 2 2/ 2/ U PRODUCT VACUUM E l 3; F l

VACUUM 2/ Al VENT Tiq.5.

' INVENTOR.

FRANK A. 524 44 T0 ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BULK PACKAG- ING OF LIQUIFORM PRODUCTS Frank A. Bellato, Stockton, Califi, assignor to Rheem Manufacturing Company, Richmond, Calif, a corporation of California Filed July 29, 1958, Ser. No. 751,604

29 Claims. (CI. 53-37) This invention relates to a method and apparatus designed for sterilizing large containers such as metal drums, and filling same with liquiform food products or the like in a manner to afford a completely sterile package. Where large quantities of the product are required, such as for reprocessing, the economies attendant to the packaging, shipping, storing and use of a large single container in contrast to a number of smaller containers, are apparent.

However, the bulk packaging of contaminable liquiform products in large containers presents a number of problems. This is particularly true in the case of food products. Relatively little difficulty is experienced in the sterile packaging of such products in small containers, e.g. up to No. size cans. This is because the product may be introduced into the can at a can and product sterilizing temperature and the entire package quickly cooled after the can has been sealed. Or sterilization of the can and product can be obtained by subjecting the same to a subsequent application of external heat again followed by rapid cooling. Should the foregoing processes be used in connection with the packaging of the product in large containers, such as in the order of 55 gallon drums, the excessive resident heat to which the product is subjected because of the difficulty in cooling a large and inaccesible mass, results in deterioration of the quality and keeping capacity or shelf life of the product.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a system for sterile packing of liquiform products into containers of relatively large size, e.g. 55 gallon capacity, while insuring absolute sterility of both product and container, and without imparting excessive temperatures to the product during the filling operation which would result in undesirable product heat experience.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for bulk aseptic packaging in which the container to be filled is sterilized, filled with a sterile product, and sealed, while remaining in a fixed position, thereby permitting use of a sterilizing chamber of minimum size and eliminating the need for a container conveyor system for moving such containers for each of the respective operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for sterilizing a metal drum within a closed system which will insure the subjection of all surfaces of the drum to saturated steam and therefore permit complete drum sterilization with a minimum temperature and time requirements.

A further object of this invention is to provide a process as above described in which there is a replacement of air from within the drumby saturated steam at sufficiently high temperature to kill harmful bacteria, such air replacement insuring the heating of all portions of the metal, including small crevices, etc. with such wet steam so that there will be no danger of air acting as an undesirable static barrier between the steam and metal.

nited States atent Another object of the invention is to provide a sterilizing system as above explained, in which the heated metal drum is cooled within the sterilizing chamber prior to the introduction of product thereinto, so that the relatively cool product will not be deleteriously affected by contact with hot metal surfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system of the character described in which sufiicient wet steam is admitted to fully and completely sterilize the drum, yet which eliminates the presence of excess steam condensate from the drum and thus avoid undue product dilution, while retaining sufiicient condensate to cool the drum walls and serve as a lubricant between such walls and the subsequently introduced product.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing Will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the container sterilizing and product filling system of the present invention with a drum operatively positioned therein.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional plan view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan View on an enlarged scale of the drum supporting platform.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 3 with portions of the structure broken away.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, and illustrating the product fill line, steam line, and swing spout therefor.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the weight lift cylinder steam jacket, taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 6-6 of Figure 1. V

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 77 of Figure 2 of the bell lock mechanism.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the piping system used in connection with the actuation of the various mechanisms.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the various steps of the sterilizing and filling process.

The process and apparatus in the present form of the invention is particularly adapted for sterilizing the drums and for filling same with a liquiform product. However, as will be apparent from the following description, the system could also be utilized for the packaging of other fio'wable products, such as granular material or the like, and, in fact, many of the steps incident to sterilizing and filling could be applied to a system wherein substantially solid objects are being packaged.

In the drawings, the apparatus with which the process of the present invention may be practiced, is shown of a design adapted for handling a single drum at a time, and in the particular form illustrated comprises a relatively fixed base 21 over which is superimposed a bell jar or dome 22 arranged in one position to define with the base member a sterilizing and filling chamber 23'. The bell 22 in the present embodiment is mounted to move vertically from the chamber-defining position shown in solid lines in Figure l to an upper open position in which the bottom thereof will be disposed at line A-A of said figure. In the latter position, the container, such as a drum 24 may be inserted on or removed from the base. It will be apparent that in place of the vertically reciprocating bell, the chamber defining closure could be fixed in position with suitably sealed access openings provided to permit ingress and egress of the drums.

The bell is supported for movement on vertical posts 26 secured to and extending upwardly from the base, and engaged by rollers 27 carried by the bell. Raising and lowering of the bell may be effected in any suitable manner, and as here shown, such movement is accomplished through a double acting hydraulic cylinder 29 mounted on a cross bar 31 at the top of the posts and operatively attached to the bell by a piston rod 32 extending from and actuated by the cylinder. As will be readily apparent, when the bell is raised to its upper position, such as by retraction of rod 32, a vertical space exists between the bottom of the jar and the base to permit the aforementioned drum loading and unloading operations with the drum in a vertical position. As a means of facilitating the ready insertion of the drum under the raised jar, as well as the withdrawal thereof after the sterilizing and filling operation, there is preferably supported on the base 21 a multi-section roller conveyor 33, extending diametrically of the chamber and having rails 34 at the ends of the rollers to guide the drum in its movement. Conveyor 33, as here illustrated, is provided with end sections and an intermediate section 36 within the confines of the bell and on which the drum is to be supported when within the chamber. It will be noted that the breaks between the respective sections occurs at the peripheral portions of the bell, so that the latter may be sealed against the base 21 without interference from the conveyor. Between the rollers 35 of section 36 and extending parallel to the rollers, are bars 37 forming a part of a vertically displaceable platform 38 for the support of the drum during the filling operation. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the platform is slidably mounted on posts 39 extending upwardly from the base 21. The platform is normally urged to a position in which the upper surface of the bars 37 are above the upper surface of the rollers 35, through the medium of a lever 41 having one arm 42 pivotally connected to the platform, and its other arm 43 surmounted by one or more weights 44, the relationship of the lever arm lengths to the weights being such that the platform will be depressed when the drum is filled. In the latter position of the platform, the drum will rest upon the rollers 35 so that the drum may be readily moved to the rollers of either end section of the conveyor.

Desirably, suitable centering means are provided to place the drum in operative position when the drum is conveyed to the platform 38. Such means, as here shown, comprise pairs of rollers 48 mounted on the base and arranged to resiliently engage opposite sides of the drum when the latter is positioned on the platform. Each pair is carried on arms 49 pivoted to a standard 51 and normally urged inwardly by means of springs 52. As will be clear, the rollers will be forced outwardly against the pressure of said springs as the drum is moved into and out of position over the conveyor section 36, and will resiliently retain the drum in a centered position.

The particular drum, in connection with which the method and apparatus is herein described, is of generally conventional design as to size and form, and access to the interior of the drum for sterilization and filling is by way of an opening 56 provided in the head 57. The opening 56 is relatively restricted to facilitate the subsequent closure thereof, and is approximately 4 inches in diameter, while the diameter of a 55 gallon drum is in the neighborhood of 22 inches. Although the opening is shown as in the drum head and with the drum in an upright position, it will be also understood that the process can be carried out with an opening in a side wall and the drum lying in a horizontal position. Desirably, the interior of the drum is coated or otherwise provided with a protective layer, such as tinplate.

The process of the present invention is arranged to be carried out after the drum has been centered on the platform 38 and the bell lowered to define with the base 21 the chamber 23. The chamber is arranged to be hermetically sealed in the performance of the various steps of the process, and in this connection means are provided for locking the bell to the base and effectively sealing the joint therebetween. As best seen in Figure 7, the locking means consists of a plurality of locking dogs 61 mounted on the base and designed to be moved radially inwardly to engage inclined bosses 62 provided on a peripheral flange 63 at the lower edge of the bell. Preferably, the locking dogs are moved inwardly and outwardly through means of hydraulic cylinders 64. As a seal for the joint between the bell and base, there is provided at the bottom of the flange 63 a circumferential groove 66 facing the base and arranged to communicate with inlet openings 67 therein and which are connected to a suitable source of steam under pressure, the steam temperature serving to sterilize any atmospheric air which might pass between the bell and base. Initiation of the process involves admission of steam to the aforesaid seal as well as to steam passages provided at other joints such as sight glasses, points of pipe entry, access doors and the like.

In accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of effecting complete sterilization of the drum at the lowest possible temperature, means are provided for evacuating all of the air from the drum and chamber and replacing same completely with saturated steam under pressure. This procedure produces a relative humidity atmosphere which insures the most rapid and eflicient destruction of bacteria. Thus, after the drum 24 has been positioned beneath the open bell and the bell lowered as diagrammatically represented at A and B of Figure 9, saturated steam under pressure is injected into the drum and simultaneously the chamber is placed in flow communication with a vacuum source, as shown at C. In the apparatus shown, the steam is arranged to be injected directly into the drum, and this is done by means of a nozzle 71 connected to a steam line 72 in communication with a suitable source of saturated steam, the line 72 extending upwardly through the base 21. A source of vacuum, such as a steam ejector (not shown) communicates with the chamber through a pipe 73 whose upper end is substantially flush with the base, as shown in Figure 1. Suitable valves for controlling the flow of the steam and the vacuum are provided. The amount of steam admitted to the drum and chamber relative to the air evacuation rate is such that the pressure in the chamber will remain at or rise slightly above atmospheric pressure. This condition is allowed to continue for approximately one minute at the end of which the air will have been fully replaced by the saturated steam.

It will be evident that so long as the pressure in the chamber remains substantially at atmospheric, the temperature of the drum will not be elevated over a maximum of approximately 212 F. This temperature is, for most food products, too low to effect proper drum sterilization. Accordingly, as the next primary step in the process, and as indicated at D, the vacuum is cut off, and the flow of saturated steam continued. For products such as tomato paste, effective drum sterilization occurs at about 260 F. to 270 F. in a 100% relative humidity atmosphere. Therefore, for such products, the steam is supplied at a pressure of about 42 p.s.i. absolute, which corresponds to a temperature of about 270 F. In this manner, with the vacuum cut oflI', the pressure in the chamber will rapidly build up to substantially that of the entering steam and the temperature of the drum walls increased to substantially the steam temperature. The admission of steam as described is continued for a period of about 3 minutes, on the termination of which the drum will be rendered completely sterile and ready for the filling operation.

As will be understood, during the above described sterilizing operation, due to the relatively initial low temperature of the bell and the drum, substantial quantities of condensate will be formed upon contact of the steam with the metal surfaces. As to the condensate without the drum, the same will be withdrawn through the base by draining into the vacuum line 73. As a means of removing a portion of the condensate collected in the drum, a vacuum to the extent of about 12 psi. absolute is set up in the chamber and at this negative pressure, flashing of the major portion of the condensate will take place at approximately 190 F., but a desired quantity will remain. This remaining condensate will naturally be on the drum bottom, but as product is introduced in the drum, the condensate will be forced upwardly along the drum walls and serves the dual function of cooling the walls and of acting as a lubricant to prevent undesirable sticking of the product to the walls. It should be noted that the application of the vacuum also has the desirable effect of reducing the temperature of the drum prior to the filling operation.

With the foregoing conditions present, i.e., the chamber under a vacuum of about 12 psi. absolute, the atmosphere being completely saturated, and all surfaces of the drum being sterile, the drum, as indicated at F in Figure 9 is ready for the product. As will be understood, the product, when ready for introduction to the drum, is sterile and relatively cool, and the cooling may be accomplished in any conventional manner, such as by running a hot sterile product through a flash cooler before introducing the product in the drum. In the case of tomato paste, the product may be conveniently cooled to a temperature of about 90 F. in the cooler, and with the apparatus as illustrated herein, the product is pumped into the drum through a conduit 81 having a discharge spout 82 at one end in generally parallel adjacent relationship to the steam nozzle 71 and adapted to enter the drum opening 56.

As illustrated, the product spout 82 is in the form of a gooseneck and is pivotally joined by means of a swivel connection 83 to the conduit 81 for movement in a generally vertical plane so that the discharge end of the spout can be moved into and out of the drum opening 56. Movement of the spout is arranged to be effected by means of a cylinder 84 whose piston rod 86 is pivotally mounted so as to permit the proper movement of the connected parts. For convenience, the steam line nozzle 71 is connected similarly to the spout 82 and attached thereto for simultaneous movement therewith.

With the spout extended into the drum opening, the product is caused to flow through the conduit 81 and into the drum. A motor operated pump 88 operatively interposed between the cooler and spout 82 is used to provide for the desired product flow, the flow of the product into the drum continues until at a predetermined setting, the weight of the drum and its contents causes the platform 38 to descend, thereby actuating a mercury switch 91 or the like which serves to deenergize the pump motor and thereby stop the flow of product.

With the filling operation thus completed, the cylinder 84 is operated to raise the spout unit out of the drum opening 56 to a position such as indicated in dot-dash lines in Figure l.

The filled drum is now ready to be closed and this is done by applying a cap 93 over the drum opening as shown at G and H of Figure 9. The capping means does not form a part of the present invention; however, in general, the same includes a capping mechanism 94 mounted in the chamber upon a standard 96. As illustrated, the capping mechanism is arranged to move transversely to and from a position over the opening and likewise is movable vertically over the opening in effecting the capping operation. The cap 93 is initially applied to the capping mechanism while the bell was in its raised position, and thus is subjected to proper sterilization during sterilization of the drum.

It Will be understood that the capping operation takes place while the vacuum is present in the chamber, and thus the drum will be sealed under vacuum conditions and a resultant sub-atmospheric pressure attained within the drum. It is important to note that since the prod not is introduced into the drum while the former is relatively cool, the product will be heated only adjacent the interior surface of the drum, such heat being readily dissipated through the drum walls without subjecting the product to deleterious heat residence.

After the capping is completed, the capping mechanism is moved from its operative position over the drum, the steam supply to various steam seals is cut off, and an atmospheric vent connection 96, conveniently associated with vacuum line 73, is opened as shown at H in Figure 9, so as to restore the pressure in the chamber to atmospheric. Thereupon, the bell is raised as shown at I, and the filled and capped drum is moved over the conveyor from under the bell. The apparatus is then ready for operation on a succeeding drum.

With the foregoing discussion of the process of the present invention, some further constructional details of the apparatus may now be considered. By way of example, in connection with the provision of a properly sealed chamber, Figure 5 of the drawings indicates a manner in which various lines, such as the product feed line 81 and the primary steam line 72 may enter the chamber through base 21 and insure a proper seal therebetween. As therein illustrated, the lines may be provided with flanges 101 secured to the base, with grooves 102 in the lower surfaces of the flanges, similar to the steam seal groove 66 of the bell flange. Steam may be introduced to such grooves through ports 103 for effecting the steam seal. Also, if desired, the lines may be provided with jackets 104 extending upwardly from the flanges 101.

As previously explained, when the drum has been filled to a predetermined weight, means are provided for automatically cutting off further product flow. In this connection, in .the illustrated embodiment of this feature, the end of lever arm 43 is spaced from its fulcrum or pivot 106 approximately six times as far as the end of the other lever arm 42. Thus, for example, if it was desired to cut off product flow when the gross weight of the drum and its contents reached 600 pounds, the weights 44 would total 10 0 pounds. Also, to provide a controllable lock for the moving platform, a rod 107 extends through the weights and is pivotally attached to lever arm 43 with the other end of the rod entering a cylinder 108, best seen in Figure 6 of the drawings. Since the construtional details of the other hydraulic cylinders in the chamber are substantially the same, only the weight cylinder is shown in any detail. As shown, the cylinder 108 is contained within a jacket 109 with suitable hydraulic lines 111 and 112' communicating with the ends of the cylinders and controlling movement of rod 107. The lines each communicate with short conduits 111a and 112a through suitable sealed flanges 1 13. It will be understood that in place of the particular weighing mechanism shown in the drawings, other scale devices could be incorporated without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Suitable means are provided for controlling movement of the various portions of the unit, and as hereinabove explained, substantially all movement is effected through hydraulic cylinders capable of two way actiong Preferably, all switch controls are disposed on a common instrument panel, not shown, so that an operator may cause the various steps to be performed. In Figure 8, there is diagrammatically represented the hydraulic system incorporated in the previously discussed apparatus. In commencing a cycle of operation, the operator will press a button on the panel, causing energization of a motor 121 which drives a hydraulic pump 122. The bell raising cylinder 29 is connected to the pump 122 through a line including a needle valve 123, a double acting solenoid valve 124, a check valve 126, and a flow control valve 127. Thus, by energizing the solenoid by depressing a proper switch, the piston rod will be raised, and by reversing the solenoid action, the bell may gravitally descend at a controlled rate. As the bell descends a limit switch, not shown, is actuated opening the steam lines 67 and 103 through suitable solenoid controlled valves, also not shown. Next, the operator effects locking of the bell by energizing a double acting solenoid valve 131 causing extension of piston rods 132 of the cylinders 64. Now, the filling spout 82, together with the steam nozzle 71, is lowered through the drum opening 56 by energizing a double acting solenoid valve 133 in communicating with spout cylinder 84 and extending the rod 86 thereof. Additional switches are also provided for opening solenoid actuated valves in the main steam line 72, and the vacuum line 73. After the sterilization and vacuum induction is effected, another switch starts the product feed pump, with the weight control cylinder likewise controlled by a double acting solenoid valve 136. After filling, the spout is swung upwardly, and the closing tool 94 swung into position and lowered through action of cylinders 1-37 and 138 each controlled by solenoid valves 141.

Obviously, reverse action of the foregoing is accomplished through reverse solenoid valve energization. The hydraulic system may also include a pressure switch 142, a reducing valve 143, a solenoid operated relief valve 144, and a needle valve 146 communicating with a hydraulic gauge on the instrument panel.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that the operation and construction will be understood, and that since most controls, switches and the like are well known in the art, that no detailed showing or explanation is deemed necessary.

What is claimed is:

1. The process of sterilizing a metal container having an opening therein and in preparation for receiving a pre-sterilized product therein, which includes placing the container in a substantially sealed chamber, evacuating air from the chamber and substantially simultaneously introducing steam into said chamber, the ratio between air evacuation and steam introduction being such that pressure increases to above atmospheric pressure within said chamber and the interior surface of said container will be subjected to a steam temperature in excess of 212 F.

2. A method of sterilizing a metal container having an opening therein, which comprises positioning said container within a substantially sealed chamber, substantially simultaneously connecting said chamber to a vacuum source and introducing saturated steam into said container opening to an extent that and until a substantially 100% steam atmosphere under pressure is established within said container, and then sealing said chamber from said vacuum source while continuing the injection of such saturated steam under greater than atmospheric pressure.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 in which steam condensate is collected in said container, and as a subsequent step, a sub-atmospheric pressure is created in said chamber and in said container whereby a portion of said steam condensate will be boiled ofi at a temperature substantially lower than that of the original entering steam.

4. A process of sterilizing a metal container having an opening therein which includes positioning said drum within a chamber, evacuating air from the chamber and substantially simultaneously injecting saturated steam under pressure into said container, maintaining a positive pressure within said chamber and said container with the internal pressure of said container exceeding that of the chamber whereby air will be swept out of the container, continuing injection of saturated steam into said container until all surface portions of the latter are contacted by such steam and raised to a predetermined sterilizing temperature, and inducing a vacuum in said chamber.

5. The process claimed in claim 4 further characterized by said vacuum being in the neighborhood of about 5 to 15 p.s.i. absolute, and said steam injection pressure being in the general range of about 30 to 45 p.s.i. absolute.

6. A method of sterilizing metal drums and the like having an opening therein which comprises placing said drum in position within a chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, simultaneously subjecting said drum to saturated steam under pressure while evacuating air from the chamber to an extent sufficient to create a substantially water vapor atmosphere thruout said drum and at a pressure greater than that in the chamber, and then cooling the drum and removing excess steam condensate therefrom while the drum remains in position within said sealed chamber.

7. The process of bulk packaging liquiform products in metal containers which includes the steps of placing in a chamber a metal container provided with an opening, sealing said chamber from the atmosphere, substantially simultaneously evacuating air from the chamber and injecting saturated steam into said container and creating and maintaining a substantially 100% water vapor pressurized atmosphere therein, imparting a vacuum to said chamber to create a substantially 100% water vapor sub-atmospheric pressure therein, introducing a relatively cool sterile liquiform product into said container, and placing a closure over said opening after said container is filled and while said chamber remains in said 100% water vapor sub-atmospheric condition.

8. The process as set forth in claim 7 in which air evacuation is halted and saturated steam injection is continued prior to imparting the vacuum to said chamber, and in which at substantially all times during the container sterilization operation a pressure difierential is created between the interior of said container and said chamber.

9. The process of sterilizing and filling a metal container having a restricted filler opening in a wall thereof which comprises the steps of placing said container in a substantially sealed chamber with the opening uppermost and with the container in a fixed position in the chamber, substantially simultaneously injecting saturated steam under pressure directly into said container through said opening and evacuating air from the chamber in such proportions and to an extent that a substantially 100% water vapor atmosphere under pressure is created within said container, sealing said chamber against further air evacuation while continuing said steam injection, creating a vacuum in said chamber, introducing a liquiform product into said container through said opening together, maintaining said vacuum and placing a closure in said opening and then releasing said vacuum, venting said chamber to the atmosphere, and removing the closed container from the chamber.

10. The process as set forth in claim 9 in which said injected steam is at a pressure of substantially at least 25 p.s.i. absolute, and in which said vacuum is maintained at no more than about 10 p.s.i. absolute.

11. The process of sterilizing and filling a metal container having a filling opening therein which comprises placing the container in a substantially sealed chamber, injecting saturated steam under pressure into said container and substantially simultaneously evacuating air from said chamber, halting said air evacuation while continuing said steam injection to create a pressurized dominant steam atmosphere in said container, said steam in striking said container creating steam condensate in said container, and then introducing product in said container whereby the condensate therein will rise upwardly as the container is filled and serve to prevent adhesion of the product along the container walls.

12. Apparatus for filling a container having a filler opening with a pourable product, including a housing defining a substantially sealed chamber, a container-supporting platform within said chamber, a source of pressurized saturated steam and a vacuum source both operatively connected to said chamber, a product feed line extending into said chamber and having a discharge spout, means operable for moving said spout between a first inoperative position remote from a container filler opening and a second operative position adjacent such opening, a closure applying member within said chamber, and means operable for selectively moving said member over the filler opening and remote therefrom.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure defining a chamber adapted to receive a container to be filled, means sealing said chamber, a sterile product filler line extending into said chamber and including a discharge end portion, means selectively moving said end portion between an operative filling position adapted to overlie a container filling opening and a remotely positioned inoperative position, a steam conduit extending into said chamber and having a nozzle positioned adjacent said discharge end portion of said filler line when the latter is in its filling position, and means selectively moving said nozzle to a remote position.

14. Container filling apparatus including means defining a chamber adapted to receive a container, container positioning means within said chamber whereby a container may be fixedly positioned in said chamber with a filling opening of the container in a substantially fixed location, a product line extending into said chamber and having a discharge nozzle, and means operable for moving said discharge nozzle relative to said positioning means whereby said nozzle may be selectively aligned with and spaced from the container filling opening.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including a closure holding and applying member mounted in said chamber, and means operable for moving said member relative to said positioning means whereby said member may be selectively positioned over the container filling opening and spaced therefrom.

16. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure defining a container-receiving chamber, means within said chamber adapted to engage a container and secure the same against movement in the chamber, a product feed line entering said chamber and including a product discharge spout, means for moving said spout relative to said container engaging means whereby said spout may selectively enter and be withdrawn from a filler opening in a container, and a steam line entering said chamber and having a discharge nozzle operatively connected to said spout for movement therewith into and out of a container filling opening.

17. Container sterilizing and filling apparatus comprising means defining a substantially sealed chamber adapted to receive a container, a platform adjacent the bottom of said chamber for supporting a container in relatively fixed position in the chamber, a steam line and a product feed line each extending into said chamber and each having a discharge port, means operable from exteriorly of the chamber for moving said lines relative to said platform between an operative position wherein said ports are aligned with a filling opening in the container and an inoperative position wherein said ports are spaced from the filling opening, a closure supporting and applying member positioned within said chamber, and means operable from exteriorly of the chamber for moving said member relative to said platform between an operative position aligned with a container filling opening whereby a closure may be applied to the opening and a spaced position so as to permit movement of said lines into their said operative position.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprising a base, an enclosure extending upwardly from said base and defining a chamber for receiving containers with a filling opening therein, a conveyor extending along said base and into said chamber, means providing access to said chamber whereby a container may be inserted into or removed from the same, means extending across said conveyor and providing a seal between said enclosure and said base for the entire extent of said enclosure including said access means, and means supported on said base along spaced portions of said chamber movable to engage and fix the position of a container within said chamber.

19. Apparatus as set forth in claim 18 in which said seal means includes a groove extending along the juncture of said enclosure and base, and a steam line in communication with said groove.

20. Apparatus of the character described comprising a base, a dome having a top and side walls overlying said base, means selectively raising and lowering said dome whereby in a lowered position the dome will contact the base and define therewith a chamber, a conveyor extending along said base towards and into said chamber and providing a space at the juncture of said dome and base, a platform extending upwardly of said conveyor and positioned substantially centrally of said chamber and adapted to support a container having a filling opening with minimum contact therewith, opposed means operatively mounted on said base movable from and towards each other for clamping a container against relative movement on said platform, a product feed line entering said chamber and having a discharge spout, means operable for moving said spout relative to said platform for selectively aligning the same with a container filling opening and spacing it therefrom, a steam line entering said chamber, and a vacuum source operatively connected to said chamber.

21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 in which said product feed line enters said chamber through the bottom wall thereof, and said steam line is connected to said feed line for movement therewith from and towards the container filling opening.

22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 including a closure supporting member operatively mounted on said base and positioned within said chamber, and means operable for moving said member relative to said platform for selectively aligning the member with a container filling opening and spacing it therefrom whereby said filling spout and member may alternately be placed into operative position.

23. Apparatus of the character described comprising means defining a substantially sealed chamber, means providing access to said chamber whereby a container having an upper filling opening may be introduced in and removed from the chamber, a container supporting member within said chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to said chamber, a product feed line entering said chamber and having a downwardly directed discharge spout, means selectively raising and lowering said spout about a generally horizontal axis to selectively insert the same into a container filling opening and space the same therefrom, a closure supporting and applying member mounted in said chamber, means selectively swinging said last named member about a generally vertical axis to selectively align the same with a container filling opening and space the same therefrom, means selectively raising and lowering said last named member, and a steam line entering said chamber.

24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23 in which said steam line is provided with a downwardly directed discharge nozzle operatively connected in substantial immediate parallel relation to said product line spout for swinging movement therewith.

25. A method of bulk aseptic packaging in impervious metal drums and the like which comprises placing within a chamber a drum having a filling opening therein, sealing said chamber, injecting steam into said drum opening until a greater than atmospheric pressure is created and all interior surfaces of the drum are brought to a predetermined sterilizing temperature in excess of 212 F.,

thereafter reducing the pressure in said chamber until a vacuum is created in said chamber so as to provide quick cooling of the drum, introducing a relatively cool sterile product through said drum opening while maintaining communication between the interior of the drum and said chamber, and then sealing said opening, all while said drum remains sealed in said chamber.

26. The process as set forth in claim 25 further characterized by the step of maintaining the interior of said drum in substantially continuous communication with a source of vacuum exteriorly of the container during substantially the entire period that product is being introduced into the drum.

27. The process of bulk aseptic packaging in impervious metal drums having an opening therein and a closure for such opening which comprises placing said drum and said closure in a chamber, substantially sealing said chamber, introducing steam into said chamber until all surfaces of said drum and closure are brought to a predetermined sterilizing temperature, quickly cooling said chamber and the drum positioned therein to a temperature substantially below said sterilizing temperature while maintaining the drum and closure in a sterile condition, introducing into said drum while it is maintained in said condition a sterile product at a temperature substantially less than that of the cooled drum, applying the closure to the opening while the drum and product and the closure are in sterilized condition, and then releasing the sealing of said chamber for removal of the filled drum.

28. A method of sterilizing an impervious metal container having an opening therein which comprises placing the container in a chamber and then sealing the latter, introducing saturated steam into said chamber and into said drum through said opening and removing air therefrom to create and maintain a dominantly saturated steam atmosphere at above atmospheric pressure within said container.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28 in which said container is then quickly cooled while maintained under sterile conditions and in condition to receive a product.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,893,716 Ronzone Jan. 10, 1933 2,286,999 Smith June 16, 1942 2,639,991 Ball May 26, 1953 2,667,424 Martin Jan. 26, 1954 2,761,603 Fairchild Sept. 4, 1956 2,903,367 Grindrod Sept. 8, 1959

Images