Patent ID: 9067698
Filing Date: 2015-06-30
Classification: B08B,B65B,B67C

Abstract:
1. A method of flushing an empty food or beverage can, using a flushing arrangement comprising a valve cylinder, a tube disposed at least partially within said valve cylinder, a sleeve disposed about an outer surface of said valve cylinder, and an exhaust gas line, a portion of which is formed in and as part of said valve cylinder, and is disposed a distance and separate from said tube, said method comprising the steps of: moving said sleeve, with respect to said valve cylinder, and thereby moving a sealing portion of said sleeve past a lower end surface of said valve cylinder and into sealing engagement with an empty can filled with air, and thereby sealing the space between said valve cylinder and the sealed empty can; moving said tube, with respect to said valve cylinder, and thereby inserting said tube into the sealed empty can through a can opening in the sealed empty can; flowing a flushing gas through said tube and out of a discharge end of said tube, and thereby filling the sealed empty can with flushing gas and flushing air out of the sealed empty can; and exhausting the air by flushing the air into said sealed space between said valve cylinder and the sealed empty can, then through an inlet opening of said exhaust gas line disposed in said lower end surface of said valve cylinder, and then through said exhaust gas line and out of said flushing arrangement.