Patent Description:
Current systems for the vacuum extraction of air/oxygen from containers and then sealing the containers include large, high production systems with as many as <NUM> filling heads operating simultaneously. Such machines are very expensive and not practical for most production settings where several or many different types of products are sealed within cans, bottles, or other types of containers.

<CIT> is directed to a vacuum capping machine having a filter and cap application unit forming a part thereof, the machine being adapted for capping containers filled with particulate or powdery material the retention of which is difficult to control during normal container evacuation and capping operation. The machine comprises a shroud having a closed upper and an open bottom end for receiving a filled container, a closure for closing the open bottom of the shroud, a porous barrier and at least one port through which air and gasses are introduced.

At the other end of the spectrum are slow-speed machines for vacuum extraction of a container and subsequent sealing of the container. Such machines often require that one or more probes be inserted into the substance of the container, typically a powder, to create holes in the powder to assist in extraction of the oxygen within the powder. The drawback of requiring the use of such probes is contamination of the powder within the container, especially if food by insertion of the probes.

Another drawback of such machines is that when vacuum is applied to extract the air/oxygen from the container, some of the powder or other substance within the container is also extracted, thereby resulting in a loss of product from each container.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for applying a vacuum to a container and then filling the container with a product. The apparatus has a shroud which is placed over the container. The upper wall of the shroud has a seal which contacts the upper edge of the container. Within the upper wall, openings for applying the vacuum are provided, with a mesh being placed between the openings and the interior of the shroud.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for applying a vacuum to a container and then inserting an inert gas. The apparatus has a cover which is placed on top of a container, the cover having a central opening with a screen. Channels for applying the vacuum and admitting the inert gas are provided within the cover.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for sealing containers. The apparatus has a shroud into which the containers are introduced from below.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for applying a vacuum to a container and then inserting an inert gas. The apparatus has a shroud with a pad in its interior for holding a product within the container during exchange of the gas. The container is introduced from below into the stationary shroud. The upper wall of the shroud is provided with channels for applying a vacuum and admitting the inert gas.

The present disclosure seeks to provide an apparatus and method for vacuum extraction of ambient oxygen from containers, the replacement of such oxygen with an inert gas or gas mixture and then the sealing of containers, all at a production rate that is practical for a large segment of the industry, as well as scalable to both increase or decrease production rates.

The invention provides an assembly as defined in claim <NUM>.

The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure.

The present application may include references to "directions," such as "forward," "rearward," "front," "back," "upward," "downward," "right hand," "left hand," "in," "out," "extended," "advanced," "retracted," "proximal," "distal," "above," "below," in front of," "behind," "on top of," and "beneath. " These references and other similar references with respect to direction, position, location, etc., in the present application are only to assist in helping describe and understand the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to these directions, positions, locations, etc..

The present application may include modifiers such as the words "generally," "substantially," "about," or "approximately. " These terms are meant to serve as modifiers to indicate that the "dimension," "shape," or other physical parameter, in question need not be exact, but may vary as long as the function that is required to be performed can be carried out. For example, in the phrase "generally circular in shape," the shape need not be exactly circular as long as the required function of the structure in question can be carried out.

In the following description, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described. In the following description and in the accompanying drawings, the corresponding systems assemblies, apparatus and units may be identified by the same part number, but with an alpha suffix. The descriptions of the parts/components of such systems assemblies, apparatus, and units are the same or similar are not repeated so as to avoid redundancy in the present application.

Referring initially to <FIG>, a system <NUM> for evacuating and sealing containers <NUM> filled with product, especially powdered product, is illustrated as including in basic form a transport and delivery system <NUM> for transporting and presenting a plurality of containers <NUM> to a sealed housing or chamber or enclosure <NUM> wherein atmospheric air is removed from the containers and replaced by an inert gas and then the containers are sealed at a closure station <NUM> thereby to preserve the contents within the containers. Thereafter, the closed containers are removed from the housing <NUM> by a removal system <NUM> for removing the closed containers from the housing without exposing the interior of the housing to the ambient. The containers <NUM> are illustrated in the form of cans, but can be of other configurations as noted below.

Describing the system <NUM> in more detail, the transport and delivery system <NUM> includes an infeed conveyor <NUM> that transports a set of containers <NUM> (six being illustrated as an example) from an escapement, not shown, associated with a filling station, not shown, wherein the cans are filled, typically with a powder, granular substance or similar, or other content. The plurality of containers are loaded onto the conveyor <NUM> from the escapement and then the conveyor is operated to position the cans <NUM> adjacent the infeed location at a lower level of housing <NUM>. An optical or other type of sensor is utilized to count the number of cans transferred from the escapement onto the conveyor and determine the locations of such containers. Also, an encoder associated with conveyor <NUM> stops the conveyor when the containers <NUM> are in position at the housing as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The housing/chamber <NUM> is illustrated as an enclosed structure that is sealed from the ambient. The structure <NUM> is supported by floor-engaging legs <NUM> depending from the bottom of the housing and from the removal system <NUM>. The housing is illustrated as generally rectilinear in shape, but can be of other shapes. In this regard, the housing includes a top panel <NUM> and a bottom panel <NUM> interconnected by end panels <NUM> and <NUM>. At the location that the containers <NUM> are presented to the housing <NUM> the lower portion of the housing is cut away to define a mezzanine <NUM> formed by a horizontal base plate <NUM>. A vertical longitudinal wall <NUM>, that intersects the inward edge of the base plate, and a transverse end wall <NUM> cooperatively seal off the mezzanine section of the housing from the ambient.

A side panel structure <NUM>, which is mostly open in construction, is disposed along the side of the housing where the containers <NUM> are presented. Such side panel structure <NUM> does include a footing panel <NUM> through which upper actuators <NUM> extend, as described more fully below. A pair of see-through doors <NUM> are positioned above the footing panel <NUM> and a third full height see-through door <NUM> is located along the side panel structure <NUM>. The doors <NUM> and <NUM> are sealed with respect to the side panel structure <NUM> so as to prevent leakage of gases between the interior of the housing and the ambient, while being of sufficient structural integrity to remain rigid and not deform during use of the system <NUM>. To this end, the doors may be composed of a clear/transparent plastic or a glass composition, for example, acrylic or poly(methyl methacrylate). As will be appreciated, the doors <NUM> and <NUM> not only provide visibility into the housing <NUM>, but also may be opened to provide access to the interior of the housing, for example, for cleaning, adjustment, maintenance, and repair, as well as to reconfigure the system <NUM> for use with other types or sizes of containers, etc..

Referring specifically to <FIG> and <FIG>, the "backside" of the housing is illustrated as composed of side panel structures <NUM> and <NUM> to which are fitted see-through doors <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The doors <NUM> and <NUM> may be of the same composition as doors <NUM> and <NUM>. The door <NUM> is located somewhat laterally outwardly from the doors <NUM> and <NUM>. A step wall <NUM> extends laterally outwardly from the side panel <NUM> to define the housing at that location. The doors <NUM> provide access to the location in which the air/oxygen is removed from the containers and replaced with inert gas. The door <NUM> is adjacent the location in which the closure system <NUM> is located, which is described more fully below.

As perhaps most clearly shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a circular seal ring <NUM> depends downwardly from base plate <NUM>. The top of the seal ring <NUM> is flush with the top surface of the base plate. In this regard, a shoulder extends around the circumference of the seal ring to abut against the lower surface of the base plate <NUM>. As described more clearly below, the seal ring <NUM> has a central through bore or opening <NUM> through which containers <NUM> are delivered into the interior of the housing <NUM>.

A shroud assembly <NUM> is associated with each of the sealing rings <NUM> and associated opening <NUM>. Each shroud assembly <NUM> includes a shroud <NUM> having a cylindrical, major, upper sidewall portion <NUM> and a lower reduced outer diameter pilot section <NUM>. The shroud upper sidewall section <NUM> is downwardly engageable within a counter bore <NUM> formed at the upper portion of the sealing ring <NUM>, and the lower pilot section <NUM> of the shroud <NUM> closely engages within the sealing ring central opening or bore <NUM>.

An upper seal <NUM> is disposed within a lateral groove opening into the seal ring counter bore <NUM> to seal against the outer circumference of the shroud sidewall section <NUM>. An intermediate seal <NUM> likewise is disposed within a lateral groove formed in the sealing ring <NUM> to bear against the pilot portion <NUM> of the shroud sidewall.

The top of the shroud is closed by a top assembly <NUM>, while the bottom of the shroud at the bottom of the pilot section <NUM> is open. The shroud <NUM> is raised and lowered by an actuator <NUM> connected to the shroud top assembly <NUM>.

Referring specifically to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a circular lift platform or table <NUM> is associated with each seal ring <NUM> and opening <NUM>. The lift platforms <NUM> function to lift the filled containers <NUM> upwardly through the sealing ring opening <NUM> and into the interior of a shroud <NUM>. The lift platform <NUM> includes an upper circular base section <NUM> that is sized to closely fit into the circular interior of the shroud. The lift platform also includes a slightly enlarged diameter lower shoulder section <NUM> which closely fits within the sealing ring opening or bore <NUM>. The lift platform shoulder section <NUM> seals against a lower seal <NUM> that is mounted in a lateral groove formed in the lower portion of the seal ring to seal against the lower shoulder section <NUM> of the lift platform. The lift platform is raised and lowered by a lift actuator <NUM> extending downwardly from the underside of the lift platform <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that when the lift platform <NUM> is in the fully extended upward position and the shroud <NUM> is in fully downward extended position, the interior of the shroud is isolated from both the ambient and the interior of the housing, as shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>. As described below, during this condition, the ambient air within the shroud and container <NUM> is removed and replaced with an inert gas or gas mixture at a pressure above atmospheric pressure.

When the shroud <NUM> is in lowered closed position and the lift table <NUM> is in extended upper position, as shown in <FIG>, both the interior of the container <NUM> positioned within the shroud and also the volume between the exterior of the container and the interior of the shroud are evacuated and replaced with the modified atmosphere of, for example, an inert gas or gas mixture through upper and lower ports <NUM> and <NUM> that extend horizontally radially inwardly from the exterior diameter of the ring seal <NUM>. The upper shroud port <NUM> intersects with the bottom of a vertical passageway <NUM> extending upwardly through the shroud upper sidewall section <NUM> to intersect with a horizontal annular groove <NUM> formed in the outer circumference of a manifold ring <NUM>. Radial holes <NUM> extend inwardly from the horizontal annular groove <NUM> to communicate with the open central interior <NUM> of the manifold ring <NUM>. Such open central interior <NUM> is in communication with the open top and thus the head space <NUM> of the filled container <NUM>.

Referring specifically to <FIG>, a porous barrier <NUM> is mounted to the underside of the manifold ring <NUM> inside of an annular seal <NUM> extending along the underside manifold ring <NUM>. As will be appreciated, the annular seal <NUM> serves to also seal the top rim of the container relative to the manifold ring <NUM>. The perimeter of the porous barrier also seals relative to the manifold ring and the sealing ring <NUM>. As such, the head space <NUM> of the container <NUM> is isolated from the exterior of the container. The barrier <NUM> allows air/oxygen to be drawn out of the container while substantially preventing the powder or other content within the container from escaping from the container as the container is being evacuated. The porous barrier may be composed of fabric, woven material, perforated sheet material, or other appropriate material.

Continuing to refer specifically to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the volume or space between the exterior of the container <NUM> and the interior of the shroud <NUM> is separately but simultaneously evacuated and then replaced with modified atmosphere from the evacuation of the interior of the container. The reason for this separated evacuation and modified air replacement system is to prevent powder or other contents of the container <NUM> from flowing from the container interior through barrier <NUM> during evacuation of the container and thereby contaminating the can outer surface or face with the powder or other content. Also, the vacuum and replacement gassing cycles are applied to the can head space <NUM> and to the can exterior at the same time thereby to avoid the can from imploding or otherwise being damaged during the vacuum cycle, especially cans with an exterior foil wrapping. In this regard, the shroud lower port <NUM> is in communication with an annular cavity <NUM> located just above the shoulder section <NUM> of the lift table. The cavity <NUM> is in fluid flow communication with an upwardly extending narrow gap <NUM> between the exterior of the lift table upper section <NUM> and the interior of the shroud upper wall section <NUM> as well as the shroud pilot section <NUM>.

Although the foregoing provides one example in which the interior and exterior of the container <NUM> may be separately but simultaneously evacuated and gassed, it is to be understood that other systems for carrying out this function may also be employed. For example, systems that evacuate and introduce replacement gas through the closed top assembly <NUM> of the shroud.

Also, the upper intermediate and lower seals <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> can be of various construction. For example, the seals can be composed of inflatable air seals which can be inflated to achieve secure and tight seals against the shroud and lift table and also deflated to permit the shroud and lift table to be both engaged and disengaged from the sealing ring <NUM> without any significant resistance against the seals. Of course, other types of seals may be employed, for example O-ring seals, V-seals, double or even triple V-seals, etc..

The containers <NUM> that are delivered to the housing <NUM> by infeed conveyor <NUM> are moved laterally off the infeed conveyor and onto the lift platforms <NUM> by a lateral pusher system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The pusher system <NUM> includes a horizontal push bar <NUM> for pushing against the sides of the cans <NUM> to remove the cans from the conveyor <NUM> and onto an associated base <NUM> of lift platform <NUM>. The push bar <NUM> may be contoured along its leading edge <NUM> adjacent the containers <NUM> so that the containers are indexed into correctly spaced positions along the conveyor <NUM>. If the cans <NUM> are not accurately spaced along the conveyor <NUM> to match the positions of the lift platforms <NUM> and corresponding seal ring/housing openings <NUM>, the pressing or urging of the contoured leading edge <NUM> of push bar <NUM> against the sides of the filled containers will reposition the containers relative to each other so that they are in proper registry with the positions of the lift platforms <NUM> and housing openings <NUM>.

A linear actuator <NUM> is provided to support and actuate the push bar <NUM> to push the cans from the conveyor <NUM> and onto the lift platform <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a bridging ramp <NUM> is provided so that there is continuous surface between the conveyor <NUM> and the lift platform base <NUM> along which the containers <NUM> may be slid when pushed by the push bar <NUM>. Although two separate pusher systems <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, one for each set of three containers <NUM>, a single pusher system <NUM> may be utilized or more than two pusher systems may be utilized.

Continuing to refer specifically to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a second pusher system <NUM> is provided at an elevation above the pusher system <NUM>. This second pusher system includes actuators <NUM> that function to push the cans <NUM> laterally after the shroud <NUM> has been retracted upwardly once the container <NUM> has been evacuated and the removed ambient air replaced with an inert gas or gas mixture, see <FIG>. At this point, the containers are pushed by the pusher system <NUM> onto a seamer infeed conveyor <NUM>. during for transport to the closure/seaming station <NUM>. To this end, the pusher system <NUM> includes a horizontal pusher bar <NUM> that is actuated by horizontal actuators <NUM> mounted to extend laterally outwardly from housing <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> are sealed with respect to the housing to maintain the atmospheric conditions within the housing. As noted above, such atmospheric conditions include a low level of residual oxygen in a gas mixed environment and an over-pressure of, for example, about <NUM> mBar gauge.

After the actuators <NUM> push the containers <NUM> from the lift platforms <NUM> and onto the seamer infeed conveyor <NUM>, a container guide bar <NUM> is simultaneously raised along the conveyor <NUM> next to the baseplate <NUM> to restrain the containers in the lateral direction relative to the direction of travel of the conveyor <NUM>. The guide bar is located between the side of the conveyor <NUM> and the baseplate <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The guide bar is raised and lowered between conveyor <NUM> and the baseplate <NUM>. The guide bar <NUM> is in the lowered position allowing for the container to be transferred from the lift platform <NUM> on to the seamer infeed conveyor <NUM>, see <FIG>. Following the transfer of the container the guide bar is raised creating a guide for the container to transfer along the conveyor without risk of the container being dislodged, see <FIG>.

The seamer infeed conveyor <NUM> transports the containers <NUM> to a closure/sealing/seamer station <NUM> which perhaps is most clearly shown in <FIG>. As with the conveyor <NUM>, the seamer station <NUM> is also within the sealed chamber <NUM> wherein the chamber includes a modified atmosphere environment to maintain the low residual oxygen level achieved in the container following the extraction of the Oxygen and replenished with gas injection. To this end, the containers <NUM> are fed into circumferential, outwardly open pockets <NUM> formed along the circumference of a rotatable double star wheel <NUM> that is mounted on a central rotatable shaft <NUM>. A floor <NUM> is provided for supporting the containers <NUM> when inserted within the pockets <NUM>. The containers are secured in the star wheel pockets by a guide rail or other means with a clearance of approximately <NUM> between the guide rail and the depth of the star wheel pocket. This clearance allows for a degree of flexibility to accommodate the potential variance in the tolerance of the container dimensions.

The double star wheel <NUM> is indexed from a first position/station in registry with the seamer infeed conveyor to a second position/station in registry with a stack magazine <NUM> filled with covers <NUM>, which are placed onto the open top of the containers at the magazine station. Next, the double star wheel <NUM> is indexed to a seaming station <NUM> wherein a cover <NUM> is seamed to the upper edge of the container <NUM> in a standard manner. Such seamers are articles of commerce.

The above process of placing the covers <NUM> on the containers <NUM> and then seaming the containers can occur one at a time as each can is shifted from the seamer infeed conveyor to the double star wheel. Alternatively, all of the containers <NUM> can be loaded on the double star wheel at the same time so as to fill the pockets of the double star wheel and then the covers <NUM> applied to the filled star wheel cans and thereafter the covers are seamed with the containers <NUM>. In this manner, the seamer infeed conveyor <NUM> is emptied quickly so that a second set of evacuated containers <NUM> can be loaded onto the seamer infeed conveyor.

The outer circumference of the covers <NUM> snugly slides against the inside surface of the lower collar portion <NUM> of the magazine <NUM>. In this manner, the covers acting against the collar <NUM> provide a seal between the interior of the housing <NUM> and the ambient. To this end, it is desirable that a sufficient number of covers <NUM> are positioned within the magazine <NUM> so as to maintain a seal with the collar portion <NUM>.

As noted above, the sealed containers <NUM> are removed from the housing <NUM> while maintaining the atmosphere within the housing. To this end, as perhaps most clearly shown in <FIG>, removal system <NUM> includes an airlock structure <NUM> having an elongated housing <NUM> positioned over an outfeed conveyor <NUM> powered by an actuator <NUM>. The airlock structure <NUM> includes sealable doors <NUM> and <NUM> at the opposite end of the housing <NUM> for the purpose of allowing entry of the sealed cans into the airlock structure, and then out of the structure via the outfeed container <NUM>. While the airlock structure <NUM> is empty, the pressure within the airlock may be reduced to match the pressure within the structure <NUM> and the ambient air within the structure <NUM> may be replaced with the same inert gas or gas mixture utilized within the housing <NUM> so that when the near door <NUM> is open, the atmosphere within the structure <NUM> matches the atmosphere within the interior of the housing <NUM>. Thereupon a set of sealed cans may be advanced into the airlock structure <NUM> and then the near door <NUM> closed to seal the housing <NUM> from the airlock structure <NUM>. Therefore, the far door <NUM> of the airlock structure may be opened and then the sealed cans removed from the airlock structure by operation of the outfeed conveyor <NUM>.

<FIG> together with <FIG> illustrate one example of the use of the present system <NUM> for replacing the air in containers <NUM> with modified or inert gas or gas mixture and then sealing the container <NUM>. Under such conditions, the content within the container <NUM> can be maintained in a preserved state for a prolonged period of time, especially if the content consists of food. Substantially all of the oxygen has been removed from the container which minimizes degradation of the container content.

The method begins at step <NUM> wherein the system <NUM> is set to start-up conditions or parameters. In this regard, the vacuum shrouds <NUM> are in lowered position to close off the entrance openings <NUM> in the seal ring <NUM> of the housing <NUM> via upper end intermediate seals <NUM> and <NUM>. The lift platforms or tables <NUM> are in down position for reception of the filled containers <NUM> from the filling station. Any residual oxygen in the housing <NUM> is flushed out and replaced with a modified atmosphere composed of, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof. The pressure within the housing may be set to approximately <NUM> mBar gauge, which is achieved by opening and closing the exhaust and modified atmosphere gas valves. Of course, the over-pressure within the housing <NUM> can be at other levels either above or below <NUM> mBar gauge. The residual oxygen level in the housing is reduced to a range of about <NUM>% to <NUM>% by volume or less. In one non-limiting example, the residual oxygen level may be about <NUM>% by volume.

After the foregoing startup conditions are met, in step <NUM>, in the operation of system <NUM>, the system confirms that there are a desired number of containers <NUM> at the escapement from the filling station and that the containers are filled with the desired amount of material, e.g., powder material.

Next, in step <NUM>, the filled containers <NUM> are transferred onto an infeed conveyor <NUM> and then in step <NUM> the containers are transported by the infeed conveyor to a position in front of the evacuation housing <NUM> at a lower elevation of the housing, for example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Next, in step <NUM>, the pusher system <NUM> is used to push the containers of the set onto individual lift tables or platforms <NUM>, see <FIG> and <FIG>. The lift tables <NUM>, which are in lowered position below the mezzanine <NUM> of the housing. In step <NUM>, the actuators <NUM> of the pusher system <NUM> are retracted to their nominal (home) position so that the next set of containers <NUM> can be moved onto the escapement to be ready for the next cycle.

Next, at step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the lift platforms <NUM> are raised to lift the containers <NUM> into position within a corresponding shroud <NUM>. The lift platforms simultaneously seal against the bottom or lower seal <NUM> of the base seal ring <NUM> to close off the entrance openings <NUM> from the ambient.

Next, at step <NUM>, the pressure within the container <NUM> is evacuated through port <NUM> down to approximately <NUM> mBar (ABS) thereby to help ensure that each container has no more than about <NUM>% to <NUM>% residual oxygen by volume therein once the inert replacement gas has been injected into the shroud, also through upper port <NUM>. The porous barrier <NUM> disposed over the open top of the container <NUM> during the evacuation process prevents powder or other material within the container from escaping. At the same time, the pressure between the exterior of the container and the interior of the shroud is also simultaneously evacuated to the same pressure level as within the container via lower port <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, the evacuation of the container <NUM> as well as the evacuation of the volume between the exterior of the container and the interior of the shroud can be accomplished in about <NUM> seconds; however, this process can be carried out over a shorter or longer period of time.

Next, at step <NUM>, a modified atmosphere composed of, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or a mixture of both is injected into the container through upper port <NUM>. Such injection of the modified atmosphere is blown through the porous barrier <NUM> thereby to blow off from the barrier any material or powder that has collected thereon during the evacuation process. Simultaneously, the same modified atmosphere is injected through port <NUM> to fill the volume between the exterior of the container <NUM> and the interior of the shroud <NUM>. As a non-limiting example, the modified atmosphere can be injected into the container <NUM> as well as into the volume between the exterior of the container and the interior of the shroud at a pressure of about <NUM> bar for a time period of about <NUM> second. This process can be carried out at other pressures and for other time durations.

At this stage, the oxygen level within the container and shroud and the pressure within the container and shroud could match the atmospheric conditions within the housing itself. However, it may be desirable if the pressure within the container and within the shroud were either higher or lower than the pressure within the housing. For example, if the pressure within the container <NUM> and shroud <NUM> is higher than that within the housing, this can help maintain the low residual oxygen level within the container.

Next, at step <NUM>, the shroud <NUM> is retracted upwardly to an elevation above the containers (see <FIG>), thereby exposing the container <NUM> to the atmosphere within the housing.

Then at step <NUM>, the containers <NUM> are moved laterally by upper pusher system <NUM> to a seamer infeed conveyor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. With the containers now removed from the lift platform <NUM> at step <NUM>, the shrouds <NUM> are lowered to close off the openings <NUM> in the base plate <NUM>, see <FIG>. Next, at step <NUM>, the platforms <NUM> are lowered, as shown in <FIG>, to await the next group of containers <NUM> from the infeed conveyor <NUM>.

Thereafter, as set forth in step <NUM>, the filled cans <NUM> are conveyed by the seamer infeed conveyor <NUM> to engage within a pocket <NUM> of star wheel <NUM>. Next, at step <NUM>, the star wheel is indexed (rotated) by the use of an encoder positioned on the drive shaft <NUM> of the star wheel. Simultaneously, at step <NUM> the number of can lids <NUM> in the magazine (stack) <NUM> is monitored to ensure that a seal is maintained between the interior of the housing and the external environment, which seal is created by the stack of container lids <NUM> in the base portion <NUM> of magazine, step <NUM>.

At step <NUM>, a container lid <NUM> is placed on the open top of each of the containers <NUM> when the container is positioned below the lid magazine <NUM>. At step <NUM>, the double star wheel <NUM> is indexed to present the container <NUM> with the lid/cover <NUM> thereon to a seamer station whereat the container is lifted and rotated to affix the lid <NUM> to the container <NUM> in a standard manner.

At step <NUM>, after the lid <NUM> is affixed, the container <NUM> is lowered and the star wheel <NUM> is indexed again to present the sealed container onto an exit conveyor <NUM>. This process is repeated until all of the covers/lids <NUM> have been attached to the containers.

Next, at step <NUM>, the sealed containers as a group are transported into the airlock <NUM>. After the airlock <NUM> has been sealed from the housing, at step <NUM>, the containers are transferred out of the airlock as a group onto the exit conveyor <NUM>.

The foregoing represents merely one example of a method of utilizing the system <NUM> of the present disclosure. It is possible that some of the foregoing steps might be combined or eliminated or modified or replaced with a different step while still resulting in an efficient method for evacuating and sealing containers <NUM>, especially containers filled with powdered material.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by appended claims.

For example, although the present disclosure describes processing a plurality of containers in sets of six at a time, a lesser or greater number of containers may be processed as a batch. For example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> containers could be processed as a batch.

As a further alternative, although a separate lift platform <NUM> is described and illustrated for each container <NUM>, a plurality of containers may be positioned on a singular lift platform and the plurality of containers lifted upwardly into a shroud for each container or a shroud for multiple containers.

Further, various types of containers may be processed utilizing the system <NUM> of the present disclosure. Such containers may consist of metallic cans, glass jars or bottles, PET or other containers capable of sustaining a reduced pressure within the container.

Although a specific seal arrangement has been described and illustrated for sealing the shroud <NUM> with respect to the housing opening <NUM> as well as the lift platform <NUM> relative to the housing opening <NUM>, other sealing arrangements can be utilized. For example, the bottom of the shroud can be sealed against the top surface of the base plate <NUM>, and the lift platform <NUM> can be sealed against the underside of the base plate <NUM>.

Further, although the airlock housing <NUM> is illustrated as being at the elevation of the star wheel <NUM>, the airlock housing can be located at or near the level that the containers <NUM> are placed on the lift tables by the pusher system <NUM>. In this regard, the elevation of the infeed conveyor <NUM> may be substantially the same as the elevation of the outfeed conveyor <NUM> which may be desirable in certain installations.

Also, the process of removing oxygen from the interior of the housing <NUM> and replacing it with modified atmosphere consisting of, for example, inert gas, can be carried out using procedures and parameters other than described above. Likewise, the evacuation of the containers <NUM> and the evacuation of the volume between the exterior of the containers and the interior of the shrouds <NUM> can be performed under process conditions other than as described above.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate an alternative system <NUM>, and corresponding structure and method, for removing the sealed containers <NUM> from the housing <NUM>. The system <NUM> may be used in lieu of system <NUM> described above. System <NUM> includes a discharge housing <NUM> which is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> with portions removed so that the interior components of the system can be viewed. The housing <NUM> does include an entrance wall <NUM> which extends upwardly from a floor <NUM> and is transverse to incoming conveyor <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> may be a separate conveyor or may be the same conveyor as conveyor <NUM> described above. Downstream of the entrance wall <NUM>, the housing includes an airlock wall <NUM> which supports side-by-side airlock chambers 310A and 310B. An exit wall <NUM> is located at the end of the housing downstream of the airlock wall <NUM>. The incoming conveyor <NUM> terminates at one side of the airlock wall <NUM> and a second takeaway conveyor <NUM> extends from the opposite side of the airlock wall <NUM> and out through the exit wall <NUM> through an exit opening <NUM>. It is to be understood that the housing <NUM> also has side walls and a top wall. Moreover, the entrance wall <NUM> is integrated with the end panel <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The space between the entrance wall <NUM> and airlock wall <NUM> defines a first transfer location where containers <NUM> are moved laterally off of the conveyor <NUM> and onto transfer structures 320A and 320B. The transfer structures include a support floor or platform <NUM> composed of a plurality of parallel spaced-apart bars <NUM> for supporting the underside containers <NUM>. The bars <NUM> are cantilevered from the base of the transfer structures. The containers <NUM> are moved laterally from the conveyor belt <NUM> onto the platform <NUM> by a lateral actuating system <NUM> composed of a vertical pushing wall <NUM> that depends downwardly from the actuator <NUM> which spans between support sections <NUM> that depend downwardly from an overhead ceiling structure, not shown. The actuator <NUM> is powered to moved side to side between the support sections <NUM> whereby the pushing wall <NUM> pushes the containers <NUM> laterally from the conveyor belt <NUM> onto the platform portions <NUM> of the transfer structures 320A and 320B.

The transfer structures 320A and 320B are supported for movement in the direction parallel to the length of the conveyor <NUM> by an actuating system <NUM> which extends parallel to the conveyor <NUM> on each side thereof. The actuating systems are supported by column structures <NUM> that depend downwardly from the overhead ceiling structure (not shown). The actuating system <NUM> functions to move the transfer structures 320A and 320B toward and away from airlock chambers 310A and 310B, as depicted by arrow <NUM>. The transfer structures 320A and 320B also include an airlock door <NUM> which seals the adjacent opening of the airlock chambers 310A and 310B when the transfer structures 320A and 320B have been advanced toward the airlock chambers whereby the doors <NUM> close off the airlock chambers 310A and 310B.

The removal system <NUM> also includes transfer structures 350A and 350B on the opposite side of the airlock wall <NUM> from the location of the transfer structures 320A and 320B. The transfer structures 350A and 350B include a platform or floor <NUM> composed of a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal bars <NUM> capable of supporting the containers <NUM> therein. The bars <NUM> are cantilevered from the base of the transfer structures 350A and 350B. The transfer structures 350A and 350B are movable in the longitudinal direction, parallel to conveyor <NUM>, by actuating systems <NUM> which include transfer sections 350A and 350B moveable in the direction along the length of the conveyor <NUM>. The actuators <NUM> are supported by columns <NUM> that depend downwardly from the overhead ceiling structure (not shown).

As in the transfer structures 320A and 320B, the transfer structures 350A and 350B also include airlock doors <NUM> that are configured to close off the adjacent side of the airlock chambers 310A and 310B when the transfer structures 350A and 350B are advanced toward the airlock chambers 310A and 310B. It will be appreciated that when the transfer structures 320A or 320B and the corresponding transfer structures 350A or 350B are positioned so that the airlock doors <NUM> and <NUM> close off the airlock chambers, the support bars <NUM> of the floor <NUM> nest between the support bars <NUM> of the floor <NUM>.

The transfer structures 350A and 350B are also constructed to move laterally with respect to the length of conveyor belt <NUM> by a lateral support and actuating system <NUM> which includes a guideway <NUM> for guiding the lateral movement of the transfer structures 350A and 350B so that once the containers <NUM> are removed from the airlock chambers, the containers can be moved laterally onto the takeaway conveyor <NUM>. It will be appreciated that rather than using actuating system <NUM>, the containers <NUM> can be removed from the transfer structures 350A and 350B using a lateral actuating system similar to actuating system <NUM> described above.

The functioning of the removal system <NUM> is schematically illustrated in <FIG> as well as in the flow diagram of <FIG>. At the start step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the containers <NUM> are positioned on the incoming conveyor <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a first container 22A is pushed laterally off of the conveyor <NUM> by the lateral actuator <NUM> and onto platform <NUM>, see arrow <NUM>.

In the next step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the container 22A is pushed into the airlock chamber 310A by the longitudinal movement of the transfer structure 320A, see arrow <NUM>. The transfer structure 350A has already been positioned against the airlock chamber 310A. Simultaneously, a second container 22B is pushed transversely from the conveyor <NUM> onto platform <NUM> of the transfer structure 320B via lateral actuator <NUM>.

In the next step <NUM>, the container 22A is removed from the airlock chamber 310A by the longitudinal movement of the transfer structure 350A, as shown in <FIG>, see arrow <NUM>. During this transfer process, the transfer structure 320A remains engaged with the airlock chamber 310A so as to isolate the airlock chamber from the housing between the entrance wall <NUM> and the airlock wall <NUM>. Simultaneously, the container 22B is placed into the airlock chamber 310B by the longitudinal advancement of the transfer structure 320B, see arrow <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the transfer structure 350B is already in place with the airlock door <NUM> sealing the adjacent side of the airlock chamber 310B.

In the next step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the container 22A is transferred onto the takeaway conveyor <NUM> by the lateral movement of the transfer structure 350A via the lateral actuating system <NUM>, see arrow <NUM>. As noted above, rather than using the lateral actuating system <NUM>, the lateral transfer of the containers from the transfer structures 350A and 350B onto the takeaway conveyor <NUM> can be accomplished using a lateral actuator similar to lateral actuator <NUM> described above.

In the next step <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the container 22B is removed from the airlock chamber 310B by the longitudinal movement of the transfer structure 350B in the direction of arrow <NUM>. Simultaneously, the transfer structure 350A is moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow <NUM> so that the airlock door <NUM> is engaged against the adjacent end of the airlock chamber 310A. Also, the transfer structure 320A is moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow <NUM> away from the airlock chamber 310A to be in position to receive the next container 22C.

The cycle is shown as beginning to repeat itself in step <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>, wherein the container 22B is shifted laterally onto the takeaway conveyor <NUM>, as shown by arrow <NUM>, and thereafter the transfer structure 350B is positioned against the outlet side of the airlock chamber 310B, as shown by arrow <NUM>. Thereafter, the transfer structure 320B is shifted longitudinally in the direction of arrow <NUM> so that the platform or floor <NUM> is removed from the airlock chamber 310B and is in place to receive the container 22D. Simultaneously with the foregoing, the container 22C is shifted laterally from the conveyor <NUM> onto the platform <NUM> of the transfer structure 320A.

It will be appreciated that in the foregoing manner by the use of two airlock chambers 310A and 310B, the containers <NUM> may be rapidly and efficiently removed from the closure/sealing station <NUM> so as to achieve a high throughput for the overall system <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a system <NUM> for placing the covers <NUM> on containers <NUM> when it is needed or desirable to have a negative pressure in the container at the time of sealing the container. In this regard, an airtight shroud <NUM> is placed around the seaming rollers <NUM>, and the shroud <NUM> is sealed to the lift table <NUM> of the seaming apparatus <NUM>.

More specifically, a shroud <NUM> is formed with a smaller diameter lower portion <NUM> encircling most of the container <NUM> except at the upper portion thereof at the elevation of the seaming rollers <NUM>. At the upper portion of the shroud <NUM>, the area of the shroud is increased to accommodate the seaming rollers <NUM> which are outside of the perimeter of the cover <NUM> and container <NUM>. The shroud upper portion <NUM> seals against the underside of a top plate <NUM>. An O-ring <NUM> or other type of seal is used to seal the bottom of the shroud <NUM> against the lift table <NUM> of the seaming apparatus. The seaming apparatus <NUM> also includes a seaming chuck <NUM> that places the covers <NUM> over the top of the containers <NUM> and holds the cover in place while the seaming rollers <NUM> seal the covers <NUM> to the containers <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A assembly for evacuating and gassing filled containers (<NUM>), the assembly comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) with a sealing system which seals the housing from the ambient air, the housing being in communication with a vacuum source to remove the air or ambient gas in the housing and replace the removed air or gas with an inert replacement gas which contain no or very little oxygen, the housing having at least one entrance opening for receiving the containers therein to be evacuated and then closed,
a shroud (<NUM>) arranged within the housing (<NUM>) and having a closed upper and an open bottom for receiving therein a filled container (<NUM>), the interior of the shroud (<NUM>) being larger than the exterior of the container (<NUM>);
a closure for closing the open bottom of the shroud (<NUM>);
a porous barrier (<NUM>) positioned over the top opening of the container (<NUM>);
and at least one port (<NUM>, <NUM>) through which air and gasses are removed from and introduced into the shroud (<NUM>), simultaneously into and from the filled container (<NUM>) through the porous barrier (<NUM>) and into and from the interior portion of the shroud (<NUM>) that is exterior to the container (<NUM>),
wherein
the shroud (<NUM> has a top assembly (<NUM>) which closes the top of the shroud (<NUM>), the assembly comprises an actuator (<NUM>) configured to raise and lower the shroud (<NUM>) in relation to the closure and connected to the shroud top assembly (<NUM>).