Process and apparatus for loading containers

Claim 2

In a process for loading a pressurized dispensing device through a valve with fluid products and normally gaseous propellants, the improvement comprising continuously feeding and substantially premixing streams of such fluid product and propellant under turbulent conditions in close proximity to said device while en route to loading, 1. developing the ratio of the mass velocity of the gaseous propellant to the mass velocity of the fluid product to be 2.7 + OR - 0.7 or greater, 2. causing the turbulence of the gaseous propellant and the fluid product to be at least about 3000 Reynolds number wIth a mixing section of at least 8 diameters in length and 3. providing the gaseous propellant and the fluid product entry lines to be of sufficient size to permit loading the container to at least 70 percent of capacity before the pressure in the container reaches a value that is about twice the equilibrium pressure of the loaded container.

Claim 3

causing the turbulence of the gaseous propellant and the fluid product to be at least about 3000 Reynolds number wIth a mixing section of at least 8 diameters in length and

Claim 4

causing the turbulence of the gaseous propellant and the fluid product to be at least about 3000 Reynolds number wIth a mixing section of at least 8 diameters in length and

Claim 5

claim 1 wherein said propellant is in a liquid state.

Claim 6

Claim 2 wherein said propellant has a vapor pressure greater than said device''s allowable pressure and wherein said streams are mixed and loaded rapidly enough to prevent substantial vaporization of said propellant.

Claim 7

providing the gaseous propellant and the fluid product entry lines to be of sufficient size to permit loading the container to at least 70 percent of capacity before the pressure in the container reaches a value that is about twice the equilibrium pressure of the loaded container.

Claim 8

providing the gaseous propellant and the fluid product entry lines to be of sufficient size to permit loading the container to at least 70 percent of capacity before the pressure in the container reaches a value that is about twice the equilibrium pressure of the loaded container.

Claim 9

Claim 2 wherein part of said premixing occurs within said valve.

Claim 10

Apparatus for continuously feeding and substantially premixing streams of fluid product and propellant in close proximity to and while en route to being continuously loaded into a pressurized dispensing device through the valve thereof comprising: A housing; a substantially straight passageway extending therethrough for continuously receiving and conveying said fluid product stream through said valve; inlet means in said housing opening into said passageway at substantially right angles for continuously receiving and conveying said propellant stream into said passageway; and a cylindrically shaped means located in the downstream end of said housing adapted to slidably receive said valve such that said valve and passageway are in register; said passageway between said inlet means and said dispensing device extending at least 8 to 10 diameters in length; said passageway having no valve for flow restriction; said inlet means and said passageway between said inlet means and said dispensing device having diameters such that a predetermined turbulent flow is achieved for a predetermined loading velocity.

Claim 11

Apparatus for continuously feeding and substantially premixing streams of fluid product and propellant in close proximity to and while en route to being continuously loaded into a pressurized dispensing device through the valve thereof comprising: A housing; a substantially straight passageway extending therethrough for continuously receiving and conveying said fluid product stream through said valve; inlet means in said housing opening into said passageway at substantially right angles for continuously receiving and conveying said propellant stream into said passageway; and a cylindrically shaped means located in the downstream end of said housing adapted to slidably receive said valve such that said valve and passageway are in register; said passageway between said inlet means and said dispensing device extending at least 8 to 10 diameters in length; said passageway having no valve for flow restriction; said inlet means and said passageway between said inlet means and said dispensing device having diameters such that a predetermined turbulent flow is achieved for a predetermined loading velocity.

Claim 12

Claim 5 wherein the diameter of said passageway for a given fluid product and desired degree of turbulence is directly proportional to the required loading velocity as determined by the relationship D (4w)/( pi Mu NRe), where w is the weight rate of fluid product flow, Mu is the fluid product viscosity and NRe is the Reynold''s number.

Claim 13

Claim 6 wherein said housing is further provided with a cylindrical, elongated passageway section concentric within and extending beyond said recess which is adapted to fit within said valve when the valve is positioned within said recess.