US3606995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for thermally treating flexible containers
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
•
Filing: 1968-12-06
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1988-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for the sterilization or other thermal treatment of hermetically sealed containers, the process being carried out continuously and in a manner which compensates for increased pressure within the containers.
Inventors
- 👤 Nico Jacobus August Van Hemel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:48
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/001; A23B2/20; A23B2/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the units are a close fit in the tube and the increased pressure in compensated at least partly by using, for the thermal treatment, a treatment medium which is applied to the containers under a pressure greater than that within the containers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 1, in which said tube is substantially vertical and the units are passed through the tube as a vertical stack whose weight at least partly provides a force to compensate for the increased pressure in the containers.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus for thermal treatment of filled containers having an edge seal comprising i. a set of mold support units each of which is arranged to carry a sealed container, and has supporting surfaces to provide support of the walls of the container against thermal expansion, and means for gripping the edge seal of said container, ii. an open ended tube designed for the passage therethrough of a train of mutually contacting units, iii. transfer means for passing the units through the tube while closely fitting to the walls thereof, iv. heat supply means which is disposed to suppLy a gaseous heat-treatment medium to the interior of the tube thereby to apply a heat treatment to the containers as they pass through the tube, and v. means for applying pressure to said train of contacting units so that during the heat treatment the edge seals are gripped under pressure to maintain the seals during the thermal treatment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the transfer means is a conveyor having a horizontal flight which passes within said tube and has a series of vertically upstanding molds attached thereto which are arranged to press the containers together during their passage through said tube so as to compensate for increases in pressure within the containers due to heat.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |