Patent US3744209A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilized packaging system
Assignee: Dean Foods Co
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Filing: 1971-01-13
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-01-13
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses sterile canning apparatus and method which utilizes a closed chamber in which is maintained a microorganism-killing atmosphere and in which product containers are sterilized, filled with a sterile product, and the closures for the containers are sterilized and applied in a sterile atmosphere to ensure a sterile product. In order to achieve high production rates, an operator in protective clothing may enter the chamber to maintain the equipment and thus maintain the sterile environment.
Inventors
- 👤 T Conley
- 👤 G Muck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of providing for the operation of a sterile product packaging system wherein containers are filled with a sterile product and closed comprising the steps of: continuously maintaining a sterilizing environment in a chamber to keep it free oF all living microorganisms; conveying non-sterile containers to be filled into the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof and sterilizing the containers; supplying a sterile product and filling the containers therewith in the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof; supplying closures, sterilizing them and applying them to the filled containers in the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof; and correcting malfunctions of the equipment in the chamber by personnel in the chamber while at the same time maintaining the sterilizing environment in the chamber so as to prevent contamination of the chamber so that substantially continuous operation may be maintained.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of providing for the operation of a sterile product packaging system wherein containers are filled with a sterile product and closed comprising the steps of: continuously maintaining a sterilizing environment in a chamber to keep it free oF all living microorganisms; conveying non-sterile containers to be filled into the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof and sterilizing the containers; supplying a sterile product and filling the containers therewith in the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof; supplying closures, sterilizing them and applying them to the filled containers in the chamber while maintaining the sterilizing environment thereof; and correcting malfunctions of the equipment in the chamber by personnel in the chamber while at the same time maintaining the sterilizing environment in the chamber so as to prevent contamination of the chamber so that substantially continuous operation may be maintained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of conveying and sterilizing the containers is carried out in one section of the chamber maintained at a first and higher temperature and wherein the step of applying closures to filled containers is carried out in another section of the chamber maintained at a second and lower temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sterilizing environment of the chamber is provided by the presence of a heated atmosphere constituted by dry hot air, hot air with a controlled humidity, dry or controlled humidity, hot inert gases, superheated steam, saturated steam, or any combination of these atmospheres.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said heated atmosphere has a temperature in the range of 250* to 1,000* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said heated atmosphere has a temperature in the range of 190* to 250* F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3 wherein personnel entering the chamber to correct malfunctions are provided with clothing and equipment to protect them from harmful effects of the sterilizing environment while permitting them to perform corrective functions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sterilizing atmosphere is constituted by a sterilizing gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sterilizing atmosphere is provided by the presence of sterilizing gases such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or chlorine, or any combination of these atmospheres.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of monitoring the functioning of the equipment from a location external to the chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 9 wherein upon the detection of a malfunction of the equipment in the chamber from the location external to the chamber, personnel wearing clothing and equipment to protect them from the harmful effects of the sterilizing environment enter the chamber to correct it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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US3376689A
Cited
US3245194A
Cited
US3439966A
Cited
US3501213A
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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) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |