US3747296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizing device for filling machines
Assignee: Zausner Foods Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-06
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An automatic machine for filling and capping containers for food and other materials is provided with special sterilizing means without interfering with the rapid filling and capping of containers. A combination of heat and sterilizing rays is used in a special tunnel formation in which an elevated temperature exists sufficiently high to effect sterilization of the containers passing therethrough and incorporated into the machine. Certain zones within the tunnel are maintained at predetermined controlled temperatures. The machine is particularly designed for aluminum containers having aluminum lids or caps, but is applicable to containers composed of other materials such as plastic. The entire machine is shrouded to permit pre-sterilization for a period of one-half hour to one hour prior to operation of the machine and during operation is kept sterile by providing a constant pressure on the air in the machine, whereby air can only flow out thus preventing contamination by bacteria outside the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 S Zausner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; B65B55/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An automatic machine for sterilizing successions of containers and their lids which comprises an elongated tunnel forming a part of the machine, means for receiving rows of empty containers from stacks thereof arranged in a plurality of rows in nested condition into one end of said tunnel and for propelling them through said tunnel and out the other end thereof, means at the entrance end of the tunnel for separating the nested containers so that their further travel is as individual spaced containers, means within the tunnel for altering the position of the thus separated containers into upright position for receiving material to be filled thereinto, each such upright container resting on a flat, conveyor crossbar, means for sterilizing the empty containers during their passage through the tunnel, means contending into the tunnel for filling the containers, a driven, endless conveyor system having said flat bars thereon and controlled to cause the container to dwell at the position where it is filled for a sufficient length of time to receive a predetermined amount of filling material, means for supporting a pile of lids accessible through the tunnel, and means for sterilizing a lid for each container and for applying a sterilized lid to a filled container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
An automatic machine for sterilizing successions of containers and their lids which comprises an elongated tunnel forming a part of the machine, means for receiving rows of empty containers from stacks thereof arranged in a plurality of rows in nested condition into one end of said tunnel and for propelling them through said tunnel and out the other end thereof, means at the entrance end of the tunnel for separating the nested containers so that their further travel is as individual spaced containers, means within the tunnel for altering the position of the thus separated containers into upright position for receiving material to be filled thereinto, each such upright container resting on a flat, conveyor crossbar, means for sterilizing the empty containers during their passage through the tunnel, means contending into the tunnel for filling the containers, a driven, endless conveyor system having said flat bars thereon and controlled to cause the container to dwell at the position where it is filled for a sufficient length of time to receive a predetermined amount of filling material, means for supporting a pile of lids accessible through the tunnel, and means for sterilizing a lid for each container and for applying a sterilized lid to a filled container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1 further comprising a shroud enclosing the remaining parts of the machine whereby to prevent contamination of the machine by outside bacteria.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel is of rectangular cross section and is provided along its upper surface with a plurality of spaced inlet pipes adapted to be connected to a source of gaseous sterilizing medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein each inlet pipe has a frustoconical bottom portion with angular passageways communicating with the interior of the tunnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An automatic machine according to claim 3, wherein the sources of gaseous sterilizing medium are adapted to raise the temperature in that part of the tunnel to a predetermined elevated temperature in the range of about 90*C to 150*C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
An automatic machine according to claim 5, wherein the temperatures at the locations of the said pipes vary from about 90*C near the entrance end of the tunnel to about 150*C at the central part of the tunnel and thereafter again becoming about 90*C with the final temperature of discharge of the filled, capped and sterilized containers being about 60*C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the tunnel is of non-uniform cross sectional area at different portions thereof and being of larger internal area where the lids are applied to the containers, an irradiating means being provided thereat for sterilizing the underside of each lid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the endless conveyor system follows a generally rectangular path of travel and during its return travel is subjected to cleaning and drying.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the endless conveyor system follows a generally rectangular path of travel and during its return travel is subjected to cleaning and drying by passing over a trough containing a hot flushing liquid and thereafter over a blast of hot air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the containers and lids are fabricated from aluminum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic machine according to claim 1, wherein the containers and lids are fabricated from thin aluminum sheet material, the said means for handling, conveying and sterilizing the said containers and lids being of such nature as not to deform said containers and lids.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |