The present invention relates to a method of introducing nitrogen into a beverage container. The beverage container (10) includes a cylindrical neck part (16) having a circumferential rim (18) defining an opening (20). The cylindrical neck part includes an outer circumferential flange (22) encircling the cylindrical neck part. A connecting element (36) having a circular closure plate (64) and a cylindrical housing (54) having a set of inwardly oriented locking parts (56) is positioned such that the cylindrical housing is at least partially covering the cylindrical neck part and a fluid path (58) is defined between the connecting element and the cylindrical neck part. A collar (42, 44) having a gas inlet (48) is placed about the cylindrical neck part and gas is injected into the beverage container via the gas inlet. Finally, the connecting element is moved towards the cylindrical neck part for arresting the connecting element to the cylindrical neck part and sealing the circular closure plate against the circumferential rim.

A gassing device for gassing a container includes a rotatable gassing rotor with a container receptacle for receiving the container and a feeding area for feeding a gas via a feed opening. The container receptacle includes a gassing nozzle flow-connected to the feed opening via a channel for gassing the container, and a stationary gas supply with a stationary supply opening arranged on the feeding area such that the supply opening can be flow-connected to the feed opening. The gassing rotor can be supplied with the gas from the gas supply in the operating state by moving the feed opening to the stationary supply opening by rotating the gassing rotor. The feeding area is connected without contact to the gas supply in the form of a labyrinth seal, so that the gassing rotor is rotatable relative to the gas supply in the operating state.

A seaming shaft device for a sealer includes a seaming shaft, a seaming device detachable from the seaming shaft, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the seaming device to the seaming shaft. The fastening mechanism includes a lock and a fastener which can be arranged between the lock and the seaming device. The lock and the seaming device can be moved relative to each other along the seaming axis so that the seaming device can be brought from a locked state to an unlocked state, and the fastener in the locked stat is clamped between the seaming device and the lock such that the seaming device is fixed to the seaming shaft. The fastener can be unclamped by bringing the seaming device from the locked state to the unlocked state so that the seaming device is detachable from the seaming shaft.

Disclosed is a device and a method for pressure-packaging a container to be processed, which is sealed by a stopper, the device including a cap with a needle, a fluid injector, and a heating cannula, the cap being designed to be applied to the stopper in a tight manner, the needle being able to move so as to pierce a hole through the stopper, the cannula being able to move so as to close the hole by the melting of the material of the stopper, the needle and the cannula being arranged such that the axes of movement thereof are secant at a point located in the stopper, the end of the cannula being convex.

In a method for filling a bottle, a balloon body extends through an axial through bore of a cap and is connected seal-tightly with an upper circumferential rim to the cap above a radial opening of the cap. An elongate support associated with the balloon body is connected to the cap. Balloon and elongate support are inserted into the bottle. The cap is positioned at a spacing above the bottle neck to form a ring-shaped intermediate gap. Air contained in the bottle interior is forced out through the intermediate gap by inflating the balloon body with an expansion medium. Subsequently, the cap is fluid-tightly fitted on the bottle neck. The expansion medium is allowed to escape from the balloon body and liquid is supplied through radial and axial openings of the cap into the space between outer surface of the balloon body and inner bottle wall.

Disclosed is a method and a device for pressure-packaging a container to be processed, which is sealed by a stopper arranged above a head space of the container, the method including: engaging sealingly a cap over the stopper, the cap including a piercing unit and sealing unit; piercing a hole through the stopper by lowering the piercing unit; lifting the piercing unit out of the stopper; introducing a fluid into the head space via the hole; sealing the hole by melting the material of the stopper by lowering the sealing unit by melting; lifting the sealing unit by melting; and removing the cap.

A self-sealing container, used for transferring one or more air sensitive samples between vacuum systems, includes a housing with a cavity that holds the sample(s), and a lid disposed on top of the housing. The lid is configured to interface with the housing to form a seal over the cavity when the lid is closed. At least two flexure systems, each coupled to the housing and the lid, are disposed on opposing sides of the housing. The flexure systems apply forces to the lid that move the lid horizontally and vertically above the housing, into an open position. A pneumatic actuator, movably coupled to the housing and the lid, that is actuated by a change in ambient pressure. When actuated, it applies forces that move the lid horizontally and vertically to the closed position, in opposition to and in excess of the forces applied by the flexure systems.

A modified atmosphere, skin or vacuum packaging machine comprising first feed means adapted for feeding a first film to the machine, second feed means adapted for feeding a second film to the machine, and a sealing station where the vacuum is formed and/or the modified atmosphere is introduced, and the second film is sealed to the first film to obtain a package. The machine comprises displacement means configured for moving at least the first film a driving distance from an initial position, holding down and driving at least the first film in the driving direction to an end position, said displacement means being configured for subsequently returning to the initial position when the machine is in operating mode.

A wine bottle stopper is provided including a vacuum stopper and a removable decorative cap. The vacuum stopper includes a central conduit extends longitudinally through the vacuum stopper, and a one-way valve is located within the central conduit. The vacuum stopper includes an upper portion which extends exterior to the wine bottle and a bottom shaft sized for insertion into a wine bottle's opening. The vacuum stopper also has a release valve connected to the one-way valve. Meanwhile, the decorative cap has a sidewall and a top wall forming a central cavity sized to engage and cover the vacuum stopper's upper portion. The central cavity's top wall has a center recess sized and positioned to receive the vacuum stopper's release button. Preferably, the decorative cap includes a decorative feature providing a pleasing appearance.

A medical vial filling system is adapted to fill a medical vial with a solution and cap the filled medical vial. A purging system includes a manifold disposed between a filling station and a capping station. The manifold includes a filling inlet port and a plurality of output ports. The output ports are positioned in a space proximate the filling station and in a space over the transport mechanism. A stoppering block includes a capping chamber for receiving a bushing positioned at the capping station. The stoppering block comprises a stoppering inlet port, a first nozzle opening into the capping chamber and a second nozzle extending into the capping chamber and directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is position in the capping station. A supply of non-reactive gas at the filling inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas out the manifold outlet ports to evacuate air and substitute the non-reactive gas in the filled medical vial and at the stoppering inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas in a flood zone surround a space above the medical vials when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station and in a stream directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station.