PROCESS AND FACILITY FOR COOLING THE NECK OF BOTTLES USING A SOLID HEAT-TRANSFER MEDIUM

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for cooling the neck of bottles, wherein the neck of the bottle, positioned in the inverted position, is submerged in a mass of a solid heat-transfer medium, for example copper shot, which mass is cooled using a cryogenic fluid, for example liquid nitrogen, or else liquid CO.sub.2 or else a mixture of such fluids.

Claims

1. A process for cooling a neck of a bottle, comprising the steps of: cooling a mass of a solid heat-transfer medium comprising metal shavings with a cryogenic fluid; and submerged the neck of the bottle, while positioned in an inverted position, in the cooled mass.

2. The process to claim 1, wherein a temperature of the solid heat-transfer medium is measured, and depending on a result of the temperature measurement, conditions for supplying the cryogenic fluid to the mass of the solid heat-transfer medium are modified.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the metal shavings are copper shot.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the cryogenic fluid is selected from liquid nitrogen, liquid CO.sub.2, and mixtures thereof.

5. A facility for cooling the neck of bottles, which comprises: a reserve of a solid heat-transfer medium consisting of metal shavings, for example copper shot, contained in a tank; a store of cryogenic fluid, for example liquid nitrogen or liquid CO.sub.2; a fluid distribution line, connected at the upstream part thereof to said store, and at the downstream part thereof to said tank, which line is equipped with a control valve; a regulator capable of retroacting on said control valve on the basis of a measurement of the temperature of the solid medium present in the tank, means making it possible to transport the bottles, positioned in the inverted position, in order to bring the neck of each bottle to be cooled within the solid heat-transfer medium which has been cooled using said cryogenic fluid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] FIG. 1 is a partial schematic of an embodiment of a facility for performing the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly apparent from the following description, given by way of wholly nonlimiting illustration and made in relation to the appended FIG. 1 which is a partial schematic view of a facility making it possible to carry out the invention.

[0018] The following elements can be seen in FIG. 1: [0019] there is a store 1 of cryogenic fluid, for example in this case liquid nitrogen, from which store emerges a fluid distribution line 10 equipped with a shut-off valve 2 and a solenoid valve 3 which can be driven by a regulator 6; [0020] the fluid preferentially travels via a phase separator 4, enabling the downstream supply of a substantially clearly defined liquid (limiting the proportion of gas phase); [0021] the fluid originating from the separator 4 then supplies a tank 5, in which is deposited a mass of a solid heat-transfer medium, for example in this case copper shot, but which is cooled by the cryogen, for example by spraying; [0022] there is a system 7 for measuring the temperature of the shot, and also a regulating system 6 making it possible, depending on the temperature measurement result, to modify (3) the conditions for supplying cryogen to the tank; [0023] by way of illustration, it is possible to envisage a probe present in the tank, especially when the tank is sufficiently small and therefore the temperature measured in this way is representative; it is also possible to envisage larger tanks, in which it is then preferable to cause the shot to circulate (for example by means of an endless screw coupled to a vibratory system). [0024] the bottles are then transported (by means not shown in the FIGURE for example by a conveyor in a tunnel-type structure), positioned in the inverted position, in order for the neck of each bottle to be cooled to be submerged in the cooled solid heat-transfer medium for a sufficient period of time to obtain the freezing of the deposit which must be removed (disgorging).

[0025] While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.

[0026] The singular forms a, an and the include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0027] Comprising in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing i.e. anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of comprising. Comprising is defined herein as necessarily encompassing the more limited transitional terms consisting essentially of and consisting of; comprising may therefore be replaced by consisting essentially of or consisting of and remain within the expressly defined scope of comprising.

[0028] Providing in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.

[0029] Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.

[0030] Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.

[0031] All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.