The present invention relates to methods of filling containers with semi-liquid product to ensure there is no headspace at the openings of such containers, and devices for use in such methods.

Background of the invention

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

Typical methods of filling containers include systems to ensure product is filled evenly into containers without trapping air pockets. This is particularly needed for beauty or cosmetics products that can be very viscous and come in various shaped containers. DE19534329 discloses a filling machine for transferring a viscous product into squat containers, directed toward beauty products such as cosmetic cream. The machine fills the container with a filling nozzle which is positioned to fill the container evenly and without trapped air pockets around an inner edge. The container is rotated about a vertical axis by placing it on a rotary table during the filling process. The rotation is at a level below which the product would be thrown out by centrifugal force. The rotation helps to ensure that the filling makes it even to the undercut of the container.

It is usually unavoidable that some headspace (gas, for example, air) is present in a container after filling, as the neck or area near the opening must be closed with a seal after filling, particularly for food products. Some semi-liquid food products are also prone to releasing free water over time which flows into headspace of the container after filling. This is particularly common with emulsions such as mayonnaise, ketchup and some mustards, particularly in top down bottles with products that will not simply flow to the opening and displace the headspace and liquid once turned on its top. With such a product, , free water is generated over time as it is released from the product, and when there is space between the product and the bottom of the bottle, gravity drives this free water into that space. When this happens, liquid flows from the container instead of the desired product when first used. WO2012/163627 attempts to address this problem with a method of removing headspace from a filled container. The container includes a one way valve, and after the container is filled, gas is expelled from the container through this valve to reduce the headspace. A pressure difference is applied over the valve to remove the gas from the container, for example, by squeezing the container from the outside. Thus, a deformable container is required. Systems for container inversion do exist, and are typically related to sterilization procedures. For example, US 2012/0060445 discloses methods for inverting containers which are filled with a liquid with solid inclusions. To prevent the inclusions from agglomerating an any area of the container, the filled container is subject to an inversion sequence which typically includes alternating between inverting the container to an angle of about 60 degrees from vertical and an angle of about 140 degrees from vertical, over a period of 30 seconds. One device used for this includes a plurality of arms extending from a housing. On the end of each arm is a clamp that can hold a container. The clamps are rotated to invert the containers. Other methods for inverting bottles are shown in EP0277616 A2 (for removing bubbles from a container filled with liquid) and GB2364299 (for removing sterilant from the headspace). EP0277616 uses a series of rolls and belts to rotate the container, and GB2364299 simply states that the bottles are inverted by inverting a case at an inversion station prior to stacking.

The prior art does not address the problems of filling a container with a semi-liquid product and moving headspace from a container without requiring a one way valve. The prior art also does not provide a solution for top down bottles where headspace can become filled with liquid released over time from the semi-liquid product, leaving the consumer with an unpleasant experience when first using the container.

The present inventors have been able to solve some of the problems associated with headspace in containers, and particularly headspace in top down bottles by designing methods and devices to perform the methods to move the headspace from an opening part of a container to another part. This eliminates any headspace and problems associated with headspace at the opening while removing the need for containers with expensive one way valves to squeeze out the headspace.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of moving headspace from an opening of a container which can be applied to a variety of containers.

It is yet another object of the invention to ensure that product sets in a position with no headspace at the opening to overcome the disadvantages of water freeing from the product over time and collecting at the opening. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device for moving headspace within filled containers at the openings of the containers efficiently and effectively. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device for moving headspace from openings of a number of containers at the same time.

These and other objects are accomplished by the invention described in the following text and figures.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of filling a container with a container body and an opening. The method comprises filling the container with a semi-liquid product through the opening leaving headspace near the opening; closing the container opening; and slinging the container around an axis such that the product flows to a part of the container with the opening, thereby forcing the headspace to another part of the container body. The product sets in this position with the product at or near the opening and headspace at another part of the container. This ensures that the product is the first thing flowing through the opening when a user opens the container, thereby eliminating the unpleasant experience of having a first flow of water through the opening. This slinging reduces or eliminates water releasing from the product over time in top down containers as there is no space to which the water may flow, thereby further ensuring that product is the first thing dispensed.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a container slinging device. The device comprises a frame with a sling axis, and a container holder able to secure one or more containers, with the container holder connected to the sling axis for slinging around the sling axis. The containers are able to connect such that slinging results in forces which flow the product to an opening end. Thus, the device is able to efficiently and effectively promote the flow of product in the one or more containers to an opening, thereby moving headspace in the container to another part of the container not near the opening.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of setting a semi-liquid product in one or more containers with closed openings. The method comprises securing one or more containers to a container holder; and slinging the container holder with the one or more containers around a sling axis such that the one or more closed openings face away from the sling axis. Such a method uses centrifugal force to move the product within the containers to the openings, thereby displacing any headspace located at the openings after filling and closing the one or more containers.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to methods of removing headspace at the opening of a container and to devices for performing such methods. The term "headspace" is used to refer to space that is not filled with product but is filled with gas, for example air, in a container after filling. This term is used to refer to such space within a container both before and after closing or sealing such a container. The container is typically in the range of about 100-5000 mL in volume. The headspace in these containers can vary significantly, and could be in the range of 0.2% volume of the container up to 75% volume of the container, though it would preferably be in the range of 0.2%-20%, for example, 0.2%-15%, 0.5%-10% or 1 %-5%.

Additionally, the term "semi-liquid" is used to refer to a product that has properties between those of a solid and a liquid. This can include a wide range of products, for example, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, dressings and others.

'Spoonable' means that a composition is semi-solid but not free-flowing on a time scale typical for eating a meal, meaning not free-flowing within a time period of an hour. A sample of such substance is able to be dipped with a spoon from a container containing the composition.

'Pourable' is understood to mean that a composition is free-flowing; generally a spoon is not required to take a sample from a container containing a pourable composition. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts or ratios of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word 'about'. Mayonnaise is generally known as a thick, creamy sauce that can be used as a condiment with other foods. Mayonnaise is a stable water-continuous emulsion of vegetable oil, egg yolk and either vinegar or lemon juice. In many countries the term mayonnaise may only be used in case the emulsion conforms to the 'standard of identity', which defines the composition of a mayonnaise. For example, the standard of identity may define a minimum oil level, and a minimum egg yolk amount. Also mayonnaise-like products having oil levels lower than defined in a standard of identity can be considered to be mayonnaises. These kind of products often contain thickeners like starch to stabilise the aqueous phase. Mayonnaise may vary in colour, and is generally white, cream-coloured, or pale yellow. The texture may range from of light creamy to thick, and generally mayonnaise is spoonable. In the context of the present invention 'mayonnaise' includes emulsions with oil levels ranging from 5% to 85% by weight of the product. Mayonnaises in the context of the present invention do not necessarily need to conform to a standard of identity in any country.

The term "slinging" is used to describe motion of the container around an axis. This axis is typically perpendicular to an axis running through a centre of the container and offset from an end of the container. The container typically slings around the axis such that the orientation of the container relative to the axis stays constant throughout the slinging.

The method

In one aspect of the present invention a method is provided for filling a container and moving headspace from an opening of the container. The method comprises filling the container with the semi-liquid product through the opening leaving headspace near the opening; closing the container opening; and slinging the container around an axis such that the product flows to the part of the container with the opening, thereby forcing the headspace to another part of the container. The axis around which the container is slung is perpendicular to an axis running through a centre of the container body and offset from an end of the container body.

The product sets in position with the product near the opening of the container and headspace at another part, for example, another end. This reduces or eliminates the release of water from the product, and therefore the flow of released water to the opening of the container. Thus, product (and not water) is what first flows from the opening when a user opens the container.

According to an embodiment, the step of closing the container opening preferably comprises sealing the container opening closed and/or connecting a cap to the container opening. Preferably, the sealing comprises induction heat sealing. Further preferably, if both a seal and cap are used, the sealing can be done simultaneously with the connection of the cap. Properly sealing and/or closing with a cap ensures that the container will not leak any product during slinging and that product can be slung to set against the opening as desired for future flow.

According to an embodiment, the step of slinging the container around an axis such that the product flows to a part of the container with the opening, thereby forcing any headspace to another part of the container body preferably comprises securing the container to a holder such that the opening is facing away from the axis; and slinging the holder around the axis. Using a container holder can ensure that the container is held securely and properly for the desired slinging and flow. The container holder can also ensure safety during the slinging process. The container holder can take many different forms, and can secure one or more containers for slinging. The step of slinging the holder around the axis can optionally include a motor, or can be done by hand.

According to an embodiment, the step of slinging the container around an axis preferably comprises slinging the container about 180 degrees around an axis. In other embodiments, the container could be slung more than 180 degrees or less, for example about 90 degrees to a full 360 degrees. The time for rotation can be anywhere from about 0.2 seconds to many minutes, though is preferably in the 0.3 sec. to 1.0 sec. range. The length of slinging and time for slinging can vary greatly, as the main requirement is to sling such that a force is produced which flows the product within the container. Thus, the slinging length and/or time can be dependent upon the product in the container, the slinging force necessary, the ability and speed of the equipment to generate the slinging movements, the length of the slinging arm, as well as the overall processes for bottling the product and preparing for storage or transport. These factors relate to the slinging force but can be varied significantly while still achieving the required slinging force to move the specific product within the specific container to the opening, forcing headspace elsewhere.

According to an embodiment, the step of slinging the container around an axis preferably comprises slinging the container around the axis to produce a force of at least 0.0127 G-forces, preferably in the range of 0.01275 G-forces to 0.1 G-forces, more preferably 0.0217 G-forces to 0.0895 G-forces. The term G-force is used to express the Relative Centrifugal Force ("RCF") in m/s ² . This is the slinging force required for most tested emulsions to flow to the opening end, moving the headspace elsewhere. The force could be more, in some cases much more, for different configurations of the slinging device and/or speed, as well as different requirements as to slinging forces for different products and/or containers.

According to an embodiment, preferably, the axis is a horizontal axis and the container is slung in a vertical plane. In other embodiments, the axis could be a vertical axis and the container is slung in a horizontal plane. The specific method and orientation for the method could depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to the product filling the container, the container, the space and/or layout available for slinging, the filling assembly, and any loading and/or unloading system for slinging. According to an embodiment, the method further preferably comprises changing the acceleration and/or deceleration whiling slinging the container around an axis. This can help to achieve the desired flow of the product within the container within the desired amount of slinging time and/or slinging range of motion, for example, a larger acceleration can result in larger forces for moving the product in the container in a faster amount of time.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method of settling a semi-liquid product in a container is provided. The container comprises a closed opening. The method comprises securing one or more containers to a container holder; and slinging the container holder with the one or more containers around a sling axis such that one or more closed openings of the one or more containers face away from the sling axis. The sling axis is perpendicular to an axis running through a centre of a container body and offset from an end of the container body. This can flow product to the opening(s) of the one or more containers, thereby pushing headspace to another part of the container away from the opening. This results in reduction or elimination of water freeing from the product overtime and flowing to the headspace near the opening, and therefore the outflow of product from the opening of the container is a more desired consistency, without freed liquid. The Devices

In a further aspect of the present invention, a container slinging device is provided. The container slinging device comprises a frame with a sling axis; and a container holder able to secure one or more containers. The container holder is connected to the sling axis for slinging around the sling axis. The sling axis is perpendicular to an axis which would run through a centre of a container when in the container holder, and offset from an end of the container. Such a device can sling one or more containers around the sling axis such that any product within the container flows to a desired part, thereby forcing headspace to another part of the container. This results in the product setting in the container at the desired location, and consequently a reduction or elimination of water releasing from the product and flowing to headspace near the opening. Thus, in top down bottles, product initially flows, not freed water upon use.

According to an embodiment, the device preferably further comprises a motor for slinging the container holder around the sling axis. According to an embodiment, the container holder is preferably adjustable to accommodate different sized containers. The adjustable components can take any number of shapes or forms, and allow for using the device with a variety of different containers, for example, side walls that hold a container between with a biasing device biasing the side walls toward each other to accommodate larger or smaller containers.

According to an embodiment, the frame preferably comprises an underframe and a subframe, and the sling axis is connected to the subframe. Optionally, this subframe could be rotatable to allow the swing axis to extend either in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction, or could even be slanted. This can accommodate different situations where there is more space to sling in the horizontal or in the vertical direction.

According to an embodiment, the device further preferably comprises an infeed for delivering containers to the container holder and/or an outfeed for unloading the container holder. Such features can ensure simple and efficient loading and/or unloading of containers. This is especially useful when the slinging must be performed very quickly after filling the containers, for example, when the product will set quickly after filling. The infeed, outfeed and/or the container holder could also optionally include various devices for efficient handling of containers, for example, one or more conveyors, rollers and/or container pushing and/or twisting devices.

According to an embodiment, the container holder preferably comprises a plurality of container holders connected to the sling axis for rotation around the sling axis, each container holder able to secure one or more containers. The use of a plurality of container holders can allow for a higher capacity system, for example, allowing loading/unloading of a container holder while another is being slung. Optionally, the plurality of container holders can be connected to the sling axis in parallel and/or be slung around the sling axis about 180 degrees, further promoting a system for high capacity of slinging. The invention will now be further exemplified with the following non-limiting figures and examples.

Brief Description of the figures:

Fig. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of a container slinging device with a horizontal sling axis. Fig. 1 B illustrates a perspective view of a container which could be used with container slinging device.

Fig. 1 C illustrates a perspective view of the container slinging device of Fig. 1 A, with the sling axis turned vertical.

Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container slinging device able to sling a plurality of containers. Fig. 2B shows a close-up portion of the container slinging device of Fig. 2A.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a method for filling and setting one or more containers with a semi-liquid product. Detailed description of the figures:

In the detailed description of the figures, like numerals are employed to designate like features of various exemplified devices according to the invention.

Fig. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a container slinging device 10 with sling axis 12 in a horizontal direction, and Fig. 1 B shows a container 14 which could be used with container slinging device 10. Fig. 1 C shows the container slinging device 10 with sling axis 12 in a vertical direction.

Container slinging device 10 includes frame 16 and container holder 18. Frame 16 includes underframe 19, subframe 20, motor 22 and shaft 23 along sling axis 12. Container holder 18 includes sides 24 with shoulders 26, base 28 and arms 30.

Underframe 19 connects to subframe 20 at hinge 21 , allowing for subframe 20 and therefore sling axis 12 to rotate. Sling axis 12 is shown as a horizontal axis in Fig. 1A, but can rotate through hinge 21 to become a vertical axis, as shown in Fig. 1 C.

Container holder 18 includes sides 24 and shoulders 26, which can be adjusted to accommodate different shapes, sizes, configurations, etc. of container 14. Shoulders 26 can secure an end of container 14 into container holder 18, and in some embodiments, container holder 18 can include additional sides and/or other components to secure container 14 depending on the size and/or shape of container 14 and design of container holder 18. In one example embodiment, container holder 18 could be shaped such that a container 14 can slide in from a side and then a latch would secure the container 14 within the container holder 18.

Container holder 18 sides 24 are connected to base 28, and arms connect base 28 to shaft 23 for rotating with shaft 23 around sling axis 12. Motor 22 is connected to subframe 20 such that it can cause slinging around axis 12, for example, with a belt connecting motor 22 to shaft 23 for rotating shaft 23. In other embodiments, container slinging device 10 could be hand operated, and could include, for example, a spin handle extending from shaft 23. Container 14 is a top-down container with container body 32 with an opening (covered by lid 34) and base 35. When being filled, container 14 typically sits on base 35 with its opening facing up for filling. After filling, the container 14 is closed, and sealed. Closing and sealing can be done in a number of ways, for example, with a heat induction seal and a cap or lid covering the seal. Due to the top down filling, there is virtually always some headspace left in container 14 between the product and the seal. Other types, shapes and/or sizes of containers 14 could be used with container slinging device 10.

Container 14 shown in Figs. 1A-1 C has already been filled with a semi-liquid product, and sealed. Some headspace is present near the opening of container 14 from the filling. Filled container 14 is loaded into container holder 18 such that container body 32 sits between sides 24, and lid 34 (or shoulder or other part of container 14) is secured with shoulders 26 and/or other components. Container 14 can be loaded manually or mechanically. Container 14 is loaded such that the opening of container 14 (in this case covered by lid 34) faces away from sling axis 12.

Once container 14 is secured in container holder 18, container holder 18 is slung around sling axis 12. Motor 22 causes shaft 23 to rotate (through a belt), thereby slinging container holder 18 and container 14 around axis 12 through the connection between shaft 23 and arms 30. In Fig. 1A, container 14 is slung in a vertical plane around horizontal sling axis 12. In Fig. 1 C, container 14 is slung in a horizontal plane around a vertical sling axis 12. The slinging can be 180 degrees, 360 degrees, more or less depending on container 14, motor, product in the container, overall processes, etc. Centrifugal force produced from slinging causes the product in container 14 to flow to the end of container 14 near opening and lid 34, and for headspace in container 14 to move to the opposite end, near base 35. By using container slinging device 10, any product in container 14 can be easily and effectively transferred to a desired part of container 14, shifting headspace to another part of container 14, thereby setting the product near the opening and forcing any headspace to end 35. This ensures that the product sets in the desired position, for example, in preparation for shipping and sales. As discussed in the Background, some products, particularly emulsions, are prone to generating free water over time. This free water flows to the location of lowest energy in container 14 - thereby flowing to the headspace in a top down container. Container slinging device 10 can be used to transfer this headspace to a part of container 14 away from the opening, thereby eliminating free water at the opening by moving the headspace to the other end of container 14. This results in the product setting adjacent to the opening and therefore the product dispensing from container 14 opening without the free water first dispensing, producing a more desired consistency of product from the opening and better experience for a consumer. Additionally, the slinging reduces or eliminates water releasing from the product at all in a top down container 14, further ensuring that product and not water dispenses from the container when first used.

The specific arrangement of container slinging device 10 with underframe 19 and subframe 20 also allows for flexibility in sling axis 12 and slinging orientation. This can allow for slinging container 14 vertically or horizontally (or slanted) according to any number of variables, including but not limited to, container 14, product filling container 14, space and/or layout for slinging device 10 area, filling assembly, and slinging device 10 loading and/or unloading system. By having a simple container holder 18, container 14 can easily and quickly secure to be slung in a short time period, allowing for slinging quickly after filling and a high slinging capacity.

Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container slinging device 40 able to sling a plurality of containers 14, and Fig. 2B shows a close-up portion of container slinging device 40. Figs. 2A-2B include container slinging device 40 with frame 16 and container holders 18 (with sides 24, shoulders 26, base 28 and arms 30), motors 22, shaft 23, pusher 42, twist guide 44, infeed 46 and outfeed 48.

Container slinging device 40 includes three container holders 18, which can each hold a number of containers 14, for example, ten containers 14. Each container holder 18 is connected to shaft 23 (through arms 30), and is rotated by a separate motor 22. Base 28 of each container holder 18 can be a conveyor for easier loading and unloading of containers 14, and for a lighter overall container holder 18. Additionally, outfeed 48 and/or infeed 46 can include one or more pushers 42, twist-guides 44 and/or conveyors. Pusher 42 can help to move the containers 14 into or out of the container holder 18, and twist-guide 44 can help ensure containers 14 are properly aligned for infeed into or outfeed 48 from container holder 18.

In operations, a container holder 18 can move into a loading position to receive containers 14 from infeed 46. Containers 14 load into container holder 18 to fill container holder 18, and secure to container holder 18 in the same manner as described above, or in another manner such as with in-feed conveyors, active transport rollers, etc. Once containers 14 are loaded and secured, container holder 18 is slung around sling axis 12 by shaft 23 rotation caused by motor 22. Container holder 18 ends at an unloading position, where the base 28 conveyor, with the help of pusher 42 and/or twist-guide 44 unloads containers 14 to outfeed 48. Container holder 18 can then move to a waiting position or the loading position for reloading and slinging a new set of containers 14. The other container holders 18 are simultaneously moved during this process to another of a loading, slinging, unloading or waiting position, such that one container holder 18 can be loaded/unloaded while another is being slung for efficient slinging of a large number of containers 14.

By using container slinging device 40, which can sling multiple containers at a time, through container holder 18 being able to hold a plurality of containers 14 and/or using multiple container holders 18, container slinging device 40 can efficiently sling a large number of containers 14. This results in having the capacity to keep up with high production/filling systems, and being able to sling all containers 14 quickly for desired setting of contents within container 14.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic depiction of a method 50 for filling and setting one or more containers 14 with a semi-liquid product. Method 50 can be used with container slinging device 10, 40 or another container slinging device. Method 50 includes the steps of filling the container (step 52), closing the container (step 54), securing the container to the container holder (step 56), slinging the container around the sling axis (step 58) and unloading the container from the container holder (step 60).

Filling the container (step 52) can be done in a variety of ways. For example, container 14 can be filled with a semi-liquid product through its opening while sitting on base 35. This results in product filling up from base 35 toward opening, leaving headspace near the opening. Next, container 14 must be closed (step 54). This can also be done in a variety of ways to ensure that container 14 is sealed and any contents cannot leak out. For example, container 14 could be induction heat sealed, and a lid 34 could be added over the seal. In some processes, the step of sealing and adding a lid 34 can be performed simultaneously.

Once closed, container 14 can be secured to the container holder 18 (step 56). The process of this depends on the particular embodiment and design of container slinging device 10, 40 and container holder 18 used, and can include manual and/or automatic insertion and/or securing.

After securing container 14 to container holder 18, container 14 is slung around sling axis 12 as described above (step 58). This can be about 360 degrees, though can vary in different embodiments. The slinging results in relative centrifugal forces causing product inside container body 32 to flow to the opening, and the headspace in container 14 to flow to another part, in the container shown, to base 35. The slinging could result in a G-force of, for example, at least 0.0127 m/s ² , though could be higher, in some cases much higher, depending on the required amount of force needed to flow the specific product within the specific container. The slinging must result in enough force to displace the product in container 14, but not so much force that the seal is broken on container 14 or that container 14 is damaged during slinging. While slinging, parameters such as speed, acceleration and deceleration can be changed to achieve the desired results.

As an example, sling tests using a slinging device were performed on a container with 75% fat Hellmann's - Real Mayonnaise (ex Unilever, Netherlands). The sling arm length (or radius of curvature) from axis to the mid-point of the container was 480 cm, and the sling arm slung over 358 degrees in about 0.4 seconds during tests. The container 14 slung in the tests had a nozzle of 30 mm in diameter at the opening. The yield stress shown in the table below was determined using a cone and plate geometry on a TA Instruments rheometer, varying the shear rate and then fitting the data using the Herschel-Bulkey model for non-Newtonian fluids, which can be found in M. A. Rao, Rheology of Fluid, Semisolid, and Solid Foods, Food Engineering Series, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614- 9230-6_2, Springer Science + Business Media New York 2014. This yield stress was used to calculate the force required to move the product within the container, knowing the cross- sectional area of the container used. The cross-sectional area where the product ultimately flows is used, in this case the nozzle. This force can be used to calculate the minimum G-force needed for flow, knowing the mass of the container, in this case about 0.63 kg for the filled container 14 of mayonnaise. Next, the forces generated on the bottle by the slinging device were checked in two ways: calculated knowing the radius of curvature (480 cm) and the sling speed; and an accelerometer was used during the tests to confirm slinging force. When the forces on the container from the slinging device are larger than the forces needed to overcome yield stress, the product will move within the container. The calculation of forces on the container confirmed that the forces generated from the slinging was higher than the forces required for product movement for slinging this particular product in this container. Sling speeds can be set according to the required forces to overcome the yield stress knowing the parameters of the slinging device, container, and product within the container. As can be seen from the charts below, the mayonnaise samples from the tests have various thickness measurements (Stevens values), and various viscosities at multiple shear rates which resulted in measured yield stress ranging from about 0.000024 mPa to about 0.000100 mPa.

A lower end boundary of yield stress was measured at 0.00001 133 mPa. This was used to calculate a minimum required acceleration to overcome the resistance to flowing and move the product through slinging. Thus, a yield stress of 0.00001 133 mPa would result in a required Force of 0.00800 N to flow, and using a weight of 0.63 kg for the filled container of mayonnaise, the required G-force generated to make the product flow would be 0.0127 m/s ² .

The Stevens value gives an indication for the firmness of the composition, which determines the hardness of the composition. Samples were filled into the containers to be spun and into sample containers for measurement. Samples for measurement were measured immediately after filling, and then again another sample was measured at 24 hours. The Stevens value is determined as defined here: the Stevens value is determined at 20°C by using a Stevens LFRA Texture Analyser (ex Brookfield Viscometers Ltd., UK) with a maximum load/measuring range of 1000 grams, and applying a penetration test of 25 mm using a grid, at 2 mm per second penetration rate, in a cup having a diameter of 65 mm, that contains the emulsion; wherein the grid comprises square openings of approximately 3x3 mm, is made up of wire with a thickness of approximately 1 mm, and has a diameter of 40 mm. The grid comprises 76 square openings of 3x3 mm, is made up of wire with a thickness of 1 mm, and has a diameter of 40 mm. Preferably the grid comprises square openings of 3x3 mm, is made up of wire with a thickness of 1 mm, and has a diameter of 40 mm. The viscosity samples were measured 24 hours after filling using a Brookfield viscometer at several shear rates, and additionally, samples were measured on a rheometer. The samples measured on the Brookfield viscometer were measured at five different shear rates, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 rpm at a time of 30 seconds using spindles 6 and 7. The viscosity as measured on a rheometer can be determined using an AR 2000 rheometer (ex TA instruments, New Castle, DE, USA), equipped with plate-plate measurement geometry (40mm diameter, roughened plates, gap size 1000 micrometer). Table 1 Thickness, expressed as Stevens value in gram

Rotation Speed Stevens direct final Temperature Stevens 24 hr final

Sample

(RPM) [g] [°C] [g]

4 8000 61 .6 23.3 149.5

5 10000 73.9 26.9 185.2

6 12000 1 10.6 29.6 224.3

7 14000 159.1 28.2 299.4

8 12000 138.8 26.4 251

9 10000 129.9 26.4 204.3

15 14000 90.4 23.8 248.9

16 14000 189.1 312.6

17 14000 134 276.8

18 12000 85.6 171.8

Table 2 Viscosity, expressed in pascal-second

Table 3 Yield stress expressed in megaPascals, Force expressed in Newtons, and minimum RCF in m/s ²

Finally, container 14 may be unloaded from container holder 18 (step 60). This can be done in a variety of ways, including but not limited to ways described in relation to container slinging devices 10, 40 described above. After unloading, container 14 can go to be labelled, packaged for shipping, etc. Method 50 ensures that one or more containers 14 can quickly go through the process of filling to slinging to unloading to set product in container 14 as desired. For some products, particularly emulsions such as mayonnaise, there is a limited time period that the product is flowable after filling before it sets within a container. Thus, it is important to ensure the product is slung within a short time period after filling container, for example, as quickly as within 3 minutes. Otherwise the product sets and slinging will not be effective to move the product to the opening of the container, and achieve the desired results. Accordingly, it is important for container 14 loading, securing and slinging to be a simple and efficient process. Conveyors, infill 46, multiple container holders 18, container holders 18 that can hold a plurality of containers 14, a speedy outfeed 48, and an efficient slinging process can all help in achieving the goals of an efficient production process that has a high capacity and sets product in containers 14 as desired. While the invention has been discussed in relation to two specific embodiments of container slinging device 10, 40, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. In particular, the container slinging device used could take a variety of shapes and forms as long as it is able to secure a container in a proper orientation and sling it around an axis to flow product within the container 14 to a desired part, forcing the headspace to another part of the container. This reduces or eliminates the generation of free water in the container, thus producing a more desired consistency of product from the opening and better experience for a consumer.

While the invention has been discussed in relation to filling container 14 with emulsions such as mayonnaise, device 10, 40 and method 50 are applicable to other products, such as ketchup, some mustards, other emulsions such as salad dressings, other semi-liquid products with stability issues and other products which could fill container 14 or another type of container.

The example charts for products, thickness measurements, viscosities and yield stresses, forces, and RCF are example measurements of one product in use with slinging device 10, 40. Other products, or similar products processed differently or held in different containers may result in different yield stresses, and thus require different amounts of force for proper flow when slinging. While the invention is shown to generate force through the slinging motion, the force required for movement of the product within the container could be generated as an impact force, for example a sudden deceleration from a movement. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary or preferred

embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular or preferred embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.