0001 This invention relates to a beverage packaging process and system. More precisely, the invention relates to a process for packaging beverages, which have been sterilised or pasteurised, into standard viscosity index, that is to say non-modified, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers. 0002 This invention concerns a process for packaging a sterilised beverage in a resealable polyethylene terephthalate package. 0003 Hitherto it has not been possible to package beverages hot from sterilisation or pasteurisation processes into unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers because the heat from the beverage caused distortion of the containers. Such beverages have to be packaged in more expensive modified polyethylene terephthalate containers. 0004 In the known processes which are illustrated in FIG. 1 and which the invention seeks to replace a beverage 1 is manufactured and supplied via a conduit 2 to a pasteurisation unit 3. The beverage is pasteurised at 85 C. to 95 C. for 15 seconds to 45 seconds to achieve 50,000 pasteurisation units. The pasteurised beverage is transferred by the line 4 to a filler unit 5. Modified polyethylene terephthalate containers 6 and caps 7 are hot-filled at 85 C. and conveyed to the filler unit 5 where filling and sealing occur. The filled containers 8 are then allowed to cool to below 30 C. 0005 The above-mentioned packaging arrangement for such beverages was designed for the use of special bottle designs and high heat-resistant polyethylene terephthalate resins which permit hot filling of a beverage into a polyethylene terephthalate container without the container suffering packaging defects or deformation. The unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers cannot be used in this process. 0006 However, this process of packaging beverages requires a special type of preform container and polyethylene terephthalate resin, which is approximately twice the cost of that of a standard polyethylene terephthalate resin preform container. Further, such a process required dedicated bottle blowing and moulding equipment, and a specifically-designed and dedicated filling machine. 0007 However, a common disadvantage of the prior art process is that filling of polyethylene terephthalate containers with a pasteurised beverage involves temperatures which are generally in the range of 85 C. to 95 C., and the standard polyethylene terephthalate containers are unable to withstand the effects of liquids at this temperature. Therefore modified polyethylene terephthalate containers, which are able to withstand liquids with temperatures in the range of 85 C., have to be used. 0008 As described above, the prior art process involves a dedicated process line and equipment for each beverage to be packaged. However, this invention has the advantage of permitting the use of the equipment and process line for different beverages. This feature represents a considerable cost saving, especially where the volume of production does not warrant the use of a process line for one particular beverage only. 0009 The cost of a modified polyethylene terephthalate container is at least twice the cost of that of an equivalent unmodified polyethylene terephthalate container. Further, a standard polyethylene terephthalate container can be recycled, while a modified polyethylene terephthalate container, made from a resin which withstands liquids with temperatures in the range of 85 C. to 95 C., is not recyclable. 0010 Therefore, there is a need for a process which permits filling of a standard polyethylene terephthalate container with a pasteurised beverage, that is to say it permits the use of standard, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers. 0011 Surprisingly, according to the invention it has been found that, by incorporating chemical and/or radiation methods of sterilisation in the process of this invention, standard polyethylene terephthalate containers may be used as receptacles for pasteurised beverages. 0012 Thus, in a first mode of implementation, the invention concerns a process for packaging beverages in unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers which comprises: 0013 a) pasteurising the beverage, 0014 b) cooling the pasteurised beverage to a temperature below that at which the containers are deformed under the action of excessive heat, 0015 c) sterilisation of the containers and caps, 0016 d) filling of the sterilised receivers with cooled pasteurised beverage, 0017 e) sealing the filled sterilised containers, and optionally 0018 f) further pasteurisation of the filled and sealed container at a temperature below that at which the containers deform under the action of excessive heat. 0019 The beverage is for example a still beverage. 0020 The pasteurising step is performed for example at a temperature between approximately 50 C. and 100 C. Preferably the pasteurisation step is carried out a temperature between approximately 75 C. and 95 C. Even more advantageously, the pasteurisation step is carried out at a temperature between approximately 85 C. and 95 C. 0021 For example, the pasteurisation step is performed for a period of between about 5 seconds and 1 minute. Preferably, the pasteurisation step is performed for a period of between about 10 seconds and 45 seconds. More advantageously, the pasteurisation step is performed for a period of between about 10 seconds and 30 seconds. Even more advantageously, the pasteurisation step is performed for a period of about 15 seconds. 0022 For example, the beverage is cooled to a temperature between about 25 C. and 60 C. Preferably the pasteurised beverage is cooled to a temperature between approximately 25 C. and 50 C. More advantageously, the pasteurised beverage is cooled to a temperature between approximately 25 C. and 40 C. Even more advantageously, the pasteurised beverage is cooled to a temperature of about 35 C. 0023 The polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container can be sterilised generally by washing the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the polyethylene terephthalate cap with an effective amount of a sterilising solution. 0024 The polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container are washed for example with a sterilising solution for a period of between approximately 10 seconds and 1 minute. Preferably the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container are washed with a sterilising solution for a period of between approximately 15 seconds and 45 seconds. Even more advantageously, the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container are washed for example with a sterilising solution for a period of between approximately 25 seconds and 35 seconds. Most advantageously, the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container are washed with a sterilising solution for a period of approximately 30 seconds. 0025 The sterilising solution may be, for example, peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide. Preferably the sterilising solution is a solution of peracetic acid. 0026 Furthermore, the peracetic acid solution has for example a pH adjusted to between approximately 2 and 4. Advantageously, the peracetic acid solution has a pH adjusted to between approximately 2 and 3. Even more advantageously, the peracetic acid solution has a pH adjusted to approximately 2.6. 0027 For example, the peracetic acid solution is used at a concentration of between 50 and 250 ppm. More advantageously, the peracetic acid solution is used at a concentration of between 75 and 150 ppm. Even more advantageously, the peracetic acid solution is used at a concentration of 100 ppm. 0028 In one variant of the invention, the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container may be sterilised by treating the polyethylene terephthalate container and/or the cap of the container with an effective amount of radiation. For example, the radiation may be ultraviolet radiation or ionising radiation such as gamma radiation or beta particle radiation. 0029 For example, it is the container cap rather than the polyethylene terephthalate container which is sterilised by treatment with an effective amount of radiation, although there is nothing preventing the use of radiation for the sterilisation of the polyethylene terephthalate container. 0030 Generally, the filled and sealed polyethylene terephthalate container is subjected to a secondary pasteurisation intended to eliminate any contamination which may occur between filling of the polyethylene terephthalate container with pasteurised beverage and the sealing of the filled polyethylene terephthalate container. 0031 For example, the secondary pasteurisation is performed at a temperature of between 50 C. and 75 C. Preferably the secondary pasteurisation is performed at a temperature of between 55 C. and 65 C. Even more advantageously, the secondary pasteurisation is performed at a temperature of between 60 C. and 65 C. 0032 For example, the secondary pasteurisation is performed for a period of between approximately 15 minutes and 60 minutes. Preferably the secondary pasteurisation is performed for a period of between approximately 20 minutes and 40 minutes. Even more advantageously, the secondary pasteurisation is performed for a period of between approximately 20 minutes and 30 minutes. Most preferably, the secondary pasteurisation is performed for a period of approximately 20 minutes. 0033 Generally, the filled polyethylene terephthalate container exits the pasteuriser at about 35 C.

0034 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the description which will follow design examples, made with reference to the annexed drawings in which: 0035 FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating the operations in a known filling process employing modified polyethylene terephthalate containers; and 0036 FIG. 2 shows a diagram illustrating the operations in a filling process according to the invention employing standard polyethylene terephthalate containers.

0037 Using the process according to this invention, it is possible to use standard viscosity index polyethylene terephthalate resin preforms to manufacture bottles for both carbonated and still beverages. In addition, the process according to the invention does not require any dedicated bottle blowing or handling equipment. 0038 The process according to the invention for packaging beverages, which have been sterilised or pasteurised, into standard polyethylene terephthalate containers, that is to say unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers, is illustrated in FIG. 2. First a beverage 1 is manufactured and supplied via a conduit 2 to a pasteurisation unit 3. The beverage is pasteurised at 85 C. and 95 C. for 15 seconds to 45 seconds to achieve 50,000 pasteurisation units. The pasteurised beverage may then be cooled to approximately 35 C. in the pasteuriser then it is transferred by the line 4 to a filler unit 5. The polyethylene terephthalate containers 6 and the caps 7 are conveyed to the filler unit 5 where filling and sealing are carried out. The filled and sealed containers 8 are conveyed by 9 to a tunnel pasteurisation station 10 and subjected to a secondary pasteurisation. 0039 The polyethylene terephthalate containers used are made of standard 41.5 g polyethylene terephthalate preforms, such as P041 Smorgon Plastic (Smorgon Plastics, Wetherill Park, NSW, Australia). The same polyethylene terephthalate preform can be used conventionally sic, by using the standard polyethylene terephthalate container to manufacture other bottles for carbonated beverages in the same plant by simply changing the bottle mould on a moulding machine, for example Sidel (Groupe SIDEL, Bureau de Paris, Paris, France). 0040 Sterilisation of the polyethylene terephthalate containers is achieved by washing the polyethylene terephthalate containers in a solution of peracetic acid having a pH of 2.6 at a concentration of 100 ppm, for about 30 seconds, using a conventional (360) twin rinser. After washing with peracetic acid, the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate container may be rinsed by using a second 360 twist rinser using sterile water to remove any traces of peracetic acid from the container. The secondary washing treatment is particularly useful during the preparation of very sensitive flavoured beverage formulations. 0041 The inside of the caps of the polyethylene terephthalate containers have been sterilised by treatment with ultraviolet light for a period of about 30 seconds. Sealing of the filled polyethylene terephthalate container is normally achieved in a time of less than 1 second per container. 0042 The energy of radiation in the ultraviolet region of the specimen is highly bactericidal, especially at wavelengths of approximately 265 nm, and ultraviolet radiation in this region is useful for sterilising smooth surfaces. 0043 As described above, forms of ionising radiation such as gamma rays and beta particles can also be used for sterilisation. Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation similar to x-rays. They have a very high penetration capacity, and their energy is dissipated in the production of ionised particles from the material being irradiated. Radioactive isotopes, such as cobalt-60, constitute a common source of gamma rays and sterilisation requires a radiation dose of approximately 5,000,000 rad. The advantages of this method are that, unlike sterilisation by steam, it can be performed at low temperatures on plastics or other thermally unstable materials, and unlike other germicidal agents, ionising radiation can reach every point inside the treated product, Further, radiation-sterilised objects are not radioactive. 0044 Beta particles are another form of ionising radiation which can be used for sterilising polyethylene terephthalate containers and/or caps of containers. Beta particle radiation has a relatively low penetration capacity, which depends on the energy level of the emitted electron beam. Beta particles sterlise in an identical manner to rays and without significantly raising the temperature of the irradiated material. 0045 Essentially, the beverage is sterilised in a flash pasteuriser, in which the specific conditions may vary depending on the type of beverage being sterilised. For the majority of still beverages, pasteurisation takes place at a temperature between 95 C. and 97 C. for 30 to 40 seconds (80,000 pasteurisation units). The beverage is then allowed to cool before exiting the heat exchanger system to the filler unit at a temperature of between 32 C. and 38 C. The cooled, pasteurised beverage is added to the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate containers. 0046 The filling temperature has the following effects: 0047 a) the container suffers practically no distortion, 0048 b) the coefficient of contraction of the beverage is sufficient to provide a negative internal pressure in the container at the end of the process, and 0049 c) the internal pressure of the container is sufficient to ensure that the container maintains its symmetry during further processing. 0050 All of these characteristics have important consequences for labelling and conveying of the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate containers. 0051 In the course of filling the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate containers, filling valves are adjusted so as to give container brim (flood) fill conditions. Depending on the type of auxiliary pressure filling device used different adjustments are necessary to allow the filling of a non-carbonated beverage. Sarami fillers (Sarcmi SAR 40/10 1988 Sasib Beverage M.S., 43015, Noceto Parma, Italy) have a simple overflow system, but others may have to have back pressure of filtered air or nitrogen, rather than conventional carbon dioxide. 0052 During the filling operation of the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate container with the pasteurised beverage, the polyethylene terephthalate container is shrouded in plastic to minimise recontamination. 0053 The brim-filled (flood) containers are then sealed using a conventional carbonated beverage sealer and plastic cap compatible with the container neck for example the ACI Doublelock or the Crown Cork & Seal Polygard. However, a Monoblock type cap is the most suitable. The inside caps are sterilised prior to application by an ultraviolet system, for example Berson WHHSI (Unimex, Bergarno, Italy) which is permanently mounted on the capper infeed conveyor. The transfer plate, along which the filled polyethylene terephthalate containers travel, is also decontaminated by a continuous misting of 100 ppm peracetic acid solution with a pH of 2.6, the design being such as to not contaminate the cap or filled bottle with the sterilising solution. 0054 A filled and sealed polyethylene terephthalate container is normally date-coded then is subjected to a secondary mild tunnel pasteurisation at a temperature of 61 C. to 65 C. for 30 minutes (giving 100 to 300 pasteurisation units) to eliminate any contamination that may have been introduced during the transfer from the filling station to the capping station. Treating the filled polyethylene terephthalate containers at 65 C. for 30 minutes allows maximum heat tolerance of the polyethylene terephthalate container without distortion or package failure. The packaged product exits the tunnel pasteuriser at 35 C. 0055 The packaged product is then conveyed (ideally via an accumulation table) to a conventional labeller and secondary packer and palletiser 0056 The invention will now be described in more detail by reference to a specific example which by no means limits its scope.

EXAMPLE 0057 A non-preservative 35% orange juice beverage is transferred to a pasteurisation unit. The beverage is subjected to flash pasteurisation at 96 C. to 97 C. for 36 seconds, giving 83,400 pasteurisation units, then it is allowed to cool to approximately 35 C., before being transferred to a filler unit. The polyethylene terephthalate containers are conveyed to a filler unit where filling and sealing occur. The filled and sealed containers are then conveyed to a tunnel pasteurisation station and subjected to a secondary pasteurisation at 65 C. for 30 minutes to achieve 100 pasteurisation units. The filled and sealed containers are then cooled to approximately 35 C. before exiting the tunnel pasteuriser. 0058 The polyethylene terephthalate containers used are made of standard 41.5 g polyethylene terephthalate preforms, such as P041 Smorgon Plastic (Smorgon Plastics, Wetherill Park, NSW. Australia). Sterilisation of the polyethylene terephthalate containers is performed by washing the polyethylene terephthalate containers in a peracetic acid solution, with a pH of 2.6 and concentration of 100 ppm, for about 30 seconds using a conventional (360) twist rinser. After washing with peracetic acid, the sterilised polyethylene terephthalate container may be rinsed by using a second 360 twist rinser using sterile water to remove any traces of peracetic acid from the container. 0059 Both the inside and outside of the caps of the polyethylene terephthalate containers are sterilised by treatment with ultraviolet light for a period of about 5 to 15 seconds. Sealing of the filled polyethylene terephthalate container takes place in a period less than 5 seconds per container. 0060 The packaged product is then conveyed (ideally via an accumulation table) to a conventional labeller and secondary packer and palletiser. 0061 The beverage packaging and processing system according to this invention can be used for processing beverages, for example still beverages, which have been sterilised or pasteurised, and packaged into standard, unmodified polyethylene terephthalate containers. 0062 It is obvious that the invention has been described and represented only by way of preferential example and that any technical equivalence in its component elements can be imparted without at all departing from its scope.