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Heat and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization of container

  • US 6,120,730 A
  • Filed: 06/26/1998
  • Issued: 09/19/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for sterilizing a series of containers being processed on a multiple station form, fill and seal packaging machine, each of the containers partially formed and defining a hollow interior, the method comprising:

  • moving each of the containers into a sterilization tunnel, the tunnel maintained at a temperature of at least about 60°

    C. to maintain the sterilization tunnel at a temperature above the condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide;

    subjecting each of the partially formed containers to a first predetermined quantity of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide from a first gas nozzle within the sterilization tunnel thereby subjecting the interior and the exposed exterior of each of the partially formed containers to the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide, the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide being at a concentration of at least about 35 percent;

    heating each of the partially formed containers with air heated at a first predetermined temperature at a position subsequent to the gas-phase application of hydrogen peroxide inside the sterilization tunnel;

    subjecting each of the partially formed containers to a second predetermined quantity of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide from a second gas nozzle within the sterilization tunnel at a position subsequent to the first gas nozzle, the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide being at a concentration of at least about 35 percent;

    subjecting each of the partially formed containers to a third predetermined quantity of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide from a third gas nozzle within the sterilization tunnel at a position subsequent to the second gas nozzle, the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide being at a concentration of at least about 35 percent; and

    heating each of the partially formed containers with air heated at a second predetermined temperature at a position subsequent to third gas nozzle.

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