Heat and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization of container
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing containers with gas-phase hydrogen peroxide and heat on a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine. A partially formed container is subjected to multiple applications of gaseous hydrogen peroxide and hot air within a sterilization tunnel. The sterilization tunnel is maintained at a temperature greater than the condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the container allowing for filling of the container with a high acid product such as orange juice for ambient distribution. The container may be any number of possibilities such as TETRA REX® gable top cartons, plastic bottles, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of up to 53%.
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Citations
21 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus 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 apparatus comprising:
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a conveyor assembly for moving each of the partially formed containers along the packaging machine at a predetermined interval; a sterilization tunnel encompassing a portion of the conveyor assembly, the sterilization tunnel having an ingress and an egress; a first gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, the first gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent; a first heater disposed above the conveyor assembly, within the sterilization tunnel and adjacent the first gas nozzle; a second gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel and subsequent to the first gas nozzle, the second gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent; a third gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel and subsequent to the second gas nozzle, the second gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent; and a second heater disposed above the conveyor assembly, within the sterilization tunnel and adjacent the egress to the tunnel, the first and second heaters maintaining the sterilization tunnel at a temperature of at least about 60°
C. to maintain the sterilization tunnel above a condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide at the concentration at which it is emitted into the sterilization tunnel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A linear form, fill and seal packaging machine for producing a high acid ambient distribution product in a container, the packaging machine open to the environment comprising:
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a conveyor assembly for transporting the containers along the packaging machine; a sterilization tunnel encompassing a portion of the conveyor assembly, the sterilization tunnel having an ingress and an egress; a plurality of gas nozzles disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, each of the plurality of gas nozzles emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent; a plurality of heaters disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, each of the plurality of heaters emitting hot air and maintaining the sterilization tunnel at a temperature of at least about 60°
C. to maintain the sterilization tunnel above a condensation temperature of the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide at the concentration at which it is emitted into the sterilization tunnel; anda filling station for filling a high acid product into a carton. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification