Claims
- 1. A method for sterilization of packaging at a sterilization station on a form, fill and seal machine, the method comprising:providing packaging to be sterilized at the sterilization station the packaging being a partially formed carton having an interior, an exposed exterior and a fitment thereon; subjecting the interior of the partially formed carton, the exposed exterior of the partially formed carton and the fitment to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide thereby creating a partially formed carton coated with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide; irradiating the coated partially formed carton with ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined set of time thereby creating an irradiated partially formed carton; and drying the partially formed carton with heated air for a predetermined amount of time thereby creating a sterilized partially formed carton having less than 0.5 parts per million residue of hydrogen peroxide, wherein the sterilization reduces an initial concentration of Bacillus Subtilis A spores applied to the partially formed carton by an average log reduction factor of about 4.5.
- 2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of filling the packaging subsequent to the step of drying the irradiated packaging.
- 3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of condensing the hydrogen peroxide onto the packaging prior to the step of irradiating the coated packaging.
- 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide has a concentration lower than 53%.
- 5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of heating the packaging with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide thereon for a predetermined set of time prior to the step of irradiating the packaging with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide thereon.
- 6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of transforming to the vapor phase a solution of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration less than 53% prior to the step of subjecting the packaging to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide.
- 7. An apparatus for sterilizing packaging having a fitment thereon at a sterilization station on a form, fill and seal machine, the apparatus comprising:means for moving the packaging with the fitment thereon to the sterilization station; a sprayer for subjecting the packaging with the fitment thereon to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide thereby coating the packaging and the fitment with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide; an ultraviolet radiation source for irradiating the coated packaging with the fitment thereon with ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined set period of time, the ultraviolet radiation source downline from the sprayer; a hot air distributor capable of flowing hot air onto the packaging with the fitment thereon; and means for Lon-trolling the predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide sprayed onto the packaging, means for controlling the predetermined set period of time the coated package is irradiated and means for controlling the flow of hot air from the distributor, wherein the sterilization reduces an initial concentration of Bacillus Subtilis A spores applied to the packaging with the fitment thereon by an average log reduction factor of about 4.5, and wherein the packaging after sterilization has less then 0.5 parts per million residue of hydrogen peroxide.
- 8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide has a concentration lower than 53%.
- 9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide has a concentration of 35%.
- 10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the sterilization station is substantially enclosed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine.
- 11. The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising means for vaporizing hydrogen peroxide, the vaporizing means in flow communication with the sprayer.
- 12. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the moving means is a conveyor assembly indexed to move at a predetermined interval.
- 13. The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a second heater, the ultraviolet radiation source disposed between the heater and the second heater.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/911,967, filed Aug. 15, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,922.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
08/911967 |
Aug 1997 |
US |
Child |
09/320890 |
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US |