Method and apparatus for the sterilization of a carton
US6056918A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B55/10
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing cartons with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is first sprayed at a bottom forming station with a sterilant. Then, the carton is transported to a sterilization station where the carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide. The method and apparatus of the present invention allows for the fabrication of a shelf-stable food product.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.