Method and device for sterilizing containers

US7485258B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Kurt Burger · Friolzheim, DE
• Guenter Schneider · Lorsch, DE
• Thomas Beck · Catonsville, US
• Wolfgang Szczerba · Murrhardt, DE
• Bernd Wilke · Leutenbach, DE
• Johannes Rauschnabel · Stuttgart, DE
• Sascha Henke · Weil der Stadt, DE
• Bernd Goetzelmann · Heubach, DE
• Heinrich van de Loecht · Muggensturm, DE
• Wolfgang Schmitt · Rodgau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 3, 2009
• Expiry date: Mar 16, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S422/907
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and device for sterilizing containers in which a plasma treatment is executed through excitation of an electromagnetic oscillation so that the plasma is excited in a vacuum in the vicinity of the container regions to be sterilized. Between arrival and discharge, the container regions to be sterilized are moved closer to the oscillation-generating device in the chamber, with continuous movement of the container and/or of the oscillation-generating device for one or more predetermined time intervals in such a way that a plasma is excited in these regions inside and/or outside the container. The chamber is provided with a transport apparatus inside it, which produces an essentially rotating motion of the container during the transport from the arrival to the discharge in the chamber.