Method of sterilising a packaging material by means of a sterilising agent in liquid form

US7604773B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. · CH

Inventors

• Jan-Erik Ekström · Malmö, SE
• Lars Sickert · Lund, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2002
• Grant date: Oct 20, 2009
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L2202/18
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Method of sterilising a packaging material (1) by means of a sterilising agent in liquid form, comprising the steps of: providing a packaging material (1) to be sterilised, providing a source (11) of sterilising agent in liquid form, forcing the liquid sterilising agent through a nozzle (12) to form a jet (14a) directed towards the packaging material, subjecting the jet (14a) of liquid sterilising agent to a controlled, periodic disturbance causing the jet (14a) of liquid sterilising agent to form a train (14) of droplets of controlled, essentially uniform size and controlled rate, moving the packaging material (1) in relation to said nozzle (12) or vice versa, whereby said train (14) of droplets forms a coating (2) of sterilising agent of controlled thickness and controlled coverage on the packaging material (1), and vaporising the film of sterilising agent on the packaging material (1). The invention also concerns a similar method and devices for implementing said methods.