Process and method of sterilizing aseptic containers

A method of sterilizing and filling containers comprising the steps of:

• a) sterilizing performs, which are to be converted into aseptic containers, wherein said sterilizing step comprises bringing a sterilizing fluid selected from the group consisting of gaseous ozone in oxygen, gaseous ozone in air, and ozone dissolved in water, into contact with internally disposed surfaces of said preforms;
• b) heating said sterilized preforms to an appropriate temperature;
• c) molding said heated preforms by an orientation blow molding process to form the containers;
• d) filling said molded containers with an aseptic material;
• and
• e) hermetically sealing said filled containers, each with an aseptic closure.

A method of automatically aseptically bottling aseptically sterilized product comprising:

• a) means for providing a plurality of containers;
• b) means for aseptically disinfecting the containers using ozonated gas mixtures or solutions of ozone dissolved in water;
• and
• c) means for aseptically filling the containers with aseptically sterilized product within an enclosure filled with partially ozonated air.

An aseptic processing apparatus for aseptically bottling aseptically sterilized products comprising:

• a) a sterile tunnel for surrounding a plurality of containers filled with slightly pressurized sterile air containing ozone;
• b) a conveying apparatus for moving the plurality of containers through said sterile tunnel;
• c) an exterior container sterilizing apparatus, comprising a container sterilizing fluid in-feed injector, a sterilizing fluid sprayer, and conveying apparatus for sterilizing an exterior surface of each container;
• d) an interior container sterilization apparatus for applying a sterilant to an interior surface of each container;
• e) a product filler apparatus for filling the aseptically sterilized plurality of containers with the aseptically sterilized product;
• f) a lidding apparatus for applying an aseptic closure to each container;
• and
• g) a container discharge apparatus for removing said completed containers from the sterile tunnel.