Heat and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization of container

An apparatus for sterilizing a series of containers being processed on a multiple station form, fill and seal packaging machine, each of the containers partially formed and defining a hollow interior, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for moving each of the partially formed containers along the packaging machine at a predetermined interval;
• a sterilization tunnel encompassing a portion of the conveyor assembly, the sterilization tunnel having an ingress and an egress;
• a first gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, the first gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent;
• a first heater disposed above the conveyor assembly, within the sterilization tunnel and adjacent the first gas nozzle;
• a second gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel and subsequent to the first gas nozzle, the second gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent;
• a third gas nozzle disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel and subsequent to the second gas nozzle, the second gas nozzle emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent;
• and
• a second heater disposed above the conveyor assembly, within the sterilization tunnel and adjacent the egress to the tunnel,
• the first and second heaters maintaining the sterilization tunnel at a temperature of at least about 60.degree. C. to maintain the sterilization tunnel above a condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide at the concentration at which it is emitted into the sterilization tunnel.

A linear form, fill and seal packaging machine for producing a high acid ambient distribution product in a container, the packaging machine open to the environment comprising:

• a conveyor assembly for transporting the containers along the packaging machine;
• a sterilization tunnel encompassing a portion of the conveyor assembly, the sterilization tunnel having an ingress and an egress;
• a plurality of gas nozzles disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, each of the plurality of gas nozzles emitting a gas-phase hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of at least about 35 percent;
• a plurality of heaters disposed above the conveyor assembly within the sterilization tunnel, each of the plurality of heaters emitting hot air and maintaining the sterilization tunnel at a temperature of at least about 60.degree. C. to maintain the sterilization tunnel above a condensation temperature of the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide at the concentration at which it is emitted into the sterilization tunnel;
• and
• a filling station for filling a high acid product into a carton.