UV radiation and vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide sterilization of packaging

An apparatus for sterilizing packaging having a fitment thereon at a sterilization station on a form, fill and seal machine, the apparatus comprising:

• means for moving the packaging with the fitment thereon to the sterilization station;
• a sprayer for subjecting the packaging with the fitment thereon to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide thereby coating the packaging and the fitment with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide;
• an ultraviolet radiation source for irradiating the coated packaging with the fitment thereon with ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined set period of time, the ultraviolet radiation source downline from the sprayer;
• a hot air distributor capable of flowing hot air onto the packaging with the fitment thereon;
• and
• means for Lon-trolling the predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide sprayed onto the packaging, means for controlling the predetermined set period of time the coated package is irradiated and means for controlling the flow of hot air from the distributor,
• wherein the sterilization reduces an initial concentration of Bacillus Subtilis A spores applied to the packaging with the fitment thereon by an average log reduction factor of about 4.5, and wherein the packaging after sterilization has less then 0.5 parts per million residue of hydrogen peroxide.