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US 6,475,435 B1Granted
Apparatus and method for providing sterilization zones in an aseptic packaging sterilization tunnel
AssigneeSteuben Foods, Inc.
InventorThomas D. Taggart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus is disclosed providing a plurality of sterile zones within a sterilization tunnel in an aseptic packaging apparatus. The sterile zones provide a plurality of sterilant concentration levels within the sterilization tunnel. Additionally, the sterile zones provide a plurality of gas flow rates within the sterilization tunnel.
Claims37
Apparatus comprising:
- a sterilization tunnel for surrounding a plurality of containers with pressurized gas;
- and
- a plurality of zones within the sterilization tunnel having different sterilant concentration levels therein wherein the sterilant concentration levels in the plurality of zones are maintained at a ratio of at least about 5 to 1.
Apparatus comprising:
- a sterilization tunnel for surrounding a plurality of containers with pressurized gas;
- a sterilant supply source to supply sterilant into the sterilization tunnel;
- a control system, operatively attached to a plurality of sterilant concentration zones within the sterilization tunnel, for automatically adjusting the operational parameters of the tunnel, wherein the sterilant concentration levels in the plurality of sterilant concentration zones are maintained at a ratio of at least about 5 to 1;
- at least one gas supply source to supply the pressurized gas into the sterilization tunnel;
- and
- at least one gas exit to allow the pressurized gas to escape the sterilization tunnel.
3 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- a sterilization tunnel for surrounding a plurality of containers with pressurized gas;
- a sterilant supply source to supply sterilant into the sterilization tunnel;
- a plurality of zones having a plurality of gas nozzles within the sterilization tunnel;
- at least one partition forming a plurality of sterilant concentration zones within the sterilization tunnel wherein the sterilant concentration levels of the plurality of sterilant concentration zones are maintained at a ratio of at least about 5 to 1;
- at least one gas supply source to supply the pressurized gas into the sterilization tunnel;
- and
- at least one gas exit to allow the pressurized gas to escape the sterilization tunnel.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a sterilization tunnel for surrounding a plurality of containers with pressurized gas;
- introducing sterilant from a sterilant supply source into the sterilization tunnel;
- providing a plurality of sterilant concentration zones within the sterilization tunnel wherein the sterilant concentration levels of the plurality of sterilant concentration zones are maintained at a ratio of at least about 5 to 1;
- providing at least one partition for forming said sterilant concentration zones;
- setting the level of sterilant concentration by a control system;
- introducing pressurized gas from at least one gas supply source into the sterilization tunnel;
- and
- allowing the pressurized gas to escape the sterilization tunnel.
5 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- means for providing a plurality of containers in a sterilization tunnel;
- means for providing a plurality of sterilant concentration zones within the sterilization tunnel wherein the sterilant concentration levels of the plurality of sterilant concentration zones are maintained at a ratio of at least about 5 to 1;
- and
- means for providing a plurality of gas flow rates within the sterilization tunnel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.