Device and method for sterilizing a packaging container

Method for sterilizing an interior surface of a packaging container with electron beam, the method comprising:

• positioning an emitter inside the packaging container, the emitter including an electron exit window
• emitting charge carriers through the electron exit window to form an electron cloud,
• conditioning at least a sterilized volume inside the packaging container comprising introducing a flow of a sterile gaseous medium inside the container from an outlet positioned inside the packaging container when the flow of the sterile gaseous medium is introduced, the outlet being movable relative to the packaging container while the outlet is positioned inside of the packaging container and the flow of the sterile gaseous medium is being introduced, and
• generating, by said flow, a first condition at least inside the sterilized volume of the packaging container that prevents any flow of medium outside the sterilized volume from coming into the sterilized volume without first being sterilized by the electron cloud.

Device for sterilizing an interior surface of a packaging container with electron beam comprising:

• an emitter comprised of a body that houses a sealed vacuum chamber in which is produced electrons, the body including a free end portion configured to be positioned inside the packaging container and at which is located an electron exit window from which is emitted the electrons while the electron exit window at the free end portion of the body is located in the packaging container to form an electron cloud in the packaging container that produces a sterilized volume in the packaging container;
• the emitter and the packaging container being relatively movable so that the emitter moves between one position in which the electron exit window at the free end portion of the body is positioned inside the packaging container to an other position in which the electron exit window at the free end portion of the body is positioned outside the packaging container;
• and
• a sterile gaseous medium tube configured to be connected to a sterile gaseous medium source, the tube being connected to the emitter so that relative movement between the emitter and the packaging container results in relative movement between the sterile gaseous medium tube and the packaging container, the sterile gaseous medium tube including an outlet from which the sterile gaseous medium tube flows and enters the packaging container to prevent any flow of medium outside the sterilized volume from coming into the sterilized volume without first being sterilized by the electron cloud.