Patent ID: 6056918
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method for sterilization of cartons on a form, fill and seal packaging machine, the method comprising:providing a plurality of carton blanks to be erected at a mandrel wheel of the packaging machine;erecting each of the plurality of carton blanks and placing each of the plurality of carton blanks on a mandrel of the mandrel wheel;subjecting each of the plurality of erected carton blanks to a predetermined quantity of a sterilant while on the mandrel at a pre-folding station;sealing the bottom of each of the plurality of erected carton blanks to create a partially-formed carton;conveying each of the plurality of partially-formed cartons from the mandrel wheel to a sterilization station;subjecting each of the plurality of partially-formed cartons to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide at the sterilization station;irradiating each of the plurality of partially-formed cartons with ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined set of time at the sterilization station; anddrying each of the plurality of partially-formed cartons.