Patent ID: 8658085
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: A61L,B65B,B67C

Abstract:
1. Method for irradiating a web of packaging material with electron beam irradiation from at least one electron beam sterilizing device, the method comprising: continuously conveying the web in a conveying direction through a gaseous environment, the at least one electron beam sterilizing device being provided in said gaseous environment, irradiating the web that is being continuously conveyed through an irradiation chamber by operating the at least one electron beam sterilizing device, injecting air into the irradiation chamber at two spaced apart locations, one of which is upstream of the at least one electron beam sterilizing device relative to the conveying direction and the other of which is downstream of the at least one electron beam sterilizing device relative to the conveying direction, the injecting of the air comprising injecting air into the irradiation chamber at one location in one direction away from the at least one electron beam sterilizing device and injecting air into the irradiation chamber at an other location in an opposite direction away from the at least one electron beam sterilizing device to create an ejector effect which maintains a pre-determined pressure at least in a portion of the gaseous environment nearest the at least one electron beam sterilizing device during irradiation of the web, and wherein the pre-determined pressure is below atmospheric pressure.