Patent ID: 6495111
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A sterile tunnel for an aseptically operating packing machine, wherein the packing machine comprises(a) a housing confining a sterile chamber for a web of packing material passing through the sterile chamber, and (b) working elements arranged in the sterile chamber for working on the web of packing material and connected by linkages to drive means arranged outside the housing, and the sterile tunnel comprises (c) a telescopic tubular seal surrounding each linkage, the telescoping tubular seal comprising (1) a lower tube stationarily mounted on the housing, (2) an upper tube embracing the lower tube and being movable in relation thereto, the lower and upper tubes defining an annular gap therebetween, and (3) an upper closure connecting an upper portion of the upper tube to the drive means, the upper closure having circumferentially uniformly distributed apertures permitting a gaseous sterilizing fluid flowing through the telescopic tubular seal to be discharged therethrough.