Patent ID: 6094887
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A method for sterilization of packaging at a sterilization station on a form, fill and seal machine, the method comprising:providing packaging to be sterilized at the sterilization station;partially erecting the packaging to form a partially formed carton;affixing a fitment on the partially formed carton;transforming to a vapor phase a solution of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration less than 53%;subjecting the partially formed carton with a fitment thereon to a predetermined quantity of vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide thereby creating a partially formed carton with the fitment thereon coated with a thin layer of hydrogen peroxide;condensing the hydrogen peroxide onto the partially formed carton with the fitment thereon;irradiating the coated partially formed carton with the fitment thereon with ultraviolet radiation for a predetermined set of time thereby creating an irradiated partially formed carton with the fitment thereon; anddrying the irradiated partially formed carton with the fitment thereon with heated air for a predetermined amount of time thereby creating a sterilized partially formed carton with the fitment thereon having less than 0.5 parts per million residue of hydrogen peroxide.