Patent ID: 8772743

Claim:
An electron beam sterilizing device for sterilizing packages or a packaging laminate for forming packages, the electron beam sterilizing device comprising; an electron-generating filament, a grid electrode connected to a voltage source, a beam-shaper, an output window, a high-voltage supply, configured to create a high-voltage potential between the electron-generating filament and the output window, for accelerating electrons to sterilize the packages or the packaging laminate, a high-voltage supply for driving current through the electron-generating filament, a control unit for controlling the operation of the electron beam sterilizing device, the electron beam sterilizing device having at least three operational states comprising: an OFF-state, where there is no drive current through the electron-generating filament, an ON-state, where the electron-generating filament is kept at a temperature above the emission temperature so as to generate electrons for sterilizing the packages or the packaging laminate, and a standby state, between the OFF-state and ON-state, where the electron-generating filament is kept at a predetermined temperature just below the emission temperature, wherein the control unit controls the device to assume the ON-state to generate electrons to sterilize the packages or the packaging laminate during relative movement between the output window and the packages or the packaging laminate, and controls the device to assume the standby state during a standstill of the packages or the packaging laminate being sterilized.