Patent ID: 7093405

Claim:
A sterilizing unit for sterilizing a web of packaging material on a machine for packaging pourable food products, the sterilizing unit comprising: a bath containing a sterilizing agent, in which said web is fed continuously; an aseptic environment comprising a process chamber connected to an outlet of said bath and housing drying means for removing residual sterilizing agent from said web; and an aseptic chamber communicating with said process chamber via an opening for the passage of said web, and in which said web is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube which is filled continuously with the product for packaging; said drying means comprising at least one nozzle for directing a stream of sterile air on to said web; and an air processing circuit for controlling the process conditions in said aseptic environment, and comprising suction means for drawing air from said process chamber; and air processing means comprising first heating means, and first supply means for feeding sterile air into said aseptic chamber; comprising second supply means for supplying sterile air from said air processing means to said nozzle; and second heating means associated with said second supply means and for controlling the temperature of the air supplied to said nozzle.