DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STERILIZATION OF A SHEET OF PACKAGING MATERIAL, AND FILLING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material (2). The device (1) comprises a first chamber (3) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for the sheet of packaging material (2), and a second chamber (6) having an inlet (5) and an outlet for the sheet of packaging material (2). The outlet (5) of the first chamber is connected to the inlet (5) of the second chamber (6). The first chamber (3) comprises an element (8) which is movable between a first position, in which the device (1) is in a mode for sterilization of the sheet of packaging material (2), and a second position, in which the inlet (4) of the first chamber (3) is substantially closed and the device (1) is in a mode for sterilization of the second chamber (6). The invention also relates to a filling machine for filling a packaging material (2) with a food product, and a method for sterilizing a sheet of packaging material.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A device for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material, the device comprising: a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the sheet of packaging material, and a second chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the sheet of packaging material, wherein the outlet of the first chamber is connected to the inlet of the second chamber, wherein the first chamber further includes a moveable element that is movable between a first position, associated with a mode for sterilizing the sheet of packaging material, and a second position, in which the inlet of the first chamber is substantially closed and associated with a mode for sterilizing the second chamber.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the movable element includes a flap.

13. The device according to claim 12, further including a pneumatic cylinder configured to move the flap.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first chamber further comprises a vapor outlet through which vapor is suctioned.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein a suction pipe is connected to the vapor outlet.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the second chamber further comprises a vapor inlet.

17. The device according to claim 11, wherein the first chamber is a suction chamber and the second chamber is an electron beam irradiation chamber.

18. The device according to claim 11, wherein the mode for sterilizing the second chamber includes using vapor of hydrogen peroxide to sterilize the second chamber and preventing the vapor of hydrogen peroxide from escaping through the inlet of the first chamber.

19. A filling machine for filling a packaging material with a food product, comprising a device according to claim 11 for sterilizing the sheet of packaging material.

20. A method for sterilizing a sheet of packaging material by use of a sterilization device, wherein the device includes a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the packaging material and a moveable element movable between a first position and a second position, and a second chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the packaging material, wherein the outlet of the first chamber is connected to the inlet of the second chamber, wherein the method comprises: moving the moveable element to the second position to substantially close the inlet of the first chamber; sterilizing the second chamber with a vapor of hydrogen peroxide; moving the moveable element to the first position; and sterilizing the sheet of packaging material in the second chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above objects, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention when in a mode for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device when in a mode for sterilization of the second chamber of the device.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the second chamber of the device.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and of a movable element arranged within the device.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a device 1 for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material 2 with electron beam according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The device 1 has a first chamber 3 which is constituted by a suction chamber and a second chamber 6 which is constituted by a radiation chamber, i.e. a sterilization chamber. The suction chamber 3 has an inlet 4 and an outlet 5, and the radiation chamber 6 has an inlet 5 and an outlet. The outlet 5 of the suction chamber 3 is connected to the inlet 5 of the radiation chamber 6. Thus, the sheet of packaging material 2 can be introduced from the exterior of the device 1 into the suction chamber 3 via its inlet 4, travel through the suction chamber 3 and out of the outlet 5 into the radiation chamber 6 via its inlet 5. The suction chamber 3 further comprises a vapour outlet 9 which is connected to a suction pipe 13, and a movable element 8. The movable element 8 is constituted by a flap which is movable between a first position (FIG. 1), in which the device 1 is in a mode for sterilization of the sheet of packaging material 2 (conducted in the radiation chamber 6), and a second position (FIG. 2), in which the inlet 4 of the suction chamber 3 is substantially closed and the device 1 is in a mode for sterilization of the radiation chamber 6.

[0021] When the device 1 is in the mode for sterilization of the sheet of packaging material 2, the sheet of packaging material 2 travels through the device 1 and is sterilized by means of a low voltage electron beam (LVEB) device 15. Here, the flap 8 is arranged in its first position (FIG. 1). However, when the radiation chamber 6 needs to be sterilized (normally upon start of the device 1 in the morning), the flap 8 is placed in its second position and the inlet 4 of the suction chamber 3 is thereby substantially closed. Thereafter, vapour of hydrogen peroxide is introduced directly into the radiation chamber 6 through a vapour inlet 12 to sterilize the chamber 6. Simultaneously, the vapour outlet 9 in the suction chamber 3 provides suction via the suction pipe 13 which is connected to a vacuum. This is done in order to suck the residues of the vapour of hydrogen peroxide out of the radiation chamber 6. Further, since the flap 8 seals off the inlet 4 of the suction chamber 3, the residues of the vapour of hydrogen peroxide cannot escape out that way and into the surroundings of the device 1.

[0022] As stated above, the vapour used for sterilizing the radiation chamber 6 of the device 1 is preferably hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective gas for sterilization, but has to be handled carefully. The flap 8 has the purpose of sealing the inlet 4 of the suction chamber 3, when it is in its second position (FIG. 2), so that the gas is prevented from exiting the device 1 during the sterilization of the radiation chamber 6, or at least so that only an acceptable amount of gas is allowed to exit the device 1 during sterilization of the radiation chamber 6.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates the radiation chamber 6 of the device 1. As stated above, the radiation chamber 6 has an inlet 5 and an outlet 14 for the sheet of packaging material 2. The sheet of packaging material 2 enters into the radiation chamber 6 through the inlet 5, passes the low voltage electron beam (LVEB) device 15 where it is sterilized on both sides by electron beam emitters, and exits the radiation chamber 6 through the outlet 14. There is a constant overpressure present in the radiation chamber 6 so that dirty, i.e. unsterile, air is prevented from entering into the radiation chamber 6 during the sterilization of the sheet of packaging material 2 and also during sterilization of the radiation chamber 6.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the device 1. Here, the flap 8 and the inlet 4 of the second chamber 3 are specifically illustrated. In FIG. 4, it can be seen that the flap 8 is operated and moved by means of a pneumatic cylinder 10.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the steps of the method of sterilizing first the radiation chamber and then the packaging material in the device of FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0026] Firstly, upon start of the device, the flap is arranged in its second position. Here, the inlet of the suction chamber is substantially closed. Now, the radiation chamber can be sterilized by means of vapour of hydrogen peroxide entering through the vapour inlet. Thereafter, the flap is arranged in its first position so that the device is in the mode for sterilization of the sheet of packaging material. And finally, the sheet of packaging material is sterilized in the radiation chamber.

[0027] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated and in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.