Method and device for sterilising edges of packaging material

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for processing cut edges of a blank member, so called package sleeve, made from packaging material, in particular paper/plastics composite material, the cut edges of which are open from above and/or below, by applying a processing medium. In order to develop a simple and cost-effective method, in which the risk of contamination of the packaging and the aseptic region of a filling installation when the package sleeves are filled and closed is reduced, the processing medium contains at least one sterilizing medium and the sterilizing medium remains after being applied to the cut edges and is introduced into the packaging material.

Claims

1. A package sleeve arrangement for use in making a package, comprising: a plurality of adjacent packaging sleeves combined in a folded, flat state, each sleeve made of a packaging material having a first end region containing a first open cut edge, wherein the first end region and the first open cut edge are infiltrated with a sterilising medium.

2. The package sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve comprises a second end region containing a second open cut edge, wherein the second end region and the second open cut edge are infiltrated with a sterilising medium.

3. The package sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is made of a composite material.

4. The package sleeve of claim 3, wherein the composite material further comprises paper.

5. The package sleeve of claim 4, wherein the composite material further comprises plastic.

6. The package sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a block having lateral cut edges connected to each other.

7. The package sleeve of claim 6, wherein the lateral cut edges are connected to each other by seam sealing.

8. The package sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sterilising medium includes hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid.

9. The package sleeve of claim 8, wherein the sterilising medium is fluid.

10. The package sleeve of claim 9, wherein the sterilising medium is at ambient temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained below with reference to drawings which illustrate merely preferred embodiments.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 shows a device for applying a processing medium to open cut edges of a sleeve of packaging material having two processing stations, and

(4) FIG. 2 shows a device for applying a processing medium to open cut edges of a sleeve of packaging material having four processing stations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device for processing the upper cut edges 1* of package sleeves 1. The package sleeves 1 are located in a state combined as a group of a plurality of package sleeves 1 in an open outer packaging 3. There is shown a conveyor belt 2 on which the open outer packaging 3 passes through two processing stations 4 and 5. Both processing stations are separated from the environment by a common housing 6.

(6) In the first (optional) processing station 4, particles, in particular dust, are drawn off using a dust exhaust 7 at least from the upper edges of the package sleeves 1. In the next processing station 5, a processing medium 8 which contains a sterilising medium 8 is applied by a nozzle 9 at least to the edges of the package sleeves 1 and can be introduced therein.

(7) The processing medium 8 may additionally contain a wetting medium. Above the processing station 5, an additional exhaust 10 may be provided for drawing off vapours which have occurred during the processing operation. Afterwards, the package sleeves 1 leave the housing 6 in the open outer packaging, after which the outer packaging is closed in a packing station 11. In the closed outer packaging 12, the package sleeves 1 are transported onwards.

(8) FIG. 2 shows another embodiment. The two processing stations 4 and 5 already shown in FIG. 1 are adjoined by a third processing station 13 and a fourth processing station 14, before the open outer packaging 3 is closed in a packing station 11. In this embodiment, all four processing stations 4, 5, 13, and 14 are separated from the environment by means of a conveyor belt 2 through a housing 6.

(9) The third processing station 13 is optional and impregnates at least the edges 1* of the package sleeves 1 with an impregnation medium 15. Above this processing station 13, there may also be provided an exhaust 16 for drawing off vapours which have occurred during the processing operation. This may be connected to the exhaust 10 of the second processing station 5. The exhausts 10, 16 may be connected to an exhaust air cleaning device (not shown) or an exhaust air washer (not shown).

(10) In the fourth processing station 14, at least the open upper edges of the packaging sleeves 1 are irradiated by a radiation source 17 with UV and/or beta and/or gamma rays. Afterwards, the processed package sleeves 1 leave the housing 6 in the open outer packaging 3, are closed and the closed outer packagings 12 can be transported to the filling location.

(11) Of course, the embodiments shown show only possibilities for configuring the method according to the invention and the corresponding device without constituting a limitation of the devices shown.