초록 ▼

A method for the sterilization of a machine used in the formation, filling and sealing of plastic containers. A source of sterilizing agent, such as steam, is used to sterilize the various passageways, filters, and components within the machine which, if contaminated, would contaminate the liquid in

A method for the sterilization of a machine used in the formation, filling and sealing of plastic containers. A source of sterilizing agent, such as steam, is used to sterilize the various passageways, filters, and components within the machine which, if contaminated, would contaminate the liquid in the filled plastic container. Pressurized air or gas is delivered through sterilized lines having a micro-organism filter. The air flowing out of each filter is sterile and free from bacteria. A series of unique, easy to sterilize, three-position, two-way valves are used to duct pressurized gas and steam to the various components. A special air drop test apparatus is used to operationally check the integrity of the filters without breaching the sterile condition of the various fluid passageways and interconnected components.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for sterilizing a machine used for forming, filling and sealing containers of thermoplastic material, said machine having: a metering device communicating with a product supply line that supplies product to the device, said metering device including a variable volume dosing chamber for supp

A method for sterilizing a machine used for forming, filling and sealing containers of thermoplastic material, said machine having: a metering device communicating with a product supply line that supplies product to the device, said metering device including a variable volume dosing chamber for supplying an aliquot of product to be dispensed into a formed container, said metering device having a dosing chamber inlet and a dosing chamber outlet, said product supply line being connected to said inlet, said chamber having a piston positioned therein and actuated by a rod connected on one side of said piston thereby defining a piston side and a rod side within said chamber; a first product filter positioned upstream from said inlet and a second product filter positioned downstream from said outlet; an inlet check valve situated between said first product filter and said inlet and an outlet check valve situated between said outlet and said second product filter, both check valves controlling flow through the piston side of said dosing chamber; a filling device communicating with the piston side of aid dosing chamber through said outlet, outlet check valve, and said second product filter, said filling device also being capable of communicating with a formed container; a sterilizing media supply line adapted to communicate with (A) said rod side of said chamber through a first gas feed line, said first gas feed line having a first three-position, two-way valve, a second three-position, two-way valve, and a first microorganism filter positioned between said first and second valves, said first and second valves also being connectable to a first by-pass hose to provide a fluid flow by-pass around said first microorganism filter, said sterilizing media supply line also adapted to communicate with (B) said filling device through a second gas feed line, said second gas feed line having a third three-position, two-way valve, a fourth three-position, two-way valve, and a second microorganism filter positioned between said third and fourth valves, said third and fourth valves also being connectable to a second by-pass hose to provide a fluid flow by-pass around said second microorganism filter; and a source of sterilizing agent capable of being connected to said product supply line and to said sterilizing media supply line; said method comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a flow of sterilizing agent sequentially through the product supply line, said first product filter, said inlet check valve, said piston side of said dosing chamber, said outlet check valve, said second product filter, said filling device and out to the atmosphere, whereby the flow of sterilizing agent sterilizes the interior surfaces of all fluid passageways that the sterilizing agent contacts; (b) positioning said first and second second valves in a first position wherein communication is provided between said seterilizing media supply line and said first microorganism filter; (c) establishing a flow of sterilizing agent sequentially through said sterilizing media supply line, said first valve, said first microorganism filter, said second valve, said rod side ofsaid dosing chamber and out to the atmosphere, whereby the flow of sterilizing agent sterilizes said first microorganism filter and all fluid passageways that the sterilizing agent contacts; (d) positioning said first and second valve in a second position, wherein said first microorganism filter is by-passed, and connecting said first and second valves to said first by-pass hose; and (e) establishing a flow of sterilizing agent sequentially through said sterilizing media supply line, said first valve, said first by-pass hose, said second valve, said rod side of said dosing chamber and out to the atmosphere, whereby the flow of sterilizing agent sterilizes all fluid passageways that the sterilizing agent contacts.