A device (1) for sterilization in production of packages (8) is adapted for sterilization with a gaseous sterilizing agent kept in the gaseous phase throughout the sterilization process. The device (1) comprises a heating zone (2), a sterilization zone (3) and a venting zone (4). It further comprise
A device (1) for sterilization in production of packages (8) is adapted for sterilization with a gaseous sterilizing agent kept in the gaseous phase throughout the sterilization process. The device (1) comprises a heating zone (2), a sterilization zone (3) and a venting zone (4). It further comprises an ambient temperature sensor (27) for sensing the ambient temperature outside the device (1), a concentration meter (29) for measuring the concentration of sterilizing agent in the sterilization zone (3) and a first control unit for controlling the amount of sterilizing agent introduced in the sterilization zone (3) based on the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor (27) and the concentration measured by the concentration meter (29). A method of sterilizing packages (8) in production of the packages (8) is also disclosed.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is; 1. A device for sterilization in production of packages, which is adapted for sterilization with a gaseous sterilizing agent kept in the gaseous phase throughout the sterilization process, said device comprising a heating zone, a sterilization zone, a venting zone, an ambi
The invention claimed is; 1. A device for sterilization in production of packages, which is adapted for sterilization with a gaseous sterilizing agent kept in the gaseous phase throughout the sterilization process, said device comprising a heating zone, a sterilization zone, a venting zone, an ambient temperature sensor located outside of the device for sensing the ambient temperature outside the device where the sterilizing agent does not flow, a relative humidity sensor for measuring the relative humidity outside the device where the sterilizing agent does not flow, a concentration meter for measuring the concentration of sterilizing agent in the sterilization zone, and a first control unit for controlling the amount of sterilizing agent introduced in the sterilization zone based on the temperature measured by the ambient temperature sensor, the relative humidity measured by the relative humidity sensor and the concentration measured by the concentration meter. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a package start temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the packages entering the heating zone. 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a package heating temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the packages before entry into the sterilization zone. 4. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a feedback circuit for controlling the heating in the heating zone based on the temperature of the packages. 5. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a condensation detector for detecting condensation in the sterilization zone. 6. A device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a third control unit in communication with the condensation detector, wherein the third control unit is operable to send a signal to control the temperature and/or flow of hot air in a gas production unit which produces the sterilizing agent. 7. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining a higher pressure in the sterilization zone than in the heating zone and venting zone. 8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said zones are separated from each other by means of partitionings having openings for the passage of packages. 9. A device as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted for sterilization with a gaseous sterilizing agent in the form of gaseous hydrogen peroxide. 10. A device as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted to sterilize packages having an open end and a closed end, wherein the sterilized packages are subjected to filling. 11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the heating zone comprises means for heating the packages to a temperature above a dew point of the sterilizing agent used in the sterilization zone. 12. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the venting zone comprises means for venting away the sterilizing agent used in the sterilization zone from the packages after sterilization. 13. A device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising means for controlling a flow of gaseous sterilizing agent in the sterilization zone, such that the gaseous sterilizing agent flows essentially in a direction from the open end of the packages towards the closed end of the packages. 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for controlling the flow of gaseous sterilizing agent are arranged to introduce the gaseous sterilizing agent in a top portion of the sterilization zone and to evacuate the gaseous sterilizing agent in a bottom portion of the sterilization zone, maintaining a flow of gaseous sterilizing agent essentially from top to bottom. 15. A device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: nozzles in fluid communication with the unit for production of the gaseous sterilizing agent, wherein the nozzles are arranged to introduce the gaseous sterilizing agent in a top portion of the sterilization zone; and outlets in a bottom portion of the sterilization zone for withdrawing the gaseous sterilizing agent from the sterilization zone. 16. A device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a catalyst unit in fluid communication with outlets in a bottom portion of the sterilization zone for degrading the gaseous sterilizing agent withdrawn from the sterilization zone. 17. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first control unit controls the operation of the unit for production of the gaseous sterilizing agent. 18. A device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising means for controlling a venting air flow in the venting zone, such that the venting air flows essentially in a direction from the open end of the packages towards the closed end of the packages. 19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means for controlling the flow of venting air are arranged to introduce the venting air in a top portion of the venting zone and to evacuate the venting air in a bottom portion of the venting zone, maintaining a flow of venting air essentially from top to bottom. 20. A device as claimed in claim 1, which is adapted to sterilize itself internally. 21. A device as claimed in claim 20, further comprising means for heating the interior of the device. 22. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a unit for production of the gaseous sterilizing agent. 23. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a filling zone for filling packages, and means for maintaining a higher pressure in the filling zone than in the venting zone. 24. A device as claimed in claim 23, further comprising: nozzles arranged to introduce sterile air in a top portion of the filling zone; and outlets in a bottom portion of the filling zone for withdrawing the sterile air from the filling zone. 25. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: nozzles arranged to introduce hot sterile air in a top portion of the heating zone; and outlets in a bottom portion of the heating zone for withdrawing the sterile air. 26. A device as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a second control unit for regulating the temperature of the hot sterile air introduced into the heating zone to heat packages therein to a temperature above a dew point of the sterilizing agent. 27. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: nozzles arranged to introduce sterile air in a top portion of the venting zone; and outlets in a bottom portion of the venting zone for withdrawing the sterile air from the venting zone.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
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