PREVENTION OF AGGLOMERATION OF PARTICLES DURING STERILIZATION PROCESSES

摘要

A method and an apparatus for hot-fill or cold fill sterilization of a container containing both a liquid and solid inclusions. The method and apparatus each prevent the inclusions from agglomerating in any area of the container, such as the container closure, thus allowing the liquid to contact the interior surfaces of the container for a time sufficient to achieve sterilization of the entire container. The filled container is subjected to an inversion sequence typically including alternating between inverting the container to an angle of about 60 degrees from vertical and an angle of about 140 degrees from vertical, over a time period of at least 30 seconds. The apparatus includes a means for conveying containers, configured to subject the containers to a series of angles as the containers are conveyed, as well as an enclosure for preventing the containers from falling off of the conveying means.