| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention relates to a method of sterilizing and/or sanitizing a container using a sterilant vapor such as hydrogen peroxide. The sterilant vapor is discharged through a nozzle (50) positioned in an opening of the container (12) and the container (12) is then purged of the discharged sterilant using a heated gas such as sterile air. The nozzle (50) is preferably positioned no closer than 15 mm from the bottom surface or any internal surface of the container (12) and within 1/6 to 5/6 of the height of the container (12). The nozzle (50) has a diameter no greater than one-half of the diameter of the opening of the container (12). When the container made of non-heat set PET are used, the temperatures of the sterilant vapor and the purge gas are preferably no greater than 160 degrees F.</p> |
