UV RADIATION AND VAPOR-PHASE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE STERILIZATION OF PACKAGING

摘要

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed packaging material (20) is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide from a hydrogen peroxide nozzle (30). The packaging material (20) is then conveyed to a UV radiation source (38) for irradiation of the packaging material. The packaging material (20) is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the packaging material (20) allowing for filling of the packaging material (20) with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53 % while providing a packaging material (20) having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.