Device for sterilising packaging using hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for simultaneously sterilising a large number of packaging containers (1), using hydrogen peroxide and a gas mixture containing a carrier gas. Said device comprises the following: supply lines (4, 5) for the carrier gas and the hydrogen peroxide, a device (21) for evaporating the hydrogen peroxide by heat and incorporating it into the carrier gas, supply lines (4, 5) and a substantially horizontal distribution line (6, 22) and jets (3) that are located above each packaging container (1) and connected to the distribution line (6, 22). The aim of the invention is to simplify the device and provide a means, by which the concentration of hydrogen peroxide can be maintained at an identical level at a given time, in all jets for the multitude of packaging containers. To achieve this, the distribution line (6, 22) is configured as a tubular body containing a longitudinal channel, which extends from the inlet (23) of the conditioned gas-mixture supply to the point (9) of entry above each jet (3). Said tubular body comprises at least one approximately tubular heating cartridge (18), extending the length of the body and distributed measuring points (12). The heating cartridge (18) is sub-divided into at least two sections and can be heated in a controlled manner by a supply of electric energy, in such a way that the temperature at the outer extremities of the tubular body (6) differs from that at the centre.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for the simultaneous sterilization of a plurality of packages by means of a gas mixture containing hydrogen peroxide and a carrier gas. Background technique [0002] The above equipment includes: [0003] - supply lines for carrier gas and hydrogen peroxide, [0004] - a device for thermally vaporizing hydrogen peroxide and mixing it into the carrier gas, [0005] - supply lines and a substantially horizontally extending distribution line, and [0006] - A number of nozzles, which are arranged on each package and connected to the dispensing lines. [0007] It is known to sterilize upwardly opening packages by introducing a mixture of air and gaseous hydrogen peroxide. In the known process described above, a plurality of packages arranged next to each other in a row can pass simultaneously under a corresponding number of nozzle openings. The sterilizing gas mixture is produced by passing hot air through a porous tu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] The production of such pipelines with heated tube wall structures is costly, difficult and complex, and the diffusion of vaporized hydrogen peroxide in the sintered tubular member into the high temperature air also involves some problems because the excessive Hydrogen peroxide requires extremely high pump pressures and precautions must be taken to ensure properly sized orifices do not become clogged

When smaller pore sizes are used, the pores become clogged, however, when too large pore sizes are used, only hydrogen peroxide is vaporized inappropriately

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