US3854874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of the sterile chamber in an aseptic packaging machine
Assignee: Alpura Koreco AG
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Filing: 1972-07-07
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of the sterile chamber in an aseptic packaging machine of the kind in which packaging material in web form is first brought in contact with a chemically acting sterilising liquid and is subsequently led through the interior of a sterile chamber inside which the packaging material is freed from liquid residues, and in which the packaging material is formed into a flexible tube and subdivided into individual, filled packages, in which the interior of the sterile chamber forms part of a flow circuit in which the mixture of chamber air and sterilising agent vapour forming the chamber atmosphere are circulated with the aid of a conveying means, in which further throttle means are provided between the chamber and conveying means for generating aboveambient pressure in the sterile chamber, and in which the circuit has means for limiting the concentration of the chemical sterilising agent in the atmosphere filling the sterile chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 W Loliger
- 👤 R Schmied
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:17
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; B65B55/10; B65B55/103; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S118/00; Y10S118/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; an apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a conveying means in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said conveying means for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber, and means for limiting the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the atmosphere filling said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; an apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a conveying means in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said conveying means for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber, and means for limiting the concentration of the sterilizing agent in the atmosphere filling said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a discharge line connected to said chamber at a lower end thereof for discharging condensed sterilizing agent therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a liquid separator connected to said flow circuit between said chamber and said conveying means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises means in said flow circuit for sterilizing the flow passing from said conveying means into said sterile chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting said concentration includes a line connected to said flow circuit between said throttle means and said conveying means for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for limiting said concentration further includes a line connected to said flow circuit upstream of said throttle means and an adjustable blow-off valve in said line for discharging the chamber atmosphere when a predetermined pressure is exceeded in said chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5 which further includes a flow meter in said line for indicating the amount of surrounding air introduced into said flow circuit through said line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting said concentration includes a second chamber in said flow circuit downstream of said throttle means for passage of the flexible tube therethrough, said second chamber having an open bottom to define a gap with the flexible tube for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein said throttle means is a gap between an open bottom of said sterile chamber and the flexible tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as set forth in claim 8 which further includes a flow meter in said flow circuit between said throttle means and said conveying means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a fan in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said fan for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber, an adjustable blow-off valve connected to said flow circuit upstream of said throttle means to allow chamber atmosphere to discharge when a predetermined pressure is exceeded in said chamber, and a line connected to said flow circuit between said throttle means and said conveying means for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit to replace the atmosphere discharged through said blow-off valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a fan in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said fan for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber, an adjustable blow-off valve connected to said flow circuit upstream of said throttle means to allow chamber atmosphere to discharge when a predetermined pressure is exceeded in said chamber, and a line connected to said flow circuit between said throttle means and said conveying means for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit to replace the atmosphere discharged through said blow-off valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; an apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a conveying means in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said conveying means for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber; a valve means connected to said sterile chamber for blowing off chamber atmosphere at a predetermined pressure thereof, and a second chamber in said flow circuit downstream of said throttle means for passage of the flexible tube therethrough, said second chamber having an open bottom to define a gap with the flexible tube for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit to replace the atmosphere discharged through said valve means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
155 words
In combination with an aseptic packaging machine having a sterile chamber in which a packaging material is formed into a flexible tube; an apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of said sterile chamber comprising a flow circuit including said sterile chamber for a flow of a mixture of chamber air and sterilizing agent vapor forming the chamber atmosphere, a conveying means in said flow circuit for recirculating the flow, throttle means between said chamber and said conveying means for generating an above-ambient pressure in said chamber; a valve means connected to said sterile chamber for blowing off chamber atmosphere at a predetermined pressure thereof, and a second chamber in said flow circuit downstream of said throttle means for passage of the flexible tube therethrough, said second chamber having an open bottom to define a gap with the flexible tube for introducing surrounding air into said flow circuit to replace the atmosphere discharged through said valve means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12 which further comprises a partition in said second chamber coaxially of the path of the flexible tube for sub-dividing said second chamber, and a heater within said partition for volatilizing liquid sterilizing agent on the outer surface of the flexible tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |