Patent US4285031A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3899862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilization of containers
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1973-06-12
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1993-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for continuously sterilising aseptically filling and closing containers, in which each successive container is dosed with a quantity of a sterilising agent which is retained within the container for a sufficient time for sterilisation to take place, is conveyed through a tunnel within which a gaseous environment under slight overpressure is maintained, and is filled and has a sterile lid applied under sterile conditions within the tunnel.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Tuynenburg Muys
- 👤 Hubertus Leonardus M Lelieveld
- 👤 Der Hulst Robert Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:28
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; B65B55/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A process for continuously sterilizing, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low-moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising the steps of subjecting the containers to a first flushing treatment wherein dry gas moves relatively to said containers to flush away ambient air in and around said containers, subsequEntly subjecting the containers to a sterilizing treatment wherein said containers are sterilized by the action of hydrogen chloride gas, subjecting the containers to a second flushing treatment wherein conditioned air moves relatively to said containers to remove free hydrogen chloride from the surface thereof, filling the container, effecting a sterile closure of said containers and substantially removing from the external surface hydrogen chloride absorbed thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A process for continuously sterilizing, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low-moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising the steps of subjecting the containers to a first flushing treatment wherein dry gas moves relatively to said containers to flush away ambient air in and around said containers, subsequEntly subjecting the containers to a sterilizing treatment wherein said containers are sterilized by the action of hydrogen chloride gas, subjecting the containers to a second flushing treatment wherein conditioned air moves relatively to said containers to remove free hydrogen chloride from the surface thereof, filling the container, effecting a sterile closure of said containers and substantially removing from the external surface hydrogen chloride absorbed thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the external surfaces of the containers are subjected to a treatment with an agent which neutralizes the hydrogen chloride absorbed thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the external surfaces of the containers are sprayed with an alkaline solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the external surfaces of the containers are flushed with an inactive gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which a mixture of hydrogen chloride gas and conditioned air is used in the sterilising treatment and the partial pressure of the hydrogen chloride gas is at least 100 mm Hg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the sterilising treatment is carried out in 30 seconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the dry gas used in the first flushing treatment is conditioned air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which prior to the first flushing treatment, the containers are subjected to a stream of ionised air to remove dust from the surfaces of
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process as claimed in claim 1, in which after the second flushing treatment, the containers are sprayed with an alkaline solution to neutralise hydrogen chloride adsorbed on the exterior surfaces of said containers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for continuously sterilising, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising the steps of placing the containers on a moving conveyor; moving the containers past a sterilising agent dosing device; dosing the containers with a sterilising agent which does not substantially increase the temperature of the container; temporarily sealing the container; retaining the sterilising agent in the container for a time sufficient for sterilisation to take place; moving the containers into a sterile tunnel within which a gaseous environment is maintained at slight over pressure; removing the temporary seal; filling the container; applying a sterile lid to the container; and moving the closed container out of the tunnel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for continuously sterilising, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising the steps of placing the containers on a moving conveyor; moving the containers past a sterilising agent dosing device; dosing the containers with a sterilising agent which does not substantially increase the temperature of the container; temporarily sealing the container; retaining the sterilising agent in the container for a time sufficient for sterilisation to take place; moving the containers into a sterile tunnel within which a gaseous environment is maintained at slight over pressure; removing the temporary seal; filling the container; applying a sterile lid to the container; and moving the closed container out of the tunnel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for continuously sterilising, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising a sterilising agent dosing device which delivers a measured amount of a sterilising agent into the containers; means to temporarily seal the container after dosing with the sterilising agent; the sterilising agent being retained in the container for a time sufficient to sterilise them without substantially increasing the temperature of the containers; a sterile tunnel within which a low moisture gaseous environment is maintained at slight overpressure, said tunnel containing means to remove the temporary seal, to aseptically fill the containers and means to emplace a sterile lid on the containers; and, a conveyor for receiving the containers and moving them serially past the sterilising agent dosing device, the filling means, the lid emplacing means and out of the tunnel.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for continuously sterilising, aseptically filling and closing containers in a low moisture environment maintained at substantially ambient conditions comprising a sterilising agent dosing device which delivers a measured amount of a sterilising agent into the containers; means to temporarily seal the container after dosing with the sterilising agent; the sterilising agent being retained in the container for a time sufficient to sterilise them without substantially increasing the temperature of the containers; a sterile tunnel within which a low moisture gaseous environment is maintained at slight overpressure, said tunnel containing means to remove the temporary seal, to aseptically fill the containers and means to emplace a sterile lid on the containers; and, a conveyor for receiving the containers and moving them serially past the sterilising agent dosing device, the filling means, the lid emplacing means and out of the tunnel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the temporary sealing means comprises a strip of foil which is arranged to be pressed over the mouth of each succesive container during sterilisation.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |