US4035981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aseptic packaging
Assignee: Alcan Research and Development Ltd
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Filing: 1975-12-05
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1995-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of aseptically packaging pre-sterilized foodstuffs is described. The method used `dry` radiation methods for sterilizing packaging material in an aseptic workspace either before or after construction of the container as such. The internal surfaces of the packaging material supplied to the workspace are coated with a radiation resistant lacquer. After sterilization the containers are filled with food such as milk or yoghurt and heat sealed.
Inventors
- 👤 Johannes Braun
- 👤 Winfried Sturm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:04
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D7/00; C09D7/40; C09D7/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
In a method of aseptically packaging presterilized products, comprising sterilizing preformed containers of packing material coated on at least one surface thereof with a heat-sealable lacquer, said sterilization including the step of exposing at least said lacquer coated surface to dry-sterilizing radiation in an aseptic workspace, providing said pre-sterilized products in said containers and closing said containers by forming a hermetic seal between two coatings of said lacquer, the improvement which consists in using as the heat-sealable lacquer a lacquer stabilised against radiation damage occurring as a result of exposure to said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method of aseptically packaging presterilized products, comprising sterilizing preformed containers of packing material coated on at least one surface thereof with a heat-sealable lacquer, said sterilization including the step of exposing at least said lacquer coated surface to dry-sterilizing radiation in an aseptic workspace, providing said pre-sterilized products in said containers and closing said containers by forming a hermetic seal between two coatings of said lacquer, the improvement which consists in using as the heat-sealable lacquer a lacquer stabilised against radiation damage occurring as a result of exposure to said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said containers are closed by forming a hermetic seal between said lacquer on said containers and a coating of stabilized lacquer on a separate lid, said lid being sterilized by said radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said lids are formed from a continuous sheet of lidding material after sterilization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said packaging material is selected from the class consisting of aluminium foil and laminates thereof with a plastics material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein said containers and said lids are heated to a temperature of from 60° C. to 150° C. by exposure to infrared light prior to the step of sterilizing with said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said lacquer is based on a plastics material selected from the class consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidine chloride and copolymers thereof with vinylacetate and polyesters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the lacquer is stabilized by including therein a stabilizing agent selected from the class consisting of saturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyacrylate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method of aseptically packaging presterilized products, comprising sterilizing a continuous strip of packing material coated on at least one surface thereof with a heat-sealable lacquer, said sterilization including the step of exposing at least said lacquer-coated surface to dry-sterilizing radiation in an aseptic workspace, forming said strip into containers within said aseptic work-space, providing said pre-sterilized products in said containers and closing said containers by forming a hermetic seal between two coatings of said lacquer, the improvement which consists in using as the heat-sealable lacquer a lacquer stabilised against radiation damage occurring as a result of exposure to said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method of aseptically packaging presterilized products, comprising sterilizing a continuous strip of packing material coated on at least one surface thereof with a heat-sealable lacquer, said sterilization including the step of exposing at least said lacquer-coated surface to dry-sterilizing radiation in an aseptic workspace, forming said strip into containers within said aseptic work-space, providing said pre-sterilized products in said containers and closing said containers by forming a hermetic seal between two coatings of said lacquer, the improvement which consists in using as the heat-sealable lacquer a lacquer stabilised against radiation damage occurring as a result of exposure to said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said packaging material is selected from the class consisting of aluminium foil and laminates thereof with a plastics material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said containers and said lids are heated to a temperature of from 60° C. to 150° C. by exposure to infrared light prior to the step of sterilizing with said dry-sterilizing radiation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said lacquer is based on a plastics material selected from the class consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidine chloride and copolymers thereof with vinylacetate and polyesters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the lacquer is stabilized by including therein a stabilizing agent selected from the class consisting of saturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyacrylate and mixtures thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3832827A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |