US4289728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in methods of sterilization
Assignee: BTG International Ltd
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Filing: 1980-01-03
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Granted: 1981-09-15
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Expires: 2000-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of sterilization which comprises treating a microorganism with an ultraviolet irradiated solution of hydrogen peroxide, the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation being wholly or predominantly below 325 nm and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide being no greater than 10% by weight and such that the microorganism is rendered non-viable by synergism between the radiation and the hydrogen peroxide. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of spores contaminating food packaging.
Inventors
- 👤 John L. Peel
- 👤 William M. Waites
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:32
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/04; B65B55/10; A; A01; A01N; A01N59/00; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/50; A23B2/53; A23B2/70; A23B2/725; A23B2/788; A23C; A23C7/00; A23C7/02; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61L2/10; A61L2/16; A61L2/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of sterilizing food packaging which comprises treating a microorganism at the surface of the packaging with an ultraviolet irradiated solution of hydrogen peroxide, the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation being wholly or predominantly below 325 nm and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide being at least 0.01% and no greater than 10% by weight, whereby the microorganism is rendered non-viable by synergism between the radiation and the hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of sterilizing food packaging which comprises treating a microorganism at the surface of the packaging with an ultraviolet irradiated solution of hydrogen peroxide, the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation being wholly or predominantly below 325 nm and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide being at least 0.01% and no greater than 10% by weight, whereby the microorganism is rendered non-viable by synergism between the radiation and the hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation is wholly or predominantly below 300 nm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the radiation has a peak intensity below 325 nm.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
21 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation is at least 200 nm.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the ultraviolet radiation has a peak intensity at 254 nm.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
23 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution is at least 0.5% by weight.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution is no greater than 6% by weight.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide solution is no greater than 3% by weight.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
29 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the microorgaism is present in the form of spores and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is at least 0.25%.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the microorganism is a mould, yeast, bacterium, virus or protozoa.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
17 words
A method according to any of the claims 1-3 in which the microorganism is a dairy contaminant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 10 in which the microorganism is present in the form of spores of B. subtilis or B. stearothermophilus.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
24 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the hydrogen peroxide is maintained at an elevated temperature during or subsequent to irradiation.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is maintained at at least 85° C. during or subsequent to irradiation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any of claims 1-3 in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated for at least 10 seconds during or subsequent to irradiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
Food packaging material when sterilised according to the method of claim 1.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of sterilisation which comprises treating spores of a microoganism with an ultraviolet irradiated solution of hydrogen peroxide, the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation having a peak intensity within the range 200-325 nm and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide being at least 0.5% and no greater than 3% by weight, whereby the microorganism is rendered non-viable by synergism between the radiation and hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of sterilisation which comprises treating spores of a microoganism with an ultraviolet irradiated solution of hydrogen peroxide, the wavelength of the ultraviolet radiation having a peak intensity within the range 200-325 nm and the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide being at least 0.5% and no greater than 3% by weight, whereby the microorganism is rendered non-viable by synergism between the radiation and hydrogen peroxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
Food packaging material when sterilised according to the method of claim 17.
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) | 1984-09-14 | 1985-03-16 | 1985-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-14 | 1989-03-16 | 1989-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-14 | 1993-03-16 | 1993-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |