The invention is concerned with a process of sterilizing at least the load-sided surface of sheets of packing material by using saturated steam, and with an arrangement for carrying out the process. According to the process, the saturated steam prior to application thereof to the sheet section contained in the sterilization passage chamber is converted by a controlled energy supply into superheated steam. The said superheated steam is jetted with substantially uniform intensity across the entire length of at least one transverse line of the sheet of packing material onto the sheet to form a uniformly thin condensate film on the sheet of packing material. The so sterilized sheet of packing material, while maintaining the sterile conditions, is then supplied to a packing machine connected thereto which also operates under sterile conditions.
A unit for sterilizing a web (2) of packaging material on a machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit having a bath (7) containing a sterilizing agent, in which the web (2) is fed continuously; a process chamber (8) connected to an outlet (12) of the bath (7), and housing drying means (17) for removing residual sterilizing agent from the web (2); an aseptic chamber (25) communicating with the process chamber (8) via an opening (27) for passage of the web (2), and in which the web (2) is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube (29) which is filled continuously with the product for packaging; and an air processing circuit (24) for controlling process conditions; the circuit (24) draws air from the process chamber (8) through an orifice (54), the opening of which is adjustable, during operation of the machine, by a shutter (55) to maintain a pressure value greater than a predetermined minimum value in the aseptic chamber (25).
This is a high-speed, multi-lane machine and method for the continuous forming, filling and sealing of plastic or film pouches of various sizes commonly used to hold fluids, liquids, and viscous materials or other substances. The machine includes a film roll station, a pump station, a side seal station, a pull wheel station, a cross seal station, and a cross cut station. The invention provides for continuous production of pluralities of pouches without stops or delays by utilizing one or more moveable reciprocating carriages that travel with the flow of film through the machine, the carriages supporting each of the side sealing, cross sealing, and cross cutting stations. Coordination of the various stations is accomplished through electronic computer control, working in conjunction with a plurality of motion imparting devices such as servo motors, cam systems, linkages and the like. The various components of the machine are adjustable so that pouches of various lengths and/or widths may be formed using the same machine.
