Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.a.

John L Cicha

Terry Dean Erickson

John N Lees

Ronald W Swank

Sevugan Palaniappan

Jonathan P Buesing

Paul C Sundby

Kenneth M Eno

Michael Robertson

Walt Monpetit

John Kretlow

Steven Breuer

A top sealer for a form, fill and seal packaging machine includes first and second anvils disposed on opposing sides of a processing path of the machine. The anvils are configured to move transverse to the processing path for engaging the top fins of each of the cartons and compressing the fins for forming the carton top seal portion. A first wedge section is mounted to the first anvil and a second wedge section is mounted to the second anvil. The first wedge section includes a raised portion extending from a face of the wedge. The first wedge is mounted to the anvil to contact the raised portion with a first vertical panel/extended gable panel juncture contemporaneous with the anvils engaging the top fins. Contact of the raised portion with the first vertical panel/extended gable panel juncture forms a crease at that juncture. A method for forming a top seal at the fin panels and a crease at the juncture is also disclosed.

Top sealing and creasing apparatus and method for a gable top carton

An apparatus for providing sterilant to a packaging machine is provided. The apparatus comprises a conduit, for a predetermined mix of atomized hydrogen peroxide and air, within a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a conduit for steam heat under pressure and comprises and inlet for the steam and an outlet for condensation formed by cooling steam. As the pressurized steam surrounds the conduit heat is transferred to the atomized hydrogen peroxide and air causing the mixture to vaporize. An outlet for hydrogen peroxide vapor is provided at or near a sterilization location in a packaging machine, allowing the vapor to aid in the sterilization of packaging.

Method and apparatus for vaporizing sterilant hydrogen peroxide

A top panel pre-folder for a form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing an extended top panel gable top carton includes an mandrel positioned along the machine processing path that is movable from above the carton to the interior of the carton as the carton moves along the processing path. A pair of spaced apart pivotal arms, each disposed on opposing sides of the mandrel and transverse to the processing path, is pivotal about an axis toward and away from the mandrel. Each arm includes a flap mounted thereto having a raised portion extending from a face of the flap. The arms pivot to contact the flaps with gable side panels of the carton to infold the gable side panels inwardly over the mandrels. The flap raised portions contact the gable side panels at about gable side panel/vertical side panel junctures.

Top pre-folding apparatus for an extended top panel gable top carton

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing cartons with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is first sprayed at a bottom forming station with a sterilant. Then, the carton is transported to a sterilization station where the carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide thereby allowing the gas to condense on the packaging material. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the packaging material. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the packaging material with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a packaging material having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide. The method and apparatus of the present invention allows for the fabrication of a shelf-stable food product.

Method and apparatus for the sterilization of a carton

An arrangement for an ultraviolet sterilization system disposed on a packaging machine for processing a series of cartons is disclosed herein. The system may have an ignitor for expediting the commencement of the ultraviolet lamp. Additionally, the system may have an ultraviolet monitor for monitoring the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation being directed to a series of cartons being processed on the packaging machine. The monitor will alert an operator to a change in the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation thereby ensuring properly sterilized cartons.

Arrangement on an ultraviolet sterilization system

An apparatus for providing a container having a spout assembly disposed thereon, the spout assembly comprising a cap disposed on a fitment having an interior portion for disposition toward the container interior and an exterior portion for disposition toward the container exterior. The apparatus comprises a storage bin for storing plural spout assemblies and a guide assembly for guiding the spout assemblies to an output of the guide assembly. A fitment and cap sterilizer accepts the spout assemblies from the output and applies a disinfecting solution to their interior portions. An output guide assembly guides them to a subsequent processing station such as a spout applicator that applies the spout assembly to the container. An intermediate UV station may be used between the fitment and cap sterilizer and the spout applicator. In one embodiment, the fitment and cap sterilizer comprises a track for guiding the spout assemblies along a predetermined path. A gate mechanism selectively retains the spout assemblies at a predetermined position along the track. A sprayer is disposed in fixed alignment with a spout assembly that has been retained for spraying the retained spout assembly with a disinfecting solution.

Apparatus for sterilizing a spout assembly of a container

A sterilization system for sterilizing surface areas of a packaging material in a packaging machine is set forth. The sterilization system comprises an ultraviolet lamp including a housing and an ultraviolet light transmission portion. A support assembly is connected to support the ultraviolet lamp. The ultraviolet lamp is connected to the support assembly so that it is pivotable with respect to the support assembly from a first operating position in which the ultraviolet transmission portion of the ultraviolet lamp is disposed to irradiate the surface areas of the packaging material and a second position in which the ultraviolet transmission portion of the ultraviolet lamp is disposed at an angle for cleaning or service. A latching mechanism may be used to secure the ultraviolet lamp in the second cleaning position. Alternatively, the ultraviolet lamp assembly may be automatically moved between the first and second positions using an automatic drive. In accordance with a still further enhancement of the apparatus, a linear drive mechanism may be used to drive the ultraviolet lamp, including at least a portion of the support assembly, between a raised and lowered position. Such movement of the ultraviolet lamp facilitates easy access for cleaning and service.

Ultraviolet assembly for use in irradiating containers in a packaging

The present invention utilizes a plurality of ultraviolet lamps to sterilize containers being advanced along a conveyor system. The ultraviolet lamps are disposed transverse to the advancement of the containers as are the reflectors corresponding to each of the lamps. The reflectors are in direct contact with a cooling manifold which prevents the overheating of the apparatus. In thermal contact with the cooling manifold are temperature detectors which provide warning signals to operators, or can generate a signal to deactivate the lamps. The cooling manifold may be cooled by a circulating fluid. The reflectors may be cooled by a flow of air through a pressurized chamber. The pressurized chamber is defined by the reflectors and transparent plates. The transparent plates substantially enhance the transmission of light having a wavelength of 254 nanometers.

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Shoreview, MN, United States of America

John L Cicha