Abstract: A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the interiors of paperboard containers, wherein such apparatus is operative prior to the container being mounted on a mandrel of a mandrel assembly on which the container bottom closures are formed, closed and sealed. This is accomplished by providing nebulizing means for communicating a suitable sterilant fog through and onto the inside surfaces of the carton blank from the time that it is removed from a magazine and while being opened into a four-sided tubular shape, thereby greatly increasing the total interior sterilizing time available prior to the container being filled downstream, as compared to conventional sterilization processes which are operative after the bottom panels of the carton have been closed and sealed. Heated air is supplied to each mandrel of the mandrel assembly and applied to the interior of the container while the container is mounted thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates and describes a modular forming, sterilizing, filling and sealing machine for containers, including a front bottom forming and sealing section; an intermediate sterilizing section; and a rear filling, top forming and sealing section; and separate conveyor means in each section. The conveyor means in the sterilizing section is adapted to receive the containers from the conveyor means in the bottom forming and sealing section in an upright, open-topped condition and convey same transverse to the line of travel in the forming and sealing sections through a sterilant vapor atmosphere wherein the sterilant vapor condenses on all surfaces of each upright, open-topped container, and then rotates the containers from the upright position to an upside-down condition through a heated and air blown atmosphere, and back to an upright condition onto the conveyor means in the filling, top forming and sealing section.