Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. A photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. An outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. In some embodiments, a photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. In some embodiments, an outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by, for example, using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a material web is disclosed and involves directing a material web toward the inlet of a chamber having constriction zones located therein whose flow area is less than the flow area of other portions of the chamber. The material web is moved through the inlet and through the constriction zone while a gaseous sterilizing agent is introduced into the chamber on one side of the constriction zone and while a vacuum is being drawn in the chamber from an opposite side of the constriction zone. The constriction zone causes the gaseous sterilizing agent to accelerate and flow in close contact with the material web at very high speed to ensure that the gaseous sterilizing agent contacts and is uniformly distributed over the whole width of the material web so that effective sterilization of the entire material web takes place.

Abstract: An arrangement for sterilizing a travelling material web comprises a chamber having an inlet and an outlet so that the material web can enter and exit the chamber. Constriction zones are arranged between the inlet and outlet and are connected to one another by an intermediate chamber portion. The constriction zones are designed so that the web material is just able to pass freely between the constriction zones. The intermediate chamber portion is connected to a gas source while each of the constriction zones are connected to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A method of treating a moving material web that is to be used in the fabrication of aseptic packages includes heating the material web prior to inserting the web into a heated bath of sterilizing agent so that when the web is inserted into the bath, the temperature of the web is at least equal to the temperature of the heated bath. The apparatus for carrying out that method includes a heating arrangement that is connected to a container that contains the heated bath of sterilizing agent. The container is positioned after the heating arrangement in the direction of movement of the material web. The heating arrangement includes a box and nozzles extending inwardly from the inner sides of the box. The nozzles are connected to a source of hot air and are adapted to blow hot air on both sides of the material web for heating the web.