MACHINE AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING STERILIZED FLEXIBLE-BAGS FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS
The present disclosure relates to a machine and process for in-line sterilization and making of flexible-bags used for packaging flowable and non-flowable materials. The sterilization is incorporated at one or more stages during the process of making the flexible-bag and packaging the product. Stated another way, the present disclosure relates to a process and machine for sterilizing flexible-bag before and/or after the packaging of the product.
1 . A method of making a sterilized flexible-bag for receiving, storing, and dispensing a product, the method comprising the steps of:
(I) providing a flexible-bag-making machine;
(II) providing at least one UVG radiation sterilization equipment in-line with said flexible-bag-making machine;
(III) optionally providing at least one UVG radiation detection meter;
(IV) making said flexible-bag in said flexible-bag-making machine;
(V) sterilizing said flexible-bag by:
(i) projecting a UVG radiation onto the polymeric film from which said flexible-bag is made, prior to formation of said flexible-bag, and/or
(ii) projecting a second UVG radiation onto the partially-made flexible-bag during formation of said flexible-bag, and/or
(iii) projecting a third UVG radiation on to said flexible bag after formation of said flexible-bag; and
(VI) optionally measuring at least one of the UVG radiation from said at least one UVG radiation sterilization equipment.
2 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said product is a flowable product.
3 . A method of making a sterilized flexible-bag and packaging flowable product in it, the method comprising the steps of:
(I) providing a flexible-bag-making machine;
(II) providing at least one UVG radiation sterilization equipment in-line with said flexible-bag-making machine;
(III) optionally providing at least one UVG radiation detection meter;
(IV) making said flexible-bag and filling said flexible-bag with flowable product in said flexible-bag-making machine;
(V) sterilizing said flexible-bag by:
(i) projecting a UVG radiation onto the polymeric film from which said flexible-bag is made, prior to formation of said flexible-bag, and/or
(ii) projecting a second UVG radiation onto the partially-made flexible-bag during formation of said flexible-bag but before filling said flexible-bag with flowable product, and/or
(iii) projecting a third UVG radiation onto the partially-made flexible-bag during formation of said flexible-bag but after filling said flexible-bag with said flowable product, but before completely sealing said flexible-bag, and/or
(iii) projecting a fourth UVG radiation on to said flexible bag after formation of said flexible-bag; and
(VI) optionally measuring at least one of the UVG radiation from said at least one UVG radiation sterilization equipment.
4 . The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein said flexible-bag-making machine is a form/fill/seal machine.
5 . The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein said for/fill/seal machine is a VFFS machine.
6 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said UVG radiation sterilization equipment is an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp, which is disposed adjacent a sealing unit of said FFS machine.
7 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said UVG sterilization equipment emits UVG radiation in the range of from about 40,000 to 100,000 μW/cm 2 .
8 . The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein said UVG sterilization provides reduction on microbial CFU in the range of 1-6 logarithmic units.
9 . A machine for making a sterilized flexible-bag for receiving, storing, and dispensing a product, the machine comprising:
a flexible-bag-making machine;
(II) at least one UVG radiation sterilization equipment placed in-line with said flexible-bag-making machine; and
(III) optionally at least one UVG radiation detection meter.
10 . The machine as recited in claim 9 , wherein said product is a flowable product.
11 . The machine as recited in claim 10 , wherein said flexible-bag-making machine is a form/fill/seal machine.
12 . The machine as recited in claim 11 , wherein said for/fill/seal machine is a VFFS machine.
13 . The machine as recited in claim 9 , wherein said UVG radiation sterilization equipment is an ultraviolet radiation emitting lamp, which is disposed adjacent a sealing unit of said FFS machine.
14 . A sterilized flexible-bag made by the method recited in claim 1 .
15 . The sterilized flexible-bag as recited in claim 14 , further comprising a product selected from fruits, vegetables, meats, chips, snacks, and grains.
16 . A sterilized flexible-bag comprising product inside said sterilized flexible-bag, made by a method as recited in claim 3 .
17 . The sterilized flexible-bag as recited in claim 16 , wherein said product is a fluid with or without particulates; a liquid with or without particulates; a semi-liquid with or without particulates; a paste with or without particulates; emulsions with or without particulates; preserves with or without particulates; jelly with or without particulates; doughs with or without particulates; ground meat with or without particulates; powders; granular solids; puree with or without particulates; concentrate with or without particulates; mixes with or without particulates; carbonated beverages; non-carbonated beverages; alcoholic liquids; and combinations thereof.
18 . The sterilized flexible-bag as recited in claim 17 , wherein said product is selected from milk, water, juice, fruit juice, vegetable juice, crushed fruits, blended fruits, crushed vegetables, blended vegetables, smoothies, oil, ice cream mix, soft margarine, shampoo, liquid soap, detergent, meat paste, cheese, sauce, peanut butter, jam, pie filling, marmalade, sausage meat, gelatin powders, detergents, nuts, sugar, and salt.