Page 8 - Sterafill brochure - Overview

IN-PRODUCTION STERILISATION
using the patented Sterafill tUrVip-leC-UteltcrhanvoiololegtyLisgyhstem
A chamber of UV-C tubes treats the packaging material on both sides, killing on its own 3.8/3.9 logs which is a 99.98% reduction, due to the UV-C.
UV-C is a light source: any particles that the UV-C cannot penetrate will be shadowed.
The intensity of the UV-C is constantly monitored to highlight any tube degradation.
The tubes themselves are coated in a protective layer of film; in the case of any breakage, the glass will be held on the tube without contaminating the surrounding area.
Cold Plasma
The packaging material is now fed through cold air plasma electrodes.
The action of the plasma will dislodge the particles, killing any remaining spores not killed by the UV-C.
Cold air plasma treats the surface of the packaging material, enhancing the bonding when forming a package.
The plasma also creates ozone, used in the next step of the process.
Ozone
Sterafill uses a patented ozone delivery system to draw the ozone produced in the plasma all the way down to the point of fill, keeping this area of the machine constantly sterile by using a measured amount of Ozone. Our system has been designed specifically for this purpose in conjunction with funding from Innovate UK.
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The Ozone produced from the plasma process is drawn through the machine and extracted just before the point of fill. This means that the forming tubes are being continuously sterilised whenever the system is in production.
The Ozone is subsequently degraded through filters back to air before being released harmlessly into the atmosphere.
Benefits of using Ozone
• No need to store any hazardous chemicals
• Can be generated on site as and when required
• pH Neutral – so no contamination on tubes
• Can be scrubbed away ensuring clean process control