Claims for Patent: 4,591,485

Summary for Patent: 4,591,485

Title:	Method and apparatus for sonicating articles
Abstract:	A method and apparatus are provided for sonicating an article such that the liquid used as the sonication medium cannot recontaminate the article. A sonication medium in the form of a film of liquid is streamed over the article. A probe of a sonic horn is positioned in sonic energy transfer relationship to the sonication medium next to the article. Sound waves transmitted through the sonication medium dislodge particles from the article and into the sonication medium. The sonication medium carrying dislodged particles is drained away after passing the probe of the sonic horn. A subsequent sterilization means can be used to further clean the article. The article can be a web of packaging material used subsequent to sterilization for forming into individual containers for the aseptic packaging of foodstuffs or the like.
Inventor(s):	Olsen; William L. (Warwick, NY), Freeborn; John O. (New Fairfield, CT), Shaver; Linnea J. (Sloatsburg, NY), Kelemen; Janice J. (Central Valley, NY)
Assignee:	International Paper Company (New York, NY)
Application Number:	06/564,424
Patent Claims:	1. A method for sonicating articles to remove particles therefrom comprising the steps of (1) directing a moving film of a liquid medium over and in contact with a surface of an article having particles thereon, (2) placing an activated sonic horn in sonic energy transfer relationship to the liquid medium while it is still in the form of a film, so that sound waves produced by the activated sonic horn dislodge particles from the article into the liquid medium film while still on the surface of the article, the liquid medium film, which carries the dislodged particles, being withdrawn from contact with the article so that there is no contact of the liquid medium film on the article with a reservoir of the liquid medium, whereby the particles which have been dislodged from the article are not redistributed over the article by continued contact with the reservoir of liquid medium. 2. A method for sonicating a moving web of packaging material to remove particles therefrom for use in forming individual aseptic containers comprising the steps of (1) directing a moving film of a liquid medium over and in contact with at least one surface of the web having particles thereon, (2) placing an activated sonic horn in sonic energy transfer relationship to the liquid medium while it is still in the form of a film, so that sound waves produced by the activated sonic horn dislodge particles from the web into the liquid medium film on the surface of the web, the liquid medium film, which carries the dislodged particles, being withdrawn from contact with the web so that there is no contact of the liquid medium film on the web with a reservoir of the liquid medium, and becoming no longer in contact with the web surface, whereby the particles which have been dislodged from the web surface are not redistributed over the web by continued contact with the reservoir of liquid medium. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the dislodged particles are microorganisms or spores thereof. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the web is vertically oriented so that the liquid medium carrying dislodged particles run off the web after passing the sonic horn, with the additional step of (3) collecting the liquid medium below the web for cleaning and subsequent reuse of the medium. 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the liquid medium is collected after falling off the web for subsequent cleaning and recycling for reuse in step (1). 6. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of drying the web and subjecting the web to sterilization. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the liquid medium is sterile water. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein sterilizing is carried out using ultraviolet irradiation. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein sterilizing is carried out using a chemical biocide. 10. The method of claim 6 wherein drying is carried out using air knives. 11. An apparatus for sonicating an article to remove particles therefrom comprising means for directing a moving film of a liquid medium over and in contact with a surface of an article having particles thereon, a sonic horn positioned in sonic energy transfer relationship to the liquid medium streamed over the article, means for projecting ultrasonic sound waves through the liquid medium, while the liquid medium is still in the form of a film, and dislodging particles from the article into the liquid medium by the ultra sonic sound waves while the liquid medium is still in the form of a film, the article being positioned so that the liquid medium film while still on the surface of the article, which carries the dislodged particles, is withdrawn from contact with the article so that there is no contact with the liquid medium film on the article with a reservoir of the liquid medium, whereby the particles which have been dislodged from the article surface are not redistributed over the article by continued contact with the reservoir of liquid medium. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 including means for collecting the liquid medium after it has left the article whereby the collected liquid medium may be subsequently cleaned and recycled for reuse in the apparatus. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the article to be sonicated is a web of packaging material for use in forming individual aseptic containers. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sonic horn has a probe for sonicating the web of packaging material. 15. The apparatus of claim 14 which further comprises means for drying and sterilizing the web of material. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for drying comprises air knives. 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for sterilizing comprises ultraviolet radiation. 18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for sterilizing comprises a chemical biocide. 19. The apparatus of claim 15 which further comprises a means for making individual aseptic containers from the sonicated and sterilized web of packaging material.

Details for Patent 4,591,485

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.	ZOSTAVAX	zoster vaccine live	For Injection	125123	05/25/2006		2039-09-23