ESL (Extended Shelf Life) Packaging Machine Technologies

International Paper/Evergreen Packaging Equipment are required that control surfaces contacting product. Air quality enclosures of the basic machine are combined with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration (ideally, with laminar flow) to form a Class 100 environment, or "clean room," for the form, fill and seal sections of the machine. The environment is pressurized to assure an outward flow during normal operations and when doors are opened.

ESL machines generally utilize hermetically sealed metering bowls. The fill valves and both sides of the pistons are flooded with product, which prevents air from entering the system. HEPA filtered air occupies head space in the product tank for additional protection. ESL requires a carton forming and sealing system that minimizes carton contamination and auto-sanitizes contact surfaces. These measures can improve refrigerated shelf life up to 24 days for pasteurized dairy products, again depending upon various factors related to processing in the plant and distribution.

Finally, the additional ESL measure of pre-sanitization at 195º - 205º F can extend refrigerated shelf life as far as 28 days - the limit for HTST processed dairy products before they begin to degrade because of non-microbial factors. (This measure also eliminates the need for chemical sterilants.)

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