Our Extended Long Life (ELL) machines represent the ultimate expression of sanitary packaging design. These machines bring together aseptic technology and apply them to a refrigerated product to maintain maximum control over potential product contamination. Evergreen ELL machines begin with hot water pre-sanitation and auto-sanitizing of surfaces that contact product and carton interiors. Add to these measures an advanced air quality design incorporating HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration and, on certain models, a continuous ultra-violet decontamination of plenum surfaces. This design forms a self-contained “clean room” within the machine. A double class 100 environment, one inside the other is standard. Depending on application, various package sanitation methods are available. While packaging configurations and materials do contribute to the maintainability of product quality for refrigerated products, this discussion of ELL packaging focuses on machine technology. To achieve the expected shelf life of ELL machines, the minimal process requirements are UHT processed product with SPC to the filler of less than one.
Benefits of ELL
Minimum Packaging Machine Requirements ELL technologies begin where ESL technologies leave off. There are no sanitation options; all product quality maintaining enhancements are required. In order to maintain maximum control over potential product contamination, ELL machines leave virtually nothing to chance in the packaging environment. The ELL machines include the following technologies:
ELL Packaged Products When used to package UHT processed dairy products in standard packaging, these multiple ELL measures combine to produce refrigerated shelf life for dairy products of up to 45 days. Selecting advanced packaging configurations, materials and pre-treatments, product quality can be maintained up to 90 days. For juice, the microbiological quality of refrigerated products can be sustained beyond 100 days with ELL technology.