초록 ▼

An apparatus for aseptically filling premanufactured, presterilized, flexible containers, connected in a continuous web, includes a chamber with an inlet mouth for receiving empty containers seriatim, and an outlet mouth for dispensing filled containers seriatim. The inlet and outlet mouths have res

An apparatus for aseptically filling premanufactured, presterilized, flexible containers, connected in a continuous web, includes a chamber with an inlet mouth for receiving empty containers seriatim, and an outlet mouth for dispensing filled containers seriatim. The inlet and outlet mouths have respective seals for sealing to the surface of the containers to prevent entry of contaminants into the chamber. This chamber is partitioned to form a spraying compartment, adjacent to the inlet mouth, and a filling compartment, adjacent to the outlet mouth, with a drying compartment therebetween. A sterilizing agent is continuously sprayed, as a mist, into the spraying compartment to coat the exterior of the containers with the sterilizing agent as they are serially advanced through the chamber. This mist also provides an aseptic barrier between the inlet mouth and the drying compartment. A source of sterile air is input to the filling compartment to maintain a positive pressure therein, and thus, prevent entry of contaminants. This heated sterile air flows from the filling compartment to the drying compartment to dry the containers after they have been sprayed. The containers are then advanced to the filling compartment where they are filled and dispensed through the outlet mouth. The length of time the empty containers are exposed to the atmosphere, and thus, the amount of contamination on the exterior of the containers, may be reduced by utilizing the sealed overwrap bag, in which the containers are presterilized, to form a relatively sterile tunnel for feeding the containers to the inlet mouth.

대표청구항 ▼

In a container filling apparatus comprising (a) feed means for serially advancing containers connected in a continuous web, from an entry port to a dispensing port, and (b) an aseptic filling compartment between said ports having a filling means for filling said containers, a method for introducing

In a container filling apparatus comprising (a) feed means for serially advancing containers connected in a continuous web, from an entry port to a dispensing port, and (b) an aseptic filling compartment between said ports having a filling means for filling said containers, a method for introducing said containers into said apparatus and dispensing them from said apparatus without introducing contaminants into said aseptic filling compartment, said method comprising: applying a positive pressure to said aseptic filling compartment, to maintain an aseptic environment in said compartment, by introducing a sterile gas therein; providing said web of containers prepackaged in a sealed overwrap container and presterilized in said overwrap container; applying a positive pressure within said overwrap container by introducing sterile gas therein; forming an opening in said overwrap container to permit connection of said overwrap container to said entry port; operably connecting one end of said continuous web of containers to said feed means to permit said feed means to advance said continuous web of containers through said apparatus from said entry port to said dispensing port; sealing said opening in said overwrap container to said entry port; spraying said containers with an antiseptic liquid, as they are advanced from said entry port to said filling means by said feed means; heating said containers, prior to reaching said filling means; advancing said containers to said aseptic filling means, by said feed means, after said containers are heated, to permit said containers to be filled by said filling means; and dispensing said containers, after they are filled, through said dispensing port.