초록 ▼

An apparatus and method are used for emptying a container in a hygienic (preferably aseptic), for example, aseptic manner. In one embodiment, the device comprises a housing having a first aperture that opens to a first internal chamber and a second aperture that opens to a second internal chamber. T

An apparatus and method are used for emptying a container in a hygienic (preferably aseptic), for example, aseptic manner. In one embodiment, the device comprises a housing having a first aperture that opens to a first internal chamber and a second aperture that opens to a second internal chamber. The second internal chamber is generally hygienic and opens to a hygienic storage tank or the like at the second aperture. A sealing member is disposed about the first aperture for sealing the container to be emptied over the first aperture. A sterilizing apparatus is provided for rendering the first internal chamber generally hygienic when the container has been sealed over the first aperture. A chamber separating mechanism is utilized to selectively provide fluid communication between, the first and second internal chambers. A cutting member is operable to cut the container in the area of the first aperture to thereby allow the container to be emptied into the first internal chamber.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim as my invention:] [1.] A device for emptying a container in a generally hygienic manner, the device comprising:a housing having a first aperture that opens to a first internal chamber and having a second aperture that opens to a second internal chamber, the second internal chamber being ge

[ I claim as my invention:] [1.] A device for emptying a container in a generally hygienic manner, the device comprising:a housing having a first aperture that opens to a first internal chamber and having a second aperture that opens to a second internal chamber, the second internal chamber being generally hygienic;a sealing member disposed about the first aperture for sealing the container to be emptied over the first aperture;sterilizing means for rendering the first internal chamber generally hygienic when the container has been sealed over the first aperture;chamber separating means for selectively providing fluid communication between the first and second internal chambers, the chamber separating means being operable to seal the first internal chamber from the second internal chamber when the first internal chamber is exposed to a non-hygienic environment, and operable to allow fluid communication between the first and second internal chambers after the first internal chamber has been rendered generally hygienic by the sterilizing means, the chamber separating means comprising a piston moveable between a first position in which it defines and seals the first internal chamber and a second position in which the first and second internal chambers are in fluid communication; anda cutting member operable to cut the container in the area of the first aperture to thereby allow the container to be emptied into the first internal chamber.