Apparatus and method of sterile filling of containers
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B65B-055/08
B65B-055/04
B65B-043/40
B65B-007/28
B65B-057/00
출원번호
US-0218897
(2005-09-02)
등록번호
US-7322170
(2008-01-29)
발명자
/ 주소
Tomalesky,Richard
Barland,Lance
Peastrel,Mark C.
Slazyk,Joel C.
Logeman,Douglas C.
출원인 / 주소
Mediatech, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Acker Wood,Gwendolyn R.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
13인용 특허 :
22
초록▼
An apparatus for the sterile filling of containers sterilizes the containers before supplying them, with their caps on, to a substantially airtight chamber for filling. A precision lead screw precisely positions each container under the appropriate capping/uncapping mechanism and the appropriate fil
An apparatus for the sterile filling of containers sterilizes the containers before supplying them, with their caps on, to a substantially airtight chamber for filling. A precision lead screw precisely positions each container under the appropriate capping/uncapping mechanism and the appropriate filling needle. Filling and capping of each container is individually controlled so that each container is filled with a precise amount of liquid, and each cap is applied with the proper torque. The minimized number of components of the system minimizes the potential openings through which unfiltered air may enter the apparatus. Keeping the containers capped except while they're actually being filled minimizes the opportunity for any bacteria or viruses to enter the container.
대표청구항▼
The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for sterile filling of containers, each container having a cap, the apparatus comprising: a sterilization apparatus; a workstation enclosure in communication with the sterilization apparatus, the enclosure being structured to resist entry of unfiltered air
The invention claimed is: 1. An apparatus for sterile filling of containers, each container having a cap, the apparatus comprising: a sterilization apparatus; a workstation enclosure in communication with the sterilization apparatus, the enclosure being structured to resist entry of unfiltered air into the workstation enclosure; a capping and uncapping workstation within the workstation enclosure; a filling workstation within the workstation enclosure; a pair of feed screws having threads structured to receive a plurality of containers therebetween, at least one of the feed screws being further structured to position the containers under the capping and uncapping workstation; and a drive mechanism for moving the containers between the capping and uncapping workstation and the filling workstation. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the capping and uncapping workstation further includes: at least one rotating gripper structured to grip the cap therein, to rotate in a first direction to remove the cap, and to rotate in a second direction to secure the cap to the container; and means for raising and lowering the gripper. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gripper further includes at least a pair of jaws structured to move between an open position and a closed position wherein the pair of jaws are positioned to grip a cap of a container. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the jaws are opened and closed by air pressure. 5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for raising and lowering the gripper include a motor operatively connected to a linear slide to which the gripper is mounted. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for measuring torque associated with the rotating gripper; and a programmable logic controller, microprocessor, or computer for controlling rotation of the rotating gripper, and for stopping rotation of the rotating gripper upon the torque reaching a predetermined amount. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the means for measuring torque associated with the rotating gripper include a servo motor operatively connected to the gripper, and a current sensor structured to measure current drawn by the servo motor. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filling workstation further includes: a filling system for each container, each filling system comprising: a fluid path from a source to a filling needle structured for insertion into the container; a flow meter disposed along the fluid path; a valve structured to resist fluid flow; and a programmable logic controller, microprocessor, or computer structured to receive fluid flow information from the flow meter and to close the valve upon the passage of a predetermined amount of fluid through the flow meter. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each valve of the filling system is a pinch valve. 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a vision system structured to verify that each container being filled is uncapped. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a clean-in-place system. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the clean-in-place system includes a drain disposed under the filling needles. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drain includes an aperture structured to receive each of the filling needles. 14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the workstation enclosure includes an air inlet having a filter and structured to maintain a positive pressure of filtered air within the workstation enclosure. 15. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a container loading station structured to feed a predetermined number of containers. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the container loading station includes a loading station enclosure that is structured to resist the entry of unfiltered air therein. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the loading station enclosure includes an air inlet having a filter and structured to maintain a positive pressure of filtered air within the loading station enclosure. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization apparatus is structured to apply ultraviolet radiation to the containers. 19. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vision system disposed after the capping and uncapping workstation and the filling workstation, the vision system being structured to inspect the containers after filling. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a reject station disposed adjacent to the vision system; and means for moving a container to the reject station upon the container being identified as rejected. 21. A method of sterile filling of containers, comprising: providing a sterilization apparatus; providing a workstation enclosure in communication with the sterilization apparatus, the enclosure being structured to resist entry of unfiltered air into the workstation enclosure; providing a capping and uncapping workstation within the workstation enclosure; providing a filling workstation within the workstation enclosure; providing a plurality of containers having caps, with the caps on the containers; providing a pair of feed screws having threads structured to receive a plurality of containers therebetween, at least one of the feed screws being further structured to position the containers under the capping and uncapping workstation and the filling workstation; providing a drive mechanism for moving the containers between the capping and uncapping workstation and the filling workstation; transporting the containers through the sterilization apparatus; transporting the containers directly from the sterilization apparatus into the workstation enclosure; removing the caps from the containers; filling the containers; and replacing the caps on the containers. 22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising maintaining a positive pressure of filtered air within the workstation enclosure. 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: providing a container loading station structured to feed a predetermined number of containers, the container loading station having a loading station enclosure that is structured to resist the entry of unfiltered air therein; and feeding containers into the sterilization apparatus from the container loading station. 24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising individually controlling a torque applied to each cap during capping and uncapping. 25. The method according to claim 21, further comprising individually monitoring and controlling the volume of fluid deposited into each container during filling.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (22)
Arnemann Gerhard (Am Krnrey 11 D-2083 Halstenbek DEX), Apparatus for filling containers with a flowable medium.
Schieser Warren J. (Dublin OH) Vickers Stanley E. (Hideaway Hills OH), Continuous rotary machine for uncapping, filling and recapping flexible bags having separable caps.
Arnemann Gerhard (Am Krnrey 11 D-2083 Halstenbek DEX), Device for the screwing in and the screwing out of screw caps etc. into or out of the filler necks of barrels, container.
Duffey Craig L. (Galena OH) Estadt Charles A. (Groveport OH) Gerdeman Roger J. (Columbus OH), Method and apparatus for automatically filling and sterilizing containers.
Jorba Ribes, Javier; Sanchez Sabate, José R.; Morales Pérez, Ramón, Method and apparatus for controlling the filling of containers under aseptic conditions.
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