초록 ▼

A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More

A system (10) and method for substantially automatically aseptically or non-aseptically filling a container with a fluid. The transfer of fluid occurs via a movable nozzle mechanism (20) substantially automatically inserted into a side opening (32) in a connector (12) attached to the container. More specifically, the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is exposed, the nozzle mechanism (20) is moved into the side opening (32), the fluid is transferred into the container via the nozzle mechanism (20) and the connector (12), the nozzle mechanism (20) is removed from the side opening (32) in the connector (12), and the side opening (32) in the connector (12) is closed. The aseptic transfer of fluid includes a substantially automatic sterilization procedure accomplished by both spray and contact components (54,56).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for filling a container with a fluid, wherein the container is provided with an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the system comprising: a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, wherein the removal mechanism moves a

1. A system for filling a container with a fluid, wherein the container is provided with an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the system comprising: a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, wherein the removal mechanism moves along a first substantially linear path;a nozzle mechanism operable to direct the fluid into the container through the lower fitting portion, wherein the nozzle mechanism moves along a second substantially linear path which is oriented angularly with respect to the first substantially linear path;a support structure operable to support the container, wherein the support structure is movable between a first position in which the container is aligned with the first substantially linear path of the removal mechanism and a second position in which the container is aligned with the second substantially linear path of the nozzle mechanism; andan actuator mechanism operable to cause the support structure to move between the first and second positions, wherein the actuator mechanism is a handle, and a first movement of the handle causes the removal mechanism to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the second position, and the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path into close proximity with the lower fitting portion; anda second movement of the handle causes the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path away from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the first position, and the removal mechanism to replace the upper fitting portion onto the lower fitting portion. 2. A system for filling a container with a fluid, wherein the container is provided with an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the system comprising: a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, wherein the removal mechanism moves along a first substantially linear path;a nozzle mechanism operable to direct the fluid into the container through the lower fitting portion, wherein the nozzle mechanism moves along a second substantially linear path which is oriented angularly with respect to the first substantially linear path;a support structure operable to support the container, wherein the support structure is movable between a first position in which the container is aligned with the first substantially linear path of the removal mechanism and a second position in which the container is aligned with the second substantially linear path of the nozzle mechanism and an actuator mechanism operable to cause the support structure to move between the first and second positions,wherein the upper fitting portion is initially in a closed but not locked position on the lower fitting portion, in which the upper fitting portion is in a higher position on the lower fitting portion, and the removal mechanism replaces the upper fitting portion onto the lower fitting portion in a closed and locked position in which the upper fitting portion is in a lower position on the lower fitting portion. 3. The system as set forth in claim 2, wherein the higher position is defined by a first detent mechanism, and the lower position is defined by a second detent mechanism. 4. A system comprising: a container having a connector including an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the lower fitting portion having a top surface and a port provided in the top surface;a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion to expose the port, wherein the removal mechanism moves along a first substantially linear path;a nozzle mechanism operable to direct the fluid into the container through the port, wherein the nozzle mechanism moves along a second substantially linear path which is oriented angularly with respect to the first substantially linear path;a support structure operable to support the container, wherein the support structure is movable between a first position in which the upper fitting portion is oriented with the first substantially linear path of the removal mechanism and a second position in which the lower fitting portion is oriented with the second substantially linear path of the nozzle mechanism; andan actuator mechanism operable to cause the support structure to move between the first and second positions, wherein the actuator mechanism is a handle, and a first movement of the handle causes the removal mechanism to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the second position, and the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path into close proximity with the lower fitting portion; anda second movement of the handle causes the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path away from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the first position, and the removal mechanism to replace the upper fitting portion onto the lower fitting portion. 5. A system comprising: a container having a connector including an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the lower fitting portion having a top surface and a port provided in the top surface;a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion to expose the port, wherein the removal mechanism moves along a first substantially linear path;a nozzle mechanism operable to direct the fluid into the container through the port, wherein the nozzle mechanism moves along a second substantially linear path which is oriented angularly with respect to the first substantially linear path;a support structure operable to support the container, wherein the support structure is movable between a first position in which the upper fitting portion is oriented with the first substantially linear path of the removal mechanism and a second position in which the lower fitting portion is oriented with the second substantially linear path of the nozzle mechanism; andan actuator mechanism operable to cause the support structure to move between the first and second positions, whereinthe upper fitting portion is initially in a closed but not locked position in which the upper fitting portion is in a higher position on the lower fitting portion, andthe removal mechanism replaces the upper fitting portion onto the lower fitting portion in a closed and locked position in which the upper fitting portion is in a lower position on the lower fitting portion. 6. The system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the higher position is defined by a first detent mechanism, and the lower position is defined by a second detent mechanism. 7. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the connector further includes a septum component which is fitted over the port and puncturable to access the fluid within the filled container. 8. The system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the connector further includes a locking mechanism positioned over the upper fitting portion. 9. A system for filling a container with a fluid, wherein the container is provided with a connector including an upper fitting portion and a lower fitting portion, the system comprising: a removal mechanism operable to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion;a nozzle mechanism operable to direct the fluid into the container through the lower fitting portion, wherein the nozzle mechanism is spaced apart from and oriented angularly relative to the removal mechanism;a support structure operable to support the container, wherein the support structure is movable between a first position in which the container is aligned with the removal mechanism and a second position in which the container is aligned with the nozzle mechanism; andan actuator mechanism operable to cause the support structure to move between the first and second positions, wherein the actuator mechanism is a handle, anda first movement of the handle causes the removal mechanism to remove the upper fitting portion from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the second position, and the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path into close proximity with the lower fitting portion; anda second movement of the handle causes the nozzle mechanism to move along the second substantially linear path away from the lower fitting portion, the support structure to move to the first position, and the removal mechanism to replace the upper fitting portion onto the lower fitting portion.