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An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to a second surface of the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and optionally each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the

An aseptic packaging system includes a film unwind device; a fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments; an apparatus for attaching each of the fitments to a second surface of the film; an assembly for sterilizing the film and optionally each of the fitments; an assembly for drying the film and optionally each of the fitments; and a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making packages from the sterilized film and each of the fitments, each package comprising a pouch comprising a first and second transverse seal, a first and second fold, an interior and exterior surface, and a longitudinal seal; and an external fitment sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch; and a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. An aseptic process and package are also disclosed.

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1. A method of making an aseptic package in a vertical/fill/seal process comprising: a) providing a lay-flat film on a first roll of film, the lay-flat film comprising a first and second surface;b) providing a plurality of fitments;c) unwinding the film from the first roll of film;d) advancing the l

1. A method of making an aseptic package in a vertical/fill/seal process comprising: a) providing a lay-flat film on a first roll of film, the lay-flat film comprising a first and second surface;b) providing a plurality of fitments;c) unwinding the film from the first roll of film;d) advancing the lay-flat film to an apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film;e) feeding each of the plurality of fitments from a fitment feed device to the apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film;f) attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the second surface of the film;g) advancing the film, with the plurality of fitments attached to the second surface thereof, to an assembly for sterilizing the film and each of the plurality of fitments;h) sterilizing the film and each of the plurality of fitments;i) advancing the sterilized film, with the plurality of sterilized fitments attached to the second surface thereof, to an assembly for drying the film and each of the plurality of fitments;j) drying the film and each of the plurality of fitments;k) advancing the sterilized film, with the plurality of sterilized fitments attached to the second surface thereof, to a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making a plurality of packages from the sterilized film and each of the plurality of sterilized fitments;l) advancing the sterilized film over a forming device to convert the lay-flat film to a folded film having a sterilized interior surface;m) advancing each of the plurality of sterilized fitments with the film such that when the package is made, a fitment is disposed on an exterior surface of each package;n) making a longitudinal seal in the folded film;o) transversely sealing the folded film to produce a first transverse seal to define a first pouch, wherein the first transverse seal is a bottom transverse seal of the first pouch;p) putting a sterilized product in the first pouch;q) advancing the folded film, with the first pouch, downward a predetermined distance;r) transversely sealing the first pouch to produce a top transverse seal in the first pouch, and a bottom transverse seal in a second pouch, the second pouch disposed above the first pouch; ands) transversely cutting the folded film to separate the first pouch from the second pouch to make a package, the package comprising i) a pouch comprising (a) a first transverse seal at a first end of the pouch,(b) a second transverse seal at a second end of the pouch,(c) a first fold at a first side of the pouch,(d) a second fold at a second side of the pouch,(e) a sterilized interior surface,(f) the exterior surface,(g) a longitudinal seal extending from the first end of the pouch to the second end of the pouch; and(h) an external fitment sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch; andii) a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. 2. The method of claim 1 comprising, in step f), partially attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the second surface of the film; and any time after step f) and before step n), completing the attachment of each of the plurality of fitments to the film. 3. An aseptic packaging system comprising: a) a film unwind device for unwinding a film from a first roll of film;b) a external fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments;c) an apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film;d) an assembly for sterilizing the film and each of the plurality of fitments;e) an assembly for drying the film and each of the plurality of fitments, wherein the assembly for drying the film and each of the plurality of fitments comprises a fixed mandrel, disposed opposite each fitment, adapted to deflect the film as each fitment advances through the drying chamber, resulting in diversion of the film away from unattached portions of each fitment to facilitate drying of each fitment; andf) a vertical form/fill seal apparatus for making a plurality of packages from the sterilized film and each of the plurality of sterilized fitments, each package comprising i) a pouch comprising (a) a first transverse seal at a first end of the pouch,(b) a second transverse seal at a second end of the pouch,(c) a first fold at a first side of the pouch,(d) a second fold at a second side of the pouch,(e) an interior surface,(f) an exterior surface,(g) a longitudinal seal extending from the first end of the pouch to the second end of the pouch; and(h) an external fitment sealed to the exterior surface of the pouch; andii) a sterilized product disposed in the pouch. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the system comprises a second roll of film, a second end of the first roll of film capable of being spliced to a first end of the second roll of film. 5. The system of claim 3 wherein the fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments comprises an orienter for aligning the plurality of fitments in a pre-determined direction, and a guiding device for guiding each of the plurality of fitments to the apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film. 6. The system of claim 3 wherein the fitment feed device for feeding a plurality of fitments comprises an orienter for aligning the plurality of fitments in a pre-determined direction, and a guiding device for guiding each of the plurality of fitments to the apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film in sequential fashion. 7. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of fitments comprises an annular ring, and a central orifice. 8. The system of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of fitments comprises an annular ring, a central orifice, and an annular depression disposed on the inner surface of the annular ring. 9. The system of claim 3 wherein the apparatus for attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film comprises an apparatus for partially attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film, and the vertical form/fill/seal apparatus comprises a device for completing the attachment of each of the plurality of fitments to the film. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the apparatus for partially attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film comprises a sealing assembly wherein a seal bar seals the film to only a portion of the fitment at two regions on the fitment, the two regions spaced apart from one another. 11. The system of claim 9 wherein the apparatus for partially attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film comprises a sealing system wherein each of the plurality of fitments comprises an annular ring, and a central orifice, and a seal bar seals the film to only a portion of the annular ring, at two regions on the annular ring, the two regions spaced apart from one another. 12. The system of claim 9 wherein the apparatus for partially attaching each of the plurality of fitments to the film comprises a sealing system wherein each of the plurality of fitments comprises an annular ring, and a central orifice, and a seal bar seals the film to only a portion of the annular ring, at two regions on the annular ring, the two regions spaced apart from one another by about 180°. 13. The system of claim 3 wherein the assembly for sterilizing the film and each of the plurality of fitments comprises a hydrogen peroxide bath. 14. The system of claim 3 wherein the assembly for drying the film and each of the plurality of fitments comprises a drying chamber, wherein the drying chamber comprises a tubular device for projecting sterile air onto each of the plurality of fitments as each fitment advances through the drying chamber. 15. The system of claim 9 wherein the device for completing the attachment of each of the plurality of fitments to the film comprises a sealing assembly wherein a seal bar completes the attachment of each of the partially attached plurality of fitments to the second surface of the film.