Abstract: A transfer port system to allow material to transfer between two dockable sterile environments. Two doors provide access to the sterile environments. A peripheral flange frames one of the doors while another peripheral flange forms the opening to the other sterile environment. Doors connect to one another, when the sterile environments are docked, and then move as a unit into the one sterile environment in order to allow the material transfer. Outer and inner gaskets seal the sterile environments and with the peripheral flanges form an interface between the sterile environments during material transfer. The portions of the gaskets and peripheral flanges that were exposed to the unsterile ambient prior to docking are actively heated in order to maintain sterility during the time when the sterile environments are docked and prior to the time that the doors are moved to the open position. The doors can be connected to one another prior to their opening by vacuum.

Abstract: An ampoule sealing apparatus has a pivotable arm for moving an unsealed ampoule from a first position to a second position, a horseshoe-shaped burner defining an interior area in which the ampoule neck is received at the second position. A vibrator attached to the mechanical arm in order to help induce the evacuation of air from the ampoule. A vacuum source, optionally associated with a purge gas source, is associated with the mechanical arm in order to evacuate air from the ampoule and a thermocouple controller monitors the lighting of the burner and shuts off the flow of fuel thereto if the burner is not lit or if the flame is extinguished within a predetermined period of time.