Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filling a molded container and includes an inner filling tube provided with a valve member disposed for sliding engagement within the filling tube. A system is provided for supplying the filling tube with liquid product under pressure and includes a liquid product pressure vessel, a pump for supplying the pressure vessel with liquid product, pressurization means for pressurizing the pressure vessel with a gas such as air, nitrogen, or the like, associated interconnecting conduits, means for controlling the flow of the liquid product under pressure to the filling tube, and means for maintaining a desired amount of liquid product in the pressure vessel. A steam sterilization system and a system integrity testing means are also provided with the liquid product supply system.

Abstract: A method for the sterilization of a machine used in the formation, filling and sealing of plastic containers. A source of sterilizing agent, such as steam, is used to sterilize the various passageways, filters, and components within the machine which, if contaminated, would contaminate the liquid in the filled plastic container. Pressurized air or gas is delivered through sterilized lines having a micro-organism filter. The air flowing out of each filter is sterile and free from bacteria. A series of unique, easy to sterilize, three-position, two-way valves are used to duct pressurized gas and steam to the various components. A special air drop test apparatus is used to operationally check the integrity of the filters without breaching the sterile condition of the various fluid passageways and interconnected components.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed container formed from thermoplastic material is provided with a hollow body having an open end terminating in a tapered wall defining a sealing region about an opening with a decreasing cross-sectional area in the direction toward the interior of the hollow body. A hollow plug insert is provided in the opening and has a peripheral sealing surface generally complementary with the defined sealing region. Over the opening is a closure structure that is unitary with the hollow body, that encloses the plug insert, and that retains the plug insert in the opening. A severable frangible web joins the closure structure to the hollow body outwardly of the opening.

Abstract: An overcap is provided for use with a hermetically sealed container which includes at least an external thread on a peripheral portion of the container, a cover portion closing the container, and a frangible web joining the cover portion to the container threaded portion. The overcap has a closed end, an open end, and at least a generally cylindrical inner peripheral portion oriented about a longitudinal axis with an internal thread on the interior of the overcap. A plurality of flexible fingers is provided on the interior of the overcap and project from the overcap between the overcap thread and the overcap closed end. Each finger projects inwardly toward the longitudinal axis and toward the closed end to accommodate the screwing of the overcap onto the container so that the overcap is operable upon rotation in the unscrewing direction to exert an axial force against the cover portion to fracture the frangible web for removal of the cover portion.

Abstract: A thermoplastic container is shown having an insert sealing the container. The insert includes a membrane which can be pierced to provide access to the inside of the container to draw off a substance such as a sterile liquid. The insert is held by a retaining structure which receives and seals with the insert.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is described for the sterilization of a machine used in the formation, filling and sealing of plastic containers. A source of sterilizing agent, such as steam, is used to sterilize the various passageways, filters, and components within the machine which, if contaminated, would contaminate the liquid in the filled plastic container. Pressurized air or gas is delivered through sterilized lines having a microorganism filter. The air flowing out of each filter is sterile and free from bacteria. A series of unique, easy to sterilize, three-position, two-way valves are used to duct pressurized gas and steam to the various components. A special air drop test apparatus is used to operationally check the integrity of the filters without breaching the sterile condition of the various fluid passageways and interconnected components.

Abstract: A cap threadedly receivable on a severable cover of a hermetically sealed container is provided. The cap has a reduced surface area for engaging an annular bearing surface of the container. Screwing the cap further down onto the container transmits oppositely directed forces to the container body and to the container cover, thereby severing the cover from the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterilization of a machine used in the formation, filling and sealing of plastic containers. A source of sterilizing agent, such as steam, is used to sterilize the various passageways, filters, and components within the machine which, if contaminated, would contaminate the liquid in the filled plastic container. Pressurized air or gas is delivered through sterilized lines having a microorganism filter. The air flowing out of each filter is sterile and free from bacteria. A series of unique, easy to sterilize, three-position, two-way valves are used to duct pressurized gas and steam to the various components. A special air drop test apparatus is used to operationally check the integrity of the filters without breaching the sterile condition of the various fluid passageways and interconnected components.

Abstract: A mold assembly is provided for making a thermoplastic container having a bottom, side and unitary closure or top wall means with a parting line along a plane of symmetry in the bottom and sidewall means but with the parting line offset on the top wall means to define a generally flat, pierceable membrane on a major portion of the exterior surface of the top wall means. The mold assembly molds and seals the container from a tube of thermoplastic material, which assembly includes mold parts having lower sections adapted to open and close relative to a center parting plane to shape the bottom and sidewall means of the container and having a pair of upper sections adapted to shape the unitary closure. One of the upper sections has a removable protuberance for forming a major portion of the container top closure surface with the mold parting line thereon offset relative to the center parting plane of the mold assembly.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed container with plural access ports is provided. The closure includes a severable dome unitary with the container and positioned over the container access opening. The dome is severable from the container by the action of a collar threadedly attached to the container. The dome is further provided with an access aperture that is closed off by a twist-off cap which, upon removal, exposes the dispensing aperture.

Abstract: A unitary, hermetically-sealed but pierceable dispensing container, suitable for packaging parenteral solutions, is made from a flexible, generally tubular body of thermoplastic material utilizing a form, fill and seal technique and a movable, composite mandrel that includes a forming ram member for compression molding from within the container a container wall portion which includes a pierceable membrane. The tubular body is closed at one end and terminates at the other end in a draining region having an access aperture or port sealed by a unitary membrane of predetermined thickness. The membrane permits penetration of a cannula therethrough without coring, and an annular sealing means surrounding the aperture is adapted for frictional and sealing engagement of the cannula after the membrane has been penetrated.