Abstract: A food packaging system wherein one or more food component preparation lines deliver heated, e.g., cooked, components to a packaging station that operates at overpressure to maintain aseptic conditions as a container is filled and sealed. The preparation line may be a high pressure heated conduit, a covered batch conveyer, sealed pocket feeder or similar line, and prepares each component at a temperature and time suitable for the particular ingredient. Plural separate preparation lines may deliver different food components to the pressure chamber in which filling occurs, and each component attains a narrowly-defined degree of cooking or uniform stage of undercooking. A loading lock interfaces the packaging and preparation sections so as to prevent evaporative fluid loss or cooling and preserve aseptic conditions during filling and sealing.

Abstract: An automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system includes a tablet packaging unit, a base cabinet, a swing cabinet, tablet cassettes in each cabinet and tablet passages for dropping tablets. The base cabinet is mounted on top of the packaging unit. The swing cabinet is swingably engaged to the base cabinet so the swing cabinet becomes swingable to and from the front surface of the base cabinet, whereby the first swing cabinet is attached to and swiveled on the base cabinet to open when required. The tablet cassettes are detachably racked in said each cabinet in columns and rows. When the swing cabinet is swung open, the tablet passages of the swing cabinet are externally exposed to facilitate either cleaning or vacuuming of the tablet passages.

Abstract: A method and assembly are provided for cleaning and refilling wares for delivering food, e.g. trays, plates, bowls and cutlery, as might be used on airlines and in the health care industry. The wares are provided in sets and kept together in sets. After washing of each set, it is cooled if necessary and is allocated to one of a plurality of distinct refilling lines for refilling and reuse. This can be achieved by providing a conveyor line along which are arranged a washer, dryer and cooling unit to keep the wares together, and a the refilling station downstream of the conveyor. The invention provides a basket including a base portion and a frame portion. The frame portion is insertable into the base portion, and may be replaced by other frames to accommodate different sets of wares. Separate lines can be provided for galley and business class wares, and, simultaneously, commissary carts can be replenished in a separate area.

Abstract: A treatment machine for pharmaceutical products formed as a filling and closing machine has an insulator which surrounds a sterile treatment region, a substantially plate-shaped partition which separates the sterile treatment region from an unsterile drive region, at least one movable drive member for driving treatment functions, the drive member is drivable from the unsterile region for its movement, extends through the partition into the sterile treatment region and is surrounded over at least one longitudinal portion by a passage through which a medium is supplied, the passage in an end region which extends in the sterile treatment region is open by at least one opening toward the sterile treatment region, so that a sterilization medium is aspirated from the sterile treatment region through the at least one opening into the passage and is aspirated through the passage in direction toward the unsterile drive region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the concentration of a substance in a sample in the presence of an interfering material by means of light absorption, and an apparatus therefore. By measuring the light absorbance at two different wavelengths the disturbing influences of interfering materials such as dust particles, dirt and bubbles may be compensated for. By also measuring the intensity of the light emitted from the light source but which has not yet passed through the measurement sample, simultaneously with the measurements of the absorbance of the light transmitted through the sample, at each wavelength measured, the true concentration may be determined by improved accuracy.

Abstract: A unit (3) for sterilizing strip packaging material (2) with preapplied opening devices (5) on a packaging machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit (3) having a bath (8) for containing a sterilizing agent in which the material (2) is fed continuously, and an aseptic chamber (15) having an input (12) connected to an output of the bath (8); the aseptic chamber (15) houses two drying rollers (20) cooperating with opposite faces of the material (2) and having respective recesses (20a) at a longitudinal portion (2a) of the material (2) fitted with the opening devices (5), and two nozzles (27) for directing sterile air onto the longitudinal portion (2a) of the material (2).

Abstract: An automatic capping equipment comprises at least a rotary screwing head (10) able to screw a cap (19) onto the mouth of a container (9) fed below said screwing head (10). The screwing head (10) operates in a sterile area (23) of the equipment (1) and is supported by a related sliding support shaft (12) destined to be animated with an alternating motion, whereto are associated heating means. the heating means (25) are positioned in correspondence with an operating part (12a) of each support shaft (12) proximate to said sterile area (23) and are able to perform a heating action that is localised to said operating part (12a) of the shaft (12) to maintain it at such a temperature as to guarantee its sterile condition and in such a way that the remaining part of each shaft (12) is not substantially heated by the heating means (25).

Abstract: A packaging machine having multiple modules each performing a separate function in a packaging sequence. The modules are building blocks that are assembled to define a packaging machine. An infeed conveyor/lane divider module, a blank magazine and infeed tray module, a collation and synchronization module, a gluing and closing module, a turning module, a stacking module, a film cutting module, a film wrapping module and a heat shrink module are selectively assembled in various combinations to define machines that pack articles into trays, wrap the articles with heat shrink film, turn the packages, stack the packages for multi-tier packages, or any combination of these functions. The modules each have an independent conveyor driven by an onboard servo drive. The servo drives are coordinated to provide controlled flow of articles from module to module. The servo drives are all connected to and controlled by a supervisory computer such that no mechanical connection between modules is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed providing a plurality of sterile zones within a sterilization tunnel in an aseptic packaging apparatus. The sterile zones provide a plurality of sterilant concentration levels within the sterilization tunnel. Additionally, the sterile zones provide a plurality of gas flow rates within the sterilization tunnel.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling beverage containers under an inert-gas atmosphere. The apparatus includes a stationary filling tool (20) to which the containers (1) are moved and a device for filling the containers with inert gas prior to a beverage-filling procedure. A container engaging element (19) of the filling tool is mounted in a processing chamber (12) that is charged with inert gas and encloses the container (1) in a fill-ready position. The containers are moved through an entry sluice space (11), which can be shut off from the outside and from the processing chamber, by sluice doors (10.1, 10.2).

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with aseptically operating packing machines and with a process for the pre-sterilization thereof. For jointly spraying steam and sterilizing agent at a single point into a sterile air supply channel which terminates in the sterile chamber of the packing machine, a mixing nozzle is arranged in the air supply channel directly downstream behind a sterile air filter. For pre-sterilizing purposes the treatment tools possibly still in hot condition and contained in the sterile chamber, prior to commencement of the pre-sterilizing process, are brought to a temperature below 120° C. The mixture of water vapor and sterilizing agent is effectuated by means of the mixing nozzle to which both components are supplied. The steam supply to the nozzle is effectuated by a pressure relief valve followed by a regulation of the steam volume, while the supply of sterilizing agent to the nozzle is effectuated from a stock of sterilizing agent held at a constant pressure.

Abstract: A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member (12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after opening.

Abstract: An improved device for automatically wrapping eating utensils in a napkin of the type having hoppers for holding the eating utensils sortingly, a tray for holding the napkin, a staging assembly for receiving the napkin from the tray and the eating utensils from the hoppers on top of the napkin, a wrapping assembly for wrapping the napkin around the eating utensils so as to form a wrapped set of eating utensils, and a banding assembly for providing a band around, so as to hold together, the wrapped set of eating utensils. The improvement includes an ultraviolet light assembly disposed in each of the hoppers and which generates ultraviolet light directly upon all surfaces of the eating utensils after the eating utensils have been loaded into the hoppers so as to sanitize the eating utensils from contaminates the eating utensils picked up prior to, and during, loading of the eating utensils into the hoppers.

Abstract: A method for the cold sterilization of a tunnel-type oven (1) for the hot sterilization of bottles, having an input chamber (3), a hot sterilization chamber (4), a cooling chamber (5) and a conveyor (6). The method consists of a sequence of operating phases which have to be carried out periodically when the oven is empty. The method includes airtightly closing the input (31) and output (51) openings of the oven (1), suppyling a pre-defined amount of cold sterilization fluid mixed with air, until all the inner surfaces of the oven (1) are reached by the fluid, opening a recycling duct (37); stopping the supply of cold sterilization fluid, and supplying the oven (1) with humidity and temperature controlled air.

Abstract: A system of dividing an endless, wide multi-layered web of packing material into a plurality of individual webs of equal width and aseptically processing the individual webs comprises laser-cutting elongated slits into the endless wide multi-layered web at a distance corresponding to the width of the individual webs to produce the individual webs, the slits extending through all layers of the web except for a web layer remote from the laser, which is only notched at least at selected distances, whereby the notched remote web layer holds the individual webs together, then sterilizing the laser-cut multi-layered web in a sterilization station, and conveying the sterilized, laser-cut multi-layered web in a sterile chamber to a number of tube-shaping elements corresponding to the number of individual webs, the notched remote web layer being torn by the tube-shaping elements to separate the individual webs from each other.

Abstract: A filter package having a long shelf-life and containing substantially no contaminants comprises a filter cartridge, a flexible bag surrounding the filter cartridge having walls comprising a polymeric material impervious to microorganisms and liquid water, a venting mechanism formed in a wall of the flexible bag, and sanitized water sealed inside the flexible bag and immersing substantially 100% of a volume of the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge includes a porous filter medium having a plurality of pores through which a fluid can pass between an upstream side and a downstream side of the filter cartridge and the sanitized water substantially permeates the pores of the filter medium. The venting mechanism includes a vent filter preventing the passage of microorganisms into the flexible bag.

Abstract: An aseptic filling system receives preformed containers through an intake sanitizing lock into a closed system. The containers move through sanitizing and sterilizing zones to a filling and closure zone. Filled containers exit the system through a discharge sanitizing lock. Both intake and discharge sanitizing locks are subjected to flooding with sterilant each time a container enters or leaves the system and provide a seal to prevent the entry of airborne contaminants or micro-organisms when the locks are opened.

Abstract: There is now provided a method and an apparatus therefor for stabilizing products in containers in a continuous container flow by stationary, sequential sections by means of overflowing liquid, whereby the sections are graduated with respect to one another in terms of their liquid temperature, and for purposes of efficient liquid recycling are organized in pairs, so that the liquid is transported by overflow among sections, and to set the desired temperature of the overflowing liquid, liquid is added to the liquid being transported, characterized by the fact that the excess liquid in the at least one zone overflows in a cascade fashion from zone to zone of increasing overflow temperature and into liquid reservoirs.

Abstract: Packaging machine, in particular for cigarettes, having subassemblies and elements for handling packaging material and cigarettes. In order to reduce the outlay on servicing for the packaging machine, the practice, in the region where dust and material particles occur to a pronounced extent, is for air to be extracted constantly or temporarily by suction, the particles being carried along in the process. Furthermore, particles adhering to articles, in particular to material webs, may be processed mechanically, in particular by brushes (41, 42), in order for particles to be detached and extracted by suction.

Abstract: A unit (3) for sterilizing strip packaging material (2) on a packaging machine (1) for packaging pourable food products, the unit (3) having a bath (8) for containing a sterilizing agent in which the packaging material is fed continuously; an aseptic chamber (15) having an input (12) connected to an output of the bath (8); and an auxiliary recirculating circuit (28) having a blower (30) for aspirating air from the aseptic chamber (15), and two nozzles (27) located close to the input (12) of the aseptic chamber (15) to direct a jet of sterile air onto an intermediate longitudinal portion (2a) of the packaging material (2) having preapplied opening devices (5).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing liquid remover and a method of removing the sterilizing liquid which can easily remove/dry the sterilizing liquid which remains at the step portion formed by the sealing tape and the web which forms the container's interior side in the packing material web having the sealing tape adhered to its side end portion. Driblets on the surface of the web are squeezed by squeeze rollers 30 disposed such that they can open and close while sandwiching the transfer route of the web W having the sealing tape adhered to its side end portion therebetween, the heated air is blasted at the step portion formed by the sealing tape and the web by the second air knife 20, then the heated air is blasted at the whole width of both faces of the web by the first air knives 10, and the sterilizing liquid is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cleaning and refilling wares for delivering food, e.g. trays, plates, bowls and cutlery, as might be used on airlines and in the health care industry. The wares are provided in sets and kept together in sets. After washing of each set, it is cooled if necessary and immediately refilled, for reuse. This can be achieved by providing a conveyor line along which are arranged a washer, dryer and cooling unit to keep the wares together. The invention provides a basket, configured to hold a number of sets of wares, the exact number depending upon the types of wares.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for filling a container with product under sterile conditions during filling thereof in a filling cycle, comprising means having a part for dispensing product in a sterile manner during the filling cycle, by a part adapted for sterilizing at least a part of the container during the filling cycle, and by means adapted to provide flushing of the second-mentioned part during the filling cycle. The means comprises a closure of the second-mentioned part, the arrangement being such that there is a relative reciprocable motion between the means and the remainder of the second-mentioned part, whereby to effect a pulsating flushing action in the second-mentioned part.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with so-called sterile tunnels or tubes on aseptically operating packing machines. During operation, sterile air und during the pre-sterilizing phase, sterilizing fluid can flow through the telescopic tubular sealants provided on sterile tunnels or tubes of this type for the passage of mounting linkages of working elements disposed in the sterile chamber of the tunnel. To safely strike and destroy, during the pre-sterilization of the sterile tunnel, all germs contained in the labyrinth-type telescopic tubular sealant, discharge openings are provided in the upper part of the telescopic tubular sealant.

Abstract: Method of cleaning packaging machines, in particular cigarette packaging machines, with the aid of cleaning bodies (22) which are directed through the packaging machine instead of pack contents and packaging material. The cleaning bodies (22) are thus configured and dimensioned in approximately the same way as the pack contents—cigarette group—or pack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cleaning and refilling wares for delivering food, e.g. trays, plates, bowls and cutlery, as might be used on airlines and in the health care industry. The wares are provided in sets and kept together in sets. After washing of each set, it is cooled if necessary and immediately refilled, for reuse. This can be achieved by providing a conveyor line along which are arranged a washer, dryer and cooling unit to keep the wares together. The invention provides a basket, configured to hold a number of sets of wares, the exact number depending upon the types of wares.

Abstract: An arrangement for sterilizing a flat web of a packing foil, which comprises a sterile casing having an inlet and an outlet, a rod-shaped UV radiator disposed in the sterile casing, a guide for guiding the web in a circular path around the UV radiator, the UV radiator being centrally arranged within the circular path and the guide being radially equidistantly spaced from the UV radiator, and deflecting elements at the inlet and the outlet of the sterile casing for deflecting the web into the circular path at the inlet and out of the circular path at the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing tops onto openings of packs arranged at a distance (m) from each other. The apparatus includes a first conveying means, e.g. a first conveyor, for intermittently conveying the packs in a first direction of travel through a row of at least three sealing stations spaced a machine pitch (m) from each other, and a transport apparatus, e.g. a second conveyor, for transporting the tops in a row behind each other and transversely to the first direction of travel, intermittently over the openings of packs located in the row of sealing stations. The transport apparatus includes a tops belt guided over drive rollers to which the tops are detachably attached behind each other using holding bridges. The tops are spaced a belt pitch (t) from each other and the tops belt is provided with positioning apparatus for properly positioning the tops over the openings.

Abstract: A method of forming a filter package includes disposing a filter and a liquid in a container with the filter immersed in the liquid and sanitizing the liquid and the filter while in the container. After sanitizing, the container may be hermetically sealed to enclose the sanitized liquid and filter. The container may be vented during sanitizing to allow vapor of the liquid to exit from the container and prevent pressure from building up in the container. The container may be either rigid or flexible.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for thoroughly removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container in a short period of time includes a sterilizing agent depositing device 19 which deposits a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a sterilizing affect into the interior of the container before the container is filled with a food product and a sterilizing agent removing device 23 which removes the hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the container. The sterilizing method involves depositing a hydrogen peroxide-containing solution having a concentration in the range of 0.05-0.20 wt. % into the interior of the container before the container is filled with food product, irradiating the interior of the container with ultraviolet light after the hydrogen peroxide-containing solution is deposited in the interior of the container, and removing hydrogen peroxide from the interior of the container by blowing compressed hot air into the interior of the container.

Abstract: The device is characterised in that the obturating means are constituted by an obturating screw (24) capable of co-operating with the whole set of mounting pieces (3) and, if required, with a ring-shaped obturating joint (25) and in that the capturing means are constituted by a threaded joining piece (25) to co-operate with the whole set of mounting pieces (3) by replacing the obturating screw (24) and, if required, the ring-shaped obturating joint (25) during the control, so as to break the imperviousness of the receiving cell (6) with respect to the container or box and comprising a perforation (34) linked to continuous analysing means so as to enable capture of the gas that has entered the receiving cell (6).

Abstract: A system and method for sterile packaging of beverages in plastic containers forms the plastic containers and fills them with sterile beverages in a common sterile environment. The containers are formed from a blow molding process in which the containers reach elevated temperatures sufficient to at least in-part sterilize the interior of the containers, are filled with sterile beverages immediately after the containers are formed in the same sterile environment. This eliminates the need for heavy use of sterilizing fluids for the plastic containers such as hydrogen peroxide or the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing containers with gas-phase hydrogen peroxide and heat on a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine. A partially formed container is subjected to multiple applications of gaseous hydrogen peroxide and hot air within a sterilization tunnel. The sterilization tunnel is maintained at a temperature greater than the condensation temperature of hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the container allowing for filling of the container with a high acid product such as orange juice for ambient distribution. The container may be any number of possibilities such as TETRA REX.RTM. gable top cartons, plastic bottles, and the like. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of up to 53%.

Abstract: A packaging machine for processing a carton blank received from a magazine into a formed, filled and sealed carton package. The packaging machine includes an infeed sterilizer mechanism, a carton lift, a form and fill carousel and a sealing mechanism. The infeed sterilizer sterilizes an erected carton blank having an open top end and an open bottom end, and is disposed on a first level of the packaging machine. The carton lift lifts sterilized cartons from the infeed sterilizer mechanism on the first level to a second level. The form and fill carousel is located on the second level and has a central turret with a plurality of filling mandrels connected thereto. Each of the filling mandrels is in flow communication with a product supply and fills the carton as it is lowered for sealing. The sealing jaw mechanism is disposed to receive a filled carton from a mandrel on the form and fill carousel and to seal an open end of the carton.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging with vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet radiation on a packaging machine. A partially formed carton is sprayed with gaseous hydrogen peroxide from a hydrogen peroxide nozzle. The carton is then conveyed to a UV radiation source for irradiation of the carton with UV energy. The carton is then dried with heated air to flush/remove any residual hydrogen peroxide. The present invention sterilizes the carton allowing for filling of the carton with a desired product such as milk, juice or water. The invention allows for the efficacious use of hydrogen peroxide having a concentration of up to 53% while providing a carton having less than 0.5 ppm hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An infeed sterilizer for a packaging machine that allows for the entire sterilization of an erected carton blank prior to bottom forming. The infeed sterilizer includes a nip roller, a carousel, sterilization means and a sterilization chamber. The carousel has a plurality of carriers for temporarily holding a plurality of erected carton blanks wherein each erected carton blank has both the top and bottom ends open and unfolded or sealed. The sterilization means may be hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet energy, hot air, electron beams, any combination thereof. The sterilization chamber may be pressurized with sterile air to reduce contamination/recontamination of the erected carton blanks. The sterilized cartons may be transferred to a form and fill carousel disposed above the infeed sterilizer for bottom forming and filling.

Abstract: The plant for manufacturing and packing thermoplastic tubes of the present invention is an efficient arrangement of a plurality of single machines, each one producing the same finished thermoplastic tubes as from a conventional line. The machines are arranged into small groups or production cells. The manufacturing and packing plant of the present invention is at least one production cell associated with a common product transportation line. The method of operating the plant of the present invention involves marking each tube with an indicia and identifying, recording, and monitoring each tube with an indicia.

Abstract: A method and a support for supporting a package in a steam sterilizer, featuring support members configured and positioned to support only at least a portion of at least two opposed side edges, but not a side face, of the package. A diamond shape is particularly preferred for the support members as, when rotated at an angle, its facets provide line contact with appropriate side edges of the package.

Abstract: An integrated valve assembly including a valve body defining at least two separate valves is disclosed. The valve assembly can be used, for example in an interface between an aseptic or pasteurized product supply vessel, one or more product dispensing machines, and a cleaning liquid supply vessel. The valve body can optionally be made in one piece, as by casting and machining a block of suitable metal such as stainless steel. Optionally, all of the interior surfaces of the valve body can be non-pooling surfaces which self-drain through at least one of the first, second, and third ports when the valve body is in the normal orientation and the necessary valves are open. The second face of the second weir optionally can be merged with the surfaces defining the second passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article processing apparatus which is preferred for use in a capper which attaches a cap to a vessel. The apparatus includes a processing head, which is provided with four capping mechanisms. Each capping mechanisms on the processing head takes hold of a cap on feeder means. The processing head is then translated to a position over a conveyor and moves in tracking relationship with four vessels which are being conveyed by the conveyor to attach each cap carried by the capping mechanism to associated underlying vessel. The attachment of a cap to a vessel while the processing head moves in tracking relationship with vessels on the conveyor provides an article processing apparatus which has its processing capability enhanced as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling drums with a substance. First and second external chambers are employed, and an interior filling chamber is employed, which is adjacent to the first and second external chambers. A first exterior door is provided between the first external chamber and an outside environment, a second exterior door is provided between the second external chamber and the outside environment, a first interior door is provided between the first external chamber and the filling chamber, and a second interior door is provided between the second external chamber and the filling chamber. The filling chamber fills a drum with the substance and vents out of the filling chamber gaseous emissions produced during said filling.

Abstract: Aseptic filling and sealing of packages with a food product is carried out in compartments which contain an atmosphere of sterile air and which contain devices for filling and sealing packages and a transporter device for transporting the packages through the compartments for the filling and sealing operations. Headspace sterile air is removed and displaced from the packages by injection of nitrogen into the packages from a nozzle which is at a fixed position and which directs the nitrogen at an angle with reference to a vertical perpendicular to the horizontal package transport direction and counter to the transport direction.

Abstract: A method of automatically producing a plurality of prefilled, sterile delivery devices with a desired quantity of fluid. The sterile delivery devices each include a hollow barrel with a dispensing nozzle at one end and an open opposite end. A piston plunger is positioned within the open end and is slidable in sealing engagement with the barrel to retain a fluid therein. A tip is secured to the dispensing nozzle. A plurality of the sterile delivery devices are automatically fed along a predetermined path. Tips are then removed from the dispensing nozzles of the sterile delivery devices. The hollow barrels of the sterile delivery devices are then filled through the dispensing nozzles with a desired is quantity of fluid. The dispensing nozzles of the sterile delivery devices are then closed and sealed after the filling step to provide sealed sterile delivery devices with sterile fluid contents.

Abstract: The adjustment of machines (10) during the installation of the same at the location they are to be used is costly in terms of time and manpower, because a precise positioning of the machine is a precondition for a permanent fault-free operation. A reliably and precisely reproducible adjustment of the machine (10) is attained in that the load forces exerted on the machine feet (11) are measured and, by adjusting the machine feet (11), adapted to predefined nominal load forces (40). These calibration load forces are determined in advance, especially empirically, by using exact measurement methods. The values constitute reproducible values for the adjustment of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling and sealing intravenous solution bags in a sterile environment. Each bag has a weldably sealable opening for introducing intravenous solution into the bag. The apparatus includes a generally sealed enclosure defining an enclosed interior space sized and shaped for simultaneously containing a plurality of the intravenous solution bags to prevent contamination of the bags. Further, the apparatus includes an intravenous solution delivery system positioned at least partially inside the interior space of the enclosure for delivering intravenous solution through the openings of the bags to fill the bags while the bags are in the enclosure. In addition, the apparatus includes a welder positioned at least partially inside the interior space of the enclosure for hermetically sealing the openings of the bags after they have been filled with intravenous solution and while they are in the enclosure.

Abstract: A transfer system for transferring objects into a barrier isolator is provided. The barrier isolator includes a barrier wall to maintain a decontaminated environment in an isolated space. The transfer system includes a port opening located in the barrier wall. A first port barrier film is sealingly located over the port opening. A container is provided which includes an interior cavity which contains a second, replacement port barrier film and which is adapted to further receive and hold decontaminated objects to be delivered through the port opening and into the isolated space. A container barrier film is sealingly connected to the container to seal the second, replacement port barrier film and the decontaminated objects within the cavity in a decontaminated state. The container barrier film has a first, decontaminated side which faces the cavity, and a second exposed side, positionable adjacent to the port barrier film.

Abstract: A carton filling machine comprising a compartmentalized clean air system for providing a downward unidirectional flow of clean air into a chamber that substantially encloses one of the machine stations is provided. Preferably, the machine station is a filling station. Even more preferably the clean air system encloses both the fill pipe of the filling station and a top folding portion of a top sealing station of the machine. The top folding portion of the top sealing station ensures that the carton exits the chamber in a closed state whereby the carton is maintained in a very hygienic state after it has been filled in a very hygienic atmosphere. The air flow is advantageously divided into plural streams, one of which is directed about the fill pipe to further ensure sterile filling conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container having a spout assembly disposed thereon, the spout assembly comprising a cap disposed on a fitment having an interior portion for disposition toward the container interior and an exterior portion for disposition toward the container exterior. The apparatus comprises a storage bin for storing plural spout assemblies and a guide assembly for guiding the spout assemblies to an output of the guide assembly. A fitment and cap sterilizer accepts the spout assemblies from the output and applies a disinfecting solution to their interior portions. An output guide assembly guides them to a subsequent processing station such as a spout applicator that applies the spout assembly to the container. An intermediate UV station may be used between the fitment and cap sterilizer and the spout applicator. In one embodiment, the fitment and cap sterilizer comprises a track for guiding the spout assemblies along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A bottling plant is described wherein a bottle feed line and a plurality of specific function groups are each provided with selectively operable devices acting on the bottles moving along the feed line. Each special function group includes one or more motors for actuating the selectively operable devices and a walled sterile chamber through which the bottles pass. The sterile chambers are kept slightly pressurized and contain at least a portion of the selectively operable devices of the specific function group. The wall structure of each sterile chamber separates the sterile chamber from the motors and from at least some of the selectively operable devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling sterile containers is disclosed which defines an elongated but narrow sterile zone in which a number of operating stations are disposed. An elongated vertical wall is carried by an elongated frame and a cabinet type enclosure cooperates with the vertical wall to define the sterile zone. The plurality of operating stations are disposed in sequential relation over the length of the sterile zone, and an elongated container conveyor is disposed within the sterile zone to convey the containers through the plurality of operating stations. The conveyor is vertically oriented, consisting an endless belt mounted on end wheels that rotate on horizontal axes. Each of the operating stations includes an operating portion disposed within the sterile zone. Actuating means are included for each of the operating stations as well as the elongated conveyor, each of which is disposed outside the sterile zone.