# US 10,945,895 B2 · Method and system for aseptically filling a package

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- Number: US 10,945,895 B2
- Document ID: US10945895B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/287,867
- Filed: 2019-02-27
- Published: 2019-06-27
- Granted: 2021-03-16
- Earliest claimed: 2013-02-05
- Assignees: Medline Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Medline Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: William Parthun; Edward Danavi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945895B2

## CPC

- A61F 15/001: {Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels (A61F15/007 takes precedence)}
- A61L 2/087: Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
- B65B 3/003: {Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like}
- B65B 5/045: {in bags}
- B65B 55/027: {Packaging in aseptic chambers}
- B65B 55/16: by irradiation
- A61L 2202/181: Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper
- B65B 43/465: {for bags}
- B65B 43/52: using roller-ways or endless conveyors
- B65B 51/146: {Closing bags}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for aseptically filling of flexible packages containing dry cloth. Such a method may include a first stage that is performed in a non-sterile environment. The first stage may include cutting a first substantially dry cloth to a predetermined size; inserting the first cloth into a flexible package; sealing a first end of the flexible package; and sterilizing the flexible package. The method may also include a second stage performed in a sterile environment. The second stage may include filling the flexible package with a medical solution such that the substantially dry cloth absorbs at least a portion of the medical solution; and sealing the open end of the flexible package.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a non-sterile packing module that inserts a substantially dry cloth into a package;
a non-sterile insertion module that inserts the package containing the substantially dry cloth into a wrap;
a sterilization module that sterilizes the package containing the substantially dry cloth;
a sterile removal module that removes the package containing the substantially dry cloth from the wrap; and
a sterile filling module comprising a filter that filters a medical solution and directs a portion of the medical solution into the package containing the substantially dry cloth.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sterilization module irradiates the package containing the substantially dry cloth.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the sterilization module exposes the package to gamma radiation between 25 kGy and 50 kGy.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile package cutting module that opens the package.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the sterile cutting module defines an opening in the package.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the filling module fills the package via the opening.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The system of claim 6, wherein the filling module comprises a vaccum system that holds the opening open during filling.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile wrap cutting module that opens the wrap.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a nonsterile package sealing module that seals the package after the packing module inserts the substantially dry cloth into the flexible package.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a nonsterile wrap sealing module that seals the wrap after the packing module inserts the substantially dry cloth into the package.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile package sealing module that seals the package after the filling module directs a portion of the medical solution into the package.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the insertion module inserts a plurality of packages into a single wrap.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the package comprises a flexible film.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the package comprises a rigid tub.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wrap comprises a flexible film.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wrap comprises a rigid tub.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a stacking module that prepares the package for transportation.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the non-sterile packing module receives cloth from a roll of cloth.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, wherein the non-sterile packing module further comprises a cutting component that cuts the roll of cloth to form the substantially dry cloth to a predetermined size.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the packing module folds the substantially dry cloth prior to insertion into the package.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially dry cloth comprises plurality of cloths.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the packing module stacks the plurality of cloths prior to insertion into the package.

### Claim 23

A system comprising:
a non-sterile packing module that inserts a substantially dry cloth into a package;
a non-sterile insertion module that inserts the package containing the substantially dry cloth into a wrap;
a sterilization module that sterilizes the package containing the substantially dry cloth by exposing the package to gamma radiation;
a sterile removal module that removes the package containing the substantially dry cloth from the wrap;
a sterile cutting module that defines an opening in the package;
a sterile filling module comprising a filter that filters a medical solution and directs a portion of the medical solution into the package containing the substantially dry cloth; and
a sterile sealing module that seals the package after the filling module directs a portion of the medical solution into the package.