Hybrid method for processing containers

A method for processing plastic containers comprising:

• i. providing an empty container suitable for hot-filling;
• ii. filling the empty container with heated or heatable liquid including water;
• iii. sealing the filled container with a seal or cap to close the container;
• iv. cooling the liquid in the sealed container to create a first headspace pressure within the container;
• v. enclosing the cooled and sealed container within an open aseptic converter chamber, wherein the aseptic converter chamber comprises:
• a sanitized environment within the aseptic converter chamber;
• a supply line configured to receive gases, the sanitized environment within the aseptic converter chamber being maintained by introduction of the gases at a raised ambient pressure through the supply line;
• a sanitizer device configured to clean outside surfaces of the containers thereby maintaining the sanitization of the containers within the aseptic converter chamber;
• a perforator device configured to perforate or open the cap or seal of the container within the aseptic converter chamber;
• a sealing device configured to seal the opening or perforation within the aseptic converter chamber;
• and
• a conveyor system configured to transport or convey multiple containers through and within the aseptic converter chamber;
• vi. creating an opening in the seal or cap of the container within a sanitized environment of the perforator device for creating an opening in the seal or cap;
• vii. increasing the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure within the container by introducing a sanitized fluid to a headspace of the container;
• viii. resealing the container within a sanitized environment of the sealing or device;
• ix. transporting or conveying the sealed container away from the sanitized environment of the aseptic converter chamber.