# US 12,214,920 B2 · System and method for the sterile filling of containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,920 B2 - Document ID: US12214920B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/924,344 - Filed: 2021-05-05 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-05-13 - Assignees: Grifols Worldwide Operations Limited - Applicants: Grifols Worldwide Operations Limited - Inventors: Jordi Boira Bonhora; Carlos Roura Salietti; David Pages Becerra - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214920B2 ## CPC - B65B 55/06: by heat - A61L 2/04: Heat (radiation A61L2/08) - A61L 2/07: Steam - A61L 2/24: Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation - B65B 3/003: {Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like} - B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers - B65B 55/24: Cleaning of, or removing dust from, containers, wrappers, or packaging {; Preventing of fouling} - A61L 2103/23: {Containers other than laboratory or medical, e.g. bottles or mail} - A61L 2202/11: Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps - A61L 2202/17: Combination with washing or cleaning means - B67C 7/0073: {Sterilising, aseptic filling and closing (B67C3/2642 takes precedence)} - 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) - 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) - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS ## Abstract A system for the sterile filling of containers for pharmaceutical products, which includes a device for sterilizing containers and a machine for filling sterilized containers, wherein the device for sterilizing containers includes at least one autoclave, and wherein the system includes an automated container-accumulation device and means for automatically transporting the containers sterilized in the autoclave from said autoclave to the container-filling machine via said container-accumulation device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for the sterile filling of containers for pharmaceutical products, comprising: a device for sterilizing containers; and a sterilized-containers filling machine, wherein the device for sterilizing containers comprises at least a first autoclave, and wherein the system comprises an automated container-accumulation device and means for automatically transporting the containers sterilized in the autoclave from said autoclave to the sterilized-containers filling machine via said container-accumulation device; wherein the container-accumulation device comprises an accumulating plate, wherein the sterilized-containers are directed to the accumulation plate via the means for automatically transporting the containers, and wherein the accumulation plate is configured to direct the at least some of the sterilized containers to the sterilized-containers filling machine via the means for automatically transporting the containers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the container-accumulation device comprises a buffer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the device for sterilizing containers comprises a second autoclave, said second autoclave is being positioned parallel to said first autoclave. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system according to claim 3, wherein the device for sterilizing containers further comprises said second autoclave and a third autoclave parallel to the first autoclave. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system according to claim 3, wherein the device for sterilizing containers comprises an automated autoclave-emptying device, said autoclave-emptying device and the container-filling machine being connected via the container-accumulation device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system according to claim 3, further comprising an accumulator for filling the autoclaves, the accumulator comprising an automatic container-diverting device and control means configured to direct the containers to the second autoclave when the first autoclave is in operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 further comprising a buffer at an output of each autoclave. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 further comprising a container-cleaning device and means for automatically transporting the cleaned containers to the at least one autoclave. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 further comprising a device for capping containers after the container-filling machine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the containers are vials. ### Claim 11 A method for the sterile filling of containers for pharmaceutical products, comprising steps of: cleaning the containers; automatically directing a group of the clean containers to an autoclave; sterilizing the group of clean containers in the autoclave; directing the sterilized containers to a clean zone, via an accumulation plate in an accumulation device; and filling the sterilized containers in the clean zone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the accumulation device further comprises a buffer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising arranging a second autoclave parallel to a first autoclave so that, while the clean containers are being sterilized in the first autoclave, the second autoclave is being loaded with new clean containers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising capping of the filled containers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the containers are vials.