Sterile closure apparatus

Abstract

A sterile closure apparatus 1 is provided which seals an opening 6a formed in a partition wall 6 which partitions between a plurality of sterile spaces 2, 4. The apparatus comprises a shutter 8 of a size greater than the opening 6a, an air cylinder 20 for moving the shutter 8, and an annular seal member 22 mounted on the shutter and adapted to be brought into close contact with the wall surface around the opening 6a when it is inflated. The seal member 22 is mounted in a channel-shaped mounting groove 8b formed in the shutter 8, and is inflated when air is introduced into it. Fisrt and third heaters 24 and 28 are mounted on the wall surface of the partition wall 6 around the opening 6a against which the annular seal member 22 is urged into close contact and in the inner surface of the mounting groove 8b. During a sterilizing operation, the opening 6a is covered by the shutter 8, and the seal member 22 is inflated to be brought into close contact with the first heater 24 on the partition wall 6. Regions with which the seal member is brought into close contact are sterilized by the first and third heaters 24 and 28. The invention simplifies the construction of the sterile closure apparatus 1, allowing a sterilization step to be completed in a reduced length of time.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.