Method of filling pharmaceutical containers

A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus wherein the filling apparatus comprises:

• a transfer chamber for housing a plurality of nested containers and nested closures;
• a covering removal zone;
• and
• an aseptically controlled filling zone;
• and
• wherein a rotatable wall separates the transfer chamber and the covering removal zone.

A method of aseptically filling a plurality of nested containers comprising the steps of:

• providing a transfer chamber;
• moving a plurality of nested containers and nested closures from the transfer chamber into an aseptic covering removal zone by rotating a rotatable wall between the transfer chamber and the aseptic covering removal zone;
• moving the plurality of nested containers to an aseptically controlled filling zone;
• and,
• filling the plurality of nested containers.

A method of aseptically filling a plurality of nested containers with a pharmaceutical product and applying closures to filled pharmaceutical containers in an aseptically controlled environment, said method comprising:

• optionally decontaminating the plurality of nested containers and nested closures in a transfer chamber;
• moving the decontaminated plurality of nested containers and nested closures from the transfer chamber into an aseptic covering removal zone;
• removing any coverings from the plurality of nested containers and nested closures to provide a plurality of uncovered nested containers and uncovered nested closures;
• locating the uncovered nested containers laterally adjacent to a plurality of nested closures on a shuttle by use of a manipulator;
• moving the uncovered nested containers and uncovered nested closures to an aseptically controlled filling zone;
• transferring the uncovered nested containers and closures to a multi-nest holder attached to a manipulator;
• locating the uncovered nested containers laterally adjacent to a plurality of nested closures in the multi-nest holder;
• filling the uncovered nested containers with a pharmaceutical product to provide a nest of filled containers;
• removing a closure from the nest of closures into a closure transfer device;
• moving the nest of filled containers beneath the closure transfer device;
• and removing a closure from the closure transfer device into the filled container thereby sealing the filled container.