# US 2024/0199249 A1 · Method of filling pharmaceutical containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0199249 A1 - Document ID: US20240199249A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/553,654 - Filed: 2022-03-31 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-01 - Applicants: 3P Innovation Limited - Inventors: Thomas BAILEY; Roderick MITCHELL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240199249A1 ## CPC - B65B 3/003: {Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like} - B65B 7/161: {Sealing filled ampoules} - B65B 7/2821: {applying plugs or threadless stoppers (for bottles or jars B67B1/04)} - B65B 43/46: using grippers - B65B 43/59: vertically movable (B65B43/58 takes precedence) - B65B 55/027: {Packaging in aseptic chambers} - B65B 55/04: Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging {(sterilising bottles B67C7/00)} - 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 There is described a method of aseptically filling a plurality of nested containers with a pharmaceutical product and applying closures to filled containers in an aseptic environment, said method comprising: removing any coverings from the nested containers and nested closures; locating the uncovered containers laterally adjacent to the closures on a shuttle; moving the uncovered containers and uncovered closures to an aseptic filling zone; transferring the uncovered containers and closures to a multi-nest holder; locating the uncovered containers laterally adjacent to a plurality of closures in the multi-nest holder; filling the containers with a pharmaceutical product; 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 scaling the filled container. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-36. (canceled) ### Claim 37 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. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the plurality of nested containers and nested closures are mounted on the movable wall to transfer the plurality of nested containers and nested closures from the covering removal zone to the aseptically controlled filling zone. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 38, comprising tubs for carrying the plurality of nested containers and nested closures, wherein the moveable wall is provided with a means for supporting the tubs. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the means for supporting the tubs are shelving rods. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the moveable wall is provided with a means for supporting tubs on both sides of the wall. ### Claim 42 (depends on 37) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the covering removal zone is generally aseptic. ### Claim 43 (depends on 39) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the covering removal zone is remotely operated or robotically operated. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 42, comprising an aseptic covering removal zone manipulator operable to: pick up a tub of covered nested containers from the wall; and to move the tub to a covering removal apparatus. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the aseptic covering removal zone manipulator is remotely operated or robotically operated. ### Claim 46 (depends on 37) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 37, comprising a pharmaceutical product dispensing system in the aseptically controlled filling zone. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) A pharmaceutical product filling apparatus according to claim 46, comprising a multi-nest holder for receiving the containers from the tub for filling. ### Claim 48 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. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) A method according to claim 48, wherein the plurality of nested containers and nested closures are moved from the transfer chamber into the aseptic covering removal zone by loading the plurality of nested containers and nested closures on the movable wall, such that the movable wall can move the plurality of nested containers from a loading area to a covering removal zone. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) A method according to claim 49, comprising the step of loading the plurality of nested containers and nested closures onto a tub, and wherein means for supporting the tub is integral to the moveable wall. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) A method according to claim 50, wherein the moveable wall is provided with means for supporting tubs. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A method according to claim 51, wherein the moveable wall is provided with means for supporting tubs on both sides of the wall. ### Claim 53 (depends on 48) A method according to claim 48, wherein the covering removal zone is remotely operated or robotically operated. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) A method according to claim 53, wherein the aseptic covering removal zone manipulator is operated to: pick up the tub of covered nested containers from the wall; and to move the tub to a covering removal apparatus. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A method according to claim 54, wherein the manipulator apparatus is robotically operated. ### Claim 56 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.