Method of making aseptic packaging
OwnerRoy J. Weikertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aseptic packages are manufactured through a process which includes making an aseptic web of bags by first blow-extruding a continuous, closed thermoplastic tube using a noncontaminating gas, dividing the tube by means of partial, transverse heat seals into a series of interconnected bags intercommunicating with each other in a closed system by means of a continuous channel running across their open mouths and then, while maintaining the closed and hence, sterile condition of the web of bags, filling the bags with a sterile product and sealing the bags, to produce sealed, aseptic packages.
Claims11
A method of making aseptic packages comprising:
- (a) extruding a molten thermoplastic resin through a tube-forming die thereby forming a continuous, closed tubing of extrudant,
- (b) forming a bubble at said die by blowing a noncontaminating gas into said tubing of extrudant thereby producing tubing having a sterile interior,
- (c) after said tubing has solidified to a nonmolten state, collapsing said tubing into flattened web thereof,
- (d) forming a series of longitudinally spaced seal lines extending from one longitudinally extending edge of said flattened web of tubing to a point adjacent to but spaced from an opposite longitudinally extending edge thereof while maintaining a substantially sterile condition within said tubing,
- (e) said transversely extending seal lines thereby defining a series of interconnected, sterile bags and a continuous, sterile channel extending along said opposite longitudinally extending edge of said web of tubing forming a completely closed sterile system of interconnected bags communicating with each other in said closed system by means of said sterile channel,
- (f) inserting a hollow filling tube into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof,
- (g) filling said bags through said filling tube with an aseptic product within a controlled, sterile environment, and
- (h) sealing said bags along a line disposed beneath said channel.
A method of forming aseptic packages comprising:
- (a) extruding in molten form through an annular die a thermoplastic material to thereby form a tube of extruded material downstream of said die,
- (b) blowing into said tube a noncontaminating gas,
- (c) after said tube has cooled from molten to solid form, collapsing said tube into a flattened configuration,
- (d) dividing said tube by means of a series of transverse seal lines extending partially across said flattened tube from one longitudinal edge thereof toward an opposite longitudinal edge thereof into a series of interconnected bags intercommunicating in a substantially closed system by means of a channel extending longitudinally along said opposite longitudinal edge of said tube,
- (e) inserting a filling pipe into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof and discharging through said filling pipe an aseptic product into said bags under controlled sterile conditions,
- (f) sealing said bags with said aseptic filling material therein along a longitudinally extending line intersecting said transverse seal lines, and
- (g) severing said tube longitudinally thereof intermediate said longitudinally extending seal line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of said tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.