Apparatus and method for aseptically filling flexible containers

In a container filling apparatus, for filling flexible, premanufactured containers, connected in a continuous web, a method of reducing the bio-load on said containers during inputting said containers into said container filling apparatus, comprising:

• providing said flexible, premanufactured web of containers in a sealed overwrap container;
• introducing a flow of sterile air into said overwrap container to create a positive pressure therein;
• forming an opening in said overwrap container to permit said web of containers to be operatively connected to feed through an opening in said apparatus, said flow of sterile air reducing entry of contaminants into said opening in said overwrap container;
• and
• sealing said opening in said overwrap container to said opening in said apparatus to form a relatively sterile tunnel for protecting said containers against contamination.

A container filling apparatus, for aseptically filling premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed flexible containers, connected in a continuous web, said apparatus comprising:

• a chamber, said chamber including:
• an inlet mouth for receiving said premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed containers;
• filling means for (a) opening said premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed flexible containers, (b) filling said flexible containers, and (c) reclosing said flexible containers;
• an outlet mouth for dispensing said premanufactured,presterilized, preclosed containers after filling by said filling means;
• and
• means for providing an aseptic environment at said filling means;
• means for serially advancing said flexible containers through said chamber, from said inlet mouth to said filling means and to said outlet mouth;
• and
• means for sterilizing exclusively the exterior of said containers as said containers are advanced through said chamber, said sterilizing occurring at a temperature which avoids damage to said containers, and at a location between said inlet mouth and said filling means, said sterilizing means comprising means for applying a chemical fluid sterilizing agent exclusively to the exterior surfaces of said preclosed containers, so that contact of the interior surfaces of said containers by said agent is avoided.

A container filling apparatus, for aseptically filling premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers, connected in a continuous web, said apparatus comprising:

• a chamber, having an inlet for receiving said web of premanufactured, preclosed, presterilized, containers, and an outlet for dispensing said web of containers;
• means for maintaining said chamber in an aseptic condition as said web moves through said chamber;
• means for spraying exclusively the exterior of said containers with a chemical fluid sterilizing agent after they are received through said inlet;
• and
• means for (a) opening said preclosed, flexible containers, (b) filling said flexible containers, and (c) reclosing said flexible containers prior to said containers being dispensed through said outlet.

A filling apparatus having a chamber which includes an inlet, an outlet, and a filling means therebetween, a method of aspetically filling flexible containers connected in a continuous web with food substances, said method comprising:

• sterilizing said chamber at said filling means;
• serially advancing a continuous web of premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers through said chamber from said inlet to said filling means and to said outlet, said flexible containers having an openable closure which, when opened, permits access to the interior of said containers, and when closed, seals the interior of said containers against entry of contaminants therein, the exterior of said containers in a nonaseptic condition at said inlet, and said closure in a closed condition at said inlet, so that the interior of said containers are maintained in a presterilized condition at said inlet;
• applying a chemical fluid sterilizing agent exclusively to the exterior surfaces of said premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers to place said flexible containers in an aseptic condition to prevent contamination of said chamber at said filling means, said closure on said containers preventing entry of said fluid sterilizing agent into the interior of said containers during application of said fluid sterilizing agent, said sterilizing of said containers occurring at a location between said inlet and said filling means;
• opening said closure on said premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers to provide access to the interior of said containers for filling;
• filling said flexible containers with a food substance;
• and
• closing said closure on said flexible containers after filling.

In a container filling apparatus, having filling means for filling premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers connected to a continuous web, a method of reducing contamination of said containers to insure that said containers are in an aseptic condition upon filling at said filling means, said method comprising:

• providing an enclosure for said web of premanufactured, presterilized, preclosed, flexible containers;
• sealing an opening in said enclosure to an opening in said apparatus to provide an enclosed passage for feeding said web of flexible containers through said apparatus to said filling means, said sealing allowing some entry of microorganism contaminates into said enclosed passage and onto the exterior of said web of containers;
• and
• sterilizing exclusively the exterior of said web of flexible containers in said apparatus to kill said microorganism contaminates on said exterior of said containers prior to filling of said containers by said filling means.