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US 4,805,378 AGranted
Aseptic filling station
AssigneeWrightcel Limited
InventorIan M. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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AssigneeWrightcel Limited
InventorIan M. Anderson
Estimating the term…
A method and system for aseptic filling of containers. The flexible containers (1) are presterilized and a rupturable membrane (41) covers the inlet to the container. The filling head (20) includes a recess (46) below the outlet valve (24) and this recess is closed by the rupturable membrane (41) when the container inlet is aligned with the filling head. After alignment sterilizing fluid is introduced into the recess to sterilize the outer surface of the membrane and the internal surfaces of the recess. Following sterilization the valve membrane (22) moves towards the rupturable membrane (41) allowing the piercing tool (25) to rupture said membrane. The outlet valve (24) of the filling head is opened and the liquid is allowed to flow into the container. Subsequent to completion of the filling cycle the inlet to the container is sealed and the sealed and filled container (1) is then removed from the filling head (20).
A method of aseptically filling containers through a container inlet from a filling dispenser comprising the steps of:
A system for aseptically filling and storing degradable liquid contents which comprises:
A sterilizable product conduit comprising two openings allowing for ingress or egress of product, a valve member for opening and closing said conduit, structure defining a recess adjacent one of said openings, said recess structure adapted to abut a container seal located adjacent said recess structure while maintaining said seal area outside said recess structure, at least one sterilizing fluid inlet and at least one sterilizing fluid outlet onto said recess which are disposed at an oblique angle to product flow through said recess, and means mounted on said valve member for rupturing said container seal located adjacent said valve member, said valve member opening when said rupturing means are withdrawn from said container seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.