Molding and packaging articles substantially free from contaminants

A method for manufacturing sterile syringe components, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing an enclosure defining a sterile environment, the enclosure communicating with an outside environment by means of at least one air filter operable to prevent contaminants from entering the enclosure;
• providing at least one mold inside the enclosure at a molding station;
• providing molding material from which to mold the syringe components;
• heating the molding material;
• placing the heated molding material within the at least one mold;
• molding a plurality of one or more syringe components from the molding material using the at least one mold, the heat generated during one or more of said heating and molding steps operable to render the molded syringe components substantially free from contaminants;
• forcing air from the outside environment through the enclosure through the at least one air filter to prevent contaminants from adhering to the molded syringe components;
• removing the molded syringe components from the at least one mold;
• inspecting the molded syringe components in the enclosure for defects;
• assembling the molded syringe components in the enclosure to form one or more syringes;
• filling the one or more syringes in the enclosure with a sterile fluid;
• and
• packaging the one or more syringes in at least one sealed package.