Back to results
US 6,209,591 B1Granted
Apparatus and method for providing container filling in an aseptic processing apparatus
AssigneeSteuben Foods, Inc.
InventorThomas D. Taggart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for providing container product filling in an aseptic processing apparatus. An apparatus including a valve mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of a valve including extending a portion of the valve from a second sterile region into a first sterile region, thereby, preventing contaminants from being carried into the first sterile region.
Claims28
Apparatus comprising:
- a valve for controlling a flow of product;
- a first sterile region surrounding a region where the product exits the valve;
- a continuously sterilized second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region whereby said second sterile region is continuously sterilized during operation;
- a valve activation mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the continuously sterilized second sterile region into the first sterile region and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the continuously sterilized second sterile region.
1 more element
Apparatus comprising:
- a tank for containing a supply of a pressurized product;
- a measuring device connected to the tank for measuring an amount of the product flowing from the tank to a container;
- a filling nozzle connected to the measuring device for directing product flow into the container;
- a valve located within the filling nozzle for controlling the flow of product;
- a first sterile region surrounding a region where the product exits the valve;
- a valve stem attached to the valve for controlling the opening or closing of the valve;
- a sterilization chamber surrounding a first portion of the valve stem;
- and
- a valve activation mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending the first portion of the valve stem from the sterilization chamber into the first sterile region and by retracting the first portion of the valve stem from the first sterile region back into the sterilization chamber.
6 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- controlling a flow of product using a valve;
- surrounding a region where the product exits the valve with a sterile region;
- providing a continuously sterilized second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region whereby said second sterile region is continuously sterilized during operation;
- and
- controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the continuously sterilized second sterile region into the first sterile region and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the continuously sterilized second sterile region.
2 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- controlling a flow of product using a valve;
- surrounding a region where the product exits the valve with a sterile region;
- providing a second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region;
- controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the second sterile region into the first sterile region and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the second sterile region;
- providing a tank for containing a supply of pressurized product flowing to the valve;
- providing a measuring device for measuring the amount of pressurized product flowing from the tank to the valve;
- exposing the valve, an interior surface of the tank, and an interior surface of the measuring device with steam;
- covering an exit of the valve;
- and
- allowing a build-up of steam pressure inside the tank to above a temperature of about 250° F., a steam pressure of about 50 psig, for about 30 minutes.
7 more elements
A method comprising the steps of:
- controlling a flow of product using a valve;
- surrounding a region where the product exits the valve with a sterile region;
- providing a second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region;
- controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the second sterile region into the first sterile region and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the second sterile region;
- providing a second apparatus wherein the container is filled to a first level with the product exiting from the first apparatus, and the container is filled to a second level with the product exiting from the second apparatus;
- uncovering the exit of the valve;
- and
- providing sterile air to reduce the temperature of the valve, the interior surface of the tank, and the interior surface of the measuring device to the temperature of the product.
5 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- an inline bottle filing apparatus including:
- a valve for controlling a flow of product;
- a first sterile region surrounding a region where the product exits the valve;
- a second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region;
- a valve activation mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the second sterile region into the first sterile region and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the second sterile region.
2 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- a valve for controlling a flow of product into a bottle;
- a first sterile region surrounding a region where the product exits the valve;
- a second sterile region positioned proximate said first sterile region;
- a valve activation mechanism for controlling the opening or closing of the valve by extending a portion of the valve from the second sterile region into the first sterile region, such that the valve does not contact the bottle, and by retracting the portion of the valve from the first sterile region back into the second sterile region.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.