Method For Aseptic Filling Of Pouches
First Claim
1. A method for filling an aseptic pouch comprising the steps of:
- providing a pouch, the pouch including a body having a plurality of panels that are coupled together to define a cavity, and, a spout providing ingress into the cavity, the spout having a plug sealingly engaged to the spout, thereby precluding access into the cavity;
cleaning the external surfaces of the pouch with a cleaning preparation;
directing the spout and the plug into an aseptic zone, the aseptic zone having a supply of sterilized gas having a positive flow within the aseptic zone;
removing the plug;
filling the pouch with a flowable material;
replacing the plug on the spout to seal the cavity;
removing the spout and the plug from the aseptic zone; and
coupling the plug to a cap, and the cap to the spout, whereupon removal of the cap removes the plug and provides access to the cavity.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for filling an aseptic pouch having the steps of: (a) providing a pouch, the pouch including a body having a plurality of panels coupled together to define a cavity, and, a spout providing ingress into the cavity, the spout having a plug sealingly engaged to the spout; (b) cleaning the external surfaces of the pouch with a cleaning preparation; (c) directing the spout and the plug into an aseptic zone, the aseptic zone having a supply of sterilized gas having a positive flow within the aseptic zone; (d) removing the plug; (e) filling the pouch with a flowable material; (f) replacing the plug on the spout to seal the cavity; (g) removing the spout and the plug from the aseptic zone; and (h) coupling the plug to a cap, and the cap to the spout, whereupon removal of the cap removes the plug, providing cavity access.
71 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for filling an aseptic pouch comprising the steps of:
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providing a pouch, the pouch including a body having a plurality of panels that are coupled together to define a cavity, and, a spout providing ingress into the cavity, the spout having a plug sealingly engaged to the spout, thereby precluding access into the cavity; cleaning the external surfaces of the pouch with a cleaning preparation; directing the spout and the plug into an aseptic zone, the aseptic zone having a supply of sterilized gas having a positive flow within the aseptic zone; removing the plug; filling the pouch with a flowable material; replacing the plug on the spout to seal the cavity; removing the spout and the plug from the aseptic zone; and coupling the plug to a cap, and the cap to the spout, whereupon removal of the cap removes the plug and provides access to the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for filling a plurality of aseptic pouches comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of pouches, each pouch including a body having a plurality of panels that are coupled together to define a cavity, and, a spout providing ingress into the cavity, the spout having a plug sealingly engaged to the spout, thereby precluding access into the cavity; cleaning the external surfaces of the plurality of pouches with a cleaning preparation; sequentially directing the spout and the plug of each of the plurality of pouches into an aseptic zone, the aseptic zone having a supply of sterilized gas having a positive flow; directing the plurality of the plurality of pouches into a rotary filler, the rotary filler having a plurality of plug removing stations, a plurality of filler stations, and a plurality of plug replacement stations; firstly rotatably directing the plurality of pouches into one of the plurality of plug removing stations; removing the plug in the plug removing stations substantially simultaneously; secondly rotatably directing the plurality of pouches from the plug removing stations to the plurality of filler stations; filling each of the plurality of pouches with a flowable material in the filler stations substantially simultaneously; thirdly rotatably directing the plurality of pouches from the plurality of filler stations to the plurality of plug replacement stations; replacing the plug on the spout of each of the plurality of pouches to seal each cavity in the plug replacement stations substantially simultaneously; removing the plurality of pouches from the aseptic zone; fourthly rotatably directing the plurality of pouches into a rotary capper, the rotary capper having a plurality of capping heads; and coupling the plug to the cap and to the spout in releasable engagement in the rotary capper, substantially simultaneously, whereupon removal of the cap simultaneously removes the plug and provides access to the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification