Container filler
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A container filler for aseptically filling a container with a product, comprising:
- an enclosed chamber having a wall opening therein for communication with the outside environment, means for supplying said chamber with a fluid at a positive pressure with respect to the outside environment and means for conducting said product into said chamber;
clamping means adjacent said opening movable between an open position for permitting insertion of a filling spout extending from the container into said enclosed chamber before filling and for permitting withdrawal of the filling spout from said enclosed chamber after filling and a closed position for engaging the spout to form a seal against fluid communication between said enclosed chamber and the outside environment while the container is being filled; and
means for substantially enclosing said clamping means to limit fluid communication between said enclosed chamber and the outside environment when said clamping means is in the open position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for filling a container through a spout extending from the container includes a sterile chamber having a wall opening therethrough for inserting the spout into the chamber. A cover inside the chamber is positioned over a base plate which encloses the wall opening to prevent the escape of sterile gas from the chamber when the spout is being inserted into and removed from the wall opening. A pair of jaws fit around the spout when the spout is in the opening to hold the spout in position for filling and to prevent contamination of the sterile chamber during the filling operation.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A container filler for aseptically filling a container with a product, comprising:
-
an enclosed chamber having a wall opening therein for communication with the outside environment, means for supplying said chamber with a fluid at a positive pressure with respect to the outside environment and means for conducting said product into said chamber; clamping means adjacent said opening movable between an open position for permitting insertion of a filling spout extending from the container into said enclosed chamber before filling and for permitting withdrawal of the filling spout from said enclosed chamber after filling and a closed position for engaging the spout to form a seal against fluid communication between said enclosed chamber and the outside environment while the container is being filled; and means for substantially enclosing said clamping means to limit fluid communication between said enclosed chamber and the outside environment when said clamping means is in the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of aseptically filling a container with a product using filling apparatus in a sterile chamber, comprising the steps of:
-
providing an enclosed sterile chamber having a wall opening therein and supplying said chamber with a fluid at a positive pressure with respect to the outside environment; placing a spout of a container to be filled in the opening; clamping the spout with clamping means within the opening to seal the opening to control fluid communication between the enclosed chamber and the outside environment around the spout, said clamping means being substantially enclosed to limit fluid communication between said enclosed chamber and the outside environment when said clamping means is in an open position.
-
Specification