Molding and packaging articles substantially free from contaminants
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing syringe components, comprising:
- providing an enclosure defining a substantially 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 fluid; and
packaging the one or more syringes in at least one sealed package.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing articles, such as syringe barrels, substantially free from contaminants. The apparatus is an enclosure defining at least a class 100 and MCB-3 environment, and includes a molding isolation module and a packaging isolation module. Any contaminants that may exist within the enclosure are removed by the use of horizontal and vertical laminar airflows directed into air filter units. Further, the molding temperature may be selected such that it renders the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants. The molding isolation module and packaging isolation module keep the fabricated articles substantially free from contaminants from the time the articles are molded to the time the articles are placed in sealed containers for shipment.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing syringe components, comprising:
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providing an enclosure defining a substantially 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 fluid; and packaging the one or more syringes in at least one sealed package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of manufacturing syringe components, comprising:
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providing an enclosure containing a sterilizing gas; 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; 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 fluid; and packaging the one or more syringes in at least one sealed package. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification