Patent ID: 7490453
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method for molding and filling a container having a container body defining an opening in communication with an interior chamber for receiving a substance therein, and a container closure including a stopper for sealing the opening and substance received in the container, comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one barrier enclosure defining at least one aseptic chamber; at least one mold including within at least one aseptic chamber at least one first mold cavity shaped to form at least one of a container body and a container closure; and at least one tool including a tool engaging portion located within at least one aseptic chamber and movable relative to the at least one mold; (b) molding in the at least one first mold cavity at least one of a container body and container closure; (c) opening the mold to de-mold the at least one of a molded container body and container closure; (d) maintaining at least one first surface of the mold extending about the first mold cavity substantially sterile at least during opening of the mold to prevent any contaminants from contacting the at least one of a molded container body and container closure during de-molding thereof; (e) directing a flow of sterile air into the at least one aseptic chamber, including into a space formed between opposing surfaces of the mold during opening thereof, and across the at least one first surface of the mold and any exposed surface of the at least one of a container body and container closure; (f) moving the tool engaging portion of the tool into the space formed between opposing surfaces of the mold, engaging with the tool engaging portion the at least one of a molded container body and container closure and de-molding same with the tool engaging portion, and directing a flow of sterile air over at least the tool engaging portion and at least one of a molded container body and container closure during de-molding thereof; (g) providing at least one first flexible barrier coupled to the mold between the at least one first sterile surface and a molding machine and substantially preventing the passage of contaminants from the molding machine therethrough; (h) providing at least one second flexible barrier coupled to the tool between the at least one engaging portion and a base portion of the tool and substantially preventing the passage of contaminants from the base portion of the tool therethrough; (i) assembling at least one of a sterile container body and container closure to the other into a sealed, empty sterile container; and (j) penetrating the stopper and introducing a substance therethrough and into the interior chamber of the container, and thermally resealing a penetrated region of the stopper.