Patent ID: 8966866
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method comprising filling a substance into a device defining a chamber using an apparatus comprising: a conveyor defining a path for transporting at least one device along the path, wherein each device includes a penetrable portion or septum, penetrable by a filling or injection member, and a sealed chamber in fluid communication with the penetrable septum; a de-contamination station located on the conveyor path and configured to receive therein the device and de-contaminate at least a penetrable surface of the penetrable septum; a filling station located on the conveyor path downstream of the de-contamination station and including at least one filling or injection member that is either coupled or connectible in fluid communication with a source of substance to be filled into the chamber of the device, wherein at least one of the filling or injection member and the device is movable relative to the other within the filling station to penetrate the penetrable septum with the filling or injection member, introduce substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber, and withdraw the filling or injection member from the penetrable septum; a resealing station located on the conveyor path downstream of the filling station and including at least one liquid sealant dispenser that is either coupled or connectible in fluid communication with a source of liquid sealant for applying a liquid sealant onto a penetrated region of the penetrable septum; and a curing station located on the conveyor path downstream of the filling station and including at least one radiation or energy source for applying radiation to the liquid sealant to cure the liquid sealant from a liquid phase to a solid phase; wherein said filling step includes: (i) de-contaminating at least the penetrable surface of the penetrable septum; (ii) moving at least one of the filling or injection member and the device relative to the other to penetrate the penetrable septum with the filling or injection member, introducing substance through the filling or injection member and into the chamber, and withdrawing the filling or injection member from the penetrable septum; (iii) applying the liquid sealant onto the penetrated region of the penetrable septum; and (iv) applying radiation or energy to the liquid sealant to cure the liquid sealant from the liquid phase to the solid phase and hermetically seal the penetrated region of the penetrable septum.