Patent ID: 8318091

Claim:
A method for sterile transfer of items sealed within a container, the method comprising the following steps: providing a transfer port having a door for sealing a transfer opening of the transfer port; providing a container having a mounting member thereon, an adhesive on an external surface of the container overlying the mounting member, and a releasable backing over said adhesive; removing the releasable backing; mounting a portion of the container to the transfer port with the adhesive so as to create a seal about the door; heating a heating element mounted about a peripheral portion of the door to a temperature sufficient to cut the container; moving the heating element on the door between retracted and extended positions to cut a portion of the container; heating a peripheral region of the transfer opening to prevent migration of contaminants therethrough; opening the door after cutting the container and heating the peripheral region of the transfer opening; and transferring at least one article from the container through the transfer opening.