Patent ID: RE38747

Claim:
Apparatus for filling containers in a substantially sterile environment, comprising: elongated frame means; upright wall means carried by the elongated frame means and extending over a substantial portion of its length, the upright wall means dividing the apparatus into an elongated sterile zone and an elongated non-sterile zone disposed in adjacent relation; elongated enclosure means carried by the elongated frame means and cooperating with the upright wall means to define said elongated sterile zone; a plurality of operating stations each including operating means disposed in substantially linear relation within said elongated sterile zone, a given operation being performed with respect to said containers at each operating station by the associated operating means; transport means disposed within said elongated sterile zone for transporting containers through said plurality of operating stations; said plurality of operating means comprising: first container transfer means for transferring empty containers from a point outside said elongated sterile zone to said transport means; container filling means; means for closing said filled containers; and second container transfer means for transferring filled containers from said transport means to a point outside said elongated sterile zone; actuating means for said transport means and for each of said operating means, each of said actuating means being disposed within said non-sterile zone; and connection means for operatively connecting each of said actuating means with its associated operating means, each of said connection means extending through a sealed opening in said upright wall means.