Among other things, there is shown a system for filling vials with fluid that maintains a localized sterile zone around the filling location. In particular embodiments, the sterile zone is provided by a manifold having an internal space to which clean air is supplied. One or more filling assemblies are attached to the manifold. Vials enter the sterile zone and are filled within it. Additional structure, such as coverings for vials, are disclosed to assist in maintaining sterility.

Among other things, there is shown a system for filling vials with fluid that maintains a localized sterile zone around the filling location. In particular embodiments, the sterile zone is provided by a manifold having an internal space to which clean air is supplied. One or more filling assemblies are attached to the manifold. Vials enter the sterile zone and are filled within it. Additional structure, such as coverings for vials, are disclosed to assist in maintaining sterility.

A surgical implement training process that includes teaching an identity of a plurality of first surgical implements in a first surgical implement tray, a location of the plurality of first surgical implements in the first surgical implement tray and an actual order in which each of the first surgical implements are used when performing a surgical procedure.

A process for preparing a ready-to-eat mature coconut in which coconuts are selected based on its flotation characteristics, higher floaters being more mature. An oval or circular groove is carved partially into the bottom of the coconut shell. The coconut is then sealed into a heat tolerant plastic bag in which it is cooked, then frozen. Pieces of coconut husk are roasted until they turn black, then boiled in water to obtain a vapor that condenses to a liquid extraction, which is added to the bag before sealing it. The sealed bag is then heated to obtain sweet coconut water, some separation of coconut meat from the coconut shell, and the expansion of the coconut water during the spraying of steam to slightly split the coconut shell along the carved groove whereby the tip of a spoon can be used to pry off the coconut shell.

A container filling valve may include a shuttle and a drive sleeve that are magnetically coupled. Movement of the drive sleeve may move the shuttle from a position in which the filling valve is closed to a position in which the filling valve is open. A container handling arm may include a distal end configured to hold a container and a proximal end that includes a load cell. A low flow setpoint system may be configured to arrest closing of a filling valve when that filling valve is partially closed. A pressure control system may be configured to maintain a desired pressure in a reservoir or in a flow path from that reservoir. A product recirculation system may be configured to adjust flow rate in the product recirculation system.

Provided is a novel container sterilization method in which no liquid agent is used. A container sterilization method is a method of performing sterilization by supplying a sterilization component to a container that is continuously conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path, the container sterilization method including supplying a humid ozone gas to a sterilization area, the humid ozone gas being an ozone gas that has humidity, the sterilization area being partitioned by a sterilization chamber that contains the conveyance path. It is preferable that the humid ozone gas to be supplied to the sterilization area have a higher temperature than the container to be conveyed to the sterilization area and the sterilization chamber have a higher temperature than the container to be conveyed to the sterilization area.

A filling device for aseptic filling of pouches comprising a pouch fill assembly having a movement assembly, a plug removing assembly and a filling assembly. The movement assembly defining an aseptic zone and configured to direct a pouch having a spout and a plug sealing the spout through the pouch fill assembly from an inlet to an outlet. The plug removing assembly having at least one plug removing station including a grasping assembly, a plug retaining structure and an actuator assembly. The filling assembly having at least one filling station structurally configured to dispense a flowable material into the pouch through the spout.

A pedestal for a physiological characteristic sensor assembly and a physiological characteristic sensor assembly is provided. The pedestal includes a first side opposite a second side. The pedestal includes a sidewall that interconnects the first side and the second side. The pedestal also includes a first end opposite a second end. The pedestal includes at least one post that extends from the first side adjacent to the first end to couple the pedestal to a physiological characteristic sensor of the physiological characteristic sensor assembly. The pedestal also includes a recess defined in the sidewall at the second end. The recess has a first portion in communication with a second portion. The first portion has a first length that is less than a second length of the second portion along a perimeter of the sidewall, and the second portion is positionable to apply a force to the physiological characteristic sensor.

A pedestal for a physiological characteristic sensor assembly and a physiological characteristic sensor assembly is provided. The pedestal includes a first side opposite a second side. The pedestal includes a sidewall that interconnects the first side and the second side. The pedestal also includes a first end opposite a second end. The pedestal includes at least one post that extends from the first side adjacent to the first end to couple the pedestal to a physiological characteristic sensor of the physiological characteristic sensor assembly. The pedestal also includes a recess defined in the sidewall at the second end. The recess has a first portion in communication with a second portion. The first portion has a first length that is less than a second length of the second portion along a perimeter of the sidewall, and the second portion is positionable to apply a force to the physiological characteristic sensor.

A system for sterilizing bottles with a gaseous sterilant. The system includes moving means for continuously moving bottles one after another along a path. An assembly is provided for distributing a predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant from a source of gaseous sterilant to each of the bottles. The assembly includes a plurality of injectors that are movable with the bottles. One of the plurality of injectors is associated with each of the bottles. The injector is fluidly connected to the source of gaseous sterilant when the bottle associated with the injector is disposed along a first portion of the path. The injector is disposed above the bottle when the injector is in a first position. The injector is disposed within an interior of the bottle when the injector is in a second position such that the predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant is conveyed into the interior of the bottle.