One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for processing sealed plastic containers having a first headspace pressure. The apparatus may include: an open entry port or tunnel for continuously receiving containers; a sanitizer configured to sanitize outside surfaces of the received containers; a perforator configured to perforate or open a cap or seal of the containers within the apparatus; a sealer configured to seal the perforation or opening formed in the cap or seal of the containers; an open exit port of tunnel for continuously exiting the processed containers; and a conveyor system configured to transporting or convey the containers from the open entry port or tunnel, through and within the apparatus, to the open exit port or tunnel and away from the sanitized environment of the apparatus. The apparatus may be further configured to maintain a sanitized environment within the apparatus, perforator, and/or sealer.

There is provided a filling-and-sealing device and a filling-and-sealing method capable of reducing an amount of use of a replacement gas used for replacing air in a container. The filling-and-sealing device includes a filling machine that fills a container with a content fluid; a sealing machine that seals the container transferred from the filling machine with a lid; a chamber that covers the filling machine and the sealing machine; a gassing system that replaces, in the chamber, a gas in the container with a carbon dioxide gas by introducing the carbon dioxide gas as a second replacement gas supplied from a tank; and a pre-gassing system that replaces the gas in the container with a first replacement gas that remains in the chamber containing the carbon dioxide gas before processing by the gassing system.

A method for preparing semi-finished products in a package with the possibility of their further automated heating and/or cooking, according to which the components of semi-finished products are preliminarily prepared, they are accelerated cooling and placed in a portioned container. Sealing a container with a semi-finished product, treating it with ultraviolet radiation and applying a barcode to the container with a program for warming up and/or cooking in a microwave oven, which contains an indication of the power level of the microwave source, which is sufficient for uniform and complete heating and/or cooking of all components that make up the semi-finished product, as well as time. Shock freezing of a semi-finished product is carried out and its storage and/or transportation is carried out. Before eating a semi finished product, it is heated and/or cooked in a microwave oven equipped with a barcode reader.

A method for filling and sealing containers such as bottles, cartridges, syringes and the like, wherein the containers are accommodated individually within respective seats of a first nest which in turn is contained in a first transport tub. The method includes the step of supplying the containers; extracting at least one individual container at a time from the first nest and transferring it to a filling station in order to fill the at least one container with a substance; transferring the at least one filled container to a crimp capping station, passing through a separating partition; crimp capping the at least one container at the crimp capping station; and inserting the at least one crimp capped-container in a respective seat of a second nest.

A sterilization process is performed on a preform or container made of resin after a corona discharge treatment is performed on an inner surface of the preform or container, the corona discharge treatment including applying a voltage produced in a corona discharge to an electrode that passes through an opening part of the preform or container, an insertion step of inserting the electrode to which the voltage is applied into the preform or container through the opening part, and a bottom part treatment step of treating an inner surface of a bottom part of the preform or container by bringing the electrode close to the bottom part until the corona discharge from the electrode changes discharge mode, and the sterilization process including a hydrogen peroxide supplying step of blasting a mist or gas of hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture thereof to the preform or container.

A method for packaging products in a substantially oxygen free environment. The method includes providing a containment environment including a main chamber formed by main chamber walls, an exhaust portion for removing ambient air from the main chamber, an intake portion for introducing inert gas into the main chamber, and a selectively sealable access point for providing access into and out of the main chamber. The method includes providing a bulk product dispenser and one or more individual bottles into the main chamber, and sealing the main chamber at least by closing the sealable access point. The method includes purging ambient air from the main chamber through the exhaust portion and introducing inert gas into the main chamber through the intake portion. The method includes transferring a product from the bulk product dispenser to each of the one or more individual bottles, and sealing each of the individual bottles.

A method for packaging one or more tobacco-filled boxes (13) in a plastic bag (21) comprises the following steps of placing the box in a vacuum chamber (3, 5) through an input (7), closing the vacuum chamber, then evacuating the vacuum chamber and thereafter creating an over-pressure nitrogen atmosphere in the vacuum chamber putting a bag open at one end around a rectangular guide profile (19) open at both ends, where the other, closed, end of the bag shuts off one of the ends of the rectangular guide profile, positioning the rectangular guide profile with the end not shut off by the bag in front of a shut off output (9) of the vacuum chamber and coupling the rectangular guide profile in a gas-tight manner to the output of the vacuum chamber, opening the output of the vacuum chamber and guiding the box into the bag via the rectangular guide profile, and folding the open end of the bag immediately followed by the sealing of the bag. By processing the box in the vacuum chamber before a plastic bag is put around the box, it is better to create underpressure in the box and flush it with nitrogen because the box has not yet been shut off on three sides by the plastic bag in a gas-tight manner. As a result, a better atmosphere can be created in the box or the optimal atmosphere in the box can be created in a faster manner.

A pressurized container usable for an aerosol dispenser. The container is charged with propellant. The container may be conveniently shipped, for later product filling and/or decoration. By manufacturing the subcombination at a first location, and shipping sealed to a second location, flexible manufacture can be achieved. The second location can add locally popular product and decoration.

A digital pressure canner and related methods of operation that provide for improved safety and consistency during a food canning process by reducing temperature over and undershoot. The digital pressure canner includes a digital control operating with inputs from digital sensors to accurately control the canning temperature during the canning process. By reducing over and undershoot of canning temperatures, foods within the pressure canner are maintained at temperatures sufficient to kill any bacteria or microorganisms for the entire canning cycle. In order to verify operation of the digital canner at sufficient canning temperatures, mechanical safety devices, for example, a pressure relief valve can be utilized in conjunction with digital controllers and sensors to provide audible and visual feedback to a user during the canning process.

A transport container for at least one nutrient medium carrier, wherein the transport container comprises a base element and a cover element, the base element and the cover element are connectable to each other, the base element and the cover element are connected to each other in a closed state of the transport container and enclose an interior space of the transport container, and the at least one nutrient medium carrier can be arranged in the interior space. Furthermore, a method for automated microbial monitoring in a barrier system is provided.