A medical vial filling system is adapted to fill a medical vial with a solution and cap the filled medical vial. A purging system includes a manifold disposed between a filling station and a capping station. The manifold includes a filling inlet port and a plurality of output ports. The output ports are positioned in a space proximate the filling station and in a space over the transport mechanism. A stoppering block includes a capping chamber for receiving a bushing positioned at the capping station. The stoppering block comprises a stoppering inlet port, a first nozzle opening into the capping chamber and a second nozzle extending into the capping chamber and directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is position in the capping station. A supply of non-reactive gas at the filling inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas out the manifold outlet ports to evacuate air and substitute the non-reactive gas in the filled medical vial and at the stoppering inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas in a flood zone surround a space above the medical vials when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station and in a stream directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station.

A device for transporting a filled container in a rotary device, for example from a rotary filler to a capper, includes a rotary element rotating about an axis of rotation with a holding element for accommodating the container. The holding element is designed such that the filled container is held so that a container axis, which passes through and is perpendicular to a mouth aperture cross-sectional plane of the container, is oriented below the holding element toward the axis of rotation.

A medical vial filling system is adapted to fill a medical vial with a solution and cap the filled medical vial. A purging system includes a manifold disposed between a filling station and a capping station. The manifold includes a filling inlet port and a plurality of output ports. The output ports are positioned in a space proximate the filling station and in a space over the transport mechanism. A stoppering block includes a capping chamber for receiving a bushing positioned at the capping station. The stoppering block comprises a stoppering inlet port, a first nozzle opening into the capping chamber and a second nozzle extending into the capping chamber and directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is position in the capping station. A supply of non-reactive gas at the filling inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas out the manifold outlet ports to evacuate air and substitute the non-reactive gas in the filled medical vial and at the stoppering inlet port directs flow of the non-reactive gas in a flood zone surround a space above the medical vials when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station and in a stream directed into the medical vial when the medical vial is positioned in the capping station.

An apparatus for filling product into containers includes a working chamber through which the containers pass and the containers are acted upon by a sterile fluid to avoid contamination. An external line extends through the working chamber having a plurality of gas openings for the introduction of sterile air into the working chamber and that an internal line extends into the external line having a plurality of openings for spraying a cleaning medium. An annular chamber extends in a longitudinal direction between the internal and the external line. The cross-sectional area of the annular chamber varies in the longitudinal direction so that an even distribution of sterile air emerging from the gas openings into the working chamber is achieved.

According to aspects of this disclosure there is provided a method for processing plastic containers comprising: i. Providing a container suitable for hot-filling; ii. Filling the container with heated or heatable liquid including water; iii. Sealing the container with a seal or cap to close the container; iv. Cooling the liquid in the sealed container to create a first headspace pressure within the container; v. Enclosing the cooled and sealed container within an open aseptic converter chamber, wherein the converter chamber comprises: 1. A sanitized environment; 2. Means for maintaining the sanitization of the container within the converter chamber; 3. Means for perforating or opening the cap or seal of the container within the converter chamber; 4. Means for sealing the opening or perforation within the converter chamber; and 5. Means for transporting or conveying multiple containers within the converter chamber. vi. Creating an opening in the seal or cap of the container within a sanitized environment of a perforator means or device for creating an opening in the seal or cap; vii. Increasing the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure within the container by the introduction of a sanitized fluid to the headspace of the container; viii. Resealing the container within a sanitized environment of a sealing means or device; ix. Transporting or conveying the sealed container from the sanitized environment of the converter chamber.

A device for treating container closures, including sterilizing container closures for closing containers in a beverage filling plant. The device may include a treatment chamber for treating container closures, and a transport device for transporting container closures through the treatment chamber. The transport device may include a linear drive.

A method for treating containers in which, at a treatment station, the containers are provided on container outer surfaces thereof with a print that including a colorant. The colorant can be dye or ink. The method includes, at a treatment station, processing the colorant by irradiating the containers with non-thermal energy radiation. Processing the colorant includes drying or curing it. The method also includes decontaminating a region of the containers with the same radiation, either by disinfecting or sterilizing it. The region includes either or both a container opening and a container inner surface.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for processing containers. The system may include 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 or tunnel for continuously exiting the processed containers; and a conveyor system configured to transport or convey the containers. The system may further include a production line including a filler for filling empty blow-moulded containers with a heated liquid to pasteurize inside surfaces of the containers and a capper for sealing the filled blow moulded containers.

A device for transporting a filled container in a rotary device, for example from a rotary filler to a capper, includes a rotary element rotating about an axis of rotation with a holding element for accommodating the container. The holding element is designed such that the filled container is held so that a container axis, which passes through and is perpendicular to a mouth aperture cross-sectional plane of the container, is oriented below the holding element toward the axis of rotation.

A plant (1) for filling and closing cans (2) under hygienic conditions which comprises a hygienic compartment (3), a lid applying device (7) and an inlet (30) for a filling material. The lid applying device (7) is arranged in the hygienic compartment (3) and the inlet (30) is formed on the hygienic compartment (3). When used as intended, one or more cans (2) can be assigned to the hygienic compartment (3) and the hygienic compartment (3) can be moved together with the can(s) (2) in the system (1).