Methods, assays, compositions and kits for the ligation of short polynucleotides are presented herein. The short polynucleotides are optionally no more than 7 nucleotides in length, and can be as short as 3 or 4 nucleotides in length. The ligation is optionally performed by CV ligase.

A system and method for conveying a sterilizing fluid to a filling machine includes a refilling tank for containing the sterilizing fluid and from which the sterilizing fluid is drawn, a spray tank fluidly connected to the refilling tank for receiving the sterilizing fluid from the refilling tank and conveying the sterilizing fluid to the filling machine, and a fluid line connecting the refilling tank to the spray tank. A vacuum generator is fluidly connected to the spray tank via a vacuum line and configured to generate a vacuum in the spray tank, such that the vacuum causes sterilizing fluid to be drawn from the refilling tank and into the spray tank.

A system and method for conveying a sterilizing fluid to a filling machine includes a refilling tank for containing the sterilizing fluid and from which the sterilizing fluid is drawn, a spray tank fluidly connected to the refilling tank for receiving the sterilizing fluid from the refilling tank and conveying the sterilizing fluid to the filling machine, and a fluid line connecting the refilling tank to the spray tank. A vacuum generator is fluidly connected to the spray tank via a vacuum line and configured to generate a vacuum in the spray tank, such that the vacuum causes sterilizing fluid to be drawn from the refilling tank and into the spray tank.

A cap sterilizer (50) includes an infeed chamber (52), a sterilant atomizing chamber (53), and an air rinse chamber (54). At least the infeed chamber (52) and the air rinse chamber (54) are exhausted. Both an exhaust pressure (E2) in the infeed chamber (52) and an exhaust pressure (E4) in the air rinse chamber are higher than an exhaust pressure (E3) in the sterilant atomizing chamber (53), or the sterilant atomizing chamber (53) is not exhausted.

A cap sterilizer (50) includes an infeed chamber (52), a sterilant atomizing chamber (53), and an air rinse chamber (54). At least the infeed chamber (52) and the air rinse chamber (54) are exhausted. Both an exhaust pressure (E2) in the infeed chamber (52) and an exhaust pressure (E4) in the air rinse chamber are higher than an exhaust pressure (E3) in the sterilant atomizing chamber (53), or the sterilant atomizing chamber (53) is not exhausted.

A unit configured to form a tube for producing sealed packages starting from a sheet of packaging material having opening devices pre-applied thereon, comprises at least one guiding assembly configured to interact with the sheet of packaging material to fold it gradually into a tube shape; the guiding assembly comprises a plurality of folding rollers delimiting a passage for the sheet of packaging material and each having a lateral wall configured to cooperate in contact with the sheet of packaging material to control the folding thereof; the folding rollers comprise at least one folding roller having at least one recess on the lateral wall thereof, the recess defining a slot configured to be engaged by the opening devices.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a box-shaped package, comprising: a base, and a cover configured to be placed on the base to close the package, wherein in a closed configuration of the package, the interface between the base and the cover is gas-tight; the base and/or the cover comprise one or more gas-permeable zones which are capable of passing gases, such as air, into and out from the package, particularly in the closed configuration.

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. The humidity of the humid ozone gas to be supplied to the sterilization region is regulated, depending on a temperature of the containers to be conveyed to the sterilization region.

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. The humidity of the humid ozone gas to be supplied to the sterilization region is regulated, depending on a temperature of the containers to be conveyed to the sterilization region.

To make a sterilization step appropriate in an aseptic filling apparatus. Provided is an aseptic filling apparatus including a step of sterilizing a preform and a step of sterilizing a container obtained by molding the preform, wherein assuming sterilization effects in the respective sterilization steps as X [LRV] and Y [LRV], a relationship of 5≤X+Y≤10 (where Y≥0) is established.