A method and a device for producing blow-molded containers, which are sterile at least in some areas, in a blow-molding machine. A preform made of a thermoplastic material is first heated, then stretched by a stretching rod in a blowing station, and then supplied with a pressurized fluid via a blow nozzle, wherein a sterilization device is arranged in the blowing station. The sterilization device has at least one radiation source which emits a sterilizing radiation onto the stretching rod and/or onto the blow nozzle.

An aseptic molding process of a container starting from a parison (20) made of a thermoplastic material, comprising steps of:

blowing a first fluid into the parison (20) located in a mould (10);
introducing the first fluid into the compensating chamber (14) of the mould (10) through an inlet (15);
evacuating the first fluid from the molded container;
evacuating the first fluid from the compensating chamber (14) through an outlet (16) fashioned therein;
sterilising the compensating chamber (14) by supplying to the inlet (15) a second fluid containing a sterilising agent and evacuating the second fluid from the outlet (16) of the compensating chamber (14).

A process station (1) for a parison or a container (2) made of thermoplastic material, comprising: a concave shell (3) configured to be applied onto the mouth (2b) of the individual parison or container (2) in such a manner as to enwrap at least partially the neck (2a) of the parison or container (2) so as to delimit a volume for treatment (4) of the neck (2a) subjected to plasma balls immersed in a carrier gas stream.

Plant for processing plastic preforms, includes an injection-moulding machine for producing the plastic preforms, a sterile blow-moulding machine for forming the plastic preforms into plastic containers, and a transport system for transporting, at least partially and/or in portions, the produced plastic preforms from the injection-moulding machine to the blow-moulding machine, wherein during transport, the plastic preforms can be guided in particular at a mouth region of the plastic preforms. The transport system includes a sterile pneumatic conveyor or a plurality of transport shuttles, in particular magnetic shuttles, and the plastic preforms are transported from the injection-moulding machine to the blow-moulding machine by the sterile pneumatic conveyor or magnetic shuttle.

Apparatus for producing containers, and in particular beverage containers, having a heating device configured to heat plastic parisons, having at least one first transport device, which transports the plastic parisons along a predetermined transport path, a sterilization device configured to sterilize the plastic parisons, and a forming device arranged downstream of the sterilization device, as seen in a transporting direction of the plastic parisons, and configured to form the plastic parisons into plastic containers by the application of a free-flowing medium, wherein said forming device has a transport chamber within which the plastic parisons are transported. The apparatus has an application device configured to apply a free-flowing sterilization medium, at least temporarily, to the transport chamber.

A bottle for feeding includes a body defining an enclosed cavity, where the body has a base and a top end. The enclosed cavity contains a liquid. A teat provided at the top end is adapted for discharging the liquid. A closure provided on the teat is adapted for hermetically and aseptically sealing the teat, before use and after the bottle has been manufactured. Also, a method of manufacturing the bottle for feeding is disclosed.

An aseptic filling machine capable of performing molding and filling at the same time that has a compact facility size, requires a reduced initial investment, requires a reduced running cost because of its simplified process, and ensures an aseptic condition with reliability, and an aseptic filling method therefor. An aseptic filling machine includes a pre-heating sterilizing portion that sterilizes a preform, a heating portion that heats the sterilized preform, a molding and filling portion that fills the heated preform with a sterilized content under high pressure, thereby molding the preform into a bottle and at the same time filling the preform with the content, and a sealing portion that seals the bottle filled with the content. Before the aseptic filling machine starts operating, each portion is sterilized. During operation of the aseptic filling machine, aseptic air is supplied to each portion to maintain the aseptic condition.

The present disclosure relates to methods of maintaining sterility of an aseptic work zone of a blow-fill seal operation so that low acid foods may be aseptically processed and packaged. The methods of the present disclosure further provide for maintain the sterility of the aseptic work zone such that the aseptic work zone does not have to be enclosed in a separate sterile environment during the blow fill seal process. The methods of the present disclosure further provide a sterilization procedure that is compliant with FDA regulations related to the aseptic packaging of low acid food products. Further disclosed, are methods for producing a hermetically sealed container containing a low acid food product.

A fill assembly sterilization method and system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide in humidified air. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C. Preferred sterilant gas is humidified air containing about 10 to about 20 milligrams of nitrogen dioxide per liter.

Mold filling machine for producing and filling containers made from preforms, comprising a mold filling station with a mold for receiving a preform, wherein the mold has an opening, such that an opening region of the preform in the mold is accessible, the mold filling station having a treatment unit with at least two treatment subunits, which are arranged movably in the treatment unit in such a way that the treatment subunits can be positioned alternately over the opening and the treatment unit has a sealing element, which can be positioned over the opening of the mold in such a way as to form a gastight space, which includes the interior space of the preform and/or container and the treatment subunits.