A method of sterilizing a bottle includes steps of: sterilizing bacteria adhering to a preform (1) made of resin by gasifying a sterilizer, discharging a sterilized gas (G) from a nozzle (6) toward a preform, now traveling, so as to adhere to the preform (1); activating the sterilizer adhering to the preform by blasting hot air (P) to the preform; sterilizing the bacteria adhering to the preform, and removing the sterilizer adhering to the preform (1); heating the preform to a temperature suitable for blow-molding treatment; and blow-molding the preform within a mold (4) to mold the preform into a bottle (2), wherein the above steps are performed sequentially in order. According to the above-mentioned steps, the sterilizer does not enter a blow-molding machine.

The present invention relates to a sterile pharmaceutical composition comprising tiotropium or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for inhalation via nebulization to a subject (e.g. a human). The invention also relates to a process for preparing the pharmaceutical composition and its use in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a subject.

A heating apparatus and heating method for preforms that heat a sterilized preform to a temperature at which the preform can be molded into a bottle in an aseptic atmosphere. Additionally, an aseptic blow molding machine and an aseptic blow molding method that can mold the sterilized preform into a bottle in the aseptic atmosphere, and can take out the bottle from a bottle molding machine in a state where the sterility of the bottle is maintained. A chamber covering a heating unit that heats the preform is provided, and a sterilizing apparatus that sterilizes the inside of the chamber, and an aseptic air supplying apparatus for maintaining the sterility are provided. Additionally, a chamber covering a molding unit that molds the preform into a bottle is provided, a sterilizing apparatus that sterilizes the inside of the chamber, and an aseptic air supplying apparatus for maintaining the sterility are provided.

Process to produce containers out of preforms, in which the preform is inserted in a form-filling station, molded and filled in this station. Gas, which remains in the head space after the end of the filling process, is replaced by a purge gas, and a form-filling machine is provided to produce and to fill containers made of preforms.

An apparatus (1) for producing sterile receptacles (2), comprising: a molding unit (13) for molding parisons (4) starting from granules of thermoplastic material; a stretch-blowing forming unit (3) which receives the parisons (4) from the molding unit (13), the forming unit (3) having a plurality of forming stations (5) in each of which there is a mold (6) and a sterilization device (12) so as to form and sterilize the corresponding parison (4).

A method of sterilizing a bottle includes steps of: sterilizing bacteria adhering to a preform (1) made of resin by gasifying a sterilizer, discharging a sterilized gas (G) from a nozzle (6) toward a preform, now traveling, so as to adhere to the preform (1); activating the sterilizer adhering to the preform by blasting hot air (P) to the preform; sterilizing the bacteria adhering to the preform, and removing the sterilizer adhering to the preform (1); heating the preform to a temperature suitable for blow-molding treatment; and blow-molding the preform within a mold (4) to mold the preform into a bottle (2), wherein the above steps are performed sequentially in order. According to the above-mentioned steps, the sterilizer does not enter a blow-molding machine.

A method of sterilizing a bottle includes steps of: sterilizing bacteria adhering to a preform made of resin by gasifying a sterilizer, discharging a sterilized gas from a nozzle toward a preform, now traveling, so as to adhere to the preform; activating the sterilizer adhering to the preform by blasting hot air to the preform; sterilizing the bacteria adhering to the preform, and removing the sterilizer adhering to the preform; heating the preform to a temperature suitable for blow-molding treatment; and blow-molding the preform within a mold to mold the preform into a bottle, wherein the above steps are performed sequentially in order. According to the above-mentioned steps, the sterilizer does not enter a blow-molding machine.

An apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, has a plurality of forming stations each having application devices that apply the plastic preforms with a flowable and gaseous medium for their expansion. The apparatus has at least one first compressed air reservoir configured to store compressed air at a first predefined pressure. Each forming station has a valve arrangement with a plurality of valve devices configured to apply the plastic preforms with at least two pressures, wherein at least one of the valve devices is a pneumatically-controlled valve device. This valve device has a working chamber for receiving gaseous medium, used to act upon the plastic preforms, and a valve piston that can be moved between at least two positions. The valve device further has a control chamber that can be applied with a gaseous control medium for moving the valve piston.

An apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers is disclosed. Said apparatus comprises a conveying device on which a plurality of blowing stations are arranged. Each of said blowing stations encompasses a blow mold, within which a plastic preform can be shaped into a plastic container. The apparatus further comprises a clean chamber, within which the plastic preforms can be conveyed. According to the invention, the zone of the conveying device in which the blowing stations are arranged is located in the clean chamber, and at least one additional zone of the conveying device is located outside the clean chamber.

Apparatus for forming hollow containers (110), suitable to contain in particular one or more liquid or semi-liquid food products, starting from parisons (F) made of thermoplastic material. The apparatus comprises a matrix (11) defined by a pair of molds (12) cooperating with each other to define a cavity (13) shaped like the container (110) to be formed, and to define a support channel (14), configured to define an additional portion (112) of said container (110). The apparatus also comprises a forming punch (17), operatively mobile through said support channel (14) to enter into/exit from said cavity (13) so as to thrust and blow one of said parisons (F) against the walls of said cavity (13) to form at least said container (110).