A sterilization method includes a sterilizer supplying step of supplying a sterilizer to a sterile zone conveyor (23) while the sterile zone conveyor (23) is being rotated, and a sterile water supplying step of supplying sterile water to the sterile zone conveyor (23) while the sterile zone conveyor (23) is being rotated.

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.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for filling containers in a sterile environment, comprising a filling unit (40) configured to fill containers with sterilized liquids or powders in a sterile environment comprising interchangeable parts characteristic of each production run; a washer sterilizer (20) configured to wash, sterilize, decontaminate, dry in one single process said interchangeable parts of the filling unit (40) before each run for filling the unit (40). The washer sterilizer (20) is directly coupled to the filling unit (40) and is configured to aseptically transfer the interchangeable parts directly to the filling unit (40).

Disclosed herein is a fluid transfer assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container, the fluid transfer assembly having a spout, a screw cap body, and an aseptic plug, wherein the aseptic plug is configured to form an aseptic seal with the screw cap body.

A method of filling pharmaceutical containers includes: filling a first plurality of containers, the first plurality of containers being supported by a first holder supported on a first step of a first transport and packaging container defining a first step height, the filling includes moving filling needles of a filling device to a filling needle height and dispensing a substance into each of the first plurality of containers; and filling a second plurality of containers, the second plurality of containers being supported by a second holder supported on a second step of a second transport and packaging container defining a second step height equal to the first step height, the filling includes moving the filling needles to the filling needle height and dispensing the substance into each of the second plurality of containers, the second plurality of containers differ from the first plurality of containers in at least one aspect.

A filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The filling machine comprises a disinfection station and a hygienic chamber downstream the disinfection station, which hygienic chamber is configured to reduce the risk for re-contamination of the packages after passing the disinfection station. An inner hygienic zone is formed inside the hygienic chamber, whereby a positive air flow is established from the inner hygienic zone to the hygienic chamber outside the inner hygienic zone.

The invention is in the field of cultured meat. In particular the invention is related to a method for aseptic packaging of cultured tissue and a system suitable for this method. The method comprises the steps of producing the cultured tissue, harvesting the cultured tissue, transferring the cultured tissue to a sterile package and sealing the sterile package, wherein all steps are executed under aseptic conditions.

A modular production system including a plurality of production modules connected in a linear series to form a production tunnel, and collectively defining a production channel, and wherein at least one fluid inlet port defined along the production tunnel, said inlet port is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, whereby influx of fluid from said fluid source through said fluid inlet port acts to maintain the fluid pressure within the production channel at a higher pressure than the atmospheric pressure outside of the production tunnel; and wherein one of said production modules positioned between said proximal-most and distal-most production modules comprises a depyrogenator and/or sterilization module, comprising a transparent tubular body, and an irradiation source positioned external to said transparent tubular body, said irradiation source capable of heating the internal environment of the depyrogenation and/or sterilization module to a temperature sufficient to depyrogenate or sterilize articles passing therethrough, and associated processes.

A filling machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The filling machine comprises a sterilization station configured to provide a flow of gaseous sterilizing agent towards open ends of ready-to-fill packaging containers passing through said sterilization station. The filling machine comprises at least one clean air supply and at least one baffle plate arranged above the at least one clean air supply, wherein the air supply is configured to direct a stream of clean air towards the ready-to-fill packaging containers. The clean air supply in turn comprises at least one distribution pipe and wherein the distribution pipe extends in a horizontal direction, the horizontal direction being in the direction of the flow of packages through the filling machine.

A packaging machine configured to form, fill, and seal individual packages is provided. The packaging machine includes a disinfection/sterilization station configured to treat ready-to-fill packaging containers passing through said disinfection station. The disinfection/sterilization station includes a supply section configured to provide gaseous sterilizing agent into open ends of the ready-to-fill packaging containers passing the supply section, and a holding section arranged downstream the supply section. The packaging machine is configured to keep the ready-to-fill packaging containers at the supply section such that the sterilizing agent will condense on areas of the ready-to-fill packaging container having a temperature below the dew point of the sterilizing agent, and the packaging machine is configured to keep the ready-to-fill packaging containers at the holding section such that the gaseous sterilizing agent will treat areas of the ready-to-fill packaging container having a temperature above the dew point of the sterilizing agent.