Abstract
An apparatus and method for aseptically filling a container utilizing an adaptor formed of severable and heat-sealable material connected to a tube and container. The adaptor includes a membrane which is unsealed to allow filling by a known filling machine. Once the adaptor tube and container is formed as a unit, it is sterilized. The adaptor is then severed and sealed, creating a usable aseptic liquid product.
Claims
1. An aseptically sealed unit apparatus filled with aseptic liquid, comprising: an adaptor, said adaptor comprising a body having a passageway therethrough, said body further including a narrowed and heat-sealed terminus at a first end formed by severing said adaptor and a single exit from said passageway at a second end; a container, said container having a single opening to a chamber configured to add the aseptic liquid; and a severable tube, said severable tube being sealingly connected to said adapter, said severable tube further comprising an aperture, said severable tube aperture communicating with said single exit of said adaptor at said second end, thereof, said severable tube further being sealingly connected to said container, said severable tube aperture further communicating with said chamber of said container at said single opening to said chamber of said container, said adaptor, container, and severable tube connected to said adaptor and said container being sterilized by irradiation, said severable tube being configured to permit the flow of the aseptic liquid therefrom when severed.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said body comprises a cylindrical body.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said body comprises a polyethylene body.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said container comprises a polymeric bag.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said body further comprises a barbed configuration at said second end.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of the adaptor and portions of a connected tube and membrane employed in the present application.
(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the adaptor of FIG. 1 connected to a tube which is attached to a container to be filled with aseptic liquid.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side-elevational view of the adaptor of the present apparatus with indications of the membrane piercing, severing of the adaptor, and passage of aseptic liquid through the connected tube.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of a severed and sealed adaptor as well as an indication of discarded portions of the same.
(5) FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a severed and sealed adaptor, connected to an attached container which has been filled with aseptic liquid.
(6) FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the severing of the tube connected to the container for use by a user and the discarding of unwanted components.
(7) For a better understanding of the application reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(8) Various aspects of the application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
(9) The apparatus as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. With reference to FIG. 1, it may be observed that an adaptor 12 is employed. Adaptor 12 is generally cylindrical in shape and is formed of severable and heat sealable material such as polyethylene. Adaptor 12 is constructed with a first end portion 14, a second end portion 16, and an intermediate portion 18. Further, adaptor 12 includes a passageway 20 through the same. Passageway 20 includes an entrance 22 and an exit 24, best shown in FIG. 2. In essence, aseptic liquid is intended to flow through passageway 20 through entrance 22 and out through exit 24, which will be discussed in further detail as the specification continues.
(10) Again, referring to FIG. 1, it may be observed that a tube 26 is employed in the present apparatus 10. Tube 26, FIGS. 1-3, includes an opening or aperture 28. A connector 30, such as a tie wrap, attaches tube 26 to first end portion 14 of adaptor 12 such that opening 28 of tube 26 communicates with passageway 20 of adaptor 12. Such communication takes place at exit 24 therefrom. Tube 26 leads to a container 32 depicted as a polymeric bag. It also should be noted that container 32 is presented in miniature fashion for the sake of clarity in the drawings. However, bag 32 may be notably larger than that depicted in the drawings. Container 32 includes a chamber 34. Tube 26 is permanently attached to container 32 at attachment place 36, allowing aperture 28 to communicate with chamber 34. A membrane 36 is attached to adaptor 12 at second end portion 16 by any suitable means such as gluing, welding, and the like. Membrane 36 may be cut or pierced at a later time, as will be described hereinafter. It should also be noted that adaptor 12 includes flanges 38 and 40 at second end portion 16 to permit attachment of the same to a known filling apparatus which serves as the source of aseptic liquid. In addition, first end portion 14 is manufactured with a barbed end configuration 42 which is compatible with tube 26 and connector 30.
(11) As shown in FIG. 2, the adaptor 12, tube 26, and container 32 are initially formed into a unit 44 that is sterilized by any suitable means. FIG. 2 indicates an irradiation method of sterilization shown by plurality of jagged-lined arrows 46.
(12) Once sterilized, unit 44 may be employed to carry aseptic liquid from a source 46, dashed lines on FIG. 1, of conventional configuration. For example, source 46 may take the form of a modified filling machine known as the ENGI-O A3.
(13) Referring now to FIG. 3, the employment of unit 44 and the method of aseptic filling of the present application is shown. Directional arrow 48 represents the piercing or unsealing of membrane 38 by filling machine 46, a known process associated with filling machine 46. Directional arrow 50 shows the passage of aseptic liquid from automatic filling machine 46 into entrance 16 of adaptor 12. Directional arrow 52 traces the passage of aseptic liquid through tube 26 via aperture 28 and into container 34 (not shown).
(14) Once container 32 is filled with aseptic liquid 54, FIG. 5, adaptor 12 is severed and sealed at intermediate portion 18, directional arrows 56 and 58 of FIG. 3. Such process is achieved by the use of an impulse sealer, known in the art. It also should be noted that bag 32 filled with aseptic liquid 54 is measured using an accurate flow meter in conjunction with filling machine 46. The severing and sealing of intermediate portion 18 of adaptor 12 leaves a narrowed terminus 60 of the now shortened adaptor 12. The severed part 62 of adaptor 12, FIG. 4, is the discarded as indicated by arrow 64.
(15) Viewing now FIG. 5, it may be apparent that an aseptically filled and sealed unit 66 has been created utilizing the severed and sealed portion 68 of adaptor 12, tube 26, and connected container 32 filled with aseptic liquid 54. Unit 66 is then passed to a user. A user would then cut or open tube 26 indicated by directional arrows 70 and 72 and discard portion 74 which includes part 68 of adaptor 12 and a portion 76 of tube 26. Aseptic liquid 54 within chamber 43 of container 34 may then be employed by the user.
(16) In operation, the apparatus 10 of the present application is assembled utilizing adaptor 12, FIG. 1, which is attached to a tube 26 via a connector 30. Tube 26 is, in turn, fixed permanently to a polymeric bag 32 to form a unit 44. Unit 44 is then sterilized using known methods such as irradiation. Following sterilization of unit 44, membrane 38 of adaptor 12 is unsealed or pierced, allowing aseptic liquid to flow from a prior art conventional filling machine 46, through passageway 30 of adaptor 12, passageway 28 of tube 26, and into chamber 34 of container 32. It should be noted that filling machine 46 is also capable of such piercing or unsealing membrane 38 at second end portion 16 of adaptor 12, in this regard. Once aseptic liquid 54 flows to container 32, adaptor 12 is severed and sealed at intermediate portion 18, according to directional indicator arrows 56 and 58. A narrow terminus 60 is formed on remaining part 68 of adaptor 12 and serves as part of a unit 66 which is then transported to a user. The severed part 62 of adaptor 12 is discarded. Once the user receives unit 66, tube 26 is cut allowing aseptic liquid 54 to flow from chamber 34 of container 32 for use. The severed portion 74 of unit 66 is then discarded. It should be realized that once unit 44 has been assembled and sterilized, aseptic fluid 54 is allowed to pass to chamber 34 of container 32. Sterilization is maintained until the user severs tube 26 and gains access to aseptic fluid 54, FIG. 6.
(17) While in the foregoing, embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purpose of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
