US3634997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing aseptically packaged sterile articles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-10-22
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1988-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Aseptically packaged articles made of a plastics material are made by forming them in a moulding machine at a sterilizing temperature, introducing them while sterile from the machine into a stream of sterile air and packing them in a sterile wrapping in that stream of sterile air.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Theodore Tait
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 07:26
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/12; B65B55/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for aseptically packaging sterile articles made of a plastic material within a working space containing a nonsterile ambient atmosphere, comprising a molding machine capable of molding articles from a plastics compound at a sterilizing temperature, a bench spaced from said molding machine and located within the unsterilized atmosphere, said bench providing a horizontal surface for packaging the molded article in a sterile wrapping, means for conveying the molded articles from said molding machine to said bench and for maintaining said molded articles in the sterile condition during passage from said molding machine to said bench, and means for providing a flow of sterile air across the horizontal packaging surface of said bench from one side thereof for maintaining a sterile atmosphere for carrying out the packaging operation and so that direct access is available to the horizontal packaging surface of said bench from a location downstream in the direction of the flow of sterile air in which downstream location sterile conditions do not prevail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for aseptically packaging sterile articles made of a plastic material within a working space containing a nonsterile ambient atmosphere, comprising a molding machine capable of molding articles from a plastics compound at a sterilizing temperature, a bench spaced from said molding machine and located within the unsterilized atmosphere, said bench providing a horizontal surface for packaging the molded article in a sterile wrapping, means for conveying the molded articles from said molding machine to said bench and for maintaining said molded articles in the sterile condition during passage from said molding machine to said bench, and means for providing a flow of sterile air across the horizontal packaging surface of said bench from one side thereof for maintaining a sterile atmosphere for carrying out the packaging operation and so that direct access is available to the horizontal packaging surface of said bench from a location downstream in the direction of the flow of sterile air in which downstream location sterile conditions do not prevail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mEans for providing a flow of sterile air comprises a blower mounted adjacent said bench for drawing air in from the surrounding atmosphere and for supplying a laminar flow of sterile air across the horizontal packaging surface, and a filter disposed in the path of the sterile air between said blower and the horizontal packaging surface of said bench.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein means forming a vent in said bench adjacent its horizontal packaging surface and downstream in the path of sterile air flow from the location of the packaging operation for removing the sterile air after it traverses the horizontal packaging surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means forming a vent comprises a grille in said bench, said grille connected to the suction inlet of said blower, another filter positioned between said grille and the suction inlet to said blower for filtering the air sucked into said blower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for conveying the molded articles comprising a chute arranged to contain a supply of sterile air to prevent contamination of the molded articles as they are being conveyed from said molding machine to the packaging surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein walls forming a room enclose said bench, and said means for providing a flow of sterile air arranged to maintain the quantity of air delivered into said room equal to the quantity of air evacuated from said room for maintaining said room at ambient pressure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |