US3884012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the packing under aseptic conditions of sterile goods into containers
Assignee: Tetra Pak AB
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Filing: 1973-07-19
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for packing sterile goods into containers under aseptic conditions wherein a thermoformable web is introduced into one end of a processing tunnel within which sterile conditions are maintained. As the web passes through the tunnel it is drawn into a series of end-to-end connected open-top containers. A second web is applied to the first web along the corresponding opposite longitudinal edge portions to form a tube which is then filled with the material to be packaged so that the material fills the drawn container spaces. The two webs are then further joined together by sealing along zones closed in themselves around the container openings so that each container becomes closed. After the two webs pass out of the opposite end of the tunnel, the filled containers are then separated from one another by severing.
Inventors
- 👤 Georg E Ernstsson
- 👤 Kjell H Martensson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:33
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/025; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/18; B29C51/20; B29C51/24; B65B55/04; B65B55/10; B65B55/103; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/004; B29C2791/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of forming, filling and sealing containers from a first and a second web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material of indeterminate length while under aseptic conditions comprising moving the webs in the direction of their length with one surface facing a sterile chamber, said webs constituting walls of the sterile chamber, forming a plurality of container elements in at least one of said webs, sealing the two webs together along their longitudinal side edges to form a tube, introducing a filling material into the tube to fill the container elements formed in said at least one of said webs, sealing the webs together about the edges of the container elements to close and seal the separate containers, the steps of forming the container elements, sealing the longitudinal edges of said webs to form the tube, and filling the tube with filling material being carried out while the webs constitute walls of the sterile chamber, and finally separating said filled and sealed containers into separate containers after leaving the sterile chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method of forming, filling and sealing containers from a first and a second web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material of indeterminate length while under aseptic conditions comprising moving the webs in the direction of their length with one surface facing a sterile chamber, said webs constituting walls of the sterile chamber, forming a plurality of container elements in at least one of said webs, sealing the two webs together along their longitudinal side edges to form a tube, introducing a filling material into the tube to fill the container elements formed in said at least one of said webs, sealing the webs together about the edges of the container elements to close and seal the separate containers, the steps of forming the container elements, sealing the longitudinal edges of said webs to form the tube, and filling the tube with filling material being carried out while the webs constitute walls of the sterile chamber, and finally separating said filled and sealed containers into separate containers after leaving the sterile chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein container elements are formed in both webs, opposing pairs of said elements being sealed together to form single containers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising sterilizing said webs before said webs form walls of the sterile chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising heating said at least one web to thermoforming temperatures before said webs form walls of the sterile chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the temperature of the heating step is sufficient to sterilize said at least one web.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a sterile gas is passed into said sterile chamber under a pressure exceeding that of the surrounding air so as to prevent surrounding air from entering said sterile chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of forming container elements in at least one web is carried out while moving the at least one web constituting a wall of the sterile chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for forming and filling containers with a filling material under aseptic conditions from a first and a second web of thermoformable material of indeterminate length comprising a tunnel member having at least one open side, means for continuously passing each of said webs along the at least one open side of said tunnel member to form therewith a closed sterile chamber, means for introducing a sterile gas into said sterile chamber under a pressure exceeding that of the surrounding air to prevent surrounding air from entering said sterile chamber, means in said sterile chamber for forming container elements in at least one of said webs, means in said sterile chamber for sealing together the longitudinal side edges of said webs to form a tube, means in said sterile chamber for introducing a filling material into the tube to fill the container elements, means outside of said sterile chamber for sealing said filled tube into separate containers and means for separating said tube into separate containers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
Apparatus for forming and filling containers with a filling material under aseptic conditions from a first and a second web of thermoformable material of indeterminate length comprising a tunnel member having at least one open side, means for continuously passing each of said webs along the at least one open side of said tunnel member to form therewith a closed sterile chamber, means for introducing a sterile gas into said sterile chamber under a pressure exceeding that of the surrounding air to prevent surrounding air from entering said sterile chamber, means in said sterile chamber for forming container elements in at least one of said webs, means in said sterile chamber for sealing together the longitudinal side edges of said webs to form a tube, means in said sterile chamber for introducing a filling material into the tube to fill the container elements, means outside of said sterile chamber for sealing said filled tube into separate containers and means for separating said tube into separate containers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |