US3911640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the packing under aseptic conditions of sterile goods into containers
Assignee: Tetra Pak AB
•
Filing: 1973-07-19
•
Granted: 1975-10-14
•
Expires: 1993-07-19
Abstract
Abstract A method 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 which are then filled from above with the sterile goods to be packaged. After filling, and while still within the tunnel, a closure in the form of a second web is applied to the upper ends of the containers and heat sealed into place. After the end-to-end connected formed, filled and sealed containers pass out of the opposite end of the tunnel they are then separated from one another by severing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans A Rausing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; A61L2/08; A61L2/10; B; B65; B65B; B65B55/00; B65B55/02; B65B55/025; B67; B67C; B67C7/00; B67C7/0073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for forming, filling and sealing containers under aseptic conditions from a first web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material of indeterminate length comprising moving the first web in the direction of its length with one surface facing a sterile chamber and cooperating therewith to constitute one outer wall thereof by forming a substantial seal therewith, forming a plurality of container elements in the first web, introducing a filler material into the container elements, applying a second web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material to the filled container elements, and sealing the second web to the first web to close and seal the filled container elements, the steps of forming the container elements, filling the container elements and applying and sealing the second web to the filled container elements being carried out while the first web constitutes the one outer wall of the sterile chamber and finally separating the filled and sealed containers after leaving the sterile chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for forming, filling and sealing containers under aseptic conditions from a first web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material of indeterminate length comprising moving the first web in the direction of its length with one surface facing a sterile chamber and cooperating therewith to constitute one outer wall thereof by forming a substantial seal therewith, forming a plurality of container elements in the first web, introducing a filler material into the container elements, applying a second web of substantially impermeable thermoformable material to the filled container elements, and sealing the second web to the first web to close and seal the filled container elements, the steps of forming the container elements, filling the container elements and applying and sealing the second web to the filled container elements being carried out while the first web constitutes the one outer wall of the sterile chamber and finally separating the filled and sealed containers after leaving the sterile chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first web is sterilized before it forms the one wall of the sterile chamber.
Claim 4
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.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3267639A
Cited
US3383831A
Cited
US3481100A
Cited
US3478489A
Cited
US3583132A
Cited
US3692468A
Cited
US3583129A
Cited
US3766709A
Cited
US3783581A
Cited
US3820300A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |