Abstract:
An assembly includes a support and drive assembly, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is in operable communication with and supported by the support and drive assembly. The first structure includes at least one filling or needle assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of filling or needle assemblies. The second structure is supported by the support and drive assembly. The second structure includes at least one seal assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of seal assemblies. A method includes determining a number of containers or vials that are to be filled concurrently and adjusting an assembly to include at least one filling or needle assembly and at least one seal assembly. A number of the filling or needle assemblies and the seal assemblies equals the number of containers or vials.
Abstract:
At least one of first and second mold portions defines a mold cavity to receive molten plastic and form therefrom at least one molded part, and is movable relative to the other between (i) a closed position for sealing the mold cavity or cavities and molding at least one part therein, and (ii) an open position defining a fluid passageway between the mold portions and permitting the passage of a fluid sterilant therein. A fluid sterilant source is connectable in fluid communication with the fluid passageway for introducing the sterilant therein in the open position, contacting with the sterilant the surfaces of the first and second mold portions forming the fluid passageway and located adjacent to the at least one mold cavity, but not contacting an interior surface of a molded part within the mold cavity, to sterilize the exposed mold surfaces and thereby prevent contamination of the molded part.
Abstract:
A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body; a nipple in fluid communication with the chamber that seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and that can be opened to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; and a needle penetrable and laser resealable portion that is penetrable by the needle for aseptically filling the chamber with the product, and that is thermally resealable by the application of laser radiation thereto to seal the product within the chamber.
Abstract:
A device including a valve body defining a first passageway, a valve seat, and a flow aperture extending through the valve body and coupled in fluid communication with the first passageway. A valve member formed of an elastic material overlies the valve seat, defining a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening therebetween. The valve member is movable between a normally closed position engaging the valve seat, and an open position with at least a segment of the valve member spaced away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the flow aperture. A hermetically sealed variable-volume storage chamber stores therein multiple portions of the fluid and is connectible in fluid communication with the one-way valve assembly. A pump pumps discrete portions of fluid from the chamber, through the flow aperture and through the valve opening to dispense the portions of fluid therethrough.
Abstract:
A container is provided for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and includes a body defining a chamber for receiving the product; and a container closure including a sealing portion for sealing the product within the chamber. The container closure includes a member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body; a nipple in fluid communication with the chamber that seals the chamber with respect to the ambient atmosphere during storage of the product in the chamber and that can be opened to dispense product from the chamber therethrough; and a needle penetrable and laser resealable portion that is penetrable by the needle for aseptically filling the chamber with the product, and that is thermally resealable by the application of laser radiation thereto to seal the product within the chamber.
Abstract:
An assembly includes a support and drive assembly, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is in operable communication with and supported by the support and drive assembly. The first structure includes at least one needle assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of needle assemblies. The second structure is supported by the support and drive assembly. The second structure includes at least one seal assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of seal assemblies. A method includes determining a number of vials that are to be filled concurrently and adjusting an assembly to include at least one needle assembly and at least one seal assembly. A number of the needle assemblies and the seal assemblies equals the number of vials.
Abstract:
A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing, and are adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom. The assembly comprises a flexible pouch defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance. A one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body and/or the valve seat. A valve cover is mounted on the valve body, and includes an axially-extending portion formed of an elastic material overlying the valve seat and covering a substantial axially-extending portion thereof. The valve portion defines a predetermined radial thickness and forms an interference fit with the valve seat. The valve portion and the valve seat define an axially-extending seam therebetween forming a normally closed, axially-extending valve opening, and the valve portion is movable radially between (i) a normally closed position with the valve portion engaging the valve seat, and (ii) an open position with at least a segment of the valve portion spaced radially away from the valve seat to connect the valve opening in fluid communication with the at least one flow aperture and thereby allow the passage of substance from the variable-volume storage chamber through the valve opening. In the normally closed and open positions, the one-way valve maintains substance remaining in the variable-volume storage chamber in an aseptic condition and sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for molding sterile parts. The apparatus has a first mold portion and a second mold portion. At least one of the first and second mold portions defines a mold cavity configured to receive a molten plastic and form therefrom at least one molded part At least one of the first and second mold portions is movable relative to the other between (i) a closed position for sealing the mold cavity or cavities and molding at least one part therein, and (ii) an open position defining a fluid passageway between the first and second mold portions and permitting the passage of a fluid sterilant therein. A fluid source that contains or otherwise generates a fluid sterilant, such as vaporized hydrogen peroxide, is connectable in fluid communication with the fluid passageway for introducing the sterilant into the fluid passageway with at least one of the first and second mold portions in the open position, and in turn contacting with the sterilant the surfaces of the first and second mold portions forming the fluid passageway and located adjacent to the at least one mold cavity, but not contacting an interior surface of a molded part within the mold cavity, to sterilize the exposed mold surfaces and thereby prevent contamination of the molded part.
Abstract:
An assembly includes a support and drive assembly, a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is in operable communication with and supported by the support and drive assembly. The first structure includes at least one needle assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of needle assemblies. The second structure is supported by the support and drive assembly. The second structure includes at least one seal assembly and is adjustable to receive a plurality of seal assemblies. A method includes determining a number of vials that are to be filled concurrently and adjusting an assembly to include at least one needle assembly and at least one seal assembly. A number of the needle assemblies and the seal assemblies equals the number of vials.
Abstract:
A dispenser has a body with a variable-volume storage chamber for storing substance, and a dispensing portion defining a dosage chamber in fluid communication with the storage chamber. A first valve includes a valve seat and a flexible valve cover seated thereon defining a normally-closed fluid-tight seam therebetween. The valve cover relative to moves from the valve seat to allow substance through the seam and out of the dispenser. A second valve allows substance from the storage chamber into the dosage chamber and substantially prevents flow from the dosage chamber into the storage chamber. An actuator is manually movable between (i) a first non-actuated position, and (ii) a second actuated position extending into the dosage chamber for compressing a dose of substance therein, dispensing substance through the first valve. The elasticity of the actuator causes it to return to the first non-actuated position upon manually releasing the actuator.