Method and system for aseptically filling a package

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10945895-B2
Application number	US-201916287867-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2019
Priority date	Feb 5, 2013
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for aseptically filling of flexible packages containing dry cloth. Such a method may include a first stage that is performed in a non-sterile environment. The first stage may include cutting a first substantially dry cloth to a predetermined size; inserting the first cloth into a flexible package; sealing a first end of the flexible package; and sterilizing the flexible package. The method may also include a second stage performed in a sterile environment. The second stage may include filling the flexible package with a medical solution such that the substantially dry cloth absorbs at least a portion of the medical solution; and sealing the open end of the flexible package.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system comprising:
a non-sterile packing module that inserts a substantially dry cloth into a package;
a non-sterile insertion module that inserts the package containing the substantially dry cloth into a wrap;
a sterilization module that sterilizes the package containing the substantially dry cloth;
a sterile removal module that removes the package containing the substantially dry cloth from the wrap; and
a sterile filling module comprising a filter that filters a medical solution and directs a portion of the medical solution into the package containing the substantially dry cloth.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sterilization module irradiates the package containing the substantially dry cloth.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the sterilization module exposes the package to gamma radiation between 25 kGy and 50 kGy.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile package cutting module that opens the package.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the sterile cutting module defines an opening in the package.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the filling module fills the package via the opening.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the filling module comprises a vaccum system that holds the opening open during filling.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile wrap cutting module that opens the wrap.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a nonsterile package sealing module that seals the package after the packing module inserts the substantially dry cloth into the flexible package.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a nonsterile wrap sealing module that seals the wrap after the packing module inserts the substantially dry cloth into the package.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sterile package sealing module that seals the package after the filling module directs a portion of the medical solution into the package.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the insertion module inserts a plurality of packages into a single wrap.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a flexible film.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a rigid tub.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wrap comprises a flexible film.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wrap comprises a rigid tub.

17. The system of claim 1 further comprising a stacking module that prepares the package for transportation.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-sterile packing module receives cloth from a roll of cloth.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the non-sterile packing module further comprises a cutting component that cuts the roll of cloth to form the substantially dry cloth to a predetermined size.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the packing module folds the substantially dry cloth prior to insertion into the package.

21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially dry cloth comprises plurality of cloths.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the packing module stacks the plurality of cloths prior to insertion into the package.

23. A system comprising:
a non-sterile packing module that inserts a substantially dry cloth into a package;
a non-sterile insertion module that inserts the package containing the substantially dry cloth into a wrap;
a sterilization module that sterilizes the package containing the substantially dry cloth by exposing the package to gamma radiation;
a sterile removal module that removes the package containing the substantially dry cloth from the wrap;
a sterile cutting module that defines an opening in the package;
a sterile filling module comprising a filter that filters a medical solution and directs a portion of the medical solution into the package containing the substantially dry cloth; and
a sterile sealing module that seals the package after the filling module directs a portion of the medical solution into the package.

Assignees

• Medline Ind Inc

Inventors

• Parthun William
• Danavi Edward

Classifications

• B65B5/045

  in bags · CPC title

• A61L2/087

  Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation · CPC title

• A61L2202/181

  Flexible packaging means, e.g. permeable membranes, paper · CPC title

• B65B55/027

  Packaging in aseptic chambers · CPC title

• B65B43/52

  using roller-ways or endless conveyors · CPC title