Sterile filling method for additive product containers
A sterile filling method for an additive product container defining a product chamber adapted for containing an additive product can include forcing a first gas at a first temperature into the product chamber over a first threshold period to heat the product chamber to a first threshold temperature, such as to sterilize the product chamber. The sterile filling method can further include dispensing the additive product at a second temperature into the product chamber, sealing the product chamber; and, rotating the additive product container from a first position to a second position, such as to bring the additive product into contact with a sealing member sealing the product chamber.
1 . A sterile filling method for an additive product container defining a product chamber adapted for containing the additive product, the sterile filling method comprising:
forcing a first gas at a first temperature into the product chamber over a first threshold period to heat the product chamber to a first threshold temperature;
dispensing the additive product at a second temperature into the product chamber, wherein the second temperature is between about 84 degrees Celsius and about 95 degrees Celsius;
sealing the product chamber; and
rotating the additive product container from a first position to a second position.
2 . The sterile filling method of claim 1 , wherein forcing the first gas at the first temperature into the product chamber over the first threshold period includes forcing the first gas into the product chamber at a flow rate greater than or equal to 0.5 cubic feet per minute.
3 . The sterile filling method of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature is between about 153 degrees Celsius and about 157 degrees Celsius.
4 . The sterile filling method of claim 3 , wherein the first threshold period is between about 45 seconds and about 50 seconds.
5 . The sterile filling method of claim 4 , wherein the first threshold temperature is between about 139 degrees Celsius and about 141 degrees Celsius.
6 . The sterile filling method of claim 5 , wherein the sterile filling method further comprises maintaining the additive product container in the second position for a second threshold period after rotating the additive product container from the first position to the second position.
7 . The sterile filling method of claim 6 , wherein the second threshold period is at least about 20 seconds.
8 . The sterile filling method of claim 7 , wherein rotating the additive product container from the first position to the second position includes rotating the additive product container between about 120 degrees to about 240 degrees.
9 . The sterile filling method of claim 8 , wherein sealing the product chamber includes:
inserting a sealing member into the product chamber to establish a fluid tight seal between the sealing member and product chamber.
10 . The sterile filling method of claim 9 , wherein sealing the product chamber includes pressurizing the product chamber with a second gas.
11 . The sterile filling method of claim 10 , wherein pressurizing the product chamber with the second gas includes pressurizing the product chamber to a pressure greater than or equal to 110 pounds per square inch.
12 . The sterile filling method of claim 11 , wherein forcing the first gas at the first temperature into the product chamber includes inserting a first nozzle into the product chamber; and wherein dispensing the additive product at the second temperature includes inserting a second nozzle into the product chamber.
13 . The sterile filling method of claim 12 , wherein dispensing the additive product at the second temperature into the product chamber includes weighing the product container to verify a volume of the additive product within the product chamber.
14 . The sterile filling method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the additive product container from the first position to the second position includes rotating the additive product container about a lateral axis of the product container between about 120 degrees to about 240 degrees.
15 . A sterile filling method for an additive product container defining a product chamber adapted for containing the additive product, the sterile filling method comprising:
forcing a first gas at a first temperature into the product chamber over a first threshold period to heat the product chamber to a first threshold temperature;
between about 1 second and about 8 seconds after the first threshold period, dispensing the additive product at a second temperature into the product chamber;
between about 10 seconds and about 15 seconds after the first threshold period, sealing the product chamber; and
between about 22 seconds and about 52 seconds after the first threshold period, rotating the additive product container from a first position to a second position.