Method For Packaging Of Phials In A Sterile Environment, And Apparatus For Carrying Out The Aforesaid Method

Abstract

The method for packaging of phials in a sterile environment comprises, subsequently: moving of each empty phial (1), according to a forwarding direction (K), from an input section toward a filling station (R); inserting of a dosed quantity of pharmaceutical products (F) inside the phial (1); transporting the filled phial (1) toward a closing station (8); closing said phial (1). It is moreover provided that a first laminar flow (H) of sterilized air, having a horizontal direction, is applied at least to the upper edges (1h) which define corresponding input mouths of the phials (1), at least during the aforesaid phases of filling and closing of phials (1), as well as during their transfer from the filling station (R) to the closing station (8).

Description

All the characteristic features of the present invention, even not coming out from the above considerations, will be better pointed out in the following, according to the Claims contents and referring to the accompanying drawing tables, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic and partial plain view of an apparatus for, packaging of phials and similar containers which is the object of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view according to section line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view according to section line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows, at an enlarged scale with respect to the previous Figures, a phial during an operating phase of the apparatus according to the present invention which is considered particularly relevant.

Claims

1. Method for packaging of phials in a sterile environment, subsequently comprising the following operating phases: moving each one of said phials, when empty, along the conveying line and according to a forwarding direction, from a line input section to a line output section, towards a filling station;filling each phial, at the aforesaid filling station, with a pre-defined amount of pharmaceutical products;transporting each one of said phials, once filled, towards a closing station;closing, at said closing station, said phials filled with said pharmaceutical products;moving each one of said filled and closed phials towards an output section; wherein a first laminar flow of sterilized air, oriented at a given angle with respect to a horizontal surface, is applied at least to the upper edges of said phials at least during said phases of filling and closing said phials, as well as during their conveying toward said filling station and said closing station.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the application of a second vertical laminar flow of sterilized air, oriented top-down, at least to the upper edges of phials during their transport between the line input section and a first intermediate position, placed at an opening made in a vertical wall separating a first sterile chamber from a second sterile chamber of said sterile environment, said first laminar flow of sterilized air being applied at least to the upper edges of said phials also during their conveying between said first intermediate section and said filling station.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein a second vertical laminar flow of sterilized air, oriented top-down, is applied at least to the upper edges of said phials during their conveying between a second intermediate section, located downstream of said filling station with respect to said forwarding direction, and said output station, said fist laminar flow of sterilized air being applied at least to the upper edges of said phials even during their conveying between said closing station and said intermediate section.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said first laminar flow of sterilized air is oriented horizontally.

5. Apparatus for packaging of phials in a sterile environment, cooperating with a conveying line of said phials, said line moving according to a given transporting direction, said apparatus comprising: a filling station, cooperating with said conveying line, fit to put a dosed amount of pharmaceutical products inside each of said phials located at the said filling station; and a closing station for applying a cap to each of said filled phials, cooperating with said conveying line and arranged downstream of said filling station with respect to said forwarding direction, said apparatus comprising a first air flow generator, for generating a first laminar flow of sterilized air, oriented at a given angle with respect to a horizontal surface and fit to affect constantly at least the upper edges defining corresponding input mouths of said phials, at least during said phials filling and closing phases, as well as during their transfer between said filling station and said closing station.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising at least a vertical wall fit to separate said filling station and said closing station, as well as an inner portion of said conveying line, inside a first sterile chamber being affected by an air flow generated by said first air flow generator, also affecting at least the upper edges of said phials, said wall being also provided with an opening through which said inner portion of the same conveying line is linked with the remaining portion, located outside said first sterile chamber, a second air flow generator being also provided, located outside said first sterile chamber, fit to create a second vertical laminar flow of sterilized air oriented top-down, which affects at least the aforesaid upper edges defining corresponding input mouths of said phials, when said phials are empty and they are transported by said line towards said first sterile chamber, between an input section and a first intermediate section located at said opening.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second laminar flow or sterilized air created by said second air flow generator moreover affects at lest said upper edges of said phials, when filled and closed, transported by said line between a second intermediate section, located at said opening, and an output section.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said filling station comprises a telescopically adjustable tower carrying a dosing disc fit to put said dosed amount of pharmaceutical products inside each of said phials staying in the same filling station.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first laminar flow of sterilized air, created by said first air flow generator, is oriented horizontally.

10. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first laminar flow of sterilized air, created by said first air flow generator, is oriented horizontally.

11. Method according to claim 2, wherein said first laminar flow of sterilized air is oriented horizontally.

12. Method according to claim 3, wherein said first laminar flow of sterilized air is oriented horizontally.