Method of making aseptic packaging

Claim 1

A method of making aseptic packages comprising: (a) extruding a molten thermoplastic resin through a tube-forming die thereby forming a continuous, closed tubing of extrudant, (b) forming a bubble at said die by blowing a noncontaminating gas into said tubing of extrudant thereby producing tubing having a sterile interior, (c) after said tubing has solidified to a nonmolten state, collapsing said tubing into flattened web thereof, (d) forming a series of longitudinally spaced seal lines extending from one longitudinally extending edge of said flattened web of tubing to a point adjacent to but spaced from an opposite longitudinally extending edge thereof while maintaining a substantially sterile condition within said tubing, (e) said transversely extending seal lines thereby defining a series of interconnected, sterile bags and a continuous, sterile channel extending along said opposite longitudinally extending edge of said web of tubing forming a completely closed sterile system of interconnected bags communicating with each other in said closed system by means of said sterile channel, (f) inserting a hollow filling tube into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof, (g) filling said bags through said filling tube with an aseptic product within a controlled, sterile environment, and (h) sealing said bags along a line disposed beneath said channel.

Claim 2

A method of making aseptic packages comprising: (a) extruding a molten thermoplastic resin through a tube-forming die thereby forming a continuous, closed tubing of extrudant, (b) forming a bubble at said die by blowing a noncontaminating gas into said tubing of extrudant thereby producing tubing having a sterile interior, (c) after said tubing has solidified to a nonmolten state, collapsing said tubing into flattened web thereof, (d) forming a series of longitudinally spaced seal lines extending from one longitudinally extending edge of said flattened web of tubing to a point adjacent to but spaced from an opposite longitudinally extending edge thereof while maintaining a substantially sterile condition within said tubing, (e) said transversely extending seal lines thereby defining a series of interconnected, sterile bags and a continuous, sterile channel extending along said opposite longitudinally extending edge of said web of tubing forming a completely closed sterile system of interconnected bags communicating with each other in said closed system by means of said sterile channel, (f) inserting a hollow filling tube into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof, (g) filling said bags through said filling tube with an aseptic product within a controlled, sterile environment, and (h) sealing said bags along a line disposed beneath said channel.

Claim 12

A method of forming aseptic packages comprising: (a) extruding in molten form through an annular die a thermoplastic material to thereby form a tube of extruded material downstream of said die, (b) blowing into said tube a noncontaminating gas, (c) after said tube has cooled from molten to solid form, collapsing said tube into a flattened configuration, (d) dividing said tube by means of a series of transverse seal lines extending partially across said flattened tube from one longitudinal edge thereof toward an opposite longitudinal edge thereof into a series of interconnected bags intercommunicating in a substantially closed system by means of a channel extending longitudinally along said opposite longitudinal edge of said tube, (e) inserting a filling pipe into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof and discharging through said filling pipe an aseptic product into said bags under controlled sterile conditions, (f) sealing said bags with said aseptic filling material therein along a longitudinally extending line intersecting said transverse seal lines, and (g) severing said tube longitudinally thereof intermediate said longitudinally extending seal line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of said tube.

Claim 13

A method of forming aseptic packages comprising: (a) extruding in molten form through an annular die a thermoplastic material to thereby form a tube of extruded material downstream of said die, (b) blowing into said tube a noncontaminating gas, (c) after said tube has cooled from molten to solid form, collapsing said tube into a flattened configuration, (d) dividing said tube by means of a series of transverse seal lines extending partially across said flattened tube from one longitudinal edge thereof toward an opposite longitudinal edge thereof into a series of interconnected bags intercommunicating in a substantially closed system by means of a channel extending longitudinally along said opposite longitudinal edge of said tube, (e) inserting a filling pipe into said channel without slitting said channel open lengthwise thereof and discharging through said filling pipe an aseptic product into said bags under controlled sterile conditions, (f) sealing said bags with said aseptic filling material therein along a longitudinally extending line intersecting said transverse seal lines, and (g) severing said tube longitudinally thereof intermediate said longitudinally extending seal line and the adjacent longitudinal edge of said tube.