Scholle Corporation

Prb Industries, Inc.

Chester Savage

Rocklin Verespej

Douglas Kent Stricklin

William R Scholle

Nancy Lu

Kenneth Micnerski

Richard L Albiani

William T Lloyd-Davies

Simon Peter Edwards

William J Scholle

Joe Hsu

Luke Hartman

Richard Carroll

Mark Anderson

William A Hardwick, Jr

Peter V Schindler

Joseph C Hsu

Robert Scholle

Dan Gudz

Silvia Sandvoss

Silvio Sandvoss

George P McFarlin

Donald E Ripley

A sterilization system for use in association with a filler device configured for filling at least one of rigid and flexible containers comprising a sterilization chamber and a sterilant supply assembly. The sterilization chamber includes a housing, an inlet into the housing, an outlet from the housing and a product retainer assembly. These components define a cavity within which to position a portion of a fitment. The sterilant supply assembly comprises a steam generating system having a steam supply conduit extending therefrom and a joint mixing conduit coupled with the inlet into the housing of the sterilization chamber, a hydrogen peroxide storing system and a member for metering liquid phase hydrogen peroxide from the hydrogen peroxide storing system into the steam supply conduit for mixing therewith, and, in turn, introduction thereof into the cavity of the sterilization chamber.

Sterilization system and method suitable for use in association with filler devices

A flexible bag container () is filled by a system () and method for filling the bag container (). The flexible bag container () has a pair of walls () and a spout member () attached to one side wall of the container. This spout member is opened and closed in the filling system. A plug member () is inserted into the spout member () from outside of the bag container () and is withdrawable in the opposite direction in order to open the bag container. The bag container is filled via the spout member after removal of the plug member outwardly of the bag container and into a filling head, and then the plug member is replaced from within the filling head into the spout member to close the bag container.

Apparatus and method for aseptic serial filling of containers

A collapsible bag for dispensing liquids which includes at least one sheet sealed to define an enclosure and a fitment (spout) attached to the enclosure and out through which liquid in the enclosure is dispensed. An interior surface of the one or more sheets has an integral texture to assist with withdrawal of the liquid from the enclosure when collapsed. The texture can be provided by sheet surfaces that are mechanically or ultrasonically embossed or are bubble-cushioned or which have sealed pleats or accordion folds. The bottom surface of a lower flange of the fitment may have concentric ridges (or spirals) and/or radial grooves. Also disclosed are methods of making the bag from one, two, three or four sheets.

Collapsible bag for dispensing liquids and method

A two-part coupling structure () includes a male coupling part () and a female coupling part () which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between the coupling parts (). For example, the coupling parts () may be used to establish fluid communication between a container () and a conduit (). The coupling parts () are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between them, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the container () and the conduit (). The male coupling part () includes a mounting structure () for supporting on the female coupling part (), and also includes a guide structure () effective to guide a male probe portion () of the male coupling part () into engagement with the female coupling part (). A rotary actuator member (), preferably in the form of a handnut is included in the male coupling part (), and is effective upon rotation of cause axial relative movement of the male probe portion () into or out of engagement with the female coupling part (). A considerably lowered manual engagement and disengagement force is provided, along with increased convenience and ease of use for the coupling structure.

Fluid coupling with rotary actuation

A flexible bag is positioned in a rigid container, such as a fifty-five gallon drum, and the bag is filled through its spout with flowable product, such as tomato paste. The bag is then expanded in the container to be substantially rigid and thereby reduce film movement and resultant flex cracking. A lid is sealed onto the container and a vacuum drawn from between the bag and the container, to, in turn, expand the bag. Gas volume needs to be present in the bag before the vacuum is applied so that the gas in the bag can expand from the vacuum on its outside. Once expanded, the container can be shipped.

Bag-in-container assembly and method

Filling and sealing devices and methods of aseptically filling containers are disclosed herein. More specifically, the filling and sealing devices include a sterile filling chamber and an induction sealing device provided within the filling chamber. The induction sealing device is capable of withstanding and operating in the adverse conditions required to maintain the sterile environment within the filling chamber. Within the filling chamber, the container may be uncapped, filled, recapped, and foil sealed by an induction sealing process.

Adverse environment foil cap seal system

A two-part connector structure ( ) includes a male connector part ( ) and a female connector part ( ) which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between the connector parts ( ). For example, the connector parts ( ) may be used to establish fluid communication between a container ( ) and a conduit ( ). The connector parts ( ) are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between them, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the container and the conduit. The male connector part ( ) includes a mounting structure ( ) for supporting on the female connector part ( ), and also includes a guide structure ( ) effective to guide a male portion ( ) of the male connector part ( ) into engagement with the female connector part ( ). A handnut ( ) of the male connector part ( ), and is effective upon manual rotation to cause axial relative movement of the male probe portion ( ) into or out of engagement with the female connector part ( ). This invention provides a connector structure ( ) with considerably lowered manual engagement and disengagement forces, along with increased convenience and ease of use.

Connector assembly for fluid flow with rotary motion for connection and disconnection

A collapsible bag for dispensing liquids which includes at least one sheet sealed to define an enclosure and a fitment (spout) attached to the enclosure and out through which liquid in the enclosure is dispensed. An interior surface of the one or more sheets has integral texture to assist in withdrawal of the liquid from the enclosure when collapsed. The texture can be provided by sheet surfaces that are mechanically or ultrasonically embossed or are bubble-cushioned or which have sealed pleats or accordion folds. The bottom surface of a lower flange of the fitment may have concentric ridges (or spirals) and/or radial grooves. Also disclosed are methods of making the bag from one, two, three or four sheets.

A tap for dispensing fluid from a vessel includes a main tap body, an actuator, and a seal member. The main tap body includes a passage with an inlet and an outlet and a seat with a shoulder formed around the outlet. The actuator has a handled and is pivotally attached to the main tap body and dispenses fluid from the vessel upon activation of the handle by a user. The seal member is received within the seat and attached to the actuator. The seal member includes a retaining portion received against the shoulder of the seat and a sealing portion which is releasably engageable with the seat. The seal member is resilient to provide a bias force to urge the sealing portion against the seat. The actuator is pivotal between a closed position in which the sealing portion is biased against the seat, thereby preventing fluid from passing through the outlet, and an opened position in which at least a portion of the sealing portion is pulled away from the seat against the bias force, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the outlet.

Taps and containers for dispensing fluid

A liquid-dispensing tap includes a tap body which is mountable to a container holding liquid, a seal member disposed within the tap body, and an actuator connected to the seal member. The actuator is pivotally disposed on the tap body so that when pivoted by a user, a seal formed between the seal member and the tap body is disengaged, allowing liquid within the container to dispense. The actuator may be pivoted in any number of predetermined directions. The tap may be manufactured and assembled to consist essentially of only the tap body, the seal member, and the actuator, thereby eliminating many other elements commonly found in conventional taps.

Tap for dispensing fluid

A two-part coupling valve apparatus includes a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are mutually inter-engageable to open fluid communication through the coupling valve. The coupling parts can be disengaged from one another to discontinue fluid communication, which also closes fluid communication between each of the coupling parts and ambient. The retention volume of fluid exposed to ambient upon the coupling parts being disconnected is small. The coupling valve also allows a user to selectively regulate the flow rate of fluid by manually rotating the coupling parts relative to one another.

Coupling valve apparatus and method

A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit, for example. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. The male coupling part is carried in a guide structure which is removably engageable with the female coupling part to guide the male coupling part into engagement. Also, the male coupling part and its guide structure define cooperating structural features which effect opening of the male coupling part in response to advancement relative to the guide structure. Consequently, the male coupling part can be opened without being connected to a female coupling part, for example, for cleaning and inspection, as well as for replacement of a sealing member.

Two-part fluid coupling with guide structure

A two-part coupling structure includes a male coupling part and a female coupling part which are mutually engageable to open fluid communication between a fluid-storage vessel and a conduit. The coupling parts are disengageable from one another to discontinue fluid communication between the vessel and the conduit, and also to close communication between ambient and each of the vessel and conduit. The retention volume of fluid which is trapped between the connected male and female coupling parts and which is exposed to or lost to ambient when the coupling parts are disconnected is very small. Because of particular structural features, the coupling parts will function reliably even with fluid having chunks or particulates of non-fluid material therein.

Growing community of inventors

Irvine, CA, United States of America

Chester Savage