Plug and gland aseptic package system

Abstract

A method of aseptically filling an internally sterilized sealed container having a transfer port which comprises a tubular body which is sealed to the wall of the container and defines a flow passage therethrough, and a sealing plug engaged into the passage, the tubular body having an annular outer sealing face thereon which surrounds the flow passage, including the steps of: supporting the tubular body of the container in a selected orientation and position; providing a sterilization and filling head having at least an outer sealing ring thereon which is adapted to engage and seal with the annular sealing face, and a sterilization chamber located inwards of and at least partially defined by the outer sealing ring; bringing the sterilization and filling head and the tubular body into engagement with each other so that the outer sealing face; introducing a sterilization fluid into the sterilization chamber to sterilize at least the radially outer part of the plug and that part of the tubular body within the outer sealing ring; withdrawing the plug out of the tubular body in a direction away from the container whilst maintaining the sealing ring in sealed contact with the sealing face; introducing a flowable material into the container through the tubular body; reinserting the plug into the tubular body to thereby close the tubular body; and disengaging the sterilization and filling head and the tubular body from each other.