Retainer for filling a container having at least one flexible component

Abstract

A retainer for filling and sealing containers having one or more flexible sides which has features for filling semi-flexible containers is disclosed. Non-standard containers for holding fluid are releasably supported during the filling and sealing process. Both the interior and exterior of the filled container are subjected to an environment of reduced pressure to minimize the headspace and sealed.

1 . A containment device for handing and filling reservoir with a liquid, wherein the reservoir has at least one fluid receiving opening, at least one flexible component; at least one rigid component; and a interior volume formed therebetween; comprising: 
 a fixture having a body and a opening for at least a portion of said reservoir wherein said opening comprises 
 an open end of said opening; and  
 a terminating end oif said opening,  
   wherein a portion of said reservoir and said open end of the opening form a pressurizable chamber and said chamber allows movement of said at least one flexible component of the reservoir within said chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The containment device of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing material positioned at said open end which forms a seal between the fixture and the reservoir.  
   
   
       3 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein the open end of the opening is circular.  
   
   
       4 . The containment device of  claim 3  further comprising a o-ring positioned at said open end which forms a seal between the fixture and the reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . The containment device of  claim 4  further comprising a port within said opening for an application of a pressure.  
   
   
       6 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein the liquid is a pharmaceutical liquid.  
   
   
       7 . The containment device of  claim 6  wherein the fixture is adapted for filling the reservoir in aseptic conditions.  
   
   
       8 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein the fixture further comprises a slot for holding at least a portion of the reservoir which does not form part of said chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein the fixture further comprises an alignment feature adapted for positioning the reservoir with respect to a filling nozzle.  
   
   
       10 . The containment device of  claim 1  further comprising a fill opening in the body of the fixture for inserting a fluid dispensing nozzle into said at least one fluid receiving of the reservoir.  
   
   
       11 . The containment device of  claim 5  wherein the pressure is applied to the port to change the interior volume thereby manipulating the fluid meniscus formed within said interior volume of the reservoir to increase or reduce the headspace to a predetermined range.  
   
   
       12 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein the opening is a spherical section.  
   
   
       13 . The containment device of  claim 1  wherein said reservoir at least one flexible component comprises less than two-thirds of the total structural components of said container.  
   
   
       14 . The containment device of  claim 10  wherein said at least one fluid receiving opening further comprises an inverted hollow conical structure positioned therein such that the narrowest portion of said hollow conical structure opens to the interior volume of said container.  
   
   
       15 . A containment device for handing and filling reservoir with a pharmaceutical liquid under aseptic conditions, wherein the reservoir has at least one fluid receiving opening, at least one flexible component; at least one rigid component; and a interior volume formed therebetween; 
 comprising:    a fixture having a body and a opening for at least a portion of said reservoir wherein said opening comprises 
 an open end of said opening;  
 a sealing material positioned at said open end which form a seal between the fixture and the reservoir; and  
 a terminating end of said opening, wherein a portion of said reservoir and said open end of the opening form a pressurizable chamber and said chamber allows movement of said at least one flexible component of the reservoir within said chamber.  
   
   
   
       16 . The containment device of  claim 15  further comprising a port within said opening for an application of a pressure.  
   
   
       17 . The containment device of  claim 15  wherein the fixture further comprises a slot for holding at least a portion of the reservoir which does not form part of said chamber.  
   
   
       18 . The containment device of  claim 15  wherein the fixture further comprises an alignment feature adapted for positioning the reservoir with respect to a filling nozzle.  
   
   
       19 . The containment device of  claim 15  further comprising a fill opening in the body of the fixture for inserting a fluid dispensing nozzle into said at least one fluid receiving of the reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . The containment device of  claim 16  wherein the pressure is applied to the port to change the interior volume thereby manipulating the fluid meniscus formed within said interior volume of the reservoir to increase or reduce the headspace to a predetermined range.