Method and apparatus for sterile or aseptic handling of containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for the sterile or aseptic handing of containers, which method includes at least the following process step of: evaluating whether a container is safely closed by means of a stopper by determining whether an expected low pressure, preferably a vacuum, is present in the interior of the container.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method for sterile or aseptic handling of containers, including at least the following step:
 before filling at least one container, checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper by ascertaining whether an expected underpressure, preferably a vacuum, is present in an interior of the container.   
   
   
       13 . The method as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the step of checking by ascertaining of the expected underpressure is effected on a basis of a force measurement of the force that is necessary for removing the stopper from the container. 
   
   
       14 . The method as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the step of checking by ascertaining of the expected underpressure is effected optically. 
   
   
       15 . The method as defined by  claim 12 , wherein after the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with stopper, the stopper is removed; the container is filled; and the container is then closed with the removed stopper or another stopper. 
   
   
       16 . The method as defined by  claim 13 , wherein after the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with stopper, the stopper is removed; the container is filled; and the container is then closed with the removed stopper or another stopper. 
   
   
       17 . The method as defined by  claim 14 , wherein after the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with stopper, the stopper is removed; the container is filled; and the container is then closed with the removed stopper or another stopper. 
   
   
       18 . The method as defined by  claim 15 , wherein before the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper is done, the container is closed by the stopper, with a generation of an underpressure, preferably a vacuum, in an interior of the container. 
   
   
       19 . The method as defined by  claim 16 , wherein before the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper is done, the container is closed by the stopper, with a generation of an underpressure, preferably a vacuum, in an interior of the container. 
   
   
       20 . The method as defined by  claim 17 , wherein before the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper is done, the container is closed by the stopper, with a generation of an underpressure, preferably a vacuum, in an interior of the container. 
   
   
       21 . The method as defined by  claim 18 , wherein after the container is closed by the stopper and the generation of an underpressure or a vacuum in the interior of the container, the closed container is sterilized. 
   
   
       22 . The method as defined by  claim 19 , wherein after the container is closed by the stopper and the generation of an underpressure or a vacuum in the interior of the container, the closed container is sterilized. 
   
   
       23 . The method as defined by  claim 20 , wherein after the container is closed by the stopper and the generation of an underpressure or a vacuum in the interior of the container, the closed container is sterilized. 
   
   
       24 . The method as defined by  claim 12 , wherein the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper is done under clean room conditions. 
   
   
       25 . The method as defined by  claim 23 , wherein the step of checking whether the container is safely closed with a stopper is done under clean room conditions. 
   
   
       26 . An apparatus for sterile or aseptic handling of containers, including a testing unit for checking a container as to whether it is safely closed with a stopper, the testing unit ascertaining whether an expected underpressure, preferably a vacuum, is present in an interior of the container. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 26 , wherein the testing unit includes an optical signal transducer with a receiver which together check whether an expected underpressure, preferably a vacuum, is present in the interior of the container. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 26 , wherein the testing unit includes a force-measuring device, which ascertains the force which is necessary for removing the stopper from the container, in order to ascertain whether an expected underpressure, preferably a vacuum, is present in the interior of the container. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 26 , wherein a gripper device is provided, which before the containers are filled, removes the stopper and sets the stopper back onto the container after the container is filled. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 27 , wherein a gripper device is provided, which before the containers are filled, removes the stopper and sets the stopper back onto the container after the container is filled. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus as defined by  claim 28 , wherein a gripper device is provided, which before the containers are filled, removes the stopper and sets the stopper back onto the container after the container is filled.