DE102012110339A1 - Holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of medical or pharmaceutical containers as well as transport or packaging containers with self and method for treating such containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, wherein the containers are open at at least one end and wherein the support structure a plurality of openings or receptacles into which the containers are insertable, as well Holding means for holding the container in the openings or receptacles. According to the invention, the holding structure is formed or comprises a plurality of subunits, wherein the subunits can each be handled or processed separately with the containers held thereon. The subunits facilitate the transfer to the process stations of the process, but at the same time serve for a reliable positioning of the containers during the process at positions that are precisely predetermined by the positions of the holding means.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the simultaneous mounting of a plurality of containers for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, in particular of vials and ampoules, and in particular relates to the simultaneous mounting of a plurality of containers in a holding structure in such a way, that these, while they are held in a holding structure provided for this, can be further processed in filling or processing plants, in particular in a sterile tunnel, a filling plant for liquid medical or pharmaceutical applications or a freeze-drying cabinet for lyophilizing a liquid containing active substance or the like. Another aspect of the present invention further relates to a method for treating a plurality of such containers with simultaneous automated delivery and transfer of a plurality of containers to process stations.

Background of the invention

As containers for storage and storage of medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations in liquid form, in particular in pre-dosed quantities, medicament containers, such as vials, ampoules or carpules, are widely used. These generally have a cylindrical shape, can be made of plastics or glass and are available in large quantities at low cost. For the most economical filling of the container under sterile conditions concepts are increasingly used in which the containers are packaged sterile sterile at the manufacturer of containers in transport and packaging containers, which then at a pharmaceutical company under sterile conditions, especially in a so-called. Sterile tunnel , unpacked and then processed further.

For this purpose, div. Transport and packaging containers are known from the prior art, in which at the same time a plurality of drug containers in a regular arrangement, for example, in a matrix array along rows and at right angles to extending columns, are arranged. This has advantages in the automated further processing of the containers, since the containers can be transferred to processing stations in controlled positions and in a predetermined arrangement, for example to process machines, robots or the like. For this purpose, holding structures are used, in which at the same time a plurality of containers can be held in a predetermined regular arrangement. To transfer to a processing station just needs the transport and packaging container to be properly positioned and opened. The downstream processing station then knows in which position and arrangement the containers to be further processed are arranged.

Such a transport and packaging container and a corresponding packaging concept are for example in the US 8,118,167 B2 disclosed. The further processing of the container, however, always takes place in such a way that the holding structure from the transport and packaging container, the container is removed from the support structure and separated and transferred to a conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, individually to the processing stations and further processed there. This limits the achievable speed in further processing. In particular, when separating the container by means of cellular wheels or the like, it always comes back to individual containers abut uncontrollably, resulting in undesirable abrasion and consequent contamination of the container interior or the process plant and to a deterioration of the external appearance of the container leads, which is undesirable.

US 8,100,263 B2 discloses a sterile packable and transportable transport and packaging container in which a plate-shaped support structure can be used, in which a plurality of drug containers are kept in a regular arrangement. The individual medication containers are initially arranged loosely in receptacles which are formed in the holding structure. Subsequently, the support structure is inserted into the transport and packaging container and this surrounded with a gas-impermeable plastic tube. During the subsequent evacuation of the packaging unit formed in this way, the plastic tube is forced into the intermediate spaces between the medicament containers due to the negative pressure prevailing in the tube, which on the one hand stabilizes the position of the medicament container in the holding structure and, on the other hand, prevents further uncontrolled collision of adjacent medicament containers. When evacuating and the subsequent opening of the plastic tube, however, the drug container can slip sideways, which increases the automation effort for further processing of the drug container. Furthermore, the drug container after opening the plastic tube can still collide uncontrollably, which brings the aforementioned disadvantages. The drug containers may not continue in the shipping or packaging container or in the support structure but must first be separated in the conventional manner and transferred to downstream processing stations.

Other comparable transport and packaging containers and holding structures are in WO 2011/135085 A1 . US 2011/0277419 A1 . WO 2012/025549 A1 . WO 2011/015896 A1 . WO 2012/007056 A1 and WO 2009/015862 A1 disclosed.

For further processing, however, the medication containers must always be separated. This is exemplified by the 1 which illustrates a schematic flow diagram of a conventional process for the freeze-drying of pharmaceutical preparations in drug containers, as described for example in US Pat US 5,964,043 is disclosed.

First, the process plant, a sterile tunnel, is charged with the vials. For this, the vials are hung upside down in transport frames, which are then conveyed through the process plant. For pretreatment, the vials held in the transport frame are first sterilized. Subsequently, the transport frames are turned with the vials stored therein and filled with a drug solution. Subsequently, a stopper is placed on the upper edge of the vials, in which a channel is formed, through which the interior of the bottle communicates during freeze-drying with the chamber of the freeze-drying cabinet.

For freeze-drying (also referred to as lyophilization or sublimation drying), the vials are then removed from the transport frame and placed individually in the freeze-drying cabinet. In this case, the bottoms of the vials to achieve a good cooling effect must be discontinued directly on a planar design cooling floor. If no full-surface immediate contact is ensured at this point, this leads to a considerable lengthening of the freeze-drying process, which leads to higher costs.

After lyophilization, the vials are removed from the freeze-drier, the plugs are depressed, and a metal lid is placed on the stopper and crimped or crimped. Such processed vials are then shipped, for example, by collecting a plurality of vials together from a carrier and inserting the carrier into a shipping and packaging container which is then packaged sterile for shipment.

The immediate contact between the bottom of the medicine containers and the chilled bottom, which is necessary for freeze-drying, conventionally requires treating or processing individual containers, which increases the processing and packaging costs. A batchwise processing of drug containers is not possible conventionally. In any case, a direct contact of the bottoms of the drug container, in particular the bottoms of vials, in the conventional holding structures is not possible.

Summary of the invention

According to the invention, a holding structure for containers for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications is to be improved so that a treatment or further processing of the container is facilitated, so that it can be carried out in particular automated. According to further aspects, a transport and packaging container with such a support structure and a method for the treatment or further processing of such containers is to be provided, in which such a support structure is used.

These objects are achieved according to the present invention by a support structure according to claim 1, by a transport and packaging container according to claim 12 and by a method according to claim 13. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Thus, a holding structure is provided for concurrently holding a plurality of containers for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular vials and ampoules, wherein the containers are open at at least one end, wherein the holding structure comprises a plurality of openings or receptacles, in which the containers are insertable, as well as holding means for holding the container in the openings or receptacles. According to the invention, the holding structure is formed or comprises a plurality of subunits, wherein the subunits can each be handled or processed separately with the containers held thereon.

The subunits facilitate the transfer to the process stations of the process, but at the same time serve for a reliable positioning of the containers during the process at positions that are precisely predetermined by the positions of the holding means. The subunits serve as holding structures (carriers) and can be handled independently, wherein the medication containers can be kept at these preferably preconfigured. The containers can, for example, outside a sterile process plant in a such subunit can be used. This is followed by sterilization and further processing, in each case when gripping / handling individual subunits or inserts composed therefrom for conventional transport and packaging containers.

According to another embodiment, the subunits are releasably connected together to form the support structure. The connection can be made via a suitable form or frictional connection but also via separate connecting elements. The subunits can thus be assembled into larger ones which can be handled, for example, more quickly and more suitably, for example for transportable or sealable transport units.

According to a further embodiment, the subunits are connected to one another via a holding frame. The support frame provides greater mechanical stability to the plurality of subunits, but may also serve to handle the plurality of subunits simultaneously, for example, for simultaneously transferring a plurality of subunits to a process station or for depositing the plurality of subunits in a transport and packaging containers.

According to a further embodiment, the holding frame is designed as a transport and packaging container, which is designed to be open on one or two sides and in which the subunits are each separately insertable. A separate holding frame is therefore no longer required.

According to a further embodiment, the subunits each have a holding web, by means of which the respective subunits are respectively held in the holding frame or by means of which the subunits are connected to one another. In particular, the retaining bar can be inserted directly into a transport and packaging container or in a holding frame to be positioned there.

According to a further embodiment, a plurality of elastic retaining arms project from the retaining web, which openings form openings or receptacles for holding the containers on the sub-units. By suitable dimensioning and design of these retaining arms, the holder of the container on the retaining webs or subunits can be arbitrarily specified in a simple manner. In particular, by means of suitable dimensioning and design of these holding arms, a suitable frictional or positive connection for holding the containers or suitable support of the containers on the subunits can be realized. The support or support of the containers is particularly chosen so that the containers, while they are held on the subunits can be moved or adjusted in some way, for example, axially displaced into a raised or lowered position and / or can be rotated about its longitudinal axis , The subunit, in particular the abovementioned retaining web, can be mechanically fixed in a process station and the containers can be suitably moved or adjusted for further processing in the process station. Subsequently, the subunits can be stored properly again, for example in a transport and packaging container.

According to a further embodiment, the holding webs and the positions of the elastic holding arms are matched to the length of the containers so that trays of the containers are freely accessible for processing while they are held on the subunits. For example, the bottoms can rest directly on a cold finger for freeze-drying of the contents of the container over the entire surface. In this case, a certain axial displaceability of the container while they are held on the subunits, be advantageous to allow a full-surface investment.

According to a further embodiment, the elastic holding arms are designed such that the containers each rest loosely on the front free ends of the holding arms with the underside of a thickened upper edge section. In this way, manufacturing tolerances of the dimensions of the container can be easily compensated.

According to a further embodiment, the subunits further each have side walls which are detachably connected to the respective retaining web. By means of such side walls, the subunits can be further covered or completely closed, which can offer, for example, during further processing or transfer to downstream process stations.

According to another embodiment, the holding webs and side walls of adjacent subunits are engageable with each other to connect adjacent subunits with each other. In this way, the subunits can be assembled without the use of additional fasteners to larger subunits or transport and packaging containers.

According to a further embodiment, the holding webs of the subunits are each designed to be collapsible so that rectangular subunits can be formed in each case in plan view, wherein the subunits are connected to one another via a common connecting web to the support structure. Appropriately, the holding webs optionally connected to the connecting bar or separated from this again. For example, when these are separated from the connecting web, the retaining webs can be unfolded again to form a linear support structure in which all containers are held in alignment with each other at regular intervals. This facilitates, for example, further processing of the containers in an assembly line process while they are held by a holding web. After further processing, the holding webs can then be folded back into a subunit and / or assembled, as described above.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a transport or packaging container for a plurality of containers for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular vials, comprising at least one holding structure as described above for simultaneously holding the plurality of containers in the container Transport or packaging container, wherein the at least one support structure is received in the transport or packaging container. In this case, the transport or packaging container basically also serve as a holding frame, with which the individual subunits are connected, for example, inserted into this or locked with this.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating or processing containers for storing or containing substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular vials, wherein the containers are in particular cylindrically shaped and wherein the containers formed at least at one end, in which method a plurality of containers are introduced into openings or receptacles of subunits so that they are held by holding means, which are associated with the openings or receptacles on the subunits; the containers while being held, handled or handled by a respective subunit; and a plurality of subunits with the processed or handled containers held thereon are collectively incorporated in or form a common transport or packaging container. The subunits facilitate the transfer to the process stations of the process, but at the same time serve for a reliable positioning of the containers during the process at positions that are precisely predetermined by the positions of the holding means.

According to a further embodiment, one of the process stations is or has a crimping or crimping station where a metal lid is crimped or crimped on the upper edge of the containers, the containers for crimping or crimping in the raised position of the turntable about their Longitudinal axis are rotated while the metal lid is crimped or crimped, and pushed back after crimping or crimping in the openings or receptacles. The containers for flanging or crimping can each be raised by means of a lifting rod in the raised position, wherein the respective turntable is mounted on the lifting rod and wherein the upper edge of the container is centered with the metal lid placed thereon during rotation by means of a centering. During processing or processing in or at at least one of the process stations, the containers may be held in a subassembly as described above and in that position moved up axially to the raised position for processing, processed in the raised position, and finally retracted a lowered position are pushed back, in which the containers are held in the openings or receptacles of the subunit. Several such subunits can be combined to form a transport and packaging container or holding unit, as described below. The processing or processing of the containers can thus be made more flexible, in particular while these are also reliably held in such a subunit. Such processing or processing may be, in particular, as a purification step, a sterilization step, for example sterilization in a sterile tunnel, a filling process, a freeze-drying process or the like, or may comprise such a step.

According to a further aspect, an identification or tracking sensor for verifying the authenticity or for reading out parameters should be present at least at at least one process station, which can preferably read out RFID chips, RuBee chips or fluorescent markings.

According to a further aspect, the processing can be controlled by optical sensors and / or mechanical sensors. For this purpose, special markings on the vials or ampoules and / or on the transport or packaging container can be used.

According to a further embodiment, the transport or packaging container or even a subunit is sealed or closed by means of a foil or a cover against the environment.

LIST OF FIGURES

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be achieved will result. Show it:

1a - 1c a transport and packaging container having a plurality of support structures according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein individual subunits of a support structure in rows in the transport and packaging container can be inserted and removed again;

1d a variant of the transport and packaging container after 1a in which the rows of support structures are individually inserted into a removable insert of the transport and packaging container;

2a - 2d in various views a collapsible insert according to a second embodiment of the present invention for a transport and packaging container;

2e in a greatly enlarged partial section, a holding structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

2f in a greatly enlarged partial section, the holding structure according to the 2e with a vial held therein;

3a - 3d in various views, a collapsible insert according to another embodiment of the present invention for a transport and packaging container, wherein the transverse webs are formed by a collapsible holding web with holding arms formed thereon;

4 a transport and packaging container according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is formed open at both ends and closed at the open ends with a protective film; and

5 a schematic flow diagram of a method for treating or processing containers according to the present invention.

In the figures, identical reference numerals designate identical or substantially equivalent elements or groups of elements.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The 1a shows a transport and packaging container 1 in which a plurality of subunits in the form of transverse webs 165 are plugged, in each case a plurality of vials 2 are held. The transport and packaging container according to the present invention, as described below, the storage of a plurality of containers for storing substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications in a regular arrangement, in particular in a matrix arrangement at regular intervals of the container to each other, along two different spatial directions, preferably along two mutually orthogonal spatial directions or a regular rows, which are arranged offset relative to each other.

An example of such drug container in the form of vial is in the 1c shown schematically in a longitudinal section. These have a cylindrical basic shape, with a cylindrical side wall with - within the tolerances - constant inner and outer diameter of a flat-shaped bottle bottom 3 protrudes vertically and near the upper open end of the vial in a narrowed neck section 5 of comparatively small axial length and then in a widened upper edge 6 merges, which has a larger outer diameter than the associated neck portion 5 and designed for connection to a closure element. The neck section 5 can be formed smooth-walled without external thread or can be provided with an external thread for screwing a closure element. For example, in the inner bore of the neck portion 5 and the upper edge 6 a plug (not shown) can be inserted whose upper end with the upper edge 6 of the vial 2 gastight and protected against the ingress of contaminants into the vial with the upper edge 6 is connected, for example by crimping or crimping a metal protective film, not shown. Such vials are radially symmetrical and formed of a transparent or colored glass or by blow molding or plastic injection molding techniques of a suitable plastic material, and may in principle be internally coated, so that the material of the vial emits as little impurities to the male substance.

Another example of containers in the context of the present application are ampoules, carpules or syringe or injection containers. Ampoules or carpules are containers for Medicaments for the most parenteral administration (injection), for cosmetics and other substances and are usually cylindrically shaped with a full tip (spit or head) and a flat bottom or with two solid tips at both ends. These can be designed in particular as crushing ampoules with an annular predetermined breaking point around the ampoule neck or as an OPC ampoule (one-point-cut ampoule) with a scratched into the glass crushing ring. Syringes or injection containers, also referred to as injection vials, punctured ampoules or reusable ampoules, are cylindrical, bottle-like shaped containers made of glass or plastic, usually in relatively small nominal volumes (eg 1 ml, 10 ml). They are closed with a rubber stopper with septum (puncture rubber). To protect the septum and fix the rubber stopper is still an outer closure (crimp cap or staple), often made of aluminum sheet applied. In a carpule, the liquid is in a cylinder, which is closed at one end with a thick rubber or plastic stopper. This acts as a piston when the contents are squeezed out with a Karpulenspritze. At the other end, the cylinder is closed only with a thin membrane that is pierced in use by the rear end of the cartridge needle (a cannula ground on both sides). Cylinder ampoules are often used in dentistry for local anesthesia. Special cylindrical ampoules with a specially designed front part (eg thread) are used for insulin therapy in insulin pens.

For the purposes of the present invention, such containers are used for storing substances or active substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications which are to be stored in one or more components in solid or liquid form in the container. Especially with glass containers storage periods can be many years, which depends in particular on the hydrolytic resistance of the type of glass used. While containers are disclosed below which are cylindrical, it should be noted that the containers according to the present invention may also have a different profile, for example a square, rectangular or polygonal profile.

Inevitably, such containers have manufacturing tolerances, which may be just one or more tenths of a millimeter, especially in glass containers. In order to compensate for such manufacturing tolerances and at the same time to ensure that all bottle bottoms 3 can be arranged in a plane, the glass containers are inventively fixed by means of a positive connection or a frictional engagement on a support structure or carrier or supported by this. This form or frictional connection or this support can in the area of the narrowed neck portion 5 the container, on the cylindrical side wall portion 4 or in the area of the lower end of the container 2 , especially on the ground 3 the container 2 will be realized.

According to the 1a and 1c has the transport and packaging container 1 a closed, rectangular floor 11 , a substantially perpendicularly projecting from this lower side wall 12 and one of them substantially perpendicular projecting upper edge 15 on. The transport and packaging container 1 is designed to be open at the top, so that the transverse webs 165 with the vials attached 2 as subunits can be individually inserted from above and taken out again. The transport and packaging container 1 can be closed by means of a film or a lid, as described below with reference to 4 described. Although in the 1a the floor 11 of the transport and packaging container 1 as closed and integral with the side wall 12 is shown formed, the lower end of the transport and packaging container 1 also be open in the manner of the upper end, in particular with a flange-like lower edge in the manner of the upper edge 15 Be provided so that the bottoms of the container 2 from the bottom of the transport and packaging container 1 forth freely accessible, for example, for processing steps in a sterile tunnel or in a freeze-drying cabinet.

How to do that 1a and 1b can be found on the inside of the lower side wall 12 at regular intervals to each other projections or strips 169 formed perpendicular to the bottom of the transport and packaging container 1 run between each two immediately adjacent projections 169 a channel is formed in the side edge of the respective crosspiece 165 can be introduced. The channels are preferably formed as a guide and clamping channels in which the transverse webs are kept clamped. This allows the transverse webs 165 be temporarily fixed in their horizontal but also vertical position.

A fixation of the position of the transverse webs 165 can also be due to the positive interaction of the side edges of the transverse webs 165 realize with the guide and clamping channels. For example, at least one projection or at least one depression can be formed along the side edges and on the inside of the projections 169 Corresponding to a depression or a projection may be formed, which is a positive connection for fixing the position of the transverse webs 165 on the side walls 12 enable. These are the transport and packaging containers 1 and the crossbars 165 preferably formed of a plastic which is sufficiently elastic.

In this way, the transverse webs 165 in the transport and packaging container 1 be kept at equal distances from each other. The distances between the crossbars 165 are dimensioned so that the highest possible packing density can be achieved, so the gap between the vial rows and the adjacent transverse webs 165 as narrow as possible. The crossbars prevent this 165 an immediate contact of vials 2 from immediately adjacent rows.

According to the 1a and 1b are on one side of the crossbars 165 at regular intervals to each other elastic retaining arms 166 arranged as a holding means for holding the vial 2 serve. The holding arms 166 are integral, for example by injection molding, with the transverse webs 165 formed and aligned with each other at a height of the transverse webs 165 arranged. The distances between adjacent pairs of support arms 166 are sized so that an immediate collision of adjacent vials is prevented, the outer surfaces of the vials 2 so stay undamaged.

The elastic support arms 166 each have a central bulge, each one to the neck of the vial to be held 2 snugly. The holding arms 166 are each so on the vial 2 tuned that vial 2 be held by a frictional or positive connection. The vials can 2 while these at the crossbars 165 are kept, continue to be processed and handled, since most of the vials 2 in the held state continues to be accessible. How to get the 1a can take, are the vials 2 accessible from the top in the held state, the bottom of which is from the bottom of the transverse webs 165 accessible (which is important for cooling by means of an adjacent cold finger) and their entire front is freely accessible when the transverse webs 165 from the transport and packaging container 1 are taken. The holding arms 166 can also be designed so that the vials 2 while these are from the support arms 166 are held, rotated and / or can be moved axially. This free rotation of vials 2 For example, to crimp and / or crimp one onto the top of the vial 2 attached metal lid can be used, as described in more detail below with reference to 5 described.

The holder of vials 2 on a crossbar 165 is exemplary in the 1c shown. The vials 2 are in the area of the narrowed neck section 5 and below the widened upper edge 6 (Rolled edge), so the vials 2 from the holding arms 166 are held axially secured.

For the purposes of the present invention, the transverse webs 165 Subunits, each with the vials held thereon 2 are separately handled or processable. The crossbars 165 For example, they can be gripped individually (eg with a gripper) and further processed or treated. The bottoms are the vials 2 completely accessible from below, when the transverse webs 165 from the transport and packaging container 1 taken out.

In the embodiment of the 1a and 1b are the transverse webs acting as subunits 165 individually in the transport and packaging container 1 plugged in and connected via this. The individual crossbars 165 However, they can also be plugged together in a holding frame or holding box and held by this, which then as a unit in the transport and packaging container 1 can be used and removed from this again.

This is exemplary in the 1d shown in which the projections 169 for fixing the transverse webs not directly on the lower side walls 12 are formed but rather on the side walls of a frame-like or box-like insert in the transport and packaging container 1 can be used. Here, the transverse webs 165 be inserted into the frame-like or box-like use and removed again from this, regardless of whether this is in the transport and packaging container 1 or outside of it. The underside of the frame-like or box-like insert can be formed closed or open.

The 2a shows a further embodiment for a support structure in which the subunits 170 each box-shaped and closed are formed. The subunits 170 consist of a base support, by two side walls 165b , a rear partition 165e and a floor 165d is trained. This structure is L-shaped in cross-section. At the rear partition 165e are one-sided and at regular intervals to each other holding arms 166 to hold the vials 2 arranged as described above. The vials 2 can be from the front or from the top of the holding arms 166 trained recordings are introduced.

The subunits 170 are individually lockable and transportable. These are at the top of the side walls 165b groove formed, in which the upper lid 165c can be inserted. Furthermore, also the front partition 165a correspondingly in grooves on the front face of the side walls 165b be inserted. The connection with the upper lid 165c and the front bulkhead 165a can also be done in any other way, in particular by a frictional or positive connection.

Individual subunits can also be used 25 for a transport and packaging container. This can be done on the back of the rear partitions 165e Projections formed in the grooves on the front end side of the side walls 165b can be inserted. Or on the front side of the side walls 165b are spring-like locking projections 172 formed, which can be inserted from above or below in correspondingly formed receptacles (in the manner of a tongue and groove connection or dovetail connection) on the rear end side of the side walls 165b an immediately adjacent subunit 170 are formed. The foremost subunit 170 can then by means of the front side wall 165a be closed. Together, such an assignment 25 trained, which could be individually packaged, for example, in a sterile packaging tube, but also in a transport and packaging container 1 can be used (see. 1a ). The subunits 170 themselves are individually transportable and lockable.

The 2 B shows the insert 25 according to the 2a in a top view. The 2c and 2d show the holder of the vial 2 in the insert 25 a partial section along the lines AA and BB according to the 2a ,

The 2e shows in a greatly enlarged partial section another variant of holding means for holding the vials (not shown). For this purpose, on a transverse web, as described above (not shown), instead of the elastic retaining arms 166 vertically protruding elastic retaining tongues 140 provided vertically by a provided on the crosspiece horizontal support 134 protrude and extend from the top of the carrier 134 arcuate inwards into the opening 135 extend. The retaining tongues 140 are preferably formed of a sufficiently flexible or elastic plastic. Alternatively, the retaining tongues 140 also be relatively stiff, but so mobile at the top of the carrier 134 be stored that this elastic when inserting the container from the opening 135 be swung away or folded back.

The holder of the vial is in the transition region of the narrowed neck portion 5 to the widened upper edge 6 realized (cf. 2f ). In particular, the bottom of the edge 6 the container in the transition area to the narrowed neck section 5 Loose on the upper ends of tabs 140 on, wherein the vials are nevertheless held axially secured. The vials may according to a first embodiment from below into the openings 135 of the carrier 134 can be introduced. When inserting the vials into the openings 135 it comes to an elastic bending of the elastic retaining tongues 140 , According to a further embodiment, the vials can in principle also from above into the openings 135 of the carrier 134 are introduced to be held on the crosspiece.

The 2f shows in a greatly enlarged partial section the mounting of a vial in a support structure according to the 2e , According to the 2f lies the bottom of the widened edge 6 on the front end of the elastic retaining tongues 140 in the transition area between the narrowed neck section 5 and the edge 6 Loose to fix the position of the vial. How to get in the 2f can recognize exists between the holding tongues 140 (see left part of picture) and the narrowed neck section 5 an air gap that allows a radial clearance. Due to this bracket with radial clearance consists, depending on the specific design of the vial, still the possibility of the retaining tabs 140 held vial to move axially, ie in the longitudinal direction of the vials, for example, until the bottoms 3 held by all of the crosspiece held vial at the same distance from the crosspiece to jointly open up a plane.

According to the 2f the vial is in the opening 135 pushed in that the widened edge 6 on the front ends of the retaining tongues exactly at the transition region between the narrowed neck portion 5 and the widened upper edge 6 is supported. This can be, for example, by inserting the vial from below into the openings 135 of the carrier 134 and then depressing the vials until the front ends of the retaining tabs are exactly at the transition area between the narrowed neck portion 5 and the widened upper edge 6 issue. In the holding position according to the 2f In any case, in the vast majority of fixed vials, there is some radial distance between the step-like transitional area between the top edge 6 and the narrowed neck section 5 and front end of the retaining tongues 140 intended. In this way, to a certain extent manufacturing tolerances of the vials in the axial direction and also Manufacturing tolerances are compensated in the radial direction and thus vials with different diameters in the region of the narrowed neck portion 5 be held by one and the same crosspiece.

The 3a shows in a schematic plan view a collapsible subunit 300 according to a further embodiment. This is in the manner of a collapsible bridge 300 formed and has several areas 301 along, along which elastic retaining arms 166 as described above are provided or formed at regular intervals from each other. Shown in the 3a that in part of the of the retaining arms 166 trained shots vial 2 are used. Between are the areas 301 are each areas 302 provided without such holding means. In the transition areas between the areas 301 and 302 weakening lines or thinner wall sections (fold lines) can be formed so that here the web 300 can be selectively folded or folded.

Look at the 3b and 3c is described below as from several such subunits 300 an insert 25 for a transport and packaging container, as described above, can be formed. According to the plan view of the insert 25 according to the 3c this is made up of a total of five subunits according to the 3a formed, which are each folded U-shaped. These are in the transition areas between the sections 301 with the holding arms 166 and the sections 302 without such holding arms weakening or folding lines provided (see right use in the 3b ). In the folded state, the backs of two immediately adjacent webs 301 directly to each other, with the front end faces of the webs 301 are plugged in or latched in recordings of vertical projections 306 on a locking rail 305 are formed. These projections 306 can be designed as described above with reference to 1b described. The projections 306 fix the positions of the webs 301 or the subunits formed by these on the locking rail 305 , This is clearer in the enlarged use in the left part of the picture 3b shown.

According to a variant, the bridge 300 also folded accordion-like folded or folded to form a plurality of transverse webs. A collapsed or folded bridge 300 gives a bet 25 which is held together suitably, for. B. by means of a locking rail 305 , and for storage and transport, for example, in a transport and packaging container, as in 1a shown, can be used. Such an assignment 25 However, can also be closed with a lid and a floor against the environment, for example in the manner as above with reference to the 2a described for the box-shaped subunits, or can be sealed by means of a protective film, as described below with reference to 4 described.

The 3d shows in a schematic partial section along the line AA according to the 3c the holder of the vials 2 in such a trained mission.

The top or the top and bottom of an insert 25 , as described above, or even a transport and packaging container 1 as exemplified by the 1a described, may or may be covered by a sterile, gas-permeable protective film, which is glued and removable if necessary. This is exemplary in the 4 for a packaging unit represented by a transport container open on both sides and a holding structure accommodated therein according to the 1a is formed and on the top and bottom by means of a flange on the edge 15 glued on protective or packaging film 130 is closed. For the protective film 130 it may in particular be a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular a web of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene fibers (PP) or a Tyvek ^® -Schutzfolie, the sterilization of the support structure 25 picked and packaged vials 2 through the foil 130 through it.

The vials 2 can in such a transport and packaging container 1 also be stored temporarily and sealed without filling. About the gas-permeable protective film 130 a gas can be used to sterilize the still open vials inside the transport and packaging container 1 penetration. Such a transport and packaging container 1 can then later be reopened in a process station or sterile tunnel to further handle or process the vials.

The following is based on the 5 Schematically describes a process for treating or processing containers used to contain or contain substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications. First, the subunits of the support structure are filled with vials in step S1. These can in principle already be filled, in which case the vials are closed in the subsequent process steps, for example, or their contents are first freeze-dried. Of the 5 however, it is the case The vials should be filled while they are held on the subunits.

In the process step S2, the vials are further treated, for example, washed and then dried and / or sterilized while they are held on the subunits. This process step is optional.

Subsequently, the vials are filled in the process step S3, be it with a liquid containing a drug or a powder. Subsequently, the vials are closed in the process step S4, for example with a plug or a metal lid, which can also be crimped or crimped. These process steps S3 and S4 occur while the vials are held on the subunits.

In the optional process step S5, which may also be performed before step S4, the vials may be further processed while held on the subunits. Such a process step may, for example, be a freeze-drying during which the subunits are transferred to a freeze-drying cabinet in which the freeze-drying takes place. Appropriately, the subunits are designed so that all bottoms of the vial while they are held on the subunits, are freely accessible from the bottom, so that they can rest directly on a cold finger of the freezer cabinet over the entire surface. Of course, such a process step may also be any other processing steps, for example a thermal treatment or irradiation. It is advantageous that in the subunits according to the present invention and as described above, the containers are largely freely accessible, in particular from the top and bottom and from the front of the subunits forth, as above, for example, with reference to 1a to 3c described.

In the subsequent process step S6, the subunits are introduced as in a transport and packaging container, such as in the 1a or 1d shown. Or the subunits together form such a transport and packaging container, such as in the 2a . 2 B and 3b shown.

Thus, the vials may be batch treated or processed in accordance with the invention. Basically, a removal from a carrier and a separation, which makes the processes expensive, is not required. For this purpose, the subunits according to the invention are designed so that the vial can be held on this form-fitting or frictionally engaged. In particular, the vials are held in appropriately designed openings or receptacles of the subunits. The subunits may be designed to allow the vials to be displaced or rotated or similarly displaced or moved while held thereon. This can be ensured by appropriate design of the holder of the vial, for example, the form or frictional engagement in a simple manner. Thus, for example, the vials may be rotated to crimp or crimp a metal lid which is seated on the upper edge thereof while being held on a subassembly.

The vials may be slid longitudinally in a raised position for treatment or processing at or in a process station in the respective opening or receiving a subunit in which the further treatment or processing is then facilitated. For example, in this raised position, the bottom of the vials may be fully accessible or the top of the vials may protrude well beyond the top of a subassembly or transport and packaging container so that treatment or processing is possible only in the raised position. Suitably, the vials are held in this raised position in the region of their cylindrical side wall or a narrowed neck portion below the upper edge or at its upper edge, which may depend on the particular process station.

The vials may, in the raised position, continue to be received in the apertures or receptacles of a subunit, but supported on an additional support surface or held by an additional holding or gripping means while being processed or processed at or in the process station. The holding means on a subunit are designed for this purpose so that they do not hold the vials in the raised position, at least not with the weight of the vial corresponding sufficient holding force. However, even in such an embodiment, the vials need not be completely removed from a subunit so that they can continue to be batch treated or processed, yet still be delivered to a subsequent process step more quickly.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8118167 B2 [0004]
• US 8100263 B2 [0005]
• WO 2011/135085 A1 [0006]
• US 2011/0277419 A1 [0006]
• WO 2012/025549 A1 [0006]
• WO 2011/015896 A1 [0006]
• WO 2012/007056 A1 [0006]
• WO 2009/015862 A1 [0006]
• US 5964043 [0007]

Claims (14)

Holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers ( 2 ) for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular vials, wherein the containers are open on at least one end, with a plurality of openings or receptacles into which the containers are insertable, and with holding means ( 166 ) for holding the containers in the openings or receptacles, characterized in that the holding structure ( 25 ) from a plurality of subunits ( 165 ; 300 ) is formed, or comprises, which in each case with the containers ( 2 ) are separately manageable or processable. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein the subunits ( 165 ; 300 ) are detachably connected to one another in order to secure the support structure ( 25 ) train. A support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the subunits ( 165 ; 300 ) are connected to each other via a holding frame. A support structure according to claim 3, wherein the support frame serves as a transport and packaging container ( 1 ) is formed, which is formed open on one or two sides and in which the subunits are each separately inserted. Support structure according to 3 or 4, wherein the subunits each have a holding web, by means of which the respective subunits are respectively held in the holding frame or by means of which the subunits are interconnected. A support structure according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of resilient support arms (15) are respectively provided by the support web. 166 protrude to form the openings or recordings. A support structure according to claim 6, wherein the support webs and the positions of the elastic support arms ( 166 ) are tuned to the length of the container so that trays of the containers are freely accessible for processing while they are held on the subunits. A support structure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the elastic support arms ( 166 ) are designed so that the containers each rest loosely on the front free ends of the holding arms with the underside of a thickened upper edge portion. A support structure according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the subunits each further include sidewalls ( 165a . 165c ), which are releasably connected to the respective retaining web. A support structure according to claim 9, wherein the support webs and side walls of adjacent subunits are engageable with each other to interconnect adjacent subunits, respectively. Supporting structure according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the retaining webs ( 301 ) of the subunits are each formed collapsible, so that each in plan view rectangular subunits ( 300 ) can be formed, wherein the subunits via a common connecting bridge ( 305 ) are connected to each other to the support structure. Transport or packaging container ( 1 ) for a plurality of containers ( 2 ) for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular of vials, characterized by at least one holding structure ( 25 ) according to one of the preceding claims for simultaneously holding the plurality of containers ( 2 ) in the transport or packaging container, wherein the at least one holding structure ( 25 ) is received in the transport or packaging container. Method of treating or processing containers ( 2 ), which serve to store or contain substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular vials, wherein the containers are open at at least one end, in which method: a plurality of containers ( 2 ) in openings or shots of subunits ( 165 ; 300 ) are introduced so that these of holding means ( 166 ), which are associated with the openings or receptacles, are held on the subunits; the containers ( 2 ) while being held, processed or handled by a respective subunit; and a plurality of subunits with the processed or handled containers held together in a transport or packaging container ( 1 ) or train them together. A method according to claim 13, wherein the transport or packaging container ( 1 ) by means of a foil ( 130 ) or a cover against the environment is sealed or completed.

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