EP3136979B1 - A method of packaging a plurality of containers of substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, and packaging structure - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to a packaging structure for storing and transporting a plurality of containers for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, in particular vials, ampoules or cartridges, and in particular relates to a method and a packaging structure, with which a high packing density of the container and a simple and inexpensive further processing of the container can be realized.

Background of the invention

As a container for storage and storage of medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations with administration in liquid form, in particular in pre-dosed amounts, medicine containers, such as vials, ampoules or cartridges, are used on a large scale. These generally have a cylindrical shape and a bottom or lower edge, so that the containers can be stored vertically and upright on a flat surface. Such containers can be made of plastics or glass and are available inexpensively in large quantities. 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, from the prior art div. Transport and packaging containers are known in which simultaneously a plurality of drug containers in an irregular or regular arrangement, for example, in a matrix array along rows and at right angles to extending columns, are arranged. Although the regular arrangement has advantages in the automated further processing of the container, since a glass-to-glass contact of the container can be avoided and the container can be transferred to controlled positions and in a predetermined arrangement to processing stations, such as process machines, robots or the like. However, the regular arrangement of the container also has disadvantages, in particular because no maximum packing density (densest packing) of the container can be achieved.

US 8,118,167 B2 discloses a transport and packaging container and a packaging concept, in which the further processing of the container always takes place in such a way that the holding structure is first removed from the transport and packaging container and the containers are then removed from the holding structure and separated and on a conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, individually transferred to the processing stations and 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 that individual containers abut uncontrollably, resulting in an undesirable abrasion and resulting in contamination of the container interior or the process plant as well as an impairment of the external appearance of the container, which is undesirable.

GB 2478703 A discloses a support structure for holding a plurality of vials for gas or liquid chromatography applications. The support structure consists of two plates in which a plurality of receptacles for receiving the vials are formed therein and which can be folded on each other. The receptacles of the two plates are offset from one another so that the containers are nested in order to double the packing density, but to allow good access to the containers in the unfolded position.

US 20110132797 A1 discloses a microbiological sample vial transport container comprised of a plurality of box-shaped segments which can be mated together to form the transport container. The vials are inserted into trough-shaped receptacles on the top of each segment and are arranged in the mating of two adjacent segments in a receiving space formed by these. However, measures to seal the interior are not disclosed.

FR 2595667 discloses a box-shaped container, in the lower segment of a plurality of ampoules can be inserted, the segment can be completed by an attachable lid against the environment. However, measures for sealing the interior of the container are not disclosed.

US 20090100802 A1 discloses the use of a tray in which a direct glass-to-glass contact of the containers is avoided by means of rings on the floor or by means of an insert with receptacles for the containers. In order to further avoid glass-to-glass contact of the containers, a hose enclosing the transport container is used, in which a negative pressure prevails, so that the tube is also pressed into spaces between immediately adjacent containers. Even with this concept, however, no maximum packing density of the containers in the transport container can be realized.

It is true that in these packaging structures trough-shaped transport containers with the containers received therein are welded into a hose. However, the containers are always inserted into the transport container either from above or the containers are first inserted into a plate-shaped holding structure and then subsequently inserted from above into the transport container. When sliding the plurality of containers on the bottom of the base, however, serve no side walls of an upper part of the container attached to the upper part or intermediate part, which protrude perpendicularly from the bottom of the upper part or of the intermediate part, as guides. Furthermore, it is not disclosed that at least one side wall of the lower part is formed open or the at least one side wall of the lower part can be removed or opened, so that the majority of Can be pushed together with the container on the upper ends of the container or on the intermediate part upper part of a flat surface on the bottom of the lower part.

US 2003/010665 A1 discloses a packaging structure in which the containers are each inserted into a tray. However, the side walls of the storage box itself serve as guides, but not sidewalls of an upper part or an intermediate part which is exposed to the upper ends of the container. Further, neither a box-shaped top nor a box-shaped intermediate part is exposed to the upper ends of the container. Rather, the containers are covered by a plate and then the packaging structure is sealed in a film.

US Pat. No. 3,537,189 A discloses a transport assembly for temporarily receiving vials in freeze-drying. The transport arrangement comprises a lower part, a bottomless frame inserted therein and a box-shaped upper part. This transport arrangement is used so that the vials can be pushed with the help of the frame directly to the bottom of a freeze dryer. However, the vials are only temporarily received in this transport arrangement, but not packaged in it.

US Pat. No. 3,243,049 discloses a comparable transport assembly comprising a tray formed open on one side and a frame inserted therein having a slidable cross bar for clamping the vials in the frame. With the frame, the vials are pushed together in the tray, and then finally pushed into the freeze dryer.

Other packaging structures are in US 8,100,263 B3 and US 20110277419 A disclosed.

Summary of the invention

Object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and reliable method for packaging containers of the aforementioned type, whereby a high packing density of the container and a simple and inexpensive further processing of the container can be realized. Furthermore, a corresponding packaging structure for a plurality of containers is to be provided, wherein the same packaging structure should preferably be usable for containers of different geometries and dimensions.

These objects are achieved by a method for packaging containers according to claim 1 and by a packaging structure according to claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, a method for packaging a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic Applications, in a packaging structure comprising a top and a bottom and which forms a box-shaped receptacle in which the containers are accommodated, wherein the containers have a cylindrical side wall and a bottom or a bottom edge extending perpendicular to the side wall, comprising the steps of: arranging the plurality of containers directly on a flat surface so that the containers are supported vertically on the flat surface; Placing the upper part or an intermediate part on the upper ends of the container, wherein the upper part or the intermediate part is box-shaped; Moving the plurality of containers from the planar base to a bottom of the base; and sealing the packaging structure with the upper and lower part and the containers taken up by these by introduction into a tube or into a closable bag made of a plastic material or by means of a gas-permeable plastic film; wherein side walls of the upper and / or lower part, which protrude perpendicularly from the bottom of the lower part and / or the upper part, serve during insertion of the plurality of containers in the upper or lower part as guides.

The packaging structure can thus be composed of a few simple parts and is therefore inexpensive and easy to handle. The containers can be introduced by simply moving on a base in the packaging structure without further elaborate intermediate steps, such as a singling or gripping the container would be required to do so. Here, side walls of the upper and / or lower part can be used simultaneously as lateral guides for guiding the container when inserted into the upper and / or lower part, which automatically allows precise guidance of the container in accordance with the subsequent packaging structure and further effort in the Handling the containers helps save.

The arrangement of the containers in the packaging structure can be predetermined in particular by the geometry of the box-shaped lower and / or upper part. If, for example, a rectangular arrangement of a plurality of containers in m rows and n columns extending perpendicularly thereto is desired, then, with a known outside diameter, the container must have the clear width between the side walls or the front and rear walls of the lower or upper part just to correspond exactly to m times or n times the maximum outer diameter of the containers to realize a play-free storage of the container without the possibility of movement of the container relative to each other and relative to the side walls of the lower or upper part, if the side walls themselves are formed of a non-elastic material. Accordingly, the geometry of the box-shaped lower and / or upper part can also be specified if the containers are to be arranged, for example, in a hexagonal closest packing (hcp) in the packaging structure.

Because possibly open ends of the containers are directly covered at their upper and / or lower ends by means of the upper and / or lower part or by means of an intermediate part, no interfering particles can be introduced into the containers during a temporary storage or handling of the containers or during transport Penetrate container in the packaging structure. It may be sufficient if the intermediate part is formed by a flat plate or foil. However, the intermediate part is expediently at least partially equipped with vertically protruding side walls which prevent the intermediate part from slipping sideways from the containers.

Furthermore, a sterile and germ-free packaging of the container according to the invention in a simple manner possible by the packaging structure with the upper and lower part and the containers taken by these containers further packed by placing in a sterile tube or sealable bag made of a plastic material or by means of a gas-permeable plastic film or sealed. The packaging structure can then continue to close and reopen quickly and inexpensively. In this case, the tube or closable pouches or the gas-permeable plastic film preferably allow sterilization of the containers while they are received in the packaging structure. For this purpose, one or more openings may be provided in the upper and / or lower part at a suitable location, through which a gas for sterilizing the container can flow. To seal the packaging structure, the gas-permeable plastic film can also be selectively glued only directly to those areas of the packaging structure, which are provided with the openings. Or the tube or sealable bag is formed in the manner of a hood from a gas-permeable plastic film, as described below, which is suitably connected to the structure formed by the upper and lower part to form the packaging structure.

According to a further embodiment, the upper part and / or the lower part are designed and provided such that the containers in the box-shaped receptacle directly contact one another and can not move relative to one another. In contrast to the prior art, according to which a direct contact of the container is avoided by elaborate support structures for hygienic and aesthetic reasons, according to the present invention, an immediate contact of the container in the box-shaped receptacle before. However, this is realized according to the invention in such a way that the containers are constantly touching and can not move relative to each other during storage, transport and handling of the packaging structure. In this surprisingly simple manner, unwanted scratches and the formation of particles due to material abrasion from the side walls of the container can be reliably excluded according to the present invention. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the containers have a cylindrical and smooth side wall, without any projections in the circumferential direction.

Furthermore, because the containers directly contact one another in the packaging structure, the greatest possible packing density of the containers can be realized, which offers considerable economic advantages. The containers may be positioned on the base, in rows and columns extending perpendicular thereto, or in diagonally extending rows on the base, depending on how they are positioned on the base. However, the containers can also basically take any other arrangements, in particular so-called. Densest packs, such as a hexagonal closest packing (hcp) or a trigonal closest packing (tcp). These tightest packs can also hold the containers automatically take during loading of the packaging structure, such as when they are inserted into a box-shaped lower or upper part of a conveyor belt or the like, without the need for further positioning means.

According to a further embodiment, the containers are arranged by arranging the containers directly on the bottom of the lower part or on a flat surface between at least three side walls of the lower part in an arrangement whose shape corresponds in plan view to the shape of the box-shaped receptacle formed by the packaging structure. If the side walls of the lower part are not yet connected to each other, they can then be joined together in a next step to form the box-shaped receptacle. Subsequently, the upper part can be placed directly on the upper ends of the container in the box-shaped receptacle of the lower part to complete the packaging structure.

Alternatively, the containers are arranged between at least three side walls of a recording journal on the lower part or a flat surface, that geometry and arrangement of the containers are specified by the side walls of the recording journal. After removal of the receiving teaching arises so along the side edges of the arrangement of containers a gap in which the side walls of the upper part when placing the upper part engage the upper ends of the container or in which a slider for moving the container can engage in the packaging structure.

According to a further embodiment, the containers can also be displaced by means of a slide, which engages in interspaces between the containers, for example in rows by means of a strip-shaped slide.

According to a further embodiment, the top part attached to the upper ends of the containers, or alternatively also a corresponding box-shaped intermediate part, can be used to transport the containers from a flat base on which they were initially suitably placed and arranged, for example by a conveyor belt or a shelf, to slide on the bottom of the lower part of the packaging structure. When moving the container, the geometry and arrangement of the containers are reliably maintained.

For the aforementioned insertion of the container in the lower part, it is advantageous if at least one front and / or rear side wall of the lower part can be removed or at least opened so far, in particular folded down or can be folded away laterally that the top of the bottom of the base flush with the upper side of the laterally arranged storage surface terminates, on which the containers were previously stored in the desired geometric arrangement, in particular on a laterally arranged conveyor belt, from which the containers are pushed into the lower part.

According to another embodiment, front side flaps of the base can be secured in an unfolded position and a front side wall and / or rear side wall of the base secured in a folded down position as the containers are pushed onto the bottom of the base. This can be achieved by suitable folding of sheets of material from which the lower part is formed by folding, or by suitable form or Reibschlussgebilde on the front side flaps of the lower part and the front side wall and / or rear side wall of the lower part. Thus, the containers can be freely inserted into the lower part, since disturbing side walls of the lower part can be temporarily held back.

According to a further embodiment, instead of the box-shaped upper part, first a box-shaped intermediate part, which has a bottom and perpendicularly projecting from this side walls, placed on the upper ends of the container and the box-shaped upper part to complete the packaging structure only finally placed on the intermediate part. The intermediate part reliably prevents ingress of particles into the containers via openings at their upper ends in each phase of the handling of the containers and can also be used for displacing the containers in the manner described above.

According to a further embodiment, the bottom of the upper part and / or the lower part and / or the side walls of the upper part and / or the lower part openings, which are closed by means of a gas-permeable plastic film at a suitable time of the process, in particular by means of a braid made of plastic fibers, for example, polypropylene fibers (PP) or by means of a Tyvek® protective film. This gas-permeable plastic film can also be attached later, for example, be glued to the edges of the openings. Thus, a sterile and germ-free packaging of the container in the packaging structure is possible. A sterilization of the container can also be achieved in the packaging structure by a gas for sterilizing the container flows from the outside through the plastic film and the box-shaped receiving the packaging structure in the interiors of the container. As the sterilization gas, an ethylene oxide called ETO can be used. Ethylene oxide gas kills bacteria, viruses and fungi, and therefore can be used to advantage for the fumigation of heat-sensitive substances. As an alternative gas, formaldehyde or a hydrogen peroxide vapor called VHP may be used. Hydrogen peroxide has a sterilizing effect, can be produced in an advantageously simple and cost-effective manner by active evaporation of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and thus used to sterilize the outer region of the bag. In order to achieve a high biological decontamination rate of the microorganisms, a defined high concentration of> 5% to 50% is required. Finally, the packaging structure can continue to be welded into a tube or introduced into a sealable bag.

According to a further embodiment, a hood made of the gas-permeable plastic film is placed on the upper or lower part, which is circumferentially connected to an edge of the upper part. or lower part is connected by means of an adhesive bond or heat seal, wherein the gas-permeable plastic film is in particular a braid of plastic fibers, for example polypropylene fibers (PP) or a Tyvek® protective film, as stated above.

According to a further embodiment, the lower part and the upper part can be releasably connected to each other, in particular locked together. In this embodiment, the containers can be reliably held in the packaging structure even without a front and / or rear side wall of the lower part or upper part.

According to a further embodiment, the lower part and the upper part can also be releasably connected to each other by means of positive locking or adhesion, in particular by means of clamping.

For releasable connection guide structures can be used according to another embodiment, which extend along side walls of the lower part in the longitudinal direction of the lower part and are guided during insertion of the lower part in the upper part of side walls of the upper part. These guide structures may be formed rectangular in particular in the profile and be positively or non-positively received by correspondingly formed side wall portions of the upper part, in particular clamped.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a suitably designed packaging structure is provided. This is preferably used for storage, storage, also for temporary storage during handling or processing of the containers, and for transporting containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, in particular of vials, ampoules or cartridges.

According to a further embodiment, the lower part may advantageously consist of a material or be provided with a sliding coating, with a coefficient of friction, which is compared to the material of the container, in particular with respect to glass, less than 0.6. The material or lubricious coating may consist of a polymer and a primer layer. In such an embodiment, the containers can be reliably inserted into the packaging structure with advantageously little effort.

According to a further embodiment, the side walls of the lower part and / or the upper part are elastic, so that the containers are received in the box-shaped receptacle against each other biased and slipping of the container relative to each other and relative to the side walls of the lower or upper part is prevented in a simple manner , The bias of the container relative to each other can be quite weak by the design of the side walls of the base and / or the upper part and is in any case significantly below a maximum load, the break or a Damage to the side walls of the container would result in the packaging structure. The dimensions of the side walls of the lower part and / or the upper part can be dimensioned so that they must be slightly widened for insertion of the container into the box-shaped receptacle formed by these. Alternatively, the side walls can also be connected together only after arranging the container in the desired arrangement with elastic tension to form the respective box-shaped receptacle. For this purpose, releasable connection types can be used, such as folding and nesting of side wall sections, but also insoluble connection types are used, such as rivet or adhesive joints.

According to a further embodiment, additionally or alternatively, an insert is received in the box-shaped receptacle of the packaging structure, which is at least partially elastic, so that the container in the box-shaped receptacle in the manner described above against each other are elastically biased and slipping of the container relative to each other and is prevented relative to the side walls of the lower or upper part.

According to a further embodiment, the side walls of the lower part and / or the upper part and / or the aforementioned insert are at least partially provided from a thermoplastic, thermosetting or elastomeric plastic, which is foamed or formed as a hollow chamber plate. Such plastic materials are available inexpensively, easily manufactured and processed with the desired dimensions and elastic properties, and enable sterile, germ-free packaging of the containers.

According to a further embodiment, to complete the packaging structure on the upper or lower part of a hood of the gas-permeable plastic film is placed, which is peripherally connected to an edge of the upper or lower part, in particular by means of an adhesive bond or heat seal, wherein the gas-permeable plastic film in particular a braid of plastic fibers, for example of polypropylene fibers (PP) or a Tyvek® protective film, as stated above. About the gas-permeable plastic film and corresponding openings or openings in the upper or lower part and possibly in the aforementioned intermediate part, a gas for sterilizing the container received in the packaging structure can flow.

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1a

in einer schematischen Ansicht eine Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung vor ihrer Fertigstellung;

Fig. 1b

einen beispielhaften Behälter zur Verwendung in einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 2a-2d

die Schritte zur Herstellung einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß der Fig. 1a;

Fig. 3a-3h

die Schritte zur Herstellung einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 4a - 4c

weitere Einzelheiten der Verpackungsstruktur gemäß den Figuren 3a-3h;

Fig. 5a - 5f

Einzelheiten beim Öffnen einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 6a - 6c

die Schritte zur Herstellung einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 7a - 7d

Einzelheiten einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 8a - 8c

Einzelheiten von Verpackungsstrukturen gemäß weiteren Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 9

eine Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 10a - 10d

Einzelheiten einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 10e - 10g

Einzelheiten einer Verpackungsstruktur nicht gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 11a - 11e

Einzelheiten einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Fig. 12a - 12c

Einzelheiten einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 13

ein schematisches Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung einer Verpackungsstruktur gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung.

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:

Fig. 1a

in a schematic view of a packaging structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention before its completion;

Fig. 1b

an exemplary container for use in a packaging structure according to the present invention;

Fig. 2a-2d

the steps for producing a packaging structure according to the Fig. 1a ;

Fig. 3a-3h

the steps of producing a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4a - 4c

further details of the packaging structure according to the Figures 3a-3h ;

Fig. 5a - 5f

Details of opening a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6a - 6c

the steps of producing a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7a - 7d

Details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8a - 8c

Details of packaging structures according to further embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 9

a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10a - 10d

Details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10e - 10g

Details of a packaging structure not according to the present invention;

Fig. 11a - 11e

Details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12a - 12c

Details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 13

a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing a packaging structure 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 Fig. 1a shows a packaging structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention before its completion in a schematic view. The packaging structure 1 comprises a box-shaped upper part 10 and a box-shaped lower part 20, which in the Fig. 1a is shown in a not yet completed state. The upper part 10 has a flat rectangular bottom 11 and two side walls 12 and a front and rear side wall 13, each of which protrude perpendicularly from the bottom 11. The lower part 20 is formed in a corresponding manner and has a flat rectangular bottom 21 and two side walls 22, each of which protrude perpendicularly from the bottom 21. The front and rear side wall 23 is in accordance with Fig. 1a still folded down and forms with the bottom 21 on a common plane (flat pad) and is folded up to form a box-shaped base at a later date.

Because according to the Fig. 1a the front side wall 23 is folded down, the container 2 by a storage surface (not shown), which is preferably flush with the top of the bottom 21 and the folded down, front side wall 23, simply inserted into the lower part 20. When inserting the container 2 in the lower part 20 serve the side walls 22 as lateral guides. After the containers are disposed in the base 20, the side flaps 26 formed at the front ends of the side walls 22 and the front side wall 23 are folded and joined together to form a front side wall which is also perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the base 20 protrudes. In this state, a box-shaped receptacle is formed by the side walls 22 and the front and rear side wall 23 of the lower part, in which the container 2 are received. The height of the side walls 22, 23 is less than the height of the container. 2

The Fig. 1b shows a vial 2 as an example of a container for which a packaging structure according to the present invention is suitable. The vial 2 has a cylindrical basic shape, with a cylindrical side wall 4 with - within the tolerances - constant inside and outside diameter, which protrudes perpendicularly from a flat bottle bottom and near the upper open end of the vial in a narrowed neck portion 5 of comparatively small axial length and then merges into a widened upper edge 6, which has a larger outer diameter than the associated neck portion 5 and is designed for connection to a closure element. The neck portion 5 may be formed smooth-walled without external thread or 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 is connected to the upper edge 6 of the vial gas-tight and protected against the ingress of contaminants into the vial with the upper edge 6 , For example, by crimping a metal protective foil, 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 be internally coated so that the material of the vial dispenses as little impurities as possible to the substance to be absorbed.

Another example of medication containers in the context of the present application are ampoules, cartridges or syringe or injection containers.

For the purposes of the present invention, such containers are used for storing substances or active substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic 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 subsequently disclosed containers be cylindrical, it should be noted that the container in the context of the present invention may also have a different profile, for example, a square, rectangular or polygonal profile. If container 2 in the context of the present invention does not have a substantially flat bottom 3, in any case, a peripheral edge is formed at a height of the container 2, so that the containers, if they are supported vertically on a shelf, can be moved on the shelf.

According to the Fig. 1b extends the bottom 3 or the lower edge of the side wall 4 exactly perpendicular to the side wall 4 of the container 2, so that the container 2 exactly perpendicular upright on the bottom 21 of the lower part 20 (see. Fig. 1a ) are arranged. This prevents, even if the containers 2 are held against each other biased or clamped, excessive forces on the side walls of the container, which could lead to scratches, material abrasion or even bursting of the container.

Like in the Fig. 1a shown, the containers 2 are received in the lower part 20 with direct wall-to-wall contact, so that a maximum possible packing density can be achieved. According to further embodiments, inserts may be provided between all the containers, for example in the form of partitions which prevent contact of immediately adjacent containers in the lower part or in the later packaging structure. According to further embodiments, such partitions may also be provided as parting strips which separate rows of containers from each other. As stated below, such partitions or separating strips can also serve to move containers on a flat surface.

The Fig. 2a shows the lower part according to the Fig. 1a , After inserting the container 2 in the lower part 20 and closing the lower part 20 by folding down the front side wall 23 and the side flaps 26 (in the Fig. 2b not shown), according to the Fig. 2b the box-shaped upper part 10 is placed directly on the upper ends of the container 2. Of course, it can also be an intermediate layer, for example a thin plastic plate or plastic film to be placed on the upper ends of the container 2, before the upper part 10 is placed.

In this way, finally, in the Fig. 2c formed packaging structure formed. Finally, the thus formed packaging structure 1 can be enclosed in a tube 9 made of a plastic material or introduced into a sealable bag made of a plastic material, in which the containers are received sterile and germ-free packaged (see. Fig. 2d ).

The containers are preferably accommodated without play in the lower part or upper part of the packaging structure 1, ie they are received therein so that they can not move relative to one another or relative to the side walls or bottoms of the lower and upper part. For this purpose, a clamping (mechanical bias) of the container in the box-shaped receptacle of the packaging structure 1 is not mandatory required. Rather, the box-shaped receptacle of the lower part and / or the upper part can also be so exactly matched to the arrangement of the container - assuming an immediate wall-to-wall contact all containers - that any Relatiwerschiebung the container is excluded.

According to a preferred embodiment, the containers with clamping (permanent mechanical, elastic bias against each other) can be accommodated in the box-shaped receptacle of the lower part and / or the upper part. For this purpose, an elastic insert can be introduced into the lower part and / or upper part, which permanently biases the containers received therein against each other, so that they are held clamped in the packaging structure. Such elastic insert may, for example, in the manner of in the Fig. 6a shown strip-shaped insert 38 along a side wall of the lower part and / or the upper part extend. Alternatively, the side walls of the lower part and / or the upper part may be at least partially formed of an elastic material, wherein the side walls are stretched or stretched when inserting the container into the lower part and / or upper part and the force required for this purpose is subsequently released, so that the Side walls strive to return to their original position, and that until they come into contact with the recorded in the lower part and / or upper part arrangement of containers and keep them clamped. As a further alternative, partitions or separating strips can be introduced as an insert made of an elastic material between all the containers or between rows of containers, which permanently bias the containers received in the packaging structure against each other so that they are held clamped therein.

Such partitions or parting strips can also be used to move the containers when forming the packaging structure according to the invention, for example for moving whole rows of containers, as explained below.

The Figures 3a-3h show the steps for producing a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. The Fig. 3a shows a receiving jig 50, in which the containers are to be arranged in a desired arrangement in advance, before being inserted or received in this arrangement in the lower or upper part. For this purpose, the recording lesson 50 according to the Fig. 3a a flat bottom 51 (flat base), protrude from the two parallel side walls 52 and a rear wall 53 each perpendicular. Together, the side walls 52 and the rear wall 53 form a box-shaped receptacle with an open front end. In the receiving jig 50, a U-shaped spacer element is used, which consists of two mutually parallel side walls 60 and a rear wall 61.

According to the Fig. 3b Between the side walls 60 of the spacer a plurality of containers 2 are arranged in the desired arrangement. This can be done by inserting the container 2 over the open front end of the receiving jig 50, for example, from a storage area, a transport container or a conveyor belt.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the bottom 51 is not required to do so. Rather, the recording jig 50 can also be arranged on a flat base (not shown) on which the containers are then moved.

Subsequently, the U-shaped spacer is removed, as in the Fig. 3c shown. In this state remains between the side walls of the outermost container 2 of the rectangular arrangement of containers 2 and the side walls 52 and the rear wall 53 of the receiving jig 50, a gap whose width corresponds to the thickness of the side walls 60 and the rear wall 61 of the spacer.

According to the Fig. 3d Subsequently, a box-shaped upper part 10 is placed with a corresponding rectangular base on the upper ends of the container 2. The wall thickness of the side walls of the upper part 10 should be less than or equal to the thickness of the side walls 60 and the rear wall 61 of the spacer element.

Like in the Fig. 3e and Fig. 3f shown, the containers are pushed out of the receiving jig 50 by means of the upper part 10, in the region of an insertion opening of a lower part 20, which - notwithstanding the above embodiments - is not formed open at the top, but still has an upper cover 24. The Fig. 3f shows a state in which the upper part 20 is completely pushed out of the receiving jig 50. Subsequently, the upper part 10 is inserted via the insertion opening into the lower part 20 (cf., side view according to FIGS Fig. 3g ) until the packaging structure according to the Fig. 3h is trained.

In this approach, it is advantageous if the lower ends or bottoms of the container are always moved on a flat support surface without elevations. This can be achieved either by the taking lesson 50 (cf. Fig. 3a ) and the lower part 20 are received in a recess whose depth is such that the top of the bottom 51 of the receiving jig 50 (see. Fig. 3a ) and the lower part 20 is flush with adjacent surface portions. Alternatively, this can be achieved by the taking lesson 50 (see. Fig. 3a ) and the lower part 20 rest on a support surface, wherein the areas of the support surface, which are not below the receiving jig 50 and the lower part 20 are formed slightly increased, namely the strength of the bottom of the receiving jig 50 and the lower part 20, so that the Container without height offset can be moved. A smooth movement of all containers can also be achieved by the formation of ramp-like inclined transition zones at the front edge of the receiving jig 50 and the bottom 21 of the lower part 20. Alternatively, the recording lesson 50 may be formed without bottom.

In this embodiment, the containers in the upper part 10 are preferably free of play and received with direct wall-to-wall contact. In particular, the containers can also be clamped in the upper part 10. In the latter case, the clamping of the container in the upper part 10 may in particular also be designed so that the Top is lifted together with the clamped recorded therein containers and inserted into a lower part, rather than that the upper part 10 moves the container. In principle, the containers in the packaging structure can also be received loosely and with lateral play.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the forward end of the receiving jig 50 (see FIG. Fig. 3a ) be completed by means of an upright side wall so that the container then not inserted into the receiving jig 50 but instead must be used from above, which is more complex, can be realized, for example by means of gripping arms or the like.

The FIGS. 4a-4c show further details of the packaging structure according to the Figures 3a-3h , According to the Fig. 4a is provided along the front edge of the lower part 20, a sealing member 29, which may be, for example, by an elastic insert of a rubber or plastic, which may be injected in 2K technique in the bottom 21 of the base 20, or by forming an elastic sealing element directly into the bottom 21 of the lower part 20 can be achieved. According to the Fig. 4c the sealing element is realized by a bead 29, which protrudes inwardly from the bottom 21. When inserting the upper part 10 in the lower part 20 thus an elastic resistance must be overcome.

The FIGS. 5a-5f show details of opening a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. Like in the Fig. 5b a box-shaped intermediate part 40 is placed on the upper ends of the container, which has a flat bottom 41 and perpendicularly projecting from the side walls 42. This intermediate portion 40 may be permanently seated on the upper ends of the containers to prevent penetration of particles into the open ends of containers even when the top 10 is removed, as in Fig. 5c shown. The side walls 42 prevent accidental lateral slipping of the intermediate part 40.

According to the Fig. 5c the front side wall 23 of the lower part 20 is folded down to allow pushing out of the container 2 by moving the intermediate part 40. In order to prevent disturbing folding back of the front side wall 23, hold the side flaps 26 of the base 20, the front side wall 23 depressed, in a position in which the front side wall 23 with the plane of the bottom 21 of the base 20 is aligned. Like in the Fig. 5d shown, rectangular recesses 27 are formed for this purpose in the side flaps 26, engage in the rectangular projections 28 which are formed corresponding to the side edge of the front wall 23. In this position, the intermediate part 40 can be pushed out together with the containers 2 received therein from the lower part 20, as in the Fig. 5e shown. Finally, by lifting the upper part 10 allows access to the container 2 for treatment or further processing.

As in the Figures 6a-6c can be shown, the container 2 instead of using the in the FIGS. 5a-5e shown intermediate part 40 are also pushed out of the lower part 20 by means of a slide 37 together. The Indian Fig. 6a shown strip-shaped slide 37 extends along the rear wall 23 of the lower part, wherein the front ends of acting as an adjusting bracket 39 are inserted into blind holes 38 in the slide 37. This strip-shaped slider 37 may be, in particular, an elastic insert which, because of its elasticity, biases the container 2 accommodated in the box-shaped lower part 20 against one another and permanently clamps, as stated above. Thus, the front side wall 23 when pushing out of the container 2 from the lower part 20 according to the Fig. 6b does not jump up, it is depressed by the side flaps 26, as described above with reference to Fig. 5d described. Finally, the state according to the Fig. 6c achieved in which all the containers 2 are completely pushed out of the box-shaped lower part 20.

Alternatively, the containers 2 can also be pushed out of the box-shaped lower part 20 in rows or individually by means of a strip-shaped plate. In particular, such a strip-shaped plate may also be a separating strip which prevents a collision of directly adjacent containers in the packaging structure, as stated above. Such a separating strip can also consist of an elastic material, as stated above.

Like in the Fig. 7a As shown above, a box-shaped lower part 20 can also be punched out of a material sheet and produced by suitable folding. In the Fig. 7a the corresponding fold lines are denoted by the reference numerals 34a-34e. By punching out recesses 27 on the rear side flaps 31 and protrusions 28 on the rear wall 30, a permanent depression of the rear wall 30 can be realized, as described above with reference to FIG Fig. 5d described. In this embodiment, the front side wall 23 is formed doubled, by folding along the fold line 34e and folding the doubled side wall 23a toward the side wall 23. By inserting the projections 33, which are formed on the upper edge of the doubled side wall 23a, in corresponding formed recesses 32 on the bottom 21 of the base 20, the front side wall 23 can optionally be folded up (for retaining the container) or folded down (for pushing in or out of the container). In the folded state while the side flaps 26 are inserted into the space between the front side walls 23, 23a. When folding up the front side wall and rear wall of the lower part of these can be stretched to realize the above-described permanent clamping of the container in the lower part.

The Fig. 7b again explains the permanent depression of the front side wall by means of interlocking projections 28 and recesses, wherein the movements required for taking and dissolving this position are indicated by the movement arrows. The FIGS. 7c and 7d show an alternative for the permanent depression of the front side wall, wherein in the front side flap 26 a diagonal fold line 34f extends, wherein the front side wall 23 and the side flaps 26 are connected to each other (see. Fig. 7d ) and by pressing along the fold line 34f and pivoting the side flaps 26 about the fold line 34d of the state according to the Fig. 7c can be achieved with the folded-up front side wall 23 and in reverse sequence again the open state according to the Fig. 7d can be achieved.

The Fig. 8a shows a three-part packaging structure, as described above, with a lower part 20 in which the containers are accommodated, an intermediate part 40 placed on the upper ends of the containers and an upper part 10 placed on the intermediate part 40.

The Fig. 8b shows a further embodiment in which the containers 2 are first placed on the bottom 21 of the base 20 in a state in which the front and rear side wall 23 is not yet folded up. In this state, the containers 2 can be inserted in particular over the open front and rear ends. Subsequently, the upper part 10 is placed on the upper ends of the container 2. According to the Fig. 8b 10 recesses are formed in the bottom 11 of the upper part, in which when folding up the front and rear side walls 23 and the further folding the doubled side walls 23b, the additional side tabs 26a provided thereon are inserted. In this way, the upper part 10 and the lower part 20 are connected to each other by a plug connection.

The Fig. 8c shows a further embodiment in which, in a corresponding manner, the two longer side walls 22 are formed doubled by folding twice, but no front and rear side walls are provided, since it is sufficient if the container 2 by means of the side walls 12, 13 of the upper part 10 in the packaging structure are retained. After the two-fold folding of the side walls 22, the side flaps 26, which are formed at the front ends, in the recesses 14 in the bottom 11 of the upper part 10 in the above with reference to FIG Fig. 8b plugged manner described to connect upper part 10 and lower part 20 directly to each other.

The Fig. 9 shows a packaging structure 1 according to another embodiment, in which the side walls 22 of the lower part 20 with openings 22 a and the bottom 11 of the upper part 10 with a lattice structure 11 a of a plurality of intersecting webs are provided with openings formed therebetween. These openings are closed with a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a braid made of synthetic fibers, for example of polypropylene fibers (PP) or by means of a Tyvek® protective film. This gas-permeable plastic film can also be attached later, for example, be glued to the edges of the openings and allows a sterile and germ-free packaging of the container in the packaging structure. A sterilization of the container can also be achieved in the packaging structure by a gas for sterilizing the container flows from the outside through the plastic film and the box-shaped recording of the packaging structure in the interiors of the container 2. Finally, the packaging structure can continue to be welded into a hose or be introduced into a sealable bag (see. Fig. 2d ) or in a sterile transport and packaging container.

The aforementioned perforations may in principle be provided in the bottom of the lower part, wherein the container, with a suitable grid of the aforementioned lattice structure 11a, continue to be pushed easily over the floor in the lower part and pushed out of this again.

The FIGS. 10a to 10d show details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the upper part 10 is box-shaped, with a bottom 11 and perpendicular projecting side walls 12 and 13, wherein along the two longer side walls 12, a flange 15 protrudes vertically. This upper part 10 is preferably formed as a thermo molding of a plastic.

The lower part 20 is formed by folding from a plastic plate having a bottom 21 and two lateral clamping webs 200, at the ends of each a rectangular extension 201 is formed. The clamping bars 200 are connected via a film hinge with the bottom 21 and can thus be folded. In the corner regions of the rectangular bottom 21 mushroom-shaped projections 203 (or openings) are formed, which engage after folding the lateral clamping bars 200 in the correspondingly formed openings 202 (or mushroom-shaped projections) of the extensions 201. The lower part 20 is preferably formed as an injection molded part made of a plastic. In the region 209 of the bottom 21 (or also in the upper part 10) indicated by dashed lines, perforations may be formed with a lattice structure comprising a plurality of intersecting webs which can be closed by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a braid made of synthetic fibers, and through which the containers in the packaging structure can be sterilized by the inflow of a gas, as stated above.

The packaging process starts according to the Fig. 10b in that the containers 2 are introduced into the box-shaped receptacle of the upper part 10, for example by arranging the containers 2 on a flat support with a high packing density and putting the box-shaped upper part 10 over the containers 2, so that the in the Fig. 10b shown arrangement of the container 2 automatically results. Subsequently, the upper part 10 is pushed with the containers 2 received therein on the bottom 21 of the lower part 20. Subsequently, the upper part 10 is connected to the lower part 20, in particular locked.

For this purpose, according to the Fig. 10c the lateral clamping webs 200 of the lower part 20 folded over and the projections 203 are pressed into the openings 202 of the extensions 201. The folded projections 201, against which the front or rear side wall 13 of the upper part, thereby give the position of the lower part 10 relative to the lower part 20 precisely before. The fixation of this position by means of the clamping webs 201, the respective flange 15 (see. Fig. 10a ) of the upper part 10, as well as by the engagement of the projections 203 in the openings of the extensions 201.

To open this packaging structure 1, the procedure in reverse order, wherein the first step, namely the release of the mushroom-shaped projections 203 of the openings of the extensions 201 and the pivoting back of the lateral clamping bars 200 in the Fig. 10d is shown.

The FIGS. 10e to 10g show details of another packaging structure in which the lower part is fixed in the upper part by means of positive locking or clamping. According to the Fig. 10e 20 guide rails 205 are formed along the side walls 23 of the lower part, which are rectangular in profile, which can be easily realized for example by thermal deformation of side portions of the lower part 20. Between the guide rails 205 and the side walls 23 flat connecting webs 204 are formed, the undersides of which are preferably in a plane together with the lower edge of the box-shaped lower part 20.

According to the Fig. 10e the front and rear end of the upper part 10 are open, so that the lower part 20 can be inserted therein. The bottom 11 of the upper part 10 is formed closed, but may in principle be provided with openings, which can be covered by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, as described above. Furthermore, the edge regions of the upper part 10 are formed corresponding to the guide rails 205 of the lower part 20, so that they can be received or clamped after insertion of the lower part 20 in the upper part 10 in a form-fitting manner in the edge regions of the upper part 10.

This state, in which the upper part 10 is positively received or clamped in the edge regions of the upper part 10, in the right part of the image II of the greatly enlarged partial section according to the Fig. 10f shown. As shown, the edge regions of the upper part 10 are formed by a vertical side wall 102, a horizontal connecting web 103 and a vertical connecting web. In the latched or clamped state II of the lower part 20, the side wall 102 extends parallel and at little or virtually vanishing distance to the side wall of the guide rail 205 and the horizontal connecting web 103 extends parallel and at little or virtually vanishing distance to the top of the guide rail 205th Instead a clamp can be provided in this area more form-fitting structures, such as push buttons or positively cooperating with each other elements, such as recesses and corresponding projections.

In order to enable a simple insertion of the lower part 20 in the upper part 10, the edge regions of the upper part 10 according to the left part of the image I of Fig. 10f be adjusted, for example, by folding lines are provided in the edge regions, around which the connecting webs and side walls can be pivoted. In the unfolded or opened state I, in the left part of the image Fig. 10f are shown, for example, in the transition areas between the webs 100-> 104, 104-> 103 and 103-> 102 fold lines provided parallel to the side walls 12 of the upper part 10, by which the associated webs 103, 104, 100 can be pivoted upwards to the lower part 20 of release the upper part 10 or to allow insertion. So that the state II according to the Fig. 10f can be kept stable, it may be advantageous if the aforementioned side wall portions of the upper part 10 are resiliently biased due to their material properties in the position of the state II. Or other form-fitting structures in this area, as stated above, fix the state II.

For further sealing of the packaging structure, according to the enlarged partial section according to a further embodiment, as in Fig. 10g shown, between the underside of the horizontal connecting web 204 of the lower part 20 and the bottom 11 of the upper part of an elastic sealing element 109 may be provided, for example by an elastic insert made of a rubber or plastic, which also in 2K technique in the bottom 11 of the upper part 10th can be injected, or can be achieved by forming an elastic sealing element directly in the bottom 11 of the upper part 10 or on the underside of the connecting web 204.

Such a seal between upper and lower part can of course also be provided in all other embodiments described herein, at a suitable location to seal the packaging structure against the environment, preferably sterile seal.

The FIGS. 11a to 11d show details of a packaging structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. The lower part 20 is basically similar to that according to Fig. 1a educated. In this case, in the area indicated by dashed lines region 209 may in principle be provided openings in the bottom 21, which can be covered by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, as described above. The lower part 20 according to the Fig. 11a is done in a similar way as after Fig. 8a folded into a box-shaped base. For this purpose, the front side walls 23 are folded further at the height of the side walls 22. When folding up the front side walls 23, the side flaps 26 formed thereon are inserted into the intermediate space between the inside of the side walls 22 and the upper part 10 (cf. Fig. 11b ) inserted. When folding the foremost portion 23b of the side wall 23, the side flaps 26b formed thereon are inserted into recesses 230 which are formed at the upper edge of the side walls 22.

For forming the packaging structure 1, according to the Fig. 11b First, the container 2 is inserted into the interior of the lower part 20 between the side walls 22 in the desired arrangement, wherein the front side walls 23, 23b are still folded down or at least not yet the front side flaps 26b are inserted into the recesses 230. Alternatively, the container 2 are first inserted into the box-shaped upper part 10 and then inserted by means of the upper part 10 into the interior of the lower part 20. Subsequently, the front side walls 23, 23b in the above folded way described and finally the front side tabs 26 b inserted into the recesses 230. Such a packaging structure 1 is in the Fig. 11c shown. In this case, the two front side walls 23b secure the upper part 10 in the lower part 20. In this case, the upper ends of the containers are always covered by the bottom 11 of the upper part 10, so that no contaminants can penetrate into the interior of the container.

To open the packaging structure 1, the procedure is reversed, that is, first the front side flaps 26 b (see. Fig. 11b ) again pulled out of the recesses 230, then the front side walls 23, 23b folded down and is finally pushed the upper part 10 either together with the containers 2 from the lower part 20 or the upper part 10 lifted upwards to the container 2 to the other Processing release.

The upper part 10 is preferably formed as a thermo molding of a plastic.

The Figures 11d and 11e show a further embodiment in which the lower part 20 in the manner of the lower part according to the Fig. 3e an upper cover having two openings 240, which allow a conditional engagement in the interior of the lower part 20. The front side walls 23 can be folded down. To secure the packaging structure are after inserting in the Fig. 11e shown upper part 10 in the lower part, the front side walls 23 folded up while the side flaps 26 in the space between the inner walls 22 of the lower part 20 (see. Fig. 11d ) and the side walls 12 of the upper part 10 is inserted.

The openings 240 can be closed with a plastic film, in particular a gas-permeable plastic film, as stated above, whereby a sterile packaging structure is formed.

Of course, upper and lower parts 10, 20 can also be arranged vice versa for forming the packaging structure, so that the containers 2 rest with their front ends upside down on the bottom 11 of the upper part 10 and the upper part 10 is subsequently pushed into the lower part 20. In the orientation according to Fig. 11e On the other hand, the underside of the upper part 10 can also first be supplemented by an intermediate floor (not shown) on which the containers 2 are supported with their lower ends and the upper part 10 then in the orientation according to FIG Fig. 11e be inserted into the lower part 10.

Based on FIGS. 12a to 12c Hereinafter, a packaging structure according to another embodiment will be described. In this packaging structure, the lower part is formed by a flat bottom plate 70, whose peripheral edge 71 is formed increased, whereby a central trough-shaped recess 72 for receiving the box-shaped upper part 10 is formed with the containers therein (not shown). The height of the peripheral edge 71 corresponds to the thickness of the flange 15 of the upper part 10 or is larger than this thickness, so that the flange 15 can be completely received in the recess 72 without protruding from the peripheral edge 71.

For sealing or sterile packaging of the structure of bottom plate 70 and top 10 is a box-shaped cover 80 which has a bottom, a circumferential side wall 81 and a horizontal flange 83. The enlarged partial section in the left part of the picture I according to Fig. 12c shows an edge region of this packaging structure before sealing. As shown, an adhesive or adhesive strip 73 is circumferentially formed on the upper edge 71. As in the right part II of the Fig. 12c shown, the flange 83 of the cover 80 is connected by pressing the upper part 10 in the trough-shaped receptacle 72 of the bottom plate 70 by means of the adhesive or adhesive strip 73 with the upper edge 71 of the bottom plate 70. For bonding, a heat seal can be used, caused by a thermal treatment of the edge region of the structure after placing the upper part 10 on the bottom plate 70 and placing the cover 80. Die Fig. 12b shows the finished packaging structure.

The Fig. 13 shows in a schematic flow chart the steps of a method according to the invention for forming and reopening a packaging structure.

First, in step S1, the plurality of containers are inserted into the upper or lower part of the packaging structure. This can be done by placing a plurality of containers on a flat surface and then inserting the containers into the upper or lower part, side walls of which can serve as guides to automatically guide the containers into the desired arrangement. Thus, for example, when inserting the container by means of a slider or the like, a densest packing can be achieved automatically. Alternatively, the containers may be arranged in a box-shaped upper or lower part, for example by placing the upper or lower part, wherein the side walls of the upper or lower part serve as guides for the containers to specify the arrangement of the container therein. Alternatively, the containers can in principle be introduced by means of any transport devices in the upper or lower part of the packaging structure, in particular by means of gripping arms or belt conveyors.

To insert the container, the upper or lower part can be used, in which the containers are first used. The container and / or this receiving upper or lower part can also be inserted by means of a slider or the like. For this purpose, it may be advantageous if in the packaging structure also remains a gap between the upper and lower part or an intermediate part, which, for example, in the packaging structure according to the Fig. 5b the case is because a slider or the like can pass through this gap to mechanically act directly on the containers.

Subsequently, in step S3, the closing of the packaging structure. For this purpose, the upper or lower part can be inserted with the containers received therein in the corresponding lower or upper part. Or the upper part is simply placed on the lower part with the containers received therein and optionally further connected to the lower part, for example by inserting tabs on the upper or lower part in corresponding openings or recesses on the lower or upper part. This step can be preceded by a processing of the containers in an intermediate step S2, while they are received in the upper or lower part of the packaging structure, for example a heat treatment, sterilization or filling of the container with a substance.

Finally, the packaging structure may be sealed in step S4 to complete the packaging structure, for example by insertion into a tube or sealable bag made of a suitable sterile plastic material or by placing and connecting a hood, as described above with reference to FIGS FIGS. 12a to 12c described.

As further method steps, the opening of the packaging structure in step S5 and a further processing of the containers in step S6 can follow. These steps can be performed by a customer of the packaging structure, for example, a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

In this method, the containers, unlike the prior art, need not be turned, but they can be transported in the same orientation and processed further.

Furthermore, the containers can preferably be pushed out of the packaging structure particle-free. In the context of the present application, particle-free means in particular that no foreign particles with a diameter greater than 20 μm are present in the container.

Preferred materials and methods of preparation

As elastic inserts, partitions or sidewalls for biasing the containers against each other or for elastically clamping the containers in the packaging structure as described above, elastic foamed plastics are preferably used, in particular thermoplastic foams (eg PS-E, PP-E and PVC-E), elastomeric foams (eg soft polyurethane foam, NBR) or thermosetting foams (eg PUR hard foam, PF).

The plastic foams can be produced in particular by foam extrusion, a molding process, by a thermoplastic foam casting process (TSG), or by using PUR foams, also by continuous strip foaming, discontinuous RSG (reaction foam casting), RIM (reaction injection molding ) respectively.

Low pressure and high pressure process or RRIM (Reinforced Reaction Injection Molding).

In any case, the upper or lower part, that receives the container clamped, is at least partially formed of a thermoplastic, thermosetting or elastomeric plastic, which has a certain elasticity. Particularly preferred for the use of the material Akylux® is provided, which consists of polypropylene with hollow panels. Akylux® is durable and reusable, mildew and moisture resistant, suitable for hygienic applications, as it does not surface fibers, shock absorbing, sufficiently rigid, chemically inert, non-toxic (the raw material and most colors are food safe), 100% recyclable, printable (for example screen-printed or flexo-printed), gamma-ray resistant (tested at 25 kGy load), allowed to sterilize with ethylene oxide (gas), allowed to heat (eg 72 hrs. between 50 and 60 ° C depending on application conditions ), has a sufficiently high softening point (Vicat: 145 ° C at 10 N (ISO R 306)) and melting point (160-165 ° C (DSC)).

The bottom, in particular of the base or of the flat base used, on which the containers are temporarily placed, may be coated with a sliding layer in order to facilitate the above-described insertion of the upper part with the containers received therein into the lower part. The sliding layer may consist of a polymer and a bonding agent layer. The slip layer should preferably consist of at least one mixture of an aromatic silane and an aliphatic silane. Other suitable materials for the lower part are, for example, polyamide or polyoxymethylene (POM).

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, numerous modifications and changes may be made without departing from the general spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Such modifications and modifications are therefore intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

packaging structure

2

container

3

ground

4

Side wall

5

Neck / narrow neck

6

upper edge

7

filling

9

Plastic hose or bag

10

top

100

lower clamping bar

101

Sidewall of the lateral extension

102

Top of the lateral extension

103

upper clamping bar

104

connecting web

105

fold line

109

sealing element

11

ground

11a

lattice structure

12

Side wall

13

front side wall

14

Recess / opening

15

flange

16

latching depression

17

guide groove

20

lower part

200

clamping web

201

attack

202

recess

203

head Start

204

lateral extension

205

lateral clamping and guide rail

209

Area with openings

21

ground

22

Side wall

22a

perforation

22b

doubled sidewall

23

front side wall or rear wall

23b

doubled front sidewall

230

Recess / opening

24

top cover

240

opening

25

insertion

26

front side flap

26a

another side flap

27

recess

28

head Start

29

sealing element

30

rear wall

31

rear side flap

32

recess

33

head Start

34a-34f

fold lines

35

flap

37

Elastic insert or slider

38

Blind hole, bore

39

adjustment

40

intermediate part

41

ground

42

Side wall

43

front wall

50

jig

51

level surface

52

Side wall

53

rear wall

60

Sidewall of spacer

61

rear wall of spacer

62

adjustment

70

baseplate

71

raised edge of the bottom plate

72

Recording in bottom plate

73

Adhesive or heat seal border

80

sterile hood

81

Side wall of the hood

82

front side wall of the hood

83

Flange / peripheral edge

Claims (16)

1. Method for packaging multiple containers (2) for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses in a packaging structure (1) which has an top part (10) and a bottom part (20) and forms a box-shaped receptacle in which the containers can be held, wherein the containers have a cylindrical side wall (4) and a bottom (3) or a lower edge which extends perpendicularly to their side wall (4), with the steps:

   arranging the multiple containers (2) directly on a flat base (51) in such a way that the containers are supported perpendicularly to the flat base (51);

   mounting the top part (10) or an intermediate part (40) on the upper ends of the containers (2), wherein the top part (10) or the intermediate part (40) is box-shaped;

   transferring the multiple containers (2) from the flat base (51) to a base (21) of the bottom part (20); and

   sealing the packaging structure with the top and bottom part and the containers (2) held by these, by introducing it into a hose or into a sealable bag made of a synthetic material and sealing the hose or sealable bag, or by means of a gas-permeable synthetic film; wherein

   side walls (12, 13; 42, 43) of the top part (10) or the intermediate part (40), which come down vertically from the bottom of the top part (10) or the intermediate part (40), serve as guides when the multiple containers (2) are slid onto the base of the bottom part (20).
2. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the top part and/or the bottom part is designed and prepared in such a way that the containers touch each other directly and do not move in relation to each other in the box-shaped receptacle.
3. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the containers (2) to be transferred to the base of the bottom part on the flat base are arranged between at least three side walls (52, 53; 61, 62) of a positioning gauge (50) in a layout whose shape, viewed from above, corresponds to the shape of the box-shaped receptacle formed by the packaging structure, and are pushed by means of the positioning gauge (50) or the top part placed on the upper ends of the containers (10) or the intermediate part (40) which has a bottom (41) and side walls (42, 43) coming down perpendicularly to the bottom, onto the base (21) of the bottom part (20), wherein the containers (2) are arranged by shifting on the flat base between the at least three side walls (52, 53; 61, 62) of the positioning gauge (50).
4. Method according to Claim 3, wherein the front side flaps (26) of the bottom part (20) are secured so as to be folded upwards and one front side wall (23) and/or back side wall (30) of the bottom part is secured in a folded down position when the containers are pushed onto the base (21) of the bottom part (20).
5. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the containers are arranged on the flat base in direct contact with each other and after the box-shaped top part (10) or the box-shaped intermediate part (40) is placed on the upper ends of the containers, are pushed into the bottom part (20) with the aid of the box-shaped top part (10) or intermediate part (40).
6. Method according to Claim 5, wherein the box-shaped intermediate part (40) is placed on the upper ends of the containers (2), the box-shaped top part is placed on the intermediate part and the top part and the intermediate part are pushed into the bottom part (20) together with the containers.
7. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the bottom of the top part (10) and/or the base of the bottom part (20) and/or the side walls of the top part (20) and/or the bottom part (20) have openings (24a, 22a), which are sealed by means of a gas-permeable synthetic film, in particular a mesh of synthetic fibres, for example, polypropylene (PP) fibres or a Tyvek® protective film.
8. Method according to either of Claims 6 or 7, wherein
   the bottom part (20) and the top part (10) are detachably connected to each other, in particular, interlocked, or wherein
   guide structures (205) are constructed along side walls (23) of the bottom part (20), extend along the length of the bottom part (20), and are guided by side walls (102) of the top part (10) when the bottom part is pushed into the top part (10),
   wherein the guide structures are preferably form- or force-fit into correspondingly constructed sections in the side walls (100, 102, 103) of the top part (10), in particular clamped into them.
9. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the packaging structure is further opened and the containers (2) in the packaging structure are pushed out of the bottom part (20) without particle contamination, particularly by moving the intermediate part (40) which is on the containers (2), or with the aid of a slide (37).
10. Packaging structure (1) for packaging multiple containers (2) for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic uses, wherein the containers have a cylindrical side wall (4) and a bottom (3) or a lower edge which extends perpendicular to their side wall (4), and wherein the packaging structure (1) forms a box-shaped receptacle in which the containers (2) are held, with
    a flat or box-shaped bottom part (20), wherein
    the multiple containers (2) are arranged directly on a base of the bottom part (20) and perpendicular to it, and
    the packaging structure (1) is sealed by introducing it into a hose or into a sealable bag made of a synthetic material and sealing the hose or sealable bag, or by means of a gas-permeable synthetic film,
    characterised in that the structure has a box-shaped top part (10) which is placed on the upper ends of the containers (2) or on a box-shaped intermediate part (40) which is placed on the upper ends of the containers (2),
    that the position of the containers on the bottom part is secured by means of side walls (22, 23, 12, 13) which come up vertically from the base of the bottom part (20) and/or come down vertically from the bottom of the top part (10),
    wherein at least one side wall of the bottom part (20) is designed to be open or the at least one side wall of the bottom part can be removed or opened, particularly by folding down or to the side, so that the multiple containers can be pushed together with the top part (10) placed on the upper ends of the containers or on the intermediate part (40) from a flat base onto the base (21) of the bottom part (20).
11. Packaging structure according to Claim 10, wherein the top part (10) and/or the bottom part (20) is/are designed in such a way that the containers (2) touch each other directly and do not move in relation to each other in the box-shaped receptacle.
12. Packaging structure according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein side edges of the base of the bottom part (20) and/or the bottom of the top part (10) are folded along fold lines (34a-34f) to form the side walls (22, 23) of the bottom part (20) and/or the top part (10).
13. Packaging structure according to Claim 12, wherein the front side wall (23) and/or back side wall (30) of the bottom part (20) is designed as a double wall and is formed by insertion of projected flanges (33) which are constructed along one edge of the side wall (23, 30), into corresponding recesses in the base (21) of the bottom part (20), or
    wherein front side flaps (26) of the bottom part (20) can be folded up into an up position and a front side wall (23) and/or back side wall (30 of the bottom part can be folded down into a down position, wherein projected flanges (28) and recesses (27) are constructed at the front flaps (26), which interlock in a form-fitted way so as to secure the side flaps in the up-folded position and the front and/or back side wall in the down-folded position.
14. Packaging structure according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the bottom of the top part (10) and/or the base of the bottom part (20) and/or the side walls of the top part (10) and/or the bottom part (20) have openings (24a, 22a), which are sealed by means of a gas-permeable synthetic film, in particular a mesh of synthetic fibres, for example, polypropylene (PP) fibres or a Tyvek® protective film.
15. Packaging structure according to any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the bottom part (10) and the top part (20) are detachably connected to each other, in particular, interlocked, wherein guide tructures (205) are constructed along side walls (23) of the bottom part (20), extend along the length of the bottom part (20), and are guided by side walls (102) of the top part (10) when the bottom part is pushed into the top part (10), wherein the guide structures are preferably form- or force-fit into correspondingly constructed cuts in the side walls (100, 102, 103) of the top part (10), in particular jammed into them.
16. Packaging structure according to any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein the side walls (22, 23; 12, 13) of the bottom part (20) and/or the top part (10) and/or an insert (37) in the box-shaped receptacle are elastic, at least in part, so that the containers in the box-shaped receptacle are held together in elastic tension and slipping of the containers relative to each other in the box-shaped receptacle is prevented, wherein the side walls (22, 23; 12, 13) of the bottom part (20) and/or the top part (10) and/or the insert (37) is/are preferable constructed, at least in part, of a thermoplastic, duroplastic or elastomeric synthetic material, which is foamed or formed as a twin-walled sheet.

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