EP3354589A1 - Support structure for simultaneously holding of a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, transport assembly and transport or packaging containers with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, with a plurality of receptacles for receiving the containers therein at least in sections, wherein the receptacles each have an open upper end for insertion of the container in the Receiving and a lower end having a holding portion to limit the axial mobility of the containers in the receptacles, and guide portions are provided to guide the container during insertion into the receptacles. According to the invention, the guide portions are formed as upper guiding and positioning portions near the upper ends of the seats and lower guiding and positioning portions near the lower ends of the seats, which are formed separately from each other and limit radial mobility of the containers in the seats. The functional separation between the upper and lower guide and positioning sections allows for the production by means of plastic injection molding a significantly lower minimum distances between adjacent receptacles and thus a significantly higher packing density. At the same time, the images can be produced with smaller tolerances. Chamfers make it much easier to insert the containers into the mounts.

Description

The present application claims the priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2017 101 398.9 "Support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, transport structures and transport or packaging containers with the same," filed on January 25, 2017, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications as well as a transporting or transport or packaging container with such a support structure and containers held thereon.

STATE OF THE ART

Containers (containers) for the storage and storage of medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations in liquid form, in particular in pre-dosed quantities, are used on a large scale medication containers, such as vials, ampoules or cartridges. These generally have a cylindrical shape or at least a cylindrical portion can be made of plastics or glass and are available in large quantities at low cost. For a most economical filling of the container under sterile conditions, these are increasingly supplied in sterile packaging from the container manufacturer to the bottler, so that can be dispensed with the bottler on a cleaning and sterilization of the container. For this purpose, the containers at the bottler, such as a pharmaceutical company, must be unpacked under sterile conditions and then further processed. Increasingly, production concepts are also used in which the containers are also used during the process Filling process remain in the support structure of the sterile packaging and the containers are filled while they are in a support structure, which is part of the sterile packaging. In addition to the actual filling process, other sub-processes such as weighing, plugging, lyophilizing and final sealing of the containers with the stopper can be carried out while the containers are held in the holding structure. This results in numerous additional requirements for the support structure, in particular the accuracy of the position of the container in the support structure.

CN 103359348-A discloses a holding structure formed as a trough-shaped tray, having a bottom on which a plurality of vertical positioning pins are provided, between which the containers can be received without mutual contact. The holding structure is formed by injection molding of a plastic. The vertical positioning pins act simultaneously as guide sections for inserting the containers into the receptacles formed by the positioning pins.

WO 2016/135051 A1 discloses another holding structure, which is designed as a so-called nest and can be accommodated in a trough-shaped transport or packaging container (also referred to as tub). On the underside of the support structure, a plurality of receptacles is formed, whose bottoms are connected to each other, projecting from the floors vertical positioning pins, between which the containers can be received without mutual contact. The vertical positioning pins act simultaneously as guide sections for inserting the containers into the receptacles formed by the positioning pins.

EP 2448541 B1 discloses another support structure having tubular receptacles formed by sidewalls extending perpendicularly from an upper surface of the support structure.

Other support structures are in the publications EP 2868593A1 . EP 2848882 A1 . WO 2014/072019 A2 and EP 2740537 A1 the applicant discloses.

US 5996818 A and US 4124122 A each reveal a holding structure (rack) for test tubes. The test tubes are in hemispherical depressions at the bottom of the Racks centered and are positioned by means of perforated plates, which are arranged on two different levels. The perforated plates do not constitute guiding and positioning sections within the meaning of the present application, because the introduction of the test tubes into the holes of the perforated plates requires very careful aiming. The support structure is not formed in one piece.

The post-published EP 3136109 A1 discloses individual cylindrical receptacles which are clipped into a holder bag. The seats have S-shaped spring-loaded clamping straps that hold the containers clamped at the top and bottom of the seats. The support structure is not formed in one piece.

Another support structure for carpules is in the EP 2 448 541 B1 disclosed. Upper guide and positioning sections in the sense of the present application are not disclosed.

The introduction of the container from above into the receptacles of the support structures always requires a very precise pre-positioning of the container relative to the receptacles in the aforementioned holding structures, which is expensive.

Due to the production of the aforementioned holding structures by an injection molding or thermoforming process of a plastic, the recordings have a certain geometrical deviation, for example by distortion, Entformungsschrägen, roundness, concentricity, etc. These deviations cause the game between container and holding structure increases, which requires more freedom of movement of the containers in the recordings. Downstream reworking in the tool is very complex here, so that certain geometric deviations can not be avoided.

In particular, by the Entformungsschrägen there is an increased tilting of the containers in the recordings, which brings difficulties for the automated filling process and in particular for the Stopfensetzen with it, especially in comparatively long and slender designed containers, for example when Stopfensetzen in carpules.

Due to the ejection process in the injection molding of the support structures correspondingly large-dimensioned Entformungsschrägen must be provided in the shrinking on the cores of injection molds pockets or recordings of the support structures with the inclination angle of Entformungsschrägen must be about 2 °. However, such a large draft angles cause, especially in relatively long and slender containers, for example in cartridges (cartridges) a relatively inaccurate guidance and cause a lower packing density. Therefore, relatively large minimum distances must be maintained between the individual recordings of the support structure, which limits the achievable packing density. The minimum distances can be additionally conditioned by mechanical measures for stiffening the support structure. However, such measures for stiffening the support structure usually require a higher weight and a higher cost of materials for the support structure.

For different types of containers (for example vial, carpule, syringe body) usually the same glass tube semi-finished products are used. Now, by classifying the containers of different types in groups according to their common (pipe) outer diameters, one finds that they have different nest layouts and thus packing densities of the support structures. Rather, the distances between the individual recordings for the aforementioned reasons for a common (pipe) outer diameter of the container are usually different. This also increases the effort to automate machining processes: for example, containers must be positioned at different positions by means of grippers, robots, or the like, in correspondence with the positions of the receptacles of a particular type of support structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, which can be manufactured simply and inexpensively, a glass-to-glass contact between the held on the support structure Avoiding containers in a simple manner, allows a high packing density and allows accurate positioning of the container, preferably a simple and reliable Inserting the container into the receptacles of the support structure should be possible. Further aspects of the present invention relate to transport structures or transport or packaging containers and to a sterile packaging structure with such a holding structure.

These objects are achieved by a support structure according to claim 1, a transport structure according to claim 16, by a transport or packaging container according to claim 18 and a sterile packaging structure. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, there is provided a support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, in particular vials or carpules, with a plurality of receptacles in which the containers can be partially or completely received, so that upper or lower ends of the containers protrude axially from the recordings or do not do so. In this case, the receptacles each have an open upper end for insertion of the container into the receptacles and a lower end with a holding portion, wherein the holding portion serves to limit the axial mobility of the container in the receptacles, so the container axially secured in the Withhold recordings. Furthermore, guide portions are provided to guide the container during insertion into the receptacles. According to the invention, the guide sections comprise upper guide and positioning sections provided near the upper ends of the seats, and lower guide and positioning sections provided near the lower ends of the seats, the upper guide and positioning sections being separated from the lower guide sections. and positioning portions are formed and adapted to limit a radial mobility of the containers in the receptacles. In this case, the upper and lower guide and positioning sections are formed integrally with the support structure.

Because the upper and lower guiding and positioning portions are formed as independent portions apart from each other and not directly connected or even integrally formed, a functional separation between the upper guiding and positioning sections and the lower guiding and positioning sections is made possible according to the invention. While conventional in particular In the manufacture by injection molding the guide and positioning sections are integrally formed and must be formed beveled over a relatively large distance to allow removal of the holding structure of an injection mold at all, the upper and lower guiding and positioning sections according to the invention each relatively short be formed. While this conventionally relatively large minimum distances between shots were due, the upper and lower guide and positioning sections can be inventively relatively short, so that the minimum distances between shots can be significantly reduced and the achievable packing density can be greatly increased according to the invention. This advantage is particularly evident in holding structures for receiving relatively long and slender pharmaceutical containers.

Another advantage of this functional separation is that the guides and seats can be made according to the invention with very small tolerances. Since the outer diameter of the container to be recorded due to the production relatively precisely predetermined, due to the also very precise design of the guides and recordings, the freedom of movement and position inaccuracy of the recorded container can be kept to a minimum. The containers can thus be pre-positioned more precisely relative to the receptacles, which leads to less material abrasion and thus to fewer particles in the region of the holding structure when the containers are introduced into the receptacles. This advantage also applies to the transport case, because the container with a smaller clearance can be accommodated snugly in the recordings and thus less can move back and forth during transport.

Because the guide and positioning sections according to the invention need not extend over the entire length of the recordings, material can also be saved in the production, which makes a support structure according to the invention also lighter and more torsionally rigid. Also, the cost of manufacturing is reduced because simpler and less expensive forms can be used in particular for the production by plastic injection molding.

In principle, it may be sufficient if a single guide and positioning portion near the top and bottom of each recording is provided. Such a single guiding and positioning portion may also be provided with one or more radially inwardly extending projections to sufficiently restrict the radial mobility of the containers, such projections being most preferably equally spaced angularly spaced along the circumference of the receptacles and Preferably, viewed in plan view, are arranged alternately near the top and bottom of the respective receptacle.

The restriction of the radial freedom of movement of the containers in the receptacles reduces the impact speeds and thus the forces in the event of a collision of the containers with the side walls or side wall portions of the receptacles in the transport case. From these reduced normal forces then result in turn, smaller frictional forces and less material abrasion (formation of particles) in the storage of containers in the recordings, but also in their insertion into the recordings. Furthermore, the very precise guidance of the container according to the invention also makes possible a very precise removal of the containers from the receptacles, for example by lifting the containers by means of prepositioned grippers. Such trained guide ribs also allow geometrical deviations, such as distortion, roundness, concentricity, etc., which are caused by the injection molding process for the production of the support structure, can be subsequently adjusted and adjusted precisely.

The very precise positioning and guiding of the containers in the receptacles according to the invention make it possible to increase the packing density, especially in the case of long, thin or slim containers, since a glass-to-glass contact of containers becomes less likely with increasing restriction of the freedom of movement. The puncture can thus be selected narrower.

With greatly reduced freedom of movement of the containers in the recordings and the necessary guide length can be reduced. This is relevant, for example, in long, thin or slim containers, such as cartridges or syringe barrels, especially with small formats, because they can often be performed only up to the lower half in the recordings. Due to the invention very accurate positioning and leadership of the container can still be reliably ensured that there is no glass-to-glass contact. Thus, material can also be saved according to the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, no partitions are provided between adjacent receptacles to prevent collision of containers in immediately adjacent receptacles, such as circumferential sidewalls, which conventionally prevent collision of containers in immediately adjacent receptacles. Rather, this separation function can be completely eliminated due to the very precise positioning and centering according to the invention by the upper and lower guiding and positioning sections. The radial support of the containers in the receptacles can thus take place exclusively through the upper and lower guide and positioning sections. For this purpose, they are formed on sufficiently stable structures of the support structure, in particular at the edge of circular openings on the upper side of the support structure and at the lower ends of connecting webs which protrude perpendicularly from the top of the support structure.

According to a further embodiment, the distance between the upper and lower guiding and positioning sections in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles is greater than the distance of the upper guiding and positioning sections from the upper ends of the receptacles and / or greater than the distance of the lower guiding and positioning sections the lower ends of the shots. This distance corresponds expediently substantially to the axial length of the receptacle, while the guiding and positioning sections themselves are preferably arranged at comparatively small distances from the upper or lower end of the receptacles. For an optimum guide length, the upper guide and positioning sections are preferably arranged at the level of an upper side of the support structure or at only a very small distance below it, ie in a region in which the support structure is the most stable. Furthermore, the lower guiding and positioning sections are preferably arranged at the bottom of the receptacles in order to support the containers directly at the lower ends of the receptacles. In this way, an undesirable tilting of the container can be minimized in the recordings, such as in the transport case, resulting in a further minimization of material abrasion by friction of the container on side walls or retaining webs of recordings.

According to another embodiment, the upper and lower guiding and positioning sections, due to their shape and dimensions, act as rigid and non-flexible guiding and positioning sections for guiding and positioning the containers. The upper and lower guiding and positioning portions are sufficiently wide and long that the upper and lower guiding and positioning portions are not significantly deformed or yielded even when the containers are guided. The upper and lower guide and positioning sections can be slightly adjusted when guiding the container at best due to the general flexibility of the support structure itself, ie in particular of axial connecting webs and lower connecting webs, as explained below.

According to a further embodiment, the upper and / or lower guiding and positioning portions protrude radially inwards into the receptacles, so that the cylindrical side walls of the containers are not radially supported by contact with side walls or retaining webs of the receptacles, but only a punctual contact with only a few Guidance and positioning sections exist, which helps further minimize material abrasion. In this case, the front ends of the upper and / or lower guide and positioning sections of a respective receptacle collectively preferably each include an upper or lower circle with a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the receptacles to be received in the respective region of the upper and lower guide and positioning sections corresponds or is slightly larger than this outer diameter, for example, to one or a few tenths of a millimeter to minimize frictional forces and material abrasion. With greatly reduced freedom of movement of the container in the images and the necessary guide length of the guiding and positioning sections can be reduced. This is relevant, for example, in long, thin or slim containers, such as cartridges or syringe barrels, especially with small formats, because they can often be performed only up to the lower half in the recordings. Nevertheless, due to the very precise positioning and guidance of the container according to the invention, a collision of containers in adjacent receptacles can be reliably avoided. Thus, material can also be saved according to the invention.

In this case, the diameter of the aforementioned upper and lower circle is preferably the same, which in particular further facilitates demolding of the holding structure from an injection mold and further minimizes unwanted tilting of the containers in the receptacles.

According to a further embodiment, viewed in plan view of the receptacles, the upper guiding and positioning portions of a receptacle are each angularly offset from the lower guiding and positioning portions of the receptacle, the upper and lower guiding and positioning portions not overlapping. This offers considerable advantages, especially in the production of the support structure by injection molding from a plastic, because the support structure can be removed from an injection mold in one step, including the upper and lower guide and positioning sections. Because the upper and lower guide and positioning portions are angularly offset from each other and do not overlap, they do not interfere with each other during demolding.

According to a further embodiment, the receptacles are each assigned at least one upper and lower guiding and positioning section and preferably a plurality of upper and lower guiding and positioning sections, which are each distributed at constant angular intervals around the receptacles. As a result, a symmetrical multi-point support of the container in the images possible. In this case, the upper and lower guiding and positioning sections are preferably arranged alternately, viewed in plan view, which makes the aforesaid demolding of the holding structure even simpler.

According to a further embodiment, the upper and lower guiding and positioning portions are each formed as narrow upper and lower guide ribs, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles and project radially inwardly into the receptacles. In this case, front contact surfaces of the upper and lower guide ribs may each be wedge-shaped tapered or rounded, which helps to further minimize the contact surface between the container and the respective guide and positioning portion in its support in the recording and thus undesirable material abrasion at these contact surfaces.

According to a further embodiment, front contact surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs are each formed with a wedge-shaped profile in the longitudinal direction or rounded, whereby a precise positioning of the container and a minimal material abrasion of the container is made possible on the contact surfaces.

According to another embodiment, front abutment surfaces of the upper and lower guide ribs each extend at an acute angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal direction of the receptacles inclined downwards. The front surfaces of the guide ribs may cause further centering of the containers upon insertion of vertically above the support structure. For this purpose, even small angles of inclination of these bevelled front surfaces may be sufficient. For example, the angle of inclination of these bevelled front surfaces may be in the range of 0 ° to 3 °, more preferably in the range of 0.0 ° to 1.5 °, and more preferably in the range of 0.0 ° to 0.5 °.

According to a further embodiment, front contact surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs corresponding to the outer contour of the container are concavely curved, so that a cylindrically shaped side wall of the container not punctiform but with a linear contact area on the front contact surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs is applied, whereby an even more precise positioning can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, front abutment surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs are alternatively designed in each case convexly curved in order to abut substantially point-shaped on the cylindrically formed side wall of the container.

According to a further embodiment, the upper and / or lower guiding and positioning portions are each formed as ring segments which extend in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles and project radially inwardly into the receptacles, wherein a radius of curvature of the ring segments is matched to the outer diameter of the container, in sections abut the containers, so that a cylindrically shaped side wall of the container not punctiform but with a linear Abutment area abuts the front abutment surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs, whereby an even more precise positioning can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the upper guide ribs are each formed integrally with a peripheral edge web which limits the upper end of a respective receptacle radially. The edge webs can serve to further stiffen the support structure, in particular an upper side of the support structure, in particular if these are formed completely circumferentially around the edge of a respective receptacle and / or are connected to each other directly or indirectly via connecting webs or the like.

According to a further embodiment, the edge webs are substantially perpendicular from an upper side of the support structure, wherein the edge webs are each provided with an insertion bevel. Due to the insertion bevels, the containers can be guided even better during insertion vertically from above into the receptacles of the holding structure, in order to smoothly slide into the receptacles without great frictional forces and lateral forces. The chamfers act as it were as Einfangtrichter to capture the ends of the container during insertion vertically from above into the receptacles of the support structure and to guide towards the upper guide and positioning sections. For this purpose, the edge webs need not necessarily be circumferentially formed. Rather, it may be sufficient if a plurality of edge webs or guide structures are arranged distributed to each other along the edge of a respective receptacle spaced apart, wherein the distances between such edge webs or guide structures are smaller than the outer diameter of the container. The container must therefore be pre-positioned less accurate relative to the shots according to the invention, which further reduces the expense of handling the container. The containers can still be reliably inserted into the receptacles.

The insertion bevels can basically begin immediately at the upper end of the edge webs in order to reduce the effective distance between the edge webs to the diameter between the upper guide and positioning sections. In principle, however, the insertion bevels can only begin at a certain distance from the upper ends of the edge webs, so that the opening width of the receptacles on the upper Ends of the edge webs can then be maximum to efficiently capture the containers when inserted into the recordings.

The insertion bevels can in principle also be formed concave, but are preferably formed as a flat, inclined surfaces at the upper ends of the guide ribs, which significantly facilitates demolding of the support structure according to the invention from an injection mold during manufacture by injection molding. For this purpose, the insertion bevels, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the recordings, in particular have a wedge-shaped profile.

According to a further embodiment, the edge webs at intersection areas of adjacent edge webs have a greater height than at central portions between two intersection areas, which further minimizes the material usage and the weight of the support structure. The containers can nevertheless be effectively captured at the highest sections of the edge webs, that is to say in the intersection regions, and guided efficiently into the receptacles of the holding structure when being introduced vertically from above. For this purpose, it is preferred if the upper edge of the edge webs is curved continuously concave or, for example, runs triangular. Due to the reduced height of the edge webs at the central portions, a locally adapted stiffness of the structure can also be produced, comparable to a simple bending beam, in which bending can be reduced by reinforcing the material towards the center (corresponding to the area at the intersection areas ) and thus causes an efficient reinforcement.

According to a further embodiment, further axial connecting webs each extend downwards from the central sections of the edge webs and are connected to an underside of the retaining structure, in particular in order additionally to support the edge webs at the central sections. Due to this additional support, the central sections of the edge webs can still be sufficiently rigid despite their lower height and inherent rigidity. At the same time a further stiffening of the support structure is possible by the additional connection of the top with the bottom over the additional axial connecting webs.

According to a further embodiment, four or preferably six edge webs bound the upper ends of the receptacles in the radial direction. This results automatically a fourfold or sechzählige symmetry of the respective images, which not only facilitates the insertion of the container in the recordings, but also further increases the rigidity of the support structure, in particular, when the edge webs are interconnected. In this case, the holding portions which limit the axial mobility of the containers in the receptacles may be provided on axial connecting webs which protrude perpendicularly from an upper side or a ground plane of the holding structure and are connected to crossing regions of respectively two or preferably three edge webs. The connecting webs are expediently connected to a lower side or a bottom of the retaining structure, which further increases the rigidity of the retaining structure, in particular a torsional and bending stiffness thereof. Preferably, the lower guide ribs are each formed integrally with these axial connecting webs.

If further processing of the containers is envisaged while they are received in the receptacles of the support structure, the rigidity of these holding projections can be considerable, so that, for example, plugs can be pressed in through the filling openings of cartridges, while the carpules are located at the ends opposite the filling openings on the holding projections are supported, as stated below.

According to a further embodiment, lower ends of the aforementioned axial connecting webs form a circumferential side wall or they are widened to such a circumferential trained side wall of the receptacles, wherein the lower guide ribs are each formed integrally with the formed by the lower ends of the axial connecting webs circumferential side wall. In this case, the abovementioned lower guide ribs or guiding and positioning section can in particular be formed integrally with this peripherally formed side wall at the lower ends of the axial connecting webs.

According to a further embodiment, insertion bevels are respectively formed at upper ends of the upper and / or lower guide ribs and extend obliquely relative to the associated upper and lower guide ribs. During insertion, the containers slide even more gently along the guide ribs into the receptacles, which further reduces material abrasion.

According to a further embodiment, the chamfers are at an angle in the range between 5 ° and 45 ° relative to the upper and / or lower guide ribs, more preferably in the range between 10 ° and 15 ° and even more preferably in the range between 12.5 ° and 14, 5 ° inclined. On the one hand, this enables efficient catching of the containers when inserted perpendicular to the holding structure plane and, on the other hand, reliable insertion into the receptacles formed by the guide ribs underneath. The transition region to the guide ribs can be angled, but also be curved.

According to a further embodiment, the insertion bevels are inclined at a greater angle of inclination to the central axis of the receptacles than the guide ribs. Since the angle of inclination of the guide ribs to the center axis of the receptacles is vanishing or at least very small, in particular in the range of approximately only one degree, the angle of inclination difference angle substantially corresponds to the inclination angle of the insertion bevels.

According to a further embodiment, the holding portions are formed as holding projections projecting radially inwardly, wherein the holding projections include respective openings at the lower ends of the receptacles. For this purpose, the retaining projections are preferably connected to one another via floor webs in order to form peripheral floor webs, in each of which a passage opening is formed. This further material and weight can be saved and yet a high rigidity of the bottom or the bottom of the support structure can be achieved. Furthermore, access to the end of a container accommodated in the receptacle from the underside of the holding structure is also possible. The shape of the openings is preferably adapted to the outer profile of the container in this area and more preferably circular, which further increases the rigidity of the underside and the bottom of the support structure.

According to a further embodiment, the support structure is designed to hold carpules having a cylindrical base body and having an upper end with a narrowed neck portion and a subsequent shoulder portion which merges into a cylindrical side wall of the container. The opening width of the aforementioned openings is thus on the upper ends of the carpules is agreed that the upper ends of the carpules extend through the openings and the shoulder portions of the carpules are supported directly on the retaining projections or floor lands to limit the axial mobility of the cartridges in the receptacles when the carpules are received upside down in the receptacles ,

In principle, the carpules may also be designed as so-called double-chamber carpules with a bypass, which projects radially from a side wall of the cylindrical base body.

The ejection openings of the cartridges can be closed with a stopper and sealed with a lid or closure, for example by means of a crimped metal lid, which still allows access to a septum in the stopper (pre-crimped cartridge). The opening widths of the aforementioned openings at the lower ends of the receptacles can be dimensioned such that the front end of the carpule with the plug and the crimped metal cover can extend completely through this opening, so that the carpules only in the region of the shoulder portion on the retaining projections are supported. For this purpose, the opening is preferably circular, or in correspondence with the profile of the carpule.

According to a further embodiment, an upper side or a base plane of the support structure is planar and in particular plate-shaped, at least along the edge of the support structure, wherein the lower ends of the receptacles are connected to one another via webs, which jointly span a plane. The support structure is thus constructed as it were in a sandwich design and has at the top and at the bottom a substantially closed "perforated plate", which are connected to each other via the aforementioned axial connecting webs to increase the rigidity of the top and bottom , This structure is particularly favorable in terms of a surface load, as generated by filled pharmaceutical containers, such as vials or cartridges. Because of the then higher axial load the top of the support structure is compressed, but stretched the underside of the support structure. The stiffer the top and bottom and the greater the distance between the top and bottom, the less the support structure bends under load.

According to a further embodiment, the edge of the support structure is additionally stiffened by a side wall which protrudes perpendicularly from the top thereof. Preferably, this edge is formed integrally with the top, in particular with a T-shaped profile.

According to a preferred further embodiment, the holding structure is formed as a nest for receiving the plurality of containers therein, preferably of pharmaceutical containers, in particular of vials or cartridges.

According to a preferred further embodiment, the receptacles for further stiffening of the support structure are connected to one another by means of connecting webs, wherein the receptacles are designed such that two identically formed support structures can be stacked on top of one another so that the receptacles of an upper support structure partially into the receptacles of a holding structure underneath immerse and that the connecting webs of an upper support structure are supported directly on a top or ground plane of a support structure underneath.

According to a preferred further embodiment, the length of the receptacles is matched to the length of the container so that upper or lower ends of the container protrude from the receptacles and thus are freely accessible from above the holding structure ago. This can be used for further processing or treatment of the containers while they are received in the receptacles and held on the support structure. For example, a nest may be temporarily held in a holding frame of a process station, such as a pharmaceutical filler, while the substance is filled into the container held on the holding structure via the filling openings. Or in the ends of the container plugs are pressed for closing the container, while the containers are held on the support structure. Or the protruding from the shots ends can be used to grip the container and to remove them from the recordings.

According to a further embodiment, the holding structure is integrally formed by injection molding of a plastic. The aforementioned inclined guide ribs and / or Insertion bevels can effectively assist in demoulding the support structure from an injection mold.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container transporting structure comprising a combination of the support structure as set forth above and a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications held thereon, wherein the containers in the receptacles of the Support structure are at least partially received and axially secured to the support structure, as stated above.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the holding structure is formed as a receiving part, in which the plurality of receptacles are integrally formed as frusto-conical receptacles in a regular array, so that the containers directed with their upper ends to the bottoms of the receptacles and while preventing an immediate contact of adjacent containers in the receptacles of the receiving part are receivable. The receiving part can serve as a holding tray (so-called tray) for the containers and can also be directly sealed for sterile transport and storage of the containers, for example by means of a sealing film.

In this case, the recordings are preferably matched to the lengths of the containers that the containers are completely absorbed in the recordings, so their ends do not protrude from the recordings.

According to a further embodiment, a support member is further provided to cover bottoms of the container received in the receiving part, wherein the support member is formed by a base plate having a flat support surface which faces the receptacles.

In this case, the aforementioned receiving part and the support member may be formed by injection molding of a plastic.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container transporting structure consisting of a combination of the support structure, such as described above, and a plurality of containers held thereon for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, wherein the containers are received in the receptacles and axially secured to the support structure.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport or packaging container for a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic substances, wherein the transport or packaging container is box-shaped, wherein a holding structure, as stated above, in the box-shaped Transport or packaging container is housed together with the containers held thereon to hold the plurality of containers in the transport or packaging container.

In this case, the transport or packaging container can be closed or sealed in particular by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a plastic film, which is formed from a gas-permeable mesh of plastic fibers and in particular a Tyvek® film.

For sterile transport and storage, a sterile packaging structure may further be provided having at least one transport structure as set forth above, or at least one transport or packaging container as set forth above and with the containers received therein, wherein the at least one transport formation or at least one transport or packaging container is received in at least one sterile outer packaging bag and packaged sterile against the environment. In this case, the at least one sterile outer packaging bag may have a gas-permeable section, which is in particular formed by a mesh of synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers (PP).

FIGURE OVERVIEW

Fig. 1a und 1b

eine Grundeinheit einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer Perspektivansicht, und zwar ohne Behälter und mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 1c und 1d

eine Draufsicht auf die Grundeinheit gemäß den Figuren 1a und 1b ohne bzw. mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 1e und 1f

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 1d in einem Längsschnitt entlang von A-A bzw. B-B gemäß der Fig. 1d;

Fig. 1g

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf eine Haltestruktur gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform mit mehreren Grundeinheiten gemäß der Fig. 1c;

Fig. 1h

in einem perspektivischen Teilschnitt einen Transport- und Verpackungsbehälter mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß der Fig. 1g;

Fig. 2a

in einer Seitenansicht eine Grundeinheit einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung ohne darin aufgenommenem Behälter;

Fig. 2b und 2c

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 2a in einer Schnittansicht entlang von C-C bzw. D-D gemäß der Fig. 2a;

Fig. 2d

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf eine Haltestruktur gemäß der zweiten Ausführungsform mit mehreren Grundeinheiten gemäß der Fig. 2a;

Fig. 2e

eine Draufsicht auf die Haltestruktur gemäß der Fig. 2d, die in einem Transport- oder Verpackungsbehälter aufgenommen ist, der in einem Teilschnitt dargestellt ist;

Fig. 3a und 3b

eine Grundeinheit einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer Perspektivansicht, und zwar ohne Behälter und mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 3c

eine Draufsicht auf die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 3b mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 3d und 3e

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 3c in einem Längsschnitt entlang von A-A bzw. B-B gemäß der Fig. 3c;

Fig. 4a und 4b

eine Grundeinheit einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer Perspektivansicht, und zwar ohne Behälter und mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 4c

eine Draufsicht auf die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 4b mit darin gehaltenem Behälter;

Fig. 4d und 4e

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 4c in einem Längsschnitt entlang von A-A bzw. B-B gemäß der Fig. 4c;

Fig. 4e

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf eine Haltestruktur gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform mit mehreren Grundeinheiten gemäß der Fig. 4a;

Fig. 5a

eine Grundeinheit einer modifizierten Haltestruktur gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht;

Fig. 5b

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 5a mit einer darin gehaltenen Karpule;

Fig. 5c

eine Draufsicht auf die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 5b mit der darin gehaltenen Karpule;

Fig. 5d

einen Teilschnitt entlang A-A in der Fig. 5c;

Fig. 5e

einen Teilschnitt entlang B-B in der Fig. 5c;

Fig. 6a

eine Grundeinheit einer modifizierten Haltestruktur gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer perspektivischen mit einer darin gehaltenen Karpule;

Fig. 6b

eine Draufsicht auf die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 6b mit der darin gehaltenen Karpule;

Fig. 6c

einen Teilschnitt entlang A-A in der Fig. 6b;

Fig. 6d

einen Teilschnitt entlang B-B in der Fig. 6b;

Fig. 7a und 7b

eine Grundeinheit einer modifizierten Haltestruktur gemäß einer fünften Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht und in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 7c und 7d

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 7a in einem Teilschnitt entlang A-A in der Fig. 7b bzw. entlang B-B in der Fig. 7b;

Fig. 7e und 7f

die Grundeinheit gemäß Fig. 7a mit einem darin aufgenommenen Vial in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht und in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 7g und 7h

die Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 7e in einem Teilschnitt entlang A-A in der Fig. 7f bzw. entlang B-B in der Fig. 7f;

Fig. 8a

eine Haltestruktur gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 8b

einen Teilschnitt entlang A-A in der Fig. 8a;

Fig. 8c

einen Teilschnitt entlang B-B in der Fig. 8a; und

Fig. 9a und 9b

eine Variante zur Grundeinheit gemäß der Fig. 2a in einer Sschnittansicht entlang von C-C bzw. D-D gemäß der Fig. 2a.

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 and 1b

a basic unit of a support structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view, without a container and with it held container;

Fig. 1c and 1d

a plan view of the basic unit according to the FIGS. 1a and 1b without or with container held therein;

Fig. 1e and 1f

the basic unit according to the Fig. 1d in a longitudinal section along AA or BB according to the Fig. 1d ;

Fig. 1g

a perspective top view of a support structure according to the first embodiment with a plurality of basic units according to the Fig. 1c ;

Fig. 1h

in a perspective partial section of a transport and packaging container with a support structure according to the Fig. 1g ;

Fig. 2a

in a side view of a basic unit of a support structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention without container received therein;

Fig. 2b and 2c

the basic unit according to the Fig. 2a in a sectional view along CC or DD according to the Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 2d

a top perspective view of a support structure according to the second embodiment with a plurality of basic units according to the Fig. 2a ;

Fig. 2e

a plan view of the support structure according to the Fig. 2d which is received in a transport or packaging container, which is shown in a partial section;

Fig. 3a and 3b

a basic unit of a support structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view, without a container and with it held container;

Fig. 3c

a plan view of the basic unit according to the Fig. 3b with container held therein;

Fig. 3d and 3e

the basic unit according to the Fig. 3c in a longitudinal section along AA or BB according to the Fig. 3c ;

Fig. 4a and 4b

a basic unit of a support structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view, without a container and with it held container;

Fig. 4c

a plan view of the basic unit according to the Fig. 4b with container held therein;

Fig. 4d and 4e

the basic unit according to the Fig. 4c in a longitudinal section along AA or BB according to the Fig. 4c ;

Fig. 4e

a perspective top view of a support structure according to the fourth embodiment with a plurality of basic units according to the Fig. 4a ;

Fig. 5a

a basic unit of a modified support structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a perspective plan view;

Fig. 5b

the basic unit according to the Fig. 5a with a carpule held therein;

Fig. 5c

a plan view of the basic unit according to the Fig. 5b with the carpule held therein;

Fig. 5d

a partial section along AA in the Fig. 5c ;

Fig. 5e

a partial section along BB in the Fig. 5c ;

Fig. 6a

a basic unit of a modified support structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a perspective with a carpule held therein;

Fig. 6b

a plan view of the basic unit according to the Fig. 6b with the carpule held therein;

Fig. 6c

a partial section along AA in the Fig. 6b ;

Fig. 6d

a partial section along BB in the Fig. 6b ;

Fig. 7a and 7b

a basic unit of a modified support structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a perspective plan view and in a plan view;

Fig. 7c and 7d

the basic unit according to the Fig. 7a in a partial section along AA in the Fig. 7b or along BB in the Fig. 7b ;

Figs. 7e and 7f

the basic unit according to Fig. 7a with a vial received therein in a perspective plan view and in a plan view;

Fig. 7g and 7h

the basic unit according to the Fig. 7e in a partial section along AA in the Fig. 7f or along BB in the Fig. 7f ;

Fig. 8a

a support structure according to another embodiment of the present invention in a plan view;

Fig. 8b

a partial section along AA in the Fig. 8a ;

Fig. 8c

a partial section along BB in the Fig. 8a ; and

Fig. 9a and 9b

a variant of the basic unit according to the Fig. 2a in a sectional view along CC or DD according to the Fig. 2a ,

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The Fig. 1g shows the general structure of a holding structure 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The holding structure 1 has an overall plate-shaped upper side or ground plane 2, whose peripheral edge according to the Fig. 1g just trained. In the upper side 2, a plurality of openings 5 are formed, which are arranged in rows and columns extending perpendicular thereto, wherein in this embodiment, the openings 5 of adjacent rows or columns are arranged offset from one another, which in the hexagonal arrangement of the edge webs 10 a higher packing density allows. From the bottom of the support structure 1 are a plurality of axial connecting webs 11 from perpendicular, which are connected to each other at the lower ends by circumferential bottom webs 12. As explained in more detail below, 11 of the axial connecting webs are formed, in which the containers can be inserted vertically from above to be received therein. The bottom webs 12 act as holding portions to support the container in the receptacles 5 and to limit their axial mobility in the recordings. At the same time limit the axial connecting webs 11 and the radial mobility of the container in the receptacles 5, so that a collision of containers, which are received in immediately adjacent receptacles 5, is prevented. The receptacles 5 serve for receiving pharmaceutical containers therein, in particular vials or cartridges.

To grip the support structure 1 serve access openings 6 in the top 2 (see. Fig. 2d ) which are offset from each other on two opposite sides of the support structure 1 are provided.

The bottom webs 12 span together a plane, which serves a further stiffening of the receptacles 5 and the support structure 1. The bottom webs 12 include circular openings 13 at the lower ends of the receptacles 5.

From the top 2 of the support structure 1 edge ridges 10 are perpendicular from. These are interconnected to further stiffen the top 2, each forming the top of the seats 5 and acting collectively as a trap to facilitate insertion of the containers into the seats 5, as discussed below.

The receptacles 5 are formed by respective basic units, as these in the Fig. 1a is shown. These basic units adjoin each other directly and together form the top of the support structure, so that preferably only the edge of the support structure is plate-shaped and flat, as in the Fig. 1g shown. According to the Fig. 1a Stand from the lower ends of the axial connecting webs 11 lower connecting webs 12 a from perpendicular, each connecting to a peripheral bottom web 12 of the receptacle 5. The bottom web 12 extends perpendicular to the axial connecting webs 11. Each six axial connecting webs 11 define a receptacle 5. At their upper ends, the axial connecting webs 11 are connected to each other via edge webs 10, which are arranged in alignment with the peripheral edge of the top 2. The edge webs 10 each have a wedge-shaped profile 100, wherein at the lower end of the edge webs 10 each have an edge 101 is formed, which extends perpendicular to the top of the support structure and thus parallel to the axial connecting webs 11. When viewed in plan view of a respective receptacle, the edge webs 10 together form a circle, the diameter of which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the containers to be received in the receptacles 5.

The edge webs 10 serve to separate the receptacles 5 at their upper ends. The inside width between adjacent axial connecting webs 11 is smaller than the outer diameter of the container to be accommodated in the receptacles 5, so that the axial connecting webs 11 limit the radial mobility of the containers in the receptacles 5 and a collision between containers in immediately adjacent receptacles 5 is prevented. Via the slots 11b between the axial connecting webs 11, a visual inspection of the receptacle 5 recorded in the container is possible. At the same time can in considerable volume material and weight can be saved because no partitions between the receptacles 5 are provided. By connecting all the edge webs 10 and the bottom webs 12 together, a fairly high rigidity of the support structure can be achieved.

How to continue in the Fig. 1a can recognize, 11 lower guiding and positioning lugs 20 are provided at the lower ends of the axial connecting webs, which protrude radially inwardly into the receptacles 5, so that the side walls of the container do not come into contact with the axial connecting webs 11, but directly to the management and positioning tabs 20 abut and are guided by these during insertion into the receptacles 5. The guide and positioning lugs 20 are preferably relatively short compared to the length of the axial connecting webs 11, but may in principle extend substantially over the entire length of the axial connecting webs 11 in the longitudinal direction. The axial connecting webs 11, when viewed in cross section, preferably have a hexagonal profile (see also FIGS Fig. 2c ), according to the hexagonal layout of the support structure as in the Fig. 1g shown, in principle, other layouts for the arrangement of the receptacles 5 on the support structure 1 are conceivable. At the upper ends of the axial connecting webs 11 recesses 14 are formed in the edge webs 10, the side wall extends perpendicular to the top of the support structure to allow removal from the mold with these aligned lower connecting webs 12a of an injection mold. The side walls of the axial connecting webs 11 may be inclined at a small angle of inclination to the center line of the receptacles 5, for example by an angle of the order of about 0.5 ° to about 5.0 °.

Like in the Fig. 1a A plurality of upper guide and positioning lugs 15 are arranged on the edge webs 10, preferably on the vertical edge 101 thereof. These are likewise relatively short and preferably do not project beyond the vertical edge 101. The upper guide and positioning lugs 15 and the lower guide and positioning lugs 20 are each distributed along the edge of the receptacles 5 at equal angular intervals to each other. In this case, the upper and lower guiding and positioning lugs 15, 20 each, viewed in plan view, arranged alternately and angularly offset from each other.

The upper and lower guiding and positioning lugs 15, 20 may extend perpendicularly, parallel to the center line of the receptacles 5, but may in principle be inclined at a small angle of inclination relative to the center line, for example by an inclination angle of the order of max. 0.5 ° or max. 1.0 °. Thus results at the points of contact of the upper and lower guiding and positioning lugs 15, 20 with the outer wall of the male container, for example, in the Fig. 1b shown vials 51, a line or punctiform or even surface contact at the front ends of the upper and lower guiding and positioning lugs 15, 20th

How to get the top view in the Fig. 1c can be removed, the upper and lower guide and positioning tabs 15, 20 are each arranged along a circle whose diameter corresponds at least to the lower ends of the receptacles 5, the outer diameter of the container in this area, so that the container with its outer wall directly to the lower Guide and positioning lugs 20 are present or at most arranged at a very small distance from them. In this case, the circle enclosed by the upper guiding and positioning tabs 15 may in principle have the same diameter as the circle enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning tabs 20, so that the containers are provided both in the region of the upper guiding and positioning tabs 15 and the lower guiding tab. and positioning tabs 20 are tightly received in the receptacles 5. In principle, however, the circle enclosed by the upper guiding and positioning projections 15 may also have a slightly larger diameter than the circle enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning projections 20, so that in the region of the upper edge webs 10 the containers have a somewhat greater radial clearance in the region Recordings 5 are recorded as at the lower ends.

The inclusion of a vial in such a receptacle of a basic unit according to the first embodiment is in the FIGS. 1d to 1f shown. The vial 51 has a hollow cylindrical body which is formed by a cylindrical side wall 52, at the upper end of a shoulder portion 54 is formed, which merges into a narrowed neck portion 55 at its upper end a widened edge portion 56 (with or without external thread) with a filling opening 57 formed therein is formed. The lower end of the vial 51 is formed by a bottom 53 which is perpendicular to the side wall 52.

It can be seen that the lower end of the side wall 52 abuts directly on the front ends of the lower guiding and positioning lugs 20. Further, the side wall 52 abuts on the top of the support structure immediately adjacent to the front ends of the upper guide and positioning lugs 15.

According to another preferred use, a support structure according to the present invention serves to hold cartridges 58 upside down in the receptacles 5, as in FIGS FIGS. 6a to 6d shown. Cartridges 58 are usually formed relatively slim and open at both ends. Thus, the ejection opening may be provided in the region of the widened upper edge 56 and at the opposite end of the carpule 58, a filling opening 59 may be provided, via which a syringe plug is inserted into the carpule 58 after a liquid has been filled into the carpule 58.

When such a carpule 58 is received upside down in a receptacle of the basic unit described above, as in Fig. 6a or in the sectional views according to the FIGS. 6c and 6d shown, the front end of the carpule 58 including the narrowed neck portion 55 and the widened upper edge 56 extends through the opening 13 in the bottom webs 12, including a metal lid 560 crimped onto it. The metal lid 560 does not come into contact with the bottom webs 12, so that no forces are exerted thereon and the plug can reliably close the filling opening 59 of the carpule 58, even if large axial forces act on the carpule 58, for example when inserting syringe plugs into the filling opening 59 at the opposite end of the carpule 58, while these are upside down recorded in the recordings 5 and supported. How to do that FIGS. 6c and 6d can take the neck portions 54 of the cartridges 58 are supported directly on the bottom webs 12. To accommodate suitable forces, such as when Stopfensetzen, these bottom webs 12 and the axial connecting webs 11 are formed with a suitable material thickness. In this position, the opposite ends of the cartridges 58 with the filling openings 59 provided there may protrude from the receptacles 5.

How to get the Fig. 1a can be removed, the upper and lower guide and positioning tabs 15, 20 are formed close to the upper and lower ends of the receptacles 5 separately, so these are separated as independent sections formed from each other and not directly connected or even formed in one piece. Both the upper guide and positioning lugs 15 and the lower guide and positioning lugs 20 can thus be arranged at only a small distance from the side wall of the male container, so that the packing density of the holding units can be very high. Relatively long, inclined sections, which were conventionally necessary for removal from an injection mold, are not required according to the invention, so that the minimum distances between the seats 5 can be considerably reduced. At the same time, there is a functional separation between the upper guiding and positioning sections 15 and the lower guiding and positioning sections 20, so that in principle a guidance and / or positioning in the region of the upper guiding and positioning lugs 15 is independent of the guidance and / or positioning in the region of lower guiding and positioning lugs 20 is possible.

According to the Fig. 1c the lower ends of the edge webs 10 together form a circle whose diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the container to be received in this area. In this case, the lower ends of adjacent edge webs 10 include the upper end 11a of the axial connecting web 11 in a threefold symmetry, wherein the overall linear upper ridges of the edge webs 10 are connected to the tips 11a of the axial connecting webs 11, resulting in a high overall rigidity a holding structure allows. In particular, forces can be derived symmetrically laterally on the edge webs 10. The edge webs 10 are thus formed higher in the nodes (dead zones of the layout) and thus stiffen locally the top of the support structure, according to the expected larger loads in these areas. Also, the axial connecting webs 11, which are formed directly under these node areas, increase the rigidity of the support structure. Further, a rigidity is generated in the surface by forming both the top and bottom plane of the support structure and the bottom plane (footprint of the container) in a closed, flat structure. The axial connecting webs 11 connect the top or ground plane of the support structure with the ground plane and thus form a rigid sandwich structure.

The upper ridges of the edge webs 10 extend from the axial connecting webs 11 arcuately toward central portions 103 having a smaller height. At this central portions 103 may be provided additional connecting webs for further reinforcement, as described below with reference to Fig. 4a described in more detail.

The side flanks of the wedge-shaped edge webs 10 serve as Einführschrägen for trapping and guiding the container when inserted vertically from above into the receptacles 5. Since the side edges of the wedge-shaped edge webs 10 form a total catcher funnel with a much larger opening width than the outer diameter of the container, need the container According to the invention to be pre-positioned relatively coarse relative to the receptacles 5, for example, of grippers or robots, which reduces the automation effort. After pre-positioning of the containers relative to the receptacles 5, these can basically also be released and slide freely falling into the receptacles 5.

The Fig. 1b shows a vial 51, which is inserted upright in a receptacle 5 of such a holding unit. When a vial 51 is inserted vertically from above into the receptacle 5, so first reaches the lower end of the side wall 52 in the region of the Einfangtrichters formed by the edge webs 10. Upon further approximation of the vial 51 finally reaches the lower end of the side wall 52 in abutment with the side edge 102 of an edge web 10 or more edge webs 10, and is thereby guided in the receptacle 5. Upon further approximation of the vial 51, finally, the side wall comes into contact with the upper guiding and positioning lugs 15 and is exactly centered by this relative to the receptacle 5 and further guided in the receptacle 5. As the vial 51 approaches, the side wall 52 slides along the upper guiding and positioning tabs 15 until finally the lower end of the side wall 52 enters the region of the chamfers 21 at the upper ends of the lower guiding and positioning tabs 20 to smoothly move therefrom be guided between the lower guide and positioning lugs 20. As the vial 51 approaches, the side wall 52 finally slides along the chamfers 21 and the lower guide and positioning lugs 20, until finally the bottom 53 of the vial 51 rests on the bottom web 12. In this state (cf. Figures 1b . 1e and 1f ) is the transition region between the side wall 52 and the shoulder portion 54 of a vial 51 at the height of the upper edge of the edge webs 10 and is thus located above the top of the support structure, so that the upper ends of the vials 51, in particular the widened upper edges 56, or on these patch plugs of grippers or robots can be easily grasped again to the vials 51st back out of the recordings vertically upwards. Even when pulling out the vials 51 vertically upward from the receptacles 5, these are precisely guided by the upper and lower guiding and positioning lugs 15, 20. Thus, both during insertion and removal of the containers, undesired material abrasion at the front ends of the guiding and positioning tabs 15, 20 can be minimized.

How to do that FIGS. 1a . 1c and 1g can take, represent the upper ends 11a of the axial connecting webs 11 on the top or ground plane 2 of the support structure 1, the highest elevations and the highest points, which are also provided with insertion bevels. The lower ends of the container thus act when lowering from vertically above on the support structure 1 for insertion into the receptacles 5 first with the insertion bevels at the upper ends 11a of the axial connecting webs 11 together. These also have an important leadership function. Since the upper ends 11a and the axial connecting webs 11 are arranged distributed along the upper end of a respective receptacle 5, these collectively collect the containers effectively already at a very early stage of lowering of the containers from above vertically, in order to these in the receptacles to lead. How to get the Fig. 1c can be removed, these upper ends 11a and connecting webs 11 are arranged in dead areas of the layout of the support structure 1, namely where adjacent edge webs 10 intersect. The axial connecting webs 11 can therefore be made relatively strong, without thereby reducing the packing density of the support structure 1. Because the axial connecting webs 11 contribute significantly to the rigidity of the support structure 1, the wall thicknesses of the edge webs 10 can be made according to the invention low, which not only effectively increases the achievable packing density, but also significantly reduces the cost of materials and the total weight of the support structure 1.

Like in the Fig. 1h shown, the top 2 of the support structure 1 is further stiffened by a peripheral edge 3, which protrudes vertically from the top 2 down. For further stiffening of the support structure 2 stiffening ribs can also be provided on the back of the top.

A holding structure 1, as described above, can be used to store and transport pharmaceutical containers, such as vials or cartridges. to Handling, the support structure 1 by means of the access openings 6 (see. Fig. 2d ) are gripped and guided by grippers or the like. The pharmaceutical containers may be further processed or treated while held by the support structure 1, as described above. For sterile transport such a support structure can be stored as a so-called nest in a trough-shaped transport or packaging container 70 (so-called. Tub), as in the Fig. 1h shown, which can be about the kind, as in the EP 2 868 593 A1 the applicant is disclosed, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference for disclosure purposes.

According to the Fig. 1h the transport and packaging container 70 is substantially box-shaped or trough-shaped and has a bottom 71, a vertically projecting from this, circumferentially formed side wall 72, a substantially rectangular projecting from this step 73, a circumferentially formed upper side wall 74 and an upper Edge 75, which is formed in a flange and whose corners 76 are suitably rounded. Such a transport and packaging container 70 is preferably formed from a plastic, in particular by plastic injection molding technology, preferably from a clear, transparent plastic, to allow an optical visual inspection of the container 51 held by the holding structure 1. The transport and packaging container 70 can be closed or sealed by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a plastic film, which is formed from a gas-permeable mesh of plastic fibers and is in particular a Tyvek® film.

The FIGS. 2a-2c show the general structure of a basic unit of a support structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the axial connecting webs 11 have a hexagonal profile and are formed integrally with the edge webs 10.

The Fig. 2d shows a holding structure according to the second embodiment with such basic units. Deviating from the first embodiment, identically formed holding structures can be linked together, as described in greater detail in US Pat WO2014 / 009037 A1 the applicant is disclosed, the content of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. According to the Fig. 2d are along the two longitudinal sides of the support structure. 1 alternately and at regular intervals from each other, a plurality of projections 30 and recesses 35 are formed, each having a generally triangular or polyhedral base surface viewed in plan view and are formed corresponding to each other. Hooking two holding structures 1 can be realized by a positive connection of the projections 30 and recesses 35 in the manner of a dovetail connection. Fig. 2e shows the inclusion of such a support structure 1 in a transport and packaging container 70, as described above.

The FIGS. 3a-3c show the general structure of a basic unit of a holding structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the upper ends 11a of the axial connecting webs 11 are diamond-shaped. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for a support structure in which the receptacles are arranged in rows and perpendicular to columns without lateral offset in alignment.

The receptacles 5 are bounded by only four axial connecting webs 11, projecting at the lower ends retaining projections 12b perpendicular thereto. Notwithstanding the previous embodiments, these retaining projections 12b are not connected to each other via a bottom web, although such a bottom web may in principle also be provided here. By suitable material thickness of the lower ends of the axial connecting webs 11 and the retaining projections 12 b, however, a sufficient rigidity can be achieved. Such a support structure 1 is suitable for example for holding vials, as in the Figures 3d and 3e shown.

The FIGS. 4a-4c show the general structure of a basic unit of a holding structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which, unlike the previous embodiments, two types of axial connecting webs 11, 110 are provided. The axial connecting webs 11 extend from the points of intersection of the upper edge webs 10 initially radially outwardly and obliquely downwards, in order to transition into a parallel to the center line of the receptacle 5 and vertically extending portion. The upper guiding and positioning lugs 15 protrude from the intersection points of the upper edge webs 10 radially inwards into the receptacles 5. The upper edge webs 10 have, viewed in a side view, a triangular jagged Although the edge webs have a constant thickness, ie no wedge-shaped profile, but the material thickness in the axial direction of the receptacles 5 at the central portions 103 larger, because at these central portions 103 attach the axial connecting webs 11 and the transition region between the central portions 103 and the axial connecting webs 11 is formed overall triangular. Due to the smaller height of the edge webs 10 at the intersection points of adjacent edge webs and the greater height at the central portions 103 can also produce a locally adapted stiffness of the edge webs 10, comparable to a simple bending beam, in which one can reduce sagging by the Material reinforced toward the center (corresponding to the area at the central portions 103) and thus causes an efficient reinforcement. This effect is further enhanced by the axial connecting web 11.

In this embodiment, the lower ends of the axial connecting webs 11, 110 are connected to each other, for example over the illustrated lower connecting webs 12a, so that the underside of the support structure has a high rigidity.

The Figures 4d and 4e show the inclusion of a vial 51 in such a basic unit in a longitudinal section along AA or BB according to the Fig. 4c , The Fig. 4f shows a holding structure 1 with a plurality of such holding units, which is provided according to the second embodiment with projections 30 and recesses 35 along the edge.

A holding structure 1, as described above, can be formed in one piece in particular by injection molding from a plastic.

Fig. 5a shows a basic unit of a modified support structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention in a perspective plan view. This is designed to receive a carpule 58 upside down therein, as in the US Pat Fig. 5b shown and described above with reference to Fig. 6a described.

The FIGS. 7a and 7b show a basic unit of a modified support structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention in a perspective Top view and in a top view. In this embodiment, the receptacles 5 are cup-shaped, wherein on the side wall axial connecting webs 11 and slots 11b are formed alternately. In extension of the slots 11b are on the peripheral edge web 10 on the bottom of the ground plane 2 upper guide and positioning tabs 15 are formed, at their upper ends insertion bevels 15b inclined to these are formed. These extend up to the beveled edge 102, which further supports trapping of the container when inserted into the receptacles 5. At the lower ends of the axial connecting webs 11, lower guiding and positioning portions 20 are formed. These can protrude from the axial connecting webs 11 radially inwardly into the receptacles 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the lower guide and positioning portions 20 are formed directly from the inner sides of the axial connecting webs 11. Thus, there is an angular offset and a functional separation between the upper and lower guide and positioning portions 15, 20. The slits 11b are provided so that the upper guide and positioning tabs 15 can be trimmed from the lower die during injection molding, so that they only extend over a short section in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles 5. The upper and lower guide and positioning portions 15, 20 are, viewed in plan view, arranged alternately and angularly offset from each other.

The FIGS. 7c and 7d show the basic unit according to the Fig. 7a in a partial section along AA in the Fig. 7b or along BB in the Fig. 7b , The FIGS. 7e to 7h show the recording of a vial in such a basic unit in different representations.

The FIGS. 9a and 9b show a further variant of the basic unit according to the Fig. 2a , The two cuts according to the Fig. 9a 9b show the area of an upper and lower guide, respectively, which is formed in common by the upper guide and positioning sections 15 and the lower guide and positioning sections 20, respectively. Due to the insertion bevels formed respectively on the upper and lower guide and positioning sections 15, 20, each guide can be provided with a capture circle 60a or 61a (shown in dashed lines) with a catch diameter CD or cd and a circle 60b or 61b 61a (FIGS. in solid lines) with a diameter SM or sm assign. The catch diameter CD corresponds to the diameter of the circle 60a in which a Container, which is inserted from above, is caught by the upper guide. The catch diameter cd corresponds to the diameter of the circle 61a in which a container inserted from above is caught by the lower guide.

According to the invention, since the guiding and positioning portions 15 and the lower guiding and positioning portions 20 can be formed independently of each other, the catching diameter cd of the catching circle 61a of the guide formed by the lower guiding and positioning portions 20 can be larger than the smallest diameter SD of the upper one Guide and positioning sections 15 trained upper guide.

Such a configuration would be possible in a conventionally produced injection molded part with upper and lower guide and positioning sections only if the upper and lower guide and positioning sections are arranged angularly offset, which is not necessary according to the invention. For in one or more upper and lower guide and positioning sections, which are arranged overlapping in plan view, the diameter of the guides formed by these guide and positioning sections can decrease only monotonically downwards in a conventional injection molded part. An undercut would lead to problems in demolding.

In contrast, the invention makes it possible to design the diameter profile of the upper and lower guide independently of each other. Accordingly, the smallest diameter SD of the upper guide can be designed narrower, which would not be possible in the prior art because of Entformschräge over the full length.

Likewise, the catch diameter cd of the lower guide can also be designed to be relatively large, which would also not be possible in the prior art because of the Entformschräge over the full length because of the boundary condition that the diameter can only decrease downwards.

As a result, according to the invention, a container can be easily inserted into the receptacles and not only in the area of the lower guiding and positioning sections formed lower guide but also in the area of the top guide formed by the upper guide and positioning highly accurately positioiniert.

How to compare the FIGS. 9a and 9b can be easily understood, the diameter range SD <d <CD of the upper guide and positioning portions 15, the diameter SD of the smallest diameter circle 60b, which is enclosed by the upper guiding and positioning portions 15, to the diameter CD one of The catching circle 60a included in the upper guiding and positioning sections 15 overlaps with the diameter section sd <d <cd of the lower guiding and positioning sections 20, which are of the diameter sd of a smallest diameter circle 61b enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning sections 20 is up to the diameter cd of the trapping circle 61a enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning sections 20. This overlap of the two diameter ranges may be about 1 mm, and more preferably about 2 mm.

As above by way of example with reference to Fig. 1h described, a support structure according to the present invention can be taken together with the containers held in a transport or packaging container. In this case, the transport or packaging container can be closed or sealed in particular by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a plastic film, which is formed from a gas-permeable mesh of plastic fibers and in particular a Tyvek® film.

However, a holding structure according to the present invention is in principle also suitable for so-called. Tray solutions, especially for vials, as exemplified in the FIGS. 8a to 8c is shown.

According to the FIGS. 8a to 8c the holding structure 1 is formed as a receiving part, in which the plurality of receptacles are integrally formed as frusto-conical receptacles 5 in a regular arrangement. The receptacles 5 are formed by circumferential side walls 40 closed. For picking up, the vials 51 (as an example of a pharmaceutical container) are directed with their upper ends towards the bottoms 41 of the receptacles 5 and preventing an immediate contact of adjacent vials 51 in FIG recorded the recordings 5 of the receiving part 1. In this case, the vials 51 are completely received in the receptacles 5, so do not protrude beyond the edge of the support structure 1. Preferably, the lengths of the receptacles 5 are matched to the vials 51, that the bottoms of the vials 51 are flush with the edge of the support structure 1. The insertion bevels and guide ribs described above are formed on the inside of the side walls 40.

In order to form a transport structure, a support part can furthermore be placed on the receiving part and connected thereto in such a way that the bottoms of the vials accommodated in the receiving part are covered. In this case, the support part is preferably formed by a base plate with a flat bearing surface, which faces the receptacles and on which the bottoms of the vials 51 are directly supported.

For such a tray system, the receiving part and the support member can in principle be produced by injection molding of a plastic, wherein the insertion bevels and guide ribs in the manner described above can support the demolding of the receiving part.

If a non-sterile transport of the pharmaceutical containers is sufficient, the receiving part can be formed by connecting to the support part to a non-sterile closed transport structure. If a sterile transport of the pharmaceutical containers is desired, the open side of the receiving part can also be closed by a sealing film, for example by sticking along a flange-like edge of the receiving part, possibly with additional welding points, to form a sterile transport structure.

For sterile transport, such a transport or packaging container, possibly together with other similar transport or packaging containers, taken in at least one sterile outer packaging bag and packaged sterile against the environment. The at least one sterile outer packaging bag can have a gas-permeable section or can even be completely formed by the latter, which is formed, in particular, by a mesh of synthetic fibers, such as polypropylene fibers (PP).

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, the upper and lower guiding and locating noses acting as upper and lower guiding and locating portions are substantially rigid, rigid structures due to their shape and dimensions Guide the container does not deform significantly. This also contributes to the choice of materials. Although the upper and lower guide and positioning tabs are preferably each formed as a relatively narrow upper or lower ribs to allow the highest possible packing density of the support structure. However, the upper and lower guiding and positioning tabs are not so narrow or short that the upper and lower guiding and positioning tabs deform and yield even when the containers are guided. The upper and lower guide and positioning lugs can be slightly adjusted when guiding the container at best due to the general flexibility of the support structure itself, so in particular the axial connecting webs and the lower connecting webs.

• die Breite einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt zweckmäßig im Bereich zwischen 0,5 mm bis 5 mm;
• die Breite einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt bevorzugt im Bereich zwischen 1 mm bis 2 mm;
• die Länge einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt zweckmäßig im Bereich zwischen 0,5 mm bis 20 mm;
• die Länge einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt bevorzugt im Bereich zwischen 5 bis 20 mm;
• der Winkelumfang einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt zweckmäßig im Bereich zwischen 1° bis 90°;
• der Winkelumfang einer einzelnen oberen und/oder unteren Führungs- und Positionierungsnase liegt bevorzugt im Bereich zwischen 5° bis 20°.

Preferred dimensions of the dimensions of the upper and lower guiding and locating noses disclosed above are as follows:

• the width of a single upper and / or lower guide and positioning nose is suitably in the range between 0.5 mm to 5 mm;
• the width of a single upper and / or lower guiding and positioning nose is preferably in the range between 1 mm to 2 mm;
• the length of a single upper and / or lower guide and positioning nose is suitably in the range between 0.5 mm to 20 mm;
• the length of a single upper and / or lower guiding and positioning nose is preferably in the range between 5 to 20 mm;
• the angular extent of a single upper and / or lower guide and positioning nose is suitably in the range between 1 ° to 90 °;
• the angular extent of a single upper and / or lower guiding and positioning nose is preferably in the range between 5 ° to 20 °.

The aforementioned dimensions in the axial direction of the recordings relate in particular to commercially available lengths of vials, cartridges or syringe bodies for the storage of pharmaceutical active sites.

As stated above, a single injection molding process is used to make the one-piece support structure while using a simple primitive mold having a top and a bottom mold, but not with additional sliders for designing elaborate undercuts or even double-walled structures on the support structure. This possibly requires certain restrictions with regard to the geometry of the support structure. In particular, in one direction of the support structure, for example, the axial direction of the receptacles or axial connecting webs or transversely thereto, there may be no double-walled structure with a cavity in between.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

holding structure

2

Top or ground plane of the support structure

2a

ground

3

upper edge

4

rounded corner area

5

Opening or recording

6

access opening

10

edge web

100

wedge-shaped profile of edge bar 10

101

vertical edge

102

Insertion bevel / side edge of edge bar 10

103

central section of edge land 10

11

axial connecting web

11a

upper end of axial connecting web 11 / crossing point of edge webs 10

11b

Slot between axial connecting webs 11

110

second axial connecting web

12

bottom web

12a

lower connecting bridge

12b

retaining projection

13

opening

14

recess

15

Upper guiding and positioning nose

15a

front end of upper guide nose 15

15b

chamfer

16

guide surface

17

gap

20

lower guiding and positioning nose

21

chamfer

30

head Start

31

front side wall of projection 30

32

Sidewall in the transition region of projection 30

35

recess

36

front side wall of recess 35

37

Sidewall in the transition region of recess 35

40

Side wall of picture 5

41

Bottom of pickup 5

50

Outer contour of Vial

51

Vial / container

52

Side wall

53

ground

54

shoulder portion

55

narrowed neck section

56

upper edge

560

crimped metal lid

57

fill opening

60a

Fangkreis, formed by the upper guide and positioning tabs 15th

60b

Smallest diameter circle formed by the upper guide and positioning tabs 15

61a

Fang, formed by the lower guiding and positioning lugs 20th

61b

Smallest diameter circle formed by the lower guide and positioning tabs 20

70

Transport and packaging containers

71

Bottom of transport and packaging containers 70

72

lower side wall of transport and packaging containers 70

73

Stage of transport and packaging containers 70

74

upper side wall of transport and packaging containers 70

75

upper edge of transport and packaging containers 70

76

rounded corner region of transport and packaging containers 70

CD

Diameter of Fangkreis 60a

SD

Diameter of circle with smallest diameter 60b

CD

Diameter of Fangkreis 61a

sd

Diameter of the smallest diameter circle 61b

Claims (18)

A support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers (51) for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, comprising a plurality of receptacles (5) for receiving the containers therein at least in sections, wherein
the receptacles (5) each having an open upper end for insertion of the containers in the receptacles and a lower end with a holding portion (12, 12 b) to limit the axial mobility of the containers in the receptacles, and
Guide portions (15, 20) are provided to guide the containers during insertion into the receptacles,
characterized in that the guide portions comprise upper guide and positioning portions (15) near the upper ends of the seats and lower guide and positioning portions (20) near the lower ends of the seats formed separately from each other and allowing radial movement of the containers in the seats Limiting recordings, wherein the upper and lower guide and positioning sections (15, 20) are formed integrally with the support structure. A support structure according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the upper and lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles (5) is greater than the distance of the upper guide and positioning portions (20) to the upper ends of the receptacles (15). 5) and / or greater than the distance of the lower guiding and positioning portions (15) to the lower ends of the seats. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and lower guiding and positioning portions (15, 20), by virtue of their shape and dimensions, act as rigid guiding and positioning portions for guiding and positioning the containers (51) for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications Act. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper and / or lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) respectively project radially inwardly into the receptacles (5), wherein front ends of the upper and / or lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) collectively respectively include upper and lower circles having a diameter equal to or slightly equal to the outer diameter of the receptacles (51) to be received in the respective upper and lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) larger than this outer diameter. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, viewed in plan view, the upper guide and positioning portions (15) are angularly offset from the lower guide and positioning portions (20) and the upper and lower guide and positioning portions do not overlap. A support structure according to claim 5, wherein the upper and / or lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) each project radially inwardly into the seats (5), the diameter (cd) of a catching circle enclosed by the lower guide and positioning portions (20) (61b) is larger than the diameter (SD) of a smallest-diameter circle (60b) enclosed by the upper guiding and positioning portions (15). The support structure according to claim 6, wherein the diameter range of the upper guide and positioning portions (15) is from the diameter (SD) of the smallest diameter circle (60b) enclosed by the upper guide and positioning portions (15) to the diameter (CD) of a trapping circle (60a) enclosed by the upper guiding and positioning sections (15) is sufficient to overlap with the diameter range of the lower guiding and positioning sections (20) corresponding to the diameter (sd) of the smallest diameter circle (61b), which is enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning portions (20), extends to the diameter (cd) of the trapping circle (61a) enclosed by the lower guiding and positioning portions (20). Holding structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacles (5) each having a plurality of upper and lower guide and positioning sections (15, 20) is assigned, which are each distributed at constant angular intervals around the receptacles around. A support structure according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the upper and / or lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) are each formed as narrow upper and lower ribs, respectively, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles and project radially inwardly into the receptacles .
wherein front contact surfaces of the upper and / or lower ribs (15, 20) are each formed with a longitudinally wedge-shaped profile or rounded, and / or
wherein front abutment surfaces of the upper and / or lower ribs (15, 20) each extend at an acute angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal direction of the receptacles inclined downwards, which lies in the range between 0 ° and 3 °, or
wherein front abutment surfaces of the upper and / or lower ribs (15, 20) respectively corresponding to the outer contour of the container are concavely curved, or
wherein front abutment surfaces of the upper and / or lower guide ribs (15, 20) are each formed convexly curved, and / or
wherein the upper and / or lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) are each formed as ring segments which extend in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles (5) and project radially inwardly into the receptacles (5), wherein a radius of curvature of the ring segments on the Outer diameter of the container is tuned to abut in sections on the containers. A support structure according to claim 9, wherein the upper guide ribs (15) or the upper guide and positioning sections (15) are each integrally formed with a peripheral edge web (10) radially bounding the upper end of a respective receptacle (5), the edge webs (10) projecting from a top or ground plane (2) of the support structure, which are provided with insertion bevels (102) and viewed in the longitudinal direction of the receptacles have a wedge-shaped profile (100). A support structure according to claim 10, wherein the holding portions (12, 12b) are provided on axial connecting webs (11) which protrude perpendicularly from an upper or ground plane (2) of the support structure (1) and with crossing regions of two or three edge webs (10). are connected, where
the lower guide ribs (20) are each formed in one piece with axial connecting webs (11) which protrude perpendicularly from an upper side (2) of the support structure (1) and
lower ends of the axial connecting webs (11) form a circumferential side wall, wherein the lower guide ribs (20) are each formed integrally with the circumferential side wall formed by the lower ends of the axial connecting webs. A support structure according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein insertion chamfers (15b, 21) are formed at upper ends of the upper and / or lower guide ribs (15, 20), which extend inclined relative to the associated upper and lower guide ribs, respectively. A support structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining portions are formed as retaining projections (12b) projecting radially inwardly, the retaining projections being interconnected by bottom lands (12) which enclose the openings (13) at the lower ends of the seats (5). Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacles (5) are interconnected by means of connecting webs, wherein the receptacles are formed so that two identically formed holding structures can be stacked so that the receptacles of an upper support structure partially in the receptacles of an underlying Dip holding structure and that the connecting webs of an upper support structure are supported directly on an upper surface or ground plane of a support structure underneath. Supporting structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding structure (1) is integrally formed by injection molding of a plastic, wherein the support structure (1) with the upper and lower guide and positioning portions (15, 20) is designed so that for the manufacture Injection molding of the plastic, a two-part prototype mold with a lower mold and an upper mold is used. A transport structure comprising a combination of the support structure according to any one of the preceding claims and a plurality of containers (51) held thereon for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, wherein the Container in the receptacles (5) are at least partially accommodated and axially secured to the support structure (1) are held,
the containers being vials (51) received upright in the receptacles, the upper guiding and positioning portions (15) supporting the vials near the shoulder portions (54) and the lower guiding and positioning portions (20) supporting the vials near the shoulder portions (54) Support floor (53); or
the containers being in the form of carpules having a cylindrical base body and having an upper end with a narrowed neck portion (55) and a subsequent shoulder portion (54) which merges into a cylindrical side wall (52) of the containers, the carpules upside down in and wherein the opening width of the openings (13) is matched to the upper ends of the containers (52) such that the upper ends of the containers extend through the openings and the shoulder portions of the containers directly on the retaining projections (12b) or bottom webs (12) are supported to limit the axial mobility of the containers in the receptacles. Supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the holding structure is formed as a receiving part, in which the plurality of receptacles (5) are integrally formed as frusto-conical receptacles in a regular array, so that the containers with their upper ends to the bottoms of the receptacles out directed and receiving intact, preventing direct contact of adjacent containers in the receptacles of the receiving part, wherein
the receptacles (5) are tuned to the lengths of the containers to completely accommodate the containers therein, and wherein
the support structure further comprises a support member for covering bottoms of the receptacles contained in the receptacle, wherein
the support part is formed by a base plate with a flat bearing surface, which faces the receptacles. Transport or packaging container for a plurality of containers (51) for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, wherein the transport or packaging container is box-shaped, characterized by a holding structure (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, which in the box-shaped transport or packaging container is received together with the containers held thereon to hold the plurality of containers in the transport or packaging container (50), wherein
the transport or packaging container is closed or sealed by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, which is formed from a gas-permeable mesh of plastic fibers.

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