EP3535057B1 - Holding structure for holding a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical, or cosmetic purposes, and transport or packaging container having same - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holding structure for holding a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic purposes, in particular vials, cartridges or syringe bodies, preferably vials made of glass (glass bottles).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a container for keeping and storing medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations with administration in liquid form, especially in pre-dosed quantities, medicament containers such as vials, ampoules or cartridges are used on a large scale. These generally have a cylindrical shape, can be made of plastics or glass and are available in large quantities at low cost. For the most economical filling of the containers under sterile conditions, concepts are increasingly being used in which the containers are introduced into a holding structure at the manufacturer of the container, these are then packaged sterile together with the containers held on them in a transport and packaging container the containers are then unpacked at a pharmaceutical company under sterile conditions and then processed further.

For this purpose, various holding structures are known from the prior art, on which a plurality of medication containers are arranged and held in a regular arrangement at the same time. This has advantages in the automated further processing of the containers, since the containers can be transferred to processing stations at controlled positions and in a predetermined arrangement, for example to process machines, robots or the like. For transfer to a processing station, the transport and packaging container simply needs to be suitably positioned and opened. The downstream processing station then knows in which position and arrangement the containers to be processed further are arranged in the holding structure.

US 2014/0027333 A1 the applicant discloses a holding structure according to the preamble of patent claim 1. The holding structure comprises a planar support which has a plurality of openings or receptacles which are designed and arranged in a regular two-dimensional arrangement and which are designed to each receive a container. The openings or receptacles of the carrier are each assigned a plurality of holding means which hold the containers in the regular arrangement on the carrier. The holding means hold the container on the carrier by friction. During the introduction or removal of the containers into or out of the openings or receptacles of the carrier, the holding means rub against the surface of the container. This results in a certain degree of contamination of the containers and the process environment from abraded particles. In the worst case, the abrasion is so strong that a downstream optical inspection detects this and the containers have to be sorted out, which is time-consuming.

US 2014/0027332 A1 the applicant discloses a further holding structure in which the holding means hold the container by means of a form fit. However, a certain amount of material abrasion also arises when the containers are brought into or out of the openings or receptacles of the carrier.

In order to further reduce such material abrasion on the holding means, US Pat WO 2014009037 A1 of the applicant (according to the US 2015/0166212 A1 ) another holding structure, as in the Figures 7a and 7b shown. The holding structure is formed by a flat carrier 210, with several elastic holding arms 212 being arranged as holding means at the edge of a respective opening or receptacle of the carrier 210, which protrude from the upper side of the carrier 210. The holding arms 212 are designed in such a way that they are elastically pivoted or swung away when the container 220 is inserted into the openings or receptacles. The elastic holding arms 212 are matched to the containers 220 in such a way that they are held by the holding arms 212 with radial play. Like in the Figure 7b As shown, holding projections 213 are formed on the front free ends of the holding arms 212, each of which has an upper insertion bevel 215, a horizontal support nose 214 and a lower insertion bevel 216. In the held state, the underside of the upper edge 212 of the vial 220 rests loosely on the upper insertion bevel 215 of a holding projection 213. To insert a vial 220 into an opening of the carrier 210, the vial 220 is moved from above towards the carrier 210 until the bottom 222 comes into contact with the upper insertion bevel 215. When the vial 220 is lowered further, the side wall 223 slides off the front end of the support nose 214, which causes the holding arms 212 to expand elastically.

The material abrasion is significantly lower here. However, this is not vanishing. Furthermore, the holding arms 212 must be designed precisely and with relatively tight tolerances so that the containers 220 can be held with play as intended. However, the carrier 210 can warp during use or shrink due to process parameters such as temperature or humidity, so that it can happen that the relatively narrow tolerances cannot be adhered to and thus a comparatively large, undesirable material abrasion occurs.

Another support structure of the type mentioned above is in the WO 2014/072019 A2 disclosed by the applicant.

According to the state of the art, the containers are automatically removed from or inserted into the holding structure for further processing with the aid of robots or grippers. However, since there is a certain amount of friction between the containers and the holding means of the holding structure, it is difficult to remove or insert all of the containers at the same time, since comparatively large forces then act on the holding structure, which for example lead to uncontrolled bending of the holding structure or even to an accidental Falling out of the container from the support structure can lead. Therefore, according to the state In technology, usually only a subset of the containers is removed or inserted at the same time with a robot or gripper, the total number of containers of a respective subset depending on the forces that the holding structure can absorb without excessive deformation. This leads to delays and more effort in the further processing of the containers.

EP 2 862 809 A2 disclosed on the basis of Figures 5a to 5d a holding structure for the simultaneous holding of a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, in which a plurality of elastic holding arms are assigned openings of a holding plate of the holding structure. Another carrier plate designed as a perforated plate is arranged at a distance from the holding plate and is in meshing engagement with the holding arms. If the distance between the perforated plate and the holding plate is sufficiently large, the holding arms are in a stable position in which a distance between the holding arms is sufficiently large to enable the containers to be inserted between the holding arms. By changing the distance between the perforated plate and the holding plate, a radially inwardly directed force is exerted on each of the holding arms, whereby an adjustment of all holding arms is effected in a holding position in which a distance between is sufficiently small to hold the container by positive locking. However, the holding position does not correspond to a stable position of the holding arms.

DE 10 2012 103 899 A1 discloses a further holding structure, designed in the manner of a "concertina gate" with a plurality of webs which intersect at right angles and are connected to one another. The holding structure can be transferred from a first stable position, in which the containers can be introduced into or removed from the receptacles essentially free of force, into a second position in which the opening width of the receptacles is smaller, so that the containers are then held clamped can. The second position does not, however, represent a stable position of the holding structure, but rather has to be actively stabilized with the aid of further elements, such as a holding frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved holding structure of the above-mentioned type, with which the containers can be held reliably and inserted into or removed from the openings or receptacles of the holding structure in a simple, economical and time-saving manner.

This object is achieved by a holding structure according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims that refer back.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the holding means of the holding structure are designed to be able to selectively assume two different stable positions, the distance between the holding means in a first stable position of the holding means being sufficiently large so that the containers are in the first stable position the holding means can be introduced into or out of the respective opening or receptacle are removable, and the distance between the holding means of a second stable position of the holding means is sufficiently small that the containers in the second stable position of the holding means are held by the holding means frictionally or by form fit in the respective opening or receptacle.

The adjustment of the holding means from one stable position to the other can take place either by actuating an actuating element provided on the holding structure, which is preferably provided within or in the immediate vicinity of the respective opening or receptacle, or with the aid of an external one that is separate from the carrier Actuating element are accomplished, which is adjusted relative to the carrier, for example, is moved perpendicular to the carrier or away from this and thereby activates the adjustment of the holding means. Or the adjustment of the holding means from one stable position to the other can be effected directly by actively adjusting the container itself relative to the respective opening or receptacle.

In the first stable position, the distance between the holding means is preferably so large that the containers can be inserted into or removed from the respective opening or receptacle unhindered, whereby the path of movement of the container for insertion or removal must be taken into account . If only an adjustment perpendicular to the carrier is envisaged for inserting or removing the container into or from the respective opening or receptacle, then it is sufficient for this if the distance between the holding means in the first stable position is greater than a maximum external dimension of the container , so in particular larger than a maximum outer diameter of the container. If the path of movement of the container for inserting or removing the container into or from the respective opening or receptacle is not perpendicular but inclined to the carrier, the distance between the holding means in the first stable position is appropriately selected to be correspondingly larger. In other words, in the opened first position (insertion position) the holding means release a larger diameter than a maximum outer diameter of the container, so that the container can be inserted into and removed from the respective opening or receptacle without friction. According to the invention, normal forces on the outer wall of the container can thus be avoided, so that a lower radial load acts on the container and, in particular, material abrasion can be completely prevented. When inserting or removing the container, practically no vertical forces act on the holding structure. Thus, according to the invention, all the containers can also be inserted into and removed from the openings or receptacles of a holding structure at the same time, which makes further processing of the containers according to the invention more economical and faster. Furthermore, according to the invention, the holding means can be provided with less tight tolerances, so that the holding structure according to the invention can be produced in a simpler and more cost-effective manner. Any deformation or twisting of the holding structure during use can also be considerably reduced according to the invention.

According to the invention, the holding means are elastically pretensioned in the first and in the second stable position. The holding means are designed to be bistable and can assume two stable end positions, from which the holding means can only be activated by the action of a force each other end position can be transferred, which exceeds a certain threshold value, which is sufficiently above the forces usually occurring in the further processing of the container due to shifting or handling (lifting, lowering, rotating, tilting, shaking) of the holding structure. Inadvertent adjustment of the holding means into the respective other end position can thus be reliably excluded. The aforementioned two stable end positions can be assumed by the holding means in particular regardless of whether or not containers are being held by these holding means.

According to a further embodiment, the holding means are connected to an actuating element via hinges, in particular film hinges, the hinges in the first stable position pushing the holding means apart by means of an elastic restoring force, the elastic restoring force being able to be overridden by actuating the actuating element in order to prevent the holding means to transfer to the second stable position. Hinge, in particular film hinge, means in the context of the present application any angular or pivotable connection between two structural parts that is either made in one piece with these parts or is permanently connected to these parts, for example by gluing or fusing. Examples of comparable film hinges are the connections between the caps of dishwashing detergent bottles, which are in this way permanently connected to the bottles. Such film hinges can be formed in a simple and cost-effective manner in particular by plastic injection molding techniques, in particular also two-component (2K) injection molding techniques.

According to a further embodiment, the holding means are designed as holding arms which protrude from the carrier and hold the container clamped in the second stable position in the area of a cylindrical side wall or a narrowed neck section or engage behind a widened upper edge to axially secure the container to the carrier to keep. For this purpose, the holding arms can each be designed like wings in order to interact with the outer surface of the container in a suitable frictional or form-fitting manner. The opening width of the holding arms, preferably of pairs of holding arms, can be suitably adjusted between the first and second stable end positions with an actuating element. For this purpose, the holding arms are preferably made of a plastic with a suitable friction pairing with the material of the container (glass or plastic), or a coating with a suitable coefficient of friction is provided on the holding arms.

According to a further embodiment, the holding means are each pivotably connected to the actuating element via a first hinge and at the same time connected to the carrier via a second hinge, so that the holding means are automatically moved from the first stable position to the second stable position by adjusting the actuating element relative to the carrier Position can be convicted. The holding means, in particular holding arms, and the actuating element are coupled to one another via the two hinges so that the adjustment of one element (actuating element or holding arms) automatically results in a corresponding adjustment of the other element (holding arms or actuating element). The actuating element thus acts as a control element for controlling the position of the holding arms, that is to say whether the holding arms are in the first stable end position or in the second stable end position are arranged. Such a control of the position of the holding arms, preferably the simultaneous control of the positions of all holding arms, is particularly suitable for automated processing of the containers, for example by means of robots or grippers in processing stations.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be adjusted in the radial direction of the respective opening or receptacle and within a plane spanned by the carrier in order to transfer the holding means from the first stable position to the second stable position. This embodiment is particularly suitable for controlling the positions of the holding arms directly via the container that interacts with the actuating element during its radial adjustment. If a container is adjusted radially to a sufficient extent in the opening or receptacle, for example if the container comes into contact with a control cam or the like, the associated holding arm is automatically adjusted to the other stable end position.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element has for this purpose a base body with a protrusion protruding radially therefrom, two holding arms connected to the base body being moved from the first stable position towards one another by radially adjusting the base body and transferred to the second stable position. The radial projection acts in particular as a control cam when it comes into contact with the associated container. In principle, however, an external control cam or an external control device can also be used for radial adjustment of the base body.

A gap is expediently formed between the base body and an edge of the opening or receptacle in both the first and the second stable position so that the adjustment of the actuating element is not hindered by the edge of the opening or receptacle. The rear side of the base body can also be accessed via the gap, for example by means of an external adjustment device in order to adjust the base body radially and thus effect the aforementioned adjustment of the holding elements from one stable position to the other stable position.

In order to achieve a suitable tensioning or elastic biasing of the actuating element in an advantageously simple manner, the actuating element is designed mirror-symmetrically according to a further embodiment, for example by the holding arms being arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the actuating element in the respective opening or receptacle. For this purpose, the actuating element preferably has a base body with which the two holding arms are articulated or pivotably connected, the base body being elastically pretensioned against the carrier in at least one of the two stable positions, for example by the base carrier being connected to the Edge of the associated opening or receptacle of the carrier is connected. In each of the two stable end positions, the hinges are elastically pretensioned to a sufficient extent in order to secure the respective end position and reliably exclude an inadvertent transfer of the holding arms into the respective other stable position.

Elastic pre-tensioning can be achieved in a simple and reliable manner in particular by designing the hinges using two-component injection molding technology in order to produce two elastically pre-tensioned stable end positions of the holding arms. The unstable middle position between these two end positions is the most tensioned state, the energy of which has to be overcome in order to transfer the holding arms from one stable end position to the other stable end position.

For this purpose, the hinges are particularly preferably designed as film hinges, in particular as elastic, flexible connecting webs which are sufficiently arched or bent in each of the two stable end positions. The aforementioned radial adjustment of the actuating element causes the hinges to bend into the oppositely curved or bent state. This bending requires a certain adjustment force which is sufficient to preclude accidental adjustment of the base body and the holding arms connected to it, and which does not act perpendicularly on the carrier, but rather acts in the plane spanned by the carrier. Deformation or twisting of the carrier due to forces acting perpendicularly on it can thus be ruled out.

According to a further embodiment, the aforementioned projection protrudes in the radial direction from the base body to such an extent that, in the second stable position, it rests directly on a cylindrical side wall or a narrowed neck section of the respective container. The projection can thus be used directly as a control cam for controlling the position of the holding arms so that the respective position of the holding arms can be controlled in a simple manner directly by radially adjusting the container or by radially adjusting an external control device.

According to a further embodiment, the holding arms are designed to be concavely curved in sections, with a radius of curvature which is matched to the radius of the respective container in the area of the cylindrical side wall or the narrowed neck section. The containers can thus be held securely axially on the holding structure.

For this purpose, the holding means in the second stable position are preferably elastically pre-tensioned against one another by means of an elastic restoring force exerted by the hinges, the elastic restoring force being able to be overridden by adjusting the respective container in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the projection in order to move the holding means back into the first stable position Convict position. If the preload force is exceeded when the aforementioned actuating element is adjusted in the radial direction, the holding arms are switched over to the other of the bistable end positions automatically and with little force.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the actuating element is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be adjusted perpendicular to a plane spanned by the carrier in the respective opening or receptacle, the adjustment of the The actuating element has the effect that the holding means are transferred from the one stable position to the other stable position. The adjustment of the actuating element in the axial direction of the container can take place with the aid of an external actuating element formed separately from the holding structure (for example by means of an external control device or a control cam) or directly by axially adjusting the container itself in the openings or receptacles. The top of the actuating element can also be used as a support surface, which also prevents the container from accidentally slipping through. The holding means, which are preferably designed as holding arms, are expediently distributed around the circumference of the actuating element, preferably at uniform angular distances from one another, and are suitably articulated to the actuating element, in particular via the aforementioned film hinges.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a cylindrical body with a closed upper side, an annular gap being formed between an edge of the respective opening or receptacle and the actuating element, which is bridged by the first hinge, a section of the holding means and the second hinge . As a result, it is possible in particular to adjust the actuating element in the axial direction with advantageously little force.

Particularly preferably, the cylindrical body is arranged centered in relation to an axis of symmetry of the respective opening or receptacle of the carrier, whereby a symmetrical adjustment of all holding means is possible when the actuating element is actuated and thus an advantageously symmetrical holding of the container with advantageously low radial forces is possible .

According to a further embodiment, the holding means are designed as holding arms with holding claws, the lengths of the holding arms being matched to the axial length of the container so that the container in the second stable position at the upper end of the cylindrical side wall or in the area of the narrowed neck section of a container are held clamped or that the widened upper edge of a container is positively engaged behind in order to hold the container axially secured on the carrier. In particular, this enables all of the containers on the holding structure to be held at the same distance from the top of the carrier. The bottoms or lower ends of the containers are then automatically kept at the same distance from the underside of the carrier, which has considerable advantages, for example in the freeze-drying of the contents of the containers, since the bottoms or lower ends of all containers easily come into contact evenly can be ensured with a cooling surface of a freeze dryer and thus freeze-drying (or further processing) of all containers is possible at the same time while they are held on the holding structure.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element, the holding means and the hinges are formed in one piece with the carrier, in particular by a plastic injection molding process. This enables a simple and inexpensive production of the holding structure as well as an adjustment of the holding means with advantageously little force.

According to a further embodiment, a side wall is provided at least in sections on the underside of the carrier along the edge of the respective opening or receptacle. This can either be designed circumferentially or, in the other extreme case, can only be provided in the form of a few pegs or projections which protrude from the underside of the carrier and are arranged distributed around the respective opening or receptacle. As a result, a collision of containers that are received in openings or receptacles of the carrier that are directly adjacent to one another can be prevented in a simple and effective manner. The respective side wall can also be used as a spacer at the same time, for example if several holding structures are to be stored stacked on top of one another to save space or passed on in a process system. The length of the respective side wall in a direction perpendicular to the top of the carrier is preferably chosen so that the bottoms or lower ends protrude beyond the lower edge of the respective side wall when the containers are held by the holding means on the holding structure, so that the bottoms or lower ends are readily accessible for further processing, for example for direct contact with a cooling surface as part of a freeze-drying process.

According to a second independent aspect of the present invention, which is also explicitly claimed as an independent invention by means of an independent patent claim, the holding means are moved into an open insertion position by means of an elastic restoring force, in which the containers can be axially inserted between the holding means or removed from them, or biased into a closed holding position, in which the containers are held by the holding means frictionally or by means of a form fit, the distance between the holding means in the open insertion position being sufficiently large so that the containers in the open insertion position of the holding means into the respective opening or receptacle are insertable or removable from this, the distance between the holding means in the closed holding position is sufficiently small that the container in the closed holding position of the holding means frictionally or by a form fit in the respective opening or receptacle are held, and the holding means of a respective opening or receptacle, preferably the holding means of all openings or receptacles of the carrier, coordinated by means of an actuating device from the open insertion position to the closed holding position and / or from the closed holding position to the open insertion position are transferable.

In the open insertion position, the distance between the holding means is preferably so large that the containers can be inserted into or removed from the respective opening or receptacle unhindered and without colliding with the holding means or friction with them. The advantages and effects mentioned above regarding the first aspect apply accordingly.

According to the invention, according to the second aspect of the invention, the holding means are also elastically biased into a first and / or into a second stable position, that is to say into the open insertion position and / or into the closed holding position. The holding means are So stored or arranged on the carrier that they can assume at least one stable end position or two stable end positions from which the holding means can only be transferred to the other end position by the action of a force that exceeds a certain threshold value, which is sufficiently above the forces that usually occur during further processing of the container due to displacement or handling (lifting, lowering, rotating, tilting, shaking) of the holding structure lies. Inadvertent adjustment of the holding means into the other position can thus be reliably excluded.

According to a further embodiment, the elastic restoring force can be overridden by vertically adjusting an actuating element or by adjusting an actuating element in a direction perpendicular thereto, i.e. in particular by adjusting the actuating element parallel to a plane spanned by the support of the holding structure in order to coordinate the holding means from the open insertion position to be transferred into the closed holding position and / or from the closed holding position into the open insertion position.

The confirmation element is expediently an external control device which is suitably adjustable in order to adjust the holding means of at least one opening or receptacle in the holding structure from one end position to the other end position. This control device is expediently designed to adjust the holding means of several openings or receptacles in the holding structure at the same time, for example the holding means of several openings or receptacles which are arranged in line with one another along a row, or even the holding means of all openings or receptacles in the holding structure. For this purpose, the control device expediently acts in the manner of a control cam in order to suitably adjust the holding means by contacting an actuating element and further adjustment of the control device. For this purpose, a displacement of the control device in a direction perpendicular or parallel to the support of the holding structure is particularly suitable, but also an adjustment of elements of such a control device, for example of one or more control cams of such a control device.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element comprises at least two projections with a bevel, so that by placing the projections on the neck portions of the container or on the holding means and pressing the projections down towards the carrier or by adjusting the projections in a direction perpendicular thereto, the holding means are coordinated by the open insertion position into the closed holding position and / or can be transferred from the closed holding position into the open insertion position. The actuating element is expediently designed as an external actuating element separate from the carrier and can be adjusted perpendicular to the carrier in order to suitably control the position of the holding means. Such an actuating element can be arranged on a robot, gripper or the like in order to enable automated processing of the containers in a process system in a simple manner.

According to a further embodiment, the angle of inclination of the slopes of the aforementioned projections is matched to the angle of inclination of a neck section of the container, with deviations of only a few degrees. The bevels can therefore touch the corresponding neck sections of the container, which extend inclined in sections at an approximately constant angle, not only selectively but over a larger area, which in particular improves guidance or centering of the container in the openings or receptacles of the holding structure when adjusting the Holding means allows.

According to a further embodiment, the holding arms are pivotably mounted on the carrier by means of hinges, in particular by means of film hinges of the aforementioned type, the holding arms preferably being pressed apart elastically in the open insertion position by means of an elastic restoring force exerted by the hinges. An unimpeded and frictionless introduction of the container into the openings or receptacles of the carrier is thus made possible in a simple manner even without active adjustment of the holding means. The actuating element only needs to push the holding means apart to remove the container.

According to a further embodiment, elastic sections are also formed on the front ends of the holding arms, which sections contact one another in the closed holding position. In this way, the holding arms are also elastically braced against one another in the closed holding position of the holding arms, whereby the closed holding position of the holding arms is also secured against accidental opening of the holding arms. The holding arms are thus also designed bistable and arranged either in the open insertion position or in the closed holding position, the holding arms can only be transferred to the respective other end position by the action of a force that exceeds a certain threshold value, which is sufficiently above that usually in the Further processing of the container forces occurring due to a displacement or handling (lifting, lowering, rotating, tilting, shaking) of the holding structure lies. Inadvertent adjustment of the holding means into the respective other end position can thus be reliably excluded.

According to a further embodiment, stops are formed at the rear ends of the holding arms which, in the closed holding position of the holding arms, interact with an edge of the respective opening or receptacle in order to prevent the holding arms from being pressed down further. The closed holding position of the holding arms can thus be secured in a simple, inexpensive manner, whereby in particular an accidental slipping of the container can be prevented, in particular in the event of a possible deformation or twisting of the carrier.

According to an alternative embodiment, the holding means are designed as pairs of foldable or collapsible holding plates, which are diametrically opposite one another at the edge of the respective opening or receptacle, with inwardly folded or folded sections of the holding plates holding the container in the closed holding position in the area of a cylindrical side wall or a narrowed neck portion clamped or a engage behind the widened upper edge in order to keep the container axially secured to the carrier. This geometry is particularly suitable for holding containers with a profile that deviates from the circular shape, for example with a polygonal profile, for example with a square or rectangular profile. With a corresponding friction pairing of the material of the holding plates with the material of the container, which can also be achieved by a corresponding coating of the holding plates, containers with any profile can in principle be held reliably.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating element can furthermore comprise an intermediate plate which is arranged at a distance from the carrier, which has a plurality of openings corresponding to the openings or receptacles of the carrier and which can be adjusted by pressing down towards the carrier in order to thereby the holding means coordinated to transfer from the open insertion position into the closed holding position and / or from the closed holding position into the open insertion position. The intermediate plate thus acts as a control device for controlling the position of the holding means and enables, in a simple manner, the simultaneous actuation of all holding means of a holding structure in order to adjust it appropriately.

According to a preferred further embodiment, the holding means are pivotably mounted on the carrier about a swivel axis, with an elastic return means acting on the swivel axis or the holding means, for example a torsion spring, which elastically biases the holding means into the open insertion position or into the closed holding position. Alternatively, the elastic return means can be formed in one piece with the carrier, in particular by plastic injection molding or 3D printing. To adjust the holding arms, only forces within the plane spanned by the carrier are practically required, but not forces which act perpendicularly on the carrier and would deform it, for example twist it. This also enables tight tolerances to be maintained in the holding structure according to the invention.

According to a further embodiment, the holding means are designed as pivotable holding arms with holding claws at their front free ends, the holding arms being distributed along the edge of the respective opening or receptacle of the carrier in a multiple point symmetry and the holding arms being elastically biased into the closed holding position . The containers are thus automatically held in the normal end position of the holding arms. To insert the container into the openings or receptacles or to remove them, the holding arms must be actively transferred from the closed holding position to the open insertion position.

For this purpose, the front free ends of the holding arms can be arranged on a first side of the pivot axis and the rear free ends of the holding arms can be arranged on a second side of the pivot axis opposite the first side, with the rear free ends of the holding arms being acted upon by actuating the actuating device in order to pivot them about the pivot axis and thus to transfer the holding arms in a coordinated manner from the open insertion position into the closed holding position and / or from the closed holding position into the open insertion position. The adjustment of the Actuating device can take place in a direction perpendicular to the carrier or in the radial direction in order to act on the rear free ends of the pivotable holding arms.

Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be explicitly claimed as an independent invention by means of an independent patent claim, relates to a combination of a holding structure, as stated above, and an external actuating device designed as a separate element, by means of which a suitable adjustment of the holding means, in particular a coordinated, synchronous adjustment of the holding means for inserting the container into the openings or receptacles of the carrier or for removing the container can be achieved, as disclosed in this application.

Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be explicitly claimed as an independent invention by means of an independent patent claim, relates to a transport or packaging container for a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, comprising a box-shaped container in which one Holding structure for holding the plurality of containers at the same time is included, as disclosed in the present application. The transport or packaging container can be closed by means of a protective or packaging film adhered to an edge of the transport container. This protective film can in particular be a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular a mesh made of plastic fibers, for example made of polypropylene fibers (PP), or also a Tyvek® protective film, which sterilizes the containers held by the holding structure by the protective film allows through.

Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be explicitly claimed as an independent invention by means of an independent patent claim, relates to a method for treating or processing containers that are used to store substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications or contain them, the Containers are automatically guided past or run through at least one process station by means of a conveying device for treatment or processing, in which method a plurality of containers are conveyed by the conveying device while they are held together on a carrier in a regular arrangement. The containers can be treated or further processed while they are held on the carrier, that is to say in the closed holding position of the holding means. For treatment or processing at or in a process station, the containers can also be temporarily removed from the openings or receptacles in the holding structure and then reinserted into the latter, the holding means being adjusted for this purpose, as disclosed in the present application, so that the containers in the opened insertion position of the holding means can be introduced into and / or removed from the openings or receptacles.

Another aspect of the present invention, which can also be explicitly claimed as an independent invention by means of an independent patent claim, relates to a computer or processor-readable file, also for transmission over networks, such as For example, an in-house computer network or via the Internet, comprising instructions or control commands that, when loaded from a computer or processor, cause a 3D printer under the control of the computer or processor to hold a holding structure, as in the present application discloses, prints in three-dimensional form from a suitable material, in particular from a suitable plastic material.

FIGURE OVERVIEW

Fig. 1a-1h

einen Ausschnitt einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in unterschiedlichen Stadien des Einführens, Haltens und der Entnahme eines Vials, jeweils in einer Draufsicht und einer teilperspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 1i

in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht eine Haltestruktur gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 1j

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung und einem Teilschnitt einen Transport- und Verpackungsbehälter mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß der ersten Ausführungsform und daran gehaltenen Behältern;

Fig. 2a-2b

einen Ausschnitt einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in einer geöffneten Einführstellung und in einer geschlossenen Haltestellung;

Fig. 3a-3n

einen Ausschnitt einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in unterschiedlichen Stadien des Einführens und Haltens eines Vials;

Fig. 3e

in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht eine Haltestruktur gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 3f

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung und einem Teilschnitt einen Transport- und Vcrpackungsbchältcr mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß der dritten Ausführungsform und daran gehaltenen Behältern;

Fig. 4a-4f

einen Ausschnitt einer Haltestruktur gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in unterschiedlichen Stadien des Einführens und Haltens eines Vials;

Fig. 4g

in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht eine Haltestruktur gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform;

Fig.4h

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung und einem Teilschnitt einen Transport- und Verpackungsbehälter mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform und daran gehaltenen Behältern;

Fig. 5a-5c

zur Erläuterung einer fünften Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung in schematischen Schnittansichten drei Stadien des Einführens und Haltens eines Vials zwischen schwenkbeweglich gelagerte Haltearme;

Fig. 5d

in einer Gesamtschau die schwenkbeweglich gelagerten Haltearme in den beiden Extremstellungen gemäß den Figuren 5b und 5c;

Fig. 6a-6b

einen Ausschnitt eines Ausführungsbeispiels für eine Haltestruktur gemäß einer sechsten Ausführungsform gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit schwenkbeweglichen, bistabil gelagerten Haltearmen und eine stark vergrößerte Darstellung davon;

Fig. 6c

in einer perspektivischen Draufsicht eine Haltestruktur gemäß der sechsten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 6d

in einer perspektivischen Darstellung und einem Teilschnitt einen Transport- und Verpackungsbehälter mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß der sechsten Ausführungsform und daran gehaltenen Behältern;

Fig. 7a

in einer teilperspektivischen Darstellung einen Transport- und Verpackungsbehälter mit einer Haltestruktur gemäß dem Stand der Technik; und

Fig. 7b

in einem vergrößerten Teilschnitt die herkömmliche Haltestruktur nach der Fig. 7a mit einem daran gehaltenen Vial.

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

Figures 1a-1h

a section of a holding structure according to a first embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of inserting, holding and removing a vial, each in a top view and a partial perspective view;

Fig. 1i

in a perspective top view a holding structure according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 1j

in a perspective illustration and a partial section, a transport and packaging container with a holding structure according to the first embodiment and containers held thereon;

Figures 2a-2b

a section of a holding structure according to a second embodiment according to the present invention in an open insertion position and in a closed holding position;

Figures 3a-3n

a section of a holding structure according to a third embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of inserting and holding a vial;

Figure 3e

in a perspective top view a holding structure according to the third embodiment;

Fig. 3f

in a perspective illustration and a partial section, a transport and packaging container with a holding structure according to the third embodiment and containers held thereon;

Figures 4a-4f

a section of a holding structure according to a fourth embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of inserting and holding a vial;

Fig. 4g

in a perspective top view a holding structure according to the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 4h

in a perspective illustration and a partial section a transport and packaging container with a holding structure according to the fourth embodiment and containers held thereon;

Figures 5a-5c

to explain a fifth embodiment according to the present invention in schematic sectional views three stages of inserting and holding a vial between pivotably mounted holding arms;

Fig. 5d

in an overall view the pivotably mounted holding arms in the two extreme positions according to Figures 5b and 5c ;

Figures 6a-6b

a section of an exemplary embodiment for a holding structure according to a sixth embodiment according to the present invention with pivotable, bistably mounted holding arms and a greatly enlarged illustration thereof;

Figure 6c

in a perspective top view a holding structure according to the sixth embodiment;

Fig. 6d

in a perspective illustration and a partial section, a transport and packaging container with a holding structure according to the sixth embodiment and containers held thereon;

Figure 7a

in a partial perspective view of a transport and packaging container with a holding structure according to the prior art; and

Figure 7b

in an enlarged partial section the conventional holding structure according to FIG Figure 7a with a vial held on it.

In the figures, identical reference symbols denote identical or essentially equivalent elements or element groups.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The Figures 1a-1h show a schematic section of a holding structure according to a first embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of inserting, holding and removing a vial, each in a top view and a partial perspective view. For the sake of simplicity, the figures always show only one sub-unit 11 of the holding structure, consisting of a central opening 12 and six openings 13 surrounding it, each of which is surrounded by an edge web 12 which altogether forms the actual holding structure. Further details of the mounting of the vials 1 are shown only for the central opening 13 for reasons of simplicity. However, the remaining openings in the holding structure are also designed accordingly.

According to FIG. 1 a, two curved holding arms 26, 27 are mounted in the opening 13 so as to be pivotable. More precisely, the holding arms 26, 27 are adjustably mounted on a base body 21, which is designed to be mirror-symmetrical and has a projection 25 projecting radially inward into the opening 13 in the center. The holding arms 26, 27 are connected to the base body 21 via first film hinges 23a. Furthermore, the holding arms 26, 27 are connected to the holding web 12 at the edge of the opening 13 via second film hinges 23b in an angular or pivotable manner. The film hinges 23a, 23b are designed as elastic, flexible webs of comparatively small thickness and are arched and deformed in each of the two stable end positions of the holding arms 26, 27 in order to secure the respective end position by elastic bias. In the open insertion position of the holding arms 26, 27, which in the Fig. 1a is shown, the distance between the holding arms 26, 27 is sufficiently large so that the container 1 can be inserted into the respective opening 13 or removed from it again. The film hinges 23a, 23b press the holding arms 26, 27 in the first insertion position apart by means of an elastic restoring force, so that the insertion position shown represents a stable end position of the holding arms 26, 27. As in the corresponding perspective illustration Figure 1b As shown, the vial 1 is inserted into the opening 13 from above by lowering it.

According to the Figures 1c and 1d the vial 1 is lowered further into the opening 13 in the open insertion position of the holding arms 26, 27 until finally the narrowed neck section 5 of the vial 1 has reached the level of the projection 25, as in FIG Fig. 1d shown.

In this position, the vial 1 is now adjusted radially outwards in the direction of the projection 25 until the narrowed neck section 5 comes into contact with the projection 25 and moves it further radially outwards towards the edge of the opening 13. The base body 21 is taken along and the film hinges 23a, 23b are operated in order to move the holding arms 26, 27 from the open insertion position (first stable end position of the holding arms 26, 27) to the closed holding position (second stable end position of the holding arms 26, 27) transfer, in which the narrowed neck section 5 of the vial 1 is clamped by the holding arms 26, 27 and the widened upper edge 6 of the vial 1 can also be positively engaged from behind by the holding arms 26, 27, whereby the vial 1 by frictional or form-fitting the receptacle 13 of the holding structure is held axially secured. This closed holding position is in the Figures 1e and 1f shown. According to FIG. 1e, a gap 24 is also formed between the base body 21 and the edge of the opening 13 in the closed holding position, so the adjustment of the base body 21 is not hindered. In principle, by engaging a control cam in this gap and adjusting the control cam, it is also possible to adjust the base body in the opposite direction and thus push the holding arms 26, 27 apart back into the open insertion position. According to the Fig. 1a the edge of the opening 13 also does not impede the position of the holding arms 26, 27 in the open insertion position. To change to the other stable end position, the elastic restoring force exerted by the film hinges 23a, 23b must be overcome, which is achieved by overpressing by radially adjusting the projection 25 of the base body 21 acting as an actuating element.

To change from the closed holding position, as shown in FIG. 1e, back to the open holding position, the vial 1 is adjusted radially outward and away from the projection 25 in order to pivot one of the holding arms 26, 27 outwards relative to the base body 21 until the elastic restoring force exerted by the film hinges 23a, 23b, which secures the closed holding position, is overridden, so that the holding arms 26, 27 then move back into the open insertion position. In this open insertion position, the vial 1 can be removed from the opening 13 vertically upwards without friction.

The Fig. 1i FIG. 11 shows a specific exemplary embodiment of a holding structure 110 that demonstrates the above with reference to FIG Figures 1a-1h described principle uses. According to the Fig. 1i the holding structure 110 is formed by a flat carrier 110a in which the openings 111 are arranged in a regular arrangement. A circumferential side wall 113 extends along the edge of the carrier 110a, perpendicular to the carrier 110a. The carrier 110a can be gripped and handled via access openings 115 by means of a gripper or robot. The openings 111 are delimited on the underside of the carrier 110a by circumferential side walls 112. Holding means are provided in the openings 111, the mode of operation of which is described above with reference to FIG Figures 1a-1h has been described. The holding structure is preferably formed from a plastic, for example by injection molding or also 3D printing.

A plurality of projections 120 and recesses 125 are formed alternately and at regular intervals along the two longitudinal sides of the carrier 110a. When viewed from above, these have an overall triangular or polyhedral base and are designed to correspond to one another, so that the projections 120 and recesses 125 of such a holding structure 110 with projections and recesses of an identically designed holding structure (not shown) directly, in the manner of a Dovetail connection can be hooked. Along the edges 121, 122 of the projections 120 and along the edges 126, 127 of the recesses 125, the upright side wall 113 of the carrier 110a follows the contour of the associated projection 120 or the associated recess 125, which causes a carrier to slide or slide on one another 110a on a further, identically designed carrier (not shown) can be prevented when two carriers get caught in one another.

To accommodate such a holding structure 110 (also referred to as a “nest”) with or without containers held thereon, a transport and packaging container (also referred to as a “tub”) can be used, which is in the Fig. 1j is shown. According to the Fig. 1j the transport and packaging container 100 is essentially box-shaped or trough-shaped and has a closed base 101, a circumferential side wall 102 protruding perpendicularly from this, a step 103 protruding essentially at right angles, a circumferential upper side wall 104 and a upper edge 105, which is formed like a flange. The corners 106 of the transport and packaging container 100 are expediently rounded. The upper side wall 104 can be designed to be inclined at a slight angle of inclination to the perpendicular to the floor 101 in order to facilitate the introduction of the holding structure 110. Such a transport and packaging container 100 is preferably formed from a clear, transparent plastic, in particular by plastic injection molding technology or also by 3D printing, in order to visualize the holding structure 110 received in the transport and packaging container 100 and the containers held by it 1 to enable.

In principle, the lower end of the transport and packaging container 100 can also be designed in the manner of the upper end open, in particular be provided with a flange-like lower edge in the manner of the upper edge 105, so that the bottoms of the vials 120 from the underside of the transport - and packaging container 100 are freely accessible, for example for processing steps in a sterile tunnel or in a freeze-drying cabinet.

For the transport or storage of the container 1, the transport or packaging container 100 is by means of a protective or adhesive bonded to the upper edge 105 Packaging film (not shown) closed, for example by means of a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by means of a Tyvek® protective film, which enables the containers 1 held by the holding structure 110 to be sterilized even through the protective film.

Based on Figures 2a and 2 B a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. Again, only a partial section 11 of the holding structure is shown in these figures, the vial to be held not being shown for reasons of simplification. According to the Fig. 2a In the area of the opening 13, a further layer 60 made of an elastic, flexible plastic is injected onto the edge web 12 made of plastic of the holding structure using two-component injection molding technology (2K injection molding technology), which forms an actuating element 61 and several holding arms 70. According to the Fig. 2a the actuating element 61 is designed as a cylindrical body with a closed upper side 62, an annular gap 65 being formed between an edge of the respective opening 13 of the holding structure and the actuating element 61, which is formed by the first film hinge 73, a section 72 of the holding arms 70 and a second film hinge 68 is bridged. The actuating element 61 is designed and arranged in such a way that it can be adjusted perpendicular to a plane spanned by the holding structure in the respective opening 13, i.e. in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry 80. The holding arms 70 are each connected to the actuating element via a first film hinge 73 61 pivotally connected and each connected to the carrier 11 via a second film hinge 68 so that the holding arms 70 can be transferred from the first stable end position of the holding arms 70 to the second stable end position of the holding arms 70 by adjusting the actuating element 61 perpendicular to the holding structure.

Is shown in the Fig. 2a the closed holding position of the holding arms 70, in which the holding claws 71 either clamp the vial (not shown) at their front free ends or hold it axially secured by a form fit, in particular by engaging behind a widened upper edge of the vial. For this purpose, the holding claws 71 can also protrude further radially inward into the opening 13.

According to the Fig. 2a the first film hinge 73 is formed circumferentially, but this is not absolutely necessary. As a result, the entire opening 13 is closed. The position of the upper side 62 of the actuating element 61 is only shown schematically. The actuating element 61 can also be arranged far below the edge web 12 in order to enable the vials to be received in the openings of the holding structure.

Is shown in the Figure 2b the open holding position of the holding arms 70, in which the holding claws 71 are spread apart so far that a container can be inserted into the respective opening 13 or removed from it again. As can be seen from the comparison of the figures, there is a clear height offset of the actuating element 61 between the two end positions, to which the movement path of the holding arms 70 correspond during their pivoting movement.

The figures Figures 3a-3n show a section of a holding structure according to a third embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of the introduction and holding of a vial.

According to the Fig. 3a diametrically opposite holding means are provided on the edge of the openings 13, each of which is formed by two C-shaped holding arms 34, 35 and each form a semicircular receptacle. The holding arms 34, 35 are elastically biased into the insertion position by means of film hinges 32, which in the Fig. 3a is shown. In the insertion position, the distance between the holding arms 34, 35 is sufficiently large that a container is vertically inserted into the opening 13 of the holding structure and into the receptacle formed by the two pairs of holding arms 34, 35 from above or below or removed from it again can be. The holding arms 34, 35 are pivotally mounted on the edge webs 12 of the holding structure 11 and can be in the closed holding position, which is in the Fig. 3m is shown to be pivoted down. In the closed holding position, the distance between the holding arms 34, 35 is sufficiently small that the containers are held in the respective opening 13 of the holding structure 11 and in the circular receptacle formed by the two pairs of holding arms 34, 35 with a frictional fit or by positive fit. More precisely, the holding arms 34, 35 are designed to hold the containers clamped in the area of a cylindrical side wall or a narrowed neck section or to positively engage behind a widened upper edge in order to keep the containers axially secured to the holding structure.

According to the Fig. 3a the two holding arms 34, 35 are connected to one another via a web-shaped base 31. On the base 31, a projection 36 is formed between the two holding arms 34, 35, which protrudes in the radial direction so far that the projection 36 in the closed holding position rests directly on the cylindrical side wall or on the narrowed neck portion of the respective container or an enlarged upper one Engages behind the edge of the respective container. The projection 36 thus serves as a further holding means, but also controls a centered positioning of the containers in the openings 13 of the holding structure 11 in the closed holding position of the holding arms 34, 35.

According to the Fig. 3a are formed at the front free ends of the holding arms 34, 35 elastic sections 39, 40, which are formed in particular from comparatively thin plastic sections. The elastic sections 39, 40 touch one another in the closed holding position (cf. Fig. 3m ) immediately under elastic deformation of these sections 39, 40, so that the holding arms 34, 35 are elastically braced against each other in the closed holding position and the closed holding position of the holding arms 34, 35 is secured against accidental release of the container.

According to the Fig. 3a Block-shaped stops 33 are formed at the rear ends of the holding arms 34, 35 on their underside, which in the closed holding position of the holding arms 34, 35 interact with the edge of the respective opening or receptacle 13 of the holding structure in order to further depress the holding arms 34, 35 prevent and thus limit the closed holding position of the holding arms 34, 35. More precisely, due to the shape of the elastic sections 39, 40 in the closed Holding position, a downward force component is generated which acts on the holding arms 34, 35 and causes the holding arms 34, 35 to be permanently pressed down even in the closed holding position, this elastic pretensioning force against the stops 33 at the rear ends of the holding arms 34, 35 works. Thus, the holding arms 34, 35 assume a stable end position in the closed holding position, from which the holding arms 34, 35 can only be returned to the other end position (open insertion position) by the action of a predetermined minimum force, which exceeds a certain threshold value which is sufficient above the forces usually occurring during further processing of the container due to displacement or handling (lifting, lowering, rotating, tilting, shaking) of the holding structure. Inadvertent adjustment of the holding arms 34, 35 from the closed holding position into the open insertion position can thus be reliably excluded.

To control the position of the holding arms 34, 35 and for the coordinated pivoting of the holding arms 34, 35 into the closed holding position, an external actuating device is used, as shown schematically in FIG Figure 3b is shown. This actuating device has a total of four triangular projections 46, which are provided on actuating rods 45 which are vertically adjustable with respect to the holding structure 11, the distance between the projections 46 being matched to the distance between the holding arms 34, 35 of a respective opening 13 of the holding structure 11. When adjusting the actuating device perpendicular to the holding structure get according to the Figure 3c first the inner bevels of the projections 46 in contact with the outer sides of the holding arms 34, 35. When the actuating device is lowered further, these bevels slide along the outer sides of the holding arms 34, 35 and thus pivot the holding arms 34, 35 gradually towards the edge webs 12 of the Holding structure 11, how to follow the sequence of Figures 3c to 3g can be found. Finally, the state according to the Fig. 3h achieved in that the widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 rests directly on the rounded sections 37, 38 at the front free ends of the holding arms 34, 35.

In this position, the actuating device can now be removed, as in FIG Fig. 3h shown. In this position, the dead weight of the container 1 can be sufficient to pivot the holding arms 34, 35 further downwards towards the edge webs 12 of the holding structure 11. Or the containers 1 are pressed further down towards the holding structure, for example by means of a plate (not shown). When the container 1 is pressed down, the holding arms 34, 35 are carried along and are pivoted further downwards towards the holding structure 11. This further adjustment of the holding arms 34, 35 towards the closed holding position is in the sequence of FIG Figures 3h to 3l shown. The widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 slides on the rounded sections 37, 38 at the front free ends of the holding arms 34, 35 until finally the closed holding position according to FIG Fig. 3m is reached, in which the widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 rests on both the holding arms 34, 35 and the radial projection 36. This closed holding position is shown in a greatly enlarged illustration in FIG Fig. 3n shown.

To release the container 1 from the closed holding position, the container 1 simply need only be adjusted vertically upwards perpendicular to the holding structure 11, for example by pressing up the bottoms 3 of the container 1, for example by means of a plate. The holding arms 34, 35 are automatically pivoted upwards from the neck portions of the container. After the container 1 has been removed vertically upward from the openings 13 of the holding structure 11, the holding arms 34, 35 are automatically returned to the open insertion position according to FIG. 1 by the restoring force exerted by the film hinges 32 Fig. 3a elastically pretensioned.

The Fig. 3o FIG. 3 shows a specific exemplary embodiment for a holding structure 110 which, in accordance with the mode of operation, which is illustrated on the basis of FIG Figures 3a-3n has been described, is formed. The Fig. 3p shows in a perspective partial section a transport and packaging container 100 with such a holding structure 110, which is received therein.

The Figures 4a-4f show a section of a holding structure 11 according to a fourth embodiment according to the present invention in different stages of the introduction and holding of a vial. According to the Figure 4a The holding means are designed as pairs of foldable or collapsible holding plates 93 which are diametrically opposite one another at the edge of the respective opening or receptacle 13 of the holding structure 11, with inwardly folded or folded sections of the holding plates 93 holding the container 1 in the closed holding position (cf. . Fig. 4f ) hold clamped in the area of a cylindrical side wall 2 or a narrowed neck section 5 or engage behind a widened upper edge 6 in a form-fitting manner in order to hold the container 1 axially secured on the holding structure 11. According to the Figure 4a Material weakening areas 94 are formed in the center of the holding plates 93, which serve as fold lines and along which the holding plates 93 can be folded or collapsed.

To actuate the holding plates 93, an intermediate plate 90 is also provided, which is initially arranged at a distance from the holding structure 11, has a plurality of openings 92 corresponding to the openings or receptacles 13 of the holding structure 11 and is adjusted towards the holding structure 11 by pressing it down Retaining plates 93 are coordinated to transfer from the open insertion position into the closed retention position and / or from the closed retention position into the open insertion position. The intermediate plate 90 is expediently designed separately from the holding structure 11 and can be adjusted relative to this.

According to the Figure 4b the widened upper edges 6 of the container 1 for insertion into the openings of the carrier 110a rest on the rods 45 of an external actuating device which is used to control the position of the holding means of the holding structure 11. By lowering the actuator or rods 45, the lower ends of the containers 1 are finally inserted into the openings of the intermediate plate 90 and into the openings formed by the holding plates 93 of the carrier 110a, as in FIG Figure 4c shown. When the rods 45 are lowered further, the front ends of the triangular projections 46 of the actuating device, which act as control cams, come into contact with the intermediate plate 90. When the actuating device and the rods 45 are lowered further, the containers 1 are further into the openings of the carrier 110a inserted and at the same time the intermediate plate 90 is adjusted perpendicular to the carrier 110a. The from The pressure exerted by the intermediate plate 90 on the holding plates 93 leads to an elastic deformation of the holding plates 93, namely to a collapse or folding along the fold lines 94, as in FIG Fig. 4f shown. Finally, the containers 1 are held on the holding structure, as in FIG Fig. 4f shown. The dead weight of the container 1 and the weight of the intermediate plate 90 can be sufficient to elastically bias the holding plates 93 into the closed holding position to a sufficient extent.

To release and remove the containers 1 from the closed holding position, the containers 1 simply need to be adjusted vertically upwards, perpendicular to the carrier 110a, for example by pressing the bases 3 of the containers 1 upwards, for example by means of a plate, or by means of the aforementioned actuating device . The holding plates 93 are automatically pivoted upwards. After the container 1 has been removed vertically upward from the openings 13 of the carrier 110a, the retaining plates 93 are automatically returned to the open insertion position according to FIG. 3 by the restoring force exerted by the material weakening areas 94 acting as film hinges Figure 4a elastically pretensioned.

The Fig. 4g FIG. 3 shows a specific exemplary embodiment for a holding structure 110 which, in accordance with the mode of operation, which is illustrated on the basis of FIG Figures 4a-4f has been described, is formed. The Figure 4h shows in a perspective partial section a transport and packaging container 100 with such a holding structure 110, which is received therein.

The Figures 5a-5c show, to explain a fifth embodiment according to the present invention, in schematic sectional views three stages of inserting and holding a vial 3 between holding arms 50 which are pivotably mounted on a holding structure (not shown). According to the Figure 5a a plurality of holding arms 50 are arranged at the edge of a respective opening of the holding structure, preferably at equal angular distances from one another. While the Figure 5a shows two holding arms 50 arranged diametrically opposite one another, three holding arms (to achieve a three-point mounting of the container) or more holding arms are basically also possible. The holding arms 50 are pivotably mounted on the holding structure (not shown), which can be implemented by suitable cinstückigc design of the holding arms 50 with the holding structure, for example in the form of integrally designed axes of rotation 51, which act as torsion springs and are produced by a plastic injection molding process , or by means of torsion springs made of metal or plastic. The holding arms are permanently biased into a stable end position by an elastic restoring force, preferably in a closed holding position, as explained below, or alternatively in an open insertion position, which is shown in FIG Figure 5a is shown and in which the container 1 can be inserted vertically from above into the space or the receptacle between the holding arms 50 without friction.

The holding arms 50 have a front free end 52 on which a holding claw 54 is formed, on which a radially inwardly projecting support nose 55 is formed. In the closed holding position with the front ends 52 of the holding arms 50 pivoted radially inward (cf. Figure 5c ) are the plurality of support lugs 55 with respect to the Holding structure arranged at the same distance so that the support lugs 55 together span a plane. The widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 rests in the closed holding position of the holding arms 50 on these support lugs 55, so that the containers 1 are held axially secured on the holding structure by a form fit with the support lugs 55. At the front free ends 52 of the holding arms 50 bevels 56 are also formed, which enable the widened upper edge to also be in the inwardly pivoted holding position of the holding arms 50 when the holding arms 50 are inclined inwardly in relation to a perpendicular perpendicular to the opening of the holding structure , is not clamped by sections of the holding claw 54 above the respective support nose 55, which further avoids undesirable friction effects when removing or inserting the container 1 into the openings of the holding structure.

According to the Figure 5a the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 are arranged on the opposite side of the front free ends 52 in relation to the axis of rotation 51. When the holding arms 50 are pivoted about the axes of rotation 51, the front and rear ends 52, 53 of the holding arms 50 are thus adjusted in opposite directions.

For pivoting the holding arms 50, an actuating device (not shown) is used, which acts, for example, in the manner of a control cam on the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 in order to adjust them in a coordinated manner radially inward or outward and thus the front free ends 52 of the holding arms 50 in opposite directions to adjust. It is conceivable, for example, that the actuating device is designed as a plate which has a plurality of conical recesses which are aligned with the openings of the holding structure and whose diameter at its upper end corresponds to the distance between the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 in the closed holding position of Holding arms 50 and whose diameter at their lower end corresponds to the distance between the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 in the open insertion position of the holding arms 50. If such an actuating device is now adjusted vertically upwards from below in the direction of the holding structure, the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 initially come into contact with the upper edge of these conical recesses. When the actuating device is further adjusted vertically upwards towards the holding structure, the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 slide along the side wall of the conical recesses of the actuating device and are thereby adjusted radially inward, which causes a gradual pivoting of the front free ends 52 of the holding arms 50 radially effected outwards. Eventually the in the Figure 5a The shown open insertion position of the holding arms 50 is reached, in which the distance between the support lugs 55 of the holding arms 50 is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the container 1.

In this open insertion position of the holding arms 50, the containers 1 can be inserted without friction from above into the openings of the holding structure and into the space between the holding arms 50. The Figure 5b shows the container 1 in a position in which the container 1 are vertically inserted into the openings of the holding structure so far that the underside of the widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 is at the level of the support lugs 55 of the holding arms 50.

If the actuating device is now adjusted in the opposite direction, i.e. vertically downwards and away from the holding structure, in this position of the holding arms, the holding arms 50 are controlled by the interaction of the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms 50 with the inner wall of the conical recesses of the actuating device, adjusted in the opposite direction, that is, radially outwards, which requires a corresponding coordinated, synchronous pivoting of the holding arms 50 about the axes of rotation 51 radially inwards. When the actuating device is further adjusted, the in the Figure 5c The closed holding position shown by the holding arms 50 is reached, in which the widened upper edge 6 of the container 1 rests on the support lugs 55 at the front free ends 52 of the holding arms 50 and the narrowed neck section 5 of the container 1 is clamped by the front ends of the support lugs 55.

So that the containers 1 do not fall into the openings of the holding structure in an uncontrolled manner, the containers 1 must be held or supported during the introduction into the openings of the holding structure and during their removal, which can be done, for example, from above the holding structure by means of grippers or robot arms of a process plant or can be realized from below the holding structure by means of cylindrical projections or the bottoms of the aforementioned conical recesses of the actuating device, on which the bottoms 3 of the container 1 are temporarily supported and which are aligned with the openings of the holding structure. The cylindrical projections can also be formed within the aforementioned conical recesses of the actuating device.

When studying the above description, the person skilled in the art will of course also be able to see alternative actuating devices which enable a coordinated, synchronous adjustment of the holding arms 50 in a corresponding manner, preferably a simultaneous synchronous adjustment of all the holding arms 50 of the holding structure. This coordinated adjustment is preferably controlled in a corresponding manner by means of control cams or the like, which interact mechanically with the rear or front ends 53, 52 of the holding arms 50 or with other sections of the holding arms 50 in order to effect their synchronous adjustment. In principle, however, it is also conceivable that mechanical adjustment devices, such as grippers or robot arms, act on sections of the holding arms 50, in particular on the rear or front ends 53, 52 of the holding arms 50, so that the holding arms 50 are adjusted in a coordinated and synchronous manner.

The Fig. 5d shows in an overall view the pivotably mounted holding arms 50 in the two extreme positions according to FIGS Figures 5b and 5c , namely in the open insertion position (reference symbols in each case without an apostrophe) and in the closed holding position (reference symbols in each case with an apostrophe).

The Figure 6a FIG. 13 shows a section of an exemplary embodiment for a holding structure according to a sixth embodiment according to the present invention with pivotable, bistable mounted holding arms that are adjusted in accordance with the mode of operation described above with reference to FIG Figures 5a-5c was described. In this embodiment, the holding arms 50 are pivotably mounted on the inside of the side walls 14 of the openings 13 of the holding structure 11. The front free ends 52 of the holding arms 50 protrude from the plane spanned by the edge webs 12 of the holding structure, while the rear free ends 53 of the holding arms protrude beyond the lower edges of the side walls 14 of the holding structure, so that they are freely accessible for an external actuating device for adjusting the holding arms 50 are. The Figure 6b FIG. 13 shows a greatly enlarged illustration of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Figure 6a . The axes of rotation 51 of the holding arms 50 can be formed in one piece with the lower side walls 14 of the holding structure, for example by means of a plastic injection molding process. The axes of rotation 51 can, however, also be designed separately from the side walls 14 of the holding structure and clipped into them and then elastically biased into one of the two end positions of the holding arms 50, for example by means of an elastic tab on the side wall 14 or by means of torsion springs or the like.

The Figure 6c FIG. 3 shows a specific exemplary embodiment for a holding structure 110 which, in accordance with the mode of operation, which is illustrated on the basis of FIG Figures 6a-6b has been described, is formed. The Fig. 6d shows in a perspective partial section a transport and packaging container 100 with such a holding structure 110, which is received therein.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description, a further aspect of the present invention is directed to a combination of a holding structure as disclosed above and a plurality of containers held thereon for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, especially of vials or cartridges.

As will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art when studying the above description, the containers can also be inserted into and removed from the openings or receptacles of a holding structure when the holding structure is already accommodated in a transport and packaging container, as described above . The adjustment of the holding means can also take place in this state, because they can be adjusted between the two stable end positions either directly by the container itself or by means of an external actuating device with control cams or the like. Access from the underside of the carrier is not absolutely necessary for this. In the open insertion position of the holding means, the containers can be inserted into the openings or receptacles with practically no friction.

Although the invention was explained above with reference to holding structures for holding vials, it should be pointed out that the invention can also be used in a corresponding manner for any other container for storing substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, in particular for cartridges or syringe bodies. For this purpose, the containers to be held expediently have an end with a widened edge, which is followed by a narrowed neck section and a neck section or container body which has a larger outer dimension (width or outer diameter) than at least the neck section. Such containers are expediently made of glass, but can in principle also consist of a plastic. In principle, plastic injection molding techniques are suitable for the production of a holding structure within the meaning of the present application, in particular so-called.

Two-component (2K) injection molding techniques, with which plastics with different properties, in particular with different elasticity, are injection molded. In principle, however, other plastics processing techniques can also be considered, in particular production using 3D printers.

List of reference symbols

1

Vial / glass bottle

2

cylindrical side wall

3

ground

4th

Neck section

5

narrowed neck section

6th

upper edge

7th

Filling opening

11

Subunit of a carrier

12

Edge walkway

13

Opening / recording

14th

Side wall on the underside of the carrier

20th

adjustable element

21st

Base

22nd

Connecting bridge

23a

first film hinge

23b

second film hinge

24

gap

25th

Control cam

26th

left holding arm

27

right holding arm

30th

adjustable element

31

Base

32

Film hinge

33

attack

34

left holding arm

35

right stop arm

36

Spacers

37

Rounding of the left holding arm

38

Rounding of the right holding arm

39

elastic section of the left support arm

40

elastic section of the right holding arm

41

front end of the left holding arm

42

front end of the right holding arm

45

Rod

46

head Start

50

swiveling holding arm

51

Rotation axis with torsion spring

52

front free end of the pivotable holding arm 50

53

rear free end of the pivotable holding arm 50

54

Retaining protrusion

55

Support nose

56

Slant

60

elastic insert

61

Actuator

62

ground

63

rear side wall

64

cylindrical cavity

65

lower annular gap

66

all-round projection

67

step

68

second film hinge

69

circumferential bead

70

Clamping lever

71

Holding claw

72

Connecting bridge

73

first film hinge

74

upper annular gap

80

Axis of symmetry

90

printing plate

91

Edge walkway

92

opening

93

adjustable retaining element

94

joint

96

Access opening

97

head Start

98

Recess

100

Transport and packaging containers

101

ground

102

lower side wall

103

head Start

104

upper side wall

105

upper edge

106

rounded corner

110

Holding structure

110a

carrier

111

opening

112

Side wall

113

raised edge

114

rounded corner

115

Access opening

120

head Start

121

front side wall in the area of projection 120

122

Side wall in the area of projection 120

125

Recess

126

front side wall in the area of recess 125

127

Side wall in the area of recess 125

200

Transport and packaging containers

201

ground

202

lower side wall

204

upper side wall

205

upper edge

210

Support structure / carrier

212

Holding arm

213

Retaining protrusion

214

Support nose

215

upper slope

216

lower slope

220

Vial / glass bottle

221

upper edge of vial 220

222

Bottom of vial 220

223

Side wall of Vial 220

224

narrowed neck portion of vial 220

Claims (17)

1. Holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers (1) for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, in particular vials, the containers being cylindrical and open at at least one end, having a flat carrier (11) which has a plurality of openings or receptacles (13), wherein
   the openings or receptacles (13) are formed and arranged in a regular array and are designed to receive one container at a time, and
   at least two holding means (26; 27; 70) are assigned to each of the openings or receptacles in order to hold the plurality of containers (2) on the carrier (11) by frictional or positive locking,
   wherein the holding means (26; 27; 70) are designed to be able to selectively assume two different, stable positions, wherein
   the distance between the holding means (26; 27; 70) in a first stable position is sufficiently large so that the containers can be inserted into or removed from the respective opening or receptacle (13) in the first stable position of the holding means, and
   the distance between the holding means (26; 27; 70) in a second stable position of the holding means is sufficiently small so that the containers (1) are held in the second stable position by the holding means (26; 27; 70) in the respective opening or receptacle (13) by frictional or positive locking, characterised in that
   the holding means (26; 27; 70) are of bistable design and are elastically biased into a first stable position and into a second stable position different therefrom, in order to be able to selectively assume the first stable position or the second stable position from which the holding means (26; 27; 70) can be transferred into the respective other stable position only by the action of a force which exceeds a threshold value which is sufficiently above the forces occurring during further processing of the containers (1) due to displacement or handling of the holding structure.
2. The holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (26; 27; 70) are connected to an actuating element (25; 61) via hinges (23; 73), in particular via film hinges, wherein in the first stable position the hinges press the retaining means (26; 27; 70) apart by means of an elastic restoring force, wherein by actuating the actuating element (25; 61) the elastic restoring force can be overcome in order to transfer the retaining means (26; 27; 70) into the second stable position.
3. The holding structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means are formed as retaining arms (26; 27; 70) projecting from the support and keeping the containers (1) clamped in the second stable position in the region of a cylindrical side wall (2) or a narrowed neck portion (5) or engaging behind a widened upper edge (6) to keep the containers (1) axially secured to the support (11).
4. The holding structure according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the holding means (26; 27; 70) are each pivotally connected to the actuating element (25; 61) via a first hinge (23a; 73) and are each connected to the support (11) via a second hinge (23b; 68), so that the holding means (26; 27; 70) are transferred from the first stable position to the second stable position by adjusting the actuating element (25; 61) relative to the support (11).
5. The holding structure according to claim 4, wherein the actuating element (25) is constructed and arranged in such a way that it is adjustable in the radial direction of the respective opening or receptacle (13) and within a plane defined by the support (11) in order to transfer the holding means (26; 27) from the first stable position to the second stable position.
6. The holding structure according to claim 5, wherein the actuator (25) comprises a base body (21) with a projection (25) projecting radially therefrom, and wherein two retaining arms (26, 27) connected to the base body (21) are moved towards each other by radial displacement of the base body from the first stable position and are transferred to the second stable position, wherein a gap (24) is formed between the base body (21) and an edge of the opening or receptacle (13) both in the first stable position and in the second stable position.
7. The holding structure according to claim 6, wherein the actuating element is designed mirror-symmetrically and wherein the retaining arms (26, 27) are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the actuating element in the respective opening or receptacle (13).
8. The holding structure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the projection (25) protrudes in radial direction from the base body (21) to such an extent that in the second stable position the projection (25) directly abuts the cylindrical side wall (2) or the narrowed neck portion (5) of the respective container (1), so that the projection (25) acts as a control cam for controlling the position of the holding arms (26, 27).
9. The holding structure according to one of claims 5 to 8, whereby the retaining arms are concavely curved in sections, with a radius of curvature which is matched to the radius of the respective container (1) in the area of the cylindrical side wall (2) or the narrowed neck section (5).
10. The holding structure according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the holding means (26; 27; 70) are elastically biased against each other in the second stable position by means of an elastic restoring force exerted by the hinges, said elastic restoring force being overridable by displacing the respective container (1) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extension of the projection (25) to transfer the holding means (26; 27; 70) back to the first stable position.
11. The holding structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the actuating element (61) is constructed and arranged in such a way that it can be adjusted perpendicularly to a plane spanned by the support (11) in the respective opening or receptacle (13) in order to transfer the holding means (70) from the first stable position to the second stable position.
12. The holding structure according to claim 11, wherein the actuating element (61) is formed as a cylindrical body with a closed upper side (62), wherein an annular gap (65) is formed between an edge of the respective opening or receptacle (13) and the actuating element (61), which gap is bridged by the first hinge (73), a portion (72) of the holding means (70) and the second hinge (68).
13. The holding structure according to claim 12, wherein the cylindrical body is arranged centred with respect to an axis of symmetry (80) of the respective opening or receptacle (13) of the support (11).
14. The holding structure according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the holding means are formed as holding arms (70) with holding claws (71), wherein the length of the holding arms (70) is matched to the axial length of the containers (1) in such a way that the containers (1) are held clamped in the second stable position at the upper end of the cylindrical side wall (2) or in the narrowed neck section (5) or the widened upper edge (6) is engaged behind in order to hold the containers (1) axially secured to the support (11).
15. The holding structure according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the actuating element (25; 61), the holding means (26; 27; 70) and the hinges (23a, 23b; 68, 73) are formed integrally with the support (11), in particular by plastic injection moulding.
16. The holding structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a side wall (14) is provided on the rear side of the support (11) along the edge of the respective opening or receptacle (13) at least in sections to prevent collision of containers (1) received in openings or receptacles (13) of the support which are directly adjacent to each other.
17. A transport or packaging container (100) for a plurality of containers (1) for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, in particular vials, the transport or packaging container being box-shaped, characterized by a holding structure (110) according to one of the preceding claims, which is accommodated in the box-shaped transport or packaging container in order to hold the plurality of containers (2) in the transport or packaging container.

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