EP4182618A1

EP4182618A1 - Loading system for a freeze-dryer, freeze-drying system, and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP4182618A1
Application number: EP21746407.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Armin Merz; Roland Engelhard; Josef Veile
Original assignee: Groninger and Co GmbH
Current assignee: Groninger and Co GmbH
Priority date: 2020-07-15
Filing date: 2021-07-14
Publication date: 2023-05-24
Also published as: WO2022013313A1; CA3186012A1; US20230152036A1; DE102020118726A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a loading system (10) for a freeze-dryer (16). The loading system (10) is designed to load the freeze-dryer (16) with containers (114), which are filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance, and/or to unload said containers from the freeze-dryer. The loading system (10) has a handling station (30) and at least one carrier plate (58, 200). Each carrier plate (58, 200) has a plurality of receptacles (60), which are designed to each receive one of the containers (114). The handling station (30) has at least one handling device (32, 34, 36), which is designed to handle the carrier plate (58, 200) in the handling station (30). The present invention also relates to a freeze-drying system (12) having a loading system (10) of this type. The present invention additionally relates to a method (120) for handling containers (114), which are filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance, in a loading system (10) of this type for a freeze-dryer (16).

Description

Loading system for a freeze dryer, freeze drying system, and the like

proceedings

The present invention relates to a charging system for a freeze dryer, the

Loading system is designed to load and / or unload the freeze dryer with containers that are filled with a medical African, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a freeze-drying system with such a loading system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for handling containers filled with a medicinal, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer.

[0002] For the packaging of medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substances, it is customary to meter these substances into containers and then to seal them. For example, vials, carpules, cylinder ampoules, small bottles, syringes and the like can be used as containers. Known packaging machines for packaging these substances have a

Filling station, in which the containers are filled with the substance, a stoppering station, in which a stopper is placed on the containers, and a crimping station, in which each container is sealed with a crimped cap. The entire packaging process of the substances is carried out in an aseptic environment, for example in a clean room or clean room.

A freeze-drying station, in which the substance in the containers is freeze-dried, can also be arranged between the filling station and the flanging station.

[0005] Freeze drying, which is also referred to as lyophilization, lyophilization or sublimation drying, is a process for gently drying products. Freeze drying is based on the physical process of sublimation. The ice crystals sublime directly into the gaseous state without the interim appearance of a liquid phase. The end product of freeze drying is referred to as a lyophilisate. Freeze drying is used in particular for thermally sensitive products.

Freeze drying is used in particular for the drying of pharmaceutical

products used. The pharmaceutical industry uses this process to dry drugs that would not last long if dissolved in water. Before taking the drugs are dissolved in water again.

For freeze-drying, the containers filled with the substance are placed in one

Introduced freeze dryer, which carries out the freeze drying. The freeze dryer can, for example, have a plurality of shelves on different levels, on each of which a number of containers can be placed. The individual levels can also be referred to as shelves.

Various loading techniques for freeze dryers are known from the prior art. For example, the containers can be placed in the shelves individually or in groups. This loading process can be done manually or automatically. Loading the containers into the freeze dryer individually is very time consuming and therefore less desirable.

The introduction of groups of containers in the freeze dryer, say the same

Bringing in multiple containers requires more complex handling of the containers since the containers should not be damaged when loading a freeze dryer and accurate positioning of the containers within the freezer is desirable. The containers can be damaged by impacts, for example. When loading several containers at the same time, care should be taken to ensure that the containers do not collide with each other. Accurate positioning of the containers allows for a higher packing density in the freezer and avoids shocks.

It is known, for example, from publication DE 102015009866 A1, several

To push containers by means of a slide from a transfer table over a loading bridge onto a platform inside the freeze dryer.

The displacement of one or more containers within an isolator is disadvantageous, since this favors impacts and makes exact positioning more difficult.

Furthermore, loading techniques are known from the prior art, in which the

Containers are arranged in transport containers or tubs, so-called trays, these trays being introduced into the freeze dryer.

[0014] For example, publication US 2014/093335 A1 shows a means of rail transport for use in a manufacturing process for preparing bottles. Provide the rail transport means with a rail and a slide block slidably mounted on the rail. A first movable guideway, a second movable guideway, a position switching device, and a material loading and unloading mechanism are provided on the slide block. The means of rail transport is able to Automatically transfer feed trays between the filling area and other relative equipment involved in the manufacturing process, such as the freeze dryer and the sealing device, without the need for manual intervention, thereby enabling the bottle preparation manufacturing process to be carried out in a dust-free and sterile environment Perform environment, wherein the product yield and production efficiency is increased.

Furthermore, the publication WO 2013/098834 A1 shows a charging device for

Loading containers into freeze dryers not set up for automatic loading.

By loading a freeze dryer with trays in which the containers are arranged, it is avoided that one or more containers have to be moved, in particular pushed. This facilitates the handling of a group of containers and the positioning of the containers. However, the containers in the trays are arranged loosely and can collide. In addition, the arrangement in these trays makes it difficult to access the individual containers within a tray.

Furthermore, loading techniques are known from the prior art, in which the containers are arranged in nests, the nests with the containers being introduced into the freeze dryer. A nest is understood to mean a carrier that has receptacles for the containers.

For example, the publication WO 2013/164422 A2 shows that in a

Method and apparatus for treating or processing containers used to store or contain substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, cylindrical containers open at at least one end are automatically conveyed past treatment stations for treatment or processing or pass through them by means of a conveying device, while the processing stations are held together by a carrier in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier has a number of openings or receptacles that determine the regular arrangement. The treatment or processing of the containers is performed at or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are held by the carrier. This opens up new possibilities for the treatment or processing of the containers, for example when crimping metal covers or when freeze-drying.

[0019] Furthermore, the document WO 2016/075647 A1 shows a freeze-drying method in which several vials are not in contact with the shelf of the freeze-drying device. The present invention is further directed to freeze-dried product and intermediate product obtainable by this process.

Furthermore, the publication WO 2016/125095 A1 shows a method for

Freeze-drying a substance, comprising: placing at least one vial containing the substance in a freeze-drying chamber, the at least one vial having an opening into which a stopper is inserted in a closed state not allowing gas exchange between the interior and the interior light outside the vial; providing mechanical means external to the plug and located at the opening to restrict upward movement of the plug; lowering the temperature in the freeze-drying chamber to a predefined value below the freezing temperature of the substance and reducing the pressure in the freeze-drying chamber to a predefined pressure at a predefined temperature, the predefined pressure being chosen such that the force it exerts on the stopper lifts the stopper from the closed state to an exchange state in which the stopper is only partially inserted into the opening of the vial, allowing gas exchange between the interior and the exterior of the vial, thereby lowering the temperature inside the freeze-drying chamber to the predefined one Value is carried out before the pressure in the freeze-drying chamber is reduced to the predefined pressure and wherein lifting the stopper from the closed state abruptly lowers the pressure in the at least one vial, thereby causing nucleation of the substance in that vial is resolved. In addition, mechanical means are provided which can be used to carry out the method of freeze-drying a substance. Furthermore, the document WO 2017/178895 A1 shows systems and methods for aseptically filling pharmaceutical containers with a pharmaceutical substance and then lyophilizing it. The system and method may utilize a lyophilizer-loader subsystem having an interior chamber communicating with an interior chamber of a lyophilizer subsystem via a portal having a lockable door, the common interior space being aseptically sealable. An articulated robotic arm can be used to batch transfer the container nests of the lyophilizer subsystem carrying the pharmaceutical containers. For example, the nests can be serially transferred to the loader subsystem, with the articulated robotic arm configured to transfer the nests of containers in batches to the lyophilizer subsystem. The articulated robotic arm can also be configured to be used to move nests within the lyophilizer subsystem. One implementation includes two articulated arms and an articulated rotary wrist driven by two rotary shoulders.

Furthermore, document EP 2 886 983 A1 shows a holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications. The support structure comprises a carrier having a plurality of openings or seats into which the containers can be inserted, and holding means for holding the containers in the openings or seats of the support structure, the support structure having a longitudinal direction (x) and a lateral direction (y ) having. Respectively immediately adjacent retaining structures can be directly connected to one another in such a way that they cannot be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and/or in the lateral direction. Due to the detachable, temporary connection, a plurality of holding structures can be connected to one another and can be introduced together into a processing station, such as a freeze dryer, and removed from it again.

[0023] Nests, like trays, facilitate the handling of groups of containers. In addition, by arranging them in nests, it is avoided that the containers can collide with each other. However, the nests used in the prior art for loading a freeze dryer are designed in such a way that access to the containers is difficult, thereby making it difficult to insert the containers into the nest and remove the containers from them the nest is made more difficult. On the one hand, this follows from the fact that the nests used are usually designed in such a way that they protect the containers over a large area. For this purpose, the individual receptacles of the nest are designed in such a way that they reach the bottle neck or the filling opening of the individual containers. This makes access to the containers more difficult. Alternatively, the nests used in the prior art are designed in such a way that the containers hang freely in the nests, ie are held by the bottleneck. This also makes access to the containers and inserting and removing them more difficult, since nests of this type require two handling devices for removing and inserting, one which is arranged below the container in order to lift or remove a container from a receptacle in the nest. into these, and another placed above the containers to grip and transfer a lifted container.

The known loading techniques for freeze dryers still leave room for improvement. In particular, there is a need for simple, safe, and accurate handling of a plurality of containers when loading them into a freeze dryer. In addition, means used to handle the containers should be compact and easy to handle and control.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a loading system for a freeze dryer and a method for loading a freeze dryer, by means of which a plurality of containers can be easily, safely, and accurately loaded into a freeze dryer.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging system for a freeze dryer and a method for charging a freeze dryer, which enable easy handling.

In a first aspect, a charging system for a freeze dryer is provided, the charging system being designed to load and/or unload the freeze dryer with containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance, the charging system a handling station and at least has a carrier plate, each carrier plate having a plurality of receptacles which are designed to each receive one of the containers, wherein the handling station has at least one handling device which is designed to handle the carrier plate in the handling station

In a second aspect, there is provided a freeze drying system including a freeze dryer and the charging system of the first aspect.

In a third aspect there is provided a method for handling containers filled with a medicinal, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer, the method comprising the following steps for loading the freeze dryer:

providing a carrier plate in a handling station, the carrier plate having a plurality of receptacles which are designed to each receive one of the containers;

delivering containers to the handling station;

inserting the containers into the receptacles of the carrier plate by means of a first handling device; and

Introducing the carrier plate into the freeze dryer by means of a second handling device.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method for handling containers filled with a medicinal, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer, the method comprising the following steps for unloading the freeze dryer:

providing a support plate in the freeze dryer, the support plate having a plurality of receptacles adapted to each have one of Record containers, in the receptacles of the carrier plate containers are set;

removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer by means of a second handling device;

Removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate in a handling station by means of a first handling device; and

Removal of the containers from the handling station by means of a transport device.

In general, a panel is a flat, planar and, in particular, rigid component. A plate has a base area in a first and second spatial direction and a thickness in a third spatial direction. The spatial directions are in pairs perpendicular to each other. The first and second spatial direction can also be referred to as the length and width directions of the carrier plate. The third direction corresponds to a height direction of the carrier plate. Accordingly, the panel has a length in the lengthwise direction and a width in the widthwise direction, with the length being greater than or equal to the width. The thickness of the carrier plate is significantly smaller than the length and width of the plate. Significantly smaller can mean, for example, that the length and width of the plate are at least five times as large, preferably at least seven times as large, in particular at least ten times as large as the thickness of the plate. In principle, the base area can have any desired shape. For example, the base can be round, oval, triangular, square or polygonal. In particular, the plate can have a rectangular or square shape. In other words, the plate can be a rectangular or square plate, for example.

A support plate is a plate designed to support objects on its plane. The support plate is thus designed to support the containers on its plane. A carrier plate can also be referred to as a plate-shaped carrier. The thickness of the support plate can be 0.5 cm to 2 cm, preferably 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm, in particular 1 cm. A length of the panel is preferably 10 cm to 150 cm, preferably 20 cm to 80 cm, in particular 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm or 70 cm. A width of the panel is preferably 10 cm to 150 cm, preferably 20 cm to 80 cm, in particular 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm or 70 cm. For example, in the case of a rectangular panel, the length of the panel may be twice the width of the panel. A square plate has the same length and width.

[0034] As containers, for example, vials, carpules, cartridges, bottles,

Syringes, and the like can be used. For example, the containers can have a cylindrical shape. The containers can have a volume between 1 ml and 100 ml. The containers can have a diameter between 10 mm and 100 mm, in particular between 16 mm and 30 mm. The containers can have a height between 20 and 200 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 75 mm. In particular, vials of types 2R to 30R according to DIN/ISO 8362 can be used as containers. These container types are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1

A type 2R container is designed for a capacity of 2 ml. Accordingly, the containers of types 4R to 30R are designed for filling quantities of 4 ml to 30 ml. The number in the type designation thus indicates the planned filling quantity of the substance to be filled.

The mounts of the carrier plate are designed in such a way that each mount can hold a container. In other words, each receptacle is designed to accommodate one container. The receptacles are located at the level of the support plate so that when the containers are placed in the receptacles, they are supported by the support plate. In other words, this plane of the carrier plate is in the operating state, i.e. when carrying the containers, an upper side of the carrier plate, so that the containers are on the plane, i.e. on the upper side, of the carrier plate when the containers are received in the receptacles and from the Support plate to be worn. In other words, the containers are held in the receptacles in the operating state. The result of this is that the containers are safely spaced apart from one another when they are placed in the freeze dryer or when they are removed from the freeze dryer and thus cannot hit or rub against one another. Furthermore, the containers can also be simply set down and picked up again by a tool of the handling device.

The plate-shaped design of the carrier plate also ensures that the containers can be easily placed on the carrier plate in the receptacles or can be picked up from the carrier plate from the receptacles. Due to the plate-shaped, ie flat, design, only a lower part of the container, for example a bottom section, is arranged in the receptacles. In other words, each receptacle holds only a base of the respective container placed therein. As a result, a large part of a container is accessible, so that the containers can be easily inserted into and removed from the receptacles. In other words, the carrier plate can be loaded with containers and then emptied again more easily.

The handling station in which the trays and containers are handled is preferably located outside the freeze dryer. To handle the carrier plates and the container, one or more handling devices are provided in the handling station, which are designed to handle the carrier plates and/or the containers in the handling station. The proposed loading system, freeze-drying system and method provide means for loading containers filled with a pharmaceutical substance into a freeze-dryer, by means of which a plurality of containers can be loaded into a freeze-dryer simply, safely, and accurately. In addition, these agents themselves are easy to handle and control.

[0040] The object set at the outset is thus achieved in full.

In a first embodiment, the receptacles of each support plate are formed by indentations in the surface of the respective support plate.

Thus, when a container is received in a receptacle, the container stands in the recess and is held by the rim of the recess. The depression can have a depth of 0.1 cm to 1 cm, preferably 0.3 to 0.7 cm, in particular 0.5 cm. The depressions are preferably at most half as deep as the height of the container, so that at most 50% of the container is enclosed by the receptacle. The depth of the depression can correspond to 5% to 50%, preferably 7% to 20%, in particular 10% of the height of the container.

[0043] In other words, the indentations for receiving a lower part or

Bottom portion of the container formed. In particular, at least 50% of the container can extend out of the recess. This improves handling because the containers are more accessible as a result.

In a further embodiment, the receptacles of each carrier plate have a cylindrical shape.

[0045] In particular, the indentations of the receptacles can be of cylindrical design. The shape of the recordings can be adapted to cylindrical containers.

As a result, cylindrical containers in particular can be held in the receptacle in such a way that they fully rest against the edge of the receptacle. In this way, a secure hold in the recording is improved. In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has a first side surface on which the corresponding receptacles are arranged.

Basically, a panel has two side surfaces which are located on opposite sides of the panel and extend in the width and length directions. The two side faces are thus spaced apart from one another in accordance with the thickness of the plate.

In a further embodiment, the first side face is the top side of the carrier plate in an operating position.

In the operating position, the top of the support plate is the side on which the containers can stand. Correspondingly, the second side face is the underside of the carrier plate in this operating position. The bottom is opposite to the top is arranged. In the operating position, containers cannot stand on the underside. In this operating position, the containers can be arranged in the receptacles. The respective containers are in the corresponding receptacles on the carrier plate. The second side surface can also have receptacles for containers. Alternatively, the second side surface can also have no receptacles for containers.

In a further embodiment, the recordings are distributed at regular intervals, in particular according to a regular pattern, on the first side surface.

A regular distribution of the recordings facilitates the insertion and removal of the containers. For example, the recordings can be arranged in rows.

[0052] In a further refinement, each receptacle has the same spacing from adjacent receptacles.

In this way, the insertion and removal of the containers is further facilitated. In a further embodiment, the recordings are distributed in a pattern on the first side surface, the pattern being configured in such a way that the recordings are each arranged adjacent to one another in two or three spatial directions.

In the case of two spatial directions, the two spatial directions can be arranged orthogonally to one another. In the case of three spatial directions, the three spatial directions can be arranged at an angle of 60° to one another. Both patterns offer a highly ordered distribution of shots. In both patterns, the recordings of one type are arranged in rows. The arrangement in rows makes it possible for a plurality of containers, in particular a complete row of containers, to be used in receptacles at the same time and at the same time in a simple manner. The second pattern, in which the receptacles are arranged spaced apart from one another in three spatial directions, is particularly preferred since this pattern enables the best packing density of containers on the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has a first coupling section, by means of which the carrier plate can be coupled to a corresponding second coupling section of another object.

In the coupled state, the movement of the carrier plate is coupled to the movement of the other object. As a result, the carrier plate and the other object can be moved together. For example, the carrier plate can be moved by the other object. In this way, the handling of the carrier plate can be further improved.

In a further embodiment, the first coupling section is arranged on a first edge side of the carrier plate.

The edge sides extend between the first side surface and the second side surface, ie in at least one operating state between the top and the bottom. The edge sides of a carrier plate are more accessible for coupling than the first and second side surfaces. The first edge face is opposite to a second one arranged at the edge. The first coupling section is preferably arranged centrally on the first edge side. In other words, the first coupling section is arranged on the first edge side where a central axis of the carrier plate, which extends from the first to the second edge side, intersects the first edge side. In the operating position of the support plate, the central axis is arranged parallel to the direction of insertion. The central axis runs in particular parallel to the side surfaces and perpendicular to the first and second edge side.

In a further embodiment, the first coupling section has a holding element, wherein the second coupling section of the other object can be brought into engagement with the holding element for coupling.

The holding element can have, for example, a rod or a web with which the first coupling section can be brought into engagement with a corresponding element of the second coupling section. The element of the second coupling section can be hook-shaped, for example, in order to be engageable with the holding element. For example, the element of the second coupling section can hook onto the retaining element in order to couple the first coupling section to the second coupling section. In this way, a simple coupling of the coupling sections is made possible.

In a further embodiment, the first coupling section has a recess, the holding element being arranged in the recess, the recess being designed in such a way that the second coupling section of the other object can engage in the recess in order to connect the carrier plate to the link to another object.

The recess is preferably arranged on the first edge side and is open to the outside. The recess can be open on the first edge side and on the first side surface and/or the second side surface. In particular, the recess can extend from the first side surface to the second side surface. In particular, the recess can be U-shaped. The holding element can extend through the cutout, in particular from a first side of the cutout a second, opposite side of the recess. The engagement of the second coupling section in the recess further simplifies the coupling.

In a further embodiment, the other object is a first adjacent carrier plate.

In other words, the carrier plate has a first coupling section and the adjacent carrier plate has a corresponding second coupling section, the two carrier plates being able to be coupled to one another by means of the two coupling sections. When coupled, the two carrier plates can be moved together. In this way, the handling of multiple carrier plates is simplified. In particular, a plurality of support plates can be introduced into the freeze dryer together and removed from it again in the coupled state. Furthermore, the support plates can also be moved together on a floor space inside the freeze dryer, in particular pulled or pushed. This improves the handling and positioning of multiple trays in a freeze dryer.

In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has a second coupling section, by means of which the carrier plate can be coupled to a corresponding first coupling section of a second, adjacent carrier plate.

The carrier plate thus has two coupling sections, by means of which the carrier plate can be coupled to an adjacent carrier plate and to a further object. The further object can be, for example, a further adjacent carrier plate, so that three or more carrier plates can be coupled to one another by means of the coupling sections. The further object can also be a handling tool, for example a handling robot, by means of which the carrier plate and the adjacent carrier plate coupled to the carrier plate via the second coupling section can be moved.

This further improves the handling and positioning of multiple carrier plates, particularly in a freeze dryer. In a further embodiment, the second coupling section of the carrier plate is arranged on a second edge side of the carrier plate, which is opposite the first edge side.

In this way, for example, three or more carrier plates or two carrier plates and another object can be coupled to one another in a row. The second coupling section is preferably arranged centrally on the second edge side. In other words, the second coupling section is arranged on the second edge side where the central axis of the carrier plate intersects the second edge side.

In a further embodiment, the second coupling section has a locking element, it being possible for the first coupling section to be brought into engagement with the locking element for the purpose of coupling.

The locking element can, for example, comprise a hook or a hook-shaped element with which the second coupling section can be brought into engagement with a corresponding element (e.g. the aforementioned holding element) of the first coupling section. For example, the hook-shaped element of the second coupling section can hook with the retaining element in order to couple the first coupling section to the second coupling section. In this way, a simple coupling of the coupling sections is made possible.

In a further embodiment, the retaining element of the first coupling section of the carrier plate is designed in such a way that the locking element of the second coupling section of the first adjacent carrier plate can be brought into engagement with the retaining element of the first coupling section of the carrier plate in order to secure the carrier plate with the first adjacent one to connect the carrier plate.

The retaining element of the first coupling section of the carrier plate is preferably designed in such a way that the locking element of the second coupling section of the first adjacent carrier plate fits into the recess of the retaining element of the first coupling Section of the support plate can engage to couple the support plate with the first neigh disclosed support plate. In this way, two carrier plates can easily be handled together.

In a further embodiment, the locking element of the second

The coupling portion of the backing plate is formed so as to be engageable with the holding member of the first coupling portion of the second adjacent backing plate to couple the backing plate to the second adjacent backing plate.

The locking element of the second coupling section of the carrier plate is preferably designed such that it can engage in the recess of the holding element of the first coupling section of the second adjacent carrier plate in order to couple the carrier plate to the second adjacent carrier plate. In this way, two carrier plates can easily be handled together.

In a further embodiment, the loading system has a plurality of carrier plates.

Each carrier plate can be configured as described above. In particular, each carrier plate can have a first and a second coupling section, it being possible for the carrier plates to be coupled to one another by means of the coupling sections and to form carrier plate arrangements. A backing plate arrangement has a plurality of backing plates, the backing plates being coupled to one another. For example, adjacent carrier plates can be coupled to one another by means of the corresponding first and second coupling sections, in particular so that these carrier plates can be pushed and pulled together. In this way, several carrier plates can be handled together.

In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has two third coupling sections, by means of which the carrier plate can be coupled to corresponding coupling sections of another object. In the coupled state, the movement of the carrier plate is coupled to the movement of the other object. As a result, the carrier plate and the other object can be moved together. For example, the carrier plate can be moved by the other object. In this way, the handling of the carrier plate can be further improved. By using two coupling portions for transferring the platen, the platen can be transferred more stably.

In a further embodiment, the two third coupling sections are arranged on the second edge side of the carrier plate.

The third coupling sections are preferably arranged symmetrically to the central axis of the carrier plate. The second coupling section of the carrier plate is thus arranged between the two third coupling sections of the carrier plate. In particular, the second coupling section is at the same distance from the two third coupling sections.

In a further embodiment, each third coupling section has a holding element, wherein the coupling section of the other object can be brought into engagement with the holding element for coupling.

The holding element can have, for example, a rod or a web with which the respective coupling section can be brought into engagement with the coupling section of the other object. The element of the second coupling section can be hook-shaped, for example, in order to be engageable with the holding element. For example, the element of the second coupling section can hook onto the holding element in order to couple the first coupling section to the second coupling section. In this way, a simple coupling of the coupling sections is made possible.

In a further embodiment, each third coupling section has a recess, the holding element being arranged in the recess, the recess being so is formed such that the coupling section of the other object can engage in the recess in order to couple the carrier plate to the other object.

The recess is preferably arranged on the second edge side and is open to the outside. The recess can be open on the second edge side and on the first side surface and/or the second side surface. In particular, the recess can extend from the first side surface to the second side surface. In particular, the recess can be U-shaped. The holding element can extend through the recess, in particular from a first side of the recess to a second, opposite side of the recess. By engaging the coupling portion of the other object in the recess, coupling is further simplified. The other object can be a receiving device or a linear unit of a handling device, for example. The other object can also be a robot.

In a further embodiment, a first handling device of the at least one handling device is designed to insert the containers into the receptacles of the carrier plate and/or to remove them from the receptacles again after freeze-drying.

Through the use of a support plate, the containers are by means of the first

Handling device can be easily replaced in the receptacles or removed from them again, since the carrier plate allows good accessibility to the containers. For insertion, the first handling device can, for example, grip the containers, transfer them to the receptacles and set them down in the receptacles. Correspondingly, the first handling device can grip the containers for removal, lift/lift them out of the receptacles and transfer them further. The handling device can be designed to handle one or more containers at the same time. When inserting the handling device, it can load all receptacles with containers. When removing, the handling device can remove all containers that are received in the receptacles from the receptacles. In a further embodiment, the first handling device has a handling robot with a gripping device for gripping containers.

The containers can be easily gripped and handled by means of the gripping device. The handling robot can have an end effector, with the gripping device being arranged on the end effector. The end effector can have the gripping device or carry the gripping device. The handling robot preferably has a multi-articulated arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space using the arm. Driving means, such as one or more driving devices, can be provided for moving the arm. The arm may be attached to a support structure located in or at the handling station. The range of the arm is preferably such that the end effector for loading and unloading a carrier plate with containers between the carrier plate (in particular a transfer plate described below) and an infeed/outlet for the containers (in particular a container holder or a container holder described below). Transport device) is movable.

In a further refinement, the loading system has a transport device which is designed to feed the containers to the handling station and/or to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station.

The transport device can be designed to feed the containers to the handling station and to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. Alternatively, two different transport devices can also be provided, with a first transport device being designed to feed the containers to the handling station, and a second (additional) transport device being designed to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus supply or remove the containers to/from the handling station. For example, the transport devices can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with a filling station and a stopper setting station to the handling station. Furthermore, the trans port device(s) remove the containers from the handling station to a downstream flanging module with flanging station.

In a further embodiment, the transport device has a handling robot which is designed to handle the containers individually or several containers together, in particular in pairs.

The handling robot of the transport device can be designed to receive the containers individually or in pairs from a filling module located upstream and to transfer them to the handling station (in particular to a container holder in the handling station described below) for feeding purposes. Accordingly, the handling robot of the transport device or the further transport device can be designed to transfer the containers individually or in pairs from the handling station (in particular from a container holder in the handling station described below) to a flanging module arranged downstream and to transfer the containers to the flanging module hand over. To handle the containers, the handling robot can have a gripping device, by means of which one or more containers can be gripped simultaneously. For example, the handling robot can have an end effector, with the gripping device being arranged on the end effector. The end effector can have the gripping device or carry the gripping device. The handling robot preferably has a multi-articulated arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space using the arm. Driving means, such as one or more driving devices, can be provided for moving the arm. The arm may be attached to a support structure located in or at the handling station. The range of the arm is preferably such that the end effector can be moved between the handling station and the filling module and/or the crimping module in order to be able to transfer the containers between the handling station and the filling module or between the handling station and the crimping module.

In a further embodiment, the handling station has a container holder in which supplied containers or containers to be transported away can be arranged. [0095] In this way, containers that are supplied or transported away can be temporarily stored or collected in the container holder. The container holder is thus an intermediate storage space between the feed (in particular the transport device) and the first handling device.

In a further embodiment, the container holder has a plurality of receptacles for receiving one container each.

In this way, a plurality of containers can be collected or temporarily stored in the container holder.

In a further embodiment, the receptacles of the container holder are arranged in a row.

Both the transport device and the first handling device can be designed to handle a plurality of containers at the same time, ie to pick up, transfer and set down a plurality of containers at the same time. If the receptacles of the container holder are arranged in a row, the simultaneous insertion of a plurality of containers into the container holder and the simultaneous removal of a plurality of containers from the container holder is facilitated.

In a further embodiment, the first handling device is designed to remove one or more containers from the container holder, to transfer them to the carrier plate and to insert them into empty receptacles of the carrier plate.

In this way, the first handling device can remove the supplied and intermediately stored containers from the receptacles of the container holder and insert them into the receptacles of the carrier plate or arrange them in them.

In a further embodiment, the first handling device is designed to remove one or more containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, to transfer them to the container holder and to insert them into the container holder. In this way, the first handling device can remove the freeze-dried containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate and set them down or arrange them in the receptacles of the container holder for temporary storage before transport.

In a further embodiment, the first handling device is designed to handle a row of containers.

To remove a row, the gripping device of the first handling device can have, for example, a plurality of gripping elements for gripping individual containers, with the gripping elements being arranged in a row. Each gripping element can have a receptacle formed from two receiving elements which can be displaced between a gripping position in which a container can be gripped and a receiving position in which a container can be received. Handling a row of containers is particularly advantageous when the containers are also arranged in rows in the container holder and in the carrier plate, in particular when the receptacles of the container holder and the carrier plate are each arranged in rows.

In a further embodiment, a second handling device of the at least one handling device is designed to insert the carrier plate into the freeze dryer for loading the freeze dryer and/or to remove the carrier plate from the freeze dryer again for unloading the freeze dryer.

[00107] By means of the second handling device, a carrier plate equipped with containers can thus be simply inserted into the freeze dryer and removed from the freeze dryer again after freeze drying.

In a further embodiment, the second handling device is designed to push the carrier plate from the handling station into the freeze dryer for loading the freeze dryer and/or to pull the carrier plate out of the freeze dryer again for unloading the freeze dryer. In a further embodiment, the second handling device has a linear unit, in particular a slide, by means of which the carrier plate can be pushed and/or pulled.

[00110] By means of the linear unit, the carrier plate can be inserted, for example, from the handling station into the freeze dryer. In particular, a pusher can push the tray from a transfer plate (described below) of the handling station to a shelf within the freeze dryer. The slide can have, for example, a pushing element which can be brought into contact with an edge side of the carrier plate in order to push the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, the carrier plate has at least one coupling section, wherein the linear unit can be coupled to the at least one coupling section in order to pull and/or push the carrier plate. The coupling section can in particular be the first coupling section. Alternatively, the at least one coupling section can also have the two third coupling sections of the carrier plate.

[00112] Preferably, the thrust element can be designed in such a way that it can be coupled to the first coupling section or to the third coupling sections of the carrier plate. For this purpose, the thrust element can engage in the recess of the first or each third coupling section of the carrier plate in order to couple with the first or each third coupling section. In other words, the thrust element can have at least one coupling section which can couple to the first coupling section or the respective third coupling section of the carrier plate. Each coupling portion of the pusher may be formed, for example, as a projection extending downward from the underside of the pusher. For coupling, each projection can engage in the recess of the corresponding first or third coupling portion. In the coupled state, the pushing element can then push the carrier plate in a direction of insertion and pull it counter to the direction of insertion. The direction of insertion runs from the transfer plate to the freeze dryer, in particular to the setting plate of the freeze dryer. When the pusher is used to couple to the first coupling portion of a backing plate to close the backing plate pull, the carrier plate is arranged in the operating position on the transfer plate so that the first edge side faces away from the freeze dryer. In other words, the first edge side is arranged upstream on the carrier plate in the insertion direction of the carrier plate. When the pushing element is used to couple with the two third coupling sections of a carrier plate in order to pull the carrier plate, the carrier plate is arranged in the operative position on the transfer plate so that the second edge side faces away from the freeze dryer. In other words, the second edge side is arranged upstream on the carrier plate in the insertion direction of the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, the pushing element of the linear unit is designed in such a way that it can simultaneously push and/or pull two carrier plates which are arranged perpendicular to the direction of insertion.

In this way, two carrier plates can be handled simultaneously, increasing efficiency.

In a further embodiment, the thrust element can have four coupling sections, the four coupling sections being arranged in such a way that they can be coupled to the third coupling sections of two support plates arranged next to one another.

For this purpose, the four coupling sections are distributed at equal intervals perpendicularly to the insertion direction along the sliding element. The coupling portions can be, for example, protrusions that extend from an underside of the pusher down. For coupling, each projection can engage in a corresponding recess of a third coupling section of the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, the second handling device can be moved vertically.

For this purpose, the second handling device preferably has a drive device, in particular a lifting device, by means of which the slide can be moved vertically. on In this way, the second handling device for inserting the carrier plate into the freeze dryer or pulling the carrier plate out of the freeze dryer can arrange the slide at the level of the carrier plate (in particular above the transfer plate). However, the slider restricts the accessibility to the support plate when it is arranged at the level of the support plate. It is therefore advantageous if the slide is arranged below the carrier plate (in particular below the transfer plate) during the loading and unloading of the carrier plate with containers. For this purpose, it can be provided that the slide is only moved to the height of the carrier plate for pushing in and pulling out the carrier plate and is otherwise moved accordingly under the carrier plate (in particular under the transfer plate). For example, the second handling device can be arranged below the transfer plate during the insertion of the containers by means of the first handling device. After the carrier plate has been loaded with containers, the second handling device can be moved via the transfer plate to the level of the carrier plate in order to couple to the carrier plate. The carrier plate can then be inserted into the freeze dryer. If the carrier plate is pushed in, the second handling device is decoupled from the carrier plate and moved out of the freeze dryer. After freeze drying, the second handler is moved back into the freeze dryer to couple with the tray. The carrier plate can then be pulled out of the freeze dryer until it is placed on the transfer plate. Then the second handling device is decoupled from the carrier plate and moved under the transfer plate. The first handling device can then remove the containers from the receptacles on the carrier plate again. In this way, the accessibility to the carrier plate is improved during the loading and unloading of the carrier plate with containers.

[00119] In a further embodiment, the second handling device is designed as a linear lifting unit.

A lifting linear unit can be moved vertically and has an element, for example a slide, by means of which a carrier plate can be pushed or pulled. In a further embodiment, the freeze dryer has at least one storage space for the containers, the containers being able to be pushed onto the storage space and/or pulled out or pulled from the storage space by means of the second handling device.

Preferably, the freeze dryer has one or more shelves, each shelf having a shelf. The footprint is the top of a Stellplat te. One or more carrier plates equipped with containers can be arranged on the floor space.

[00123] In a further embodiment, the freeze dryer has a plurality of shelves.

[00124] A freeze dryer preferably has a plurality of shelves which are distributed on a plurality of levels of the freeze dryer. As a result, the storage space is distributed over several levels of the freeze dryer. Each shelf can be located at a specific level of the freeze dryer or can be fixed.

In a further embodiment, the handling station has a transfer plate on which the carrier plate can be arranged in the handling station for loading and unloading.

The transfer plate can also be referred to as a transfer plate. The transfer plate has a transfer surface on which the carrier plates can be arranged. The transfer surface is a top of the transfer plate. The carrier plates can be arranged one after the other on the transfer plate, for example for loading, and equipped with containers. The carrier plates equipped with containers can then be placed in the freeze dryer. After freeze-drying, the carrier plates can be brought back from the freeze-dryer to the transfer plate, where the containers are removed again.

In a further embodiment, the second handling device is designed to push the carrier plate from the transfer plate onto the placement area and/or to pull it from the placement area onto the transfer plate. In this way, the support plates can be easily inserted into the freeze dryer and removed from it again.

In a further embodiment, the shelves can be moved vertically.

In this way, the shelves can be arranged on different levels of the freeze dryer.

In a further embodiment, the shelves can be moved vertically in such a way that one of the shelves can be arranged essentially in one plane with a transfer surface of the transfer plate for inserting and/or removing the carrier plate. On a level means that an offset between the transfer surface and the shelf in the vertical direction is only a few millimeters. For example, the offset is less than 5mm, in particular less than 1mm.

In other words, for loading, the individual shelves can be moved one after the other to the height of the transfer plate, so that one or more support plates can be pushed from the transfer plate onto the respective shelf. After loading, each shelf is moved to a specific, assigned level of the freeze dryer. For unloading, the shelves are moved back one after the other to the level of the transfer surface of the transfer plate so that the support plates can be pulled back from the surface onto the transfer plate. For pulling and pushing, the positioning surfaces can in particular be arranged in such a way that they are arranged at the same height as the transfer surface of the transfer plate or in alignment with the transfer surface. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the shelves are fixedly mounted on the individual levels of the freeze dryer and instead the transfer plate can be moved vertically. For loading and unloading a footprint, the transfer plate can then be moved in such a way that the transfer surface is brought to the height of the footprint.

When inserting the carrier plate, the footprint is preferably arranged lower than the transfer surface and when removing the carrier plate, the footprint is arranged higher than the transfer surface. In particular, an offset between see the transfer surface and the footprint in the vertical direction, as previously described, only a few millimeters. In this way, the carrier plate can be safely pushed over without the carrier plate hanging on an edge of the positioning plate or the carrier plate.

In a further refinement, the handling station has a carrier plate holder which is designed to hold or store a plurality of carrier plates.

The trays are placed for storage in the tray holder with no containers received. For this purpose, the carrier plate holder can have individual holders or receptacles for the carrier plates. If a carrier plate is required to load the freeze dryer, it can be removed from the carrier plate holder and fitted with containers. In other words, the carrier plate holder offers the possibility of holding the carrier plate in stock, so that a carrier plate can be removed if required. Accordingly, after freeze-drying, the emptied carrier plates are returned to the carrier plate holder. The carrier plate holder thus enables fast access to or storage of carrier plates.

In a further embodiment, a third handling device of the at least one handling device is designed to transfer a carrier plate between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate.

In this way, the carrier plates can be made available for loading by means of the third handling device and can be stored again in the carrier plate holder after unloading. In particular, the third handling device is designed to remove the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder, to transfer it to the transfer plate and to arrange it on the transfer plate and/or to pick it up from the transfer plate, to transfer it to the carrier plate holder and to arrange or set it down in the carrier plate holder.

In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has at least one

Coupling portion and the third handling device a recording device on, wherein the receiving device can be coupled to the coupling section of one of the carrier plates, so that the third handling device can transfer the carrier plate in the coupled state, in particular raise, lower and move it horizontally. The coupling section of the carrier plate can in particular be the first coupling section. Alternatively, the at least one coupling section can also have the third coupling sections of the carrier plate.

In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. The third handling device is preferably a handling robot which is designed to handle the carrier plate. The handling robot can have an end effector for handling the carrier plate. The handling robot can have a multi-articulated arm, at the end of which the end effector can be arranged, the end effector being movable in space by means of the arm. The end effector of the handling robot can have the receiving device. Drive means, such as one or more drive devices, can be provided for moving the arm. The arm may be attached to a support structure located in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector can be moved between the transfer plate and the carrier plate holder. When the receiving device is used to couple to the first coupling portion of a tray in order to transfer the tray, in the operative position the tray is arranged in the tray holder such that the first edge side is oriented upwards. When the receiving device is used to couple with the two third coupling sections of a carrier plate in order to transfer the carrier plate, the carrier plate is arranged in the operating position in the carrier plate holder such that the second edge side is oriented upwards.

In a further embodiment, the recording device of the third

Handling device on at least one receiving element, wherein the first or each third coupling portion of the support plate for coupling with the corresponding receiving element is engageable. In this way, the carrier plate can be easily coupled to the third handling device. Each receiving element is preferably designed in the form of a hook or as a hook, the receiving element for coupling to the first coupling section, in particular to the retaining element, of the carrier plate being hooked. In other words, each receiving element has at least one coupling section which can be brought into engagement with the corresponding first or third coupling section of the carrier plate in order to couple the receiving device to the carrier plate. Each coupling section of the receiving element can be designed, for example, as a hook-shaped receptacle. In this way, the third handling device can lift, transfer and set down the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, the holding element of the first or of each third coupling section of the carrier plate is designed in such a way that the corresponding receiving element can be brought into engagement with the holding element of the first or of the respective third coupling section of the carrier plate in order to connect the handling device to the carrier plate to pair.

In this way, the carrier plate is easily coupled to the handling device, so that the handling device can move the carrier plate. The holding element of the first or each third coupling section of the carrier plate is preferably designed such that the corresponding receiving element can engage in the recess of the holding element of the first or the respective third coupling section of the carrier plate in order to couple the handling device to the carrier plate. In particular, each receiving element is hooked to the corresponding holding element for coupling.

In a further embodiment, the first and the third handling device are formed by a handling robot, in particular the handling robot having an end effector which has the gripping device of the first handling device and the receiving device of the third handling device. In this way, space is saved, since the first and third handling devices are formed by means of a single handling robot, which has, for example, two different tools on its end effector. The gripping device can be arranged on one side of the end effector and the receiving device can be arranged on a second side of the end effector opposite the first side. The end effector can be rotatably fastened to the multi-articulated arm of the handling robot, as a result of which the alignment of the tool to be used (i.e. gripping or pick-up device) can be adjusted accordingly.

In a further embodiment, the feeding of containers has the following steps:

transporting the containers to a container holder of the handling station by means of a transport device; and

Placing the supplied containers in the container holder.

The transport device can be designed to feed the containers to the handling station and to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. Alternatively, two different transport devices can also be provided, with a first transport device being designed to feed the containers to the handling station, and a second (additional) transport device being designed to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus provide an infeed or outfeed for the containers to/from the handling station, with the containers being arranged in the container holder. For example, the transport device(s) can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with a filling station and a stopper setting station to the handling station. Furthermore, the transport device(s) can remove the containers from the handling station to a flanging module with a flanging station located downstream. In the container holder, supplied or removed containers can be temporarily stored or collected. The container holder is thus a Intermediate storage space between the feed (in particular the transport device) and the first handling device.

In a further embodiment, the containers are transported individually or several containers together, in particular in pairs, by means of the transport device.

For this purpose, the transport device can have a handling robot which is designed to receive the containers individually or in pairs from a filling module located upstream and to transfer them to the handling station (in particular to a container holder in the handling station described below) for feeding purposes. Accordingly, the handling robot of the transport device or the further transport device can be designed to transfer the containers individually or in pairs from the handling station (in particular from a container holder in the handling station described below) to a flanging module arranged downstream and to transfer the containers to the flanging module hand over. To handle the containers, the handling robot can have a gripping device, by means of which one or more containers can be gripped simultaneously. For example, the handling robot can have an end effector, with the gripping device being arranged on the end effector. The end effector can have the gripping device or carry the gripping device. The handling robot preferably has a multi-articulated arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space using the arm. Driving means, such as one or more driving devices, can be provided for moving the arm. The arm may be attached to a support structure located in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector can be moved between the handling station and the filling module and/or the crimping module in order to be able to transfer the containers between the handling station and the filling module or between the handling station and the crimping module.

In a further embodiment, the container holder has a plurality of receptacles, the containers being inserted into the receptacles for arranging the containers in the container holder. In this way, a plurality of containers can be collected or temporarily stored in the container holder.

In a further embodiment, the insertion of the containers into corresponding receptacles of the carrier plate by means of the first handling device includes the following steps:

removing one or more containers, in particular a series of containers, from the container holder;

transferring the removed containers to the carrier plate; and

Insertion of the transferred containers into empty receptacles of the carrier plate.

In a further embodiment, the carrier plate is arranged on a transfer plate in the handling station for loading and/or unloading.

The transfer plate can also be referred to as a transfer plate. The transfer plate has a transfer surface on which the carrier plates can be arranged. The transfer surface is a top of the transfer plate. The carrier plates can be arranged one after the other on the transfer plate, for example for loading, and equipped with containers. The trays loaded with containers can then be loaded into the freeze dryer. After freeze-drying, the carrier plates can be brought back from the freeze-dryer to the transfer plate, where the containers are removed again. In a further embodiment, in the step of introducing the carrier plate into the freeze dryer, the carrier plate is pushed from the handling station into the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device.

[00157] In particular, the carrier plate is pushed from a transfer plate of the handling station onto a shelf of the freeze dryer. In this way, the carrier plates can simply be pushed into the freeze dryer.

In a further embodiment, the provision of the carrier plate has the following steps:

Arranging a plurality of carrier plates in a carrier plate holder

handling station; and

Transferring the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder to the transfer plate by means of a third handling device.

The platens are placed for storage in the platen holder with no containers received. For this purpose, the carrier plate holder can have individual holders or receptacles for the carrier plates. If a carrier plate is required to load the freeze dryer, it can be removed from the carrier plate holder and fitted with containers. In other words, the carrier plate holder offers the possibility of holding the carrier plate in stock, so that a carrier plate can be removed if required. Accordingly, after freeze-drying, the emptied carrier plates are returned to the carrier plate holder. The carrier plate holder thus enables fast access to or storage of carrier plates. The carrier plates can be made available for loading by means of the third handling device and can be stored again in the carrier plate holder after unloading. In particular, the third handling device is designed to remove the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder, to transfer it to the transfer plate and to arrange it on the transfer plate and/or to pick it up from the transfer plate, to transfer it to the carrier plate holder and to arrange or set it down in the carrier plate holder. In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has a coupling section and the handling device has a receiving device which can be coupled to the coupling section, the provision of the carrier plate also having the following steps:

coupling the handling device to one of the platens arranged in the platen holder before the step of transferring; and

decoupling the handling device from the carrier plate after the step of transferring.

In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate.

In a further embodiment, the providing step alternatively has the following steps:

Arranging the support plate in the freeze dryer, in particular on a surface of the freeze dryer; and

Removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device, in particular the carrier plate being pulled from the standing surface onto the transfer plate.

In this way, the support plates can be temporarily stored empty in the freeze dryer, for example, and removed from the freeze dryer for loading with containers. In this way, the loading system area is tidy so as not to affect the laminar flow too much.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises the following steps for unloading the freeze dryer: removing the tray from the freeze dryer by the second handling device;

removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate in the handling station by means of the first handling device; and

Discharging the containers from the handling station by means of the transport device or another transport device.

In this way, the freeze dryer can be unloaded again after freeze drying.

In a further embodiment, in the step of removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer, the carrier plate is pulled out of the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device.

[00167] In particular, the carrier plate is pulled from the footprint onto the transfer plate of the handling station. In this way, the carrier plates can be easily removed from the freeze dryer.

In a further embodiment, the removal of the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate by means of the first handling device includes the following steps:

Removing one or more containers, in particular a series of containers, from the receptacles on the carrier plate;

transferring the removed containers to the container holder; and

Inserting the transferred containers into the container holder. In this way, the first handling device can remove the freeze-dried containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate and set them down or arrange them in the receptacles of the container holder for intermediate storage before transport. As a result, the containers to be transported away can be collected in the container holder before they are transported away.

In a further embodiment, the removal of the containers from the container holder includes:

removing the containers from the container holder; and

Transporting away the containers by means of the transport device or another transport device.

[00171] As described above, the transport device is designed at least to feed the containers to the handling station. Either the transport device or another transport device can be designed to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus supply or remove the containers to/from the handling station. For example, the transport device(s) can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with a filling station and a stopper setting station to the handling station. Furthermore, the transport device(s) can remove the containers from the handling station to a flanging module with flanging station located downstream.

In a further embodiment, after the step of removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, the method also has the following step:

Storing the platen in the platen holder. In this way, the carrier plates can be arranged in the carrier plate holder again after use in order to store or store them until they are used again.

In a further embodiment, storing the carrier plate in the carrier plate holder comprises the following steps:

transferring the carrier plate from the transfer plate to the carrier plate holder by means of the third handling device; and

arranging the transferred platens in the platen holder.

In this way, the carrier plates can be stored again in the carrier plate holder after unloading by means of the third handling device. In particular, the third handling device is designed to pick up the carrier plate from the transfer plate, to transfer it to the carrier plate holder and to arrange or set it down in the carrier plate holder.

In a further embodiment, each carrier plate has a coupling section and the handling device has a receiving device which can be coupled to the coupling section, the storage of the carrier plate also having the following steps:

coupling the handling device to a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate prior to the transferring step; and

Decoupling the third handling device from the transferred carrier plate after the transferring step.

In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. In a further embodiment, after the step of removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, the method alternatively has the following steps:

Introduction of the emptied carrier plate into the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device, in particular the carrier plate being pushed by the transfer plate onto the floor space of the freeze dryer; and

storing the carrier plate in the freeze dryer.

This allows the emptied trays to be temporarily stored in the freeze dryer. In this way, the loading system area is tidy so as not to affect the laminar flow too much.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:

1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a charging system for a freeze dryer;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a loading system for a freeze dryer;

3 to 36 detailed views of the charging system of Figure 2 stands in different Betriebszu..;

37 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a method for handling containers in a loading system for a freeze dryer; Fig. 38 is a schematic view of loading the freeze dryer in the process of Fig. 37;

FIG. 39 shows a detailed view of the step of providing from FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 shows a detailed view of the feeding step from FIG. 38; FIG.

Fig. 41 is a detail view of the inserting step of Fig. 38;

Fig. 42 is a schematic view of unloading the freeze dryer in the process of Fig. 37;

Fig. 43 is a detailed view of the extracting step of Fig. 42;

FIG. 44 is a detailed view of the draining step of FIG. 42;

FIG. 45 is a detailed view of the storing step of FIG. 42;

46 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a loading system for a freeze dryer; and

47 to 63 are detailed views of the charging system from FIG. 46 in different operating states.

1 shows a first embodiment of a charging system 10 for a freeze dryer

16. The loading system 10 is part of a freeze drying system 12 which is the loading system

10 and the freeze dryer 16 has. The freeze drying system 12 may be part of a

Be packaging machine in which pharmaceutical or cosmetic substances in

Container 114 are packed. For this purpose, the packaging machine has a filling module 18 , a freeze-drying module 14 and a flanging module 20 . The filling module 18 can have a filling station, in which the containers are filled with the substance, and a stoppering station, in which a stopper is placed on the containers. The crimping module 20 can have a crimping station in which each container is sealed with a crimp cap. The entire packaging process of the substances is carried out in an aseptic environment, for example in a clean room or clean room.

Freeze drying module 14 is coupled to freeze dryer 16 via port 51 . The loading system 10 is arranged in the freeze drying module 14 . By means of the loading system, containers can be introduced into the freeze dryer through the port 51 and removed from the freeze dryer again after freeze drying.

The freeze drying system 12 may include the freeze drying module 14 . The freeze-drying module 14 is arranged between the filling module 18 and the crimping module 20 . Containers can be transferred between the filling module 18 and the freeze-drying module 14 via a first transfer station 22 . Containers can be transferred between the freeze-drying module 14 and the flanging module 20 by means of a second transfer station 24 .

To feed the containers from the filling module 18 and to discharge the containers into the flanging module 20, the freeze-drying module 14 has at least one transport device 26, 28. For example, the freeze-drying module 14 has a first transport device 26 for supplying the containers and a second transport device 28 for removing the containers. Alternatively, only the first transport device 26 can also be provided, with the first transport device 26 then carrying out the supply and removal of the containers. When feeding and removing the containers can be transferred between the modules 14, 18, 20, for example, via the transfer stations 22, 24. At least one of the transport devices 26, 28 can be designed, for example, as a handling robot that has a gripping tool for handling containers. Alternatively, the transport devices 26, 28 can also be designed in a different way in order to feed or remove the containers. For example, at least one of the transport devices 26 can also be designed as a conveyor belt or another type of conveyor technology in order to transport the containers to or from them.

The loading system 10 has a handling station 30 . The handling station 30 is arranged between the transport devices 26, 28 and the freeze dryer. The handling station 30 is arranged in particular next to the port 51 .

The handling station 30 has a first handling device 32 , a second handling device 34 , a third handling device 36 , a container holder 38 , a support plate holder 40 and a transfer plate 42 .

The container holder 38 has receptacles for containers, in which containers can each be received individually. To feed the containers, the first transport device sets the containers to be fed into the container holder 38 . To remove the containers, the first transport device 26 or the second transport device 28 removes the containers to be removed from the container holder 38.

The carrier plate holder 40 has receptacles or holders for carrier plates. The carrier plates serve as carriers for a plurality of containers. For this purpose, each carrier plate has a plurality of receptacles which are designed to each receive a container.

The transfer plate 42 has a transfer surface 44 . The transfer surface 44 is an upper side of the transfer plate 42. The transfer surface 44 is preferably aligned horizontally. The carrier plates for loading and unloading the freeze dryer are arranged on the transfer surface 44 . To load the freeze dryer 16, the carrier plates are sequentially arranged on the transfer plate 42, equipped with containers and then introduced into the freeze dryer 16. To unload the freeze dryer 16, the carrier plates are successively fetched from the freeze dryer 16, placed on the transfer plate 42 and the containers removed.

The freeze dryer 16 includes a plurality of shelves 52 . Each positioning plate 52 has a positioning surface 54 on which one or more carrier plates can be arranged, in particular parked. Each shelf 54 is the top of a corresponding shelf 52. The shelves 52 may be vertically moveable. For this purpose, the freeze dryer 16 can have a drive device which can move the positioning plates 52 vertically.

The transfer plate 42 is preferably arranged at the port 51 . A gap may be provided between the transfer plate 42 and the setting plate 52 . In order to keep the gap as small as possible, the transfer plate 42 and the setting plate 52 can be placed as close to the port as possible. The gap is preferably less than half the width of the backing plate. This ensures that when inserting and removing the carrier plate always rests on the footprint and on the transfer surface when the center of gravity of the carrier plate is arranged over the gap.

The first handling device 32 is designed to transfer the containers between the container holder 38 and the transfer plate 42 . For example, the handling device 32 can remove the supplied containers from the container holder 38 , transfer them to the transfer plate 42 and insert them into receptacles on a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate 42 . Furthermore, the handling device 32 can remove the containers to be removed from the receptacles of a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate 42, transfer them to the container holder 38 and insert them into it.

The first handling device 32 can have a gripping device 46 for handling the containers. The gripping device 46 is designed to grip the containers. For example, the handling device 32 can be designed as a handling robot that has a multi-articulated arm and an end effector, where the end effector is located at one end of the arm. The gripping device can be arranged on the end effector.

The second handling device 34 is adapted to the support plates in the

Introduce freeze dryer 16 and remove them from the freeze dryer 16 after freeze drying again. In other words, the handling device 34 is designed to transfer the carrier plates between the transfer plate 42 and the freeze dryer 16 ner. The handling device 34 can, for example, push one or more carrier plates from the transfer plate 42 onto one of the shelves 54 in order to introduce the carrier plates into the freeze dryer. The handling device 34 can also pull one or more carrier plates from a storage area 54 onto the transfer plate 42 in order to remove or fetch the carrier plates from the freeze dryer. Before inserting or removing the corresponding Stellflä surface is brought to the height of the transfer surface 44, so that the support plates just ben shifted or pulled. When inserting the carrier plate, the positioning surface 54 is preferably arranged lower than the transfer surface 44 and when the carrier plate is removed, the positioning surface 54 is arranged higher than the transfer surface 44 . In particular, an offset between the transfer surface 44 and the positioning surface 54 in the vertical direction is only a few millimeters. The offset can be less than 5 mm, for example, in particular less than 1 mm. In particular, the offset can be 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm.

The second handling device 34 can have a linear unit 48 for handling the carrier plates. The linear unit 48 is designed to move the carrier plates horizontally, in particular to push and pull them. The second handling device 34 can preferably push and pull several carrier plates at the same time.

The third handling device 36 is designed to transfer the carrier plates between the carrier plate holder 40 and the transfer plate 42 . For example, the handling device 36 can in each case remove a carrier plate from a receptacle in the carrier plate holder 40 , transfer it to the transfer plate 42 and set it down on the transfer surface 44 . Furthermore, the third handling device 36 lift one carrier plate from the transfer plate 42, transfer it to the carrier plate holder 40 and set it down in a receptacle of the carrier plate holder 40. Furthermore, the third handling device 36 can move the carrier plate on the transfer plate 42 in order to position it on the transfer surface 44 .

The third handling device 36 can have a receiving device 50 for handling a carrier plate. The pick-up device 50 can have at least one pick-up element which can couple to the carrier plate to be handled in order to move it.

The loading system 10 can have a control device (not shown) which is designed to control the handling devices 32 , 34 , 36 . The control device can also be designed to control the transport devices 26, 28 and the drive device of the freeze dryer 16.

Figures 2 to 36 show a second embodiment of the charging system 10. The charging system 10 is shown in Figures 2 to 36 in different operating positions Darge. The charging system 10 of the second embodiment essentially corresponds to the charging system 10 of the first embodiment from FIG. 1. Identical elements are identified by the same reference symbols and are not explained in more detail.

In the loading system 10, carrier plates 58 are used to load and unload the freeze dryer 16 with containers 114, respectively. The containers 114 have a cylindrical shape. In other words, the containers 114 are rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis. The containers 114 have a bottom on one side and an opening on the other side in an axial direction with respect to the axis. A stopper may be placed on the opening of the containers 114 . During handling in the loading system 10, the containers 114 are handled such that the opening is located at the top and the bottom is located at the bottom with respect to a vertical direction. Each support plate 58 is cuboid. Each support plate 58 has a rectangular base. Each backing plate 58 has a first side surface 62 and a second side surface 64 . The first side surface 62 is arranged opposite to the second side surface 64 . The first and second side surfaces 62, 64 are arranged parallel to one another. The side surfaces 62, 64 extend in the length and width direction of the carrier plate 58. The shape of each side surface 62, 64 thus corresponds to the shape of the base surface of the carrier plate 58. The side surfaces 62, 64 thus each have a rectangular shape. A distance between the first side surface 62 and the second side surface 64 therefore corresponds to the thickness of the support plate 58. The thickness of the support plate 58 is significantly smaller than the length and width of the support plate 58. Each support plate 58 has a plurality of receptacles 60 on the first side surface 62 on. Each receptacle 60 is designed to receive one container at a time. The receptacles are designed as indentations on the first side face 62 of the carrier plate 58 . Each well has the same depth. Each indentation extends from the first side surface 62 in the direction of the second side surface 64. However, the indentations do not extend to the second side surface 64. In other words, a depth of the indentations is less than a distance from the first side surface 62 to the second side surface 64 The seats 60 are regularly distributed on the first side face 62 . In particular, the receptacles 60 are arranged in rows and are at the same distance from adjacent receptacles 60 .

The first side face 62 is divided into two equally sized areas in the length direction. The areas are preferably square. In each area, the rows of receptacles 60 in the width direction of the support plate 58 are sequentially arranged. Each row extends in the lengthwise direction.

In the operating state, i.e. when a carrier plate 58 is arranged on the transfer plate 42 or on one of the positioning plates 52, the first side surface 62 corresponds to the upper side of the carrier plate 58. Accordingly, the second side surface 64 corresponds to the underside of the carrier plate 58 in the operating state. The containers 114 can be inserted into the receptacles 60 in the operating state. The containers 114 used then stand in the recesses of the receptacles 60 and are held in the respective receptacle 60 by the edge of each receptacle 60 . Each support plate 58 further has a first edge 70 and a second edge 72 . The first edge side 70 is arranged opposite to the second edge side 72 . The first and second edge sides 70, 72 each extend from the first side surface 62 to the second side surface 64. More specifically, the first and second side surfaces 62, 64 are perpendicular to the first and second edge sides. The first and second edge sides 70, 72 extend in the length and height direction of the carrier plate 58. Each carrier plate 58 has a first coupling section 66 and a second coupling section 68. The first coupling section 66 is arranged on the first edge side 70 of the carrier plate 58 . The second coupling section 68 is arranged on the second edge side 72 of the carrier plate 58 . The first and second coupling sections 66, 68 are each arranged centrally on the corresponding edge side 70, 72 with respect to the longitudinal direction.

The first coupling portion 66 of a backing plate 58 may couple to a coupling portion of another object. The coupling section of the other object can be, for example, the second coupling section 68 of an adjacent carrier plate 58 . In the coupled state, the carrier plate 58 and the object coupled to it can be moved together in at least one spatial direction. For example, coupled carrier plates 58 can be handled together.

The first coupling section 66 has a holding element 74 and a recess 76 . The holding element 74 is designed as a web which extends from one side of the recess 76 to an opposite side of the recess 76 . The web is vorzugswei se parallel to the first and the second side surface 62, 64 and parallel to the first and the second edge side 70, 72 arranged. The ridge is preferably located at an outer end of the recess 76 . A corresponding element of another object can couple to the retaining element 74 to couple the carrier plate 58 to the other object. For example, the element can engage in the recess 76 to couple with the retaining element 74 .

The second coupling section 68 has a locking element 78 . The locking element 78 can be a hook element which is mounted on the coupling section 66 so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is preferably parallel to the first and second side surfaces 62, 64 and parallel to the first and second edge sides 70, 72. The axis of rotation is thus also arranged parallel to the web of the holding element 74 of the same carrier plate 58 . The locking element 78 can be displaced between a coupled position and a decoupled position. The displacement is achieved by rotating around the axis of rotation.

In the coupled position, the second coupling portion 68 with a first

Coupling section 66 of a further carrier plate 58 couple. In the decoupling position, the second coupling section 68 is not coupled to a first coupling section 66 of a further carrier plate 58. To couple two carrier plates 58, the carrier plates 58 are arranged in such a way that the second coupling section 66 of the first carrier plate 58 attaches to the first coupling section 68 of the second carrier plate 58 adjacent, wherein the locking element 78 of the first support plate 58 is arranged in the decoupling position. Then this locking element 78 is brought into the coupling position in order to couple the carrier plates 58 to one another. The locking element 78 of the first carrier plate 58 engages in the recess 76 of the second carrier plate 58 and thereby couples to the holding element 74 of the second recess. The hook-shaped locking element 78 preferably extends on both sides of the axis of rotation, the locking element 78 having a hook section on one side and an actuating section on the other side. The hook section has a hook-shaped receptacle, for example. The locking element 78 can couple by means of the hook portion. In particular, the hook-shaped receptacle for coupling can receive the holding element 74 of the first coupling section 66 . The locking element 78 can be actuated by means of the actuating section. By actuating the actuating section, the locking element 78 is rotated about the axis of rotation in order to displace the locking element 78 between the coupled position and the uncoupled position. For example, the actuation section can be pressed for actuation.

In the operating state, the locking element 78 can be arranged in the coupling position as the initial state, preferably due to the force of gravity. In the operating state, the hook-shaped receptacle of the hook section of the locking element 78 is preferably oriented downwards. For coupling to a further carrier plate 58, the locking element 78 must then first, preferably counter of gravity, are brought into the decoupling position, so that the respective coupling treatment sections 66, 68 can be arranged adjacent to one another for coupling. The hook-shaped receptacle of the hook section of the locking element 78 is thereby moved upwards. To move into the decoupling position, the actuating section of the locking element 78 can be actuated.

The locking element 78 can also have a flank at the radially outer end of the hook section. By actuating the edge, the locking element 78 can be brought from the coupled position into the uncoupled position. For example, in order to arrange the coupling sections 66, 68 next to one another, the carrier plates 58 can be moved towards one another, so that the holding element 74 is moved towards the locking element 78. During this relative movement of the support plates 58, the holding element 74 can actuate the edge of the locking element 78 in order to bring the locking element 78 into the decoupling position. In other words, the locking element 78 deviates from a pushing movement of the holding element 74 in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation in the direction of the decoupling position. As soon as the carrier plates 58 adjoin one another, that is to say when the holding element 74 has passed the flank, the locking element 78 can be brought back into the coupling position in order to couple the carrier plates 58 to one another. Preferably, the locking element 78 automatically returns to the coupled position due to gravity when the holding element 74 has passed the edge.

To release the coupling of two support plates 58, the corresponding locking element 78 is brought back into the decoupling position. For this example, the actuating section of the locking element 78 can be actuated again.

The container holder 38 has a plurality of receptacles 102 . Each receptacle 102 is designed to receive one container 114 at a time. The receptacles 102 are arranged in a row. The shots 102 are arranged at regular intervals. The carrier plate holder 40 has a plurality of holders or receptacles 56 in which the carrier plates 58 can be held. A carrier plate 58 can be held in each receptacle 56 . The receptacles 56 are formed such that the receptacles 56 are opened upward and closed downward in the vertical direction. Closed means that the carrier plates 58, when they are arranged in a receptacle 56, rest on at least one support element at the lower end of the receptacle 56. In particular, the receptacles 56 are designed in such a way that the carrier plates 58 are received in the receptacles 56 in such a way that the side faces 62, 64 are arranged parallel to the vertical direction. As a result, the carrier plates 58 can be arranged in the receptacles in such a way that the first edge side 70 is arranged at the top and the second edge side 72 is arranged at the bottom. In this way, the first coupling section 66 is accessible from above.

In the loading system 10 of the second embodiment, the first handler 32 and the third handler 36 are formed by a handler robot 84. As shown in FIG. The handling robot 84 has a support structure 86 and an end effector 88 mounted thereon. The support structure 86 is designed as a multi-articulated arm. The end effector 88 can be moved in three spatial directions, i.e. horizontally and vertically, by means of the multi-articulated arm.

The end effector 88 has the gripping device 46 of the first handling device 32 and the receiving device 50 of the third handling device 36 . The gripping device 46 is arranged on a first side 90 of the end effector 88 . The recording device 50 is arranged on a second side 92 of the end effector 88 . The first side 90 and the second side 92 are located on opposite sides of the end effector 88 .

The gripping device 46 is designed to transfer one or more containers 114 between the container holder 38 and the transfer plate 42, in particular a carrier plate 58 arranged on the transfer plate 42. For this purpose, the gripping device has a plurality of gripping elements. Each gripping element is designed to grip one container at a time. The gripping elements of the gripping device 46 are arranged in a row. The gripping elements are arranged at regular intervals. By means of the gripping elements, the gripping device can remove a row of containers 114 from the receptacles 102 of the container holder 38 and insert them into empty receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58. The distance between adjacent gripping elements is equal to the distance between adjacent receptacles 102 and equal to a distance between adjacent receptacles 60.

The receiving device 50 is designed to handle one carrier plate 58 at a time. The receiving device 50 has a receiving element 80 for handling. The receiving element 80 has a coupling section 82 by means of which the receiving device 50 can be coupled to the first coupling section 66 of a carrier plate 58 . In the coupled state, third handling device 36 can handle carrier plate 58 by means of receiving device 50 . Preferably, the third handling device 36 can move the carrier plate 58 horizontally and vertically, in particular special lifting, lowering and moving on a surface.

The receiving element 80 is hook-shaped in the area of the coupling section 82 . In other words, the receiving element 80 has a hook-shaped receptacle in the area of the coupling section 82 . In operation, the hook-shaped receptacle is open at the top. For coupling to the first coupling section 66 of a support plate 58, the hook-shaped receptacle can receive the retaining element 74 of the first coupling section 66 of the support plate 58. By means of this coupling, the support plate 58 can be moved vertically, in particular raised and lowered, and moved or transferred horizontally. When the support plate 58 is fully raised, the side surfaces 62, 64 of the support plate 58 are vertically aligned and the first and second edge sides 70, 72 are correspondingly horizontally aligned, with the first edge side 70 being arranged at the top and the second edge side 72 being arranged at the bottom.

On the side of the receiving element 80 opposite the hook-shaped receiving element, the receiving element 80 can additionally have a projection which can engage in the recess 76 of a carrier plate 58 in order to couple the receiving device 50 to the carrier plate 58 . By means of this coupling, the carrier plate can be moved, in particular pulled or pushed, when the carrier plate 58 is in the operating state. stood on a surface, in particular on the transfer surface 44 or on one of the shelves 54 rests.

The second handling device 34 is designed as a handling robot 104 . The handling robot 104 has the linear unit 48 and a lifting unit 106 . In other words, the handling robot 104 is formed as a lifting and linear unit. The linear unit 48 is designed to move the support plates 58 horizontally, in particular to push and pull them. In particular, the linear unit 48 can push the carrier plates 58 in a direction of insertion from the transfer plate 42 onto one of the setting plates 52 and correspondingly pull them back onto the transfer plate 42 in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion from the setting plate 52 . For this purpose, the linear unit 48 has a thrust element 108 . The linear unit 48 is designed to move the pusher element 108 in one, preferably horizontal, direction back and forth. The pusher element 108 is extended in the direction of the freeze dryer and retracted in the opposite direction. In other words, the pushing element 108 can push or pull the carrier plates 58 by means of this movement. The lifting unit 106 is designed to move the linear unit 48 vertically. In this way, the height of the linear unit 48 can be adjusted, at which the linear unit 48 performs the pushing or pulling movement.

To move the support plate 58, the pushing element 108 can be applied to the first or second edge side 70, 72 and then press the support plate 58 in the appropriate direction. In this way, the pushing element can pull or push the carrier plate 58 . The carrier plate 58 is pushed when the carrier plate 58 is moved away from the linear unit 48 . This happens, for example, when the carrier plate 58 is introduced into the freeze dryer. The pushing element 108 can press against the first edge side 70 and thereby push the carrier plate 58 into the freeze dryer. Correspondingly, the carrier plate 58 is pulled when the carrier plate 58 is moved towards the linear unit 48 . This happens, for example, when removing the carrier plate 58 from the freeze dryer. The pusher element 108 can press against the second edge side 72 and thereby pull the support plate 58 out of the freeze dryer. In addition, the sliding element 108 can have a coupling section 110 by means of which the sliding element 108 can be coupled to the first coupling section 66 on the first edge side 70 of a carrier plate 58 . In the coupled state, the pusher element 108 can then also pull the carrier plate 58. In this way, the push element does not have to be moved to the second edge side 72 for pulling. The sliding element 108 can have a projection, for example as a coupling section 110, which extends vertically downwards. The protrusion is engageable with the recess 76 so that the protrusion abuts the retaining member 74 when pulled. The projection is engaged and disengaged from the recess 76 by means of a vertical movement. The vertical movement is carried out by means of the lifting unit 106.

The projection of the pusher 108 can also be used to

Actuating portion of the locking member 78 of the second coupling portion 68 to actuate. For this purpose, the pushing element can be moved vertically by means of the lifting unit 106 in such a way that the projection presses on the actuating section, in order thereby to displace the locking element 78 into the decoupling position. In the case of two coupled carrier plates 58, the coupling can thus be released by actuating the corresponding actuating section. Since the actuating section is arranged on the second edge side 72, the pushing element 108 in the actuated state can also simultaneously pull the carrier plate 58 away from the other carrier plate 58 and thereby distance it from it. In this way, for example, coupled carrier plates 58 can be decoupled from one another.

The loading system 10 of the second embodiment has only one transport device 26, by means of which the containers are fed in and removed. The transport device 26 has a handling robot 94 . The handling robot 94 has a carrier structure 96 and an end effector 98 mounted thereon. The support structure 96 is designed as a multi-articulated arm. The end effector 98 can be moved in three spatial directions, i.e. horizontally and vertically, by means of the multi-articulated arm. The end effector 98 has a gripping tool 100, by means of which one or more containers 114 can be handled. For example, the gripping tool has one or more grippers, each of which can be used to grip a container. In the illustrated Embodiment, the gripping tool 100 has two grippers, by means of which two containers can be handled simultaneously. In other words, the gripping tool 100 is designed to handle the containers in pairs.

The transfer plate 42 is positioned between the handlers 32, 34, 36 and the freeze dryer. When a positioning surface 54 is arranged at the height of the transfer surface 44, a distance between the positioning plate 52 and the transfer plate 42 is less than half the width of a carrier plate 58. The transfer plate has a recess 112. The recess 112 extends in the vertical direction from the bottom to the top of the transfer plate 42. In this way, the linear unit 48 or the receiving device 50 can be moved vertically through the recess 112. The recess 112 also extends into the transfer plate 42 from the side facing away from the freeze dryer. The recess 112 extends in particular from the side facing away from the freeze dryer to the middle of the transfer plate 42.

In the representation of Figures 2 to 36, the filling module 18, the flanging module 20, the transfer stations 22 and 24, the port 51 and the wall of the freeze dryer 16 and partially the wall of the freeze drying module 14 are omitted in order to show the individual processes within the Charging system 10 to better illustrate. Furthermore, only one positioning plate 52 of the plurality of positioning plates 52 within the freeze dryer 16 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 36 in order to be able to better illustrate the movement of the carrier plates.

2 shows an operating state which is assumed before the start of a freeze-drying cycle, in particular before the start of filling or packaging of the containers. In this state, all the carrier plates 58 men in the Aufnah 56 of the carrier plate holder 40 are arranged. In other words, the carrier plates 58 are stored in this way in the carrier plate holder 40 until they are used. In this operating state, H2O2 decontamination of the freeze-drying module can be carried out in particular. In other words, the operating state from FIG. 2 is assumed during a decontamination cycle. Each carrier plate 58 is arranged in a corresponding receptacle 56 in such a way that the first edge side 70 is located above with respect to a vertical direction and the second edge face 72 is located below. Furthermore, the linear unit 48 of the second handling device 34 is arranged below the transfer plate.

Starting from the operating state from FIG. 2, the empty carrier plates are placed in the freeze dryer 16 next. Putting away and temporarily storing the carrier plates 58 in the freeze dryer is a special embodiment. In principle, the carrier plates 58 can also be held in the carrier plate holder 40 until they are removed from the carrier plate holder 40 and fitted with containers 114 . To put away the empty carrier plates 58, the handling robot 84 transfers the carrier plates 58 one after the other to the transfer plate 42. From the transfer plate 42, the carrier plates 58 are then introduced into the freeze dryer by means of the lifting and linear unit 104.

For this purpose, a positioning plate 52 is arranged so that its footprint 54 at the level of

Transfer surface 44 is arranged. Then, the pick-up device 50 of the handling robot 84 is moved to a carrier plate 58 arranged in the carrier plate holder 40, as shown in FIG. Since the first edge side 70 of each carrier plate 58 is arranged at the top, the first coupling section 66 is accessible for the receiving device 50 . Then the receiving element 80 of the receiving device 50 is coupled to the holding element 74 of the carrier plate 58 as shown in FIG. 4 . For this purpose, the receiving element 80 engages in the recess 76 and the holding element 74 is received in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving element 80 . As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving device 50 can be moved vertically upwards. The carrier plate 58 coupled to the receiving device 50 is also moved upwards, in particular raised, and lifted out of the receptacle 56 . In this way, the carrier plate 58 is taken from the receptacle 56 of the carrier plate holder 40 ent.

The carrier plate 58 is then transferred to the transfer plate 42, aligned and placed on the transfer surface 44, as shown in Figures 6-9. For this purpose, the receiving device 50 is moved accordingly by means of the handling robot 84 . During the transfer, the carrier plate 58 hangs on the receiving device 50. In particular, the carrier plate 58 is suspended in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving element 80 by means of the holding element 74 . The side surfaces 62, 64 are aligned vertically. When the carrier plate 58 is laid down on the transfer plate 42 , the carrier plate is tilted, in particular by 90°, so that the carrier plate 58 lies with the second side surface 64 on the transfer surface 44 . The side surfaces 62, 64 are preferably aligned horizontally. The carrier plate 58 is tilted when it is put down in such a way that the second edge side 72 faces the freeze dryer and the first edge side 70 faces away from the freeze dryer. With respect to the direction of insertion into the freeze dryer 16, the first edge side 70 is thus arranged upstream and the second edge side 72 is arranged downstream. The first edge side 70 of the linear unit 48 faces the second handling device 34 and the second edge side 72 faces away from the linear unit 48 . The carrier plate is also laid down in such a way that the first coupling section 66 is arranged above the cutout 112 . The receiving device 50 is moved downwards through the recess 112 in order to decouple the receiving element 80 from the first coupling section 66 .

The receiving device 50 is then moved in such a way that the receiving element 80 rests on the first edge side 70, in particular on the holding element 74, from the outside.

The carrier plate 58 is then pushed by means of the receiving device 50 in the direction of the freeze dryer, in particular in the direction of the positioning plate 52 arranged at the same height, until the first coupling section 66 is at least no longer arranged over the recess 112 but over the transfer surface 44. The carrier plate 58 then protrudes over the edge of the transfer plate 42 in the direction of the setting plate 52 . In other words, the carrier plate 58 is partially arranged over the gap between the transfer plate 42 and the setting plate 52 . This is illustrated in FIG. In this way, the carrier plate 58 can also be pushed partially or completely into the freeze dryer by means of the receiving device 50 , in particular can be pushed onto the positioning plate 52 .

The receiving device 50 is then moved to the side and makes room for the second handling device 34. The linear unit 48 is moved vertically upwards through the recess 112 by means of the lifting unit 106 until the linear unit 48 is arranged at the height of the carrier plate 58 . This is illustrated in FIG. Then the carrier plate 58 is pushed completely into the freeze dryer onto the standing surface 54 by means of the pushing element 108 of the linear unit 48, as illustrated in FIG.

The pushing element 108 is then moved back again. Then the

Linear unit 48 is again moved vertically downwards through the recess 112 by means of the lifting unit 106 in order to arrange the linear unit 48 again below the transfer plate 42 .

In the same way, two further support plates 58 are removed from the support plate holder 40 and pushed one behind the other onto the footprint 54 of the shelf 52 . This is illustrated in FIG. Each footprint 54 is designed so that three support plates 58 can be arranged one behind the other on it. The three carrier plates 58 are coupled to one another via their first and second coupling sections 66 , 68 .

In other words, the middle support plate 58 is coupled to the rear support plate 58 via its second coupling section 68 and to the front support plate 58 with its first coupling section 66 . The rear carrier plate 58 was inserted first. The middle support plate 58 has been inserted second. The front carrier plate 58 has been inserted third. When inserting a support plate 58 onto the footprint 54, the support plate is inserted with the second edge side 72 ahead. An inserted carrier plate 58 is aligned on the footprint 54 in such a way that the first edge side 70 is arranged on the side of the carrier plate 58 facing the transfer plate 42 . If a first carrier plate 58 is arranged on the footprint 54, then when a second carrier plate 58 is pushed in, the second edge side 72 of the second carrier plate 58 is pushed onto the first edge side of the first carrier plate 58, with the first and second coupling sections coupling to one another. The coupling is achieved by the locking element 78 of the second carrier plate 58 being pressed against the retaining element 74 of the first carrier plate 58, as a result of which the locking element 78 is coupled to the retaining element 74 by means of the flank actuation. When the carrier plates are pushed in, each carrier plate 58 is only pushed into a front area of the footprint 54, since when a further carrier plate 58 is pushed in the same distance, the first carrier plate 58 pushed in after the coupling is pushed in further together with the other carrier plate. The coupling of two support plates 58 is shown in FIG. Coupling is not absolutely necessary for joint insertion, since during insertion, the following carrier plate 58 pushes the first carrier plate pushed in further backwards as soon as the subsequent carrier plate comes into contact with the first carrier plate when being pushed in. However, the coupling for the joint removal of the carrier plates from the freeze dryer 16 is advantageous, which will be explained below.

In the same way, the other shelves 54 of the freeze dryer are loaded with three carrier plates from the carrier plate holder until only one shelf 54 is to be loaded. This is illustrated in FIG. For loading the shelves 54, the ^shelves' che 54 are sequentially on the amount of Transferflä 44 moves and each loaded with three carrier plates.

When only one floor space 54 is to be loaded, the receiving device 50 removes a carrier plate 58 from the carrier plate holder 40 and places it on the transfer plate 42 . This is illustrated in FIG.

Containers 114 are then fed to the handling station 14 by means of the transport device 26 and are arranged in the receptacles 102 of the container holder 38 . This is shown in Figure 17.

When all receptacles 102 of the container holder 38 are equipped with containers 114, the gripping device 46 is moved to the container holder 38 by the handling robot 84 and removes a row of containers 114. The gripping device 46 then becomes the transfer plate 42, in particular the on the transfer plate 42, is moved, whereby the series of containers 114 are transferred thereto. The gripping device 46 then inserts the row of containers 114 into corresponding empty receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58 which are arranged in a row. This is illustrated in FIG. In this way, further containers 114 are successively fed to the container holder 38 and inserted into the receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58 by means of the gripping device 46 until a receptacle is inserted in each receptacle 60 of the carrier plate 58 . This is illustrated in FIG.

The receiving device 50 is then moved again in such a way that the receiving element 80 rests on the first edge side 70, in particular on the holding element 74, from the outside. Support plate 58 is then pushed by means of receiving device 50 in the direction of the freeze dryer, in particular in the direction of positioning plate 52 arranged at the same height, until first coupling section 66 is at least no longer arranged over recess 112 but over transfer surface 44. The carrier plate 58 then protrudes over the edge of the transfer plate 42 in the direction of the setting plate 52 . In other words, the carrier plate 58 is partially arranged over the gap between the transfer plate 42 and the setting plate 52 . This is illustrated in FIG. In this way, the carrier plate 58 can also be partially or completely pushed into the freeze dryer by means of the receiving device 50 , in particular can be pushed onto the positioning plate 52 .

The receiving device 50 is then moved to the side and makes room for the second handling device 34. The linear unit 48 is moved vertically upwards through the recess 112 by means of the lifting unit 106 until the linear unit 48 is arranged at the level of the carrier plate 58 . This is illustrated in FIG.

The support plate 58 is then pushed completely into the freeze dryer onto the footprint 54 by means of the pushing element 108 of the linear unit 48 . This is illustrated in FIG. The pushing element 108 is then moved back again.

In the same way, two further support plates 58 are removed from the support plate holder 40, fitted with containers 114 and pushed one behind the other onto the footprint 54 of the shelf 52. This is illustrated in FIG. When pushed in, the three support plates 58 are again coupled to one another accordingly. The shelves 54 are then moved vertically in such a way that a shelf 54 loaded with empty support plates 58 is arranged at the height of the transfer surface 44 . This is illustrated in FIG.

Then, the front support plate 58 is drawn from the setting plate 52 onto the transfer plate 42. FIG. Since the three support plates 58 arranged on the positioning plate 52 are coupled to one another, the middle and rear support plates are also pulled forward. For this purpose, the linear unit 48 and the lifting unit 106 are moved in such a way that the projection of the pushing element 108 engages in the recess 76 of the first coupling section of the front support plate 58 so that the latter can be pulled. The front support plate 58 is pulled down from the setting plate 52 until the middle support plate 58 is arranged at the front edge of the setting plate 52 . This is illustrated in FIG.

Then, the pushing member 108 is moved to the second coupling portion 68 of the front support plate 58, operates the operating portion of the locking member 78, and the front support plate 58 is uncoupled from the middle support plate 58. This is illustrated in FIG.

Then the pushing element 108 pulls the front carrier plate 58, while the locking element 78 is actuated, as far onto the transfer plate 42 until the first coupling section 66 is arranged over the recess 112. This is shown in Figure 27. Thereafter, the pushing element 108 is taken out of the recess 76 and moved back. Then the linear unit 48 is moved vertically downwards through the recess 112 by means of the lifting unit 106 in order to arrange the linear unit 48 again below the transfer plate 42 .

Then, the jig 50 is moved to the first coupling portion of the front support plate 58 and coupled thereto. For this purpose, the receiving element 80 is moved upwards from below through or in the recess 112 so that the holding element 74 is received in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving element 80 . This is illustrated in FIG. Then the carrier plate 58 is lifted by means of the receiving device 50 . This is shown in Fig. 29 (A) to (C). When lifting, the carrier plate is pivoted so that the side surfaces are converted from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

The carrier plate is then transferred to a receptacle 56 of the carrier plate holder 40 by means of the receiving device 50 and inserted into it. This is shown in Fig. 30 (A) and (B). After insertion, the receiving element is decoupled from the first coupling section again.

In the same way, the middle support plate 58 is also pulled out of the footprint 54 onto the transfer plate 42 and from there transferred further into the support plate holder 40 . Then the rear carrier plate is pulled out by means of the linear unit from the placement surface onto the transfer plate until the first coupling section is arranged over the transfer surface 44 or over the recess. Then the linear unit is again arranged below the transfer plate 42 and the receiving device 50 can pull the carrier plate 58 further forward. This is shown in Figure 31.

Then the three carrier plates 58 are again fitted with containers 114 in accordance with the description of FIGS. 16 to 23 and pushed onto the footprint 54 of the freeze dryer.

In this way, all shelves 54 of the freeze dryer are loaded with stocked support plates 58 one after the other. In FIG. 32 the state is shown in which all the shelves 54 are loaded with loaded carrier plates 58 . In other words, the freeze dryer is completely loaded.

After freeze-drying, the support plates 58 are removed from the freeze-dryer again and the containers 114 are removed from the receptacles 60 of the support plates 58 and removed. For this purpose, the carrier plates 58 are successively pulled onto the transfer plate 42 from each positioning surface 54 by means of the linear unit 48 . There the containers 114 are then removed from the receptacles 60 by means of the gripping device 46 , transferred to the container holder 38 and inserted into the receptacles 102 of the container holder 38 . The containers are again handled in rows. This is shown in Figures 33 and 34.

After the containers 114 have been removed, each empty carrier plate 58 is inserted into an empty receptacle of the carrier plate holder 40 . This is shown in Fig. 35 (A) to (D). The carrier plate is handled in accordance with the description of FIGS. 29 and 30.

In this way, all the carrier plates 58 are successively removed from the freeze dryer 16, the containers 114 are removed from the receptacles 60 and the carrier plates 58 are then stored in the carrier plate holder 40 again. This state is shown in FIG. When the freeze dryer 16 is completely emptied and all the carrier plates 58 are again arranged in the carrier plate holder 40, an automatic washing cycle can be carried out in which the carrier plates 58 are cleaned, in particular by means of a sprinkler system. The washing cycle can be carried out in the complete interior of the isolator. After a filling cycle or batch, the interior is decontaminated with H202 if necessary and cleaned manually or automatically (washing cycle).

FIG. 37 shows an embodiment of a method 120 for handling containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in the loading system 10 for a freeze dryer. In particular, the containers 114 can be handled in the loading system 10 of FIG. 1 or the loading system 10 of FIGS. 2-36 or the loading system 10 of FIGS. The handling of the containers 114 in the loading system 10 can include loading 122 of the freeze dryer 16 on the one hand. The containers 114 are introduced into the freeze dryer 16 by means of the carrier plates 58 .

[00264] Handling of the containers 114 in the loading system 10 may alternatively or additionally include unloading 150 of the freeze dryer 16. The containers 114 arranged in carrier plates 58 are thereby removed from the freeze dryer 16 .

Figure 38 shows loading 122 of freeze dryer 16 of Figure 37.

In a first step 124 of the loading 122, an empty carrier plate 58 is provided in a handling station 30, the carrier plate 58 having a plurality of receptacles 60 which are designed to receive one of the containers 114, respectively.

In a further step 126 of the loading 122 containers 114 are fed to the handling station 30 .

In a further step 128 of loading 122, the container 114 in the

Recordings 60 of the support plate 58 by means of the first handling device 32 is set.

In a further step 130 of loading 122, the support plate 58 is in the

Freeze dryer 16 introduced by means of the second handling device 34. The carrier plate 58 is preferably pushed from the handling station 30 into the freeze dryer 16 by means of the second handling device 34, in particular with the carrier plate 58 being pushed from a transfer plate 42 of the handling station 30 onto a footprint 54 of the freeze dryer 16.

39 shows steps that can be carried out to provide 124 the carrier plate 58 . In a first step 132 of providing 124 the carrier plate 58, a plurality of carrier plates 58 is arranged in a carrier plate holder 40 of the handling station 30.

In a further optional step 134 of providing 124 the carrier plate 58, the third handling device 36 is coupled to one of the carrier plates arranged in the carrier plate holder 40, which is to be provided.

In a further step 136 of providing 124 of the support plate 58 is the

Carrier plate 58 is transferred from the carrier plate holder 40 to the transfer plate 42 by means of the third handling device 36 .

In a further optional step 138 of providing 124 the carrier plate 58, the third handling device 36 is decoupled from the transferred carrier plate 58.

As an alternative to the steps shown in FIG. 39, to provide 124 the carrier plate 58, the carrier plate 58 can also be arranged beforehand in the freeze dryer 16, in particular on one of the shelves 54 of the freeze dryer 16, and removed by means of the second handling device 34 from the Freeze dryer 16 are removed, in particular wherein the support plate 58 is drawn from the footprint 54 on the transfer plate 42.

In Fig. 40 steps are shown that can be performed to supply 126 the containers 114 .

In a first step 140 of supplying 126 the containers 114, the containers 114 are transported to the container holder 38 of the handling station 30 by means of the transport device 26.

In a further step 142 of supplying 126 the containers 114, the supplied containers 114 are arranged in the container holder 38. To arrange 142 the containers 114, the containers 114 are placed in the receptacles 102 of the container holder 38 deployed. At this time, the supplied containers 114 can be collected in the container holder 38 .

Referring to Figure 41, steps that may be performed to insert 128 the containers 114 are shown.

In a first step 144 of inserting 128 the containers 114, one or more containers 114, in particular a row of containers 114, are removed from the container holder 38 by means of the first handling device 32.

In a further step 146 of inserting 128 the containers 114, the removed containers 114 are transferred by means of the first handling device 32 to the carrier plate 58, which is arranged on the transfer plate 42.

In a further step 148 of inserting 128 the containers 114, the transferred containers 114 are inserted into empty receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58 by means of the first handling device 32.

Figure 42 shows the unloading 150 of the freeze dryer 16 of Figure 37.

In a first step 152 of the unloading 150, a carrier plate 58 equipped with containers 114 is provided in the freeze dryer 16. In the method 120 from FIG. 37 , the provision can take place by loading 122 the freeze dryer 16 .

In a further step 154 of unloading 150, the carrier plate 58 is removed from the freeze dryer 16 by means of the second handling device 34.

In a further step 156 of unloading 150, the containers 114 in the handling station 30 are removed from the receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58 by means of the first handling device 32. In a further step 158 of unloading 150, the containers 114 are removed from the handling station by means of the transport device 26 or the transport device 28. The carrier plate 58 is preferably pulled out of the freeze dryer 16 by means of the second handling device 34 , in particular with the carrier plate 58 being pulled from the footprint 54 onto the transfer plate 42 of the handling station 30 .

In a further optional step 160 of the unloading 150 the carrier plates are stored in the carrier plate holder 40 .

Alternatively, the carrier plates 58 can also be stored in the freeze dryer 16 .

For this purpose, the emptied carrier plate 58 can be introduced into the freeze dryer 16 by means of the second handling device 34 , in particular the emptied carrier plate 58 being pushed by the second handling device 34 from the transfer plate 42 onto the footprint 54 of the freeze dryer 16 .

43 shows steps that can be performed to remove 156 the containers 114 .

In a first step 162 of removing 156 the containers 114, one or more containers 114, in particular a row of containers 114, are removed from the receptacles 60 of the carrier plate 58 by means of the first handling device 32.

In a further step 164 of removing 156 the containers 114, the removed containers 114 are transferred to the container holder 38 by means of the first handling device 32.

In a further step 166 of removing 156 the containers 114, the transferred containers 114 are inserted into the container holder 38 by means of the first handling device 32. The containers 114 are placed in the receptacles 102 of the container terhalters 38 used In the container holder 38, the containers 114 to be transported away can be collected.

In FIG. 44 steps are shown which can be carried out for removing 158 the containers 114 .

In a first step 168 of removing 158 the containers 114, the containers are removed from the container holder 38, in particular from the receptacles 102 of the container holder 38, by means of the transport device 26 or the transport device 28.

In a further step 170 of removing 158 the containers 114, the containers 114 are transported away by means of the transport device 26 or the transport device 28.

Referring to Figure 45, steps that may be performed to store 160 the containers 114 are shown.

In a first optional step 172 of storing 160 the containers 114, the third handling device 36 is coupled to the carrier plate 58 arranged on the transfer plate 42.

In a further step 174 of storing 160 the containers 114, the carrier plate 58 is transferred from the transfer plate 42 to the carrier plate holder 40 by means of the third handling device 36.

In a further step 176 of storing 160 the containers 114, the third handling device 36 is decoupled from the transferred carrier plate 58.

In a further optional step 178 of storing 160 the containers 114, the transferred carrier plate 58 is arranged in the carrier plate holder 40, in particular in an empty receptacle 56 of the carrier plate holder 40. Figures 46 to 63 show a third embodiment of the charging system 10. The charging system 10 is shown in Figures 46 to 63 in different operating positions. The charging system 10 of the third embodiment essentially corresponds to the charging systems 10 of the first and second embodiment from FIGS. 1 to 36. Identical elements are identified by the same reference symbols and are not explained in more detail.

The loading system 10 of the third embodiment differs in particular from the loading system 10 of the second embodiment in that the carrier plates, the carrier plate holder 40, the linear unit 48 of the second handling device 34, the receiving device 50 of the third handling device 36 and the transfer plate 42 are designed differently are.

The carrier plates of the third embodiment are identified by the reference numeral 200. FIG. The carrier plates 200 of the third embodiment essentially correspond to the carrier plates 58 of the second embodiment. The support plates 200 differ from the support plates 58 of the second embodiment in the shape of the base and in the arrangement and configuration of the coupling portions.

The support plates 200 essentially have a square base. In other words, the side surfaces 62, 64 each have a square shape. The rows of the receptacles 60 are sequentially arranged in the width direction on the first side face 62 . Each row extends in the lengthwise direction of the carrier plate 200.

The recordings 56 of the support plate holder 40 from the third embodiment of the loading system 10 compared to the recordings 56 from the second embodiment of the loading system 10 adapted to the changed square shape of the support plates. In particular, instead of one wide receptacle 56, two narrow receptacles 56 are arranged side by side. The backing plates 200 have substantially the same width as the backing plates 58 . Due to the square shape, however, the support plates 200 are only half as long as the support plates 58. As a result, two support plates 200 can be arranged side by side in the support plate holder 40. Furthermore, due to the halved space requirement, two support plates 200 can also be arranged next to one another perpendicularly to the insertion direction on the transfer surface 44 and on the positioning surface 54 .

[00308] Furthermore, the carrier plates 200 from the third embodiment of the

Loading system 10 opposite the support plates 58 from the second embodiment of the loading system 10 in the receptacles 56, on the transfer surface 44 and on the footprint 54 respectively arranged opposite. This means that the carrier plates 200 are aligned in such a way that the first and second edge sides 70, 72 are reversed, in contrast to the arrangement in FIGS. The carrier plates 200 are arranged in the receptacles 56 in such a way that the second edge side 72 is oriented upwards and the first edge side 70 is oriented downwards. The carrier plates 200 are arranged on the transfer surface 44 in such a way that the second edge side 72 is arranged on the side facing away from the freeze dryer 16 and the first edge side 70 is arranged on the side facing the freeze dryer 16 . The carrier plates 200 are arranged on the footprint 54 in such a way that the second edge side 72 is arranged on the side facing the transfer plate 42 and the first edge side 70 is arranged on the side facing away from the transfer plate 42 . With respect to the direction of insertion into the freeze dryer 16, the first edge side 70 is therefore arranged downstream and the second edge side 72 is arranged upstream.

The carrier plates 200 of the loading system 10 of the third embodiment can be coupled to one another by means of the first and second coupling sections 66 , 68 . In particular, the coupling portions 66, 68 in the charging system 10 of the third embodiment are configured substantially the same as the coupling portions 66, 68 in the charging system 10 of the second embodiment. The coupling sections 66, 68 in the charging system 10 of the third embodiment differ from the coupling sections 66, 68 in the charging system 10 of the second embodiment in that the locking element 78 is prestressed into the decoupling position by means of the spring force of a spring element, for example a spiral spring, or by means of gravity. The prestressing by means of heavy force is achieved, for example, in that the center of gravity of the locking element 78 is on the opposite side of the hook section with respect to the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, the locking element 78 is designed so that it is in the

Coupling position is arranged when the second coupling portion 68 on a Oberflä surface, in particular the footprint 54 is arranged. In particular, the locking element 78 is designed such that it is shifted from the decoupling position to the coupling position when the second coupling section 68 is pushed onto a surface, in particular the footprint 54 . Accordingly, the locking element 78 is also designed in such a way that it is shifted from the coupling position to the decoupling position when the second coupling section 68 is pulled down from a surface, in particular the footprint 54 . For this purpose, the locking element 78 can have a flank, for example on the side which is arranged opposite the hook section with respect to the axis of rotation, which flank is arranged on the underside of the locking element 78 . When the carrier plate 200 is pushed onto a surface, this flank comes into contact with the edge of the surface as soon as the second coupling section 68 has reached the edge. If the carrier plate is pushed further, the locking element 78 is displaced from the decoupling position into the coupling position in a direction of rotation opposite to the pretensioning force by the force exerted via the flank. Accordingly, the locking element 78 is again displaced by the biasing force from the coupled position to the uncoupled position as soon as the locking element 78 no longer has contact with the surface when the carrier plate 200 is pulled down from the surface.

The carrier plates 200 have, in addition to the first and second coupling sections 66, 68, two third coupling sections 202, 204. The third coupling sections 202, 204 are arranged on the second edge side 72. The third coupling portions 202, 204 are arranged on both sides of the second coupling portion 68 in the length direction. The third coupling sections 202, 204 are at the same distance from the second coupling section 68, in particular from a center of the second edge side 72, in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the third coupling sections 202, 204 are symmetrical to the second coupling section 68, in particular to a center of the second edge face 72. The third coupling sections 202, 204 are designed in the same way as the first coupling section 66. For this purpose, each third coupling section 202, 204 has a holding element 214 and a recess 216. The holding element 214 is designed as a web, in particular as a rod, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the carrier plate 200 from one side of the recess 216 to an opposite side of the recess 216 . The web is preferably arranged parallel to the first and second side surfaces 62, 64 and parallel to the first and second edge sides 70, 72. The ridge is preferably located at an outer end of the recess 216 .

The third coupling sections 202, 204 and the receiving device 50 are designed in such a way that they can be coupled to one another. For this purpose, the receiving device 50 has two receiving elements 206, 208. The receiving elements 206, 208 are at the same distance from one another as the two third coupling sections 202, 204. The receiving elements 206, 208 can each be coupled with a corresponding third coupling section 202, 204 in order to to move the platen 200.

Each receiving element 206, 208 has an upper coupling section 210 and a lower coupling section 212. FIG. The upper coupling portion 210 is in the operative state on a top of the corresponding receiving element 206, 208 net angeord. The lower coupling section 212 is arranged on an underside of the corresponding receiving element 206, 208 in the operating state. The upper and lower coupling portions 210, 212 are each formed in a hook shape. In other words, each receiving element 206, 208 has a hook-shaped receptacle in the area of each coupling section 210, 212. In the operating state, the hook-shaped receptacle of each upper coupling section 210 is open at the top and the hook-shaped receptacle of each lower coupling section 212 is open at the bottom.

For coupling to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of a carrier plate 200, the hook-shaped receptacles of the upper coupling sections 210 can each receive a holding element 214 of the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 58. By means of this coupling, the carrier plate 200 can be moved vertically, in particular raised and lowered, and moved or transferred horizontally. is the carrier plate 200 is fully raised, the side surfaces 62, 64 of the carrier plate te 200 are vertically aligned and the first and second edge sides 70, 72 are aligned horizontally, with the second edge side 72 being arranged at the top and the first edge side 70 being arranged at the bottom.

Furthermore, for coupling to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of a carrier plate 200, the hook-shaped receptacles of the lower coupling sections 212 can each hold a holding element 214 of the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 58. By means of this coupling, the carrier plate 200 can be moved horizontally, in particular pulled and pushed, when the carrier plate 200 is resting on a surface, in particular on the transfer surface 44 or on one of the positioning surfaces 54, in the operating state.

The linear unit 48 can move at least two carrier plates 200 horizontally at the same time, in particular pushing and pulling. As previously described, two carrier plates 200 can be arranged next to one another perpendicularly to the insertion direction on the transfer plate 42 and on the setting plate 52 . The linear unit 48 can push two support plates 200 arranged next to one another in the direction of insertion from the transfer plate 42 onto one of the positioning plates 52 and accordingly pull them back from the positioning plate 52 onto the transfer plate 42 in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion. For this purpose, the linear unit 48 has a pusher element 218 . The linear unit 48 is designed to move the pusher element 218 in one, preferably horizontal, direction back and forth. The pushing element 218 has a rod which extends in the direction of insertion and a pushing part which extends perpendicularly to the direction of insertion. One end of the rod is arranged centrally on the pushing part. As a result, the thrust element is T-shaped. The pusher element 218 is coupled to a base body of the linear unit 48, the pusher element 218 being movable relative to the base body. The pushing element 218 can be stretched out in the direction of the freeze dryer 16, ie in the pushing direction, or pulled back in the opposite direction.

In this case, the pushing element 218 can be displaced between a retracted position and an extended position. In other words, the pushing element 218 can push and pull the carrier plates 200 by means of this movement. The pushing element 218 has four coupling sections 220 . Each kupplungsab section 220 is arranged on the underside of the pusher 218 . Each coupling portion 220 is formed, for example, as a projection extending from the bottom of the pusher 218 down. The coupling sections 220 can be coupled to the third coupling sections of the support plates 200 . For coupling to a third coupling section, the projection of a coupling section 220 engages in the recess 216 of the respective third coupling section 202, 204. In other words, the projection is engaged with the recess 216 for coupling and disengaged again for uncoupling. The coupling sections 220 are at the same distance from one another as the third coupling sections 202, 204 of two carrier plates 200 arranged next to one another perpendicular to the direction of insertion.

To move two support plates 200 arranged next to one another, the pushing element 218 can be moved to the second edge side 72 of the two support plates 200 . Then, the pusher 218 is coupled to the two carrier plates 200 to move the carrier plates 200 horizontally. For this purpose, the pushing element 218 is moved in such a way that the coupling sections 220 couple to the third coupling sections 202 , 204 of the two carrier plates 200 . In this way, the two carrier plates 200 can be pulled and pushed.

Furthermore, the pushing of two support plates 200 arranged next to one another by means of the linear unit 48 can also be carried out without coupling the pushing element 218 to the support plates 200 . For this purpose, the pushing element 218 can be moved to the second edge sides 72 of the two carrier plates 200 and brought into contact with the second edge sides 72 . In this case, for example, the projections of the pushing element 218 can abut sections from the outside against the holding elements 214 of the third coupling section. If the pushing element is then moved in the direction of insertion, the two support plates 200 are pushed in the direction of insertion.

Furthermore, the transfer plate 42 of the charging system 10 of the third embodiment essentially corresponds to the transfer plate 42 of the charging system 10 of the second embodiment. These transfer plates 42 differ in the design of the recess 112. The recess 112 of the loading system of the third embodiment also extends from the bottom to the top of the transfer plate. However, the recess has a T-shaped cross section. The recess 112 is designed in such a way that the linear unit 48 can be moved vertically through the recess 112 when the push element 218 is in the retracted position. In other words, the recess 112 is adapted to the shape that the linear unit 48 has when the pusher element 218 is in the retracted position.

The sequence of the individual operating states of the charging system 10 of the third embodiment essentially corresponds to the sequence of the operating states of the charging system 10 of the second embodiment.

46 shows the initial and final state in which all the carrier plates 200 are arranged in the carrier plate holder 40 . Before the start of a freeze-drying cycle, the freeze-drying module 14 is again decontaminated with H2O2 in its initial state. After the freeze-drying cycle, a washing cycle can be carried out again in the final state.

At the beginning of the freeze-drying cycle, carrier plates are again placed in the freeze-dryer from the carrier plate holder 40 . For this purpose, the carrier plates 200 are first transferred to the transfer plate 42 and then pushed from there onto a setting plate 52 of the freeze dryer 16 .

For the transfer, two carrier plates 200 are always removed one after the other from the carrier plate holder 40 by means of the third handling device 50, transferred to the transfer plate 42, placed next to one another on this perpendicular to the direction of insertion, and positioned accordingly on the transfer plate 42 for further handling. This is illustrated in Figures 47 (A) to (D), 48 (A) to (C) and 49 (A) and (B). For the purpose of transfer, the upper coupling sections 210 are coupled to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 200 to be transferred prior to removal and are decoupled after they have been put down. Then the transferred carrier plate 200 is positioned in such a way that the linear unit 48 can be moved through the recess by means of the lifting unit 106 . For this purpose, the carrier plate 200 as far as in Pushed Eischieberichtung until the third coupling portions 202, 204 are at least no longer arranged over the recess 112. In order to slide the carrier plate 200, the lower coupling sections 212 are coupled to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 200 to be positioned and are uncoupled again after the sliding. In this way, two carrier plates 200 are always arranged next to one another on the transfer plate 42 and are at least partially pushed into the freeze dryer 16 . The formation of the lower coupling portions 212 is shown in Fig. 49 (C).

Then the two carrier plates 200 arranged on the transfer plate 42 are pushed together onto one of the positioning plates 52 in the insertion direction. For this purpose, the linear unit 48, which is previously arranged below the transfer plate 42, is moved through the recess 112 of the transfer plate 42 in order to arrange the linear unit above the transfer plate 42, in particular at the height of the two carrier plates 200. The linear unit 48 is arranged in such a way that the pushing element 21 bears against both carrier plates 200 . In particular, two coupling sections 220 of the thrust element 218, in particular the projections of the coupling sections 220, are in each case in contact with one of the two carrier plates 200 on the respective second edge side 72. In particular, these projections rest on the outer side of a corresponding holding element 214 of the third coupling sections 202, 204. By shifting the pushing element 218 in the direction of insertion, the two carrier plates 200 are then pushed together onto the corresponding placement surface 54 in the freeze dryer 16 . This is shown in Figures 50 (A) and (B). In Fig. 50 (C), the configuration of the pusher 218 is shown.

In this way, four more carrier plates 200 are removed from the carrier plate holder 40 and pushed onto the same footprint 54 of the freeze dryer 16 so that six carrier plates 200 are arranged on the footprint 54 of the freeze dryer 16 . The carrier plates 200 are arranged in such a way that three carrier plates 200 are arranged one after the other in the insertion direction and two carrier plates 200 are arranged next to one another perpendicularly to the insertion direction. The carrier plates 200, which are arranged one after the other in the direction of insertion, are coupled to one another. The coupling of the carrier plates 200 by means of the corresponding first and second coupling section 66, 68 takes place automatically when inserted. This is shown in Figs. 51 (A) to (C). Coupling is by means of the hooking mechanism, which is actuated by flank actuation.

According to the procedure described in FIGS. 47 to 51, all shelves 54 of the freeze dryer 16 except for one are loaded with six support plates 200 each. In other words, as many carrier plates 200 are pushed into the freeze dryer until only six carrier plates 200 are still arranged in the carrier plate holder 40 . This state is shown in FIG.

These six carrier plates 200 are then transferred one after the other according to FIGS. 47 and 48 from the carrier plate holder 40 to the transfer plate 42, arranged on the transfer plate 42 and equipped with containers 114. This is illustrated in Figures 53 (A) to (C) and 54 (A) to (C). As soon as two carrier plates 200 are loaded with containers 114 , these carrier plates 200 are pushed together from the transfer plate 42 onto the positioning plate 52 by means of the second handling device 34 . The populated carrier boards 200 are pushed in in the same way as empty carrier boards 200 are pushed in, as shown in FIGS. 49 to 51. In this way, six carrier plates 200 are removed from the carrier plate holder 40 , fitted with containers 114 on the transfer plate 42 and pushed into the freeze dryer 16 . This state is shown in Fig. 55 (A).

Then, the setting plates 52 of the freeze dryer are shifted vertically, so that a setting plate 52 with empty support plates 200 is arranged on a plane with the transfer plate 42. This is shown in Fig. 55 (B).

Then, the six empty trays 200 placed on this setting tray 52 are taken out of the freeze dryer 16, and five of the six trays 200 taken out are then placed in the tray holder 40, with the sixth tray 200 after being taken out on the Transfer plate 42 remains. For this purpose, the carrier plates 200 are pulled in pairs one after the other by means of the second handling device 34 against the direction of insertion from the footprint 54 onto the transfer plate 42 . This is shown in Figures 56 (A) and (B). As previously described, each front support plate 200 is coupled to one of the middle support plates 200 via the respective coupling portions 66,68 and each middle support plates 200 to one of the rear support plates 200 via the respective coupling portions 66,68 coupled. For pulling out, the coupling sections 220 of the pushing element 218 of the linear unit 48 of the second handling device 34 are coupled to the corresponding third coupling sections 202, 204 of the two support plates 200 to be pulled out. The carrier plates 200 are then pulled out by means of the second handling device 34 so far that the second coupling sections 68 of the subsequent carrier plates 200 are no longer arranged on the footprint 54, so that the carrier plates 200 to be pulled out are automatically decoupled from the subsequent carrier plates 200. Thereafter, the linear unit 48 is moved vertically downwards by means of the lifting unit 106 so that the linear unit 48 is arranged below the transfer plate 42 . This is shown in Figures 57 (A) and (B).

Then the two pulled-out carrier plates 200 by means of the third

Handling device 36 successively pulled further against the insertion direction onto the transfer plate 42 and transferred to the carrier plate holder 40 . For this purpose, the lower coupling sections 212 of the receiving device 50 are first coupled to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 200 in order to pull the carrier plate further. The support plates 200 are pulled onto the transfer plate until the third coupling sections 202, 204 protrude over the edge on the side of the transfer plate 42 facing away from the freeze dryer 16. This is illustrated in Figures 5B (A) and (B). Then the carrier plate 200 is transferred from the transfer plate 42 to the carrier plate holder 40 by means of the third handling device 36 and is arranged therein. For transferring, the upper coupling sections 210 are coupled to the third coupling sections 202, 204 of the carrier plate 200. This is illustrated in Figures 59 (A) to (C) and 60 (A) to (C). According to FIGS. 56 to 60, five of the six carrier plates 200 are arranged in the carrier plate holder 40. The sixth carrier plate 200 remains on the transfer plate 42, as shown in FIG .

According to the in Figures 53 to 61, all positioning plates 52 carrying empty carrier plates 200 are successively shifted to the level of transfer plate 42, with the empty carrier plates 200 then being removed from this positioning plate 52, fitted with containers 114 and placed again the setting plate 52 can be pushed. In this way, all carrier plates 200 are equipped with containers 114 and in the freeze dryer 16 is introduced.

After the freeze-drying, the containers 114 can then be removed from the freeze-dryer 16 and removed accordingly. For this purpose, the carrier plates 200 are again pulled one after the other from the placement areas 54 onto the transfer plate 42 by means of the second handling device 34 . The containers 114 are then removed there by means of the first handling device 32 and transferred to the container holder 38 . This is shown in Figures 62 (A) and (B).

The containers 114 are then removed from the container holder 38 by means of the transport device 26 and transported away. This is illustrated in Figures 63 (A) to (C). For this purpose, the gripping tool 100 grips two containers 114 and transports them away. The gripping tool can pick up the two containers 114 one after the other. The transport device 26 can then transfer the containers 114 to the flanging module 20 .

Each emptied carrier plate 200 is then transferred to the carrier plate holder 40 by means of the third handling device 36 and arranged in one of the receptacles 56 . In this way, all carrier plates 200 are emptied and then transferred back to the carrier plate holder 40 . After all carrier plates 200 have been emptied and arranged in the carrier plate holder 40, a washing cycle can be carried out again, in which the carrier plates 200 are cleaned, for example by means of a sprinkler system.

Claims

patent claims

1. Loading system (10) for a freeze dryer (16), the loading system (10) being designed to load the freeze dryer (16) with containers (114) which are filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance. and/or unloaded, the loading system (10) comprising a handling station (30) and at least one carrier plate (58, 200), each carrier plate (58, 200) having a plurality of receptacles (60) adapted thereto, respectively to receive one of the containers (114), the handling station (30) having at least one handling device (32, 34, 36) which is designed to handle the carrier plate (58, 200) in the handling station (30).

2. Loading system (10) according to claim 1, wherein a first handling device (32) of the at least one handling device (32, 34, 36) is designed to place the containers (114) in the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) to be used and/or to be removed again after freeze-drying.

3. Loading system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first handling device (32) has a handling robot (84) with a gripping device (46) for gripping containers (114).

4. Loading system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the loading system (10) has a transport device (26) which is designed to feed the containers (114) to the handling station (30) and/or the freeze-dried containers ( 114) from the handling station (30).

5. Loading system (10) according to claim 4, wherein the transport device (26) has a handling robot (94) which is designed to handle the containers (114) individually or several containers (114) together, in particular in pairs.

6. Loading system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handling station (30) has a container holder (38) in which supplied containers (114) and/or containers (38) to be transported away can be arranged, in particular wherein the first Handling device (32) is designed to remove the containers from the container holder (38), transfer them to the carrier plate (58, 200) and insert them into empty receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200).

7. Loading system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the container holder (38) has a plurality of receptacles (102) for receiving a respective container (114).

8. Loading system (10) according to claim 7, wherein the receptacles (102) of the container holder (38) are arranged in a row, in particular wherein the first handling device (32) is adapted to handle a row of containers (114). .

9. Loading system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a second handling device (34) of the at least one handling device (32, 34, 36) is designed to load the freeze dryer (16) the carrier plate (58, 200 ) to introduce into the freeze dryer (16) and/or to remove the carrier plate (58, 200) from the freeze dryer (16) again in order to unload the freeze dryer (16).

10. Loading system according to claim 9, wherein the second handling device (34) is designed to push the carrier plate (58, 200) from the handling station (30) into the freeze dryer (16) for loading the freeze dryer (16) and/or to Unloading the freeze dryer (16) to pull the carrier plate (58, 200) out of the freeze dryer (16) again.

11. Loading system (10) according to claim 10, wherein the second handling device (34) has a linear unit (48), in particular a pusher element (108), with means of which the carrier plate (58, 200) can be pushed, in particular the carrier plate (58, 200) has at least one coupling section (66, 202, 204), wo- wherein the linear unit (48) can be coupled to the coupling section (66, 202, 204) in order to pull the carrier plate (58, 200).

12. Loading system (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the freeze dryer (16) has at least one shelf (54) for the containers (114), the carrier plate (58, 200) by means of the second handling device (34). the shelf (54) can be pushed and/or pulled out of the shelf (54).

13. Loading system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the freeze dryer (16) has a plurality of shelves (54).

14 loading system (10) according to claim 13, wherein the shelves (54) within the

Freeze dryer (16) can be moved vertically, in particular wherein the shelves (54) of the freeze dryer (16) can be moved vertically in such a way that one of the shelves (54) is essentially in one plane to insert and/or remove the carrier plate (58, 200). can be arranged with a transfer surface (44) of the transfer plate (42).

15. Loading system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the handling station (30) has a transfer plate (42) on which the carrier plate (58) can be arranged in the handling station (30) for loading and/or unloading .

16. Loading system according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the second handling device (34) is designed to push the carrier plate (58, 200) from the transfer plate (42) onto the footprint (54) and / or from the Stellflä surface (54) onto the transfer plate (42).

17 loading system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the handling station (30) comprises a carrier plate holder (40) which is adapted to hold a plurality of carrier plates (58, 200).

18. Loading system according to claim 17, wherein a third handling device (36) of the at least one handling device (32, 34, 36) is designed to move a carrier plate (58, 200) between the carrier plate holder (40) and the transfer plate (42). transfer, in particular the third handling device (36) being designed to remove the carrier plate (58, 200) from the carrier plate holder (40), to transfer it to the transfer plate (42) and to arrange it on the transfer plate (42) and/ or from the transfer plate (42) to take up men, to transfer to the carrier plate holder (40) and to arrange them in the carrier plate holder (40).

19. Loading system (10) according to claim 18, wherein each carrier plate (58, 200) has at least one coupling section (66, 202, 204) and the third handling device (56) has a receiving device (50), the receiving device (50 ) can be coupled to the coupling section (66, 202, 204) of one of the carrier plates (58, 200), so that the third handling device (36) can transfer the carrier plate (58, 200) in the coupled state.

20. Loading system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 19, wherein the first and the third handling device (32, 36) are formed by a handling robot (84), in particular wherein the handling robot (84) has an end effector (88), which has the gripping device (46) of the first handling device (32) and the receiving device (50) of the third handling device (36).

21. Freeze drying system (12) with a freeze dryer (16) and the charging system according to (10) one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A method (120) for handling containers (114) filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system (10) for a freeze dryer (16), the method comprising the following steps for loading (122 ) of the freeze dryer (16) has: providing (124) a carrier plate (58, 200) in a handling station (30), the carrier plate (58, 200) having a plurality of receptacles (60) which are adapted to each receive one of the containers (114);

delivering (126) containers (114) to the handling station (30);

Inserting (128) the containers (114) into the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) by means of a first handling device (32); and

Introduction (130) of the carrier plate (58, 200) in the freeze dryer (16) by means of a second handling device (34).

The method (120) of claim 22, wherein supplying (114) containers (114) comprises the steps of:

Transporting (140) the containers (114) to a container holder (38) of the handling station (30) by means of a transport device (26); and

Arranging (142) the supplied containers (114) in the container holder (38), in particular wherein the supplied containers (114) are collected in the container holder (38).

24. The method (120) according to claim 23, wherein the container holder (38) has a plurality of receptacles (102), the containers (114) for arranging the containers (114) in the container holder (38) in the receptacles (102 ) are used.

25. The method (120) according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the insertion (128) of the containers (114) into corresponding receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) by means of the first handling device (32) comprises the following steps: removing (144) one or more containers (114), in particular a row of containers (114), from the container holder (38);

transferring (146) the removed containers (114) to the carrier plate (58, 200); and

inserting (148) the transferred containers (114) into empty seats of the carrier plate (58, 200).

26. The method (120) according to any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the carrier plate (58, 200) is arranged in the handling station (30) for loading and/or unloading on a transfer plate (42).

27. The method (120) according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein in the step of introducing (130) the carrier plate (58, 200) into the freeze dryer (16), the carrier plate (58, 200) by means of the second handling device (34 ) is pushed into the freeze dryer (16) by the handling station (30), in particular the carrier plate (58, 200) being pushed by the transfer plate (42) of the handling station (30) onto a shelf (54) of the freeze dryer (16). will.

28. The method (120) according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the providing (124) of the carrier plate (58, 200) has the following steps:

Arranging (132) a plurality of carrier plates (58, 200) in a carrier plate holder (40) of the handling station (30); and

Transferring (136) the carrier plate (58, 200) from the carrier plate holder (40) to the transfer plate (42) by means of a third handling device (36).

29. The method (120) according to claim 28, wherein each carrier plate (58, 200) has at least one coupling section (66, 202, 204) and the third handling device (36) has a receiving device (50) which cut with the kupplungsab ( 66, 202, 204) can be coupled, wherein the provision (124) of the carrier plate (58, 200) further comprises the following steps:

coupling (134) the third handling device (36) to one of the carrier plates (58, 200) arranged in the carrier plate holder (40) before the step of transferring (136) and

Decoupling (138) of the third handling device (36) from the carrier plate (58, 200) after the step of transferring (136).

30. The method (120) according to any one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the method (120) comprises the following steps for unloading (150) the freeze dryer (16):

removing (154) the tray (58, 200) from the freeze dryer (16) by the second handling means (36);

Removing (156) the container (114) from the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) in the handling station (30) by means of the first handling device (32); and

Removing (158) the containers from the handling station by means of the transport device (26) or another transport device (28).

31. The method (120) according to claim 30, wherein in the step of removing (154) the carrier plate (58, 200) from the freeze dryer (16), the carrier plate (58) by means of the second handling device (34) from the freeze dryer (16) is pulled out, in particular the carrier plate (58, 200) being pulled from the setting surface (54) onto the transfer plate (42) of the handling station (30).

32. The method (120) according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the removal (156) of the containers from the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) by means of the first handling device (32) comprises the following steps:

Removing (162) one or more containers (114), in particular a row of containers (114), from the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200);

transferring (164) the removed containers (114) to the container holder (38); and

Insertion (166) of the transferred containers (114) into the container holder (38), in particular with the containers (114) to be transported away being collected in the container holder (38).

The method (120) of claim 32, wherein removing (158) the containers from the container holder comprises:

removing (168) the containers (114) from the container holder (38); and

Transporting away (170) the containers (114) by means of the transport device (26) or another transport device (28).

34. The method (120) according to claim 30 to 33, wherein the method (120) after the step of removing (156) the containers from the receptacles (60) of the carrier plate (58, 200) further comprises the following step:

storing (160) the backing plate (58, 200) in the backing plate holder (40).

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein storing (160) the carrier plate (58, 200) in the carrier plate holder (40) comprises the following steps:

Transferring (174) the carrier plate (58, 200) from the transfer plate (42) to the carrier plate holder (40) by means of the third handling device (36); and

Arranging (178) the transferred carrier plate (58, 200) in the carrier plate holder (40).

36. The method (120) according to claim 35, wherein each carrier plate (58, 200) has at least one coupling section (66, 202, 204) and the third handling device (36) has a receiving device (50) which cut with the coupling section ( 66, 202, 204) can be coupled, wherein the mounting (160) of the carrier plate (58, 200) further comprises the following steps:

coupling (172) the third handling device (36) to a carrier plate (58, 200) arranged on the transfer plate (42) before the step of transferring (174); and

decoupling (176) the third handling device (36) from the transferred carrier plate (58, 200) after the step of transferring (174).