EP4561908A2 - Method for discharging a container from a bag, cutting device, removal device and unpacking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates generally to a method, a cutting device (1), a removal device (20) and an unpacking device (26) for preferably mechanically discharging a container (3) from a bag (2), wherein the bag (2) is cut open with at least one cut (13) and the container (3) is discharged via an opening (14) formed by the cut (13), wherein in order to cut the bag (2), a disc-shaped knife blade (5) interacts with a counter element (6), in particular rolls on the counter element (6) (figure 2).

Description

Method for removing a container from a bag, cutting device, removal device and unpacking device

The invention relates to a method for dispensing, preferably mechanically, a container from a bag, the bag being cut open with at least one cut and the container being dispensed via an opening formed by the cut.

Protected rooms, for example clean rooms such as isolators or RABS (Restricted Access Barrier System), are used in industry, for example, to produce pharmaceutical products in a sterile or germ-free manner. To manufacture pharmaceutical products, product components such as containers must be transferred sterile or germ-free to the section of a protected room in which the product components are processed for manufacturing.

Containers are usually packed in sterile bags before use. The containers in the bags must be removed from the bags to complete a product. It is known from the prior art that bags are placed in devices and gripped for opening. The bags are then cut below the area where the bag is gripped. The disadvantage of this is that the opening formed by the cut is not closed or sealed, so that there is a risk that cutting waste or other contamination can get into the interior of the standing bag and contaminate the container.

Furthermore, bags can be placed on a support and opened by punching or cutting. The end surfaces of the bags are usually flattened manually by a worker spread out, which is time-consuming and results in an increased risk of contamination. The worker is also at increased risk of injury because he is in the vicinity of the punching and/or cutting device.

The invention further relates to a cutting device for a bag containing a container, with a knife for cutting the bag.

To cut the bag, knives are usually used whose blades are sharpened on one side. Razor blade-like knife blades are often used. The disadvantage is that the knife blades from the prior art have to be replaced frequently, which means that the likelihood of a worker getting injured is relatively high. Furthermore, the cutting edge of such knife blades is often shorter than the distance to be cut on the bag, so that wear requires the knife blades to be replaced particularly frequently.

The invention further relates to a removal device for removing a container from a bag containing the container.

It is known that a cut bag can be held on its top and/or bottom by a holding means and that the opening of the bag formed by the cut is opened further in particular by the holding means, so that the container is removed by the action of at least one conveying means is applied to the bag. The disadvantage of the prior art is that the bag is held between the opening formed by the cut and the container, which means that a prior adjustment of the container within the bag is necessary, which can also slow down the process. The invention further relates to an unpacking device.

Due to the disadvantages known from the prior art, it is the object of the invention to improve the removal of a container from a bag. In particular, the cutting of the bag and/or the removal of the container from the bag should be improved.

To solve the stated problem, the features of claim 1 are provided according to the invention. In particular, in order to solve the stated problem in a method of the type described at the outset, it is proposed according to the invention that a disk-shaped knife blade cooperates with a counter-element for cutting the bag, in particular rolling on the counter-element. The knife blade can preferably be guided through the counter element and/or the knife blade and the counter element can mutually exert pressure on one another. Through such interaction between the knife blade and the counter element, the bag can be cut particularly accurately and cleanly.

By rolling the knife blade on the counter element, little force can be used for cutting and at least a large part of the disc-shaped knife blade can be used to open the bag. The knife blade can preferably be round or oval, with the cutting edge of the knife blade preferably extending over the entire circumference of the disc-shaped knife blade. In particular, with such a knife blade, the method according to the invention can be implemented in a particularly efficient and resource-saving manner, since the knife blade is subjected to less stress. This means that frequent replacement of the knife blade is not necessary, which can protect workers in particular from injuries. It turns out that one... With a rolling knife blade, a cutting section changes automatically during the cutting process, while with a rigid knife blade the same section always cuts. This means that the rolling knife blade becomes dull less quickly and needs to be replaced less often. Another advantage is that shear stress on the material to be cut can be reduced during the cutting process. This means that more precise cuts can be made and wear on the knife blade can be reduced.

It can also be advantageous that in the method according to the invention, less contamination occurs during the cut, as a result of which the container in the bag is contaminated to a lesser extent or not at all. Overall, a method for dispensing a container, particularly in sterile rooms, can be improved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method it can be provided that the knife blade and/or the counter element are driven by a motor. Motor-driven knife blades and/or counter elements are particularly advantageous if manual work is to be avoided, for example in protected rooms. This means that workers can also be advantageously protected from cuts. Furthermore, a cut can be carried out even more cleanly using a motor-driven knife blade and/or a motor-driven counter element, so that even less abrasion and/or contamination can occur at the opening formed by the cut. This means that a container can advantageously be removed from the bag in a particularly contamination-free manner. The knife blade can be arranged to rotate freely on a motor-driven carriage, for example. This means that the knife blade can rest on a counter element itself, for example, can be arranged stationary or rotating. This has the advantage that different areas of the knife blade come into contact during cutting, so that the knife blade becomes dull less quickly.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the knife blade and/or the counter element is/are mechanically coupled to an actuator that can be manually operated from the outside. A method can therefore also be carried out using a manually operated actuator. It is therefore advantageously possible for a cutting process to be controlled from the outside by a worker, so that both a protected space and the worker can be protected.

For example, a protected space can be characterized by the fact that a (e.g. liquid or gaseous) substance, an object, an interaction (e.g. electromagnetic and/or radioactive and/or high-energy radiation) and/or a person can pass through a boundary of the room, for example from the inside and/or from the outside, can be controlled, in particular preventable.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method it can be provided that the counter element is a roller. This means that particularly little abrasion can advantageously be produced by a cutting process, since both the disc-shaped knife blade and the counter element can carry out a rotational movement during which the bag is cut. This means the knife blade can stay sharp longer. Another advantage of unrolling is that the cutting process cuts different areas or sections of the knife blade, allowing wear to be evenly distributed across the entire knife blade. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the counter element is a straight running surface. This means that the knife blade can advantageously be guided on the running surface, which means that a cut can also take place in a targeted area of the bag.

Alternatively or additionally it can also be provided that the counter element is a scissor blade. This means that the bag can be cut from two sides, i.e. by the knife blade and the scissor blade. Cutting on both sides can ensure that the cut can be carried out even cleaner. This also ensures that if the knife blade is blunt or partially blunt, a bag can still be cut.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the bag is gripped with a gripping device on which a knife is moved to cut the bag. The bag can therefore advantageously be held by the gripping device during cutting. Since a knife is moved on the gripping device to cut the bag, space and material can be saved, since the bag can be held and cut by or on the gripping device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the bag is held below the cut, in particular that the opening remains closed after the cut, in particular for microorganisms and/or particles. Holding the bag below the cut ensures that the bag does not fall after cutting. By closing the opening after the cut has been made, cutting waste and/or other contamination can be prevented from getting into the inside of the bag. In an advantageous embodiment of the method it can be provided that the bag hangs on a bag carrier during the cut. The bag carrier can be attached to a gripping device, in particular a gripping device as described above or claimed below, so that the bag can advantageously be gripped, held and opened by a device. A bag hanging on a bag carrier no longer needs to be positioned correctly before cutting, especially if, as previously described or claimed below, the bag is held below the cut. This means that cutting the bag and discharging the bag can be carried out particularly effectively.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that a knife carriage is magnetically coupled to a drive device and is moved by it. A knife carriage, i.e. a movable component which has at least one knife, can therefore be magnetically coupled to a drive device and moved by it. Thanks to the magnetic coupling, the knife carriage can be moved almost smoothly, so that very little or no abrasion occurs during the movement of the knife carriage. This is particularly advantageous if the procedure is carried out in a protected room.

Alternatively or additionally, the knife carriage can be used to be moved on a gripping device, in particular the gripping device already mentioned. This means that a container can be dispensed from a bag even more efficiently. In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the bag is held at a height of the container with at least one releasable holding means, while a conveying means pushes the container out of the bag. This means that the container can simply be pushed out of the bag without the bag moving. After the container has been removed, the holding means can detach from the empty bag so that the bag can be disposed of.

The releasable holding means can in particular be designed as a suction gripper, whereby the release of the holding means from the bag can be carried out relatively easily, especially after the container has been removed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the holding means lift a top side of the bag while it is being pushed. The container can thus be pushed out of the bag without touching an inner wall of the bag and/or the cut edge at the opening of the bag. This means that contamination of the container at the opening, particularly during dispensing, can be prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the underside of the bag lies unfixed on a support while it is being pushed. Unfixed means in particular that the bag lies at least partially freely movable on the support. The bag can also lie completely freely on the support. Because the bag lies unfixed on the support, the container can be easily pushed out of the bag, especially if the bag is held on a cover side by an adhesive, in particular the one mentioned above. In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the bag is preferably blown from the front before and/or during pushing. The bag can be blown with preferably filtered air and/or another preferably filtered gas, preferably from an adjacent chamber. The volume within the bag can thus increase, as a result of which a distance between the container and, in particular, a top side of the bag can be increased. This allows the container to be better protected from contamination during delivery, particularly at the opening formed by the cut. The blowing can be effected, for example, with a lance that is guided inside through the opening and/or outside the bag in front of the opening. For example, this can be done through an access opening of an isolator or RABS downstream in a processing path.

This method is all the more advantageous if, as described above or claimed below, the bag is held on its cover side with a releasable holding means, in particular the previously mentioned suction pad.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method it can be provided that the conveying means stops before the container leaves the bag, i.e. before it is completely outside the bag, for example. This can advantageously prevent the container from leaving the bag at an unwanted time. For example, it can be provided that the container is picked up for further processing by a transport unit, in particular as claimed below. By stopping the conveyor and the associated stopping of the container, the transfer of the container into the aforementioned transport device can be synchronized. Furthermore, stopping the funding can prevent that the funding passes through a portal of a wall, for example violating a zone between two protected rooms. This can ensure that no contamination, for example on the conveyor, is transferred to the transport unit.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the conveying means pushes the container onto a container holder of a transport unit. This means that the container can be transported directly from the bag.

In particular, it can be provided that the conveying means pushes at least until a center of gravity of the container is above the container receptacle. As a result, the container can be optimally pushed onto the container holder of the transport unit without the need for another device, which, for example, pulls the container onto the container holder.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the transport unit is magnetically coupled to a stationary coil arrangement. It is therefore advantageously possible for the transport unit to be able to move magnetically in a space, whereby in particular abrasion can be reduced during the removal and transfer of the container from the bag into the container receptacle.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the transport unit is moved in a suspended manner in an electromagnetic field. This means that abrasion can be prevented even more.

In an alternative embodiment of the method it can be provided that preferably pivotable centering means Before pushing, align the container in the bag transversely to a sliding direction, preferably towards the container receptacle. The preferably pivotable centering means allows the container to be aligned before being pushed. This can ensure that the container is correctly pushed onto the container holder when it exits the opening of the bag. The transfer of the container to a transport unit, in particular the one already mentioned, can thus be carried out optimally.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that an emptied bag is pushed through a disposal opening in a support for filled bags. The bag can therefore be disposed of directly after the container has emerged from the opening, for example in a closable opening on or on the support. By disposing of the emptied bag directly, another filled bag can be placed directly on the support and the container inside can be removed. This means that several bags can be processed in a relatively short period of time, which can reduce overall process time.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that, for pushing, the conveying means acts on the bag on its underside from the outside with at least one roller, which pushes the container out of the bag. A rotational movement of the at least one roller can thus be used to act on the container from the underside of the bag and to push it out of the bag. The invention has recognized that this configuration is particularly effective since, for example, unevenness in the bag lying on it can be prevented or eliminated, whereby the container can be easily expelled from the bag. Alternatively or additionally, for pushing, the conveying means can apply at least one sliding block to the bag on its top side from the outside, which pushes the container out of the bag. This means that a container can be pushed out of the bag particularly efficiently.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the cut bag is held closed until the holding means engages. The cut bag can be held closed, for example, by a gripping device, in particular the one already mentioned. This reduces the time in which contamination can pass through the opening formed by the cut.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it can be provided that at least when the container is pushed, a fluid flow directed against the inserted bag is generated. The fluid flow can advantageously prevent contamination, for example contamination located on an outside of the bag, from reaching downstream sections during pushing. This makes it possible, for example, to prevent contamination, in particular the previously mentioned contamination, from reaching the transport unit during the expulsion of a container onto a transport unit. This means increased process and/or product safety can be guaranteed.

A preferred application of the method described and/or claimed is in a protected room and/or with a bag with sterile contents.

A protected space can, for example, be characterized as an area with a boundary, whereby an exchange of substances across the boundary can be controlled, in particular can be prevented. This means that defined environmental conditions can be created inside the boundary and/or unwanted or dangerous escapes of substances can be prevented. The invention enables the largely automatic removal of a sterile bag contents, for example the container described, from the bag, so that the need for human intervention can be reduced. Examples of a protected space include an isolator or a restricted access barrier system (RABS).

Alternatively or additionally, the features of the subordinate claim directed to a cutting device are provided according to the invention to solve the stated problem. In particular, in order to solve the stated problem in a cutting device of the type described at the outset, it is proposed according to the invention that a knife blade is disc-shaped and interacts on a counter-element, in particular rolls on the counter-element. Such a cutting device can be used in particular to carry out a previously described and/or subsequently claimed method.

A knife blade that is disc-shaped can be advantageous in that the knife blade wears more slowly. The cutting edge of the knife blade, which is preferably round or oval, can be made larger than the cutting surface of the bag to be cut. In particular when the knife blade of the cutting device according to the invention rolls on the counter element, i.e. when the knife blade preferably carries out a rotational movement, the wear of the knife blade can be particularly greatly reduced. This eliminates the need to change the knife blade frequently, reducing human intervention, especially in a protected space. Also The wear occurs very evenly, which allows for a longer replacement interval (a straight blade, for example, always has the same wear point).

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the counter element is a roller. This means that particularly little abrasion can advantageously be produced by a cutting process, since both the disc-shaped knife blade and the counter element can carry out a rotational movement during which the bag is cut. This means the knife blade can stay sharp longer.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the counter element is a straight running surface. This means that the knife blade can advantageously be guided on the running surface, which means that a cut can also take place in a targeted area of the bag.

Alternatively or additionally it can also be provided that the counter element is a scissor blade. This means that the bag can be cut from two sides, i.e. by the knife blade and the scissor blade. Cutting on both sides can ensure that the cut can be carried out even cleaner. This also ensures that if the knife blade is blunt or partially blunt, a bag can still be cut.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the knife blade is coupled to a drive roller which is designed to roll on a part of the bag. This allows the knife blade to advantageously carry out a rotational movement. This means that the entire circumference of the disc-shaped knife blade can be used to cut a bag. In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the knife is movably arranged on a gripping device for the bags. The bag can thus be advantageously gripped by the gripping device and cut or opened by the movable knife.

The gripping device has at least one gripping finger on which the knife can be movably arranged. The length of the gripping finger is preferably at least as long as the width of a bag. This means that the bag can be gripped and cut or opened completely on the handle side.

The gripping device preferably has at least two gripping fingers, the knife being movably arranged on the first gripping finger, as described above, and the counter element can be arranged on the second gripping finger. With such a gripping device, cutting a bag can be particularly improved.

It can also be provided that the gripping device additionally has at least one scissor blade. The scissor blade(s) can be formed on the first and/or the second gripping finger. In particular, the scissor blade(s) can be designed as a counter element.

In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the counter element is formed on a gripping finger of the gripping device, with which the bag can be held below the cut. Thus, the knife blade and the counter element can advantageously be guided close to one another by the gripping device, in particular if, as described herein and claimed below, the knife can be moved to the gripping device for the bags is arranged. This means the bag can be advantageously carried through

Gripping device can be gripped, held and cut.

In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the knife is formed on a gripping finger of a gripping device, with which the bag is held below the cut, in particular so that the opening remains closed after the cut. The knife blade and the counter-element can thus advantageously be guided close to one another by the gripping device, in particular if, as mentioned above and claimed below, the counter-element is arranged on a gripping finger of the gripping device. In this way, space and costs can be saved because the gripping and cutting can be carried out in one place and by one device, in particular the gripping device mentioned above.

In particular, the opening can remain closed after the cut. This can prevent contamination from getting into the interior of the bag during and/or after the cut.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the knife is magnetically coupled to a preferably encapsulated drive device. For example, the drive device can be located on and/or in a gripping finger of the aforementioned gripping device. Thanks to a magnetic coupling, the knife can be moved in a floating manner, so that less abrasion occurs. Due to the reduced abrasion, not only the inside of the bag but also a protected space can be contaminated to a lesser extent or not at all. The encapsulation of the drive device can be formed at least partially by the gripping device, in particular by a gripping finger. This allows the Drive device must be protected from abrasion and other factors.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the drive device has a movable permanent magnet. The knife can thus be permanently coupled to the drive device in a floating manner and can be moved in a floating manner. This means that abrasion can be reduced even when the knife is moved into a maintenance or holding position.

In an advantageous embodiment it can be provided that the knife is arranged on a carriage which has a preferably magnetic negative feedback means. This negative feedback element is preferably designed as a permanent magnet. This allows a permanent coupling to be formed between the carriage/knife and the drive device.

In particular, it can be provided that the knife is removable from the carriage. This means that the knife or knife blade can be replaced or maintained more easily.

Preferably the knife is in an enclosure. This means that both the knife can be protected by the enclosure during operation and a worker who wants to remove and maintain/change the knife or knife blade.

Alternatively or additionally, the features of the independent claim directed to a removal device are provided according to the invention to solve the stated problem. In particular, in order to solve the stated problem in a removal device of the type described above, it is proposed according to the invention that the unpacking device has a holding means, in particular a suction gripper, with which the inserted bag can be held from its top side at a height of the container, and / or at least one roller with which the inserted bag can be acted upon on its underside, the at least one roller being movable along the underside of the bag. By means of the holding means, in particular the one described herein, the bag can be held on its top side, so that the top side can be lifted off the underside of the bag, making it easier to remove the container from the bag. In the removal device according to the invention it is provided that the bag can be held at a height of the container. The holding means can therefore advantageously contact and hold the bag at a height of the container, whereby a prior adjustment of the container within the bag, as is known from the prior art, is no longer necessary.

The invention has recognized that the container can be removed from the bag particularly effectively by means of the roller, which can be acted upon on the underside of the inserted bag. Preferably, the role is designed as described above or claimed below.

In an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that a countercurrent device is set up to generate a fluid flow directed against the inserted bag. The countercurrent device can be positioned in the aforementioned space or in a protected space. The countercurrent device allows the inserted bag to be inflated with fluid flow, whereby the discharge of the container can be improved since the container does not touch the top side and/or the opening of the bag during discharge. The fluid flow can also help protect the container from contamination from the environment. Inflation can be achieved, for example, by flowing over the bag. This has the advantage, for example compared to inflation with a lance inserted into the bag, that no unnecessary parts have to be inserted into the bag.

Alternatively or additionally, the features of the subordinate claim directed to an unpacking device are provided according to the invention to solve the stated problem. In particular, in order to solve the stated problem in an unpacking device of the type described at the outset, it is proposed according to the invention that the unpacking device has means for carrying out a method, as described above or claimed below, and/or a cutting device, as described above or claimed below, and/or one as described above or claimed below, in particular within a protected space. This means that a bag can be cut and delivered, particularly in a protected space. This is particularly advantageous in the pharmaceutical industry, but also in other industries where work is preferably carried out in a sterile or germ-free manner.

The invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of individual or several claims with one another and/or with individual or several features of the exemplary embodiments.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a cutting device according to the invention and a

bag Fig. 2 the cutting device according to the invention from FIG. 1, which grips the bag,

Fig. 3 a knife carriage on a gripping device,

Fig. 4 the knife carriage from Fig. 3 in cross section,

Fig. 5 a cart with permanent magnets,

Fig. 6 a round, disc-shaped knife blade,

Fig. 7 a removal device according to the invention,

Fig. 8 an alternative embodiment of a removal device according to the invention,

Fig. 9 the removal device from FIG. 8 during the discharge of a container,

10 shows the removal device from FIG. 8 after the disposal of an emptied bag,

11 to 14 show a method for emptying a

Bag with a removal device according to the invention,

Fig. 15 shows a transfer of a container from a removal device according to the invention to one coupled to a stationary coil arrangement

Transport unit and

Fig. 16 a schematic representation of another cutting device in a view from the side (left), from the front (middle) and diagonally from above (right). Figures 1 and 2 show a cutting device 1 according to the invention, which is designed as a gripping device 11.

It can also be seen from Figures 1 and 2 that a bag 2 positioned on the gripping device 11 and filled with a container 3 can be gripped by the gripping device 11 (see Figure 2). The bag 2 is held by the gripping device 11 below the cut 13 or below the opening 14 formed by the cut. For better understanding, the cut 13 (in particular the cutting path of the knife blade 5 of the knife carriage 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and the opening 14 are shown schematically, although the bag 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has not yet been cut. By means of the cutting device 1, 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bag 2 can and is held below the cut 13, so that the opening 14 of the bag 2 remains closed after the cut 13. During the cut 13 (not shown), the bag 2 hangs on the cutting device 1, 11 designed as a bag carrier 29, whereby the container 3 advantageously moves away from the opening 14. The embodiment of the cutting device 1, 11, 29 shown in Figures 1 and 2 advantageously ensures that the interior of the bag 2, in particular the container 3, is not contaminated with abrasion or other contamination during and/or after cutting.

A further advantage of the embodiment according to Figures 1 and 2 is that the cutting device 1, the gripping device 11 and the bag carrier 29 are implemented in a device 1, 11, 29. This can save a lot of space, which is particularly practical in protected rooms 27.

Alternatively or additionally, cutting device 1, Gripping device 11 and bag carrier 29 may be separate devices (not shown). It can also be provided that two of the three devices mentioned are designed in one embodiment. For example, cutting device 1 and bag carrier 29 can be designed as one device 1, 29 (not shown).

The gripping device 11 has two gripping fingers 12. A knife carriage 30 is movably arranged on a first gripping finger 12 of the gripping device 11 (see Figures 3 and 4). The knife 4 has a round, disc-shaped knife blade 5. Alternatively, the disc-shaped knife blade 5 can be oval. The cutting edge of the knife blade 5 runs over the entire circumference of the disc-shaped knife blade 5, as shown in Figure 6. A bag 2 can therefore be cut or opened particularly efficiently and the knife blade 5 is subjected to less stress. This means that it is not necessary to change the knife blade frequently.

Figure 6 shows in the upper half of the picture an example of a variant in which a drive roller 10 is arranged for rolling on the bag 2. The knife blade 5 cuts the bag 2 against the drive roller 10.

This variant shows Figure 16 in more detail from different perspectives. It can be seen that the tread 7 is significantly wider than the knife blade 5.

The drive roller 10 can be rotated by a drive (not shown) in order to convey a bag 2 past the knife blade 5.

A passive cutting device 1 can also be implemented by pulling the drive roller 10 together with the knife blade 5 in order to roll off the bag 2 and close it cut .

In a preferred embodiment according to the lower half of Figure 6, however, only the knife blade 5 is pulled (indicated by the arrow Pf) so that it rolls on the bag 2 and cuts against a static base, here for example the gripping finger 12.

In particular in Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that the knife blade 5 can be rolled on the counter element 6 positioned on the second gripping finger 12 of the gripping device 11. The counter element 6 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is designed as a straight running surface 7. The counter element 6 can alternatively or additionally be designed as a roller and/or as a scissor blade, whereby the counter element 6 can be advantageously adapted to the design of the knife 4 or to the embodiment of the knife blade 5 in order to achieve optimal interaction or cutting of a bag 2 , to reach.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the knife carriage 30 is magnetically coupled to an encapsulated drive device 15 and can be moved by this on a drive surface 9. The enclosure 8 of the drive device 15 can be formed at least partially by the gripping device 11, in particular by a gripping finger 12. This allows the drive device 15 to be protected from abrasion and other factors.

The knife carriage 30 is designed as a carriage 17, which has an enclosure 19 surrounding at least the knife 5. The housing 19 is designed to be removable on the carriage 17, so that the knife 5 can be replaced or exchanged. The housing 19 protects the knife 4 during operation, as well as a worker during maintenance. The aforementioned magnetic coupling takes place via a counter-coupling means 18 of the knife carriage 30 designed as a permanent magnet 16. The counter-coupling element 16, 18 is magnetically coupled to a permanent magnet 16 of the drive device 15.

5 it can be seen that the knife carriage 30 has, in addition to the counter-coupling means 16, 18, six wheels 28, through which the knife carriage 30 advantageously moves on a, in particular the previously mentioned, drive surface 9 or on a, in particular the previously mentioned, gripping finger 12 can be aligned. Alternatively, the knife carriage 30 can also have fewer or more than six wheels 28 or no wheels 28 at all.

The drive surface 9 of the first gripping finger 12

Gripping device 11 is designed to be magnetically neutral, i.e. at least in such a way that the magnetic coupling between the negative coupling element 16, 18 and the drive device 15 is not disturbed. This advantageously enables an at least almost abrasion-free movement of the knife carriage 30, as is also the case with the cutting device 1, 11, 29 of FIGS. 1 to 4.

The knife blade 5 of the knife 4 of the cutting device 1, 11, 29 is coupled to a drive roller 10, which is designed to roll on a part of the bag 2 (see Figure 6).

Figures 7 to 15 show exemplary embodiments of removal devices 20 according to the invention. Functionally and/or structurally similar to the previous ones

Components and functional units that are similar or identical to exemplary embodiments are designated with the same reference numbers and are not described separately again. The Comments on Figures 1 to 6 therefore apply accordingly to Figures 7 to 15.

7 and the embodiment of an unpacking device 20 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 differ at least in the disposal of emptied bags 2. In the embodiment according to FIG for filled bags 2 is pushed. A movable holding means 21 designed as a suction gripper 22 is provided between the disposal opening 37 and the support 38. The holding means 21, 22 moves the emptied bag 2 from the support 38 to the disposal opening 37 and releases it therein (not shown). In this embodiment, the support 38 and the disposal opening 37 can be designed separately from one another, whereby the support 38 in particular can be designed variably.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 8 to 10 it is provided that the emptied bag 2 is pushed through a disposal opening 37 in a support 38 for filled bags 2. Such a removal device 20 can save space, which in particular optimizes working in protected rooms 27.

The embodiments of Figure 7 and the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 10 are the same in that the bag 2 is held at a height of the container 3 with the releasable holding means 21, 22, while a conveying means 31 designed as at least one roller 23 holds the container 3 pushes or can push out of the bag 2. A method according to the invention for removing a container 3 from a bag 2, preferably mechanically, is described below, which can proceed as follows:

The method according to the invention takes place within a protected space 27 designed as an insulator or RABS (see Figures 11 to 15). The unpacking device 26 of Figures 11 to 15 has means for carrying out the method and has a cutting device 1, preferably as shown in Figures 1 to 4, and a removal device 30, preferably as shown in Figure 7 or in Figures 8 to 10.

The bag 2 filled with a container 3 is grabbed from a storage (not shown) by the cutting device 1, 11, 29 (see Figures 1 and 2). The bag 2 is held below the cut 13 (see Figure 2) so that the opening 14 remains closed after the cut 13. In particular, it can be seen in Figures 8, 9 and 11 that the already cut bag 2 placed on the support 38 of the removal device 20 still has a closed opening 14.

The bag 2 is cut with at least one cut 13, the disc-shaped knife blade 5 being moved on the drive surface 9 of the first gripping finger 12 to cut the bag 2 (see Figure 2). The knife blade 5 rolled off the counter element 6 located on the second gripping finger 12. The knife blade 5 and/or the counter element 6 can be driven by a motor and/or be mechanically coupled to an actuator that can be operated manually from the outside.

After the cut 13 has been made, the bag 2 is placed on the support 38 of the removal device 20, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 is shown. The bag 2 is held at the level of the container 3 by the holding means 21, 22 of the removal device 20. The container 3 is aligned in the bag 2 by preferably pivotable centering means 36, for example as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, before being pushed transversely to the sliding direction A onto a container holder 34 of a transport unit 33. The container 3 can therefore be pushed directly onto the transport unit 33 for further processing without falling from it (see Figures 13 and 14).

The container 3 is now pushed out of the bag 2 by the conveying means 31 (see Figures 11 to 14). The conveying means 31 is preferably a roller 23 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Alternatively or additionally, the conveying means 31 can also be designed as a sliding block 39, as shown for illustration in FIG. 11.

For pushing, the conveyor 31 acts on the bag 2 on its underside 41 from the outside with at least one roller 23, the at least one roller 23 pushing the container 3 outwards. The bag 2 lies unfixed on the support 38 of the removal device 20.

Alternatively or additionally, the conveying means 31 can act on the bag 2 on its cover side 40 from the outside with at least one, preferably the aforementioned, sliding block 39 and thus push the container 3 out of the bag 2.

During pushing, the holding means 21, 22 lifts the top side 40 of the bag 2 (see Figures 12 to 14), which prevents the container 3 from touching the cut edge of the opening 14 when it emerges. Thus one can

Remove the container 3 from the bag 2 sterile be performed. Sterile and improved delivery is further supported by blowing on the bag 2 from the front before and/or during pushing. For this purpose, a countercurrent device 24 is used to generate a fluid flow 25 directed against the inserted bag 2 (see Figures 11 to 15). Furthermore, the fluid flow 25 can prevent the cutting edge of the opening 14 from touching and contaminating a wall of the insulator or a portal 42 of the wall (see FIG. 12).

13 shows that the conveying means 23, 31 stops before the container 3 leaves the bag 2. Furthermore, it can be seen that the conveying means 23, 31 pushes the container 3 onto the container holder 34 of the aforementioned transport unit 33, the conveying means 23, 31 pushing until a center of gravity of the container 3 is above the container holder 34. This ensures that the funding means 23, 31 does not pass through a portal 42, for example the one mentioned above. This advantageously prevents any contamination from reaching a protected space 27 into a further protected space 27, in particular if, as previously described or claimed below, when the container 3 is pushed, a fluid flow is directed against the inserted bag 2 and in particular its open discharge side 43 25 is generated (see Figure 14).

In particular, the previously mentioned transport unit 33 allows the discharged container 3 to be transported further for further processing. The transport unit 33 can be any transport unit 33 known to those skilled in the art. In Figures 11 to 14, the transport unit 33 is designed as a conveyor belt 32.

It is preferably provided that the transport unit 33 is magnetically coupled to a stationary coil arrangement 35 and is moved floating in an electromagnetic field. This embodiment of a transport unit 33 is shown in Figure 15. This means that a recording on the container holder 34 of the container 3 and further transport can be carried out without abrasion.

After the container 3 has been expelled, the emptied bag 2 is pushed through a disposal opening 37, for example as shown in the embodiments from FIG. 7 or FIGS. 8 to 10 and described above.

The invention generally proposes a method, a cutting device 1, a removal device 20 and an unpacking device 26 for the preferably mechanical removal of a container 3 from a bag 2, the bag 2 being cut open with at least one cut 13 and the container 3 having a through the opening 14 formed in the cut 13 is applied, a disc-shaped knife blade 5 interacting with a counter-element 6 to cut the bag 2, in particular rolling on the counter-element 6. Such an invention is used in particular for work that takes place in protected clean rooms 27.

/ Reference symbol list

Reference symbol list

1 cutting device

2 bags

3 containers

4 knives

5 knife blade

6 counter element

7 tread

8 encapsulation

9 drive surface

10 drive roller

11 gripping device

12 gripping fingers

13 cut

14 opening of 2

15 drive device

16 permanent magnet

17 cars

18 negative feedback agents

19 enclosure

20 removal device

21 holding means

22 suction cups

23 role

24 countercurrent device

25 fluid flow

26 unpacking device

27 protected space

28 wheels

29 bag carriers

30 knife slides

31 funding

32 conveyor belt 33 transport unit

34 container intake of 33

35 stator arrangement

36 Centering means 37 Disposal opening

38 edition

39 sliding block e.g

40 cover page of 2

41 bottom of 2 42 portal

43 delivery side

A Push direction

/ Expectations

Claims

Claims Method for the preferably mechanical removal of a container (3) from a bag (2), the bag (2) being cut with at least one cut (13) and the container (3) having an opening formed by the cut (13). (14) is applied, characterized in that to cut the bag (2), a disc-shaped knife blade (5) interacts with a counter-element (6), in particular rolls on the counter-element (6). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the knife blade (5) and/or the counter-element (6) are driven by a motor and/or that the knife blade (5) and/or the counter-element (6) are mechanically operated with an actuator that can be operated manually from the outside is/are coupled. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter element (6) is a roller and/or a straight running surface (7) and/or a scissor blade. Method according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bag (2) is gripped with a gripping device (11) on which a knife (4) moves to cut the bag (2). becomes. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) is held below the cut (13), in particular so that the opening (14) remains closed after the cut (13). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) during the cut (13) hangs on a bag carrier (29). 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a knife carriage (30) is magnetically coupled to a drive device (15) and is moved by it. 8. The method according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bag (2) is held at a height of the container (3) with at least one releasable holding means (21), in particular a suction gripper (22). is while a conveyor (31) pushes the container (3) out of the bag (2). 9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (21) lift a top side (40) of the bag (2) during pushing. 10. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside of the bag (2) lies unfixed on a support (32) during pushing. 11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying means (31) stops before the container (3) leaves the bag (2). 12. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying means (31) pushes the container (3) onto a container receptacle (34) of a transport unit (33), in particular wherein the conveying means (31) pushes at least until a The center of gravity of the container (3) is above the container holder (34). 13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the transport unit (33) is magnetically coupled to a stationary coil arrangement (35) and / or is moved floating in an electromagnetic field. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that preferably pivotable centering means (36) align the container (3) in the bag (2) before pushing transversely to a sliding direction (A), preferably onto the container receptacle (34). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an emptied bag (2) is pushed through a disposal opening (37) in a support (38) for filled bags (2). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for pushing, the conveying means (31) acts on the bag (2) on its underside (41) from the outside with at least one roller (23), which pulls the container (3) out of the bag ( 2) pushes, and / or that for pushing the conveyor (31) acts on the bag (2) on its top side (40) from the outside with at least one sliding block (39), which pushes the container (3) out of the bag (2). . Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cut bag (2) is held closed until the holding means (21) engages. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least when pushing the container (3) there is a fluid flow (25) directed against the inserted bag (2), in particular against a pushing direction (A) and/or against a discharge side (43). , preferably with filtered air. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is carried out in a protected room (27) and/or with a bag (2) with sterile contents. Cutting device (1) for a bag (2) containing a container (3), with a knife (4) for cutting the bag (2), characterized in that a knife blade (5) is disc-shaped and is mounted on a counter element ( 6) interacts, in particular rolling on the counter element (6). Cutting device (1) according to claim 20, characterized in that the counter element (6) is a roller and/or a straight running surface (7) and/or a scissor blade. Cutting device (1) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the knife blade (5) is coupled to a drive roller (10) which is designed to roll on a part of the bag (2). Cutting device (1) according to the preamble of claim 20 or according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the knife (4) is attached to a Gripping device (11) for the bags (2) is arranged movably. Cutting device (1) according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the counter element (6) is formed on a gripping finger (12) of the gripping device (11), with which the bag (2) is held below the cut (13). is, in particular so that the opening (14) after Cut (13) remains closed. Cutting device (1) according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the knife (4) is formed on a gripping finger (12) of a gripping device (11), with which the bag (2) is held below the cut (13). is, in particular so that the opening (14) remains closed after the cut (13). Cutting device (1) according to the preamble of claim 20 or according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that the knife (4) is magnetically coupled to a preferably encapsulated drive device (15). Cutting device (1) according to one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the drive device (15) has a movable permanent magnet (16). Cutting device (1) according to one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that the knife (4) is arranged on a carriage (17) which has a preferably magnetic counter-coupling means (18), in particular wherein the knife (4), preferably in an enclosure (19) which can be removed from the carriage (17). Removal device (20) for removing a container (3) from a bag (2) containing the container (3), with a holding means (21), in particular a suction gripper (22), with which the inserted bag (2) is removed from its The top side (40) can be held at a height of the container (3), and / or at least one roller (23) with which the inserted bag (2) can be acted upon on its underside, the at least one roller (23) running along the underside (41) of the bag (2) can be moved. Removal device (20) according to claim 29, characterized in that a countercurrent device (24) is set up to generate a fluid flow (25) directed against the inserted bag (2). Unpacking device (26) with means for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 19 and/or with a cutting device (1) according to one of claims 20 to 28 and/or with a removal device (20) according to claim 29 or 30, especially within a protected space (27). / Summary