TRANSPORT SYSTEM, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING STERILE OBJECTS IN PACKAGES

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport system (1) for transporting sterile objects (50) in packages, comprising a transport surface (2) on which a number (N) of sterile objects (50) to be transported can be displaced, a transport unit with an interaction section (4) for displacing the number (N) of sterile objects (50) displaceable on the transport surface (2) in a transport direction (T) of the transport system (1), and a recess (5) projecting from the transport surface (2) for receiving the interaction section (4), wherein the transport unit (3) has a driveable positioning device (6) by means of which the interaction section (4) can be adjusted relative to the transport surface (2) between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2), wherein in the first end position (P1) the interaction section (4) is recessed in the recess (5) to close the recess (5) flush with the transport surface (2).and wherein in the second end position (P2) the interaction section (4) is arranged in the transport direction (T) at a first distance from the recess (5) on the transport surface (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting sterile objects in packages using such a transport system.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport system for transporting sterile objects in packages and to a system comprising such a transport system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting sterile objects in packages using such a transport system.

[0002] Sterile objects such as pharmaceutical primary packaging filled with contents are often fed into a freeze dryer, particularly to remove moisture, i.e., particularly water, from the contents to improve their shelf life. Such primary packaging can be ampoules or other containers, for example, glass containers in the form of so-called "vials." The contents of the primary packaging can include a drug and / or an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Freeze-drying is typically performed using freeze dryers with a drying chamber, to which the sterile objects are fed within a cleanroom environment. A loading system with a spindle is typically used to load such a drying chamber with sterile objects.The spindle is used to adjust a slide-in bar transversely to a transport path in order to insert sterile objects positioned on the transport path into the drying chamber, which is arranged in a common alignment with an axis of the spindle.

[0003] In particular, the spindle of such a conventional loading system serves to adjust the insertion bar transversely to the transport path in order to insert sterile containers, which are lined up in a continuous row along the transport path, into the drying chamber. Said containers or sterile objects can be lined up in a common alignment with the spindle. A disadvantage of such a conventional design is the considerable space required in front of the loading system to accommodate the components necessary for the insertion movement. This space requirement can impair the accessibility of said components within the cleanroom environment for operating personnel during normal operation as well as during preparatory and follow-up work on the loading system, including cleaning.A further disadvantage of such a conventional loading system can be the requirement of additional static and / or movable sealing elements for the relative linear movement of the spindle to a separating housing of the cleanroom environment. Particularly since the volume of the cleanroom environment should be kept small for cost reasons, but spindle elements require a comparatively large installation space, the spindle elements are often positioned partly inside and partly outside the cleanroom environment.

[0004] In particular, bellows are traditionally used in spindles as an elastic sealing element between the stationary housing of the cleanroom environment and the movable end of the spindle – the insertion bar. Bellows are usually made of thin-walled elastic materials or a serial arrangement of thin-walled elastic elements, which are susceptible to damage and difficult to clean due to their topography. Damage to the thin-walled elastic sealing elements can lead to leaks and thus to the loss of cleanroom conditions. If this occurs during production, it can result in the loss of a production batch and, in the worst case, the loss of the entire product contents of a freeze-dryer chamber.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a transport system for transporting sterile objects in packages, as well as a system for freeze-drying sterile objects comprising such a transport system, and a method for transporting sterile objects in packages using such a transport system, which have improved properties. In particular, the aim is to enable the transport of sterile objects with particularly minimal turbulence of the ambient air surrounding the sterile objects during transport.

[0006] A transport system according to the invention is used for transporting sterile objects in packages. The sterile objects can be unsealed containers, in particular ampoules or so-called "vials" made of glass, which contain contents. Such containers can be used to store a product with an active pharmaceutical ingredient, in particular a drug, as the contents of the container. The containers are made of a glass material in some embodiments, but the invention is not limited to use with glass containers.

[0007] The transport system has a transport surface. A number of sterile objects to be transported can be moved along the transport surface. "Transporting in packages" in the present context means that one package of sterile objects can be transported in the transport direction at a time. "Transporting in packages" in the present context can particularly mean that one package of one or more continuous rows with the densest possible hexagonal arrangement of sterile objects, in particular glass vials, can be transported in the transport direction. The package can contain the number of sterile objects to be transported. The number can comprise one sterile object or several, preferably identical, sterile objects, in particular 5 to 25,000 sterile objects. In one embodiment, the term "package" can be understood as synonymous with the term "batch" in the context of the application.In other embodiments, several packages form a batch which is subjected together to a freeze-drying process.

[0008] The transport system comprises a transport unit with an interaction section. The interaction section serves to displace the number of sterile objects displaceable on the transport surface in a transport direction of the transport system. As a result of the displacement, the number of sterile objects can be adjusted across the transport surface in the transport direction. Furthermore, the transport system comprises a recess recessed from the transport surface for receiving the interaction section. The transport unit also comprises a drivable adjusting device. The interaction section can be designed as a bar rigidly arranged on the adjusting device. The interaction section can be designed as a rake. The interaction section can have a roller that is rotatable relative to the adjusting device, in particular about a roller axis running transversely to the transport direction.By means of the drivable adjusting device, the interaction section is adjustable relative to the transport surface between a first end position and a second end position. In its first end position, the interaction section is recessed into the recess to close the recess flush with the transport surface. In the first end position, the interaction section can be arranged below the transport surface relative to the direction of gravity. In the second end position, the interaction section is arranged on the transport surface at a first distance from the recess in the transport direction.

[0009] Advantageously, the transport system enables sterile objects to be transported in packages without components of the transport system being arranged directly above the transported sterile objects. In particular, the transport system allows sterile objects to be transported in packages without components of the transport system being arranged diagonally above the transported sterile objects. In this way, turbulence in the ambient air surrounding the sterile objects during transport above the sterile objects to be transported can be reduced to a tolerable level or even avoided. In particular, turbulence in a unidirectional air displacement flow surrounding the sterile objects in the cleanroom environment above the sterile objects to be transported can be avoided.Such turbulence could otherwise lead to undesirable contamination of the, preferably unsealed, sterile objects—especially their sterile contents—for example, if the turbulence causes particles such as dust or other air contaminants from the environment to be transported onto the sterile objects. Furthermore, the transport system according to the invention is particularly compact along the transport direction, especially since the bulky spindle commonly used can be dispensed with.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the interaction section can be adjusted by means of the drivable adjusting device between the first end position and the second end position via one or more intermediate positions. The interaction section is preferably adjustable in such a way that the interaction section sweeps over the transport surface, in particular between the intermediate position and the second end position, along the transport direction. When sweeping over the transport surface, the interaction section can be adjusted or moved parallel to the transport surface essentially without contact. In the intermediate position, an underside of the interaction section is arranged at a level of the transport surface or above the level of the transport surface. The intermediate position is arranged at a second distance from the second end position along the transport direction.As a result of the preferably largely or essentially parallel, in some embodiments contactless, sweeping over the transport surface, sterile objects located on the transport surface can be displaced in the transport direction by means of the interaction section. In some embodiments, the second end position expediently corresponds to a target position of the package or batch on a storage plate in the freeze-dryer chamber.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport system has a feed device by means of which the number of sterile objects can be positioned on the transport surface, in particular before the sterile objects are moved by means of the interaction section. The feed device is designed to push the number of sterile objects from a pre-loading area of ​​the transport system over the interaction section onto the transport surface when the interaction section is in the first end position. The number of sterile objects can be pushed in front of the interaction section in the transport direction by means of the feed device. In particular, positioning the sterile objects to be transported on the transport surface by means of the feed device is only possible when the interaction section is in its first end position, i.e. when the interaction section is sunk into the recess.The feed device can transfer the number of sterile objects to the transport unit, i.e., to the interaction section. After transfer, the sterile objects can be moved in the transport direction across the transport surface by means of the transport unit, in particular away from the pre-loading area. The pre-loading area can advantageously form a buffer storage for temporarily storing sterile objects to be conveyed. This enables particularly short cycle times when transporting sterile objects in packages using the transport system. In particular, sterile objects can be fed in again and temporarily stored for a new package while the previously formed package is being transported to the second end position of the interaction section.

[0012] The feeder is conveniently designed for picking sterile objects. In other words, the feeder can count sterile objects and combine them into the number or package to be transported. This number or package can then be positioned on the transport surface with the counted sterile objects.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the feed device has a stamping element which is adjustable along the transport direction relative to the transport surface between a first stamping position and a second stamping position. The transport direction can run essentially parallel to the transport surface. The stamping element can therefore be adjustable essentially parallel to the transport surface. The stamping element can be designed in the manner of a cross slide, a piston, a tappet, or a bar. The recess is arranged along the transport direction between the first stamping position and the second stamping position. Since the number of sterile objects is moved in one and the same transport direction both by means of the stamping element and by means of the interaction section, the transport system can be designed to be particularly compact along the transport direction.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport system has a common control device by means of which the feed device and the transport unit, in particular the drivable adjusting device, can be controlled in a coordinated manner. The feed device and the transport unit can expediently be controlled in a coordinated manner by means of the common control device in order to carry out a method according to the invention for transporting sterile objects in packages, which will be described in more detail later. By means of the common control device, the movement sequences of the feed device and the transport unit can be coordinated with one another such that a collision between the feed device and the transport unit can be avoided even in an overlapping area of ​​the adjustabilities of the feed device and the transport unit.In said overlap area, the transfer of the number of sterile objects from the feeding device to the interaction section can take place.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the drivable actuating device comprises a base and a controllable articulated arm. The base is immovable relative to the transport surface. The articulated arm is articulated to the base at one end. The other end is connected to the interaction section. In particular, the articulated arm comprises at least two arm members articulated to one another. Each joint between two adjacent arm members has at least one joint axis about which the two arm members connected to one another by this joint can be pivoted relative to one another. The articulated arm can therefore be a multi-jointed and / or multi-axis articulated arm. Using such an articulated arm, the interaction section can be adjusted particularly precisely.

[0016] The drivable actuating device, in particular the controllable articulated arm, is expediently arranged exclusively to the side of the interaction section. In other words, a space—particularly in relation to the direction of gravity—above the interaction section is preferably free of the drivable actuating device, in particular the controllable articulated arm. This promotes the aforementioned reduction of turbulence in the ambient air surrounding the sterile objects. In particular, such turbulence caused by the transport system itself can be completely avoided because, during package-by-pack transport, components of the transport system are never arranged directly above the sterile objects. During package-by-pack transport, components of the transport system are never arranged directly above or diagonally offset above the sterile objects.

[0017] In a further embodiment of the invention, in the first end position of the interaction section, an upper side of the interaction section is flush with the transport surface. In this way, when the interaction section is in its first end position, a continuous, i.e. in particular step-free, transport plane can be formed which comprises the transport surface and the upper side of the interaction section. The transport plane can also have the pre-loading area. Advantageously, therefore, in the first end position of the interaction section, there are no interfering contours whatsoever which deviate from the transport plane and which could lead to tipping over of sterile objects to be transported if the sterile objects come into engagement with such an interfering contour during their displacement.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the transport system has an adjusting element which is movably guided in the recess transversely to the transport surface between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the adjusting element is flush with the transport surface. In the extended position, the adjusting element protrudes from the transport surface. The adjusting element can be adjusted from the extended position to the retracted position as a result of the interaction section being lowered into the recess. As a result of the interaction section being removed from the recess, the adjusting element can be adjusted from the retracted position to the extended position. The adjusting element can be adjusted using the interaction section.In particular, as a result of adjusting the interaction section between its first end position and its intermediate position, the actuating element can be adjusted between its retracted and extended positions. The actuating element can be in its retracted position when the interaction section is in its first end position. The actuating element can be in its extended position when the interaction section is in its intermediate position. The actuating element can be in its extended position when the interaction section is adjusted between the intermediate position and its second end position and / or when the interaction section is in its second end position.

[0019] In some embodiments, when sterile products are transported in packages using the transport system, there is no contact between the sterile objects and the actuating element.

[0020] A system according to the invention is used for freeze-drying sterile objects, in particular unsealed ampoules, vials or other containers, in particular with a content. Such containers can be made of a glass material; in particular, vials in the form of glass vials can be fed into the system. For freeze-drying of the sterile objects, water can be removed, in particular, from the contents of the ampoules, vials or containers by freeze-drying using the system according to the invention. The system comprises a freeze-dryer with a drying chamber. The system also comprises a transport system according to the invention as described above. The transport surface of the transport system ends in the drying chamber in the transport direction, so that sterile objects can be fed to the drying chamber in packets by means of the transport system.Depending on the design, a freeze-drying process takes place immediately after a package is fed into the drying chamber or after a number of packages are fed into the drying chamber. The advantages of the transport system according to the invention described above also apply to the system according to the invention with such a transport system.

[0021] A method according to the invention serves for the packet-wise transport of sterile objects, in particular unsealed ampoules, vials, or other containers, by means of a transport system according to the invention as described above, in particular in a system according to the invention as described above. The containers—which may be in the form of vials, for example—in particular have a content. The above-described advantages of the transport system according to the invention and the system according to the invention can be utilized by means of the method according to the invention. The method comprises a step a). According to step a), the interaction section is adjusted to its first end position. The method further comprises a step b).According to step b), when the interaction section is in its first end position, a predetermined number of sterile objects are positioned on the transport surface by means of a feed device, in particular across the interaction section. During the execution of step b), the interaction section is expediently recessed into the recess. The method further comprises a step c). According to step c), when the predetermined number of sterile objects are on the transport surface, the feed device is removed from the transport surface, in particular across the interaction section. During the execution of step c), the interaction section is expediently recessed into the recess. The method further comprises a step d).According to step d), when the feed device is removed from the transport surface and the recess, the interaction section is moved from its first end position to its second end position in order to displace the predetermined number of sterile objects on the transport surface in the transport direction. The method can also comprise a step e). According to this, in particular optional, step e), when the interaction section is in its second end position, step a) is carried out again in order to transport a further predetermined number of sterile objects. Steps a) to e) are expediently carried out consecutively in the chronological order a) - b) - c) - d) - e). When carrying out the method, sterile objects can be transported discontinuously in the transport direction in packets by means of the transport system.

[0022] Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like, similar, or functionally identical components.

[0023] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those 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. Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention with an embodiment of a transport system according to the invention in the form of a snapshot during exemplary implementation of a method according to the invention, Figs. 2 to 4 the system according to Fig. 1in the form of further snapshots during the implementation of the method according to the invention, Fig. 5 in a schematic side view of a further embodiment of the transport system according to the invention in the form of a snapshot during exemplary implementation of a method according to the invention, Figs. 6 and 7 the transport system according to Fig. 5 in the form of further snapshots during the implementation of the method according to the invention, and Fig. 8 the transport system according to Fig. 1 in schematic perspective representation.

[0024] A system 100 according to the invention is used for freeze-drying sterile objects 50 in batches. "Packet-wise" in this context can mean that several sterile objects 50 of a batch are subjected to a freeze-drying process together, i.e., simultaneously. Subsequently, another batch can be freeze-dried. In other embodiments, a batch is divided into several batches, which are fed in successively and subsequently freeze-dried together.

[0025] The sterile objects 50 are, for example, unsealed vials 51 containing, for example, a pharmaceutical active ingredient. In the context of this application, small vials, injection vials, or ampoules are referred to as vials used, for example, in medicine and chemical laboratories.

[0026] The system 100 is preferably used in a cleanroom environment. The system 100 has a freeze dryer 101 with a drying chamber 102. The system 100 also comprises a transport system 1 according to the invention. A transport surface 2 of the transport system 1 ends in the drying chamber 102 in a transport direction T. By means of the transport system 1, sterile objects 50 can be fed to the drying chamber 102 in packages, i.e., in one package of sterile objects 50 after the other. By freeze-drying 102, water can be removed from the contents of a batch of vials 51 arranged in the drying chamber 102, comprising one or more packages.

[0027] The transport system 1 thus serves to transport sterile objects 50 in packages, in this case unsealed vials 51 with a content. In the system 100, the sterile objects 50 can be transported in packages by means of the transport system 1 in order to position a package of sterile objects 50 in the drying chamber 102. A number N of sterile objects 50 to be transported can be displaced on the transport surface 2 of the transport system 1. The number N of sterile objects 50 to be transported can correspond to a batch of sterile objects 50. The transport surface 2 can be arranged on an upper side of a table top of the transport system 1. The sterile objects 50 displaceable on the transport surface 2 can be placed on the transport surface 2 before they are displaced. The transport system 1 further comprises a transport unit 3.The transport unit 3 has an interaction section 4 for displacing the number N of sterile objects 50 displaceable on the transport surface 2 in the transport direction T. The interaction section 4 can be strip-shaped. For example, the interaction section 4 can be designed as a strip, a roller, or a rake. The interaction section 4 can extend longitudinally transversely to the transport direction T. The transport system 1 further has a recess 5 for receiving the interaction section 4, wherein the recess 5 recesses back from the transport surface 2. The transport surface 2 can be substantially flat. The recess 5 can be formed by a recess or an opening in the tabletop having the transport surface 2.

[0028] The transport unit 3 of the transport system 1 has a drivable adjusting device 6. The interaction section 4 is adjustable relative to the transport surface 2 between a first end position P1 and a second end position P2 by means of the drivable adjusting device 6. In the first end position P1, the interaction section 4 is recessed into the recess 5. The interaction section 2 can therefore be received in the recess 5 in its first end position P1. By recessing the interaction section 4 in its first end position P1 into the recess 5, the recess 5 can be closed flush with the transport surface 2. The flush closure of the recess 5 with the transport surface 2 can be achieved either by the interaction element 4 itself (see Fig. 1 to 4 ) or by a separate control element 16 (see Fig. 5 to 7). In contrast to the first end position P1, the interaction section 4 is arranged in its second end position P2 in the transport direction T at a first distance from the recess 5 on the transport surface 2.

[0029] In the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 4 In its first end position P1, the interaction section 4 is recessed into the recess 5 such that an upper side 7 of the interaction section 4 is aligned with the transport surface 2. Thus, in the first end position P1, the upper side 7 forms a flush, i.e., in particular, step-free, addition to the transport surface 2, such that the upper side 7 and the transport surface 2 are contained in a common transport plane.

[0030] In contrast to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 4 is in the embodiment according to the Fig. 5 to 7the adjusting element 16 is provided, which is movably guided in the recess 5 transversely to the transport direction 2 between an extended position PA and a retracted position PE. In its retracted position PE, the adjusting element 16 is flush with the transport surface 2 in order to close the recess 5 flush with the transport surface 2. In its extended position PA, the adjusting element 16 projects from the transport surface 2. The adjusting element 16, in its extended position PA, can form a stop for sterile objects 50 that are arranged in front of the transport surface 2 in the transport direction T. The adjusting element 16 is adjustable from the extended position PA to the retracted position PE as a result of the interaction section 4 being lowered into the recess 5. The adjusting element 16 can be adjusted by means of the interaction section 4.In the present case, the actuating element 16 has a receiving section which is recessed counter to the transport direction T in order to accommodate the interaction section 4. If the interaction section 4 is received in this recess, the actuating element 16 and the transport section 4 are coupled to one another in such a way that an adjustment of the interaction section 4 for immersion in the recess 5 or for removal from the recess 5 is also transmitted to the actuating element 6. Thus, as a result of the removal of the interaction section 4 from the recess 5, the actuating element 16 can be adjusted from the retracted position PE to the extended position PA. The actuating element 16 can be prestressed into its extended position PA transversely to the transport direction T, in this case vertically along a direction of gravity, by means of an elastic prestressing element.The adjusting element 16 can have a C-shaped cross-section in the region of its receiving recess for the interaction section 4. A guide section of the adjusting element 16 can be arranged on one of two legs of the C-shaped section that are opposite each other along the direction of gravity, which guides the adjusting element 16 along the direction of gravity relative to the transport surface 2.

[0031] In the embodiments shown, the interaction section 4 can be adjusted by means of the drivable adjusting device 6 between the first end position P1 and the second end position P2 via an intermediate position PZ. In other words: if the interaction section 6 is adjusted from the first end position P1 to the second end position P2 or vice versa, the interaction section 4 passes through the intermediate position PZ. The intermediate position PZ is therefore arranged between these end positions P1, P2 with regard to a movement sequence when adjusting the interaction section 4 between its two end positions P1, P2. For example, the interaction section 4 can be adjusted between its two end positions P1, P2 via the intermediate position PZ such that the interaction section 4 sweeps over the transport surface 2 along the transport direction T.In particular, the interaction section 4 sweeps over the transport surface 2 when the interaction section 4 is adjusted between its intermediate position PZ and the second end position P2. As a result of the interaction section 4 sweeping over the transport surface 2, sterile objects 50 located on the transport surface 2 can be displaced by means of the interaction section 4. In the intermediate position PZ, an underside 4 of the interaction section 4 is arranged at a level with the transport surface 2. In the intermediate position PZ, the interaction section 4 can thus be arranged on the recess 5 such that the underside 8 closes the recess 5 flush with the transport surface 2. The intermediate position PZ is arranged at a second distance from the second end position P2 along the transport direction T. Between the second end position P2 and the intermediate position PZ, the interaction section 4 can be adjusted, for example, linearly.

[0032] In the present case, the transport system 1 has a feed device 10. By means of the feed device 10, the number N of sterile objects 50 can be positioned on the transport surface 2, so that the number N of sterile objects 50 can then be displaced on the transport surface 2. The feed device 10 is configured to push the number N of sterile objects 50 from a pre-loading area 15 of the transport system 1 across the interaction section 4 onto the transport surface 2 when the interaction section 4 is in the first end position P1. The pre-loading area 15 can be arranged in a common transport plane with the transport surface 2.In the second end position P2 of the interaction section 4, the upper side 7 or the adjusting element 10 can be flush with both the transport surface 2 and the pre-loading area 15, thus resulting in a continuous, for example step-free and / or gradient-free, transport plane along which the number N of sterile objects 50 can be displaced. By means of the feed device 10, sterile objects 50 can be fed from the pre-loading area 15 via the recess 5 to the transport surface 2 in order to then be displaced across the transport surface 2 by means of the interaction section 4. In the present case, the feed device 10 has a stamping element 11 which is adjustable along the transport direction T relative to the transport surface 2 between a first stamping position S1 and a second stamping position S2. For example, the stamping element 11 is designed as a cross slide, piston or tappet.The recess 5 is arranged along the transport direction T between the first stamping position S1 and the second stamping position P2. By moving the stamping element 1 from its first stamping position S1 to its second stamping position S2, the number N of sterile objects 50 can be displaced from the preloading area 15 over the recess 5 and the interaction section 4 accommodated therein in its second end position P2 in order to arrange the number N of sterile objects 50 on the transport surface.

[0033] The transport system 1 in this case has a common control device 20. The feed device 10 and the transport unit 3 can be controlled in a coordinated manner by means of the control device 20. For example, the drivable actuating device 6 of the transport unit 3 can be controlled in a coordinated manner by means of the common control device 20 with the feed device 10. In this way, the adjustment of the feed device 10, for example, the stamping element 11, and the interaction section 4 can be carried out in a coordinated and collision-free manner.

[0034] The drivable actuating device 6 in this case has a base 12. The actuating device 6 also has a controllable articulated arm 13. The articulated arm 13 can be a robot arm or a manipulator. The base 12 is immovable relative to the transport surface 2. The articulated arm 13 is articulated to the base 12 at one end. The other end of the articulated arm 13 is connected to the interaction section 4. The articulated arm 13 can have at least two arm members 14 that are articulated to one another. In the present case, the articulated arm 13 has three such articulated arm members 14. An articulated connection can be realized by means of a hinge joint, a ball joint, or another joint. In the present case, the arm members 14 are articulated to one another in pairs by means of hinge joints.Each joint can define at least one joint axis about which the arm members 14 connected to each other by this joint can be pivoted relative to each other. The articulated arm 13 can accordingly be designed with multiple joints and / or multiple axes.

[0035] By means of the transport system 1, a method according to the invention can be carried out, which serves for transporting sterile objects 50 in packages by means of the transport system 1. The sequence of the method is based on the Fig. 1 to 4 and based on the Fig. 5 to 7, which each show exemplary snapshots of the described embodiments of the transport system 1 during implementation of the method. For example, according to the method, sterile objects 50 can be transported in packages in the system 100 by means of the transport system 1. The method comprises a step a). According to step a), the interaction section 4 is adjusted to its first end position P1. The method further comprises a step b). When the interaction section 4 is in a first end position P1, according to step b), a predetermined number N of sterile objects 50 is positioned on the transport surface 2 by means of a feed device 10. In the present case, the predetermined number N of sterile objects 50 is positioned across the interaction section 4 on the transport surface 2. This is shown, for example, in the Fig. 1 and 2 as well as in Fig. 5shown in the form of snapshots. The method further comprises a step c). When the predetermined number N of sterile objects 50 is located on the transport surface 2, the feed device 10 is removed from the transport surface 2. For example, the feed device 10 is removed from the transport surface 2 via the interaction section 4. The method further comprises a step d). When the feed device 10 is removed from the transport surface 2 and the recess 5, according to step d), the interaction section 4 is adjusted from its first end position P1 to its second end position P2 in order to displace the predetermined number N of sterile objects 50 on the transport surface 2 in the transport direction T. This is shown, for example, in the form of snapshots in the Fig. 3 and 4 as well as in the Figs. 6 and 7The method may further comprise a step e), according to which step a) is repeated to transport a further predetermined number N of sterile objects 50 when the interaction section 4 is in its second end position P2. Thus, several packages of sterile objects 50 can be transported discontinuously one after the other.

Claims

1. A transport system (1) for transporting sterile objects (50) in packages, in particular unsealed containers such as ampoules or vials (51), comprising a transport surface (2) on which a number (N) of sterile objects (50) to be transported can be displaced, a transport unit (3) with an interaction section (4) for displacing the number (N) of sterile objects (50) displaceable on the transport surface (2) in a transport direction (T) of the transport system (1), and a recess (5) recessed from the transport surface (2) for receiving the interaction section (4), wherein the transport unit (3) has a drivable adjusting device (6) by means of which the interaction section (4) can be adjusted relative to the transport surface (2) between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2), wherein in the first end position (P1) the interaction section (4) is recessed in the recess (5),to close the recess (5) flush with the transport surface (2), and wherein in the second end position (P2) the interaction section (4) is arranged in the transport direction (T) at a first distance from the recess (5) on the transport surface (2).

2. Transport system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the interaction section (4) is adjustable by means of the drivable adjusting device (6) between the first end position (P1) and the second end position (P2) via an intermediate position (PZ), in particular such that the interaction section (4) sweeps over the transport surface (2) along the transport direction (T), in the intermediate position (PZ) an underside (8) of the interaction section (4) is arranged at a level of the transport surface (2) or above the level of the transport surface (2), and the intermediate position (PZ) is arranged along the transport direction (T) at a second distance from the second end position (P2).

3. Transport system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport system (1) has a feed device (10) by means of which the number (N) of sterile objects (50) can be positioned on the transport surface (2), and in that the feed device (10) is designed to push the number (N) of sterile objects (50) from a pre-loading area (15) of the transport system (1) over the interaction section (4) onto the transport surface (2) when the interaction section (4) is in the first end position (P1).

4. Transport system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe feed device (10) has a stamping element (11) which is adjustable along the transport direction (T) relative to the transport surface (2) between a first stamping position (S1) and a second stamping position (S2), wherein the recess (5) is arranged along the transport direction (T) between the first stamping position (S1) and the second stamping position (S2).

5. Transport system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the transport system (1) has a common control device (20) by means of which the feed device (10) and the transport unit (3), in particular the drivable actuating device (6), can be controlled in a coordinated manner.

6. Transport system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe drivable actuating device (6) has a base (12) and a controllable articulated arm (13), wherein the base (12) is immovable relative to the transport surface (2), wherein the articulated arm (13) is articulated at one end to the base (12) and is connected at the other end to the interaction section (4), wherein the articulated arm (13) in particular has at least two arm members (14) articulated to one another.

7. Transport system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first end position (P1) of the interaction section (4), an upper side (7) of the interaction section (4) is flush with the transport surface (2).

8. Transport system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe transport system (1) has an adjusting element (16) which is movably guided in the recess (5) transversely to the transport surface (2) between an extended position (PA) and a retracted position (PE), wherein in the retracted position (PE) the adjusting element (16) is flush with the transport surface (2), wherein in the extended position (PA) the adjusting element (16) projects from the transport surface (2), wherein the adjusting element (16) is adjustable from the extended position (PA) to the retracted position (PE) as a result of the interaction section (4) being lowered into the recess (5), and wherein the adjusting element (16) is adjustable from the retracted position (PE) to the extended position (PA) as a result of the interaction section (4) being removed from the recess (5).

9. System (100) for freeze-drying sterile objects (50), in particular unsealed ampoules or vials (51), comprising a freeze-dryer (101) with a drying chamber (102), a transport system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport surface (2) ends in the drying chamber (102) in the transport direction (T), so that sterile objects (50) can be fed to the drying chamber (102) in packets by means of the transport system (1).

10. A method for transporting sterile objects (50) in packages, in particular unsealed containers such as ampoules or vials (51), by means of a transport system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in particular in a system (100) according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: a) adjusting the interaction section (4) to its first end position (P1); b) when the interaction section (4) is in its first end position (P1): positioning a predetermined number (N) of sterile objects (50) on the transport surface (2) by means of a feed device (10), in particular across the interaction section (4); c) when the predetermined number (N) of sterile objects (50) is on the transport surface (2): removing the feed device (10) from the transport surface (2), in particular across the interaction section (4);d) when the feed device (10) is removed from the transport surface (2) and the recess (5): adjusting the interaction section (4) from its first end position (P1) to its second end position (P2) in order to displace the number (N) of sterile objects (50) determined before e) on the transport surface (2) in the transport direction (T); f) in particular when the interaction section (4) is in its second end position (P2): repeating step a) in order to transport a further predetermined number (N) of sterile objects (50);