Transport packaging unit

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a transport assembly comprising: an upper portion comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged such that their respective axes are parallel to each other; and a lower portion comprising a plate having a plurality of apertures, each aperture extending through the plate. The upper portion and the lower portion can be coupled such that each bottom opening is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures, and the upper portion and the lower portion can be moved relative to each other between a closed configuration in which the perimeter of each bottom opening intersects the perimeter of the corresponding aperture at two or more points and an open configuration in which the perimeter of each bottom opening is aligned with or surrounded by the perimeter of the corresponding aperture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assembly and method for transporting a packaging unit. Background Art

[0002] In industrial environments, products are usually transported and sold in packaging units. A packaging unit may include a vial, a cartridge, an ampoule, a bottle or a prefillable syringe. In many industries, these different types of packaging units are collectively referred to as "primary packaging", i.e., packaging that comes into direct contact with the final product. The final product may be a food product, a cosmetic product or a pharmaceutical product. The primary packaging may undergo many production processes before being filled with the final product. During these processes, the primary packaging is usually processed in batches. Summary of the invention

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing an assembly and method for transporting packaging units between various industrial processes.

[0004] According to the first general aspect of the present disclosure, a transport assembly comprises an upper part and a lower part, the upper part comprises a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extends between a top opening and a bottom opening along a sleeve axis, wherein a plurality of sleeves are arranged so that their corresponding axes are parallel to each other, and the lower part comprises a plate, the plate having a plurality of orifices, each orifice extending through the plate. The upper part and the lower part can be coupled so that each bottom opening is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of orifices, and the upper part and the lower part can be moved relative to each other between a closed configuration and an open configuration, in which the periphery of each bottom opening intersects with the periphery of the corresponding orifice at two or more points, and in the open configuration, the periphery of each bottom opening is aligned with the periphery of the corresponding orifice or surrounded by the periphery of the corresponding orifice. In other words, the center of each orifice coincides with the sleeve axis and the axis of the packaging unit arranged in the sleeve, respectively. In the context of the present disclosure, "aligned with..." can also represent superposition or matching.

[0005] The bottom opening and the orifice may have the same shape, and in some cases, the same size. The orifice may also be larger than the bottom opening.

[0006] The upper portion may include one or more upper guide surfaces, and the lower portion may include one or more lower guide surfaces. Each upper guide surface may be configured to slideably engage with a corresponding lower guide surface when the upper portion and the lower portion move between the closed configuration and the open configuration. For example, one of the one or more upper guide surfaces and the lower guide surface may extend along the outer edge of the transport assembly. The plurality of sleeves and orifices may be arranged in one or more corresponding rows, and one of the one or more upper guide surfaces and the lower guide surface extends between two adjacent rows of corresponding sleeves and orifices.

[0007] The lower portion may include a pair of protrusions disposed on opposite sides of the lower portion and configured to abut a respective one of the plurality of sleeves.

[0008] The outer edge of the upper portion may include a recessed portion and the outer edge of the lower portion may include a protrusion. The recessed portion and the protrusion may be clamped to move the upper and lower portions between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

[0009] The transport assembly may include a lock that engages to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion when the upper portion and the lower portion are in the closed configuration.

[0010] The upper portion may include a flange disposed adjacent to the top openings of the plurality of sleeves.

[0011] According to a second general aspect of the present disclosure, a method includes: receiving an upper part including a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged so that their respective axes are parallel to each other; receiving a lower part, the lower part including a plate having a plurality of apertures, each aperture extending through the plate; coupling the upper part to the lower part so that each bottom opening is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures; moving the upper part and the lower part to a closed configuration in which a periphery of each bottom opening intersects a periphery of a corresponding aperture at two or more points; and loading a plurality of packaging units in respective sleeves of the upper part, wherein an opening of each container is arranged adjacent to a top opening of the sleeve, and a bottom of each container is arranged adjacent to a bottom opening of the sleeve and supported from below by the lower part.

[0012] The method may include moving the upper portion and the lower portion to an open configuration in which the periphery of each bottom opening is aligned with or surrounded by the periphery of the corresponding orifice, and moving the bottom of each container through the corresponding bottom opening and orifice to place the container on a flat surface.

[0013] The method may include returning the upper portion and the lower portion to a closed configuration such that the lower portion is positioned between the bottom of each container and the planar surface.

[0014] The method may include locking the upper portion and the lower portion in a closed configuration to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0015] These and other embodiments described herein can provide one or more of the following benefits. Transport components and methods according to the present disclosure can be used for transporting multiple packaging units at one time. For example, the upper part can fix and separate the individual packaging units from each other. In the open position, the packaging units can be released from the transport component at the same time. In some cases, the transport component can be removed to allow further processing of the packaging units. Simultaneously, the release can replace manual or machine unloading of the packaging units separately. The released packaging units can also be kept in the transport component with an open structure, for example, so as to facilitate the heat transfer between the bottom of the packaging unit and the freeze-drying station or plate. After the freeze-drying process is completed, the transport component can return to the closed structure to retrieve the packaging units for further transportation at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Certain embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 Components of a first shipping assembly, a plurality of vials, and a shipping container according to the present disclosure are shown;

[0018] Figures 2 to 4 Shown from below Figure 1 Components of a transport assembly;

[0019] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Fig. 6A , Figure 6B The closed and open configurations are shown respectively. Figure 1 Components;

[0020] Figure 7A-7D Various configurations of bottom openings and orifices are shown;

[0021] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 to a partial cross-sectional view of the transport assembly of FIG6 ;

[0022] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 1 To Figure 6 and Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the transport assembly in a closed configuration;

[0023] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B An optional lock is shown that can lock the transport assembly in a closed configuration;

[0024] Fig.11 A second transport assembly according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Fig.12 and Fig.13 A third transport assembly according to the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B Shows Fig.12 and Fig.13 The transport components in the embodiment are in the closed and open states respectively; and

[0027] Fig.15 is a schematic overview of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 Components of a transport assembly 10 according to the present disclosure, a plurality of packaging units 100 and a transport container 200 are shown. The packaging units 100 can be used as primary packaging for various types of end products. Although the expression "primary packaging" can cover vials, cartridges, ampoules, bottles, and syringes, to name a few examples, the following description will refer to "vials" for all types of primary packaging. The container 200 can be used as a "secondary packaging," i.e., packaging that groups, protects, and labels primary packaging.

[0030] The transport assembly 10 can be used to securely position the vial 100 within the container 200 and includes an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14 configured to be coupled to each other. The upper portion 12 includes a plurality of sleeves 16. Each sleeve extends along a sleeve axis between a top opening 18 and a bottom opening 20 ( Figure 8 ). refer to Figure 1 , the plurality of sleeves 16 are arranged so that their respective axes extend in parallel along the Z axis. The lower portion 14 includes a plate 22 having a plurality of apertures 24, each aperture 24 extending through the plate 22 in the direction of the Z axis. The upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 may be coupled so that each bottom opening 20 is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures 24 in the lower portion 14.

[0031] Figure 2 The upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 are shown from below. As shown, the upper portion 12 includes an array of sleeves 16 formed by six rows 26, with eight sleeves 16 in each row. The lower portion 14 includes an array of apertures 24 formed by six rows 28, with eight apertures 24 in each row. Although the number of sleeves 16 and apertures 24 may vary from that shown, the corresponding arrays will generally have the same size and arrangement.

[0032] The upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 may be coupled to each other. For example, Figure 2The lower part is shown with two projections 30 extending along the Z axis towards the upper part 12. The end of each projection 30 is provided with two hooks 32 designed to engage corresponding hooks 34 formed on the upper part 12. Figure 3 Hooks 32, 34 are shown arranged adjacent to each other without overlapping. Figure 3 In the position shown in FIG. 1 , the hooks 32 , 34 are not engaged and the upper and lower portions 12 , 14 can still be separated from each other.

[0033] Figure 4 The upper and lower portions 12, 14 are shown after they have been translated along the Y axis to engage the hooks 32, 34. In other words, the upper and lower portions 12, 14 are coupled. In the coupled position, each bottom opening 20 is disposed adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures 24. Figure 4 In the connection position shown in FIG. 1 , the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 can be relative to each other along the Y axis. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The closed construction shown in Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Move between the open configurations shown in .

[0034] The outer edge of the upper portion 12 may include one or more recessed portions 44, and the outer edge of the lower portion 14 may include one or more protrusions 42. The recessed portions 44 and protrusions 42 may be clamped on opposite sides of the transport assembly 10 to move the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

[0035] Figure 5A The upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 are shown from below in a closed configuration. Figure 5B yes Figure 5A In the closed configuration, the perimeter of each bottom opening 20 intersects the corresponding orifice 24 at two or more points. Figure 5B In the embodiment, the bottom opening 20 and the orifice 24 are arranged so closely that the perimeter of the bottom opening 20 intersects with the orifice 24 at a total of four points, as shown by the dashed line 36. Due to the intersection, the section of the plate inside the dashed line 36 overlaps with the bottom opening 20. The overlapping portion supports the bottom ( Fig. 9 ).exist Figure 1 5, the aperture 24 is formed with one or more gaps 38. In some cases, the aperture 24 may not include gaps 38, and each bottom opening 20 may overlap a single continuous portion of the plate 22 ( 7A to 7D ).

[0036] from Figure 5A and Figure 5BIn the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1 , the lower portion 14 can be shifted to the left along the Y axis and into the Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In the open configuration shown in . In the open configuration, the perimeter of each bottom opening 20 is aligned with or surrounded by the perimeter of the corresponding orifice 24. In other words, the center of each orifice 24 coincides with the axis of the sleeve and the axis of the vial 100, respectively. This alignment eliminates the overlapping section of the bottom supporting the vial 100. Therefore, the vial 100 freely passes through both the bottom opening 20 and the orifice 24. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B In the embodiment of the present invention, the bottom opening 20 and the orifice 24 have substantially the same shape and size. In the context of the present disclosure, "aligned with" may also mean superimposed or matched.

[0037] As described above, aperture 24 is formed with one or more gaps 38. Gaps 38 can make aperture 24 more flexible and facilitate movement of vials 100 through aperture 24. Thus, aperture 24 can have the same size and shape as bottom opening 20, which can allow transport assembly 10 to receive a greater number of vials 100 given the same outer dimensions. In some cases, aperture 24 can be formed larger than bottom opening 20 to provide a similar effect. For example, Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A circular aperture 24 is schematically shown which is larger than the hexagonal bottom opening 20. Fig. 7A ), the orifice 24 and the bottom opening 20 intersect to form an overlapping portion 40 that can support a vial 100 disposed in the sleeve 16 coupled to the bottom opening 20. Figure 7B ), the larger orifice 24 completely surrounds the bottom opening 20, which allows the vial 100 to move through the bottom opening 20. The same applies to Figure 7C and Fig.7D , Figure 7C and Fig.7D A hexagonal aperture 24 and a circular bottom opening 20 are shown.

[0038] Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the transport assembly 10. To facilitate movement between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the upper portion 12 may include one or more upper guide surfaces 46, and the lower portion may include one or more lower guide surfaces 48. Each upper guide surface 46 is configured to move the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 along the Y axis, for example. Figure 4 6 and slidably engage with corresponding lower guide surfaces 48 when moving between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

[0039] For example, the first upper guide surface 46a is designed to slide along the first lower guide surface 48a. The first upper guide surface 46a and the first lower guide surface 48a extend along the outer edge of the transport assembly 10. More specifically, the first upper guide surface 46a is formed on the lower side of the hook 34, and the first lower guide surface 48a is formed on the lower side of the hook 32. In other words, the hooks 32, 34 engage to couple the upper portion 12 to the lower portion 14, and at the same time provide the guide surfaces 46a, 48a, which help the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 to switch between the open configuration and the closed configuration. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 1 , this dual purpose joint between the upper portion 12 and the lower portion 14 can have the same Figure 8 The designs shown in the are different designs.

[0040] In the case where the sleeves 16 are arranged in one or more sleeve rows 26 and the apertures 24 are arranged in one or more aperture rows 28, the guide surfaces may include a second upper guide surface 46b and a second lower guide surface 48b extending between the corresponding adjacent rows 26, 28 of sleeves 16 and apertures 24. When such guide surfaces are provided between each of the adjacent rows 26, 28, alignment of the bottom opening 20 and the apertures 24 may be more easily achieved in the closed configuration of the transport assembly 10. Figure 2 , the second lower guide surface 48b can be formed on opposite sides of a rib that extends continuously along the Y axis between two adjacent orifice rows 28. The second upper guide surface 46b can be formed by opposing pairs of pads that are designed to contact the respective sides of the rib that forms the second lower guide surface 48b.

[0041] Figure 8 Also shown are the top openings 18 of the plurality of sleeves 16 and the flange 50 of the upper portion 12, which is disposed adjacent to the plurality of top openings 18. The flange 50 may be used to manipulate the transport assembly 10 and to place the transport assembly 10 in a container 200 ( Figure 1 )Inside.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the transport assembly 10 in a closed configuration taken in the XY plane. In this view, the overlap 40 between the corresponding bottom opening 20 and the orifice 24 is visible. As described, the overlap 40 supports the bottom surface of the vial 100 (not shown) so that the transport assembly 10 can be used to transport the vial 100.

[0043] Fig. 9The protrusions 42 for manipulating the lower portion 14 are also shown in more detail. As shown, the lower portion 14 includes two sets of protrusions 42 on each end of the lower portion 14. In some cases, the lower portion 14 may include a fewer or greater number of protrusions 42 on each end. In addition to the protrusions 42, each end of the lower portion 14 includes a protrusion 52 that is designed to contact the outer peripheral surface of the adjacent sleeve 16. The protrusions 52 can ensure proper alignment of the bottom opening 20 and the aperture 24 in the closed configuration of the transport assembly 10 and provide tactile feedback to the user.

[0044] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B Optional features of the transport assembly 10 are shown from below and above, respectively. Specifically, the protrusion 30 of the lower part 14 forming the hook 32 is provided with a resilient tongue 54, which is configured to deform as the upper part 12 and the lower part 14 move relative to each other. The inner surface of the resilient tongue 54 is provided with a notch 56, the shape of which matches a protrusion 58 formed on the outer peripheral surface of one of the sleeves 16. When the upper part 12 and the lower part 14 enter Fig. 10A , the protrusion 58 snaps into the notch 56 to lock the transport assembly 10 in the closed configuration. At the same time, the snap-fit ​​engagement between the protrusion 58 and the notch 56 can provide acoustic and tactile feedback that the transport assembly 10 is in the closed configuration. The lock shown can provide additional stability when the transport assembly 10 is used to lift a plurality of vials 100 (not shown). However, the engagement of the lock can be overcome to move the transport assembly 10 to the open configuration to release the vials 100.

[0045] Reference now Figure 11 to Figure 1 4, shows Figure 1 to Figure 1 Various modifications of the transport assembly 10 of 0. Figure 11 to Figure 1 The modifications shown in 4 can be combined with Figure 1 to Figure 1 0 transport components feature combination or replacement from Figure 1 to Figure 1 0 transport component, and vice versa.

[0046] Fig.11 A plurality of vials 100 are shown disposed in a transport assembly 10'. The transport assembly 10' includes an upper portion 12' and a lower portion 14'. Figure 1 to Figure 10, the lower part 14' includes a protrusion 30' that attaches the lower part 14' to the upper part 12'. However, instead of hooks 32, 34, the protrusion 30' is provided with a hook (not shown) that is designed to engage a slot 60' formed in the flange 50' of the upper part 12' and translate along the slot 60'. Thus, the slot 60' can provide an upper guide surface that engages a corresponding lower guide surface provided by the hook on the protrusion 30'. The hook and slot 60' can be easier to assemble than the hooks 32, 34. The slot 60' can be used to limit the relative movement between the upper part 12' and the lower part 14' along the Y axis.

[0047] Fig.12 A plurality of vials 100 are shown disposed in a transport assembly 10". The transport assembly 10" includes an upper portion 12" and a lower portion 14". Figures 1 to 11 The lower part 14" is attached to the upper part 12" by three shorter projections 30", rather than the single continuous projection 30, 30' shown in FIG. The end of each projection 30" includes a hook 62" that projects through a corresponding slot 60" in the upper flange 50" of the upper part 12".

[0048] Fig.13 Shown from below Fig.12 The upper part 12''. Fig.13 As shown in , the bottom openings 20" of the plurality of sleeves 16" do not necessarily have the same shape throughout the upper portion 12". For example, the bottom openings 20" of the first type 20a" have a substantially hexagonal shape. The bottom openings 20" of the second type 20b" have a pentagonal shape with a mixture of straight sidewalls and curved sidewalls.

[0049] Fig.14A and Fig. 14B The transport assembly 10 ″ is shown in a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively. In the transport assembly 10 ″, the sleeve 16 ″ includes a plurality of support arms 64 ″, which extend to the corresponding bottom opening 20 ″ ( Fig.13 ) and is designed to support the outer surface of the vial 100 ( Fig.14A ).like Fig. 14B As shown in FIG. 6 , the support arm 64 ″ is designed to not impede movement of the vial 100 through the aperture 24 ″ in the open configuration.

[0050] Fig.15 is a schematic overview of a method 300 according to the present disclosure. For example, the method 300 may be implemented using any of the above-described transport assemblies 10, 10', 10".

[0051] The method 300 includes receiving an upper portion including a plurality of sleeves at 302, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged such that their respective axes are parallel to one another; receiving a lower portion at 304, the lower portion including a plate having a plurality of apertures, each aperture extending through the plate; coupling the upper portion to the lower portion at 306 such that each bottom opening is arranged adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures; moving the upper portion and the lower portion into a closed configuration at 308, wherein the perimeter of each bottom opening intersects the perimeter of the corresponding aperture at two or more points; and loading a plurality of packaging units into respective sleeves of the upper portion at 310, wherein the opening of each container is arranged adjacent to the top opening of the sleeve, and the bottom of each container is arranged adjacent to the bottom opening of the sleeve and supported from below by the lower portion. Such a method can arrange a plurality of packaging units (e.g., vials) so that they are ready for transport. For example, the vials and the transport assembly can be placed in a second container, such as Figure 1 The container 200 is shown in FIG.

[0052] The method 300 may include moving the upper portion and the lower portion into an open configuration in which the perimeter of each bottom opening is aligned with or surrounded by the perimeter of the corresponding aperture, and moving the bottom of each container through the corresponding bottom opening and aperture to rest the container on a flat surface. In this manner, multiple packaging units may be unloaded from the transport assembly at one time.

[0053] Once the transport assembly is in the open configuration, the transport assembly can be lifted from the packaging unit, and the packaging unit can then be retrieved for further processing steps. In some cases, the packaging unit can be kept in the transport assembly in this open configuration. For example, the open configuration can be used to expose the bottom of the packaging unit to the freeze drying station and improve the heat transfer between the freeze drying equipment and the packaging unit.

[0054] Method 300 can include returning the upper portion and the lower portion to a closed configuration so that the lower portion is positioned between the bottom of each container and a flat surface. For example, if the packaging unit has been placed in contact with the freeze drying station, moving the transport assembly back to the closed configuration can be used to "pick up" multiple packaging units simultaneously for further transportation and processing. Method 300 can include locking the upper portion and the lower portion in a closed configuration to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion.

[0055] A number of embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate many alternative embodiments within the scope of the claims. The embodiments currently described should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A transport assembly comprising: an upper portion comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged such that their respective axes are parallel to one another; and a lower portion comprising a plate having a plurality of apertures, each aperture extending through the plate, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are coupleable such that each bottom opening is disposed adjacent one of the plurality of apertures, and the upper portion and the lower portion are movable relative to each other between the following configurations: a closed configuration in which the perimeter of each bottom opening intersects the perimeter of the corresponding orifice at two or more points, and An open configuration in which the periphery of each bottom opening is aligned with or surrounded by the periphery of the corresponding aperture, enables the packaging units received in the sleeve to be simultaneously released from the transport assembly.

2. The transport assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom opening and the orifice have the same shape.

3. The transport assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The bottom opening and the orifice are of the same size.

4. The transport assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The orifice is larger than the bottom opening.

5. The transport assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper portion comprises one or more upper guide surfaces and the lower portion comprises one or more lower guide surfaces, in, Each upper guide surface is configured to slidingly engage a corresponding lower guide surface when the upper portion and the lower portion are moved between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

6. The transport assembly of claim 5, wherein: One of the one or more upper and lower guide surfaces extends along an outer edge of the transport assembly.

7. The transport assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged in one or more rows, in, The plurality of apertures are arranged in one or more rows, and One of the one or more upper guide surfaces and the lower guide surface extends between two adjacent rows of corresponding sleeves and apertures.

8. The transport assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower portion includes a pair of protrusions disposed on opposite sides of the lower portion and configured to abut a respective one of the plurality of sleeves.

9. A transport component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer edge of the upper part includes a recessed portion, and wherein the outer edge of the lower part includes a protrusion, wherein the recessed portion and the protrusion can be grasped to move the upper part and the lower part between the closed structure and the open structure.

10. The transport assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a lock that engages when the upper portion and the lower portion are in the closed configuration to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion.

11. The transport assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The upper portion includes a flange disposed adjacent to top openings of the plurality of sleeves.

12. A method for transporting a packaging unit, comprising: receiving an upper portion including a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve extending along a sleeve axis between a top opening and a bottom opening, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged such that their respective axes are parallel to one another; receiving a lower portion, the lower portion comprising a plate having a plurality of apertures, each aperture extending through the plate; coupling the upper portion to the lower portion such that each bottom opening is disposed adjacent to one of the plurality of apertures; moving the upper portion and the lower portion to a closed configuration in which a perimeter of each bottom opening intersects a perimeter of a corresponding orifice at two or more points; and A plurality of packaging units are loaded in respective sleeves of the upper portion, wherein the opening of each packaging unit is arranged adjacent to the top opening of the sleeve, and the bottom of each packaging unit is arranged adjacent to the bottom opening of the sleeve and supported from below by the lower portion.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: moving the upper portion and the lower portion into an open configuration in which a perimeter of each bottom opening is aligned with or surrounded by a perimeter of a corresponding aperture; and The bottom of each packaging unit is moved through the corresponding bottom opening and the aperture to place the packaging unit on a flat surface.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: The upper portion and the lower portion are returned to the closed configuration such that the lower portion is positioned between the bottom of each packaging unit and the flat surface.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising: The upper portion and the lower portion are locked in the closed configuration to prevent relative movement between the upper portion and the lower portion.

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