Apparatus, assembly, pharmaceutical device and method for unpacking a plurality of articles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for unpacking a plurality of articles (12), in particular pre-sterilized articles (12), arranged in an elongated package (14) with an upper end (16) and a lower end (18) in an elongated stack one on top of the other, in particular in a clean room, in particular in an isolator, within a pharmaceutical plant. The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising at least one device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one package (14). The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical plant (44) comprising at least one device (10) or at least one assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a component, a pharmaceutical device, and a method for unpacking multiple items, particularly pre-sterilized items. Background Technology

[0002] For microbial monitoring in, for example, pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, petri dishes and / or swab samples are typically used. These are plastic trays filled with nutrient medium (agar) and fitted with lids. Petri dishes are used to monitor the air, while swab samples are used to monitor surfaces. Petri dishes and swab samples are usually stacked in piles of 10 and placed in three sterile aluminum foil bags. When petri dishes or swab samples are transferred from an uncontrolled room to the pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, the two outer bags are removed stepwise.

[0003] Before production begins, the innermost bag is manually cut open by an operator wearing gloves, for example, with scissors, before being fed into the production machine. Then, the petri dishes or swab samples can also be manually removed and placed, for example, in a storage container. They remain there until monitoring is required.

[0004] Before the innermost bag is opened (manually), it is purified during a purification process within the production machine to ensure it is free of bacteria.

[0005] Another option is to manually open the bags containing petri dishes or swab samples through a glove opening in a separate isolator (an additional isolator for the pharmaceutical manufacturing machine). The petri dishes or swab samples can then be manually sorted into cartridges and fed into the actual manufacturing machine via a sterile beta container or a connecting door. The cartridges can be removed from the container using a handling device and placed into the pharmaceutical manufacturing machine.

[0006] Here, before being (manually) opened, the innermost bag is also purified in a separate isolator, so it is bacteria-free.

[0007] The disadvantage of this approach is that when opening bags containing petri dishes or swab samples in the production machine, manual unpacking with a glove opening is required, or a separate isolator with a glove opening is needed in addition to the production machine. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, component, pharmaceutical device and method thereby eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages, and in particular enabling the automatic unpacking of petri dishes or swab samples.

[0009] This task is accomplished by an apparatus for unpacking multiple items, particularly pre-sterilized items, within a pharmaceutical device, especially in a clean room, and especially in an isolator, the multiple items being stacked one on top of the other in an elongated stack body arranged in an elongated package having an upper end and a lower end.

[0010] These items can be petri dishes or swab samples. The packaging can be in the form of a bag or a tubular bag, particularly a tubular form. The lower end of the packaging can be formed as a lower connector. The upper end of the packaging can be formed as a upper connector. The upper end of the packaging can be the (upper) portion of the packaging. The lower end of the packaging can be the (lower) portion of the packaging.

[0011] The device includes at least one lower stop for articles, on which stacked articles in a package may be placed at one or more locations distributed around the perimeter of the package. The lower stop may be in the form of a tray or a receiving plate for receiving the package and the articles placed therein. The device may include one or more lower stops.

[0012] The device also includes at least one lower fixing device. The lower fixing device is arranged below a lower stop. The lower stop includes a channel, particularly a central channel, through which the lower end of the package extends below the lower stop (when the article contacts the lower stop), so that the lower end of the package can be gripped by the lower fixing device when the article in the package abuts against the lower stop. The device may include one or more lower fixing devices.

[0013] The channel can be a circumferentially closed opening or a partially open one, such as opening to the side. The lower fixing device can be designed to fix (clamp) or grip the lower end of the package, especially by clamping.

[0014] The device also includes at least one upper securing device. The upper securing device is disposed above the upper stop. The upper securing device is designed to grip the upper end of the package when the article in the package abuts against the lower stop. The upper securing device can be configured to secure (clamp) or grip the upper end of the package, particularly in a clamping manner. The upper securing device can be formed similarly, particularly identically, to the lower securing device. The device may include one or more upper securing devices.

[0015] The device also includes at least one cutting device for cutting (or severing) one of the ends (upper or lower end) of the package when the item in the package abuts against the lower stop. The device may include one or more cutting devices.

[0016] The cutting device may have at least one horizontally moving blade. This blade may be designed as a linearly moving rolling blade. Alternatively, the blade may be designed as a straight blade, performing the cutting process in a rotary or pivotal manner.

[0017] The cutting device can be arranged above or below the lower stop. The cutting device can be arranged between the lower stop and the lower fixing device. The cutting device can also be arranged between the lower stop and the upper fixing device.

[0018] When the items in the package abut against the lower stop, the fixing device arranged opposite the cutting device at the end (lower or upper end) of the package is designed as a removal device. The removal device is adapted to pull (remove) the package opened (cut) by the cutting device from the stacked items.

[0019] The lower end can be formed as the first end of the packaging, and the upper end can be formed as the second end of the packaging. The lower fixing device can be formed as the first fixing device, and the upper fixing device can be formed as the second fixing device. The lower stop can be formed as the first stop.

[0020] The cutting device and the lower fixing device can be arranged below the lower stop, while the upper fixing device, designed as a removal device, can be arranged above the lower stop. In this way, the lower end of the package (or the lower stop) can be cut or severed, and the cut package can be pulled (or removed) from the article by the removal device in an upward direction, especially in the opposite direction to gravity.

[0021] Similarly, it is conceivable that the cutting device and the upper fixing device can be arranged above the lower stop, while the lower fixing device, designed as a removal device, can be arranged below the lower stop. In this way, the upper end of the package (or the upper stop) can be cut or severed, and the cut package can be pulled downwards from the item by the removal device, especially along the direction of gravity.

[0022] In pharmaceutical equipment, especially in cleanrooms and particularly in isolators, the placement (positioning) of packaging and the items therein can be done manually by the operator or automatically by a handling device (such as a robotic arm).

[0023] In this case, terms such as “downward,” “below,” “under,” or “upward,” “above,” “above” refer to reference to gravity or the direction of gravity. For example, the lower fixing device is arranged below the upper fixing device relative to the direction of gravity.

[0024] A cleanroom in this sense can be a barrier system, such as a RABS (Reduced Contact Barrier System), an isolator (e.g., a sterile or cytotoxic isolator), or a biosafety cabinet. A cleanroom in this sense can be pressurized to prevent or minimize the risk of contamination intrusion. Alternatively, a cleanroom in this sense can also operate under negative pressure to prevent leakage of any toxic or other hazardous substances handled within the cleanroom.

[0025] This device allows packaging to be removed from the received items without operator intervention during unpacking. Therefore, the unpacking process can be automated. It eliminates the need for glove openings and / or additional isolators (with glove openings) in pharmaceutical equipment for opening item packaging.

[0026] The device may also include a guiding device. The guiding device may be positioned on the side of the stacked items when the items in the package abut against the lower stop. The guiding device is configured to hold the items in their stacked arrangement (e.g., as a pile) when the items in the package abut against the lower stop. The guiding device may laterally contact the package and / or the items to hold them in their stacked arrangement when they abut against the lower stop.

[0027] The guiding device may include or be designed to be a retaining device. When the item is opened onto the lower stop, particularly during unpacking, the retaining device can be configured to hold the item within the packaging. The item can be held securely by the retaining device to maintain its position during unpacking, i.e., without changing its position.

[0028] The guiding device may include at least one shaft having an upper stop (or retaining element). In particular, the guiding device may include three shafts, each having an upper stop (or retaining element) for an item (particularly for the uppermost item in a stack). The upper stop may form a second stop.

[0029] The shaft can be arranged in a substrate. The substrate can be the base of the entire device. The substrate can be arranged below the lower stop. The shaft can extend through the lower stop. For this purpose, the lower stop can have an opening through which the shaft extends. The lower stop can be connected to the shaft, particularly rotatably.

[0030] The lower stop can be coupled to or connected to the substrate via a shaft. The lower stop can be connected to the substrate via a shaft, allowing the lower stop to be spaced apart from the substrate (especially in the direction of gravity). The lower stop can be arranged parallel to the substrate.

[0031] The upper stop can be designed to pivot between a fixed position and a released position.

[0032] In the fixed position, stacked items can be clamped (held or fixed) between the lower stop and the upper stop. The lower stop specifically restricts the downward movement of the items. The upper stop specifically restricts the upward movement of the items in the fixed position. In particular, the upper stop can be moved to the fixed position by rotating it toward the direction of the stacked items. In the fixed position, stacked items can be arranged between the lower stop and the upper stop. In the fixed position, stacked items can be fixed (held or fixed) between the lower stop and the upper stop.

[0033] In the release position, the stacked items can be released via the upper stop. In the release position, the stacked items can be inserted from above and removed from the device. In the release position, the upper stop can be arranged such that the stacked items are not positioned between the lower and upper stops. Specifically, the upper stop can be moved to the release position by rotating it away from the stack of items.

[0034] The upper stop can be non-rotatably connected (or coupled) to the shaft. The upper stop can also be detachably connected to the shaft using screws. The shaft can be designed to be rotatable. The axis of rotation of the shaft or the axis of rotation of the upper stop (pivot) can be oriented in the direction of gravity, particularly coinciding with the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. In particular, by rotating the axis, the upper stop can be moved from a released position to a fixed position and vice versa.

[0035] The upper stop can be designed as a flexible element (e.g., made of plastic). The upper stop can be formed as a flexible sheet (metal sheet). When an article abuts against the lower stop, the upper stop can be arranged to be spaced apart from and / or placed on top of the uppermost article.

[0036] The top stop may have a sloping portion. The sloping portion of the top stop can be positioned above the top item in a stack, particularly above it in a fixed location. Due to the presence of the sloping portion, the packaging can slide more easily along the top stop during removal by the removal device. This prevents the packaging from getting stuck and / or torn during removal by the removal device.

[0037] The lower securing device may have two grippers for holding and securing (grabbing) the lower end of the package. The upper securing device may have two grippers for holding and securing (grabbing) the upper end of the package. The cutting device or its blade may be arranged to cut along the edge (or along the surface) of the grippers of the lower or upper securing device.

[0038] The device may include at least one waste container for receiving cut packages, the upper end of packages, the lower end of packages, and / or any desiccant bags present in the packages. The desiccant bags may fall into the waste container by themselves, for example, due to gravity, after the packages have been removed from the articles. The device may include one or more waste containers.

[0039] The device may include a processing unit (e.g., a robotic arm) that can transport cut packages, the upper end of packages, the lower end of packages, and / or desiccant bags (if present in the packages) to a waste container.

[0040] The device may include at least one optical detection device for monitoring the position and / or location of an item. The optical detection device may include or be designed as a camera. The optical detection device can monitor the position and / or location of the item, particularly when the item in the package is against a lower stop. For example, this can detect slippage of the item and generate and output alarm signals (optical and / or acoustic). The device may include one or more optical detection devices.

[0041] The above tasks are further addressed by the components.

[0042] The component includes at least one device as described above and at least one package. The package is particularly as described above. The package includes articles arranged in an elongated stack.

[0043] The packaging can be elongated, particularly tubular. The packaging can have an upper (protruding) end and a lower (protruding) end. The upper and / or lower ends of the packaging can be designed to be gripped (particularly clamped or gripped) by a securing device.

[0044] The packaging can be in the form of a bag or a tube, especially a tube.

[0045] For information on the advantages achievable with this component, please refer to the explanation of the device in this regard. The description of the device and / or the measures explained below can be used in the design of this component.

[0046] The aforementioned tasks are further addressed through pharmaceutical equipment, particularly through cleanrooms, and especially through isolators.

[0047] The pharmaceutical device includes at least one device as described above and at least one component as described above.

[0048] Regarding the advantages achievable with this pharmaceutical equipment, please refer to the explanation of the equipment or apparatus in this regard. The descriptive measures related to the equipment or apparatus and / or the measures explained below can be used in the design of the pharmaceutical equipment.

[0049] The pharmaceutical equipment may include a ventilation system. The ventilation system may be located inside the pharmaceutical equipment. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the ventilation system may be located at least partially outside the pharmaceutical equipment.

[0050] Ventilation devices can be designed to generate airflow, particularly laminar airflow, which is directed toward the device, especially along the direction of gravity. In other words, the laminar airflow generated by the ventilation device can be guided upwards onto the device. In this way, particles generated, for example, during the cutting of packaging, can be blown away from the packaging so that they do not come into contact with the items.

[0051] In pharmaceutical equipment, particularly in cleanrooms and especially in isolators, the above-mentioned task is further addressed by a method for unpacking multiple items, particularly pre-sterilized items, that are stacked one on top of the other and arranged in an elongated stack in an elongated package having an upper and lower end.

[0052] These items can be petri dishes or swab samples. The packaging can be in the form of a bag or a tubular bag, particularly a tubular one. The lower end of the packaging can be formed as a lower connector. The upper end of the packaging can be formed as a upper connector. The upper end of the packaging can be the (upper) portion of the packaging. The lower end of the packaging can be the (lower) portion of the packaging.

[0053] The method includes the following steps:

[0054] Set at least one bottom stop for the items, and stacked items in the package may be placed on the bottom stop at one or more locations distributed around the perimeter of the package;

[0055] Place (position) the items in the package onto the lower stop. This can be done manually or automatically by a processing device, such as a robot.

[0056] Grasp (secure), especially clamp (secure) the bottom end of the packaging;

[0057] Grasp (secure), especially clamp (secure) the top end of the packaging;

[0058] Cut open the packaging, especially the bottom or top of the packaging;

[0059] Pull the cut package out of the stack of items (remove or take it out).

[0060] The cut package can be pulled up or down in the direction of gravity. In other words, the cut package can be pulled open in the direction of gravity or against gravity.

[0061] The method may also include the following steps:

[0062] Set at least one top stop for the item;

[0063] The stacked items are clamped (or held) between the lower and upper stops while the cut package is pulled out from the stacked items.

[0064] The method may also include the following steps:

[0065] The packaging is decontaminated (from the outside), particularly by using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This decontamination step can be performed especially before grasping the bottom of the packaging, grasping the top of the packaging, and / or before cutting the packaging.

[0066] In particular, when removing cut packages from stacked items, the position and / or location of the items can be monitored. This can be implemented, in particular, by at least one optical detection device, especially by at least one camera.

[0067] The method may also include the following steps:

[0068] Place (position) the cut package, the lower end of the package, the upper end of the package and / or any desiccant bag present in the package into at least one waste container, particularly by means of a processing device.

[0069] The apparatus, components, or pharmaceutical devices described above can be used to perform the method.

[0070] For the advantages that this method can achieve, please refer to the explanation relating to the device, component, or pharmaceutical equipment. The descriptive measures relating to the device, component, or pharmaceutical equipment and / or the measures still explained below can be used to design this method. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Other features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and the following description of embodiments based on the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0072] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of multiple items in a package;

[0073] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of an apparatus;

[0074] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 A side view of the device; and

[0075] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of a pharmaceutical equipment.

[0076] In the accompanying drawings and the following description, corresponding parts and elements have the same reference numerals. For clarity, not all reference numerals are shown in all figures. Detailed Implementation

[0077] Figure 1 A perspective view of a plurality of articles 12 in package 14 is shown. In this example, package 14 is designed as a tubular bag package having an upper end 16 and a lower end 18. The upper end 16 is formed as an upper tab 17 extending upward from the tubular package 14. The lower end 18 is formed as a lower tab 19 extending downward from the tubular package 14.

[0078] In this example, item 12 consists of ten petri dishes 13, which are arranged stacked on top of each other in a pre-sterilized state within package 14.

[0079] The terms "downward," "below," "below," "above," "upward," and "above" refer to the reference to gravity and the direction of gravity 15. The direction of gravity 15 is... Figures 1 to 4 Arrows are used to indicate this.

[0080] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of device 10. Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 Side view of device 10.

[0081] The device 10 has a base plate 11 for mounting the device 10. Three shafts 34 are arranged on the base plate 11 and extend vertically upward from the base plate 11. These three shafts 34 are configured to be rotatable about their respective central longitudinal axes. In other words, the three sliding shafts 34 are rotatably coupled (connected) to the base plate 11.

[0082] The device 10 has a lower stop 20 for the article 12. In this example, the lower stop 20 is designed in the form of a receiving plate 21. The lower stop 20 is arranged on the base plate 11.

[0083] In this example, three shafts 34 are rotatably coupled (connected) to the lower stop 20. In other words, the three shafts 34 can rotate independently relative to the lower stop 20. The three shafts 34 pass through the lower stop 20. The lower stop 20 has openings 23 (i.e., three openings 23) for this purpose.

[0084] The lower stop 20 can be coupled (connected) to the base plate 11 via three shafts 34. The three shafts 34 can be rotatably mounted in the lower stop 20. This can be achieved, in particular, by bearings (not shown) arranged in the opening 23. The lower stop 20 can be securely connected to the base plate 11 by at least one fixing element (not shown).

[0085] The three shafts 34 can pass through the lower stop 20 so that they do not contact the lower stop 20. For this purpose, the diameter of the opening 23 can be larger than the diameter of each of the three shafts 34.

[0086] In the currently shown configuration, the stacked items 12 in package 14 are placed on the lower stop 20. The lower stop 20 has a central channel 24, which in this example is in the form of an opening. The lower end 18 of package 14 extends through the channel 24 and under the lower stop 20.

[0087] The device has a lower fixing device 22. The lower fixing device 22 is arranged below the lower stop 20. The lower fixing device 22 is used to fix the lower end 18 of the package 14, which protrudes from the channel 24 below the lower stop 20. The lower fixing device 22 has two grippers 38 for this purpose. Therefore, the lower end 18 of the package 14 can be fixed or held below the lower stop 20 by the two grippers 38 of the lower fixing device 22.

[0088] The device 10 also includes an upper fixing device 26 for gripping the upper end 16 of the package 14. For clarity, the upper fixing device 26 is not located on... Figure 2 As shown in the text, only in Figure 3 The diagram is used to represent this.

[0089] The upper securing device 26 is disposed above the lower stop 20. The upper securing device 26 is designed to secure the upper end 16 of the package 14 when the article 12 in the package 14 abuts against the lower stop 20. For this purpose, the upper securing device 26 has two grippers 38, which grip... Figure 2 It is not shown in the text, but only in Figure 3 The diagram is schematically shown. Therefore, the upper end 16 of the package 14 can be fixed or clamped by the two claws 38 of the upper fixing device 26 (above the lower stop 20).

[0090] The device 10 has a cutting device 28 for cutting the lower end 18 of the package 14 when the article 12 in the package 14 abuts against the lower stop 20. In this example, the cutting device 28 is designed to cut off the lower tab 19 of the package 14 when the article 12 in the package 14 abuts against the lower stop 20. Therefore, the cutting device 28 is arranged between the lower fixing device 22 and the lower stop 20.

[0091] The cutting device 28 has a blade 29 that can move perpendicular to the direction of gravity 15 (i.e., in the horizontal direction). The cutting device 28 or the blade 29 of the cutting device 28 is designed and arranged such that the blade 29 slides along the upper edge or surface of the two grippers 38 of the lower fixing device 22 during the cutting process. In this way, the cutting effect can be optimized or enhanced.

[0092] The upper fixing device 26 is designed as a removal device 30. To illustrate more clearly, the removal device 30 is not located on... Figure 2 As shown in the text, only in Figure 3 The diagram is schematically shown. The removal device 30 is designed to pull the package 14, which has been opened (cut) by the cutting device 28, upward from the stacked items 12 (against the direction of gravity 15). For this purpose, the removal device 30 is designed to be movable relative to the lower stop 20, and in particular, to be movable in the direction of gravity 15.

[0093] Three shafts 34 extend upward from the base plate 11, pass through the lower stop 20, and reach the stack of items 12. When the stacked items abut against the lower stop 20, the three shafts 34 form a guide device 32 for the stacked items. The three shafts 34 can be specifically used to prevent lateral (i.e., transverse to the direction of gravity 15) sliding.

[0094] Each of the three shafts 34 has an upper stop 36 at its end opposite to the base plate 11. The three upper stops 36 are detachably connected to their respective shafts 34 by screws 37. The shafts 34 are designed to rotate about their respective central longitudinal axes. By rotating their respective shafts 34, the corresponding upper stops 36 can pivot relative to the direction of gravity 15 (i.e., in the horizontal plane).

[0095] This allows the three upper stops 36 to be rotated to a release position, in which the stacked items 12 in the package 14 can be placed onto the lower stop 20 along the guide device 32. In the release position, the three upper stops 36 are away from the stacked items 12.

[0096] The three upper stops 36 can pivot to a fixed position. The fixed position is... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the diagram. In the fixed position, the three upper stops 36 face the stacked items 12. In the fixed position, the lower stop 20, the three upper stops 36, and the three shafts 34 form a shape fit for the stacked items 12. When the lower stop 20 and the three upper stops 36 are arranged in the fixed position, the stacked items 12 are secured between the lower stop 20 and the three upper stops 36.

[0097] All three axes 34 are of the same length, so that the three upper stops 36 are arranged at the same height (in the same horizontal plane). In this example, the three upper stops 36 are spaced apart from the topmost item 12 of the stacked items 12 in the package 14. When the package 14 is removed upwards, the package 14 slides between the topmost item 12 of the stacked items 12 and the three upper stops 36 due to the distance between them.

[0098] Each of the three upper stops 36 includes a ramp portion 39 that, when in the fixed position, sits on top of the topmost item 12 of the stacked items 12 in the package 14. The ramp portions 39 of the three upper stops 36 facilitate the upward sliding of the package 14 when it is removed.

[0099] Therefore, the package 14, cut below the lower stop 20 by the cutting device 28, can be pulled upwards (removed) from the stacked items 12 by the removal device 30. In doing so, the three upper stops 36 prevent the items 12 from being pulled out along with the removed package 14, for example, from being lifted off the stacked items 12. In other words, the three upper stops 36 hold the stacked items 12 in place on the lower stop 20.

[0100] The device 10 has a waste container 40. To illustrate more clearly, Figure 2 Waste container 40 is not shown in the document, only in Figure 3 The diagram is schematically shown. Waste container 40 can be used to receive the cut package 14, the lower end 18 of package 14, and / or any desiccant bag (not shown) present in package 14.

[0101] The device 10 also includes an optical detection device 42, which in this example takes the form of a camera 43. For clarity, the detection device 42 or camera 43 is not located in... Figure 2 As shown in the text, only in Figure 3 The diagram is used to represent this.

[0102] The position of the stacked items 12 can be monitored or controlled by the optical detection device 42, especially when they are against the lower stop 20.

[0103] Figure 4 A schematic side view of a pharmaceutical device 44 is shown.

[0104] The pharmaceutical equipment 44 includes a device 10 disposed within the pharmaceutical equipment 44. The pharmaceutical equipment 44 includes a ventilation device 46 disposed on the device 10. In this embodiment, the ventilation device 46 is disposed within the pharmaceutical equipment 44.

[0105] The ventilation device 46 is arranged to generate a laminar airflow 48. The laminar airflow 48... Figure 4 The arrows are used to indicate this. Therefore, the airflow 48 points towards the device 10 along the direction of gravity 15.

[0106] The airflow 48 can blow away particles that may be generated during the cutting of the packaging 14. This prevents particles that may be generated during the cutting of the packaging 14 from coming into contact with the articles 12 and thus contaminating them.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for unpacking a plurality of articles (12) within a pharmaceutical device, the plurality of articles (12) being stacked one on top of the other in an elongated stack body arranged in an elongated package (14), the elongated package (14) having an upper end (16) and a lower end (18), the apparatus (10) comprising: - At least one lower stop (20) for articles (12), wherein stacked articles (12) in the package (14) can be placed on the lower stop at one or more locations distributed around the periphery of the package (14); -At least one lower fixing device (22) arranged below the lower stop (20), The lower stop (20) has a channel (24) through which the lower end (18) of the package (14) can protrude under the lower stop (20) so that when the article (12) in the package (14) abuts against the lower stop (20), the lower end (18) of the package (14) can be gripped by the lower fixing device (22). - At least one upper fixing device (26) arranged above the lower stop (20) for gripping the upper end (16) of the package (14) when the article (12) in the package (14) abuts against the lower stop (20); - At least one cutting device (28) for cutting one of the ends (16, 18) of the package (14) when the article (12) in the package (14) abuts against the lower stop (20). When the article (12) in the package (14) abuts against the lower stop (20), the fixing device (22, 26) arranged opposite to the cutting device (28) at the ends (16, 18) of the package (14) is designed as a removal device (30), which is adapted to pull the package (14) opened by the cutting device (28) out from the stacked articles (12).

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device (10) further includes a guide (32) which is disposed on the side of the stacked items (12) when abutting against the lower stop (20), and the guide (32) is configured to hold the items (12) in their stacked arrangement when they abut against the lower stop (20).

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guiding device (32) includes at least one shaft (34) having an upper stop (36) for the article (12), the upper stop (36) being pivotable between a fixed position and a released position, wherein, in the fixed position, the stacked article (12) can be clamped between the lower stop (20) and the upper stop (36), and in the released position, the stacked article (12) can be released by the upper stop (36).

4. The device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide device (32) includes three shafts (34), each having the upper stop (36).

5. The apparatus (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper stop (36) is designed as a resilient element, and / or the upper stop is arranged to be spaced apart from the uppermost item (12) when the stacked items (12) abut against the lower stop (20).

6. The apparatus (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper stop (36) is designed as an elastic sheet.

7. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The lower fixing device (22) includes two jaws (38) for clamping the lower end (18) of the package (14) and / or the upper fixing device (26) includes two jaws (38) for clamping the upper end (16) of the package (14).

8. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The device (10) includes at least one waste container (40) for receiving the cut package (14), the upper end (16) of the package (14), the lower end (18) of the package (14) and / or any desiccant bag present in the package (14).

9. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The device (10) includes at least one optical detection device (42) for monitoring the position and / or location of the article (12) and for monitoring when the article (12) in the package (14) abuts against the lower stop (20).

10. The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The pharmaceutical equipment is located in a clean room; and / or The plurality of items (12) are pre-sterilized items (12); and / or The passage (24) is the central passage.

11. The apparatus (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The cleanroom is an isolator.

12. An assembly comprising at least one device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one package (14), wherein, The package (14) includes an elongated stack of stacked articles (12) within the package (14).

13. The component according to claim 12, characterized in that, The package (14) is an elongated, tubular design, having an upper end (16) and a lower end (18), both of which are designed to be gripped by a fixing device (22, 26).

14. A pharmaceutical device (44) having at least one device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or having a component according to claim 12 or 13.

15. The pharmaceutical equipment (44) according to claim 14, characterized in that, The pharmaceutical equipment (44) includes a ventilation device (46) that generates an airflow that is directed toward the device (10); and / or the pharmaceutical equipment (44) is a clean room.

16. The pharmaceutical equipment (44) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The ventilation device generates a laminar airflow; and / or The airflow is directed toward the device in the direction of gravity (15); and / or The cleanroom is an isolator.

17. A method for unpacking a plurality of articles (12) within a pharmaceutical device, the plurality of articles (12) being stacked one on top of the other in an elongated stack body arranged in an elongated package (14) having an upper end (16) and a lower end (18), the method comprising the steps of: - Provide at least one lower stop (20) for the article (12), wherein the stacked articles (12) in the package (14) can be placed on the lower stop at one or more locations distributed around the perimeter of the package (14); - Place the stacked items (12) in the package (14) on the lower stop (20); - Grasp the lower end (18) of the package (14); - Grasp the upper end (16) of the package (14); - Cut open the package (14) and cut off the lower end (18) or upper end (16) of the package. - Pull the cut package (14) out of the stack of items.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes the following steps: - Set at least one upper stop (36) for item (12); - The stacked items (12) are clamped between the lower stop (20) and the upper stop (36) while the cut package (14) is pulled out from the stacked items (12).

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - The packaging (14) is decontaminated, the decontamination step being performed before grasping the lower end (18) of the packaging (14), grasping the upper end (16) of the packaging (14) and / or cutting the packaging (14).

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The packaging (14) is decontaminated by hydrogen peroxide.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17, 18, and 20, characterized in that, The method includes monitoring the location and / or positioning of the item (12).

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, Monitor the position and / or location of the items (12) during the pulling of the cut package (14) from the stacked items (12); and / or The position and / or location of the article (12) are monitored by at least one optical detection device (42).

23. The method according to any one of claims 17, 18, 20, and 22, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: - Place the cut package (14), the lower end (18) of the package (14), the upper end (16) of the package (14) and / or any desiccant bag present in the package (14) into at least one waste container (40).

24. The method according to any one of claims 17, 18, 20, and 22, characterized in that, The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the component according to claim 12 or 13, or the pharmaceutical device according to any one of claims 14 to 16 is used to perform the method.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17, 18, 20, and 22, characterized in that, The pharmaceutical equipment is located in a clean room; and / or The multiple items (12) are pre-sterilized items (12).

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The cleanroom is an isolator.

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