Container carrier for carrying a large number of containers

Abstract

Container carrier (1) for carrying a plurality of containers (2) at designated receiving positions (5) of the container carrier (1) during processing of the containers (2) and / or of material contained in the containers (2) in a processing plant (3), wherein the container carrier (1) is designed such that each container (2) can be lifted by a weighing device (4) acting on the container (2) from an underside of the container carrier (1) in such a way that the container (2) is released from the container carrier (1) and thus a precise determination of an individual weight of the container (2) is possible.

Description

[0001] Pre-sterilized containers that can be used as packaging are regularly provided in the pharmaceutical industry in transport carriers that, for example, include sealed trays containing nests. These sealed trays are often also referred to as "tubs." The nests are frequently arranged in a matrix-like structure and provide numerous holding positions for the containers or packaging materials.

[0002] Containers or packaging materials such as vials, syringes, or cartridges can be provided in this manner (within a transport carrier comprising a tub with a nest arranged within it). Typical transport carriers of this type contain, for example, 10 x 16 = 160 receiving positions or 10 x 10 = 100 receiving positions, each holding one container. The nests at the receiving positions have defined geometries, designed according to the specific container being held. Each manufacturer of pre-sterilized containers or packaging materials may independently determine the geometry of the nests at the receiving positions. For manufacturers of pre-sterilized containers or packaging materials, transport and storage requirements are usually the primary considerations when designing nests and transport carriers. From the manufacturers' perspective, the containers must be securely held within the nests.

[0003] It is frequently desirable to process such transport carriers, or the containers arranged in nests within them, automatically in pharmaceutical filling lines, without having to remove the containers or complicate the processing by requiring individual handling of each container. In pharmaceutical filling lines, containers in such transport carriers or nests are regularly filled with a pharmaceutical product and then sealed in the nest using an externally supplied stopper. An increasingly important requirement is the ability to perform 100% fill control of the containers.This means that ensuring all containers are filled equally is not achieved solely through statistical values ​​and / or precise process control, but rather that an individual measurement of the fill quantity is determined and monitored for each container. Such control is typically performed using gravimetric measurement. The weight of the container after filling is determined. A (known or previously determined) weight of the (empty) container is subtracted, and the remainder represents the fill quantity. This form of 100% fill control is widely used in pharmaceutical filling plants; however, the containers are usually weighed outside the filling area.

[0004] Starting from this premise, the object of the present invention is to disclose an improved container carrier. This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims, as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art will combine the individual features in a technologically meaningful way and thereby arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0005] This describes a container carrier for carrying a large number of containers at designated receiving positions of the container carrier during the processing of the containers and / or material contained in the containers in a processing plant, wherein the container carrier is designed such that each container can be lifted by a weighing device acting on the container from an underside of the container carrier in such a way that the container is released from the container carrier and thus a precise determination of an individual weight of the container is possible.

[0006] The container carrier described here is designed to allow the efficient weighing of a large number of containers arranged within it using a weighing device. The purpose of weighing is to determine the quantity of a product in each container. The weight of the container itself can be taken into account during the weighing process and does not normally affect the result. However, undefined forces, such as those caused by friction or contact between the containers and the container carrier during weighing, can pose a problem. The container carrier described here is designed so that a weighing device can lift the containers from below, thereby releasing them from the carrier. "Released" in this context means that there is no longer any contact between the container and the container carrier.The container, freed from the container carrier, no longer touches the container carrier.

[0007] The complete isolation (without contact between the container and the container carrier) enables reproducible, interference-free weighing of the objects without measurement inaccuracies.

[0008] Only by being able to detach the containers from the container carrier can accurate weighing of the containers, and thus the quantity of product in each container, be achieved. Any contact between the containers and the container carrier (even just slight leaning against it) causes an undefined force to be transferred from the container to the carrier. This undefined force interferes with the weighing process. Since the container carrier holds a large number of containers, individually determining the weight or quantity of product in a single container becomes impossible when such undefined forces occur. These undefined forces result in the transfer of forces from one container to another via the container carrier, making a precise determination of the weight of any single container impossible.

[0009] It is preferred if the container carrier is designed in such a way that the containers can be lifted by the weighing device in a tip-proof manner, so that the containers do not tip over when being lifted and do not come into contact with sections of the container carrier.

[0010] The tip-proof lifting of the containers is achieved, for example, by not only lifting them at a (central) support point, but also by ensuring that, during lifting with the weighing device, the containers rest on a surface on which they stand upright. Preferably, the vertical orientation of the containers during weighing is predetermined by the weighing device.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier provides at least three points of attack for each container, which span an attack surface in an attack plane and are designed so that the container can be lifted at these points of attack by the weighing device and thus released from the container carrier.

[0012] The term "providing points of engagement" here refers specifically to the fact that the container support offers a space or a passage from below through which the weighing device can engage the container support and come into contact with the container in order to lift it. Within this space, a specific position where the weighing device makes contact with the container is then referred to as the point of engagement. The point of engagement is therefore not formed by material from the container support, but rather a (virtual) point within a space or recess in the container support where the weighing device, or its designated gripping elements, can come into contact with the container.

[0013] By providing at least three points of application, an (imaginary) surface is defined within which these three points of application lie. The container rests on this (imaginary) surface when lifted. This imaginary surface does not necessarily have to be the bottom surface of the container or correspond to it. In other words, the container does not have to be lifted by the weighing device at its lowest points. The weighing device can also engage or pick up the container at points of application slightly laterally (at a position somewhat above the bottom of the container). The plane of application may then intersect the container.

[0014] In further preferred embodiments, the points of application are formed on surface sections of the containers that do not lie in a (ground) plane, but rather on a side wall of the container, or on a transition area between the bottom of the container and a side wall. When the containers are lifted, this preferably creates a centering effect. The container is partially centered between the points of application or between the sections of the weighing device that engage at the points of application.

[0015] In particular, such an arrangement allows for good centering of the containers during weighing. The center of gravity of the containers can thus be moved (closer) to the plane of attack. This improves the centering of the containers during weighing.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container support has at least a section of a lateral edging for each container, which secures the container against tipping within the container support, wherein the lateral edging has a height extending from the plane of attack which is less than the extent of the attack surface spanned by the points of attack.

[0017] Frames are, in particular, sections of the container support extending upwards from a base surface and surrounding receiving positions for containers. Frames can be completely (closed) around each receiving position. Frames can also be interrupted and, for example, only form web sections that partially delimit the receiving positions. Overall, the frames are preferably designed such that containers positioned at receiving positions cannot slip to other receiving positions, but are held in their respective designated receiving positions by the frames. The extent of the contact area is, in particular, the distance between the points of contact. The extent of the contact area can also be the diameter of a circle spanned by the points of contact.

[0018] Especially with conventional transport carriers, containers tend to sit low in the receiving positions. This means that the rim surrounding the containers is, for example, higher than 15 mm or even higher than 19 mm, and in particular, higher than the diameter of the containers. In some cases, such conventional transport carriers may also feature very tight radial guidance of the containers by the rims. Such (high) rims are advantageous for the task of transporting containers safely.

[0019] In contrast, a lower rim is proposed here, where the height of the rim is less than the area of ​​contact. This prevents the containers from coming into contact with the rim when they are lifted with the weighing device. The rims still provide a certain degree of stabilization for the containers within the container carrier.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier provides support points for each container, which span a support surface in a support plane on which the container carried in the container carrier rests.

[0021] The support points are points on the container support against which the containers rest when the containers are supported by the container support and are (just) not being lifted by the weighing device. The support plane is defined by the support points. Preferably, the support plane also has a bearing surface extent, which (analogous to how the bearing surface extent is defined by the points of attack) is defined by the support points – optionally by a distance between the support points or by a diameter of a circle spanned by the support points.

[0022] The support surface and the weighing point can be the same or different. If necessary, the points of attack can be positioned further out and slightly higher, so that the weighing point is somewhat higher than the support surface. This allows for a particularly secure grip on the containers with the weighing device.

[0023] The support points are always located differently from the points of attack because the containers are supported by the container carrier at the support points, and there is no free space at the support points where the weighing device can engage the containers. Preferably, the support points are located on sections of the container carrier between which free spaces exist. The points of attack are located in these free spaces.

[0024] With the support points on sections of the container carrier and the points of attack in free spaces, a special geometry is formed at each receiving position of the container carrier, which enables the containers to be lifted.

[0025] The novel container carriers described here form nests for containers, enabling automated and simultaneous, yet individual, weighing of each individual container.

[0026] The goal of the novel container carrier is to combine nest processing with 100% fill control. Containers should therefore be weighed individually without having to be removed from the container carrier or nest.

[0027] If necessary, the container carrier described here can also be designed to serve as a transport carrier. Preferably, the container carrier described here, with containers arranged within it, can be provided in a tub and removed from the tub.

[0028] In further embodiments, such a container carrier can also be used (only) for processing containers in a plant (especially in a pharmaceutical filling plant). Preferably, such a container carrier is used in combination with transport carriers. At the beginning and end of the processing in the plant, a transfer process takes place, in which containers are transferred from the transport carrier to the container carrier described here at the beginning and then back from the container carrier to the transport carrier at the end.

[0029] Preferably, the container carrier is designed such that the transfer processes can also be carried out in the manner of nest processing. This means that all containers are transferred (together) during the transfer processes. The processing of the container carriers in systems is explained in more detail below.

[0030] The container support described here is designed in such a way that complete or total clearance of the containers by the weighing device is achievable even with a low lifting height. This is achieved in particular by the low height of the lateral supports and the described arrangement of support points and points of application.

[0031] The stroke during weighing of the containers with the weighing device is preferably less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2 mm. This short stroke is a crucial factor for a short cycle time and thus a high volume of containers that can be processed with a single system. Furthermore, a short stroke during weighing also makes it easier to implement novel planar kinematics in the weighing device. In principle, however, a short stroke is advantageous with any other drive concept because it reduces accelerations and speeds that occur during the stroke.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier has an insert for each container, which is arranged at the receiving position for receiving the container and can be lifted together with the container from a container carrier frame using a weighing device, so that force-transmitting contact of the container with the container carrier frame is eliminated.

[0033] It is proposed here to supplement the container carrier with inserts, which are provided at each receiving position and in which the respective container sits and rests. The inserts are preferably movable or liftable together with the container.

[0034] The container support is therefore preferably designed in multiple parts, namely with a container support frame and inserts at each mounting position. A container support of this type is particularly suitable for non-stable containers. A fundamental distinction can be made between stable and non-stable containers, whereby stable containers can stand securely on a flat surface, while non-stable containers cannot, for example, due to a very small or even non-existent contact surface on their underside.

[0035] Containers that are not stable cannot usually be lifted safely at their points of leverage. Examples of such containers are syringes, or syringes with needle guards. To ensure that such containers are held securely in the container carrier, it is particularly necessary to provide higher supports than the preferably low-profile supports (as described earlier) on the container carrier.

[0036] For this reason, inserts are proposed. Retainings for containers with a greater height than the area of ​​contact can be formed on the insert. The container is securely held in the insert and can be stabilized by the retaining elements (formed on the respective insert). Containers cannot be detached from the inserts by the weighing device. Only the insert and container together can be detached and thus weighed. Contact points are preferably formed on the insert. The weight of the inserts is known and can therefore be precisely taken into account when calculating the fill quantity of product in the container from the weight determined by the weighing device.

[0037] During weighing, the containers are lifted together with their respective inserts. Since the weight of each insert is known, it can be factored into the calculation of the container's fill volume without affecting an accurate and individual determination of the fill quantity. Inserts can be designed as sleeves that surround and, if necessary, enclose the individual containers, with their outer surface shaped to ensure they are securely held in the container carrier or frame while also allowing them to be lifted for weighing.

[0038] Preferably, inserts only partially enclose the containers. Inserts that are open at the bottom are particularly advantageous, allowing sections of the containers (e.g., a needle formed at the bottom of a syringe made from the container and, if applicable, a needle guard) to protrude downwards from the inserts. This prevents forces from acting on such sections (needle or needle guard). Furthermore, this design allows for length tolerance. This means that the exact length by which the needle protrudes from the bottom does not need to be known.

[0039] There are also variations of insert designs that completely (all around) enclose the container. Such inserts are then designed like cups to hold the container.

[0040] Cup-shaped inserts are particularly well-suited for holding syringes. The syringe is preferably held in the cup with the tip or needle pointing downwards, and a finger flange of the syringe is preferably exposed and can be used, in particular, to insert the tip into the insert. In this embodiment, a needle guard may optionally rest on the bottom of the cup-shaped insert.

[0041] If necessary, the distance between the points of attack or the area of ​​attack on the insert can also be greater than the diameter of the container. This allows for particularly safe lifting of the container over or with the insert. The stability of the container with the insert on the weighing surface is increased.

[0042] Furthermore, it is preferred that the container support frame has at least a partially conical receptacle for each insert and that each insert has at least a partially conical support surface, wherein when the container is carried in the container support, the conical receptacles and the conical support surfaces interact in such a way that the inserts with the containers are centered at the intended receiving position in the container support, wherein when the inserts with the containers are lifted by a weighing device, the conical receptacles and the conical support surfaces are separated from each other in order to release the inserts with the containers from the container support frame.

[0043] The conical recess on the container support frame and the conical bearing surface on the insert provide the insert and container with a secure hold within the container support frame. This hold is preferably sufficient to prevent lateral movements, displacements, or accelerations of the container support frame from causing the inserts to shift within the frame. The interaction of the conical shapes preferably creates a positive locking mechanism that secures the insert within the container support frame in a plane of the frame.

[0044] The conical receptacle and the conical bearing surface can be rotationally symmetrical or designed in a shape that deviates from rotational symmetry. In particular, it is also possible to use elliptical cone shapes. In addition to axial centering, rotational angular alignment is also achieved when an elliptical conical receptacle and an elliptical conical bearing surface interact.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferred if alignment means are provided at the receiving positions on the at least one insert and on the container support frame, with which an angular alignment of the insert with the container to the container support frame is set when the container is placed back into the container support from the weighing device.

[0046] Such alignment means can preferably be designed by alignment lugs and corresponding recesses on a receptacle for the insert and on the insert itself, wherein these alignment lugs and recesses are preferably coordinated such that the insert is guided into a specific angular orientation when it is placed in the container support frame or the receptacle. Particularly preferably, during weighing, the inserts are lifted only to the extent that the alignment means still allow a blockage in one plane to prevent the inserts from rotating relative to the container support frame.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferred if the inserts are connected to the container support frame via a flexible material section.

[0048] Such flexible material sections are, in particular, very thin material sections that form a flexible connecting bridge between the container support frame and each individual insert. These flexible connecting bridges are designed in such a way that any relative movement of the inserts to the container support frame during the weighing process does not generate undefined forces that could negatively affect the weighing process.

[0049] For the purpose of weighing, the inserts and the container support frame can preferably be considered as separate components, although they are actually connected to each other via a flexible section of material.

[0050] The flexible material section may generate a (small) resulting force when the insert is lifted during weighing and the flexible section deforms (possibly elastically). If such a force occurs, it is preferably so small that it is negligible for the weighing result. Alternatively, the force may be precisely defined. The flexible material section may have a slight spring effect. If the insert is lifted by a defined height, e.g., 5 mm, during the weighing process, the resulting spring force can be precisely determined and subtracted from the weighed value when calculating the fill quantity.

[0051] The flexible material section also holds the inserts securely to the container support frame. If necessary, the container support frame can also be designed to completely enclose the inserts, preventing them from falling out.

[0052] Preferably, the container carrier is manufactured using a 3D printing process. Preferably, the container carrier is made of a plastic material and, in particular, printed from a plastic material using 3D printing. 3D printing allows for the efficient production of small batches or individual pieces. Especially when the container carrier is used only for processing containers in a specific system and is not used as packaging or as a (normal) transport carrier, the required quantities of such container carriers of a specific type or for a specific type of container are not very high, making 3D printing particularly suitable for their production. Furthermore, the mechanical stresses on such container carriers are such that they can be manufactured from plastic materials using 3D printing without significant limitations.

[0053] The production of container supports using 3D printing (especially from plastic) is particularly advantageous when the container supports are designed with a frame and inserts. It is especially preferred that the frame and inserts are produced in a single (common) printing process. It is also highly preferred that flexible material sections are produced together with the frame and inserts in a single 3D printing process (especially from plastic).

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferred if the inserts have at least one lateral access area through which containers with a thickening below a support level for the containers can be inserted into the inserts.

[0055] Containers with a thickened section include, for example, syringes with a needle that has a needle stopper at its end, which forms the thickened section. These containers are particularly unstable. The needle stopper is often soft. Furthermore, the needle stopper is frequently wider or has a larger diameter than the body of the syringe. Safe insertion from above into a holder is not possible with such a container because the lower (thicker) section can only be inserted into a holder from above through a very large opening, and this opening, or the surrounding rim, is incapable of supporting the container.

[0056] For this reason, a side access area on inserts is advantageous, allowing a container to be inserted from the side and, for example, hooked into designated sections on the container support frame. If necessary, a threading motion is required to insert the container into the side access area, which can be performed with suitable transfer devices. Such a threading motion can include an initial movement of the container from the side through the side access area, followed by a lowering motion of the container onto the support surfaces of the insert. This allows containers that are not stable and are wider at the bottom than at the top to be inserted into inserts, thus enabling safe weighing of the containers with the inserts.

[0057] In this context, it is also preferred if the container carrier has a designated storage position for each receiving position, where a lid of the container carried in the respective receiving position can be placed.

[0058] Furthermore, container carriers are preferably designed such that, in addition to receiving containers, defined storage positions for lids and / or other types of closures are provided on the container carrier. Preferably, for each receiving position, an (adjacent) storage position can also be provided where a closure and / or a lid of the container can be placed. Storage positions for lids and / or closures provided next to the receiving positions shorten the distances over which lids and / or closures have to be moved. The processing of containers with lids and / or closures can be carried out more efficiently. In particular, a separate feeding of lids and / or closures can be eliminated. Lids and / or closures can be placed together with the containers on the container carrier or...on the containers, in which container carriers are fed into a system in order to fill the containers with the system and then provide containers closed with the lids / closures.

[0059] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier has a different arrangement and positioning of individual receiving positions for containers compared to a transport carrier. It is particularly preferred, for example, that the distance between individual receiving positions on the container carrier is increased compared to the distance between receiving positions on a transport carrier (with a nest in a tub). An increased distance may simplify the processing of the containers in the system. A transfer process for transferring containers from a transport carrier to the container carrier and, if necessary, back again, can be designed such that the distance between the containers is increased during the transfer process, and the containers are then inserted into the container carrier with this (increased) distance.By appropriately designing the tools for carrying out the transfer process, considerable freedom is given to the arrangement of the containers in the container carrier.

[0060] Particularly preferred is a pattern in which receiving positions are arranged on the container carrier and are largely freely configurable compared to a pattern of receiving positions on a transport carrier, wherein suitably designed tools for carrying out the transfer process adapt the positions of the containers to the patterns of the container carrier during the transfer process.

[0061] Also described here is a weighing device for simultaneously weighing a large number of containers, which are provided with a container carrier described here.

[0062] It is particularly preferred if the weighing device has gripping elements that engage at the points of attack provided by the container carrier in order to grasp and lift containers carried in the container carrier.

[0063] Furthermore, it is preferred if the weighing device has centering means with which, when lifting the containers from the container carrier, the containers are simultaneously centered and / or aligned.

[0064] The weighing device is specifically designed to interact with the container carrier described above. The advantages and design features of the container carrier are transferable to the weighing device. Gripping elements are specifically designed to engage from below into the spaces between sections of the container carrier in order to lift the containers at points of contact.

[0065] Centering means include, in particular, points of attack located far to the outside, which interact especially with inclined surfaces at the transition area between a base surface and wall sections of the containers in order to achieve a centering effect.

[0066] The weighing device is preferably part of a system for processing containers for pharmaceutical applications - in particular a system for filling containers with pharmaceutical products.

[0067] The weighing device preferably provides a plurality of separate weighing sections. In particular, the weighing device preferably has an independent weighing section for each container or for each receiving position on the container carrier. Each weighing section can determine a weight independently of all other weighing sections of the device. Gripping elements are provided for each individual weighing section. Lifting or releasing the individual container is preferably carried out using the individual weighing section of the device.

[0068] The container carrier enables the parallel transport and processing of a large number of containers in a matrix-like arrangement on such a system.

[0069] The transport of the container carriers within the plant is preferably carried out using a dedicated drive concept, for example with belt drives, linear motors, planar technology or robots.

[0070] The container carrier is particularly well-suited for automated processing. Transferring and processing each container individually introduces additional process risks. These risks are significantly reduced by the automated, parallel processing of, for example, 100 to 160 objects. This also applies when transferring containers from a transport carrier to the container carrier described here is necessary. From a process safety perspective, this constitutes two (transferring) process steps. The weighing process for the parallel, yet individual, weighing of the numerous containers also represents a process step. Therefore, the total number of process steps required for individual weighing is significantly reduced.

[0071] For transferring containers from transport carriers to the container carriers described herein and back, the system preferably includes transfer devices that can, for example, be designed with a plurality of fork elements which grip the containers at a handle flange, then remove them from the transport carrier or the container carrier and insert them into the other container. Such fork elements can be attached to the transfer device, for example, with a variable or adjustable spacing and can be moved apart during the transfer process to adapt the arrangement or spacing of the containers to, for example, the arrangement of receiving positions in the container carrier.

[0072] In principle, the pattern for arranging the objects in the container carrier for processing the containers in the system is freely selectable according to the concept described here. Preferably, a defined row spacing can be set for processing in the system, even if the spacing of the containers in transport carriers (in nests in tubs) is not precisely set. The packing density is thus preferably no longer dependent on packaging material suppliers, but is optimally aligned with the machine concept of the processing system.

[0073] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments, to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and especially the size relationships shown in the figures, are only schematic. They show: Fig. 1: a cross-section through a typical transport carrier; Fig. 2: a first version of a container carrier described here; Fig. 3: a second variant of a container carrier described here; Fig. 4: a schematic view of a container carrier from above; Fig. 5: a detail of a described container carrier; Fig. 6: a detail of a weighing device; Fig. 7: a schematic sketch of the interaction between container carrier and weighing device; Fig. 8: a detail of a container carrier with inserts; Fig. 9: an insert for a container carrier; Fig. 10 another detail of a container carrier with inserts; Fig. 11a: another detail of a container carrier with inserts; Fig. 11b: a cross-section through the Fig. 11a; Fig. 12: a schematic sketch of a design variant of a container carrier from above; and Fig. 13: A diagram illustrating the processing of containers using the container carrier described here.

[0074] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a typical transport carrier 28, as it is commonly used. The transport carrier 28 has a nest 33, which is arranged in a tray 31, the tray 31 often also referred to as a tub. Containers 2 are arranged in the nest 33 at receiving positions 5. The tray 31 is optionally closed by a seal 32 to protect the containers 2 in the tray 31 from environmental influences.

[0075] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a container carrier 1 described herein, with containers 2 held at receiving positions 5. The container carrier 1 preferably provides a frame 9 for each container 2, which defines or limits the receiving position 5. The height 10 of the frame 9 is low here – particularly compared to a corresponding (not shown separately) height of the frame found in the transport carrier 28 according to [reference missing]. Fig. This results in 1. This ensures good clearance of the containers 2 during weighing. Schematically shown in the Fig. Figure 2 also shows a weighing device 4, which provides a weighing section 34 for each container 2 or for each receiving position 5. The weighing sections 34 of the weighing device 4 are used to lift the containers 2 out of the receiving positions 5 and release them.

[0076] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a container carrier 1 described here, with containers 2 held in it at 5 receiving positions. Reference is also made here to the description of the Fig. 2 and the first design variant of a container carrier shown therein, with reference here only to the differences to the design variant according to Fig. 2 is addressed. The container carrier 1 additionally includes inserts 16, which are held in a container carrier frame 17 of the container carrier 1 and each of which encompasses the containers 2 and in which the containers 2 are held. The inserts 16 can be lifted by the weighing sections 34 of the weighing device 4 or released from the container carrier 1 in order to weigh the containers 2.

[0077] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a container carrier 1. The principle of a matrix-like arrangement of the receiving positions 5 with rows and columns can be seen. Preferably, the weighing device 4 (not shown here) with weighing sections 34 is designed in a corresponding arrangement, so that containers 2 can be lifted at the receiving positions 5 by means of the weighing sections 34 on the weighing device 4.

[0078] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a detail of a described container carrier 1 and the interaction of the container carrier 1, a container 2, and the weighing device 4 with the weighing section 34 at the receiving position 5. A possible configuration of a receiving position 5 on the container carrier 1 is shown. At the receiving position 5, there is a partially circumferential frame 9 with a height 10, which encompasses the containers 2 received at the receiving position 5 and holds the containers 2 at the respective receiving position 5. Sections of the container carrier 1 provide support points 12 at the receiving position 5, on which the containers 2 are held in the receiving position 5. In addition, there are also gaps 35 between sections of the container carrier 1 in the area of ​​the receiving position 5, in which the weighing device 4 or a weighing section 34 can engage with the container carrier 1 and release the containers 2.The weighing device 4 with the weighing section 34 is in this . Fig. Figure 5 is shown schematically. The interaction of the weighing device 4 and the container 2 at the receiving position 5 is explained below using the following diagram. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 explained in detail.

[0079] In the Fig. Figure 6 schematically indicates the container carrier 1, and in a three-dimensional representation, the weighing device 4 or a weighing section 34 of the weighing device 4. The weighing section 34 engages the container carrier 1 from below at the receiving position 5 to lift or release a container 2, which is held at the receiving position 5. The weighing section 34 or the weighing device 4 has gripping elements 26 that engage the container 2 at the indicated points of attack 6 to lift the container 2. The points of attack 6 lie in a plane of attack 7, which defines a contact surface 8 against which the container 2 is held during lifting. Additionally, there are support points 12 on which the container 2 rests on the container carrier 1 when the weighing device 4 is not lifting the container 2 to release or weigh it. These support points 12 form a support surface 14 in a support plane 13.As an example, it is shown here that attack level 7 and support level 13 correspond. This is not necessarily the case, but is only to be understood as an example.

[0080] In Fig. Figure 6 shows in further detail that centering means 27 can be provided on the gripping elements 26 of the weighing device 4, which can assist in centering the container 2 during lifting or freeing. The centering means 27 are designed here as inwardly chamfered surfaces of the gripping elements 26. These centering means 27 preferably interact with correspondingly chamfered (preferably curved) surfaces in the lower region of the containers 2, these surfaces being located particularly in a transition area between a bottom and side walls of the containers 2. Preferably, the centering means 27 generate centering forces on the containers 2.

[0081] The Fig. Figure 7 now shows a cross-section in the attack plane 7 or the support plane 13 through the area in the Fig. Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional representation of the arrangement. The receiving position 5, defined by a frame 9 for the schematically depicted container 2, is visible. Support points 12 are provided on sections of the container support 1, which together define a support surface 14 with a support surface area 15, on which the container 2 rests in a support plane 13. The container support 1 has spaces 35 between the sections with the support points 12. The gripping elements 26 of the weighing device 4 can engage these spaces 35 from below to lift or release the container 2 at points of engagement 6. The points of engagement 6 define a gripping surface 8 with a gripping surface area 11, which lies in a gripping plane 7. This shows that the contact area 8 is larger than the support area 14. This ensures a particularly good hold of the container 2 on the weighing device 4.on the gripping elements 26 of the weighing device 4 or the weighing section 34 of the weighing device 4.

[0082] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a detail of a container carrier 1 with a container carrier frame 17 and inserts 16, each of which can hold a container 2 (e.g., syringes). Only a section of the container carrier 1 is shown here. It can be seen that conical receptacles 18 are arranged on the container carrier frame 17, in which conical support surfaces 19 of the inserts 16 rest, thus centering the inserts 16 in the conical receptacles 18.

[0083] In Fig. Figure 9 shows the structure or shape of an insert 16 with the container 2 arranged therein in further detail. Preferably, the container support frame 17 is adapted to this structure or shape. The insert 16 has the features associated with Fig. 8 explained conical support surface 19 and also alignment means 20, which are designed here as noses, which preferably cooperate with correspondingly designed grooves or recesses on the container support frame 17 in order to specify an angular alignment of the insert 16 in the container support frame 17, which is established when the insert 16 is placed back in the container support frame 17 after the weighing process.

[0084] The Fig. Figure 10 shows a further detail of a container support frame 17 with inserts 16. Here, too, it can be seen that the conical support surface 19 of the insert 16 sits in a conical receptacle 18 of the container support frame 17. Furthermore, a flexible material section 21 is shown, which connects the container support frame 17 to the insert 16. The flexible material section is preferably designed to be so thin that it does not impede the weighing process. For the weighing process, the container support frame 17 and the insert 16 can be considered separate parts despite the flexible material section 21. However, the flexible material section 21 is particularly advantageous for the manufacturing process of the container support 17 (e.g., using a 3D printing process) because it enables the simultaneous production of the container support frame 17 and the inserts 16.

[0085] The Fig. 11a and Fig. Figure 11b shows another detail of a container carrier 2 with inserts 16, which can be implemented. Here, too, the insert 16 sits with a conical support surface 19 in a conical receptacle 18 of the container carrier frame 17. The container 2 is held on a support level 13 in the insert 16. The container 2 is, for example, a syringe with a thickening 23 at its lower end, formed, for example, by a needle guard, which is unsuitable for setting down the container 2. For this reason, the container 2 is, for example, suspended in the insert 16 at the level of the support level 13.

[0086] The container can be inserted into the insert 16, for example, laterally via a lateral access area 22, which is shown in section AA according to Fig. 11b is shown, which is in Fig. It is marked 11a.

[0087] The Fig. Figure 12 shows a schematic sketch of another embodiment of a container carrier 1 from above. The illustration in Fig. 12 basically corresponds here to the representation according to Fig. 4, whose explanations are also referenced here. In addition to the receiving positions 5, the container carrier 1 has storage positions 24, at which, for example, lids 25 or closures of containers 2 can be placed during the processing of the containers 2 with the container carrier 1 in a processing plant 3.

[0088] The Fig.Figure 13 schematically shows a diagram or system for processing containers 2 with the container carrier 1 described here. The process shown involves the containers 2 being first placed in transport carrier 28, then transferred to container carrier 1 and processed, followed by reloading back into transport carrier 28. This is one possible way to process containers 2 with the described container carrier 1. In other process configurations, it is also possible to use the described container carrier 1 directly as transport carriers, thus eliminating the need for transfer operations 29.

[0089] After the containers 2 are placed in transport carriers 28, a transfer process 29 takes place at a transfer station to transfer the containers 2 into the container carrier 1 described here. Then, a weighing process is carried out using a weighing device 4. Further processing steps 30 can be performed before and / or after the weighing process with the weighing device 4. Such processing steps can, for example, include filling the containers 2 with pharmaceutical products. Reference symbol list 1 container carrier 2 containers 3 Processing plant 4 Weighing device 5 Recording position 6 attack points 7 Attack Level 8 attack surface 9 Border 10 Height 11. Extent of the attack surface 12 support point 13th printing level 14 contact surfaces 15. Contact area extension 16 deployment 17 container support frames 18 conical mount 19 conical contact surfaces 20 alignment tools 21 flexible material section 22 side access area 23 Thickening 24 storage positions 25 lids 26 gripping elements 27 Centering devices 28 transport carriers 29 Transfer process 30 further processing step 31 bowls 32 seals 33 Nest 34 Weighing section 35 free space

Claims

[1] Container carrier (1) for carrying a plurality of containers (2) at receiving positions (5) of the container carrier (1) provided for this purpose during processing of the containers (2) and / or of a material received in the containers (2) in a processing plant (3), wherein the container carrier (1) is designed in such a way that each container (2) can be lifted by means of a weighing device (4) acting on the container (2) from an underside of the container carrier (1) in such a way that the container (2) is released from the container carrier (1) and thus a precise determination of an individual weight of the container (2) is possible. [2] Container carrier (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container carrier (1) is designed such that the containers (2) can be lifted by the weighing device (4) in a tilt-proof manner, so that the containers (2) do not tilt when lifted and do not rest against sections of the container carrier (1). [3] Container carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container carrier (1) provides at least three engagement points (6) for each container (2), which engage in an engagement plane (7) and are designed so that the container (2) can be lifted at these engagement points (6) by the weighing device (4) and thus released from the container carrier (1). [4] Container carrier (1) according to claim 3, wherein the container carrier (1) further comprises, for each container (2), at least in sections, a lateral border (9) which secures the container (2) against tilting within the container carrier (1), wherein the lateral border (9) has a height (10) extending from the attack plane (7) which is smaller than an attack surface extension (11) of the attack surface (8) spanned by the attack points (6). [5] Container carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container carrier (1) provides support points (12) for each container (2) which, in a support plane (13), span a support surface (14) on which the container (2) carried in the container carrier (1) rests. [6] Container carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container carrier (1) has an insert (16) for each container (2), which insert is arranged at the receiving position (5) for receiving the container (2) and can be lifted together with the container (2) from a container carrier frame (17) by means of a weighing device (4), so that a force-transmitting contact of the container (2) with the container carrier frame (17) is eliminated. [7] Container carrier (1) according to claim 6, wherein the container carrier frame (17) has for each insert (16) an at least partially conical receptacle (18) and each insert (16) has an at least partially conical support surface (19), wherein when the container (2) is carried in the container carrier (1), the conical receptacles (18) and the conical support surfaces (19) interact in such a way that the inserts (16) with the containers (2) are centered at the intended receiving position (5) in the container carrier (1), wherein when the inserts (16) with the container (2) are lifted by a weighing device (4), the conical receptacles (18) and the conical support surfaces (19) are released from one another in order to release the inserts (16) with the containers (2) from the container carrier frame (17). [8] Container carrier (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein alignment means (20) are provided on the at least one insert (16) and on the container carrier frame (17) at the receiving positions (5), with which an angular alignment of the insert (16) with the container (2) to the container carrier frame (17) is set when the container (2) is placed back into the container carrier (1) from the weighing device (4). [9] Container carrier (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the inserts (16) are connected to the container carrier frame (17) via a flexible material section (21). [10] Container carrier (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the inserts (16) have at least one lateral access area (22) via which containers (2) with a thickening (23) below a support plane (13) for supporting the containers (2) can be inserted into the inserts (16). [11] Container carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container carrier (1) has a designated storage position (24) for each receiving position (5), at which a lid (25) of the container (2) carried in the respective receiving position (5) can be deposited. [12] Weighing device (4) for simultaneously weighing a plurality of containers (2) provided with a container carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Weighing device (4) according to claim 12, wherein the weighing device (4) has gripping elements (26) which engage the engagement points (12) provided by the container carrier (1) in order to grip and lift containers (2) carried in the container carrier (1). [14] Weighing device (4) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the weighing device (4) has centering means (27) with which, when the containers (2) are lifted from the container carrier (1), a centering of the containers (2) and / or an alignment of the containers (2) takes place simultaneously.

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