DEVICE FOR VACUUM-FREE REMOVAL OF A NEST FROM A TUB, A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR VACUUM-FREE REMOVAL OF A NEST FROM A TUB

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tube. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a sterile chamber comprising such a device or system.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tub.

[0003] A nest, in this context, is a plastic carrier plate typically used to hold primary packaging materials such as vials, syringes, or cartridges, particularly for pharmaceutical drugs, or other laboratory supplies such as syringe plungers. For this purpose, a nest usually has several cutouts or openings. A nest is typically handled in a plastic tray called a tub. Depending on the type of nest, a tub may contain only a single nest or several nests stacked on top of each other.

[0004] Typically, tubs and nests are handled automatically in a sterile environment. Removing a nest from a tub is a challenging handling step because the nest is positioned lower inside the tub. A gripper would therefore have to reach into the tub to remove the nest. A device for removing a nest from a tub is also known as a nest extractor, given its function.

[0005] Traditionally, a nest is removed from the tub using a vacuum-based device. Such a device uses a vacuum to suction the nest during removal. For this purpose, the device comprises a suction frame with integrated vacuum channels. Several spacer sleeves with suction cups are attached to the suction frame. The suction cups adhere to a suction surface on the nest, thus generating the necessary holding force to remove the nest from the tub. However, vacuum-based devices have several disadvantages, which pose particular problems when processing toxic / highly potent active ingredients. After setting up the device, a special decontamination cycle with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is generally required to ensure that the vacuum channels are also flushed with H₂O₂ and thus decontaminated.Since each vacuum-based device comprises multiple suction tubes (often ten), ensuring a sufficient amount of H₂O₂ passes through all of them is difficult. Furthermore, a filter must be provided for toxic and / or highly potent active ingredients to prevent them from escaping the sterile environment into the surrounding area as aerosols. Dismantling the device also presents a challenge with toxic and / or highly potent active ingredients because the vacuum lines leading to the filter are potentially contaminated with toxic material and are difficult to access during a water washdown. Therefore, the entire component must either be manually packed into a sealed bag by the operator using gloves and subsequently cleaned separately, or automatically ejected, for example, by a robot via an RTP port with a docked container.Vacuum-based devices also have the disadvantage that a vacuum unit is required to generate the vacuum. This consumes energy, thus increasing operating costs. Furthermore, using a vacuum-based device can lead to problems if one of the suction cups does not make contact with the nest's suction surface, or only makes partial contact. The affected suction cup then draws in unmetered air, reducing the holding force of the other suction cups as well. A similar effect occurs with vacuum-based devices if the nest being suctioned has a hole or other irregularity in the area of ​​one of the suction cups.

[0006] Devices for the vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tub are also known in practice. These known vacuum-free devices have several receiving units designed as locking units, between which the nest to be removed can be locked. Such a vacuum-free device can overcome at least some of the disadvantages described in connection with vacuum-based devices. However, only nests with suitable recesses for the locking units can be removed from tubs. Such recesses are generally not present, especially in the case of nests stacked on top of each other in a tub. Furthermore, separating the locked nest from the device is relatively complex. Automated separation typically requires an expensive six-axis robot with corresponding degrees of freedom.Removing the locked nest from the device using a more cost-effective four-axis robot is significantly more difficult because tilting the nest is necessary.

[0007] German patent application DE 10 2020 126 552 A1 discloses a device for vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tub, wherein the device has vertical fixing units and receiving units between which the nest can snap into place. The nest is then held between the vertical fixing units and the receiving units by a combination of a bottom handle and a clamping handle.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a way to remove a nest from a tub in a sterile environment, whereby the device should be easy to operate and, in particular, easy to clean, and the nest should have low design requirements.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a device according to claim 1, a system according to claim 11, a sterile chamber according to claim 13 and a method according to claim 14.

[0010] The respective subclaims and the description specify advantageous variants and embodiments.

[0011] According to the invention, a device for vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tub is provided. The device comprises a support structure, in particular a frame-shaped one.

[0012] The device further comprises at least one, in particular elongated, receiving unit. The receiving unit can, for example, be pin-shaped or stamp-shaped. The receiving unit is arranged on the support structure and extends away from the support structure. As mentioned above, the support structure can be frame-shaped. The receiving unit is then preferably arranged on the frame-shaped support structure such that it extends perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame-shaped support structure. At least when the nest is removed from the tub, the receiving unit typically extends downwards in a vertical direction.

[0013] It is now provided that at least one adhesive element is arranged on an end face of the receiving unit facing away from the supporting structure, and that the adhesive element is designed with an adhesive structure for the purpose of adhesively gripping the nest.

[0014] Adhesive gripping refers to gripping by adhesive forces. Adhesive forces are molecular attractive forces that act between contacting surfaces. To generate sufficiently high adhesive forces for nest removal, the adhesive element is designed with an adhesive structure according to the invention. In this respect, the adhesive element must be distinguished from those adhesive elements that have an unstructured adhesive layer for adhesive gripping. Adhesive-structured adhesive elements are generally known. In adhesive-structured adhesive elements, the adhesive forces are typically generated at least substantially by van der Waals forces. The adhesive-structured adhesive element according to the invention can, for example, have a microstructure and / or a mesostructure. Preferably, the adhesive element is made of a polymer, particularly preferably silicone.To remove the nest, the textured adhesive element and an adhesive surface of the nest can be pressed together. This causes the aforementioned adhesive forces to develop between the adhesive element and the adhesive surface of the nest, thus adhesively gripping the nest. Once the nest is adhesively gripped, it can be removed from the tube using the device, with the adhesive forces holding the nest firmly in place on the adhesive element.

[0015] The device according to the invention is easy to operate and clean, which results in particular from its vacuum-free design. Specifically, the individual components of the device can be designed so that they can be easily treated with conventional pharmaceutical cleaning and disinfecting agents or even autoclaved. Compared to the previously described vacuum-free devices, which use snap-fit ​​receiving units, the device according to the invention also has the advantage that no recesses for the snap-fit ​​units are required in the nest. Rather, almost any nest shape or design can be removed from tubs using the device according to the invention. Furthermore, a removed nest can also be easily detached from the adhesive element, particularly using a cost-effective four-axis robot.For example, the nest can be detached from the adhesive element by pressing, tilting, shearing, or rotating it. A further advantage is that no residue remains on the nest after detachment. Furthermore, no particles are generated that could result from mechanical friction between the nest and components of the device.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the adhesive element comprises a plurality of elastically deformable adhesive projections. These elastically deformable projections compensate for slight irregularities in the nest or the adhesive element, thus ensuring a large contact area between the adhesive element and the nest. Various designs are possible with regard to the shape of the adhesive projections. Preferably, the adhesive projections are columnar in shape. A columnar adhesive projection has a cross-section that is at least substantially constant, and in particular circular. Alternatively, the adhesive projections are preferably mushroom-shaped. In the case of a mushroom-shaped adhesive projection, the cross-sectional area of ​​a contact section for contacting the adhesive surface is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​a supporting section that carries the contact section.

[0017] Preferably, the diameter of the adhesive projections is less than 1 mm. Such small dimensions allow adhesive projections to effectively compensate for uneven surfaces, resulting in an adhesive element capable of generating high adhesive forces. Preferably, the diameter of the adhesive projections is less than 500 µm, and particularly preferably less than 200 µm.

[0018] Preferably, the adhesive element is an adhesive film. An adhesive element designed as an adhesive film has the advantage that its dimensions can be easily adapted to the dimensions of the end face of the receiving unit and / or the dimensions of the contactable area of ​​the nest. For example, the adhesive film is cut to the desired dimensions. Furthermore, the shape of an adhesive film can also be adapted to an uneven, particularly curved, end face of the receiving unit. The adhesive film has a first end face and a second end face facing away from the first. Preferably, the first end face has an adhesive structure, and the second end face is attached to the end face of the receiving unit by an adhesive bond.

[0019] According to the invention, the receiving unit is designed to be spring-elastic and shortenable along its longitudinal central axis, in particular by means of a spring mechanism, which includes, in particular, a spring travel limiter. This facilitates the gripping of the nest. This is because the requirements for the positioning accuracy of the nest are reduced. If the receiving unit is spring-elastic and shortenable, it can compensate for inaccuracies in the positioning of the nest by springing back. Furthermore, this has the advantage of preventing undesirable over-compression of the adhesive structure of the adhesive element. Over-compression describes the effect where the adhesive element and the nest are pressed together so strongly that the adhesive projections of the adhesive element buckle. The end faces of the adhesive projections are then extended obliquely to the contact surface of the nest, so that only reduced adhesive forces can act.This effect, which occurs when over-pressing, is also known as "Eulerian buckling".

[0020] Preferably, the receiving unit is detachably attached to the supporting structure, in particular by at least one fastening means such as a fastening screw. This has the advantage that the arrangement of the receiving unit on the supporting structure, as well as the number of receiving units arranged on the supporting structure, can be easily changed. For example, the arrangement and number can be adapted to the design of the nest to be removed.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises several, in particular elongated, receiving units distributed along the support structure and extending away from the support structure in the same direction, with at least one adhesive element arranged on each of the receiving units' end faces facing away from the support structure. The features disclosed above and below with reference to the at least one receiving unit are preferably also implemented in the further receiving unit(s). The presence of several receiving units has several advantages. Firstly, the total adhesive forces acting can be increased by several receiving units compared to just one. Secondly, the nest can be adhesively gripped at different points simultaneously, so that the adhesive forces act on the contact surface of the nest in a distributed manner.This prevents the nest from tipping over undesirably. Preferably, the receiving units are of equal length so that the adhesive elements of the different receiving units are arranged at the same height. As mentioned above, the support structure is preferably frame-shaped. The multiple receiving units are then preferably arranged circumferentially around the frame-shaped support structure, in particular evenly distributed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the support structure is rectangular with four legs, with two receiving units arranged on each leg of the rectangular support structure.

[0022] Preferably, the device comprises at least one centering unit, in particular a pin-shaped one, which is arranged on the support structure and extends away from the support structure. An end of the centering unit facing away from the support structure has a guide surface, in particular extending obliquely to the end face, for positioning the nest relative to the support structure. The at least one centering unit allows the nest to be precisely pre-positioned before adhesive gripping. This is important, for example, if the nest is to be transported further after being removed from the tub or if it is to be precisely positioned in a processing station. Preferably, the guide surface projects beyond the adhesive element arranged on the receiving unit. This makes it easy to pre-position the nest first using the guide surface. Only then does the adhesive element come into contact with the bonding surface.Preferably, the guide surface for positioning the nest interacts with an outer contour of the nest, with a recess in the nest, or with a through-hole in the nest.

[0023] Preferably, the device comprises a sensor unit configured to detect a nest adhesively gripped by the adhesive element. The sensor unit can then be used to determine whether the nest has been successfully removed. For example, the sensor unit can be configured as a radiation sensor, in particular a camera sensor or laser sensor. Alternatively, the sensor unit can be configured as a force sensor and integrated into the device such that the weight of the gripped nest acts on the force sensor. A sensor unit configured as a force sensor has the advantage that it can also monitor the contact force with which the adhesive surface of the nest and the adhesive element are pressed together. This makes it possible to detect or prevent unwanted over-pressing of the adhesive element when gripping the nest.

[0024] The device can include a handling device designed to move the tub containing the nest towards the receiving unit and to press the nest's adhesive surface against the adhesive element. Preferably, the handling device is designed to grip the tub. In this embodiment of the device, the support structure with the receiving unit attached to it is preferably stationary. This facilitates pressing the adhesive surface against the adhesive element. For example, the support structure is attached to a stationary stand.

[0025] The device can alternatively include a handling device designed to move the support structure towards the nest located in the tub and to press the adhesive element against the nest's adhesive surface. This embodiment of the device has the advantage that removing the nest is easy even when gripping the tub is difficult, for example, because the tub has low rigidity. Preferably, the handling device is designed to grip the support structure.

[0026] The problem to be solved is also solved by a system with the features of claim 11. The system comprises a device with the features described above, at least one nest with an adhesive surface, and at least one tub for receiving the nest.

[0027] Regarding the advantages achievable with the system, reference is made to the relevant descriptions of the device and / or the method. The features described in connection with the device and / or the method can be used for further development of the system.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the system, the device comprises several, in particular elongated, receiving units arranged on the support structure such that the adhesive elements located on the end faces of the receiving units can simultaneously contact the contact surface. This allows the nest to be gripped and removed with particular reliability. The contact surface can be a single, continuous surface. However, it can also be composed of several separate sub-surfaces. Preferably, the contact surface is formed by a circumferential, horizontally extended rim of the nest. The feature "horizontally extended" refers to the extent of the rim during removal of the nest from the tub.

[0029] The problem to be solved is also solved by a sterile chamber with the features of claim 13. A device with the features described above or a system with the features described above is arranged in the sterile chamber.

[0030] Regarding the advantages achievable with the sterile chamber, reference is made to the corresponding descriptions of the device and the method. The measures described in connection with the device and the method can serve to further develop the sterile chamber. A sterile chamber within the meaning of the invention is a device in which a closed or predominantly closed controlled atmosphere is present, e.g., an isolator or an enclosure that is partially open and has an internal area under positive pressure, so that a controlled atmosphere prevails inside.

[0031] The problem to be solved is also solved by a method for vacuum-free removal of a nest from a tub, the method comprising the following steps: providing a device comprising at least one, in particular frame-shaped, support structure and at least one, in particular elongated, receiving unit, which is arranged on the support structure and extends away from the support structure. At least one adhesive element is arranged on an end face of the receiving unit facing away from the support structure, which is designed with an adhesive structure for the adhesive gripping of the nest.

[0032] Pressing the adhesive element and an adhesive surface of the nest together, so that the adhesive surface is gripped by the adhesive element.

[0033] Removing the nest from the tub and detaching the nest from the adhesive element.

[0034] The advantages and further training opportunities of the device are to be understood as being described in relation to the method, and conversely, the advantages and further training opportunities of the method are to be understood as being described in relation to the device.

[0035] With regard to pressing the adhesive element and the attachment surface of the nest together, various embodiments of the method are possible. In a preferred first embodiment, the attachment surface is pressed against the stationary adhesive element. In a preferred second embodiment, the adhesive element is pressed against the attachment surface of the stationary nest. In a third embodiment, the adhesive element and the nest are moved towards each other, so that neither the adhesive element nor the nest is stationary.

[0036] Preferably, the nest is detached from the adhesive element by pressing, tilting, shearing, or rotating. These methods are easy to implement, for example, using a cost-effective four-axis robot. Pressing involves applying a force to the nest and / or the receiving unit that opposes the adhesive force. With a sufficiently high force, this deforms the adhesive structure, particularly the elastically deformable adhesive protrusions, to such an extent that the adhesive force is released. A tilting motion is a rotation about an axis parallel to the nest's adhesive surface. A shearing motion is a displacement along an axis parallel to the nest's adhesive surface. A rotating motion is a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the nest's adhesive surface.

[0037] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures, whereby identical or functionally equivalent elements are optionally identified only once by reference numerals. The description serves as an example and is not to be understood as limiting. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a device for removing a nest from a tub; Fig. 2 a side view of the device made of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the device. Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the device during nest removal and Fig. 5 a receiving unit.

[0038] The Figures 1 to 4 They show a device 1 for removing a nest 2 from a tub 3. They show Figure 1 a perspective view of device 1. Figure 2 shows a side view of device 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective detail view of device 1. Figure 4Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the device 1 during the removal of the nest 2. The device 1, the nest 2 and the tub 3 together form a system 4. The system 4 with the device 1 is preferably arranged in a sterile chamber (not shown in detail) so that the removal of the nest 2 from the tub 3 by the device 1 takes place under sterile conditions.

[0039] Tub 3 is shaped like a trough and made of plastic. The tub is located in the Figures 1 to 4In the illustrated embodiment, several nests 2 are stacked one above the other in the tub 3. Alternatively, only one nest 2 is held in the tub 3, in which case the nest 2 typically has a greater height than the nests 2 shown as examples in the figures. The nests 2 are plate-shaped and made of plastic. Typically, such nests serve to hold primary packaging materials or other laboratory supplies. In this example, piston stoppers 5 are held in the nests 2. Each piston stopper 5 is arranged in a different recess 6 of one of the nests 2.

[0040] The device 1 has a frame-shaped support structure 7. In this case, the support structure 7 is rectangular. Accordingly, the support structure 7 has two parallel first legs 8 and two parallel second legs 9. The second legs 9 extend perpendicular to the first legs 8. In this case, the longitudinal extent of the first legs 8 is greater than the longitudinal extent of the second legs 9. The first legs 8 are connected to each other by a support strut 10 of the support structure 7.

[0041] Several elongated receiving units 11 are arranged on the supporting structure 7. In this case, the receiving units 11 are pin-shaped. The receiving units 11 extend away from the supporting structure 7. In this case, the receiving units 11 are arranged on the supporting structure 7 such that they extend perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame-shaped supporting structure 7. The legs 8 and 9 of the supporting structure 7 extend in said plane. In the Figures 1 to 4In the illustrated embodiment, a total of eight receiving units 11 are present. The receiving units 11 are arranged circumferentially on the support structure 7. Two receiving units 11 are arranged on each of the legs 8, 9. However, a different number of receiving units 11 may also be present. According to another embodiment, only one receiving unit 11 is arranged on each of the legs 8, 9. According to yet another embodiment, the first legs 8 or the second legs 9 are free of receiving units 11.

[0042] Each of the receiving units 11 has at least one adhesive element 12, which is designed with an adhesive structure for the adhesive gripping of a nest 2. The adhesive elements 12 are arranged on end faces 13 of the receiving units 11 facing away from the supporting structure 7. In this case, the adhesive elements 12 are dimensioned such that they completely cover the respective end face 13. Alternatively, several adhesive elements 12 can be arranged on one or more of the receiving units 11, distributed across the end face 13 of the respective receiving unit 11. In this case, the adhesive elements 12 are designed as adhesive films 12.

[0043] The adhesive structure of the adhesive elements 12 is preferably formed by a plurality of elastically deformable adhesive projections. Preferably, the diameter of the adhesive projections is less than 1 mm. The adhesive structure is then accordingly designed as a microstructure. Due to their dimensions, the adhesive projections are not visible in the figures. For example, the adhesive projections are pin-shaped or mushroom-shaped.

[0044] Each of the nests 2 has an adhesion surface 14. The adhesion surface 14 is designed to be complementary to the adhesive elements 12, so that the adhesive elements 12 can simultaneously bear against the adhesion surface 14. In this case, the adhesion surface 14 is formed by a circumferential rim 15 of the nests 2. When the adhesion surface 14 and the adhesive elements 12 are pressed together, the adhesively structured adhesive elements 12 conform to the adhesion surface 14. In the case of the aforementioned adhesive projections, this occurs, for example, through elastic deformation of the projections. Adhesive forces then develop between the adhesive elements 12 and the adhesion surface 14, so that the nest 2 is adhesively gripped by the adhesive elements 12.

[0045] The device 1 also includes a handling device 16. In this case, the handling device 16 is a six-axis robot 16. Alternatively, the handling device 16 is preferably a four-axis robot.

[0046] The removal process described in connection with the figures can also be carried out using a handling device 16 designed as a four-axis robot. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the handling device 16 is designed to move the tub 3 towards the receiving units 11 and to press the adhesive surface 14 of the nest 2 against the adhesive elements 12. For this purpose, the handling device 16 has a gripper 17. The gripper 17 is designed to grasp a projection 18 of the tub 3. If the handling device 16 is designed to grasp the tub 3, the support structure 7 with the receiving units 11 is preferably stationary. In this case, the support structure 7 is attached to a stationary stand 19 such that the receiving units 11 extend vertically downwards. The frame-shaped support structure 7 extends horizontally accordingly.

[0047] If a nest 2 is to be removed from the tub 3 by the device 1, the procedure is preferably as follows. First, the handling device 16 grasps the tub 3 with the nests 2 contained therein by means of the gripper 17. The handling device 16 then moves the tub 3 vertically from below towards the receiving units 11 such that the adhesive surface 14 is pressed against the adhesive elements 12 with a predetermined initial contact force. The adhesive surface 14 is extended horizontally. By pressing the adhesive surface 14 against the adhesive elements 12 with the initial contact force, the nest 2 is adhesively gripped by the adhesive elements 12, as previously explained. Subsequently, the handling device 16 moves the tub 3 vertically downwards. The nest 2 adheres to the adhesive elements 12 and is removed from the tub 3 by the movement of the tub 3.

[0048] The nest 2 is then detached from the adhesive elements 12. This is preferably carried out by the handling device 16. For this purpose, the handling device 16 first sets down the tub 3. The handling device 16 then uses the gripper 17 to grasp the nest 2 adhering to the adhesive elements 12 and detaches it from them. However, the nest 2 can also be detached from the adhesive elements 12 by a separate handling device.

[0049] Regarding the removal of nest 2, several preferred procedures can be applied, which are explained below.

[0050] In a first embodiment, the nest 2 is detached from the adhesive elements 12 by overpressure. For this purpose, the nest 2 is pressed vertically upwards against the adhesive elements 12 with a predetermined second pressure force. The second pressure force is greater than the previously applied first pressure force. Pressing with the second pressure force deforms the adhesive structure of the adhesive element 12, thereby releasing the adhesive forces. If the adhesive structure has the aforementioned adhesive projections, these projections are bent by the pressure of the second pressure force. The end faces of the adhesive projections are then extended obliquely to the bonding surface 14 of the nest 2. At most, only minimal adhesive forces then act between the adhesive elements 12 and the bonding surface 14.

[0051] In a second embodiment, the nest 2 is detached from the adhesive elements 12 by a tilting movement. For this purpose, the nest 2 is rotated about an axis that is aligned parallel to the plate-shaped nest 2.

[0052] In a third embodiment, the nest 2 is detached from the adhesive elements 12 by a shearing movement. For this purpose, the nest 2 is moved along an axis that is aligned parallel to the plate-shaped nest 2.

[0053] In a fourth embodiment, the nest 2 is detached from the adhesive elements 12 by a rotational movement. For this purpose, the nest 2 is rotated about an axis that is oriented perpendicular to the plate-shaped nest 2.

[0054] According to a further embodiment of the device 1, the handling device 16 is designed to move the support structure 7 with the receiving units 11 arranged thereon towards the nest 2 and to press the adhesive elements 12 against the adhesion surface 14. The nest 2 is then adhesively gripped by the adhesive elements 12, as described above. Subsequently, the nest 2 is removed from the tub 3 by moving the support structure 7. In this embodiment of the device 1, a separate handling device is provided, for example, to detach the removed nest 2. Alternatively, the handling device 16 first positions the support structure 7 together with the adhesively gripped nest 2 in a fixed position and then detaches the nest 2 itself.

[0055] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the recording unit 11. The in Figure 5The depicted receiving unit 11 is shaped like a punch. Accordingly, the receiving unit 11 has an enlarged cross-section in the area of ​​the end face 13. Instead of the one shown in the Figures 1 to 4 The pin-shaped receiving units 11 shown can also be used in Figure 5 The illustrated stamp-shaped receiving unit 11 is inserted into the device 1.

[0056] The in Figure 5The depicted receiving unit 11 is designed to be spring-elastic and shortenable along its longitudinal center axis. For this purpose, the receiving unit 11 has two sections 20, 21, which are connected to each other by a spring mechanism 22. In this case, the spring mechanism 22 comprises two laterally projecting U-shaped spring elements 23, 24. The U-shaped spring elements 23, 24 are formed by milling out a central part of the receiving unit 11. The sections 20, 21 are connected to each other by the laterally projecting U-shaped spring elements 23, 24, with the sections 20, 21 being spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extent of the receiving unit 11. The sections 20, 21 can be moved towards each other by deforming the U-shaped spring elements 23, 24, thereby shortening the longitudinal extent of the receiving unit 11. The spring mechanism 22 has the advantage that unwanted over-pressing during the adhesive gripping of a nest 2 is avoided.The spring mechanism 22 can also be used in the . Figures 1 to 4 The depicted pin-shaped receiving units 11 are present.

[0057] The in Figure 5 The illustrated receiving unit 11 has a mounting flange 25 with bores 26 formed therein. The receiving unit 11 can be detachably attached to the support structure 7 via the bores 26. This has the advantage that the number and arrangement of the receiving units 11 can be adapted to the shape of the nest 2 to be removed. The bores 26 also allow for the adjustment of the mounting units 11 to the shape of the nest 2 to be removed. Figures 1 to 4 The illustrated receiving units 11 are preferably detachably attached to the supporting structure 7.

Claims

1. Device (1) for vacuum-free removal of a nest (2) from a tub (3), the device (1) comprising at least one, in particular frame-shaped, supporting structure (7) and at least one, in particular elongate, receiving unit (11) which is arranged on the supporting structure (7) and extends away from the supporting structure (7), characterized in that at least one adhesive element (12) is arranged on an end face (13) of the receiving unit (11) that faces away from the supporting structure (7), in that the adhesive element (12) is designed with an adhesive structure for adhesive gripping of the nest (2), and in that the receiving unit (11) is designed to be elastically shortenable along its longitudinal central axis.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive element (12) comprises a plurality of elastically deformable adhesive protrusions, the diameter of the adhesive protrusions in particular being less than 1 mm, preferably less than 500 µm, particularly preferably less than 200 µm.

3. Device (1) according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the adhesive element (12) is an adhesive film (12).

4. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving unit (11) is designed to be elastically shortenable along its longitudinal central axis via a spring mechanism (22), the spring mechanism (22) in particular comprising a spring travel limiter.

5. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving unit (11) is detachably attached to the supporting structure (7), in particular by at least one fastening means.

6. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises multiple, in particular elongate, receiving units (11) which are arranged distributed on the supporting structure (7) and extend away from the supporting structure (7) in the same direction, at least one adhesive element (12) being arranged on each of the end faces (13) of the receiving units (11) that face away from the supporting structure (7), in particular with the receiving units (11) being arranged in a peripheral direction of the frame-shaped supporting structure (7) in an in particular uniformly distributed manner.

7. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one, in particular pin-shaped, centering unit which is arranged on the supporting structure (7) and extends away from the supporting structure (7), with an end of the centering unit that faces away from the supporting structure (7) having a guide surface extending obliquely to the end face (13) for positioning the nest (2) relative to the supporting structure (7), in particular with the guide surface interacting with an outer contour of the nest (2), with a recess of the nest (2) or with a perforation of the nest (2) for positioning the nest (2).

8. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a sensor unit designed to recognize a nest (2) adhesively gripped by the adhesive element (12).

9. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a handling apparatus (16) designed to move the tub (3) with the nest (2) contained therein toward the receiving unit (12) and to press an adhesive surface (14) of the nest (2) against the adhesive element (12).

10. Device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a handling apparatus (16) designed to move the supporting structure (7) toward the nest (2) located in the tub (3) and to press the adhesive element (12) against the adhesive surface (14) of the nest (2).

11. System (4) comprising a device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, at least one nest (2) having an adhesive surface (14) and at least one tub (3) for receiving the nest (2).

12. System (4) according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (1) comprises multiple, in particular elongate, receiving units (11) which are arranged on the supporting structure (7) in such a way that the adhesive elements (12) arranged on the end faces (13) of the receiving units (11) can simultaneously contact the adhesive surface (14), the adhesive surface (14) in particular being formed by a peripheral horizontally extended edge (15) of the nest (2).

13. Sterile chamber comprising a device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10 or a system (4) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. Method for vacuum-free removal of a nest (2) from a tub (3), comprising the following steps: a. providing a device (1) comprising at least one, in particular frame-shaped, supporting structure (7) and at least one, in particular elongate, receiving unit (11) which is arranged on the supporting structure (7) and extends away from the supporting structure (7), wherein at least one adhesive element (12) is arranged on an end face (13) of the receiving unit (11) that faces away from the supporting structure (7), which adhesive element is designed with an adhesive structure for adhesive gripping of the nest (2), and wherein the receiving unit (11) is designed to be elastically shortenable along its longitudinal central axis, b. pressing the adhesive element (12) and an adhesive surface (14) of the nest (2) together, so that the adhesive surface (14) is adhesively gripped by the adhesive element (12), c. removing the nest (2) from the tub (3), d. detaching the nest (2) from the adhesive element (12).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the nest (2) is detached from the adhesive element (12) by over-pressing, by a tilting movement, by a shearing movement or by a rotational movement.