Container carrier for carrying a multiplicity of containers

Abstract

A container carrier (1) for carrying a multiplicity of containers (2) at associated receiving positions (5) of the container carrier (1) during processing of the containers (2), and / or of a material contained in the containers (2), in a processing installation (3), wherein the container carrier (1) is designed in such a way that each container (2) can be raised 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 brought clear of the container carrier (1) and a precise determination of an individual weight of the container (2) is thereby possible.

Description

[0001] Container carrier for carrying a variety of containers

[0002] Pre-sterilized containers that can be used as packaging are regularly provided in the pharmaceutical sector in transport carriers that include, for example, sealed trays containing nests. These sealed trays are often referred to as "tubs." Nests are often arranged in a matrix-like structure and provide a variety of positions for the containers or packaging.

[0003] In this way, vials, syringes, or cartridges can be provided as containers or packaging (in a transport carrier comprising a tub with a nest arranged therein). Typical transport carriers of this type have, for example, 10 times 16 = 160 receiving positions or 10 times 10 = 100 receiving positions, at each of which a container is provided. At the receiving positions, the nests have defined geometries that are designed depending on the containers held in each case. 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 main consideration when designing nests and transport carriers. From the manufacturer's perspective, the containers should be held securely in the nests.

[0004] It is often desirable to process such transport carriers, or the containers arranged in nests within them, automatically in pharmaceutical filling plants, without having to remove the containers or complicating the processing process by requiring individual handling of each container. In pharmaceutical filling plants, 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.

[0005] An increasingly important requirement is the ability to perform 100% fill control of containers. This means not only ensuring that all containers are filled equally through statistical values ​​and / or precise process control, but also determining and monitoring an individual measurement of the fill level for each container. This type of control is usually 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 corresponds to the fill level. This form of 100% fill control is widespread in pharmaceutical filling plants, but the objects are usually weighed outside the nest.

[0006] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to disclose a further developed container carrier. This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent patent 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 the person skilled in the art can combine the individual features in a technologically expedient manner and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0007] Described here is a container carrier for carrying a plurality of containers at designated receiving positions of the container carrier during processing of the containers and / or a material received in the containers in a processing plant, wherein the container carrier is designed such that each container can be lifted by means of a weighing device acting on the container from an underside of the container carrier such that the container is released from the container carrier and thus a precise determination of an individual weight of the container is possible.

[0008] The container carrier described here is designed to enable the efficient weighing of a large number of containers arranged in the container carrier using a weighing device. The weighing serves the purpose of determining the quantity of product in the containers. The weight of the container itself can be taken into account for the weighing process and does not normally affect the result of the weighing process. However, undefined forces can occur during weighing, for example due to friction or the containers coming into contact with the container carrier during the weighing process. The container carrier described here is designed in such a way that a weighing device can lift containers in the container carrier from below, thereby releasing the containers from the container carrier. The term "released" here means that there is no longer any contact between the container and the container carrier.The container released from the container carrier no longer touches the container carrier.

[0009] The complete separation (without contact between the container and the container carrier) enables reproducible, trouble-free weighing of the objects without measurement inaccuracies.

[0010] Only when the containers are freed from the container carrier can they be accurately weighed, and thus the amount of product in them. Contact between the containers and the container carrier (even just leaning them lightly) results in the transfer of an undefined force from the container to the container carrier. This undefined force disrupts the weighing process. Since a large number of containers are provided in the container carrier, it is no longer possible to individually determine the weight or amount of product for a single container when such undefined forces occur. Such undefined forces result in forces being transferred from one container to another via the container carrier, making it impossible to precisely determine the weight of an individual container.

[0011] 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 tilt-proof manner, so that the containers do not tip over during lifting and do not rest against sections of the container carrier. Tilt-proof lifting of the containers is achieved, for example, by not only lifting the containers at a (central) support point, but also resting on a surface on which the containers are standing upright when lifted by the weighing device. The vertical orientation of the containers during weighing is preferably predetermined by the weighing device.

[0012] It is also preferred if the container carrier provides at least three engagement points for each container, which span an engagement surface in an engagement plane and are designed so that the container can be lifted by the weighing device at these engagement points and thus released from the container carrier.

[0013] The term "provision" of engagement points here specifically means that the container carrier offers a free space or a passage from below, at which the weighing device can engage the container carrier and come into contact with the container in order to lift the container. Within these free spaces, a specific position at which the weighing device comes into contact with the container or touches the container is then referred to as the engagement point. The engagement point is therefore not formed from the material of the container carrier, but rather a (virtual) point within a free space or a recess in the container carrier, at which the weighing device or gripping elements of the weighing device provided for this purpose can come into contact with the container.

[0014] By providing at least three points of application, an (imaginary) surface is spanned in which these three points of application lie. The container rests on this (imaginary) surface when lifted. The imaginary surface does not necessarily have to be the lower base level of the container or correspond to the lower base level. In other words, this means that the container does not have to be lifted by the weighing device at its lowest points. It is also possible for the weighing device to engage at points of application slightly to the side (at a position slightly above the base of the container) or to pick up the container. The plane of application may then intersect the container.

[0015] In further preferred embodiments, the engagement points are formed on surface sections of the containers that are not located in a (floor) plane, but rather on a side wall of the container, or in a transition area between a bottom of the container and a side wall of the container. When the containers are lifted, this preferably creates a centering effect. The container is partially centered between the engagement points or between the sections of the weighing device that engage the engagement points.

[0016] Such an arrangement, in particular, allows for good centering of the containers during weighing. The position of the container's center of gravity can thus be brought (closer) to the loading plane. This improves the centering of the containers during weighing.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier further comprises, at least in sections, a lateral border for each container, which secures the container against tilting within the container carrier, wherein the lateral border has a height extending from the attack plane which is smaller than an attack surface extension of the attack surface spanned by the attack points.

[0018] Borders are, in particular, sections of the container carrier that extend upwards from a base surface of the container carrier and surround receiving positions for containers. Borders can be completely (closed) around each receiving position. Borders can also be interrupted and, for example, only form web sections that delimit the receiving positions in sections. Overall, the borders are preferably designed such that containers positioned at receiving positions cannot slip to other receiving positions, but are held in the respectively intended receiving position by the borders. The engagement surface extension is, in particular, a distance between the engagement points. The engagement surface extension can also be a diameter of a circle spanned by the engagement points.

[0019] Especially with conventional transport carriers, containers tend to be positioned low in the receiving positions. This means that the border surrounding the containers is, for example, higher than 15 mm [millimeters] or even higher than 19 mm, and in particular, higher than the diameter of the containers. If necessary, such conventional transport carriers can also provide very tight radial guidance of the containers through the borders. Such (high) borders are advantageous for the task of transporting containers safely.

[0020] In contrast, a lower rim is proposed here, with the rim height being smaller than the contact surface area. This ensures that contact between the containers and the rim does not occur when the containers are lifted by the weighing device. The rims still provide a certain degree of stabilization of the containers in the container carrier.

[0021] It is also 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.

[0022] The support points are points on the container carrier against which the containers rest when the containers are being carried by the container carrier and are not (currently) being lifted by the weighing device. The support plane is spanned by the support points. Preferably, the support plane also has a support surface extension, which is defined by the support points (analogous to how the contact surface extension is defined by the contact points) - either by a distance between the support points or by a diameter of a circle spanned by the support points. The support plane and the contact plane for weighing can be the same or different. If necessary, it is possible for the contact points to be located further out and somewhat higher, so that the contact plane is somewhat higher than the support plane. In this case, a particularly secure grip of the containers with the weighing device can be achieved.

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

[0024] With the support points on sections of the container carrier and the engagement points 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, which enable automated and simultaneous, yet individual weighing of each individual container.

[0026] The goal of the innovative container carrier is to combine nest processing with 100 percent fill control. Containers are therefore to 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 so that it can be used as a transport carrier. Preferably, the container carrier described here, with the containers arranged therein, can be provided in a tub and removed from the tub.

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

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

[0030] The container carrier described here is designed in such a way that the weighing device can fully release the containers even with a low lifting height. This is achieved in particular by the low height of the side surrounds and the described arrangement of support points and engagement points.

[0031] The stroke when weighing the containers with the weighing device is preferably less than 10 mm [millimeters], preferably less than 5 mm, and particularly preferably less than 2 mm. This short stroke is a decisive factor for short cycle times and thus a high volume of containers that can be processed with a system. A short weighing stroke also makes it easier to implement innovative planar kinematics in the weighing device. However, a short stroke is generally an advantage with any other drive concept because it can reduce the accelerations and speeds that occur during the stroke.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier has an insert for each container, which insert 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 a force-transmitting contact of the container with the container carrier frame is eliminated.

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

[0034] The container carrier is therefore preferably designed in several parts, namely with a container carrier frame and inserts at each receiving position. A container carrier of this type is particularly suitable for non-stable containers. A distinction can generally be made between stable and non-stable containers. 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 support surface on their underside.

[0035] Unstable containers usually cannot be lifted securely at their grip points alone. Examples of such containers include syringes or, where appropriate, syringes with needle guards. To ensure such containers are held securely in the container carrier, it is particularly necessary to provide higher rims than the preferably low-height rims on the container carrier (as described above).

[0036] For this reason, inserts are proposed. Frames for the containers with a height greater than the contact surface extension can be formed on the insert. The container is securely held in the insert and can be held stable by frames (which are formed on the respective insert). Containers cannot be released from the inserts by the weighing device. Only the insert and container can be released together 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 filling 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 taken into account when calculating the fill volume in the container and does not affect the precise and individual determination of the fill volume.

[0038] Inserts can be designed in the form of sleeves that surround and, if necessary, enclose the individual containers and whose outer side is shaped so that, on the one hand, they are securely held in the container carrier or the container carrier frame and, on the other hand, can be lifted for weighing.

[0039] Preferably, inserts only partially enclose the containers. Inserts are particularly advantageous when they are open at the bottom, allowing sections of the containers (e.g., a needle formed at the bottom of a syringe container and, if applicable, a needle guard arranged there) to protrude downwards from the inserts. This can prevent forces from acting on such sections (needle or needle guard). Furthermore, a length tolerance can be achieved in this way. This means that the length by which the needle protrudes at the bottom does not need to be known exactly.

[0040] Insert designs that completely enclose containers (all the way around) are also possible. These inserts are then designed like cups to hold the container.

[0041] Cup-shaped inserts are particularly suitable for holding syringes as containers. The syringe itself 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 particularly also be used to insert the tip into the insert. In this embodiment, a needle guard may be located at the bottom of the cup-shaped insert. If necessary, the distance between the engagement points or the engagement surface on the insert can also be made larger than the diameter of the container. This allows the container to be lifted particularly safely above or with the insert. The stability of the container with the insert on the weighing surface is increased.

[0042] It is also preferred if the container carrier frame has a receptacle which is at least partially conical in shape for each insert and each insert has a support surface which is at least partially conical in shape, wherein when the container is carried in the container carrier, 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 carrier, wherein when the inserts with the container are lifted by a weighing device, the conical receptacles and the conical support surfaces are released from one another in order to release the inserts with the containers from the container carrier frame.

[0043] The conical receptacle on the container support frame and the conical support surface on the insert provide the insert with the container with a secure hold in the container support frame, which is preferably sufficient to prevent lateral movements / displacements / accelerations of the container support frame from causing the inserts to shift within the container support frame. Due to the interaction of the conical shapes, the insert is preferably positively enclosed in the container support frame in the direction of a plane of the container support frame.

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

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

[0046] Such alignment means can preferably be implemented by alignment lugs and corresponding recesses on a receptacle for the insert and on the insert itself. These alignment lugs and recesses are preferably coordinated with one another in such a way that the insert is guided into a specific angular orientation when the insert is placed in the container support frame or the receptacle. Particularly preferably, during weighing, the inserts are only lifted to the extent that the alignment means still allow a blocking of the inserts in one plane against rotation relative to the container support frame.

[0047] It is also 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 web between the container support frame and each individual receptacle. Such flexible connecting webs are, in particular, designed in such a way that any relative movement of the inserts to the container support frame, which occurs during the weighing process, does not generate undefined forces that could negatively impact the weighing process.

[0049] For the purpose of weighing, the inserts and the container support frame can preferably be regarded as separate components, although they are actually connected to one another via a flexible section of material. The flexible section of material may generate a (small) resultant force when the insert is lifted during weighing and the flexible section of material deforms (possibly elastically) in the process. If such a force occurs, it is preferably so small that it is negligible for the result of the weighing process. Another possibility is that the force is precisely defined. The flexible section of material may have a slightly springy effect. If the insert is lifted by a defined height of e.g. 5 mm during the weighing process, the resulting spring force can be precisely determined if necessary and subtracted from the value determined during weighing when calculating the fill quantity.

[0050] 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 of the container support frame.

[0051] Particularly preferably, the container carrier has been produced using a 3D printing process. The container carrier is preferably made from a plastic material and, in particular, printed from a plastic material using 3D printing. A 3D printing process can be used to efficiently produce, in particular, small series or individual pieces. In particular, if the container carrier is only used for processing containers in a specific facility and is not used as a packaging material and / 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, so 3D printing processes are particularly suitable for their production. Furthermore, the mechanical loads of such container carriers are such that they can be produced from plastic materials using 3D printing processes without relevant restrictions.

[0052] The production of container carriers using 3D printing processes (particularly from plastic) is particularly suitable when the container carriers are designed with a container carrier frame and inserts. Particularly preferably, the container carrier frame and the inserts are produced using a (common) printing process. Very particularly preferably, flexible material sections are also produced together with the container carrier frame and the inserts using a 3D printing process (particularly from plastic).

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferred if the inserts have at least one lateral access area, via which containers with a thickening below a support plane for supporting the containers can be inserted into the inserts.

[0054] Such containers with a thickened portion include, for example, syringes with a needle, at the end of which there is a needle closure, which forms the thickened portion. Such containers are particularly unstable. The needle closure is often soft. Furthermore, the needle closure is often wider or has a larger diameter than the body of the syringe. Secure insertion from above into an insert is not possible with such a container because the lower (thicker) section can only be inserted into an insert from above through a very large opening, and this opening or the borders surrounding the opening are unable to support the container.

[0055] For this reason, a side access area on inserts is advantageous, via which a container can be inserted into the insert from the side and, for example, can be suspended in sections provided for this purpose on the container support frame. If necessary, a threading movement may be required to thread the containers into the side access area, which can be carried out using suitable transfer devices. Such a threading movement can comprise an initial movement of the container from the side through the side access area and a subsequent lowering movement of the container onto the support surfaces of the insert. In this way, unstable containers that are wider at the bottom than at the top can be inserted into inserts, which then enables reliable weighing of the containers with the inserts.In this context, it is also preferred if the container carrier has a designated storage position for each receiving position, at which a lid of the container carried in the respective receiving position can be placed.

[0056] Furthermore, container carriers are preferably designed in such a way that, in addition to receiving containers, defined storage positions for lids and / or differently designed closures of the containers are provided on the container carrier. Preferably, an (adjacent) storage position can also be provided for each receiving position, at which a closure and / or a lid of the container can be deposited. Storage positions for lids and / or closures provided next to the receiving positions shorten the paths over which the lids and / or closures have to be moved. Containers with lids and / or closures can be processed more efficiently. In particular, separate feeding of lids and / or closures can be omitted. Lids and / or closures can be stored together with the containers on the container carrier oron the containers, in which container carriers are fed into a system in order to fill the containers with the system and then to provide containers closed with the lids / closures.

[0057] Furthermore, it is preferred if the container carrier has an arrangement and positioning of individual receiving positions for containers that differs from 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 reloading process for transferring containers from a transport carrier to the container carrier and, if necessary, back again can, if necessary, be designed such that the distance between the containers is increased during the reloading process and the containers are then inserted into the container carrier with the (increased) distance. A suitable design of the tools for carrying out the reloading process allows for extensive freedom in arranging the containers in the container carrier.

[0058] Particularly preferred is a pattern in which receiving positions are arranged on the container carrier, which is largely freely configurable compared to a pattern of receiving positions on a transport carrier, wherein suitably designed tools for carrying out the reloading process adapt the positions of the containers to the patterns of the container carrier when carrying out the reloading process.

[0059] Also to be described here is a weighing device for simultaneously weighing a plurality of containers which are provided with a container carrier described here.

[0060] It is particularly preferred if the weighing device has gripping elements which engage the engagement points provided by the container carrier in order to grip and lift containers carried in the container carrier.

[0061] Furthermore, it is preferred if the weighing device has centering means with which the containers are simultaneously centered and / or aligned when the containers are lifted from the container carrier.

[0062] The weighing device is particularly 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 particularly designed to engage from below in the spaces between sections of the container carrier in order to lift the containers at the gripping points.

[0063] Centering means comprise, in particular, points of engagement located far outwards, which interact in particular with inclined surfaces at the transition area between a base surface and wall sections of the containers in order to achieve a centering effect.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The weighing device preferably provides a plurality of separate weighing sections. In particular, the weighing device preferably has a separate 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 weighing device. Gripping elements are configured for each individual weighing section of the weighing device. The lifting or release of the individual container is preferably performed by the individual weighing section of the weighing device.

[0066] With the help of the container carrier, parallel transport and parallel processing of a large number of containers in a matrix-like arrangement is possible on such a system.

[0067] The transport of the container carriers within the system is preferably carried out using a dedicated drive concept, for example with belt drives, linear motors, planar technology or robots.

[0068] The container carrier is particularly well-designed for machine processing. Transferring and processing each container individually creates additional process risks. These process risks are significantly reduced through the automated parallel processing of, for example, 100 to 160 objects. This also applies when containers need to be reloaded from a transport carrier into the container carrier described here. From a process reliability perspective, these two (reloading) process steps are required. The weighing process for the parallel, yet individual, weighing of the large number of containers also represents a single process step. The total number of process steps required for individual weighing is thus significantly reduced.

[0069] For transferring containers from transport carriers to the container carriers described here and back, the system preferably comprises transfer devices, which can be designed, for example, with a plurality of fork elements that grip the containers by a gripping 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 in order to adapt the arrangement or spacing of the containers, for example, to the arrangement of receiving positions in the container carrier.

[0070] In principle, the pattern for arranging the objects in the container carrier for processing the containers in the system can be freely selected using 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 adjusted. The loading density is thus no longer dependent on packaging suppliers, but is optimally aligned with the machine concept of the processing system.

[0071] The invention and the technical context of the invention 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 in particular the proportions depicted in the figures, are only schematic. They show:

[0072] Fig. 1 : a cross-section through a conventional transport carrier;

[0073] Fig. 2: a first embodiment of a container carrier described here; Fig. 3: a second embodiment of a container carrier described here;

[0074] Fig. 4: a schematic view of a container carrier from above;

[0075] Fig. 5: a detail of a described container carrier;

[0076] Fig. 6: a detail of a weighing device;

[0077] Fig. 7: a schematic sketch of the interaction between the container carrier and the weighing device;

[0078] Fig. 8: a detail of a container carrier with inserts;

[0079] Fig. 9: an insert for a container carrier;

[0080] Fig. 10 shows a further detail of a container carrier with inserts;

[0081] Fig. 11a: another detail of a container carrier with inserts;

[0082] Fig. 11 b: a cross section through Fig. 11 a;

[0083] Fig. 12: a schematic sketch of a variant of a container carrier from above; and

[0084] Fig. 13: a diagram for processing containers with the container carrier described here.

[0085] Fig. 1 shows a cross-section through a conventional transport carrier 28, as is commonly used. The transport carrier 28 has a nest 33 arranged in a tray 31, which is 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.

[0086] Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a container carrier 1 described here with containers 2 received therein at receiving positions 5. The container carrier 1 preferably provides a border 9 for each container 2, which predetermines or limits the receiving position 5. A height 10 of the border 9 is low here - particularly in comparison to a corresponding (not separately shown) height of the border that results from the transport carrier 28 according to Fig. 1. This ensures that the containers 2 can be easily released during weighing. Also shown schematically in Fig. 2 is a weighing device 4, which provides a weighing section 34 for each container 2 or for each receiving position 5. The containers 2 are lifted out of the receiving positions 5 and released using the weighing sections 34 of the weighing device 4.

[0087] Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of a container carrier 1 described here with containers 2 received therein at receiving positions 5. Reference is also made here to the description of Fig. 2 and the first embodiment of a container carrier shown there, whereby only the differences to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 are discussed here. The container carrier 1 here additionally comprises inserts 16, which are received in a container carrier frame 17 of the container carrier 1 and which each surround the containers 2 and in which the containers 2 are received. 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.

[0088] Fig. 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. The weighing device 4 (not shown here) is preferably designed with weighing sections 34 in a corresponding arrangement, so that containers 2 can be lifted at the receiving positions 5 using the weighing sections 34 on the weighing device 4.

[0089] Fig. 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 structure of a receiving position 5 on the container carrier 1 can be seen here. At the receiving position 5 there is a partially circumferential border 9 with a height 10, which surrounds 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, at which the containers 2 are held in the receiving position 5. Furthermore, in the area of ​​the receiving position 5 there are also free spaces 35 between sections of the container carrier 1, at which free spaces the weighing device 4 or a weighing section 34 can engage in the container carrier 1 and release the containers 2.The weighing device 4 with the weighing section 34 is shown schematically in this Fig. 5. The interaction of the weighing device 4 and the container 2 at the receiving position 5 is explained in detail below with reference to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0090] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the container carrier 1 and, in a three-dimensional representation, the weighing device 4 or a weighing section 34 of the weighing device 4. This engages from below at the receiving position 5 in the container carrier 1 in order to lift or release a container 2 which is received at the receiving position 5. The weighing section 34 or the weighing device 4 has gripping elements 26 which act on the container 2 at engagement points 6 indicated here in order to lift the container 2. The engagement points 6 lie in an engagement plane 7 which spans an engagement surface 8 on which the container 2 is held during lifting. In addition, 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 in order 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 should only be understood as an example.

[0091] Fig. 6 shows, as a 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 release. The centering means 27 are designed here as inwardly beveled surfaces of the gripping elements 26. These centering means 27 preferably interact with correspondingly beveled (preferably curved) surfaces in the lower region of the containers 2, wherein these surfaces are located in particular in a transition region between a base and side walls of the containers 2. The centering means 27 preferably generate centering forces on the containers 2.

[0092] Fig. 7 now shows a cross-section in the attack plane 7 or the support plane 13 through the arrangement shown three-dimensionally in Fig. 6. The receiving position 5 can be seen, which is predetermined by a border 9 for the schematically shown container 2. Support points 12 are provided on sections of the container carrier 1, which together define a support surface 14 with a support surface extension 15, on which the container 2 rests in a support plane 13. The container carrier 1 has free spaces 35 between the sections with the support points 12. The gripping elements 26 of the weighing device 4 can engage from below in these free spaces 35 in order to lift or release the container 2 at attack points 6. The attack points 6 span an attack surface 8 with an attack surface extension 11, which lies in an attack plane 7. Here it is shown that the contact surface 8 is larger than the support surface 14.In this way, a particularly good hold of the container 2 on the weighing device 4 or on the gripping elements 26 of the weighing device 4 or the weighing section 34 of the weighing device 4 can be achieved.

[0093] Fig. 8 shows a detail of a container carrier 1 with a container carrier frame 17 and inserts 16, in each of which the containers 2 (here, for example, syringes) can be accommodated. 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, so that the inserts 16 are centered in the conical receptacles 18.

[0094] Fig. 9 shows the structure or shape of an insert 16 with the container 2 arranged therein in even more detail. The container support frame 17 is preferably designed to match this structure or shape. The insert 16 has the conical support surface 19 explained in connection with Fig. 8 and, in addition, also alignment means 20, which are designed here as lugs, which preferably interact with correspondingly designed grooves or recesses in the container support frame 17 to specify an angular orientation 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.

[0095] Fig. 10 shows a further detail of a container carrier 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 carrier frame 17. In addition, a flexible material section 21 is shown, which connects the container carrier frame 17 to the insert 16. The flexible material section is preferably designed to be so thin that it does not hinder the weighing process. For the weighing process, despite the flexible material section 21, the container carrier frame 17 and the insert 16 can be considered separate parts. However, the flexible material section 21 is particularly advantageous for the manufacturing process for producing the container carrier 1 (e.g. using a 3D printing process), because it enables the container carrier frame 17 and the inserts 16 to be manufactured together.

[0096] Figs. 11a and 11b show a further 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 plane 13 in the insert 16. The container 2 here is, for example, a syringe, at the lower end of which there is a thickened portion 23, formed, for example, by a needle guard, and which is not suitable for placing the container 2 on. For this reason, the container 2 is suspended in the insert 16, for example, at the level of the support plane 13.

[0097] The container can be suspended in the insert 16, for example, laterally via a lateral access area 22, which is shown in the section AA according to Fig. 11 b, which is marked in Fig. 11a.

[0098] Fig. 12 is a schematic sketch of another embodiment of a container carrier 1 from above. The illustration in Fig. 12 basically corresponds to the illustration in Fig. 4, to whose explanations reference is also made here. In addition to the receiving positions 5, the container carrier 1 here has storage positions 24, at which, for example, lids 25 or closures of containers 2 can be deposited during the processing of the containers 2 with the container carrier 1 in a processing system 3.

[0099] Fig. 13 also shows a schematic diagram or a system for processing containers 2 with the container carrier 1 described here, wherein a process is shown in which the containers 2 are first provided in transport carriers 28, then reloaded into container carriers 1 and processed, with subsequent reloading into transport carriers 28. This is one possible type of processing of containers 2 with the container carriers 1 described. In other process configurations, it is also possible to use the container carriers 1 described here directly as transport carriers, so that reloading processes 29 can be omitted.

[0100] After the containers 2 have been provided in transport carriers 28, a transfer process 29 is first carried out at a transfer station to transfer the containers 2 into the container carrier 1 described here. This is followed by a weighing process using a weighing device 4. Further processing steps 30 can be performed before and / or after the weighing process using the weighing device 4. Such processing steps can include, for example, filling the containers 2 with pharmaceutical products.

[0101] List of reference symbols

[0102] Container carrier

[0103] container

[0104] Processing plant

[0105] Weighing device

[0106] Shooting position Attack points Attack level Attack surface Frame Height

[0107] Attack surface expansion

[0108] Support point Support plane Support surface Support surface extension Use

[0109] Container support frame conical holder conical support surface alignment means flexible material section lateral access area thickening

[0110] Storage position

[0111] Lid

[0112] Gripping elements

[0113] Centering device

[0114] Transport carrier reloading process further processing step tray seal nest weighing section free space

Claims

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 such 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 manner that prevents them from tipping over, so that the containers (2) do not tip over 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) using 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) over which containers (2) can be inserted into the inserts (16) with a thickening (23) below a support plane (13) for supporting the containers (2).

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 placed.

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 at 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.

Images