Apparatus and method for automatically extending the opening flap of a closed package

Abstract

An apparatus (10) and method for extending a tear flap (20) of a closed package (11) containing at least one object (12), the apparatus comprising a blowing device (22) for blowing gas under pressure into a ventable portion (21) of the package (11) in such a way that the tear flap (20) is usable and identifiable for subsequent processing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a corresponding method for automatically extending the tear flap of a closed package made at least in part of a breathable material, such as a pouch, bag or pouch of thin, flexible material, such as plastic, paper, cloth or synthetic material. The package may contain, but is not limited to, chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic objects, such as containers or supports, such as bottles, vials, flasks, etc. The package is also appropriately treated to facilitate identification of one of its tear flaps. In this specification and the appended claims, "breathable" refers to a material that is permeable to air and other gases, but impermeable to liquids and microorganisms. [Background technology]

[0002] In the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields, it is known to package products or substances in specialized containers suitable for holding single or multiple doses, to facilitate the task of selecting and administering said doses.

[0003] The known containers mentioned above can be, for example, bottles, flasks, vials, syringes, cartridges, such as syringes themselves for administering anesthesia or other drugs.

[0004] These known containers are often transported and often filled in an orderly arrangement in racks or trays housed in slightly larger trays, the racks or trays being known to those skilled in the art as "nest" and the slightly larger trays being known to those skilled in the art as "tubs".

[0005] To ensure that the contents of the container are protected from the risk of external contamination and to prevent leakage of the substances contained therein, for example due to breakage or damage during transport, the tray is enclosed in a first package or bag, usually made of a thin flexible polymer material or at least partly made of a breathable material as defined above, such as filter paper or a mixture of high density polyethylene fibers, such as the well-known Tyvek®.

[0006] Thus, the composition and molecular structure of these particular materials make them highly suitable for use in the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields, as they can be treated or processed in controlled and / or sterile environments.

[0007] An example of this type of packaging is described in US 2011 / 0139050, in which the first packaging is configured to contain a medical device formed by a bag provided with a breathable membrane, the breathable membrane being made of one of the above-mentioned materials that allows sterilization gases to pass through the bag.

[0008] Furthermore, in some solutions the first packaging containing the tray is sealed within a second packaging also made from a material similar to that of the first packaging to increase the safety factor and make it easier to transport, and the second packaging may be provided with, for example, a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) to allow much faster automatic recognition of the contents of the package.

[0009] Furthermore, any pressure difference, for example between the external environment and the interior of each package, will not cause the package to expand, as the air contained within the package will be free to escape from the interior to the exterior, and may also escape through the micropores present in the material, thereby improving the transportability and storability of the package and the objects contained therein.

[0010] This type of packaging is very efficient, especially in automated processing lines, where various industrial machines and robots can recognize and process the various trays sealed in the packaging without the need for external personnel intervention, ensuring a high speed of execution and a high level of safety in the process, especially when it is necessary to work in a sterile environment.

[0011] Thus, to remove an individual object from each package, an operator or automated device simply needs to identify the tear flap, typically located on one side of each package, and cut it to remove the contents.

[0012] However, particularly when using automatic machinery, if the opening flap is deformed or wrinkled, it can be particularly difficult to identify the opening flap, or it can be difficult or impossible to automatically recognize the flap itself and open it, for example by cutting it.

[0013] In particular, a device is known from DE 10 2014 201967 A1 in which a sharp tubular element or needle is provided for identifying the tear flap of a sealed package, said tubular element or needle being inserted into the package itself so that air or other gas is blown under pressure into the package, causing it to expand like a balloon and making it easier to identify the tear flap to be cut.

[0014] However, inserting the needle into a sealed package means that it must be sterilized before each use, for example by washing with an alcohol solution or by heating the sharpening member itself, which makes the process excessively long and labor-intensive.

[0015] Furthermore, the known solutions described above are not very suitable when it is necessary to process packages or containers containing, for example, chemical, pharmaceutical and / or cosmetic substances that may react with the air blown into them or that may be damaged by the needle when punctured, which may result in a loss of quality and handling.

[0016] It is therefore necessary to provide a device that can extend the opening flap of a closed package containing one or more objects, in particular containers for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields, in order to facilitate identification of the opening flap, which overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and which can operate on an automated processing line, in particular when processing in a sterile environment is required.

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for extending the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, such as a container for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic sector, in order to facilitate identification of the opening flap of the package, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for extending the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, such as a container for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic sector, which device can function automatically without the need for intervention by an operator, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for extending the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, such as a container for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic sector, which ensures high hygiene standards and does not expose the contents to the risk of contamination, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for stretching the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, which device allows the interior of the package to expand without the need to pierce the package, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for extending the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, such as a container for use in the pharmaceutical sector, which allows the interior of the package to expand without the need for repeated sterilization of the device or one or more of its components, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for extending the opening flap of a closed package containing at least one object, such as a container for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic sector, without risking damage to the contents, and to complete a corresponding method.

[0023] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to achieve these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0024] The invention is defined in the independent claims, which describe its features, while the dependent claims describe further features of the invention or variants of the main idea of ​​the invention.

[0025] In view of the above objects, there is provided an apparatus for extending a tear flap of a closed package containing at least one object, the apparatus comprising: The package has at least one ventilated portion made of a ventilated material. The device comprises: a support means configured to position the ventable portion in an accessible position to at least temporarily maintain the package with the object inside in a stable and fixed position; The packaging further comprises blowing means configured to engage the ventable portion without penetrating the packaging to selectively blow gas under pressure into the packaging through the ventable portion to expand the packaging until the tear flap is stretched so that the tear flap is usable and identifiable for subsequent processing, in particular for cutting the stretched flap. The blowing means is coupled to the ventable portion for blowing the gas under pressure into the ventable portion when the package is held fixed in the stable position by the support means.

[0026] In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises movement means configured to selectively effect relative movement between the blowing means and the breathable portion of the package to bring the blowing means into contact with the breathable portion to create an at least temporary and stable hermetic connection.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention, the blowing means comprises coupling means configured to selectively create a temporary coupling with the ventable portion of the package.

[0028] In another aspect of the present invention, the blowing means has a blowing chamber communicating with the ventilated portion, and the blowing chamber and the ventilated portion are coupled to each other so as to isolate the blowing chamber from the outside. In other words, the blowing chamber is disposed in correspondence with the coupling means.

[0029] In another aspect of the invention, the blowing means further comprises sealing means configured to contact the breathable portion of the packaging to create a seal, in particular a hermetic seal, in a bonding zone between the blowing means and the breathable portion, the sealing means preferably being associated with the bonding means corresponding to the blowing chamber.

[0030] In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises compressor means configured to provide gas at a predetermined pressure.

[0031] In another aspect of the invention, the sparging chamber is provided with one or more bleed holes in fluid communication with the compressor means.

[0032] In another aspect of the invention, at least the blowing means is associated with a robot, or part of a robot, or a mechanical arm.

[0033] In another aspect of the invention, the support means comprises a support having a bottom wall, two side walls and a rear wall, the bottom wall, the side walls and the rear wall together defining a storage compartment, the storage compartment having dimensions to properly and stably position the package containing the object with the ventable portion in an accessible position, in other words, the ventable portion facing outward, i.e., opposite the rear wall.

[0034] In another aspect of the invention, the device is sized and configured to be inserted into a sterile and / or controlled environment containment compartment.

[0035] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for extending a tear flap of a closed package containing at least one object, said package having at least one ventable portion made from a ventable material, said method comprising: a) placing the package with the at least one object in a support means so as to at least temporarily maintain the package in a stable position with the ventable portion in an accessible position; b) providing a gas injection means, particularly arranged in front of the ventilated part of the packaging; c) coupling said blowing means to said breathable portion of said packaging so that said blowing means contacts said breathable portion, thereby creating an at least temporary and stable hermetic coupling without penetrating and penetrating said packaging; d) thereafter, while maintaining said blowing means outside the package, constantly driving said blowing means to introduce a flow of gas under pressure into the interior of the package through said ventable portion, thereby expanding said package until said tear flap is stretched so that said tear flap is accessible and identifiable for further processing, in particular for cutting said stretched flap; It has.

[0036] In another aspect of the invention, the object comprises a tray, also referred to as a nest, that contains a plurality of containers.

[0037] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a unit for stretching and cutting a tear flap of a package containing at least one object, the package having at least one breathable portion made of a breathable material, the unit comprising both the device described above and a cutting device configured to cut the tear flap after it has been stretched by the device of the invention.

[0038] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some possible embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an apparatus for automatically extending a tear flap of a closed package according to the present invention, also showing the package containing an object in a first operating state. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a second operating state. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a third operational state. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in a fourth operational state. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a first detail of the device of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a second detail of the device of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a package containing an object that can be processed by the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic perspective view of a packaged object that can be processed by the apparatus of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic side view of a unit for stretching and cutting the opening flap of a closed package, equipped with a device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] It should be made clear that the terms "horizontal," "high," "inner," "outer," and "lower" (including errors) used in the present specification and claims serve only to facilitate understanding of the description of the present invention with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention itself or the scope of protection defined by the appended claims. For example, the term "vertical" refers to a plane perpendicular to the horizontal line or a plane tilted by several degrees relative to the horizontal line, for example, a plane tilted by up to 20 degrees.

[0041] Furthermore, the terms "package" and "bag" can be considered synonymous.

[0042] Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain dimensions or features in the drawings may be enlarged, distorted, or shown in non-conventional or non-actual proportions to provide a more understandable version of the present invention.

[0043] Where dimensions and / or values ​​are specified in the following description, such dimensions and / or values ​​are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention unless such dimensions and / or values ​​are set forth in the accompanying claims.

[0044] For ease of understanding, wherever possible, the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same common elements in the figures, and it is understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments as appropriate without further description.

[0045] 1, an apparatus 10 of the present invention is configured to facilitate the automatic opening of a closed package 11 containing at least one object 12, such as a container for the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic fields. The apparatus 10 can, for example, be installed in an automated processing line (not shown in the drawings) of a known type or one developed in the future.

[0046] Before describing the device 10 in detail, an example of a package 11 and object 12 will be described for illustrative purposes and not as a limitation of the present invention.

[0047] Each object 12 (FIG. 8) may comprise or consist of a substantially parallelepiped first rigid or semi-rigid container 13, which, as known from the prior art, may contain other containers capable of containing chemical and / or pharmaceutical products enclosed in flasks, vials or bottles, etc. (collectively indicated by the reference numeral 17), such as tubs 15 containing racks, trays or nests 16.

[0048] For example, for use in the pharmaceutical field, the typical dimensions of the object 12 may be approximately 65x40x30 cm.

[0049] The package 11 (FIG. 7) can, for example, comprise or consist of a bag made by joining two parallel sheets 18, 19 together along their periphery, for example by electrical welding, to form a tear flap 20 or folding flap as is known in the art.

[0050] Thus, the two sheets 18 and 19 form the outer surface of the package 11 .

[0051] In one aspect of the invention, as described above, at least one breathable portion 21 of at least one of the two sheets 18, 19 of the package 11 is made from a breathable material.

[0052] In the specific embodiment described and illustrated herein, breathable portion 21 is provided only in the lower zone of sheet 18, but in other embodiments, the entire sheet 18 and / or 19 may be made of the breathable material described above.

[0053] The provision of at least one breathable element 21 with a filtering function also makes it much easier to transport and store the package 11 containing the object 12, for example in situations where the pressure in the external environment differs from the pressure inside the package 11, for example by several bars. For example, during air transport, this phenomenon could cause the package 11 to expand and break or explode, causing irreparable damage to the object 12 contained in the package 11. The bag serves to keep its contents sterile, and if this bag is damaged or broken outside its intended environment, this purpose would be defeated and the product contained in the bag could become unusable.

[0054] It should be noted that in other possible embodiments of the present invention not shown, the packaging 11 may have a different shape than that described here and / or may consist of a different number of sheets, for example, three or more sheets.

[0055] Additionally, package 11 typically has a capacity that is sufficiently larger than the volume of object 12 so that object 12 can be moved within package 11 with sufficient play while still remaining sealed within package 11. For example, the capacity of package 11 is at least 20% and up to 100% of the volume of object 12.

[0056] The other parts of the package 11 other than the breathable portion 21 can be made from any suitable material that is thin, flexible, and deformable so that it can conform to the shape of the object 12, such as a polymer material that is tear-resistant and easy to cut, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-density polyethylene fibers.

[0057] In other words, during use, the package 11 typically assumes the shape of, and in some cases collapses around, the object 12 contained therein.

[0058] The apparatus 10 comprises a blowing device 22 (FIGS. 1-5) which is arranged to blow a gas under pressure through the ventable portion 21 into the package 11 without penetrating any part of the package 11, as will be explained in more detail below. The gas may be a suitable sterilising gas of the kind customarily used for its sterilising properties, or air, or a mixture thereof.

[0059] Specifically, the blowing device 22 comprises a coupling head 23 (FIG. 5) configured to contact the breathable portion 21 and form a coupling, preferably a sealed coupling, therebetween.

[0060] In this case, a blow chamber or recess 25 is formed in the front face 24 of the coupling head 23, and the width of this blow chamber or recess 25 is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the width of the ventilable portion 21.

[0061] A sealing packing 26 is arranged on the front surface 24 corresponding to the periphery of the blowing chamber 25, and this sealing packing 26 is suitable for contacting the outer surface of the breathable portion 21 and forming a hermetic seal with the outer surface of the breathable portion 21 during use, i.e., suitable for preventing air blown into the breathable portion 21 from diffusing to the outside environment.

[0062] The packing 26 is suitably made of rubber, silicone or other yieldable or deformable material, and the packing 26 protrudes from the front face 24 of the coupling head 23 by a few millimetres, for example 1 to 10 mm.

[0063] Within the blowing chamber 25 there are one or more discharge holes 28, only one of which is shown in Figure 5. The discharge holes 28 are fluidly connected to a flexible type duct 29 which in turn is connected to a compression means 30 of a known type, for example a compressor (Figure 1), which is adapted to supply gas at a predetermined pressure, for example between 0.1 bar and 6 bar. The number, size and location of both the discharge holes 28 and the duct 29 can vary depending on the size of the blowing chamber 25 and / or the pressure of the gas being blown.

[0064] The blowing device 22 is configured to move from an idle position (FIGS. 1 and 4) in which its head 23 is spaced from the ventable portion 21 to an operating position in which the head 23 is in contact with the ventable portion 21, and vice versa (FIGS. 1 and 3). Movement between these two positions can be achieved in any known manner, for example by a mechanical arm 31 commanded by an actuator 32, or by an automated robot.

[0065] The device 10 also includes a support 33 (FIGS. 1-4) configured to support the package 11 and the object 12 contained therein in a predetermined operative position to enable the blowing device 22 to cooperate with the ventable portion 21 to reveal the tear flap 20, as will be described in more detail below.

[0066] The support 33 has a bottom wall 34 (FIG. 6), two side walls 35 and 36, and a rear wall 37, which together define a storage compartment 38, the storage compartment 38 being dimensioned to properly and stably position the package 11 containing the object 12 against the bottom wall 34 and rear wall 37, with the ventable portion 21 (FIG. 1) in an accessible position. In particular, the ventable wall 21 can be positioned so as to face outward, i.e., opposite the rear wall 37.

[0067] In the embodiment described herein, the support 33 (FIGS. 1-4) is fixed in position relative to the blowing device 22 with the rear wall 37 parallel to the vertical plane or tilted rearward by a few degrees relative to it.

[0068] In other embodiments not shown, the support 33 can be provided, for example, at the end of a mechanical arm or automatic robot of an obvious type not shown, which is configured to tilt the support 33 as desired and / or to bring the breathable portion 21 of the package 11 into temporary contact with the blowing device 22, or alternatively to transport the package 11 containing the object 12 to a work station arranged downstream of the device 10 after the opening flap 20 of the package 11 has been extended.

[0069] Furthermore, in other alternative embodiments not shown, side walls 35 and 36 may be movable and associated with a suitable command device to selectively clamp package 11 and the object 12 contained therein during the expansion step of package 11 itself, as will be described in more detail below.

[0070] Furthermore, the device 10 also comprises a sensor 40 of a self-evident kind, which is placed above the blowing device 22 and is adapted to detect the state of expansion of the package 11 .

[0071] The sensor 40 is electrically connected to the control unit 41 (FIG. 1) to receive signals from the control unit 41 and send corresponding actuation signals to the compression means 30 and the actuator 32 .

[0072] The operation of the device 10 described above, which also corresponds to a method of operating the device 10, is as follows.

[0073] Initially, in a first operational step, the package 11 together with the object 12 contained therein is placed and positioned in a first operational position on the support 33 (FIG. 1). This positioning can be performed, for example, using automated means of known types, such as a conveyor belt, a mechanical arm, or an automated robot. Although non-particulate-generating moving means, such as a planar engine, are preferred, it will be apparent that the positioning of the package 11 and the object 12 contained therein can also be performed manually.

[0074] In this first operating position, the package 11 and the object 12 are at least temporarily held in a fixed state so that the ventable portion 21 of the package 11 is in an accessible position facing the outside, i.e., towards the blowing device 22 .

[0075] This places the second sheet 19 of the package 11 in contact with the rear wall 37 of the support 33, with the tear flap 20 facing upward, and the object 12 contained in the package 11 in a stable and temporary position in the support 33. Additionally, the ventable portion 21 is not in contact with the walls 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the support 33, thereby making it accessible to the blowing device 22.

[0076] In a subsequent step, the blowing device 22 and the ventable portion 21 of the package 11 are moved relative to each other to bring the blowing device 22 into contact with the ventable portion 21 (FIG. 2), and all parts of the blowing device 22 are kept constantly closed off from the exterior of the package 11, forming at least a temporary, stable, hermetic connection between the blowing device 22 and the ventable portion 21. In this way, the blowing device 22 is prevented from penetrating the package 11 and entering the interior of the package 11.

[0077] In the embodiment described herein, inter alia, the control unit 41 drives the mechanical arm 31 using the actuator 32, which moves the blowing device 22 from an idle position (FIG. 1) in which the head 23 is spaced apart from the ventable portion 21 to an operating position (FIG. 2) in which the coupling head 23 contacts the ventable portion 21.

[0078] In another completely equivalent embodiment, the support 33 can be moved towards the blowing device 22 .

[0079] That is, the blow device 22 can remain in place and the package 11 can be brought into contact with the blow device 22 .

[0080] In particular, a packing 26 is attached to the outer surface of the ventable portion 21, which ensures a hermetic seal between the blowing chamber 25 and the ventable portion 21.

[0081] To ensure proper coupling of the coupling head 23 with the ventable portion 21 of the package 11, the mechanical arm 31 applies an appropriate force to the blowing device 22 to ensure proper adhesion of the packing 26 to the ventable portion 21. This force must also ensure adequate counterforce to the opposing thrust caused by both the flow of gas under pressure at the outlet of the blowing device 22 and the action of inflating the package 11.

[0082] If the blowing device 22 is mounted on the mechanical arm of a robot, for example a humanoid robot, the mechanical arm can be programmed to automatically bring the coupling head 23 into contact with the ventable portion 21 of the package 11 containing the object 12.

[0083] Next, while maintaining the blowing device 22 in its operating position, the package 11 is inflated by actuating the blowing device 22 to introduce a flow of air or other gas under pressure into the package 11 through the vented portion 21, thereby making the tearing flap 20 at least more visible from the rest of the package 11 and usable for subsequent processing, if any.

[0084] In particular, the control unit 41 can give instructions to the compression means 30 when it receives an enabling signal from at least one proximity sensor (not shown) of a known type suitable for detecting contact between the blowing device 22 and the breathable portion 21, if such proximity sensor is provided.

[0085] Operation of the compression means 30 causes a flow of pressurized gas to flow through the duct 29 into the discharge hole 28 of the blowing chamber 25 and through the ventable portion 21 into the package 11 .

[0086] As a result, the top portion of package 11 expands, stretching sheets 18 and 19 and top tear flap 20, making the flap more visible, more identifiable, and easier to use for subsequent processing.

[0087] When the internal volume of the package 11 reaches the programmed desired value, the expansion sensor 40 sends a corresponding signal to the control unit 41, which then deactivates the compression means 30 and interrupts the flow of gas under pressure into the package 11.

[0088] In this way, identification of the tear flap 20 is easier, faster and more intuitive in any known or future developed type of device or automated machine capable of automatically opening the tear flap 20.

[0089] Thereafter, the joining head 23 is released from the breathable portion 21 of the package 11, and the blowing device 22 is returned to the idle position (FIG. 4) by the operating device 32 in response to a command from the control unit 41.

[0090] In this way, the package 11 containing the object 12 can be picked up and moved, for example, towards a subsequent cutting station or any other work station, using a moving member such as a conveyor belt or hydraulic gripper mounted on, for example, a mechanical arm or an automatic robot.

[0091] For example, and with particular reference to Figure 9, the device 10 can be advantageously used in a unit for stretching and cutting the tear flap 20. This unit is generally designated 50 and will hereinafter also be referred to simply as "the unit" for brevity. The unit 50 comprises the device 10. In the example shown, the mechanical arm 31 is associated with a robot 51, such as a robot with six degrees of freedom and including multiple articulated arms.

[0092] The unit 50 further includes a cutting device 52 of a known type, which will not be described in detail herein. The cutting device 52 includes a movable or fixed cutting blade or equivalent cutting or shearing member for cutting and severing the tear flap 20 from the package to form an opening in the package.

[0093] Depending on the configuration of the cutting device 52, the unit 50 may be provided with a gripping member 53 which is configured to grip the free end of the opening flap 20 at least during the cutting operation and to keep it in a sufficiently extended position to facilitate the cutting operation performed by the cutting device 52.

[0094] From the above description, it can be seen that the above-described apparatus 10 and the unit 50 comprising it are adapted to be placed within a sterile and / or controlled atmosphere compartment or workspace.

[0095] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions to the individual parts and / or steps of the apparatus 10, unit 50 and method described above may be made without departing from the field and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0096] It will also be apparent that while the present invention has been described with reference to certain specific examples, those skilled in the art will be able to devise many other equivalent devices and methods for automatically extending the tear flap of a closed package, all of which are within the sphere and scope of the present invention.

[0097] The purpose of the parenthetical signs in the appended claims is to improve readability only and they should not be considered as limiting the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A device (10) for extending an opening flap (20) of a closed package (11) containing at least one object (12), comprising: The package (11) has at least one breathable part (21) made of a breathable material, The device (10) comprises: a support means (33) configured to position the ventable portion (21) in an accessible position and to at least temporarily maintain the package (11) with the object (12) inside in a stable and fixed position; a blowing means (22) coupled to the ventable portion (21) without penetrating the package (11) and configured to selectively blow gas under pressure into the package (11) through the ventable portion (21) to expand the package (11) until the tear flap (20) is stretched so that the tear flap (20) is usable and identifiable for subsequent processing; It is equipped with The blowing means (22) is coupled to the ventilable portion (21) for blowing the gas under pressure when the package (11) is held fixed in the stable position by the support means (33).

1. An apparatus (10) comprising:

2. and further comprising movement means (31, 32, 41) configured to selectively cause relative movement between the blowing means (22) and the breathable portion (21) of the packaging (11) so as to bring the blowing means (22) into contact with the breathable portion (21) and create an at least temporary and stable hermetic connection. The device (10) of claim 1.

3. the blowing means (22) comprises a connecting means (24) configured to selectively create a temporary connection with the breathable portion (21) of the packaging (11); 3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The blowing means (22) has a blowing chamber (25) communicating with the ventilated portion (21), and the blowing chamber (25) and the ventilated portion (21) are connected to each other so as to isolate the blowing chamber (25) from the outside. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a compressor means (30) configured to supply gas at a predetermined pressure; said blowing chamber (25) is provided with one or more discharge holes (28) in fluid communication with said compressor means (30); The device (10) of claim 4.

6. the blowing means (22) further comprises sealing means (26) configured to contact the breathable portion (21) of the packaging (11) to create a seal against the outside in the bonding zone between the blowing means (22) and the breathable portion (21); The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. At least said blowing means (22) is associated with a robot, or part of a robot, or a mechanical arm, The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The support means comprises a support (33) having a bottom wall (34), two side walls (35, 36) and a rear wall (37); The bottom wall (34), the side walls (35, 36) and the rear wall (37) together define a storage compartment (38); the storage compartment (38) has dimensions that allow the package (11) containing the object (12) to be properly and stably placed therein with the ventilable portion (21) in an accessible position; The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the device (10) is sized and configured to be inserted into a sterile and / or controlled environment containment compartment; The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for extending a tear flap (20) of a closed package (11) containing at least one object (12), comprising: The package (11) has at least one breathable part (21) made of a breathable material, The method comprises: a) placing the package (11) on a support means (33) so as to place the ventilable portion (21) in an accessible position and to at least temporarily maintain the package (11) containing the at least one object (12) in a fixed and stable position; b) providing a gas injection means (22); c) connecting the blowing means (22) to the breathable portion (21) of the packaging (11) and bringing the blowing means (22) into contact with the breathable portion (21), thereby creating an at least temporary and stable connection without penetrating the packaging (11) and penetrating into the packaging (11); d) after step c), maintaining the blowing means (22) outside the package (11) and constantly driving the blowing means (22) to introduce a flow of gas under pressure into the package (11) through the ventilable portion (21), thereby expanding the package (11) until the opening flap (20) is stretched so that the opening flap (20) is accessible and identifiable for further processing; A method comprising:

11. the at least one object comprises a nest containing a plurality of containers; The method of claim 10.

12. A unit (50) for stretching and cutting an opening flap (20) of a package (11) containing at least one object (12), comprising: The package (11) has at least one breathable part (21) made of a breathable material, The unit (50) comprises: A device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a cutting device (52) configured to cut the tear flap (20) after it has been stretched by the device (10); A unit (50) comprising:

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