Apparatus and method for processing pharmaceutical containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for processing pharmaceutical containers (102) accommodated in a common carrier (108), in particular in a nest, and comprising: a transporting device (104), which defines a transporting direction (106), the carriers (108) being transportable one after the other on the transporting device (104) along a transporting path in the transporting direction (106); a weighing station (124) for in particular simultaneously weighing a plurality of containers (102), the weighing station being arranged outside the transporting path, alongside the transporting device (104); a filling station (128) for in particular simultaneously filling a plurality of containers (102); a first gripping device (138) having a first gripping tool (140), on which a plurality of containers (102) can be held; and a second gripping device (142) having a second gripping tool (144), on which a plurality of containers (180) can be held, wherein, by means of the first gripping device (138), a predefined number of containers (180) can be removed from the carrier (108) and transported to the weighing station (124) in order to be weighed in an unfilled state, and wherein, by means of the second gripping device (142), the containers (102) can be received from the weighing station (124) following the weighing process and fed to the filling station (128) in order for the containers (102) to be filled with a product. The invention also relates to a method for processing pharmaceutical containers (102).

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAINERS

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for processing pharmaceutical containers which are received in a common carrier, in particular in a nest, comprising: a transport device which defines a transport direction, wherein the carriers can be transported successively along a transport path on the transport device along the transport direction, a weighing station for weighing a plurality of containers, in particular simultaneously, which is arranged next to the transport device outside the transport path, a filling station for filling a plurality of containers, in particular simultaneously, a first gripping device with a first gripping tool on which a plurality of containers can be held, and a second gripping device with a second gripping tool on which a plurality of containers can be held.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for processing pharmaceutical containers.

[0004] In a device of the type mentioned above, pharmaceutical containers, for example syringes, vials, cartridges and / or ampoules, are provided for processing in a common carrier. The carrier can, in particular, be a so-called nest. In this case, the containers in the nest can be referred to as nested containers. The present invention is not limited to the use of a nest, but will be described below, in particular, using a nest as an example.

[0005] The containers held in the common carrier are moved along a transport path by means of the transport device. For in-process control (IPC; hereinafter "process control"), it is known to remove a portion of the containers from a fed carrier, weigh them empty at the weighing station, fill them at the filling station, and then weigh them again at a weighing station to check the fill level. Filled containers can be placed back into the carrier. A closing station may be provided. Such a device is described, for example, in DE 10 2017 100 010 A1. A first gripping device removes containers from the carrier and, after weighing them empty, places them back into the carrier. This is associated with a loss of efficiency in processing the containers.An embodiment described in the aforementioned publication requires two weighing stations, one for weighing the empty container and one for weighing it when full. This results in an unnecessarily complex design and high manufacturing costs. Another disadvantage is the relatively long time between filling and sealing the containers, due to the large distance between the sealing station and the filling station. This poses a risk of contamination, and oxygen-sensitive products may be damaged.

[0006] DE 10345 338 B4 describes a device for processing containers. The containers are removed from the carrier by a gripping device. During this process, the transport device is stopped, resulting in a loss of performance. The containers are weighed, filled in the gripping device (the filling station being located on the transport device), weighed again, and placed back into the carrier. Only then is the transport device restarted.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a generic device and a method in which process control of filled containers can be carried out with the least possible loss of power and in a flexible manner.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention in a device of the type mentioned at the outset by means of the first gripping device in that a predefined number of containers can be removed from the carrier and transported to the weighing station for weighing in the empty state by means of the first gripping device, and that the containers can be picked up from the weighing station by means of the second gripping device after weighing and fed to the filling station for filling the containers with a product.

[0009] In the device according to the invention, any time delay in processing the containers due to process control can be reduced and preferably avoided. The predefined number of containers can be removed via the first gripping device and transported to the weighing station. For example, the containers are placed on weighing elements of the weighing station (for example, on weighing plates or in weighing cups) or fixed to them (for example, with clamp-like holders). During this time, the carrier can preferably be moved by means of the transport device. The second gripping device can pick up the weighed containers from the weighing station and transport them to the filling station, whereby, advantageously, transport of the carrier can also continue in this case. During the weighing process, containers in a previous carrier can, for example, be filled and sealed, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0010] By positioning the weighing station outside the transport route, the transport of the carrier from which the containers were taken is not affected. For example, the weighing station is positioned to the side of the transport device.

[0011] The transport device is, for example, linearly extended. The transport direction can be straight.

[0012] The transport device can be designed in different ways. For example, a magnetic transport device is used in which an electromagnetic drive system moves magnetic elements that are in turn operatively connected to magnetic elements arranged on supports or support fixtures.

[0013] Accordingly, support receptacles can be provided into which the supports can be detachably inserted.

[0014] The gripping devices can preferably be identically designed and include, for example, a robotic device for moving the gripping tool. This could be, for example, an articulated robot arm (in particular a SCARA robot).

[0015] The gripping tool can, for example, comprise two gripping sections that are movable relative to each other, between which the containers can be held when the gripping sections are in a close position, and can be released or set free when the gripping sections are in a distance position.

[0016] To remove the containers from the carrier, the device may have support elements, such as plungers, with which the containers can be lifted via a lifting drive so that they can be more easily grasped by the gripping device.

[0017] For a compact device design, it can be advantageous to position the weighing station upstream of the filling station, relative to the direction of transport. To achieve the same effect, it is advantageous to position the first gripping device upstream of the second gripping device, relative to the direction of transport.

[0018] It is conceivable that during operation of the device, and especially during its operation, it is possible to specify which containers – particularly at which positions on the carrier – and / or how many containers are removed from the carrier. This gives the device a high degree of versatility.

[0019] For example, it is conceivable that containers are only removed from some of the carriers, while no containers are removed from the remaining carriers.

[0020] However, it is advantageous that a predefined number of containers are taken from each carrier, so that process control is carried out individually for each carrier and a high level of process reliability is achieved.

[0021] The provision is designed, for example, to allow the removal of containers arranged in a row within the carrier by means of the first gripping device. The containers arranged in a row can, for example, be staggered (spaced apart) within the carrier. In particular, preferably an entire continuous row of a carrier, and especially an entire continuous row of a nest, is removed.

[0022] For example, a 10 percent PC rate is conceivable for a 100-cell nest, where a row of ten containers is taken at a time.

[0023] It can be advantageous if the containers can be removed from the rear of the carrier using the first gripping device, relative to the direction of transport. This can be beneficial, for example, for the subsequent process sequence, in which the removed containers are weighed while full and reinserted into the rear of the carrier, while the containers remaining in the carrier are filled and sealed. This enables a high processing rate.

[0024] It could be provided that the point on the carrier where the containers are to be removed using the first gripping device can be specified. This could, for example, be adjustable during operation of the device. It can be advantageous if the predefined number of containers can be removed from the carrier using the first gripping device, while filled containers taken from a previous carrier can be transported to the weighing station using the second gripping device. The second gripping device can therefore perform at least one additional function besides transferring the empty containers to the filling station. This ensures rapid processing of the carriers.

[0025] Similarly, it is advantageous if the containers removed from the carrier can be transported to the weighing station using the first gripping device, while filled containers taken from a previous carrier are weighed at the weighing station.

[0026] For example, after the weighing process, the filled containers are placed back into the carrier using the second gripping device. Following this, the second gripping device can move the empty containers to the filling station.

[0027] The second gripping device can move the empty containers directly to the filling station. Alternatively, in a different embodiment, it is conceivable, for example, that the empty containers are first placed back into the carrier for filling.

[0028] The filling station is preferably located on the transport device. This allows containers not removed from the carrier to be filled while still in the carrier. This not only enables rapid processing of the containers within the carrier, but also facilitates a compact design of the device.

[0029] The filling station can, for example, be stationary on the transport device with respect to the direction of transport. Filling elements of the filling station, particularly filling needles, may only perform a lifting motion.

[0030] Alternatively, the filling station can be movable, either fully or partially, in the direction of transport and against it. For example, a filling tool can be movable and moved along with the carrier while containers are being filled.

[0031] It is advantageous if the containers removed from the carrier can be positioned in front of the carrier, relative to the transport direction, by the second gripping device at the weighing station for filling. Specifically, the containers are positioned directly in front of the carrier and not in front of a preceding carrier. The containers can be filled at the filling station and then transported, particularly by the second gripping device, to the weighing station in their filled state. Meanwhile, the containers remaining in the carrier can be filled. This allows for a high throughput rate.

[0032] For the latter purpose, it can be particularly advantageous if the containers removed from the carrier are held by the second gripper during filling at the filling station. Accordingly, the containers do not need to be set down for filling, which promotes a high processing rate. Specifically, the gripper is positioned in the transport path at the filling station.

[0033] It can be advantageous if the containers removed from the carrier can be filled at the filling station and / or transported to the filling station using the second gripping device, and the carrier from which the containers were removed is moved in the direction of the filling station.

[0034] The number of weighing stations in the weighing station is preferably at least as large as the number of containers removed from the carrier. This ensures that all removed containers can be weighed. Preferably, all containers are weighed simultaneously, both empty and full.

[0035] Similarly, it is advantageous if the number of filling points at the filling station is at least as large as the number of containers removed from the carrier. This ensures that all removed containers can be filled, especially simultaneously.

[0036] As mentioned previously, it can be arranged that the containers removed from the carrier, after being filled, can be transported to the weighing station using the second gripping device. The filled containers are then weighed at the weighing station.

[0037] As already mentioned, the device may include a closing station, which is arranged downstream of the filling station in the transport direction. At the closing station, closure elements, such as piston plugs or mushroom plugs, can be fed in and placed on or inserted into the container, depending on the container to be closed.

[0038] To achieve a compact design and a fast processing time, the closing station is preferably located on the transport device. Containers not removed from the carrier are preferably closed within the carrier, and particularly preferably immediately after filling. This largely prevents any contamination of the filled product and ensures a high level of process reliability.

[0039] The number of locking points on the locking station is advantageously at least as large as the number of containers removed from the carrier. This allows all containers to be closed, preferably simultaneously. Each locking point can, for example, include a pressure element or a push-in element, as well as a set piece for a locking element.

[0040] The closing station is advantageously arranged stationary on the transport device with respect to the direction of transport. Pressing or pressing elements and setting pieces preferably only perform a lifting movement.

[0041] The containers removed from the carrier are preferably transportable, in their filled state, from the weighing station to a carrier using the second gripping device after weighing, and can then be inserted into it. This is, in particular, the same carrier from which the containers were removed.

[0042] As mentioned, containers are removed from the rear of the carrier, for example, in relation to the direction of transport. Accordingly, it can be arranged that the filled and weighed containers are inserted into the rear of the carrier. During transport and / or insertion, the containers in front of the carrier in the direction of transport are advantageously filled and / or sealed.

[0043] For example, the containers inserted into the carrier can then be closed using the closing station, especially after closing the other containers remaining in the carrier.

[0044] In particular, it may be provided that the filled containers can be inserted into the carrier using the second gripping device, while the containers that have been taken from a subsequent carrier are weighed in their empty state at the weighing station.

[0045] The carriers are preferably movable independently of one another along the transport device. Preferably, the transport speed of each carrier is controllable and / or adjustable during operation of the device. As mentioned, a carrier receptacle, for example, can be provided for transporting the carriers.

[0046] In the device according to the invention, advantageously only one weighing station is used for both tare weighing and gross weighing. This enables a compact design and cost-effective manufacturing of the device.

[0047] The transport of the carriers can be continuous or intermittent. Depending on any delays in processing removed containers or containers within a carrier, the transport system can preferably be adjusted to adapt the transport, in particular its speed.

[0048] As already mentioned, the present invention also relates to a method. A method according to the invention for processing pharmaceutical containers that are received in a common carrier, in particular in a nest, wherein carriers are movable along a transport path in one transport direction on a transport device, comprises:

[0049] Removing, by means of a first gripping device, a predefined number of containers from a carrier,

[0050] Transporting the containers for weighing in an empty state to a weighing station located next to the transport equipment outside the transport path, and

[0051] - Picking up the containers from the weighing station using a second gripping device and feeding the containers to a filling station for filling the containers.

[0052] The advantages already mentioned in connection with the explanation of the device according to the invention can also be achieved by carrying out the method. Reference is made to the preceding explanations in this regard. The same applies to advantageous embodiments of the method that result from advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention.

[0053] The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with the drawing, serves to explain the invention in more detail. The described device according to the invention is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. The drawing shows:

[0054] Figure 1: a schematic representation of the device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment in a top view; Figures 2 to 8: the device according to Figure 1 at later, successive times during the processing of containers.

[0055] The drawing shows an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention for processing pharmaceutical containers, designated by reference numeral 100. Figure 1 shows, by way of example, a container 102 in the form of a syringe, although other types of containers 102 are also conceivable. For the sake of clarity, containers 102 that are removed from a carrier are subsequently marked by a black dot, whereas containers remaining in a carrier are marked by a white dot.

[0056] The device 100 comprises a transport device 104. In the present example, the transport device 104 extends linearly and defines a transport direction 106. In the transport direction 106, carriers 108, in which the containers 102 are held, can be moved in a straight line along a transport path.

[0057] The transport device 104 is, for example, designed as a magnetic transport device 104. For this purpose, an electromagnetic drive system 110 can be provided to move magnetic elements 112. The magnetic elements 112, in turn, can be operatively connected to magnetic elements 114, which are arranged in a defined positional relationship to the supports 108 (Figure 1).

[0058] In this case, each carrier 108 is assigned a carrier receptacle 116, to which, for example, at least one magnetic element 114 is attached. The carrier 108 can be detachably inserted into the carrier receptacle 116.

[0059] Alternative embodiments of the transport device 104 are conceivable. The invention is not limited to magnetic transport in the present case.

[0060] In this example, the carriers 108 are nests 118. The containers 102 are arranged in a defined configuration within the nests 118. Specifically, the containers 102 are arranged in rows 120, each row providing a staggered arrangement of the containers 102. In this embodiment, nests 118 with 100 containers 102 each are provided, with ten rows of ten containers 102 each. It is understood that this configuration is exemplary. The nests 118 can be moved sequentially along the transport direction 106 by means of the carrier receptacles 116. A control device 122 controls and / or regulates the movement, in particular the respective transport speed. The transport speed of the nests 118 can be controlled and / or regulated independently of one another.

[0061] The device 100 comprises a weighing station 124 for weighing containers 102 that have been removed from the carrier 108. It is advantageous that only one weighing station 124 is provided.

[0062] The containers 102 can be weighed empty (tare weighing) and full (gross weighing), as explained below. This allows for process control during the handling of the containers 102 by determining the fill level. If the fill level deviates from the intended level, appropriate countermeasures can be taken. For example, underfilling can be carried out.

[0063] The weighing station 124 is located laterally next to the transport device 104 and is therefore outside the transport path for the beams 108. As a result, the weighing station 124 does not interfere with the transport of the beams 108.

[0064] The weighing station 124 comprises weighing elements 126, each of which is operatively connected to a scale. The weighing elements 126 can be, for example, weighing plates or weighing cups on or in which the containers 102 can be placed. Alternatively, clamp-like holders into which the containers 102 are inserted are conceivable. It is intended that the containers 102 can be weighed simultaneously at the weighing station 124.

[0065] The device 100 further comprises a filling station for filling the containers with a product. The product is, in particular, liquid and can be filled into the containers 102 via filling elements, for example in the form of filling needles. The filling elements are not shown in the drawing itself. It is understood that corresponding conveying devices for conveying the product may be provided.

[0066] At filling station 128, the containers 102 can be filled, particularly simultaneously. Filling station 128 is located on the transport device 104, downstream of weighing station 124. With respect to the transport direction 106, filling station 128 can be stationary. However, in this case, the filling elements can be moved back and forth along the transport direction 106.

[0067] The filling station 128 extends transversely and in particular vertically across the transport path, whereby the carriers 108 can be moved under the filling elements.

[0068] The device 100 further comprises a closing station 130. The closing station 130 is located downstream of the filling station 128, with respect to the transport direction 106, and is specifically situated directly behind it. This allows filled containers 102 to be closed as quickly as possible, thereby largely eliminating any potential impairment of the product.

[0069] With respect to the transport direction 106, the closing station 130 is stationary on the transport device 104. Closing elements, for example for pressing or inserting closure elements and any setting pieces for the containers 102, only perform a lifting movement. The carriers 108 can move along the transport path below the closing station 130, which also extends transversely and, in particular, perpendicularly to the transport direction 106.

[0070] Reference numeral 132 schematically designates locking elements. Reference numeral 134 schematically designates a feeding unit for locking elements of the locking station 130. The feeding unit 134 comprises a receiving body 136, which receives the locking elements (not shown) from feed tracks supplied by a supply of locking elements (Figure 2).

[0071] The design and positioning of the closing station 130 and the filling station 128 explained above enables a compact design of the device 100.

[0072] For removing containers 102 from the carrier 108 and for further transport of the removed containers 102, the device 100 comprises a first gripping device 138 with a first gripping tool 140 and a second gripping device 142 with a second gripping tool 144.

[0073] The gripping devices 138 and 142 are identically designed in this example. The second gripping device 142 is positioned downstream of the first gripping device 138 with respect to the transport direction. The weighing station 124 is located between the gripping devices 138 and 142 with respect to the transport direction 106. The gripping devices 138 and 142 are arranged laterally next to the transport device.

[0074] The respective gripping tools 140, 144 can be moved into the transport path to remove container 102 from a carrier 108, transport container 102 to the filling station 128, and place container 102 back into the carrier 108. Furthermore, both gripping tools 140, 144 reach the weighing station 124 for placing or inserting the containers 102, as well as for picking up the containers 102 from the weighing station 124.

[0075] The gripping devices 138, 142 are, for example, robotically designed and can, in particular, comprise an articulated robot arm 146 with several segments that can be pivoted relative to each other, for example, about vertical axes. The gripping tool 140, 144 is held on an end segment of the robotic device.

[0076] The gripping tool 140 comprises two gripping sections 148 and 150. In a position where the gripping sections 148 and 150 are spaced apart, containers 102 can be inserted between them. In a position close together, the containers 102 are held by the gripping sections 148 and 150 and can thus be transported.

[0077] The control unit 122 controls and / or regulates the operation of the device 100 and thus in particular the weighing station 124, the filling station 128, the closing station 130 and the gripping devices 138, 142.

[0078] The following is an example of how device 100 works.

[0079] The drawing shows how a carrier 108 with containers 102 to be processed is fed in from the left. Two carriers are positioned upstream of this carrier 108, with the foremost carrier 108 being processed at the filling station 128 and at the closing station 130, and the middle carrier 108 waiting for processing.

[0080] The drawing shows the processing of carriers at different and successive points in time, with the representation according to Figure 8 corresponding to a point in time between the representations according to Figures 1 and 2, with the difference that the carrier 108 fed in from the left has been transported further and has become the middle carrier 108. In contrast, the carrier 108 shown on the right in Figure 1 has meanwhile been completely processed, and a new carrier 108 is fed in from the left (Figure 8).

[0081] The discussion focuses on the support 108, which is introduced from the left in Figures 1 and 2.

[0082] The carrier 108 is moved in the transport direction 106 (Figures 1 and 2).

[0083] Using the first gripping device 138, a predefined number of containers 102 are removed from the carrier 108 (Figure 3). For this purpose, the gripping tool 140 is positioned in the transport path. Support bodies below the transport device 104 in the form of plungers can be raised to lift the containers 102 from below.

[0084] The gripping tool 140 removes the rearmost row 120 from the carrier 108, relative to the transport direction 106. In doing so, an entire continuous row 120 of ten containers 102 is removed.

[0085] The removed containers 102 are then transported to the weighing station 124 when it is ready for operation (Figure 5). The containers 102 are positioned on the weighing elements 126 and weighed in their empty state (Figure 6).

[0086] The number of weighing elements 126, and thus the number of positions of the weighing station 124, is at least as large as the number of positions of the gripping tool 140. All containers 102 can be weighed simultaneously.

[0087] The containers 102 are then picked up from the weighing station 124 by means of the second gripping device 142 and placed back in the transport path (Figures 7 and 8). The gripping tool 144 is positioned in front of the carrier 108 from which the containers 102 were removed, in particular directly in front of the carrier 108, as shown in Figure 8.

[0088] The containers 102 to be filled are positioned at the filling station 128 and can be filled simultaneously while remaining held in the gripping tool 144. The number of filling needles, and thus positions, of the filling station 128 is at least as large as the number of positions of the gripping tool 144. The carrier 108, from which the containers 102 were taken, is positioned behind the gripping tool 144 with respect to the transport direction 106 and awaits processing at the filling station 128.

[0089] For the further course of the process, reference is again made to Figures 2 to 8, whereby the time delay that has occurred in the meantime must be taken into account when processing the carrier 108 that was originally fed in from the left. This carrier 108 is now located in the middle between the preceding carrier 108 and the next carrier 108 being fed in.

[0090] After the containers 102 are filled at the filling station 128, while held in the gripping tool 144, they are transported to the weighing station 124 by means of the gripping device 142 when it is ready for operation (Figure 3). The containers 102 are positioned on the weighing elements 126 and simultaneously weighed in their filled state (Figure 4).

[0091] It is understood that the containers 102 are preferably freed from the gripping tools 140, 144 during weighing.

[0092] Subsequently, the (gross) weighed containers 102 are transported back to the transport path by means of the second gripping device 142 and reinserted into the carrier 108 from which they were taken (Figures 5 and 6).

[0093] As already mentioned, the containers 102 removed from a carrier 108 are filled in front of the carrier 108, relative to the transport direction 106, and then transported to the weighing station 124 for gross weighing (Figures 2 to 4). The carrier 108 is then moved in the transport direction 106. The containers 102 remaining in the carrier 108 are filled row by row and simultaneously at the filling station 128. Immediately afterwards, the filled containers 102 are closed by means of the closing station 130 (Figures 4 to 8). Finally, the containers 102 that have been returned to the carrier 108 by means of the second gripping device 142 are also closed at the closing station 130. Figure 3 illustrates this using the carrier 108 shown on the right in the drawing as an example, which is subsequently transported away for further processing (Figures 4 and 5).

[0094] It is advantageous that the containers 102 can be removed from the carrier 108 using the first gripping device 138, while filled containers 102 from the preceding carrier 108 are transported to the (gross) weighing station using the second gripping device 142. While the latter containers 102 are weighed in the weighing station 124, the containers removed from the following carrier 108 can be transported to the weighing station 124 using the first gripping device 138.

[0095] It is also advantageous that the containers 102 removed from the carrier 108 can be transported to the filling station 128 by means of the second gripping device 142 and / or filled at the filling station 128, while the carrier 108 is moved in the direction of the filling station 128.

[0096] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the filled containers 102 can be inserted into the carrier 108 by means of the second gripping device 142, while the containers 102 that have been removed from a subsequent carrier 108 can be weighed in an empty state at the weighing station 124.

[0097] The device 100 is characterized in particular by high process reliability through process control and, at the same time, by high processing speed. The ability to weigh the containers 102 outside the transport path allows the processes for filling and closing the containers 102 remaining in the carrier 108 to be carried out at a high processing rate. At the same time, the process control slows down the processing process only slightly, because the containers 102 removed from the rear of the carrier 108 are filled in front of the carrier 108 and then reinserted into the rear of the carrier 108, while the filling and closing processes for the containers 102 remaining in the carrier 108 can be carried out.

[0098] Reference symbol list

[0099] Device Container Transport device Transport direction Carrier Drive device , 114 Magnetic element

[0100] Carrier holder Nest series Control unit Weighing station Weighing element Filling station Closing station Closing element Feeding unit Holder body , 142 Gripping device , 144 Gripping tool

[0101] Robot, 150 gripping section

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Device (100) for processing pharmaceutical containers (102) which are received in a common carrier (108), in particular in a nest, comprising: a transport device (104) which defines a transport direction (106), wherein the carriers (108) can be transported successively along a transport path on the transport device (104) along the transport direction (106), a weighing station (124) for weighing, in particular simultaneously, a plurality of containers (102), which is arranged next to the transport device (104) outside the transport path, a filling station (128) for filling, in particular simultaneously, a plurality of containers (102), a first gripping device (138) with a first gripping tool (140) on which a plurality of containers (102) can be held, and a second gripping device (142) with a second gripping tool (144) on which a plurality of containers (102) can be held, wherein characterizedthat by means of the first gripping device (138) a predefined number of containers (102) can be removed from the carrier (108) and transported in an empty state to the weighing station (124) for weighing, and that the containers (102) can be picked up from the weighing station (124) by means of the second gripping device (142) after weighing and fed to the filling station (128) for filling the containers (102) with a product.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the weighing station (124) is positioned upstream of the filling station (128) with respect to the transport direction (106) and / or that the first gripping device (138) is positioned upstream of the second gripping device (142) with respect to the transport direction (106).

3. Device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Containers (102) arranged in a row (120) in the carrier (108) can be removed from the carrier (108) by means of the first gripping device (138), in particular an entire continuous row (120) of a carrier (108) can be removed.

4. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) can be removed from the rear of the carrier (108) by means of the first gripping device (138), with respect to the transport direction (106).

5. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined number of containers (102) can be removed from the carrier (108) by means of the first gripping device (138), while filled containers (102) that have been removed from a previous carrier (108) can be transported to the weighing station (124) by means of the second gripping device (142).

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) can be transported to the weighing station (124) by means of the first gripping device (138), while filled containers (102) that have been removed from a preceding carrier (108) are weighed at the weighing station (124).

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station (128) is arranged on the transport device (104) and the containers (102) not removed from the carrier (108) can be filled in the carrier (108).

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) can be positioned in front of the carrier (108) from which the containers (102) were removed by means of the second gripping device (142) from the weighing station (124) for filling at the filling station (128), with respect to the transport direction (106).

9. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) are held on the second gripping tool (144) during filling at the filling station (128).

10. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) can be filled at the filling station (128) and / or transported to the filling station (128) by means of the second gripping device (142), while the carrier (108), from which the containers (102) were removed, is moved in the direction of the filling station (128).

11. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number of weighing positions of the weighing station (124) is at least as large as the number of containers (102) removed from the carrier (108).

12. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of filling points of the filling station (128) is at least as large as the number of containers (102) taken from the carrier (108).

13. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) can be transported to the weighing station (124) in the filled state after filling by means of the second gripping device (142).

14. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100) comprises a closing station (130) which is arranged downstream of the filling station (128) in the transport direction (106).

15. Device (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the closing station (130) is arranged on the transport device (104) and that the containers (102) not removed from the carrier (108) can be closed in the carrier (108), preferably immediately after filling.

16. Device (100) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a number of locking points of the locking station (130) is at least as large as the number of containers (102) taken from the carrier (108).

17. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (102) removed from the carrier (108) can be transported from the weighing station (124) to a carrier (108) and inserted into it by means of the second gripping device (142) after weighing in the filled state, in particular into the carrier (108) from which the containers (102) were removed.

18. Device (100) according to claim 17 in conjunction with one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the containers (102) inserted into the carrier (108) can subsequently be closed by means of the closing station (130), in particular after closing the remaining containers (102) in the carrier (108).

19. Device (100) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the filled containers (102) can be inserted into the carrier (108) by means of the second gripping device (142), while the containers (102) that have been taken from a subsequent carrier (108) are weighed in the empty state at the weighing station (124).

20. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriers (108) can be transported independently of one another on the transport device (104) by means of the transport device (104), wherein preferably a respective transport speed of the carriers (108) can be controlled and / or regulated in the operation of the device (100).

21. Method for processing pharmaceutical containers (102) which are received in a common carrier (108), in particular in a nest, wherein carriers (108) are movable on a transport device (104) along a transport path in a transport direction (106), comprising: Removing, by means of a first gripping device (138), a predefined number of containers (102) from a carrier (108), Transporting the containers (102) in an empty state to a weighing station (124) which is located next to the transport device (104) outside the transport path, and Picking up, by means of a second gripping device (142), the containers (102) after weighing from the weighing station (124) and feeding the containers (102) to a filling station (128) for filling the containers (102).

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