Container Transfer Through Bulkhead Using Offset Grip Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of containers with container openings between protected regions, such as isolators or RABS, often leads to contamination due to the transport device reaching into or proximity to these regions, posing risks in pharmaceutical and food production.
Innovation Solution
The transport devices are designed to grip containers at different distances from the container opening, with the first device gripping at the base and the second device gripping closer to the opening, allowing for a sufficient spacing that reduces or prevents contamination during transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transport device reaches into the protected region to transfer the container, then the transfer can be performed, but the transport device may contaminate the protected region or the container opening
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) The first transport device holds the container in the input region without reaching through the opening. (2) The container is transferred through the opening to the second transport device in the output region. This segmentation allows each device to operate from its own protected region, minimizing contamination risk while maintaining transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container itself acts as an intermediary carrier between the two transport devices. Instead of the transport devices directly contacting each other through the opening, the container serves as the medium that transfers the load from the first device to the second device, reducing direct interaction and contamination risk.
2Productivity
If the transport device comes close to the opening, then the transfer can be performed, but the protected region may be contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The operational space is segmented by the bulkhead and opening, with each transport device confined to its respective region. The first device operates in the input region while the second device operates in the output region, eliminating the need for either device to approach close to the opening for extended periods, thus maintaining productivity while reducing contamination risk.
3Device complexity
If both transport devices are positioned on the same side of the opening, then the device complexity is reduced, but the contamination risk increases due to close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a one-dimensional positioning problem (both devices on the same side) to a two-dimensional spatial arrangement (devices on opposite sides of the opening). This dimensional change allows the devices to be positioned in separate protected regions while still enabling container transfer through the opening, reducing contamination risk without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement (1), a filling device (18) and a method for transferring a container (6) provided with a preferably closable or closed container opening (9) from an input region (2) into an output region (3) are provided, wherein the container (6) is held in the input region (2) by a first transport device (7), and the container (6) is transferred to a second transport device (8), which is disposed in the output region (3), through an opening (5) in a bulkhead (4). The input region (2) and the output region (3) are separated by the bulkhead (4), and the container (6), for transferring, is gripped by the first transport device (7) at a different distance from the container opening (9) than by the second transport device (8).