Flat Support for Pharmaceutical Vials in Freeze-Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for processing and packaging medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic containers are time-consuming and costly due to the need for individual handling and separation, which hinders efficient automated processing and direct contact with cooling surfaces during freeze-drying.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a flat support to convey containers in a predetermined arrangement, ensuring direct contact with a cooling surface, and a transport or packaging container designed as a box or trough with a flat base for efficient handling and sealing, minimizing damage and processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional transport and packaging containers with inserts are used, then containers can be arranged in a regular pattern for automated processing, but the bottoms of the containers cannot rest directly on a cooling surface during freeze-drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated processingVSAvoidthermal contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container arrangement is segmented into modular positions on a flat support structure, allowing each container to be independently positioned with its bottom surface in direct contact with the cooling surface while maintaining regular spacing for automated handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing containers on an elevated insert structure that prevents direct cooling contact, the invention inverts the approach by using a flat support that allows container bottoms to rest directly on the cooling surface, eliminating the thermal barrier

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If individual container handling is performed, then each container can be processed separately, but processing time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual handlingVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple containers are merged into a single transport and packaging container in a regular pattern, allowing them to be conveyed and transferred as one unit to processing stations, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining the ability to separate and process individual containers when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport and packaging container serves multiple functions: it enables automated conveying of multiple containers simultaneously, provides direct thermal contact with cooling surfaces during freeze-drying, and allows for subsequent separation and individual processing of containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If containers are arranged in conventional transport frames, then they can be conveyed through process units, but direct contact with cooling shelves cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying capabilityVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate transport frame structure is extracted and removed, replacing it with a flat support system that allows containers to rest directly on the cooling surface, thereby eliminating the thermal barrier while maintaining conveying capability through the process unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables faster, more economical, and reliable processing of multiple containers while ensuring good thermal contact and reducing the risk of damage during handling and processing.

Implementation Method 1

the bottoms of the containers rest directly on the flat support... to ensure effective cooling, the bottoms of the vials must be placed directly onto a flat, cooling shelf

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2659922B1Support structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of medical or pharmaceutical containers and transport or packaging container with the same

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SCHOTT AG

Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a~2b

AI summary

The method involves guiding the to-be treated and processed container (2) to a processing station automatically by a conveying device. The containers with the bottoms are directly arranged on a flat support portion (54) in a predetermined arrangement. The containers on the flat support portion, are supported by conveying device during treating and processing process. The containers are accommodated in a transporting and packaging container structure after the treatment and processing of the containers on the flat support portion. An independent claim is included for transporting and packaging container structure.