Modular Transport Container Segmentation for Sterile Vial Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport and packaging containers for medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic containers face challenges in efficient processing, including contamination issues due to direct contact and inability to handle high temperatures, which hinders sterile packaging and processing, especially during freeze-drying and silicone layer application.
Innovation Solution
A modular transport and packaging container with separable segments that allow for direct support and positioning of containers, preventing collisions, and featuring high-temperature resistant materials for processing, along with sealing mechanisms for sterile storage and easy disassembly for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If containers are arranged in a regular matrix arrangement in conventional transport containers, then automated processing is facilitated, but containers must be removed and isolated individually which limits processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The transport container is divided into multiple segments that can be separated from each other. Each segment can be independently removed and processed, allowing parallel handling of multiple container groups simultaneously. This segmentation enables the supporting structure to remain in the container for continuous processing without requiring individual container isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure is integrated with the transport container segments, allowing containers to be processed in groups while maintaining their relative positions. This merging eliminates the need to separate containers from the supporting structure before processing, enabling continuous automated processing at higher speeds.
2Reliability
If containers are isolated individually for processing, then contamination is prevented, but processing time increases due to frequent seal breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The container transport system is segmented into separable units that can be opened at designated processing stations. This allows selective access to specific segments for processing while maintaining sealed conditions for other segments, reducing the frequency of seal breaking and maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure acts as an intermediary between the sealed transport environment and the processing environment. Containers remain supported and positioned on this structure during transfer, allowing group processing while maintaining the integrity of the transport container seals for non-processing segments.
3Ease of operation
If conventional supporting structures are used, then containers are held in position, but direct contact with bottoms prevents freeze-drying processing
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is designed with localized features that provide positioning in specific areas while leaving the container bottoms exposed. This allows containers to be held securely at their upper portions while the bottoms remain accessible for direct contact with freeze-drying surfaces, enabling both positioning and freeze-drying processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure is designed to be adaptable and removable, allowing it to be configured or removed based on processing requirements. This dynamic design enables the structure to provide positioning during transport and storage, while being easily removed or reconfigured to allow direct bottom contact during freeze-drying operations.
4Productivity
If containers are processed while supported in the transport container, then processing efficiency increases, but high temperature resistance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The transport container and supporting structure are constructed from composite materials or materials with high temperature resistance. This allows the entire assembly (container plus supporting structure) to withstand high processing temperatures without degradation, enabling efficient in-container processing for applications requiring thermal treatment such as silicone layer application or sterilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a transport and packaging container for accommodating a plurality of cylindrical containers for substances, comprising at least two segments of which each can be handled separately and which can be assembled or stuck together to jointly form the transport and packaging container, wherein a first segment of the at least two segments has a bottom for supporting the plurality of containers, and positioning devices are provided for positioning the plurality of containers in the interior of the transport and packaging container in a regular arrangement in such a manner that a collision of the directly adjacent containers is prevented, and wherein at least one of the segments comprises sealing means.