DE102014201966B4 - Device and method for handling a tray - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for handling a tray (14), comprising:- at least one transport device (22) which transports a film (16), the film (16) containing at least one tray (14) and at least one tray (12) surrounding containers (10),- at least one opening means (28) for opening the film (16),- at least one handling device (34) for removing at least the tray (14) with containers (10) and the tray (12) from the film (16),- characterized by a handling device (34) for pushing the empty tray (14) and the tray (12) back into the film (16).

Description

The invention is based on a device and a method for handling a tray according to the type of the independent claims. In the case of filling and closing machines for pharmaceuticals, it should be possible to deliver shrink-wrapped, pre-sterilized containers that stand on a tray and are fixed by a tray. This means that complex systems for sterilizing the containers to be filled can be dispensed with by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Such shrink-wrapped, pre-sterilized containers are known, for example, from US 8 100 263 B2 . However, these shrink-wrapped, pre-sterilized containers must be opened in a suitable manner and prepared for further processing. A generic device is known, for example, from the EN 10 2011 080 289 A1 This device comprises a needle unit with a hollow needle for piercing a foil bag, a gas connection on the needle unit for blowing gas into the foil bag via the needle, a cutting device for cutting open the foil bag, a holding device for holding the foil bag and a removal device for removing the object from the foil bag. However, further measures are necessary for removing the containers from a tray.

JP 4 495 420 B2 and WO 2011 / 135 085 A1 each show a device with features of claim 1.

The invention is based on the object of enabling fully automatic further processing. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

Advantages of the invention

With the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention according to the features of the independent claims, fully automatic further processing of, in particular, shrink-wrapped, pre-sterilized containers that stand on a tray and are fixed by a tray can take place. In a particularly simple manner, the components that are no longer required (empty tray, tray and film) can be removed from the device as waste in just one step. No additional movements or drives are necessary for the disposal of the individual components. A compact design of the device is possible. Additional stations or assemblies for the disposal of the individual components can be dispensed with. This contributes to cost reductions. This enables in particular a handling device for pushing the empty tray and the tray back into the film.

In an expedient development, at least one holding device is provided for holding the film or the film bag open. Particularly preferably, one holding device holds the film upwards, while another holding device pulls the film downwards. These holding devices make it easier to insert the tray and/or tray. In addition, the holding devices can at least partially support the opening of the film and are therefore already present anyway.

In a practical development, a holding means is provided that fixes the tray while the handling device connects the tray to the tray for subsequent insertion into the film. In this way, the tray and tray can be securely connected to one another and returned to the film in a space-saving manner in just one step. The handling device particularly preferably comprises at least one suction arm that sucks the tray and/or tray when it is pushed back into the film. This enables secure insertion by a device that already ensures the further transport of the tray to the various stations.

Further useful developments arise from further dependent claims and from the description.

drawing

An embodiment of a device and a method for handling a tray is shown in the drawing and is described in more detail below.

• 1 auf einem Tablett angeordnete, vorsterilisierte Behältnisse,
• 2 ein Tray, das nicht gezeigte, auf dem Tablett stehende Behältnisse fixiert, und das von einer Folie und einem Beutel umgeben ist,
• 3 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung bei der Entnahme der Behältnisse aus dem Tray,
• 4 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung in einem Zustand, in dem die Behältnisse aus dem Tray entnommen und bereits zur Weiterverarbeitung weitergefördert wurden,
• 5 eine Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung in einem Zustand entsprechend der Darstellung gemäß 4,
• 6 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung, bei der bereits die Behältnisse aus dem Tray entnommen wurden und das Tray zur Entsorgung zurück in die Folie gelangte,
• 7 eine perspektivischen Ausschnitt der Vorrichtung, bevor Tray und Tablett ein Haltemittel erreichen,
• 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß 7, wobei sich Tray mit Tablett bereits auf dem Haltemittel befinden,
• 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß den 7 und 8, wobei das Tray bereits von dem Tablett getrennt wurde,
• 10 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Fixiermittels, auf der die Behältnisse angeordnet sind zur Entnahme der Behältnisse aus dem Tray, sowie
• 11 ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel einer Einrichtung zur Entnahme von Tray und Tablett aus der Folie in den unterschiedlichen Schritten wie in den 11a bis 11f gezeigt.

They show:

• 1 Pre-sterilized containers arranged on a tray,
• 2 a tray that holds containers not shown on the tray and is surrounded by a film and a bag,
• 3 a side view of the device when removing the containers from the tray,
• 4 a perspective view of the device in a state in which the containers have been removed from the tray and have already been conveyed for further processing,
• 5 a side view of a device in a state corresponding to the illustration according to 4 ,
• 6 a perspective view of the device where the containers have already been removed from the tray and the tray has been returned to the film for disposal,
• 7 a perspective section of the device before tray and tray reach a holding device,
• 8 a perspective view of the device according to 7 , with tray and tray already on the holder,
• 9 a perspective view of the device according to the 7 and 8 , where the tray has already been separated from the tray,
• 10 a perspective view of a fixing means on which the containers are arranged for removing the containers from the tray, and
• 11 an alternative embodiment of a device for removing tray and tray from the film in the different steps as in the 11a to 11f shown.

Several containers 10 are arranged on a tray 12. The containers 10 are held in a predefined position by a tray 14 that encloses the containers 10 from above. The containers 10 are positioned with their openings facing upwards. The openings of the containers 10 are covered by the tray 14. The tray 14, which is open at the bottom, is closed at the bottom by the tray 12. The containers 10 have already been pre-sterilized and are shrink-wrapped and vacuum-packed in a film 16 together with the tray 14 and the tray 12. The film 16 surrounds the tray 14 and the underside of the tray 12 so that no germs or similar can get into the interior and thus to the containers 10. The complete unit, which is surrounded by the film 16, is in turn enclosed by a bag 18. On the left side, a tab 17 protrudes from the film 16 for easier opening.

To remove the containers 10 from a tray 14, it would be conceivable to feed tray 14, tray 12 and containers 10 without film 16. Tray 14 is generally understood to be an outer packaging such as a bowl, cup or a container open on at least one side with a suitable geometry. The tray 14 preferably has such a geometry that the containers 10 are well fixed and protected inside the tray 14. Tray 12 is understood to be the lid or the other part of the outer packaging that closes the opening of the tray 14. Before removing the containers 10 from the tray 14, the tray 12 or the lid must first be removed.

A device 20 for preparing the removal of a preferably sterile container 10 from a tray 14 comprises a transport device 22. The transport device 22 is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt. The tray 12, the tray 14 and the containers 10, which are surrounded by the film 16, are located on the transport device 22. The device 20 is connected to a 3 indicated housing 21 in order to achieve the desired purity requirements. Outside the device 20, tray 14 with tray 12, containers 10, surrounded by the film 16, are removed from the bag 18 and fed to the device 20. The unit surrounded by the film 16 (tray 12, tray 14, containers 10) passes through a slot-shaped opening 23 into the interior of the device 20. At least one needle 26 is arranged above the transport device 22. This needle 26 is designed to be movable at least in the vertical direction.

A holding device 24 is located above the film 16 or the transport device 22. A further holding device 30 is arranged at the end of the transport device 22. The further holding device 30 is preferably designed as a clamping device, for example as a roller hold-down device. The further holding device 30 is designed to hold the protruding tab 17 of the film 16 in order to make it easier to open the film 16 and/or to keep the opened film bag 16 open. The holding devices 30, 24 also serve to keep the opened film 16 open in the desired manner so that the unit lying therein, comprising containers 10, tray 12, tray 14, can be removed from the film 16 and/or the waste (namely the tray 12 and the empty tray 14) can later be filled back into the film 16 or the film bag 16. The holding devices 24, 30 can be designed, for example, as suction cups, vacuum openings, grippers, clamping means or the like.

In the 3 In the state shown, the film 16 is already opened. The tray 14 has already been transported further to the left without tray 12 into a removal position in which the containers 10 were removed from the tray 14 as in 3 shown.

The tray 14 rests on a guide 36. The guide 36 has longitudinal guides that hold the tray 14 laterally on a horizontal plane.

Furthermore, the guide 36 has an opening 33 in the horizontal plane (preferably in 6 see) which is large enough for the containers 10 to be removed downwards from the tray 14. This opening 33 of the guide 36 can be filled with a fixing means 38 which is flush with the guide 36. The containers 10 are firmly arranged on the fixing means 38. The fixing means 38 is plate-shaped, for example designed as a vacuum plate. The handling device 34 guides the tray 14 over a later described holding means 32 and a transfer plate 37 on the guide 36. After the containers 10 have been removed from the tray 14, the handling device 34 can transfer the empty tray 14 back into the film 16 or film bag for subsequent disposal. The fixing means 38 is moved by a transfer unit 40.

The device 20 also has a machine frame 46. For example, the machine frame 46 is arranged so that it can be lowered on rollers 48, so that the device 20 can be used at different stations in a particularly flexible manner. For a better understanding, the arrangement according to 3 now in 4 shown in the perspective view, wherein the containers 10 have already been rotated by 90° in a horizontal plane by the transfer unit 40 compared to the removal position from the tray 14.

Furthermore, in 3 and 4 the handling device 34 is shown in more detail. The end of the arm of the handling device 34 has an end piece oriented perpendicular to the transport direction of the tray 14, at the end of which several fingers 31, 35 are arranged. The end piece with horizontally oriented fingers 35 arranged thereon extends over the entire width of the tray 14. The front side of the tray 14 is sucked in via the horizontally oriented fingers 35. For example, four horizontally oriented fingers 35 can be provided, which fix the tray 14 to the outer contours that protrude forwards. The end piece of the handling device 34 also has fingers 31 oriented in the vertical direction that protrude downwards. The fingers 31 oriented in the vertical direction are arranged in such a way that they fit into grooves 41 of the transfer plate 37 or the guide 36 (shown in more detail in 6 or 9 ) can intervene.

The part of the handling device 34 that moves the end piece is preferably arranged to the side of the tray 14 so that no opened containers 10 are covered. The handling device 34 can preferably be equipped with suction cups, for example in the form of a suction arm. The handling device 34 generally serves to bring the tray 14 into the desired positions, in particular for removing the (full) tray 14 and/or for returning the empty tray 14 to the film 16. Pushers, grippers, robots or similar could also be used accordingly.

In the representation according to 5 the containers 10 located on the fixing means 38 have already been rotated by 90° relative to the removal position from the tray 14 and brought into a position for further processing. The tray 14, in turn, is still in the removal position on the guide 36. The handling device 34 is in contact with the tray 14. Depending on the output, the 90° rotation may also be omitted.

According to 6 the device 20 is now shown in an operating state in which the containers 10 have been removed from the tray 14, but the tray 14 has already been pushed back together with the tray 12 into the film 16 or the film bag. This serves to better dispose of the parts that are no longer required, namely tray 12, tray 14, and film 16. In the 6 In the position shown, the waste, namely tray 12, tray 14 and film 16, can be brought back through the opening 23 in the housing 21 outside the device 20. The waste disposal can thus be carried out in just one step. The transfer plate 37 is arranged flush between the guide 36 and the holding means 32. The surface of the transfer plate 37 or the guide 36 comprises at least one groove 41. In the embodiment according to 6 there are several grooves 41 that run parallel to the transport direction of the tray 14. The vertically oriented fingers 31 of the handling device 34 engage in these grooves 41 when the empty tray 14 is pushed towards the tray 12. These fingers 31 can better grip the tray 12 in order to push the tray 12 together with the empty tray 14 back into the opened film 16 or film bag (see also 8 ).

In the 7 to 9 It is now shown in more detail how the tray 12 located underneath the tray 14 is separated from it. For reasons of clarity, the film 16, the upper holding means 24, the needle 26 and the cutting unit 28 are not shown. The transport device 22 is designed, for example, in the form of laterally arranged belt drives and moves the supplied arrangement (consisting of containers 10 surrounded by tray 14 and tray 12, enclosed by the film 16) from right to left.

The holding means 32 is provided at the left end of the transport device 22, flush with the surface of the transport device 22. The holding means 32 is preferably plate-shaped, in particular designed as a vacuum plate. The holding means 32 has at least one opening 54, in the exemplary embodiment two openings 54, which are designed as suction cups, for example. They serve to fix the tray 12 covering the open underside of the tray 14. To do this, the suction cups suck the tray 12 through the openings 54 and hold it firmly, so that the tray 14 can be moved relative to the tray 12.

The fixing of the tray 12 relative to the tray 14 can alternatively be carried out with further holding means 32. Instead of the described solution with the A plate could also be provided for suction cups 54, which has holes through which the tray 12 can be sucked. Alternatively, the tray 12 could be fixed in place, for example, by mechanical clamping or gripping or the like. The holding means 32 is expediently located on the same level as the transport device 22 or 50, so that additional movement of the tray 14 can be dispensed with.

As in 8 shown in more detail, between the two belt drives of the transport device 22 there is a transport means 50 which is designed as a transport chain or link belt with ejectors 52. The ejector 52 is arranged on the top side of the transport means 50 such that it protrudes slightly upwards and can thus act on the front side of the tray 12 or tray 14. The transport device 22 brings the film 16 into the desired position in which the protruding tab of the film 16 is clamped by the holding means 30. The transport means 50, on the other hand, serves to eject the tray 12 with the tray 14 and containers 10 from the held, opened film bag or film 16. For this purpose, the transport means 50 is moved relative to the transport device 22. The tray 12 and tray 14 are pushed onto the holding means 32 by the transport means 50. Alternatively, a slider could also transfer tray 12 and tray 14 to the holding means 32. The tray 12 is sucked in and fixed by the suction cups 54 of the holding means 32. Transport means within the meaning of claim 1 are those that can transfer tray 12 and/or tray 14 to the holding means 32, such as the handling device 34, slider, suction arm or the transport device 22.

According to 8 the end piece of the handling device 34 is brought to the front side of the tray 14 after the tray 12 has been fixed. The forward-projecting fingers 35 with suction openings come into contact with the front side of the tray 14. By applying a negative pressure and corresponding movement of the handling device 34 to the left, the tray 14 is moved relative to the tray 12 fixed by the holding means 32 into the 9 shown position. In this position, tray 12 and tray 14 are completely separated from each other. The containers 10 thus rest freely downwards for further removal from the tray 14 on the transfer plate 37 or guide 36 with the fixing means 38 arranged in the opening 33.

Tray 14 and tray 12 can be separated automatically. With the proposed solution, tray 14 and containers 10 do not need to be turned over or rotated by 180°. Furthermore, no further movement is required. In addition, separate removal and disposal of tray 12 is not necessary. Containers 10 are treated gently because they remain protected by tray 14 for as long as possible.

Alternatively, the holding means 32 could be designed such that the tray 14 is fixed relative to the tray 12, while a transport means and/or a handling unit moves the tray 12 relative to the tray 14 after the tray 14 has been fixed.

In 10 the fixing means 38 is shown in more detail, which fixes the containers 10 when they are removed from the tray 14 after the tray 12 located on the underside of the tray 14 has been removed. The fixing means 38 is characterized by a large number of suction openings 39. The suction openings 39 are arranged depending on the containers 10 used so that the bottom of each container 10 can be fixed in the desired position via the suction opening 39. As indicated on the right-hand side, the respective suction openings 39 of containers 10 located in a row can be connected to one another by a common suction hole. The type of arrangement of the suction openings 39 can vary. Fixing the containers 10 is essential. This could also be the case if only the outer containers 10 are fixed, or only every second container 10, or something similar. Instead of the described solution with the suction openings 39, the fixing means 38 could also be realized by mechanical clamping or gripping or similar.

After the containers 10 have been fixed by the fixing means 38, the fixing means 38 is lowered with the fixed containers 10. The tray 14 remains in the guide 36. The container information as arranged in the tray 14 is still held together by the fixing means 38. Alternatively, the containers 10 and tray 14 could be separated by removing the tray 14 by moving it upwards, but the containers 10 remain fixed by the fixing means 38. The vacuum on the fixing means 38, which is designed as a vacuum plate, can be switched off for each suction opening 39, for a respective row or completely. The vacuum can be switched off by a vacuum kidney, by valves, by a rotary slide or by a movable bolt.

The proposed fixation of the containers 10 prevents the containers 10 from touching each other. This also prevents scratches, for example on plastic containers. Furthermore, a constant laminar flow around the containers 10 can be maintained. The formation of the containers 10 as arranged in the tray 14 is maintained even during rotary movements or displacement movements. The arrangement of the suction openings 39 can be individually adapted to different container formations and geometries. This enables fast and safe processing.

After separating the containers 10 from the tray 14, the empty tray 14 and the tray 12 are disposed of together with the film 16 or the film bag, see in particular the 5 and 6 . The handling device 34 grips, fixes or sucks the empty tray 14 ( 5 ). After the gripping or suction process, the handling device 34 pushes the empty tray 14 in the direction of the transport device 22. As already described, two vertically oriented fingers 31 are arranged on the end piece of the handling device 34. After the end piece of the handling device 34 reaches the transfer plate 37 or the grooves 41 already present in the guide 36, the handling device 34 moves the end piece somewhat deeper (for example 5 mm) and the fingers 31 dip into the groove 41 in the guide 36 or transfer plate 37. The vacuum plate 32, which holds the tray 12, interrupts the vacuum so that the tray 12 is no longer sucked in and can therefore be taken along by the fingers 31 on the handling device 34. The vertically oriented fingers 31 thus serve for the targeted further transport of the tray 12, while the horizontally oriented fingers 35 directly move the tray 14.

Tray 14 and tray 12 are pushed back into the film 16 or film bag, which is still held open by the holding devices 24, 30. The holding devices 24, 30 then release the film 16, so that the transport device 22 transports the tray 14, tray 12 in the film 16 or film bag through the opening 23 from the inside of the device 20 to the outside. The transport takes place in a similar way by means of a pusher (similar to the pusher 52), only the direction of rotation of the transport means 50 is changed. The pusher/slider thus pushes tray 14, tray 12 and film 16 out of the opening 23. For this purpose, the pusher/slider is arranged on the opposite side (left). Additional movements or drive means for the disposal of the individual components of the empty packaging can be dispensed with. A compact design of the device 20 is possible. Furthermore, no additional stations (assemblies) are necessary for the disposal of the individual components. This helps to reduce costs.

The device 20 described works as follows. The arrangement of tray 14, tray 12, and containers 10, surrounded by the film 16, are fed to the device 20 via the opening 23 of the housing 21 (RABS: Restricted Access Barrier System). The opening 23 in the housing 21 could preferably be designed similar to a mailbox slot and provided with a flap. The housing 21 surrounds the device 20 so that the containers 10 can be further processed under the desired clean room conditions. The film 16 has a protruding tab on one side so that it can be cut through or opened more easily by the opening means 28. The film 16 or tab serves for fixing. The containers 10 are oriented in the tray 14 with the openings facing upwards.

The transport device 22 picks up the supplied arrangement 19 and brings it into the detection range of the opening means 28. The mechanically correct positioning is carried out, for example, by a mechanical lock or a stop. If the tray 14 and the tray 12 with film 16 are in the desired position, the transport device 22 stops. The holding device 24 is located above the supplied arrangement without hindering its transport. The further holding device 30, designed as a roller hold-down device, is open and ready to receive the tab 17 of the film 16. The mechanical lock opens. The needle 26 is lowered downwards and pierces the film 16 at free points in the rear area between the protruding outer contours. Alternatively, two or more needles 26 can be provided in order to speed up the inflation process. The film 16 is then inflated into a film bag using sterile air via the needle 26. The holding device 24 moves in the vertical direction to approximately 15 to 30 mm above the tray 14. The rollers of the further holding device 30 are still open.

By inflating the film 16, the protruding tab 17 is aligned and brought between the rollers of the additional holding device 30. The rollers of the additional holding device 30 close and clamp the tab 17 of the film 16. The upper holding device 24 fixes the top of the film 16. The holding device 24 preferably comprises vacuum suction cups for this purpose. The needle 26 then moves upwards out of the film 16 or film bag.

The additional holding device 30 tightens the protruding flap 17. The opening means 28 cuts through the middle part of the protruding flap 17, so that the tray 14 and the tray 12 can be pushed out of the film 16 later. The film 16 surrounds the tray 14 and continues to be held upwards by the holding device 24. The underside of the cut open bag 18 is also held by the additional holding device device 30, which lowers downwards and is tensioned by a pneumatic rotary movement. In this way, the film 16 is fixed and kept open.

The tray 14 and the tray 12 are pushed out of the film 16 by means of the transport means 50 via the pusher 52 and reach the holding means 32. The transport device 22, however, remains at rest in order to leave the film 16 or film bag in the rest position.

Alternatively, the pushing out of the film 16 could be done by means of a slider or similar. Alternatively, the handling device 34 inside the film 16 could come into contact with the tray 14 and/or tray 12, for example by suction or gripping. The handling device 34 pushes the tray 14 together with the tray 12 out of the film 16.

The tray 12 is secured by the holding means 32 after it has been pushed out of the film 16. The handling device 34 then secures the tray 14. To do this, the horizontally oriented fingers 35 suck the front side of the tray 14. The handling device 34 pulls the tray 14 onto the guide 36, while the tray 12 is secured by the holding means 32 and remains at rest. Tray 14 and tray 12 are separated by this relative movement.

In an alternative embodiment according to 11 the holding means 32, such as a vacuum plate, is fixed in the guide 36 and is held in a predefined position by a locking means 56, such as a bolt. The handling device 34 is positioned above the holding means 32 ( 11a) . In this position, the vertically displaceable bolt 56 is brought upwards. This mechanically connects the handling device 34 with the holding means 32 ( 11b) . The bolt 56 no longer fixes the guide 36 and the holding means 32. The handling device 34 and the holding means 32 then move together along the fixed guide 36 in the direction of the opened foil bag or foil 16. The handling device 34 grips the tray 14 at the front. The holding means 32 fixes the tray 12, for example with the help of suction cups 59 ( 11c ). The suction cups 59 are oriented in such a way that they come into contact with the underside of the tray 12 for fixing. Handling device 34 and holding means 32 move tray 14 and tray 12 out of the opened film 16. Tray 14 and tray 12 with the containers 10 inside are thereby removed from the film 16 ( 11d ). The bolt 56 is lowered vertically again. The holding means 32 is thus no longer connected to the handling unit, but to the guide 36 ( 11e) . The tray 12 remains in this position together with the holding means 32. This enables a relative movement of the tray 14 relative to the tray 12. To do this, the handling device 34 moves the tray 14 together with the containers 10 lying therein further to the left, while the holding means 32 holds the tray 12. The tray 14 is transferred to the guide 36 without the tray 12. The subsequent operation is identical for both embodiments.

The surface of the fixing means 38 and that of the guide 36 are aligned so that the tray 14 with the containers 10 located therein can be transferred with the help of the handling device 34. The tray 14 comes to a stop in a defined position in which all containers 10 are located above the fixing means 38. In this position, the upwardly open suction openings 39 of the fixing means 38 interact with the corresponding bases of the containers 10, which are now exposed after separation from the tray 12. In this position, a vacuum is created in the corresponding suction openings 39 of the fixing means 38 so that the containers 10 are securely fixed. The fixing means 38 is arranged to be movable.

In the next step, the fixing means 38 is lowered downwards together with the containers 10 arranged on it. The tray 14 remains in the guide 36. This separates the containers 10 from the tray 14. The fixing means 38 holds the containers 10 in the desired position. While the fixing means 38 with containers 10 is lowered, the handling device 34 fixes the tray 14. The handling device 34, which holds the tray 14, is preferably designed such that it does not cover the containers 10. For this purpose, one arm of the handling device 34 is designed at a right angle.

While the containers 10 are moved by the fixing means 38, the handling device 34 remains at rest or moves over the tray 14 so that the open/opened containers 10 do not have to be moved over the handling device 34. The fixing means 38 then rotates by 90° and is moved in the direction of the transfer plate 44. This can increase the output of the device 20. A suitable transfer unit 40 is provided for the movement of the fixing means 38, with which lifting/lowering movements and/or rotational movements can be carried out in the desired manner.

After the fixing means 38 has rotated, the handling unit 42 begins to place the containers 10 row by row on the transfer plate 44 and push them, for example, into the inlet of a filling machine. Alternatively, the handling unit could The containers 10 are transferred directly to an infeed wheel of a filling machine via the handling unit 42. The transfer plate 44 could be designed as a vacuum plate to ensure that the containers 10 are fixed in place. The transfer plate 44 is located in the device 20. The transfer plate 44 is the connecting link with other units, for example a filling machine. The handling unit 42 is designed, for example, as a robot with grippers or the like. The handling unit 42 is part of the device 20.

After the fixing means 38 with the containers 10 is in the desired position, in particular away from the handling device 34 or tray 14, the handling device 34 pushes the empty tray 14 and the tray 12 back into the opened film bag or film 16. The vertically oriented fingers 31 of the handling device 34 engage in the grooves 41 when the empty tray 14 is pushed towards the tray 12. These fingers 31 can grip the tray 12 better in order to push the tray 12 together with the empty tray 14 back into the opened film 16 or film bag. The holding device 24 and the further holding device 30 continue to hold the film 16 in the open position. The holding device 24 then detaches from the top of the film 16. The transport means 50 or the transport device 22 move the tray 14, the film 16 and the tray 12 in the opposite direction back through the opening slot 23 in the housing 21 into the outer area of the device 20. At this point, the film 16 with the tray 12 and tray 14 located therein can be disposed of as a complete unit.

This type of disposal is particularly advantageous because no additional movements (drives) are required for the disposal of the individual components. A compact design is possible. Additional stations (assemblies) for the disposal of the individual components can also be omitted. This helps to reduce costs.

The rollers 43 can be moved out of the machine frame 46 by a mechanism so that the device 20 can be moved. This allows the device 20 to be docked particularly flexibly to any other machines (filling machine, etc.). Since the feet are fixed or aligned, the set machine height is reached every time the device 20 is moved. The device 20 is fixed by two appropriately arranged bolts which are mounted on the floor of the respective storage position of the device 20.

As already mentioned, tray 14 and tray 12 could be fed into the device without film 16. The corresponding holding means 24, 30 or opening means 28 would then no longer be necessary.

• - Zuführen von Tray 14 und Tablett 12 mit darin angeordneten Behältnissen 10, von einer Folie 16 umgeben, und/oder
• - Öffnen der Folie 16,
  • ◯ Aufblasen der Folie 16 mittels der Nadel 26 und/oder
  • ◯ Öffnen der Folie 16 mittels Öffnungsmittel 28, und/oder
• - Trennen des Trays 14 und des Tabletts 12 von der Folie 16
  • ◯ Ausschieben des Trays 14 und des Tablett 12 mit darin angeordneten Behältnissen 10 aus der geöffneten Folie 16, und/oder
• - Trennen des Trays 14 mit darin angeordneten Behältnissen 10 vom Tablett 12
  • ◯ Fixierung des Tray 14 und/oder des Tabletts 12, bevorzugt durch das Haltemittel 32, und/oder
  • ◯ Erzeugung einer Relativbewegung zwischen Tray 14 mit Behältnissen 10 und Tablett 12, bevorzugt durch die Handlingseinrichtung 34, und/oder
• - Trennen des Trays 14 von den Behältnissen 10,
  • ◯ Überführen des Trays 14 mit den darin angeordneten Behältnissen 10 auf eine Führung 36 und/oder
  • ◯ Anordnen der Behältnisse 10 auf dem Fixiermittel 38 und/oder
  • ◯ Fixieren der Behältnisse 10, bevorzugt durch das Fixiermittel 38, insbesondere mit Hilfe von Ansaugöffnungen 39, die auf die Behältnisse 10, bevorzugt auf deren Behälterboden, einwirken, so dass die Behältnisse 10 in einer fixierten Position verbleiben, und/oder
  • ◯ Relativbewegung zwischen Tray 14 und fixierten Behältnissen 10, vorzugsweise mittels Absenken des Fixiermittels 38 mit Behältnissen 10 gegenüber dem Tray 14, das auf der Führung 36 verbleibt, und/oder
  • ◯ Bewegen der fixierten Behältnisse 10 in einen Weiterverarbeitungsbereich, bevorzugt außerhalb der Handlingseinrichtung 34, insbesondere durch Drehen des Fixiermittels 38 bevorzugt um 90°, und/oder
• - Weiterverarbeitung der Behältnisse 10
  • ◯ Überführen der Behältnisse 10 auf eine Überleitplatte 44, insbesondere durch reihenweise Entnahme der Behältnisse 10 durch die Handlingseinheit 42, und/oder
  • ◯ Übergabe an eine Füllmaschine, insbesondere durch die Handlingseinheit 42, und/oder
• - Entsorgung von Tray 14, Tablett 12 und Folie 16
  • ◯ Offenhalten der Folie 16, insbesondere durch die Halteeinrichtung 24 und/oder die weitere Halteeinrichtung 30, und/oder
  • ◯ Zurückschieben des Trays 14 und/oder des Tabletts 12 in die geöffnete Folie 16, insbesondere durch die Handlingseinrichtung 34, und/oder
  • ◯ Heraustransportieren von in der Folie 16 angeordnetem Tablett 12 und Tray 14 aus der Vorrichtung 20, insbesondere durch die Transporteinrichtung 22, und/oder
  • ◯ Entnahme von Tablett 12, Tray 14 und Folie 16 aus der Vorrichtung 20.

In summary, there are different work steps that can be partially omitted:

• - feeding tray 14 and tray 12 with containers 10 arranged therein, surrounded by a film 16, and/or
• - Open slide 16,
  • ◯ Inflating the film 16 using the needle 26 and/or
  • ◯ Opening the film 16 by means of opening means 28, and/or
• - Separating the tray 14 and the tray 12 from the film 16
  • ◯ pushing out the tray 14 and the tray 12 with the containers 10 arranged therein from the opened film 16, and/or
• - Separating the tray 14 with the containers 10 arranged therein from the tray 12
  • ◯ Fixing of the tray 14 and/or the tray 12, preferably by the holding means 32, and/or
  • ◯ Generation of a relative movement between tray 14 with containers 10 and tray 12, preferably by the handling device 34, and/or
• - Separating the tray 14 from the containers 10,
  • ◯ Transferring the tray 14 with the containers 10 arranged therein to a guide 36 and/or
  • ◯ Arranging the containers 10 on the fixing means 38 and/or
  • ◯ Fixing the containers 10, preferably by means of the fixing means 38, in particular with the aid of suction openings 39, which act on the containers 10, preferably on their container bottom, so that the containers 10 remain in a fixed position, and/or
  • ◯ Relative movement between tray 14 and fixed containers 10, preferably by lowering the fixing means 38 with containers 10 relative to the tray 14, which remains on the guide 36, and/or
  • ◯ Moving the fixed containers 10 into a further processing area, preferably outside the handling device 34, in particular by rotating the fixing means 38 preferably by 90°, and/or
• - Further processing of containers 10
  • ◯ Transferring the containers 10 to a transfer plate 44, in particular by removing the containers 10 row by row by the handling unit 42, and/or
  • ◯ Transfer to a filling machine, in particular by the handling unit 42, and/or
• - Disposal of tray 14, tray 12 and foil 16
  • ◯ Keeping the film 16 open, in particular by the holding device 24 and/or the further holding device 30, and/or
  • ◯ Pushing the tray 14 and/or the tray 12 back into the opened film 16, in particular by the handling device 34, and/or
  • ◯ Transporting the tray 12 and tray 14 arranged in the film 16 out of the device 20, in particular by the transport device 22, and/or
  • ◯ Removal of tray 12, tray 14 and film 16 from the device 20.

Claims (12)

Device for handling a tray (14), comprising: - at least one transport device (22) which transports a film (16), wherein the film (16) contains at least one tray (14) and at least one tray (12) surrounding containers (10), - at least one opening means (28) for opening the film (16), - at least one handling device (34) for removing at least the tray (14) with containers (10) and the tray (12) from the film (16), - characterized by a handling device (34) for pushing the empty tray (14) and the tray (12) back into the film (16). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one holding device (24, 30) is provided for keeping the film (16) or the film bag open. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holding means (32) is provided which fixes the tray (12) while the handling device (34) connects the tray (14) to the tray (12) for subsequent insertion into the film (16). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handling device (34) comprises at least one suction arm which sucks the tray (14) and/or tray (12) when pushing it back into the film (16). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transport device (22) is provided which moves the tray (12), tray (14) and the film (16) preferably through an opening (23) in a housing (21) surrounding the device (20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the holding device (24) keeps the film (16) open upwards and/or the holding device (30) pulls the film (16) downwards. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (32) can be arranged in alignment with the transport device (22) and/or a guide (36) or fixing means (38) arranged therein, which serves to fix the containers (10) located in the tray (14). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (24, 30) and/or the handling device (34) comprises at least one suction device, a suction opening, a roller, a roller hold-down device or gripper. Method for handling a tray (14), comprising the following steps: - at least one transport device (22) transports at least one film (16) with a tray (14) and a tray (12) arranged therein, which surround containers (10), to an opening means (28), - the opening means (28) opens the film (16), - a handling device (34) removes at least the tray (14) with containers (10) and the tray (12) from the film (16), - removal means (38) remove the containers (10) from the tray (12), characterized in that a handling device (34) pushes the empty tray (14) and/or the tray (12) back into the film (16). Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that at least one holding device (24, 30) keeps the bag (18) and/or the film (16) open when the tray (14) and/or tray (12) is inserted. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the empty tray (14) and the tray (12) are connected and pushed back together into the film (16). Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized by further steps: - transferring the tray (14) with the net containers (10) onto a guide (36) and/or - arranging the containers (10) on a fixing means (38) and/or - fixing the containers (10), preferably by the fixing means (38), in particular with the aid of suction openings (39) which act on the containers (10), preferably on their container base, so that the containers (10) remain in a fixed position, and/or - relative movement between tray (14) and fixed containers (10), preferably by lowering the fixing means (38) with containers (10) relative to the tray (14) which remains on the guide (36), and/or - moving the fixed containers (10) into a further processing area, preferably outside the handling device (34), in particular by rotating the fixing means (38), preferably by 90°.

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