US-12624717-B2 - Device for processing pharmaceutical containers, and securing device for such a device

Abstract

An apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers, and a securing device for detachably fastening a format part of an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers on a holding part of the apparatus. The format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific, or process-specific quality. The securing device includes a first securing element and a second securing element. The first securing element is arranged on or is part of the format part, and the second securing element is arranged on or is part of the holding part. The securing elements include magnetic elements that interact when the interconnected securing elements are in a securing position.

Inventors

• Edgar Dell
• Benjamin Spang
• Daniel Prozer

Assignees

• Bausch + Ströbel SE + Co. KG

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230622

Priority Date

20201223

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A securing device for detachably fastening a format part of an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers on a holding part of the apparatus, wherein the format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality, wherein the securing device comprises a first securing element and a second securing element, wherein the first securing element is arranged on or comprised by the format part, and the second securing element is arranged on or comprised by the holding part, wherein the securing elements comprise a receptacle and a projection which is arranged in the receptacle when the securing elements are in a securing position, the securing elements being positively engaged with one another in the securing position, and wherein the securing elements comprise magnetic elements which interact when the interconnected securing elements are in the securing position, wherein the respective the magnetic element is encapsulated in the respective securing element and free of contact with the atmosphere, the magnetic elements being arranged at a distance from one another and free of contact with one another when the securing elements are in the securing position, wherein one of the magnetic elements is arranged on a base of the receptacle, the receptacle having or forming a receiving body with a receiving space, the magnetic element being arranged in the receiving space behind a base wall on a side which faces away from the projection, and wherein the other magnetic element is arranged on an end face of the projection, the projection having or forming a receiving body with a receiving space, the magnetic element being arranged in the receiving space behind an end wall on a side which faces away from the base.
2. 2 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements is a magnet.
3. 3 . The securing device in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.
4. 4 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each magnetic element is fixed to the respective securing element in at least one of the following ways: by a force-locking and/or positive connection; by an integral bond; by a screw connection; by pressing; by gluing; the magnetic element is injected, cast or rolled into the securing element.
5. 5 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the securing elements are interconnected with one another without gaps in the securing position.
6. 6 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the receptacle and the projection are each rotationally symmetrical or substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a common axis of the securing elements when they assume the securing position.
7. 7 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the projection is configured to taper in an insertion direction into the receptacle, and wherein the receptacle is configured to taper in the insertion direction starting from an insertion opening for the projection.
8. 8 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the projection and the receptacle comprise at least one corresponding fit interconnected in the securing position.
9. 9 . The securing device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the at least one fit is a cylinder fit formed by respective lateral surfaces of the projection and of the receptacle.
10. 10 . The securing device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein, relative to the insertion direction, two fits are arranged at a distance from one another on the projection and on the receptacle.
11. 11 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each magnetic element is positively engaged in the respective receiving space.
12. 12 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements is acted upon by a pressing element with a force in the direction of the additional securing element.
13. 13 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a sealing element is arranged on each magnetic element on the side facing away from the respectively other securing element.
14. 14 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the securing element comprises a receiving member forming the receiving space and a base member connected to the receiving member.
15. 15 . The securing device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the securing device comprises a plurality of first securing elements and second securing elements, and wherein the first securing elements are configured identically, and the second securing elements are configured identically.
16. 16 . An apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers, comprising at least one format part and at least one holding part assigned thereto, wherein the at least one format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality, and wherein the at least one format part is detachably connectable to the at least one holding part by means of a securing device, wherein the securing device comprises a first securing element and a second securing element, wherein the first securing element is arranged on or comprised by the format part, and the second securing element is arranged on or comprised by the holding part, wherein the securing elements comprise a receptacle and a projection which is arranged in the receptacle when the securing elements are in a securing position, the securing elements being positively engaged with one another in the securing position, and wherein the securing elements comprise magnetic elements which interact when the interconnected securing elements are in the securing position, wherein the respective the magnetic element is encapsulated in the respective securing element and free of contact with the atmosphere, the magnetic elements being arranged at a distance from one another and free of contact with one another when the securing elements are in the securing position, wherein one of the magnetic elements is arranged on a base of the receptacle, the receptacle having or forming a receiving body with a receiving space, the magnetic element being arranged in the receiving space behind a base wall on a side which faces away from the projection, and wherein the other magnetic element is arranged on an end face of the projection, the projection having or forming a receiving body with a receiving space, the magnetic element being arranged in the receiving space behind an end wall on a side which faces away from the base.
17. 17 . The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein two or more format parts of the at least one format part, which differ from one another with regard to their qualities, are assigned to a respective holding part, and wherein the two or more format parts are selectively connectable to the holding part.
18. 18 . The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the at least one format part is assigned a plurality of holding parts and is connected to the holding parts via a respective securing device.
19. 19 . The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the at least one format part is a carrier part for the containers, a transport wheel or a gripping element for the containers.
20. 20 . The apparatus in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the at least one format part is a plunger for a closing element of the container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of international application number PCT/EP2021/087278, filed on Dec. 22, 2021, and claims the benefit of German application number 10 2020 134 782.0, filed on Dec. 23, 2020. The contents of international application number PCT/EP2021/087278 and German application number 10 2020 134 782.0 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes. FIELD The present disclosure relates to a securing device for detachably fastening a format part of an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers on a holding part of the apparatus, wherein the format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a device for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers, comprising at least one format part and at least one holding part assigned thereto, wherein the at least one format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality, and wherein the at least one format part can be detachably connected to the at least one holding part by means of a securing device. BACKGROUND The securing device of the aforementioned type is used in particular in an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers. Typically, the pharmaceutical containers, for example syringes, vials or carpules, are fed to the apparatus, filled with a liquid or solid pharmaceutical substance, subsequently closed, optionally marked, and fed or stored for further processing, for example, to/in a common carrier (nest). The pharmaceutical substance is in particular a medically active substance (agent). Vials may also be referred to as “bottles” or “phials.” In practice, so-called format parts are used in apparatuses for processing pharmaceutical containers or their components. The format parts can be detachably fixed to holding parts of the apparatus assigned to them. Holding parts are arranged, for example, on a frame, substructure or the like of the apparatus, or comprise the latter. The format parts are interchangeable parts that can be changed by a user depending on the task to be performed, adapted to the containers, their components and/or, for example, the filling process. Further process-specific properties of format parts are conceivable. For example, the format part used depends on a container type (such as syringes, vials or carpules), the dimension of a container (for example vials of different sizes) or the manner in which the container is to be closed. With respect to the latter point, format parts of the apparatus are to be mentioned, for example, which are used depending on the closing element used (for example mushroom plugs, plunger stoppers or crimp caps), in order to enable their processing. Also worth mentioning in this regard, as for example in the case of containers, is not only the type of closing element, but also, for example, its size. Other types of format parts can be process-specific, for example. For example, format parts are used depending on which substance is to be filled into the containers; differences can, for example, arise depending on whether the substance is liquid or powdery, on the viscosity a liquid substance possesses, and/or on the quantity of the substance with which the containers are to be filled. An object underlying the present disclosure is to provide a securing device and an apparatus of the type mentioned at the outset which facilitate handling of the format parts. SUMMARY In a first aspect of the present disclosure, securing device for detachably fastening a format part of an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers on a holding part of the apparatus is provided. The format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality. The securing device comprises a first securing element and a second securing element, wherein the first securing element is arranged on or comprised by the format part, and the second securing element is arranged on or comprised by the holding part. The securing elements comprise magnetic elements which interact when the interconnected securing elements are in a securing position. In a second aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for processing pharmaceutical containers or components of pharmaceutical containers is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one format part and at least one holding part assigned thereto. The at least one format part has at least one container-specific, container-component-specific or process-specific quality. The at least one format part is detachably connectable to the at least one holding part by means of a securing device in accordance with the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRI