Method, tray and apparatus for handling syringes

Abstract

A tray is provided for receiving a plurality of pre-filled syringes each having a tubular body defining an outer surface and a chamber having an open first end sealed with a plug and an open opposite second end configured to establish fluid communication with a hypodermic needle, wherein a flange extends from the tubular body at the first end. The tray includes a plate defining a plurality of through-going ridges and a plurality of through-going grooves parallel to the ridges, wherein the ridges are interconnected with the grooves. A multitude of open apertures is defined at the ridges, wherein the apertures are configured for (a) receiving the flange of a syringe received between two adjacent ridges, and (b) permitting the passage of a gas through the plate to contact the outer surface of the syringe.

1 . A method of handling a plurality of pre-filled syringes each syringe having a tubular body defining a first and an opposite second end, said first and said second end being open ends, said tubular body defining a chamber wherein a substance is stored, said first end sealed with a plug, said second end adapted to establish fluid communication to a hypodermic needle, at least one flange extending from said tubular body, said plurality of syringes being held in said at least one extending flange so that each of said syringes are in a substantially vertical orientation; comprising:
 providing an assembly defining an inlet and an outlet;   providing said plurality of syringes at said inlet;   providing a tray including a second plurality of recesses for receiving said plurality of syringes, said recesses defined by parallel ridges and grooves, a multitude of apertures being defined at said ridges for receiving said at least one flange of a specific syringe received between two adjacent ridges;   transferring said plurality of syringes from said inlet into said tray in a substantially horizontal orientation; and   transferring said tray into a frame positioned at or near said outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transferring said plurality of syringes from said inlet to said tray comprises:
 providing a first wheel mounted in said frame at said inlet, said first wheel defining a first periphery and a first multitude of indentations defined at said first periphery, each of said first multitude of indentations including holding devices for holding a syringe, said plurality of syringes provided to said first wheel at said first multitude of indentations, said first wheel defining a first plane, said wheel mounted so that said first plane is in a horizontal orientation;   providing a second wheel mounted in said frame at said inlet, said second wheel defining a second periphery and a second multitude of indentations defined at said second periphery, each of said second multitude of indentations including holding devices for holding a syringe, said plurality of syringes provided to said second wheel at said second multitude of indentations, said second wheel defining a second plane, said wheel mounted so that said second plane is in a horizontal orientation, a specific angle defined between a first and a second normal to said first and said second plane respectively; and   transferring said plurality of syringes from said first wheel to said second wheel and transferring said plurality of syringes from said second wheel to said tray.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said specific angle is defined between a first component of said first normal and a second component of said second normal in the interval 0 to 180 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said transferring said plurality of syringes from said inlet to said tray comprises:
 providing a robotic arm including a gripping part for gripping at least one syringe at a time; and   transferring said plurality of syringes using said robotic arm from said inlet to said tray at least one at a time.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a base defining an upper base surface and at least one supporting beam extending from said upper base surface. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said base defines an overall geometry corresponding to a Euro-pallet. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said frame is made from a corrosion-resistive metallic material capable of withstanding fumigation, disinfection, hot steam, water, autoclaving and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 - 24 . (canceled)