Method and device for sterilely enclosing a container

Abstract

Sterilely enclosing a container by means of at least two caps by: gripping a first region of a container provided with a first cap in a first region by means of first tongs, by gripping and clamping the first cap; and sliding a second cap onto a second region of the container in such a way that one or more of: the second cap abuts the first cap, the second cap slips over the first cap, or the second cap is slipped over by the first cap; or the first cap and the second cap are connected by means of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements; or a connection that provides sterile sealing-off from the outside of the first and second caps can be formed between the first and second caps, leaving a bridgeable distance between the first and second caps.

1 . A method for sterilely enclosing a container by means of at least two caps, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 gripping a first region of a container covered by a first cap in a first region by means of first tongs, wherein gripping the first region comprises clamping the first cap; and   sliding a second cap onto a second region of the container, which is not yet covered by a cap, wherein sliding the second cap onto the second region results in one or more of the following arrangements of the first cap and the second cap:   the second cap abuts the first cap, slips over the first cap, or is slipped over by the first cap, or   the first cap and the second cap are connected by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements, or   a connection is formed between the second cap and the first cap that provides sterile sealing-off from an outside of the first cap and an outside of the second cap.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising step of: connecting the first cap and the second cap in a sterilely sealing manner. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising steps of:
 prior to gripping the first region of the container by means of first tongs, lifting the container from a first conveying means by means of lifting tongs that do not grip the container in the first region and sliding the first cap onto the first region;   after gripping the first region of the container by means of first tongs, releasing the lifting tongs from the container;   after sliding a second cap onto the second region of the container, gripping the second region of the container by means of second tongs, wherein gripping the second region comprises clamping the second cap; and   depositing the container on a second conveying means.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein none of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, the second tongs, the first conveying means, or the second conveying means come into contact both with the container and with either of the first cap or the second cap. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs or the second tongs form part of at least one transport rake. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, or the second tongs are rotated away from the container before and/or after gripping the container or clamping one of the first cap or the second cap. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, the first tongs and the second tongs are formed by respective sets of two jaws, wherein each of the two jaws is movable relative to the other, and wherein the first cap or the second cap, as applicable, can be clamped between the two jaws. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first conveying means or the second conveying means comprises one or more of a conveyor belt, a combination of a transport surface and a transport pusher, a combination of a transport surface and a transport rake, or a transport container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein one or more of the first cap or the second cap is designed as a cylinder open on one side. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein only the first cap is designed as a cylinder open on one side and wherein the second cap is designed as a cylinder open on both sides, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:
 after connecting the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner, sliding a further cap, designed as a cylinder open on one or both sides, onto a further region of the container which is not yet covered by the first cap or the second cap resulting in one or more of the following arrangements of the further cap and a last previously slid-on cap, wherein the last previously slid-on cap comprises either the first cap or the second cap, whichever was last previously slid onto the second region of the container:   the further cap slips over the last previously slid-on cap or, the further cap is slipped over by the last previously slid-on cap,   the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap are connected by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cutouts, or engagement elements, or   a connection that provides sterile sealing-off from the outside of the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap is formed between the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap; and   connecting the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap in a sterilely sealing manner using a second sealing film.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the first cap, the second cap, the further cap, or the second sealing film a material having a permeability that meets sterility requirements for medical products contained in the container. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising:
 a first capping station for sliding a first cap onto a container;   a first tongs or gripping the container after the first cap has been slid on, wherein gripping the container comprises clamping the first cap; and   a second capping station for sliding a second cap onto the container.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a sealing device for connecting the first cap and the second caps in a sterilely sealing manner;   first conveying means for transporting the container;   lifting tongs for lifting the container from the first conveying means and feeding the container to the first capping station;   second tongs for gripping the container after the second cap is slid on, wherein gripping the container with the second tongs comprises clamping the second cap; and   second conveying means for further transport of the container.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing device connects the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner by adhesively bonding a sealing film to the first cap and the second cap in such a way that the sealing film sterilely seals off a region between the first cap and the second cap. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing device comprises either the first capping station or the second capping station. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs or the second tongs form part of at least one transport rake. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the container is fed by the second tongs to second conveying means. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first conveying means or the second conveying means comprises one or more of a conveyor belt, a combination of a transport surface and a transport pusher, a combination of a transport surface and a transport rake, or a transport container. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the container, when transported via the second conveying means, is covered with at least the first cap and the second cap. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first tongs feed the container to the second clamping station 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container such that the second cap abuts the first cap, slips over the first cap, or is slipped over by the first cap. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container and connects the first cap and the second cap by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container and forms a connection between the second cap and the first cap that provides sterile sealing-off from an outside of the first cap and an outside of the second cap. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein connecting the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner comprises adhesively bonding a sealing film to the first cap and the second cap in such a way that the sealing film sterilely seals off a region between the first cap and the second cap. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the lifting tongs grip the container in the second region when lifting the container from the first conveying means. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, or the second tongs are rotated away from the container about an axis parallel to a direction of longitudinal extension of at least one of the first conveying means, the second conveying means or the transport rake. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the container comprises a vial or a syringe. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one or more of the first cap or the second cap is designed circular or rectangular to have a diameter greater than a largest diameter of the container in the first or second region, respectively.