Abstract:
The invention relates to a filling and closing device ( 20 ) for an applicator for active substances ( 1 ) and to a method for filling and closing such an applicator for active substances ( 1 ) by means of such a filling and closing device ( 20 ). The applicator for active substances ( 1 ) comprises an applicator tube ( 7 ) that overlaps the sealing edge ( 5 ), at least in part. The filling and closing device ( 20 ) comprises a receiving element ( 21 ) for the lower part ( 2 ) of the applicator for active substances ( 1 ), having a circumferential pressure surface ( 22 ) and a receiving channel ( 23 ) for the applicator tube ( 7 ), said receiving channel extending below the pressure surface ( 22 ). The receiving element ( 21 ) is constructed of at least two parts, having a base element ( 24 ) and a cover element ( 25 ) that is movable with respect to the base element ( 24 ). After completion of the filling and sealing process, the cover element ( 25 ) is moved relative to the base element ( 24 ), such that the receiving channel ( 23 ) formed therebetween is exposed. The filled and sealed applicator for active substances ( 1 ) can then be easily removed from the receiving element ( 21 ) by way of the applicator tube ( 7 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a filling and closing device as well as a method for filling and closing an applicator for active substances. 
     For certain active substance preparations for the human body, a precise dosage is required. In order to ensure such a precise dosage by the user, dosage units are provided which contain the predetermined quantity of the active substance preparation and which administer, when applied, precisely the predetermined quantity to the human body. Moreover, active substance applicators are also known that are provided for single use and in this context have a dual function. On the one hand, they contain a fixedly predetermined dosage quantity of the active substance preparation. On the other hand, they not only serve for providing but also for administering the active substance preparation in the desired quantity to the desired location. After completed application, the empty unit is disposed of. Such an active substance applicator for providing and administering a single dosage into the nose is disclosed in the registered community design 001790908-0001. 
     The aforementioned active substance applicator has a bottom part and a top part between which a receiving space for an active substance preparation is formed. The bottom part and the top part each have a circumferentially extending sealing rim for seal-tight connection of the top part with the bottom part. The bottom part is provided with an application tube that opens into the receiving space by means of an inner mouth. Relative to the plane of the joined sealing rims, the application tube to be introduced into the nose projects, beginning at the receiving space, at a flat angle past the sealing rims and covers thereby a support surface section of the sealing rim of the bottom part. 
     A plastic blank for forming the active substance applicator can be produced inexpensively under conditions of mass production as an injection-molded part. 
     Filling and closing of this plastic bank is however difficult because of the geometric arrangement of the application tube. For filling, a precise positioning of the still open blank is required but the application tube is in the way. For the subsequent closing process in which the top part must be sealed onto the bottom part with the application tube, on the sealing rim of the bottom part a counter pressure must be applied which extends across the entire sealing surface. Only in this way a circumferentially effective, hermetically closed sealing action can be produced. In the area of the application tube, the sealing rim is covered however by the tube so that here access to the sealing rim for application of the counter pressure is not possible. 
     The object of the invention is to provide a filling and closing device for the aforementioned active substance applicator by means of which a precise positioning, filling, a reliably seal-tight sealing action, and an automated removal of the finished active substance applicator are possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This object is solved by a filling and closing device for an active substance applicator, wherein the active substance applicator comprises a bottom part and a top part, between which a receiving space for an active substance preparation is formed, wherein the bottom part and the top part each have a circumferentially extending sealing rim for seal-tight connection of the top part with the bottom part, wherein the bottom part is provided with an application tube which opens into the receiving space by means of an inner mouth, wherein the sealing rim of the bottom part on its bottom side which is facing away from the top part forms a circumferentially extending support surface, wherein the application tube extends across the sealing rim relative to its plane at least partially in such a way that the circumferentially extending support surface has a support surface section that is at least partially covered by the application tube, wherein the filling and closing device has a receiving element for the bottom part of the active substance applicator with a circumferentially extending pressure surface for contacting the support surface of the bottom part as well as with a receiving channel for the application tube of the bottom part that extends underneath the pressure surface, wherein the receiving element is of an at least two-part configuration with a base element and a cover element which is movable relative to the base element, wherein the receiving channel is formed between the base element and the cover element, wherein the circumferentially extending pressure surface extends across the base element and the cover element such that on the topside of the cover element that is opposite the receiving channel a pressure surface section for contacting the covered support surface section of the active substance applicator is formed. 
     The invention has further the object to provide a method for filling and closing the aforementioned active substance applicator which ensures a reliable seal-tight sealing action for a high number of cycles. 
     This object is solved by a method for filling and closing an active substance applicator by means of a filling and closing device according to the invention, comprising the following method steps:
         the bottom part of the active substance applicator is inserted such into the receiving element of the filling and closing device that the application tube projects into the receiving channel, wherein the circumferentially extending support surface is resting on the circumferentially extending pressure surface and the covered support surface section on the pressure surface section of the cover element;   the receiving space bulge of the bottom part of the active substance applicator is filled with the active substance preparation;   the top part of the active substance applicator is inserted positionally correct such onto the bottom part that the circumferentially extending sealing rims are resting on each other;   the top part of the active substance applicator is sealed onto the bottom part at the circumferentially extending sealing rims with counter pressure of the circumferentially extending pressure surface;   the cover element is moved relative to the base element such that the receiving channel formed between them is exposed;   the active substance applicator that is filled and sealed is removed from the receiving element.       

     According to the solution of the present invention, the filling and closing device has a receiving element for the bottom part of the active substance applicator. The receiving element is provided with a circumferentially extending pressure surface for contacting the support surface of the bottom part as well as with a receiving channel, extending underneath the pressure surface, for the application tube of the bottom part. The receiving element is at least of a two-part configuration with a base element and a cover element that is movable relative to the base element. The receiving channel is formed between the base element and the cover element. The circumferentially extending pressure surface extends across the base element and the cover element in such a way that on the topside of the cover element, which is opposite the receiving channel, a pressure surface section is formed for contacting the support surface section of the active substance applicator that is covered by the application tube. 
     In the correlated method, the bottom part of the active substance applicator is inserted such into the receiving element that the application tube projects into the receiving channel. The circumferentially extending support surface of the bottom part is thus resting on the circumferentially extending pressure surface in such a way that even the covered support surface section is resting on the pressure surface section of the cover element. In this state, an exact positional fixation of the bottom part in the receiving element is ensured in that, on the one hand, the application tube projects into the receiving channel and is secured thereat. On the other hand, the movable cover element can be moved into the undercut between the application tube and the sealing rim of the bottom part so that, despite this undercut, even at the covered support surface section a support action is achieved by the pressure surface section of the cover element. As a whole, in this way the entire sealing rim of the applicator bottom part is supported along the entire circumferentially extending support surface, which contributes to exact positional fixation. In the subsequent method step, a receiving space bulge of the bottom part that is positionally fixed in the aforementioned way is filled with the active substance preparation. 
     After filling, the top part of the active substance applicator is placed positionally correct on the bottom part in such a way that the circumferentially extending sealing rims are contacting each other. Subsequently, the top part is sealed onto the bottom part along the circumferentially extending sealing rims with counter pressure of the circumferentially extending pressure surface. In this context, in particular the movable cover element is important which in the aforementioned way projects into the undercut between the application tube and the support surface section that is covered by it and, therefore, despite the application tube positioned underneath, can exert a counter pressure also at this location against the sealing pressure acting from above. Due to the two-part movable configuration, despite the presence of the application tube, a completely closed circumferential pressure surface can be provided which produces an interruption-free circumferentially extending seal-tight sealing seam. 
     Subsequently, the cover element is moved relative to the base element such that the receiving channel formed between them is open in upward direction. The receiving channel that is now open in upward direction makes it possible that the completed active substance applicator that has been filled and sealed can be lifted by a gripping device in automated fashion in upward direction and removed. 
     In a preferred further embodiment of the filling and closing device, a concave edge is formed on the active substance applicator between the covered support surface section and the application tube relative to its longitudinal section, wherein on the movable cover element a pressure edge for contacting the aforementioned concave edge of the active substance applicator is formed. Beyond its support and holding action in vertical direction, due to the interaction between the pressure edge of the cover element and the concave edge of the active substance applicator, also a horizontal or laterally acting form-fit positional securing action of the active substance applicator is provided relative to the receiving element. 
     In an expedient further embodiment, the aforementioned pressure edge of the cover element passes into a holding surface for contacting at least one section of the application tube of the active substance applicator. While the aforementioned circumferentially extending pressure surface supports alone the weight of the applicator blank and optionally also the sealing pressure, the additional holding surface acts in the opposite direction so that the applicator blank cannot carry out easily an upward movement so as to lift off the pressure surface. Accelerations and delays during the course of the entire filling and closing process cannot cause the applicator blank or the completely filled applicator to jump out of its receptacle. 
     In a preferred embodiment, in the base element, within the circumferentially extending pressure surface, a receptacle for the receiving space bulge of the bottom part of the active substance applicator is formed. On the one hand, this ensures that the applicator bottom part can indeed rest with its sealing rim or its circumferentially extending support surface on the circumferentially extending pressure surface of the receiving element without being lifted by the receiving space bulge. On the other hand, the receptacle, with a geometric adaptation to the receiving space bulge, contributes to the bottom part of the applicator blank being precisely positionally fixed in horizontal or lateral direction with form fit. 
     It may be expedient to design the cover element relative to the base element so as to be linearly slidable, for example. In a preferred further embodiment, the cover element is pivotable relative to the base element about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis is positioned perpendicular relative to the circumferentially extending pressure surface. After completed filling and sealing, the cover element can be pivoted relative to the base element about the aforementioned pivot axis without this causing a height displacement relative to the pressure surface. The active substance applicator maintains during the pivot process its prior existing position and can be easily picked up and vertically lifted by an automated gripping device until the integrally formed application tube is completely lifted out of its receiving channel. The active substance applicator is then no longer in interaction with the receiving element and can be removed by the gripping device as desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One embodiment of the invention will be disclosed in the following with the aid of the drawings in more detail. It is shown in: 
         FIG. 1  in a perspective bottom view an active substance applicator for the nose with a projecting application tube; 
         FIG. 2  a plastic blank, folded into open position, for forming the active substance applicator according to  FIG. 1  with a bottom part and a top part for illustrating the geometric details; 
         FIG. 3  a perspective top view of the active substance applicator which is formed from the plastic blank according to  FIG. 2  with top part that is folded into closed position relative to the bottom part and locked; 
         FIG. 4  in a plan view an overview illustration of the filling and closing device according to the invention for the active substance applicator according to  FIGS. 1 to 3  with its different stations provided for the method according to the invention; 
         FIG. 5  in a perspective detail view the filling and closing arrangement according to  FIG. 4  in the area of its insertion station; 
         FIG. 6  a perspective detail view of the filling and closing device according to  FIG. 4  with details of its sealing station; 
         FIG. 7  a perspective detail view of the filling and closing device according to  FIG. 4  in the area of its transfer station; 
         FIG. 8  a longitudinal section illustration of a receiving element of the filling and closing device according to  FIGS. 4 to 7  with inserted bottom part of the active substance applicator according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 9  an enlarged illustration of the detail IX of  FIG. 8  with details of the interaction between a cover element of the receiving element and the bottom part of the active substance applicator in the area of its application tube; 
         FIG. 10  the arrangement according to  FIG. 8  when sealing the top part onto the bottom part of the active substance applicator; 
         FIG. 11  the arrangement according to  FIG. 8 through 10  with cover element pivoted into open position for vertical removal of the active substance applicator that is completely filled and sealed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows in a perspective bottom view an active substance applicator  1  for storing a single dosage of an active substance preparation and for administration of this single dosage into the human nose. The active substance applicator  1  comprises a bottom part  2  and a top part  3  between which a receiving space  4  for the aforementioned active substance preparation is formed. For forming the receiving space  4 , the bottom part  2  has a receiving space bulge  12  which is surrounded by a sealing rim  5  and which, in the illustrated embodiment, is embodied as a spherical section. Beginning at the receiving space bulge  12 , a monolithically formed application tube  7  is extending away which at its free end is closed off by an also monolithically formed closure  14 . For use, first the closure  14  is broken off or twisted off and removed. Subsequently, the application tube  7  is introduced into a nostril, wherein then, by pressure applied by finger or thumb onto the receiving space bulge  12 , the active substance preparation stored in the receiving space  4  is forced through the application tube  7  into the nose. 
     The bottom part  2  and the top part  3  each have a sealing rim  5 ,  6  circumferentially extending about the receiving space  4  by means of which they are seal-tightly connected or sealed with each other. On the bottom part  2  an application tube  7  is monolithically formed which extends, beginning at the receiving space bulge  12  of the bottom part  2 , at an acute angle relative to the plane of the sealing rims  5 ,  6  and thereby extends at least partially, and here completely, across the sealing rim  5  of the bottom part  2  at a spacing thereto. The sealing rim  5  of the bottom part forms on the bottom side, which is facing away from the top part  3  and which, in the illustration according to  FIG. 1  is positioned at the top, a circumferentially extending support surface  9 . Since the application tube  7  extends at a spacing across the sealing rim  5  and its circumferentially extending support surface  9 , a support surface section  10  of the support surface  9  is formed between the application tube  7  and the sealing rim  5  and is covered at least partially by the application tube  7  in the form of an undercut. 
       FIG. 2  shows in a perspective view a plastic blank for forming the active substance applicator  1  according to  FIG. 1 , wherein in the illustrated plastic blank the bottom part  2  with the application tube  7  and the top part  3  are monolithically produced and connected with each other. However, a two-part configuration with the bottom part  2  and the top part  3  being separate therefrom is also possible. In any case, in the receiving space bulge  12  a mouth  8  is formed by means of which the application tube  7  opens into the receiving space  4  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     For filling and for closing off the active substance applicator  1 , the blank is inserted in its position according to  FIG. 2  into the filling and closing device  20  which in the following will be described in connection with  FIGS. 4 to 11 . The receiving space bulge  12 , relative to the direction of the force of gravity, is open in upward direction and can be filled with the active substance preparation. After completion of filling, the top part  3  is folded according to arrow  17  onto the bottom part  2  such that its sealing rim  6  comes to rest on the sealing rim  5  circumferentially extending about the receiving space bulge  12 , as is illustrated in the perspective top view of the active substance applicator  1  according to  FIG. 3 . When looking at  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  together, it is apparent that, when folding into closed position, a locking nose  15  integrally formed on the top part  3  locks in a corresponding locking receptacle  16  of the bottom part  2  and in this way secures the top part  3  in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 3  in its provisionally closed position relative to the bottom part  2 . The filled and provisionally closed active substance applicator  1 , in the illustration according to  FIG. 3 , is completely readied for the sealing action that is described in the following in connection with the filling and closing device  20  according to  FIGS. 4 to 11 . 
       FIG. 4  shows in a plan view an overview illustration of the filling and closing device  20  according to the invention. The filling and closing device  20  comprises a first larger turntable  33  which in operation is movable in rotation in accordance with arrow  35  as well as a second turntable  34  which in comparison thereto is smaller and is rotatably moved in operation in accordance with arrow  36 . The filling and closing device  20  according to the invention is provided for filling and closing the active substance applicator  1  according to  FIGS. 1 to 3  or the plastic blank shown therein and forms together therewith a mutually adapted system. 
     With the two turntables  33 ,  34 , the active substance applicator  1  according to  FIGS. 1 to 3  is fed to a total of nine different processing stations. The first turntable  33  is provided for this purpose with a total of six receiving elements  21  distributed about its circumference by means of which, respectively, an active substance applicator  1  or a blank thereof can be supplied to the first six processing stations. A first station  41  serves for inserting the active substance applicator  1  or its unfilled and still open plastic blank. After insertion, it is supplied to a second station  42  for checking its presence and height. Subsequently, a third station  43  for filling the receiving space bulge  12  according to  FIG. 2  is accessed. This third station  43  is followed by a fourth station  44  in which the top part  3  is folded onto the bottom part  2  in accordance with the illustration of  FIGS. 2 and 3  in order to cause a provisional closing action. In a subsequent fifth station  45 , a sealing device  31  is arranged by means of which the top part  3  is sealed onto the bottom part  2  ( FIGS. 1 to 3 ). 
     In a subsequent sixth station  46 , the transfer of the filled and sealed active substance applicator  1  to the second turntable  34  is realized by means of which a seventh station  47  for checking seal-tightness of the active substance applicator  1  is accessed. At an eighth station  48 , bad parts are disposed of while in the following ninth and last station  49  the removal of the good parts, i.e., correctly filled and closed, active substance applicators  1  is realized. 
       FIG. 5  shows in a perspective detail view the filling and closing device  20  according to  FIG. 4  in the area of its first station  41 . The illustrated receiving element  21  that is one of a total of six on the first turntable  33  is at least of a two-part configuration and is provided for receiving the open blank of the active substance applicator  1 , wherein the receiving element  21  comprises as a first part a base element  24  and as a second part a cover element  25  that is movable relative to the base element  24 . Details of the function and mutual interaction between the base element  24 , the cover element  25 , and the active substance applicator  1  are described in more detail in the following in connection with  FIGS. 8 through 11 . 
     In the first station  41 , the open plastic blank of the active substance applicator  1  in its configuration according to  FIG. 2  is inserted into the receiving element  21  such that both the bottom part  2  and the top part  3  with their future interior side face upwardly relative to the direction of gravity. The insertion of the active substance applicator  1  or its plastic blank is realized in the illustrated embodiment by hand with the cover element  25  closed. An automated insertion with open cover element  25  may be provided also. 
       FIG. 6  shows in a perspective detail view the filling and closing device  20  according to  FIG. 4  in the area of its fifth station  45  with the sealing device  31 . With the cover element  25  still closed, the active substance applicator  1  has been filled, already provisionally closed in the configuration according to  FIG. 3 , and positioned by means of the receiving element  21  on the first turntable  33  below a sealing head  32  of the sealing device  31 . The sealing head  32  in the illustrated embodiment is an ultrasonic sealing head and is lowered for sealing in accordance with arrow  37  onto the provisionally closed active substance applicator  1  whereupon then an ultrasonic welding process of the top part  3  with the bottom part  2  ( FIGS. 1, 3 ) is realized. 
       FIG. 7  shows in a perspective detail view the filling and closing device  20  in the area of its sixth station  46  with the completely welded active substance applicator  1  with still closed cover element  25 . A gripping device  39  that is mounted on the second turntable  34  grips the active substance applicator  1 . The cover element  25  is pivotable relative to the base element  24  about a pivot axis  29  extending in the direction of the force of gravity and is pivoted into open position in accordance with arrow  38 , as described in the following in more detail in connection with the  FIGS. 8 through 11 . In the open pivoted state according to  FIG. 11 , the active substance applicator  1  is lifted by means of the gripping device  39  in accordance with arrow  40  vertically in upward direction and fed to the downstream seventh, eighth, and ninth stations  47 ,  48 ,  49  in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 8  shows in a longitudinal section illustration the receiving element  21  according to  FIG. 4  with inserted still open blank of the active substance applicator  1  wherein in the illustrated longitudinal section only the bottom part  2  of the active substance applicator  1  with the integrally formed application tube  7  can be seen. In the receiving element  21  a receptacle  30  is formed in which the receiving space bulge  12  of the bottom part  2  is positioned in such a way that the receiving space bulge  12  of the bottom part  2  is arranged such that, in the direction of the force of gravity, the receiving space bulge  12  is open in upward direction and is ready for filling at the third station  43  ( FIG. 4 ). The receptacle  30  is matched with its contour to the contour of the receiving space bulge  12  in such a way that a circumferentially extending edge of the receptacle  30  is resting at the transition area between the receiving space bulge  12  and the adjoining sealing rim  5  and in this way a centering action of the bottom part  2  relative to the receiving element  21  is realized in the horizontal direction. 
     Moreover, the receiving element  21  has a pressure surface  22  which is extending circumferentially closed about the receptacle  30  and, relative to the direction of the force of gravity, is arranged horizontally and which in its geometric configuration corresponds to the circumferentially extending sealing rim  5  or the support surface  9  ( FIG. 1 ) circumferentially extending thereat. The bottom part  2  is positioned with its circumferentially closed support surface  9  flat on the also closed circumferentially closed pressure surface  22 . 
     In the receiving element  21  a receiving channel  23  is formed which, beginning at the receptacle  30 , extends laterally below and past the support surface  9  and is formed between the base element  24  and the cover element  25 . For this purpose, in the base element  24  an upwardly open channel is formed which is matched in its shape to the shape of the application tube and which in upward direction is closed or covered by the closed cover element  25 . The closed receiving channel  23  is therefore delimited by the channel walls formed in the base element  24  and is delimited in upward direction by the cover element  25  and receives the application tube  7  of the bottom part  2 . 
       FIG. 9  shows the enlarged detail IX according to  FIG. 8  in the area of the cover element  25 , the sealing rim  5 , and the application tube  7 . It can be seen that, in the illustrated longitudinal section, the application tube  7  extends across the sealing rim  5  of the bottom part  2  relative to its plane at least partially, here completely, in such a way that an undercut is formed between the support surface  9  and the application tube  7  relative to the vertical direction. In the area of this undercut, the circumferentially extending support surface  9  has a support surface section  10  which, in vertical direction downwardly, is covered at least partially, here completely, by the application tube  7  that is extending underneath at a spacing thereto. 
     When looking at both  FIGS. 8 and 9 , it is apparent that the circumferentially extending pressure surface  22  extends across the top side of the base element  24  as well as across the top side of the cover element  25 . In this context, in the area of the covered support surface section  10 , a pressure surface section  26  of the pressure surface  22  is formed at the cover element  25  on its topside that is opposite the receiving channel  23 ; the support surface section  10  of the support surface  9  is resting thereon. Despite the bottom side coverage of the support surface  9  in the support surface section  10  by the application tube  7 , the support surface  9  as a whole, i.e., including its covered support surface section  10 , experiences a vertical, circumferentially closed support action against the pressure from above that is occurring during the sealing process according to  FIGS. 6 and 10 . 
     The detail view according to  FIG. 9  also shows that at the active substance applicator  1 , relative to its longitudinal section cutting through the bottom part  2  with the application tube  7 , a concave edge  11  is formed between the covered support surface section  10  and the application tube  7 . The movable cover element  25  is provided with a convex pressure edge  27  which is facing in the direction of this concave edge  11  and which delimits the pressure surface section  26  inwardly relative to the receptacle  30 , on which the bottom part  2  of the active substance applicator  1  is resting with its concave edge  11  in the inserted state. Relative to the illustrated longitudinal section, the pressure edge  27  of the cover element  25 , beginning at the upper pressure surface section  26 , passes in downward direction into a holding surface  28  which, in vertical direction, is facing away from the pressure surface section  26 , on which at least one section of the application tube  7  of the active substance applicator  1  is resting in the inserted state. As a whole, the cover element  25  with its pressure edge  27 , the upper pressure surface section  26 , and the lower holding surface  28  therefore projects into the intermediate space between the application tube  7  and the sealing rim  5  so that the bottom part  2  in vertical direction upwardly, downwardly as well as laterally in horizontal direction is secured relative to the receiving element  21 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the arrangement according to  FIG. 8 , wherein the top part  3 , not illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 3  has been folded onto the bottom part  2  of the active substance applicator  1  after the previously upwardly open receiving space bulge  12  has been filled in the configuration according to  FIG. 8  in the third station  43  ( FIG. 4 ) with the active substance preparation. In the fifth station  45  ( FIGS. 4, 6 ) in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 10 , the sealing head  32  in accordance with arrow  37  is now lowered and is pressed onto the upper sealing rim  6  of the top part  3  that is resting on top. The counter pressure which is maintaining a balance to the pressure that is acting in the direction of arrow  37  is generated by the circumferentially extending pressure surface  22  at the also circumferentially extending support surface  9 ; this includes the pressure surface section  26  at the covered support surface section  10 . The sealing head  32  has a circumferentially extending sealing edge whose contour corresponds to the circumferentially extending contour of the sealing rims  5 ,  6  so that here an ultrasonic welding of the top part  3  with the bottom part  2  is realized with formation of the filled and hermetically closed receiving space  4 . 
     After sealing or after ultrasonic welding, the receiving element  21  with the active substance applicator  1  secured therein is then moved in accordance with the illustration of  FIGS. 4, 7  by means of the first turntable  33  to the sixth station  46  where removal of the active substance applicator  1  from the receiving element  41  by means of the gripping device  39  is to be realized. This situation is illustrated in detail in  FIG. 11  wherein the arrangement according to  FIG. 8  with cover element  25  that is pivoted into open position relative to the base element  24  of the receiving element  21  is illustrated. It can be seen that the vertical pivot axis  29  is positioned perpendicularly relative to the circumferentially extending pressure surface  22 . In particular when looking at both  FIGS. 9 and 11 , it is apparent that due to the vertical position of the pivot axis  29  the cover element  25  can be moved out of the undercut area between the covered support surface section  10  and the application tube  7  of the active substance applicator  1  without this causing a positional change or a lifting action of the active substance applicator  1 . According to the illustration of  FIG. 11 , the cover element  25  is pivoted to such an extent into open position that the receiving channel  23 , relative to the horizontally projected length of the application tube  7 , is completely open in upward direction. This makes it possible, as can be seen when looking at both  FIGS. 7 and 11 , to remove the completely filled and sealed active substance applicator  1  by means of the gripping device  39  in automated fashion in upward direction in the direction of arrow  40  and completely remove it from the receiving element  21  without the application tube  7  colliding with the cover element  25 . 
     It has been mentioned initially that the open blank of the active substance applicator  1  in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 5  can be inserted manually into the receiving element  21  with closed cover element  25 . This is done in that the blank of the active substance applicator  1  in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 8  is inserted at least approximately in longitudinal direction of the application tube  7  manually into the receiving channel  23  and is then pressed with the receiving space bulge  12  into the receptacle  30 . This complex movement process requires manual handling. However, in analogy to the illustration of  FIG. 11 , an automated insertion of the applicator blank opposite to arrow  40  from top to bottom by means of a suitable gripping device or the like can be expedient wherein then the cover element  25  is first open in accordance with the illustration of  FIG. 11  and only subsequently is pivoted into the position  8 ,  9 .