Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for aligning a package are proposed, wherein the apparatus comprises the following: a vacuum chamber ( 32 ) in which a vacuum is created such that a package ( 10 ), which is located inside the vacuum chamber ( 32 ), unfolds, and at least one fixing means ( 22 ) which fixes the aligned package ( 10 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is based on an apparatus and a method for aligning packages. An apparatus for the filling, evacuation and closure of packages is already known from DE 198 27 059 A1. An additional conveying device comprises evacuating chambers and a folding and sealing station. The package containers are introduced into the evacuating chambers without prefolding of their head region, so that the full cross section of the package is available there for evacuation. 
         [0002]    An apparatus and a method for removing a cover foil from a container are known from DE 10 2006 005 700 A1. The apparatus comprises at least one gripping device, means for creating a predetermined breaking point being provided on the container. Following the creation of the predetermined breaking point, the gripping device grips a gripping surface delimited by the predetermined breaking point, in order to remove the cover foil from the container. 
         [0003]    An apparatus and a method for removing a sterile object from a sterile package are known from DE 10 2007 027 878. To this end, a clamping device clamps a first part-region of the sterile package. A cutter creates a slot in the sterile package, while a removal device removes the object from the sterile package through the slot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the invention is to align a package surrounding a container in a simple manner such that the package can easily be opened. The apparatus and method according to the invention for aligning packages have the comparative advantage that a folded-in package flap is aligned in a simple manner for the purpose of the subsequent mechanical opening of the package. A manual unfolding or alignment can be dispensed with. This is made possible by the fact that a package surrounding the container is brought into a vacuum chamber. After this, the vacuum chamber is evacuated. An underpressure is thereby created in the surrounds of the package, so that the gas in the package expands and a folded-in flap of the package unfolds, so that the package aligns itself. 
         [0005]    In addition, at least one fixing means is provided, which holds the aligned package in the desired position. In particular, a collapse of the erected package following a change in pressure conditions is prevented and a subsequent reliable opening of the package is enabled. 
         [0006]    In an expedient refinement of the invention, the fixing means comprises at least one clamping plate, preferably at least two clamping plates. A retraction of the generally rectangular package over the entire length on the side which is later to be cut open can thus be prevented. Particularly preferably, the elements of the fixing means, such as, for example, the clamping plates or rollers, are movable relative to one another. A purposeful fixing and tensioning following alignment of the package is thereby facilitated. 
         [0007]    In one expedient refinement, it is provided that, following the evacuation of the evacuating chamber, the gas in the package is also evacuated. The inflated package is thereby reflattened, though without abandoning the desired position of the unfolded package. In one expedient refinement, a ventilation and/or disinfection of the vacuum chamber is provided. This ventilation of the vacuum chamber can preferably be realized using filtered air. A disinfectant can be introduced into the ventilation line via an atomizer. Sterility, as is necessary, in particular, for pharmaceutical applications, is thereby achieved. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    An illustrative embodiment of the apparatus and the method for aligning packages is represented in the drawing and is described in greater detail below. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the apparatus for aligning packages,, and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the apparatus with still further components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    An apparatus  8  for aligning packages  10  comprises a number of components. A feed  20  transports a container  12  surrounded by the package  10 . The top side of the container  12  is in turn closed off with a cover foil  14 . Inside the container  12  can be arranged, for instance, receptacles which are to be filled, such as vials or presterilized syringes, which receptacles are supplied in the container  12 , for instance, for filling with pharmaceuticals. The package  10  has at least one folded-in region, such as, for instance, a flap corner  16 , which—represented by way of example in FIG.  1 —is folded in such a way that a rectangular outer contour is formed. 
         [0012]    The feed  20  conveys the container  12  surrounded by the package  10  into a vacuum chamber  32 . The vacuum chamber  32  has a displaceable inlet  28 , which for feeding of the container  12  to the inside of the vacuum chamber  32  is open. On the other side, the vacuum chamber  32  is delimited by an outlet  30 , which can likewise be opened, so that the container  12  with the then aligned package  10  can leave the interior of the vacuum chamber  32 . On a side wall of the vacuum chamber  32  a vacuum connection  24  is provided, for the application of a vacuum inside the vacuum chamber  32 . On the top side of the vacuum chamber  32 , a ventilation connection  26  is arranged. Inside the vacuum chamber  32 , at least one fixing means  22  is provided. The outer edges thereof preferably run parallel to the direction of transport of the container  12 . The fixing means  22  preferably consists of two clamping plates, which can be moved upward and downward perpendicular to the direction of transport. These are designed to serve to leave an aligned package  10  in the aligned state. The fixing means  22  is also arranged outside the vacuum chamber  32  in order to leave the package  10  in the aligned state also outside the vacuum chamber  32 . Inside the vacuum chamber  32  there is a transport means decoupled from the feed  20 , which transport means delivers the container  12  present inside the vacuum chamber  32  via the open outlet  30  to a lead-off device  21 , which takes charge of the onward transport of the container  12 . 
         [0013]    In the view according to  FIG. 2 , the feed  20  which transports the container  12 , with folded-in flap  16  and provided with the package  10 , into the interior of the vacuum chamber  32  can once again be discerned. For the application of a vacuum in the vacuum chamber  32 , a vacuum pump  34  with valve  35  and corresponding control mechanism  36  is provided, wherein a vacuum recipient  37  receives the gas, e.g. air, evacuated from the vacuum chamber  32 . Inside the vacuum chamber  32 , the package  10  is aligned by transforming the folded-in flap corner  16  into an aligned flap corner  18  through the application of a vacuum. The thus aligned package  10  is held in this position by the fixing means  22  and fed from inside the vacuum chamber  32  by means of a transport means  23  and a lead-off device  21  to an optional bag opening device  40 . 
         [0014]    This opens the package  10  on the aligned package side, for instance by lateral cutting open of the package  10 . 
         [0015]    The described apparatus  8  for aligning packages  10  works as follows. The container  12 , with the as yet unaligned package  10  surrounding it, is brought inside the vacuum chamber  32 . At the vacuum chamber  32 , the inlet  28  and the outlet  30  are now closed. The vacuum chamber  32  is now evacuated by means of the vacuum pump  34  and the vacuum recipient  37 . To this end, the vacuum pump  34  is connected by a line (not represented), via the vacuum connection  24 , to the vacuum chamber  32 . The gas in the package  10  is located after the evacuation in an underpressure environment. As a result, the gas in the package  10  expands and inflates the latter. The flap  16  which is folded in toward the container middle hence moves away from the container middle and protrudes outward. In this state the package  10  is aligned, i.e. the outer contours of the package  10  are in a state which enables an almost maximum volume of the package  10 . In particular the side edges of the package  10  are now distanced as far as possible from the container  12 , which makes it easier to open the package  10  without damage to the container  12 . 
         [0016]    The thus aligned package  10  with aligned flap  18  is prevented by the fixing means  22  from retracting from the aligned state. For, in particular in the ventilation of the vacuum chamber  32 , the outer edge of the package  10  would otherwise move back in the direction of the container  12 . As the fixing means  22 , one or more clamping plates could be used, which clamping plates are configured such that they are movable up and down. The position and geometry of the fixing means  22  are in any event chosen such that they mechanically clamp or grip and tension in a secure manner at least a side region or a side edge of the aligned package  10 . A different realization of the fixing means  22 , e.g. in the form of a gripper, an air suction device, or similar, would also be possible. In any event, a certain force must be applied to the package  10  in order to prevent retraction and tension the package  10 . The tensioning of the flap  16  and/or of the package could also be realized via driven rollers in the clamping plate (as an example of a fixing means  22 ). 
         [0017]    The package  10  frequently consists at least partially of a gas-permeable, but non-water-permeable material, which acts as a filter, preferably as a sterile filter. For this, a non-woven fabric, for instance, is suitable. In general, the package  10  is not closed in an airtight manner, so that the package  10  too could be evacuated, which should be done, however, only as little as possible. To this end, particularly preferably, a short, flash vacuum is applied for a duration of about 1-2 s in the vacuum chamber  32 . The sealed seams of the package  10  should thus be designed such that they withstand this pressure shock. 
         [0018]    Following the alignment of the package  10  with now unfolded flap  18 , the vacuum chamber  32  is reventilated. Air, which may possibly have been previously filtered, is supplied via the ventilation connection  26 . Via an atomizer (not specifically represented), a disinfectant could also be introduced into the ventilation line connected to the ventilation connection  26 . A disinfection could also be realized in a disinfection chamber separate from the vacuum chamber  32 . 
         [0019]    The fixing means  22  open up a gap and free the unfolded flap  18  and thus the whole of the aligned package  10  for onward transport out of the vacuum chamber  32 . Following ventilation of the vacuum chamber  32 , the inlet  28  and the outlet  30  open. The aligned package  10  is transported away out of the vacuum chamber  32  by the transport means  22  and the lead-off device  21 . 
         [0020]    Also outside the vacuum chamber  32 , fixing means  22  are arranged, which fixing means prevent the unfolded flap corner  18  from folding in again. To this end, one or two plates, the side edges of which are aligned parallel to the direction of transport, are provided. This ensures that the aligned package  10  remains in this state until it is opened. If need be, yet further stations can be passed through before the package opening device  40  is reached. For instance, the package  10  could be disinfected in a separate disinfection chamber and then redried in a drying section. For these further treatment steps also, suitably arranged fixing means  22  ensure that the package  10  remains in the aligned state. 
         [0021]    The aligned packages  10  are now fed, for instance, to a package opening device  40 . There, the unfolded flap corner  18  or the aligned package  10  is cut open, so that the container  12  can be removed from the package  10 . Next, the cover foil  14  is removed, so that the receptacles present in the container  12 , e.g. vials, syringe receptacles or similar, can be removed and supplied for further treatment. These receptacles can be filled with pharmaceuticals, for instance, in a filling and closing device. These receptacles, such as disposable syringes, are supplied pre-sterilized in the container  12  (box, tub) packed in a package  10 . As a result of the described apparatus for aligning packages  10 , the packages  10  can be supplied in a predefined position of the package opening device  40  which is favorable for the opening of the package  10 . A manual alignment, in particular, is thereby rendered unnecessary, so that the package  10  can be opened without manual preparatory action.