Patent Publication Number: US-2023152036-A1

Title: Loading system for a freeze dryer, freeze-drying system, and corresponding method

Description:
This is a Continuation application of International patent application PCT/EP2021/069658, filed Jul. 14, 2021, which claims the priority of German patent application DE 10 2020 118 726.2, filed Jul. 15, 2020. Both application PCT/EP2021/069658 and DE 10 2020 118 726.2 are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a loading system for a freeze dryer, wherein the loading system is configured to load and/or unload the freeze dryer with containers filled with, for example, a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance. Furthermore, the present invention generally relates to a freeze-drying system with such a loading system. Furthermore, the present invention generally relates to a method for handling containers filled with, for example, a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For packaging medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substances, it is common to dose these substances into containers and subsequently close them. As containers, for example, vials, carpules, cylindrical ampoules, bottles, syringes, and the like can be used. 
     Known packaging machines comprise, for packaging these substances, a filling station in which the containers are filled with the substance, a stopper placing station in which a stopper is placed on the containers, and a crimping station in which each container is closed with a crimping cap. The entire packaging process of the substances is performed in an aseptic environment, for example in a clean room or ultra-clean room. 
     Between the filling station and the crimping station, a freeze-drying station may additionally be arranged, in which the substance is freeze-dried in the containers. 
     Freeze-drying, which is also referred to as lyophilization or sublimation drying, is a method for gentle drying of products. Freeze-drying is based on the physical process of sublimation. Thereby, the ice crystals sublimate without any intermediate occurrence of a liquid phase directly into the gaseous state. The end product of freeze-drying is called a lyophilizate. Freeze-drying is particularly applied to thermally sensitive products. 
     Freeze-drying is particularly used for drying of pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical industry uses this method to dry drugs that would not be durable for long if dissolved in water. Before intake, the drugs are dissolved again in water. 
     For freeze-drying, the containers filled with the substance are inserted into a freeze dryer, which performs the freeze-drying. The freeze dryer can comprise, for example, a plurality of placement surfaces on different levels, on each of which several containers can be placed. The individual levels can also be referred to as shelves. 
     From the prior art, various loading techniques for freeze dryers are known. 
     For example, the containers can be inserted into the shelves individually or in groups. This loading process can be performed manually or automatically. Individual inserting of the containers into the freeze dryer is very time-consuming and therefore less desirable. 
     The insertion of container groups into the freeze dryer, i.e., the simultaneous insertion of several containers, requires more complex handling of the containers, since the containers should not be damaged during loading of a freeze dryer, and precise positioning of the containers within the freezer is desirable. The containers can be damaged by impacts, for example. When loading several containers at the same time, it should therefore be paid attention that the containers do not collide with each other. By precise positioning of the containers, a higher packing density can be achieved in the freezer and impacts can be avoided. 
     It is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 009 866 A1, to push several containers by means of a pusher from a transfer table over a loading bridge onto a placement plate within the freeze dryer. 
     The moving of individual or several containers within an isolator is disadvantageous, as this encourages impacts and impedes exact positioning. 
     Furthermore, loading techniques are known from the prior art in which the containers are arranged in transport containers or transport tubs, so-called trays, wherein these trays are inserted into the freeze dryer. 
     For example, document US 2014/093335 A1 shows a rail transport means for use in a manufacturing process for bottle preparation. The rail transport means provided with a rail and a sliding block slidably mounted on the rail. On the sliding block are provided a first movable guide track, a second movable guide track, a position switching device, and a material loading and unloading mechanism. The rail transport means is capable of automatically transferring feed trays between the filling area and other relative equipment participating in the manufacturing process, such as the freeze dryer and the sealing device, without requiring a manual engagement, thereby enabling the manufacturing process for bottle preparation to be performed in a dust-free and sterile environment, wherein the product yield and the production efficiency are increased. 
     Furthermore, document WO 2013/098834 A1 shows a loading device for loading containers into freeze dryers that are not configured for automatic loading. 
     By the loading of a freeze dryer with trays in which the containers are arranged, it is avoided that individual or several containers have to be moved, in particular pushed. This facilitates the handling of a group of containers as well as the positioning of the containers. However, the containers are loosely arranged in the trays and can collide with each other. Moreover, the arrangement in these trays impedes accessibility to the individual containers within a tray. 
     Furthermore, loading techniques are known from the prior art in which the containers are arranged in nests, wherein the nests with the containers are inserted into the freeze dryer. A nest is understood to be a carrier that comprises receptacles for the containers. 
     For example, document WO 2013/164422 A2 shows that in a method and a device for treatment or processing of containers used for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications or containing the same, cylindrical containers open at at least one end are automatically guided past or pass through treatment stations for treatment or processing by means of a conveyor device, while the processing stations are jointly held by a carrier in a regular two-dimensional arrangement. The carrier has several openings or containers that determine the regular arrangement. The treatment or processing of the containers is performed at or in at least one of the processing stations while the containers are held by the carrier. This opens up new possibilities for the treatment or processing of the containers, for example, during crimping of metal covers or during freeze-drying. 
     Furthermore, document WO 2016/075647 A1 discloses a freeze-drying method in which several vials are not in contact with the shelf of the freeze-drying apparatus. The present application is further directed to freeze-drying product and intermediate product that are obtainable by means of this method. 
     Furthermore, document WO 2016/125095 A1 shows a method for freeze-drying a substance, comprising: placing at least one vial containing the substance in a freeze-drying chamber, wherein the at least one vial comprises an opening into which a stopper is inserted in a closed state not allowing gas exchange between the interior and the exterior of the vial; providing mechanical means external to the stopper that are arranged at the opening to restrict upward movement of the stopper; lowering the temperature in the freeze-drying chamber to a predefined value below the freezing temperature of the substance and reducing the pressure in the freeze-drying chamber to a predefined pressure at a predefined temperature, the predefined pressure being chosen such that the force exerted by it on the stopper lifts the stopper from the closed state to an exchange state in which the stopper is only partly inserted in the opening of the vial thereby allowing gas exchange between the interior and the exterior of the vial, wherein the lowering of the temperature within the freeze-drying chamber to the predefined value is performed before the pressure in the freeze-drying chamber is reduced to the predefined pressure, and wherein the lifting of the stopper from the closed state abruptly lowers the pressure in the at least one vial, thereby initiating nucleation in the substance in that vial. In addition, mechanical means are provided which can be used to perform the method for freeze-drying a substance. 
     Furthermore, document WO 2017/178895 A1 shows systems and methods for aseptically filling pharmaceutical containers with a pharmaceutical substance and then lyophilizing it. The system and the method can employ a lyophilizer loader subsystem having an interior chamber in communication with an interior chamber of a lyophilizer subsystem via a portal with a sealable door, with the collective interior being aseptically sealable. An articulated robotic arm can be employed to batch transfer to the lyophilizer subsystem container nests bearing the pharmaceutical containers. In one embodiment, the nests may be transferred serially to the loader subsystem, with the articulated robotic arm being configured to transfer the nests of containers in batches to the lyophilizer subsystem. The articulated robotic arm can also be configured to be used to move batches of nests within the lyophilizer subsystem. One implementation includes two articulated arms and a joint rotary wrist driven by two rotary shoulders. 
     Furthermore, document EP 2 886 983 A1 shows a holder structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for cosmetic, medicinal or pharmaceutical applications. The holder structure comprises a carrier comprising a plurality of openings or receptacles into which the containers can be inserted, as well as holding means for holding the containers in the openings or receptacles of the holder structure, wherein the holder structure comprises a longitudinal direction (x) and a transversal direction (y). Respectively immediately adjacent holder structures can be directly connected with each other such that they are immovable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction and/or in the transversal direction. The releasable, temporary connection allows a plurality of holder structures to be connected with each other and to be jointly inserted into a processing or process station, such as a freeze dryer, and removed therefrom again. 
     Nests, like trays, facilitate the handling of groups of containers. In addition, arrangement in nests prevents containers from being able to collide with each other. The nests used in the prior art for loading a freeze dryer, however, are designed so as to impede the accessibility to the containers, making it difficult to insert the containers into the nest and to remove the containers from the nest. This follows on the one hand from the fact that the used nests are usually designed so as to protect the containers over a large area. For this, the individual receptacles of the nest are configured such that they reach to the neck of the bottle or to the filling opening of the individual containers. This makes the accessibility to the containers more difficult. Alternatively, the nests used in the prior art are designed such that the containers hang freely in the nests, that is, are held at the neck of the bottle. This also makes accessibility to the containers as well as inserting and removing them more difficult, since in such nests two handling devices are required for removing and inserting, one arranged below the containers to lift a container from a receptacle of the nest or place it therein, and a further one arranged above the containers to grip and transfer a lifted container. 
     The known loading techniques for freeze dryers still leave room for improvements. In particular, there is a need regarding easy, safe and accurate handling of a plurality of containers when inserted into a freeze dryer. Furthermore, means used to handle the containers shall be compact and easy to handle or control. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a loading system for a freeze dryer and a method for loading a freeze dryer by means of which a plurality of containers can be simply, safely, and accurately inserted into a freeze dryer. 
     Furthermore, it is an object of the present application to provide a loading system for a freeze dryer and a method for loading a freeze dryer, which enable easy handling. 
     In a first aspect, there is provided a loading system for a freeze dryer, wherein the loading system is configured to load and/or unload the freeze dryer with containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance, wherein the loading system comprises a handling station and at least one carrier plate, wherein each carrier plate comprises a plurality of receptacles configured to each receive one of the containers, wherein the handling station comprises at least one handling device configured to handle the carrier plate in the handling station. 
     In a second aspect, there is provided a freeze-drying system having a freeze dryer and the loading system according to the first aspect. 
     In a third aspect, there is provided a method for handling containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer, wherein the method comprises the following steps for loading the freeze dryer:
     providing a carrier plate in a handling station, wherein the carrier plate comprises a plurality of receptacles configured to each receive one of the containers;   feeding containers to the handling station;   inserting the containers into the receptacles of the carrier plate by means of a first handling device; and   inserting the carrier plate into the freeze dryer by means of a second handling device.   

     In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for handling containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic substance in a loading system for a freeze dryer, wherein the method comprises the following steps for unloading the freeze dryer:
     providing a carrier plate in the freeze dryer, wherein the carrier plate comprises a plurality of receptacles configured to each receive one of the containers, wherein in the receptacles of the carrier plate containers are inserted;   removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer by means of a second handling device;   removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate in a handling station by means of a first handling device; and   removing the containers from the handling station by means of a transport device.   

     In general, a plate is a flat, planar and, in particular, stiff component. A plate comprises in a first and second spatial direction a base surface and in a third spatial direction a thickness. The spatial directions are each pairwise perpendicular to each other. The first and second spatial directions can also be referred to as the length and width directions of the carrier plate. The third direction corresponds to a height direction of the carrier plate. Correspondingly, the plate has in the length direction a length and in the width direction a width, wherein the length is greater than or equal to the width. The thickness of the carrier plate is thereby substantially smaller than the length and width of the plate. Substantially smaller can mean, for example, that the length and width of the plate are at least five times as large, preferably at least seven times as large, in particular at least ten times as large, as the thickness of the plate. The base surface can in principle comprise any arbitrary shape. For example, the base surface can be round, oval, triangular, quadrangular, or polygonal. In particular, the plate can comprise a rectangular or square shape. In other words, the plate can be, for example, a rectangular or square plate. 
     A carrier plate is a plate configured to support objects on its plane. The carrier plate is thus configured to support containers on its plane. A carrier plate can also be referred to as a plate-shaped carrier. 
     The thickness of the carrier plate can amount to 0.5 cm to 2 cm, preferably 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm, in particular 1 cm. A length of the plate can preferably amount to 10 cm to 150 cm, preferably to 20 cm to 80 cm, in particular to 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm or 70 cm. A width of the plate can preferably amount to 10 cm to 150 cm, preferably to 20 cm to 80 cm, in particular to 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, 60 cm or 70 cm. In the case of a rectangular plate, the length of the plate can be, for example, twice the width of the plate. In the case of a square plate, length and width are of equal size. 
     As containers, for example, vials, carpules, cylindrical ampoules, bottles, syringes, and the like can be used. For example, the containers can comprise a cylindrical shape. The containers can comprise a volume between 1 ml and 100 ml. The containers can comprise a diameter between 10 mm and 100 mm, in particular between 16 mm and 30 mm. The containers can comprise a height between 20 and 200 mm, preferably between 35 mm and 75 mm. In particular, as containers, vials of types 2R to 30R according to DIN/ISO 8362 can be used. These container types are listed below in Table 1.  
     
       
         
          TABLE 1
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 Typ 
                 Volume [ml] 
                 Diameter [mm] 
                 Height [mm] 
                 Wall thickness [mm] 
               
             
            
               
                 2R 
                 4 
                 16 
                 35 
                 1 
               
               
                 4R 
                 6 
                 16 
                 45 
                 1 
               
               
                 6R 
                 10 
                 22 
                 40 
                 1 
               
               
                 8R 
                 11.5 
                 22 
                 45 
                 1 
               
               
                 10R 
                 13.5 
                 24 
                 45 
                 1 
               
               
                 15R 
                 19 
                 24 
                 60 
                 1 
               
               
                 20R 
                 25 
                 30 
                 55 
                 1.2 
               
               
                 25R 
                 30.5 
                 30 
                 65 
                 1.2 
               
               
                 30R 
                 36 
                 30 
                 75 
                 1.2 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A container of type 2R is designed for a filling quantity of 2 ml. Correspondingly, the containers of types 4R to 30R are designed for filling volumes of 4 ml to 30 ml. The number in the type designation thus indicates the intended filling quantity of the substance to be filled. 
     The receptacles of the carrier plate are configured such that each receptacle can receive a respective container. In other words, each receptacle is configured for the reception of respectively one container. The receptacles are arranged on the plane of the carrier plate so that the containers, when arranged in the receptacles, are carried by the carrier plate. In other words, this plane of the carrier plate in the operating state, i.e., when the containers are carried, is an upper side of the carrier plate, so that the containers stand on the plane, i.e. on the upper side, of the carrier plate when the containers are received in the receptacles and are carried by the carrier plate. In other words, the containers are held in the receptacles in the operating state. Through this, it is achieved that the containers are safely spaced apart from each other when inserted into the freeze dryer or when removed from the freeze dryer and thus cannot bump or rub each other. Furthermore, the containers can also be easily placed and gripped again by a tool of the handling device. 
     By the plate-shaped configuration of the carrier plate, it is furthermore achieved that the containers can be easily placed on the carrier plate in the receptacles or received from the carrier plate out of the receptacles. Due to the plate-shaped, i.e., flat, configuration, only a lower part of the containers, for example a bottom portion, is arranged in the receptacles. In other words, each receptacle holds only a bottom portion of the respective container arranged therein. In this way, a majority of a container is accessible so that the containers can be easily inserted into the receptacles and removed again therefrom. In other words, the carrier plate can be more easily equipped with containers and subsequently emptied again. 
     The handling station in which the carrier plates and containers are handled is preferably arranged outside the freeze dryer. For handling of the carrier plates and the containers, one or more handling devices are provided in the handling station, which are configured to handle the carrier plates and/or the containers in the handling station. 
     By the proposed loading system, freeze-drying system and method, means are provided for inserting containers filled with a pharmaceutical substance into a freeze dryer, by means of which a plurality of containers can be easily, safely, and accurately inserted into a freeze dryer. Furthermore, these means themselves are easy to handle and control. 
     In a first refinement, the receptacles of each carrier plate are configured by recesses in the surface of the respective carrier plate. 
     When a container is received in a receptacle, the container thus stands in the recess and is held by the edge of the recess. The recess can comprise a depth of 0.1 cm to 1 cm, preferably 0.3 to 0.7 cm, in particular 0.5 cm. Preferably, the recesses are at maximum half as deep as a height of the containers, so that a maximum of 50% of the container is enclosed by the receptacle. The depth of the recess can correspond to 5% to 50%, preferably 7% to 20%, in particular 10% of the height of the containers. 
     In other words, the recesses are configured to receive a bottom part or bottom portion of the container. In particular, at least 50% of the container can extend out of the recess. As a result, the handling is improved because the containers are better accessible hereby. 
     In a further refinement, the receptacles of each carrier plate comprise a cylindrical shape. 
     In particular, the recesses of the receptacles can be configured cylindrically. The shape of the receptacles can thus be adapted to cylindrical containers. As a result, in particular cylindrical containers can be held in the receptacle such that they contact the edge of the receptacle over their full circumference. In this way, a secure hold in the receptacle is improved. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises a first side surface on which the corresponding receptacles are arranged. 
     In principle, a plate comprises two side surfaces that are arranged on opposite sides of the plate and extend in the width and length directions. The two side surfaces are thus distanced from each other corresponding to the thickness of the plate. 
     In a further refinement, the first side surface in an operating position is the top side of the carrier plate. 
     In the operating position, the top side of the carrier plate is the side on which the containers can stand. Accordingly, the second side surface in this operating position is the bottom side of the carrier plate. The bottom side is arranged opposite to the top side. In the operating position, no containers can stand on the bottom side. In this operating position, the containers are arrangeable in the receptacles. Thereby, the respective containers stand in the corresponding receptacles on the carrier plate. The second side surface can also comprise receptacles for containers. Alternatively, the second side surface can also comprise no receptacles for containers. 
     In a further refinement, the receptacles are distributed at regular distances, in particular according to a regular pattern, on the first side surface. 
     A regular distribution of the receptacles facilitates the insertion and removal of the containers. For example, the receptacles can be arranged in rows. 
     In a further refinement, each receptacle comprises the same distance to adjacent receptacles. 
     In this way, the inserting and removing of the containers is further facilitated. 
     In a further refinement, the receptacles are distributed in a pattern on the first side surface, wherein the pattern is configured such that the receptacles are each arranged adjacent each other in two or three spatial directions. 
     In the case of two spatial directions, the two spatial directions can be arranged orthogonally to each other. In the case of three spatial directions, the three spatial directions can be arranged at an angle of 60° to each other. Both patterns provide a highly ordered distribution of receptacles. In both patterns, the receptacles of one type are arranged in rows. The arrangement in rows allows that several containers, in particular a complete row of containers, can be arranged in receptacles simultaneously and at the same time easily. The second pattern, in which the receptacles are arranged spaced apart from each other in three spatial directions, is particularly preferred because this pattern allows the best packing density of containers on the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises a first coupling portion by means of which the carrier plate is couplable with a corresponding second coupling portion of another object. 
     In the coupled state, the movement of the carrier plate is coupled with the movement of the other object. As a result, the carrier plate and the other object are movable together. For example, the carrier plate can be moved by the other object. In this way, the handling of the carrier plate can be further improved. 
     In a further refinement, the first coupling portion is arranged on a first edge side of the carrier plate. 
     The edge sides extend between the first side surface and the second side surface, that is, in at least one operating state, between the top side and the bottom side. The edge sides of a carrier plate are better accessible for coupling than the first and second side surfaces. The first edge side is arranged opposite to a second edge side. Preferably, the first coupling portion is arranged centrally on the first edge side. In other words, the first coupling portion is arranged on the first edge side where a center axis of the carrier plate that extends from the first edge side to the second edge side intersects the first edge side. In the operating position of the carrier plate, the center axis is arranged parallel to the insertion direction. The center axis runs in particular parallel to the side surfaces and perpendicular to the first and second edge side. 
     In a further refinement, the first coupling portion comprises a holding member, wherein the second coupling portion of the other object is engageable with the holding member for coupling. 
     The holding member can comprise, for example, a rod or a web with which the first coupling portion is engageable with a corresponding element of the second coupling portion. The element of the second coupling portion can be, for example, configured hook-shaped so as to be engageable with the holding member. For example, the member of the second coupling portion can hook with the holding member to couple the first coupling portion with the second coupling portion. In this way, a simple coupling of the coupling portions is enabled. 
     In a further refinement, the first coupling portion comprises a recess, wherein the holding member is arranged in the recess, wherein the recess is configured such that the second coupling portion of the other object can engage the recess to couple the carrier plate with the other object. 
     Preferably, the recess is arranged at the first edge side and is open outwardly. The recess can be open at the first edge side and at the first side surface and/or the second side surface. The recess can in particular extend from the first side surface to the second side surface. In particular, the recess can be configured in a U-shape. The holding member can extend through the recess, in particular from a first side of the recess to a second, opposite side of the recess. By engaging the second coupling portion in the recess, the coupling is further simplified. 
     In a further refinement, the other object is a first adjacent carrier plate. 
     In other words, the carrier plate comprises a first coupling portion and the adjacent carrier plate comprises a corresponding second coupling portion, wherein the two carrier plates can be coupled with each other by means of the two coupling portions. In the coupled state, the two carrier plates can be moved together. In this way, the handling of several carrier plates is simplified. In particular, several carrier plates can be inserted together into the freeze dryer or removed therefrom again in the coupled state. Furthermore, the carrier plates can also be moved together on a placement surface within the freeze dryer, in particular pulled or pushed. As a result, the handling and positioning of several carrier plates in one freeze dryer is improved. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises a second coupling portion by means of which the carrier plate is couplable with a corresponding first coupling portion of a second adjacent carrier plate. 
     The carrier plate thus comprises two coupling portions by means of which the carrier plate is couplable with an adjacent carrier plate and with a further object. The further object can be, for example, a further adjacent carrier plate, so that by means of the coupling portions three or more carrier plates are couplable with each other. The further object can also be a handling tool, for example a handling robot, by means of which the carrier plate and the adjacent carrier plate coupled with the carrier plate via the second coupling portion can be moved. As a result, the handling and positioning of several carrier plates, in particular in a freeze dryer, is further improved. 
     In a further refinement, the second coupling portion of the carrier plate is arranged on a second edge side of the carrier plate that opposes the first edge side. 
     In this way, for example, three or more carrier plates or two carrier plates and a further object can be coupled with each other in a row. Preferably, the second coupling portion is arranged centrally on the second edge side. In other words, the second coupling portion is arranged on the second edge side where the center axis of the carrier plate intersects the second edge side. 
     In a further refinement, the second coupling portion comprises a locking member, wherein the first coupling portion is engageable with the locking member for coupling. 
     The locking member can comprise, for example, a hook or hook-shaped member with which the second coupling portion is engageable with a corresponding member (for example, the aforementioned holding member) of the first coupling portion. For example, the hook-shaped member of the second coupling portion can hook with the holding member to couple the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion. In this way, simple coupling of the coupling portions is enabled. 
     In a further refinement, the holding member of the first coupling portion of the carrier plate is configured such that the locking member of the second coupling portion of the first adjacent carrier plate can be engaged with the holding member of the first coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple the carrier plate with the first adjacent carrier plate. 
     The holding member of the first coupling portion of the carrier plate is preferably configured such that the locking member of the second coupling portion of the first adjacent carrier plate can engage the recess of the holding member of the first coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple the carrier plate with the first adjacent carrier plate. In this way, two carrier plates can be easily handled together. 
     In a further refinement, the locking member of the second coupling portion of the carrier plate is configured such that it can be engaged with the holding member of the first coupling portion of the second adjacent carrier plate to couple the carrier plate with the second adjacent carrier plate. 
     The locking member of the second coupling portion of the carrier plate is preferably configured such that it can engage the recess of the holding member of the first coupling portion of the second adjacent carrier plate to couple the carrier plate with the second adjacent carrier plate. In this way, two carrier plates can be easily handled together. 
     In a further refinement, the loading system comprises a plurality of carrier plates. 
     Each carrier plate can be configured as previously described. In particular, each carrier plate can comprise a first and a second coupling portion, wherein the carrier plates are couplable with each other by means of the coupling portions and can form carrier plate assemblies. A carrier plate assembly comprises a plurality of carrier plates, wherein the carrier plates are coupled with each other. For example, adjacent carrier plates can be coupled with each other by means of the corresponding first and second coupling portions, in particular such that these carrier plates can be pushed and pulled together. In this way, several carrier plates can be handled together. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises two third coupling portions by means of which the carrier plate is couplable with corresponding coupling portions of another object. 
     In the coupled state, the movement of the carrier plate is coupled with the movement of the other object. As a result, the carrier plate and the other object are movable together. For example, the carrier plate can be moved by the other object. In this way, the handling of the carrier plate can be further improved. By the use of two coupling portions for transferring the carrier plate, the carrier plate can be transferred more stably. 
     In a further refinement, the two third coupling portions are arranged on the second edge side of the carrier plate. 
     Preferably, the third coupling portions are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center axis of the carrier plate. The second coupling portion of the carrier plate is thus arranged between the two third coupling portions of the carrier plate. In particular, the second coupling portion comprises the same distance to both third coupling portions. 
     In a further refinement, each third coupling portion comprises a holding member, wherein the coupling portion of the other object is engageable with the holding member for coupling. 
     The holding member can comprise, for example, a rod or a web with which the respective coupling portion is engageable with the coupling portion of the other object. The member of the second coupling portion can be, for example, configured hook-shaped so as to be engageable with the holding member. For example, the member of the second coupling portion can hook with the holding member to couple the first coupling portion with the second coupling portion. In this way, a simple coupling of the coupling portions is enabled. 
     In a further refinement, each third coupling portion comprises a recess, wherein the holding member is arranged in the recess, wherein the recess is configured such that the coupling portion of the other object can engage the recess in order to couple the carrier plate with the other object. 
     Preferably, the recess is arranged at the second edge side and is open outwardly. The recess can be open at the second edge side and at the first side surface and/or the second side surface. The recess can in particular extend from the first side surface to the second side surface. In particular, the recess can be configured to be U-shaped. The holding member can extend through the recess, in particular from a first side of the recess to a second, opposite side of the recess. By engaging the coupling portion of the other object in the recess, the coupling is further simplified. For example, the other object can be a receiving device or a linear unit of a handling device. The other object can also be a robot. 
     In a further refinement, a first handling device of the at least one handling device is configured to insert the containers into the receptacles of the carrier plate and/or to remove them again from the receptacles after freeze-drying. 
     By the use of a carrier plate, the containers can be easily inserted into or removed from the receptacles by means of the first handling device, since the carrier plate enables good accessibility to the containers. For insertion, for example, the first handling device can grip the containers, transfer them to the receptacles and place them in the receptacles. Correspondingly, for removal, the first handling device can grip the containers, lift/raise them out of the receptacles, and transfer them further. The handling device can be configured to handle one or several containers simultaneously. The handling device can equip all receptacles with containers during insertion. The handling device can remove all containers received in the receptacles from the receptacles during removal. 
     In a further refinement, the first handling device comprises a handling robot having a gripping device for gripping containers. 
     By means of the gripping device, the containers can be easily gripped and handled. The handling robot can comprise an end effector, wherein the gripping device is arranged at the end effector. The end effector can comprise the gripping device or support the gripping device. The handling robot preferably comprises a multi-jointed arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space by means of the arm. For moving the arm, drive means, such as one or more drive devices, can be provided. The arm can be attached to a support structure arranged in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector for loading and unloading a carrier plate with containers is movable between the carrier plate (in particular a transfer plate described in the following) and a feeder/remover for the containers (in particular a container holder described in the following or a transport device described in the following). 
     In a further refinement, the loading system comprises a transport device configured to feed the containers to the handling station and/or remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. 
     The transport device can be configured to feed the containers to the handling station and remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. Alternatively, two different transport devices can also be provided, wherein a first transport device is configured to feed the containers to the handling station and a second (further) transport device is configured to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus provide a feed or remove for the containers to/from the handling station. For example, the transport device(s) can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with filling station and stopper placing station to the handling station. Furthermore, the transport device(s) can remove the containers from the handling station to a downstream crimping module with crimping station. 
     In a further refinement, the transport device comprises a handling robot configured to handle the containers individually or to handle several containers together, in particular in pairs. 
     The handling robot of the transport device can be configured to receive the containers individually or in pairs from an upstream filling module for feeding and to transfer them to the handling station (in particular to a container holder in the handling station described in the following). Correspondingly, the handling robot of the transport device or the further transport device can be configured to, for removing, transfer the containers individually or in pairs from the handling station (in particular from a container holder in the handling station described below) to a downstream crimping module and to transfer the containers to the crimping module. For handling the containers, the handling robot can comprise a gripping device by means of which one or several containers can be gripped simultaneously. For example, the handling robot can comprise an end effector, wherein the gripping device is arranged at the end effector. The end effector can comprise the gripping device or support the gripping device. The handling robot preferably comprises a multi-jointed arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space by means of the arm. For moving the arm, drive means, such as one or more drive devices, can be provided. The arm can be fixed to a support structure that is arranged in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector is movable between the handling station and the filling module and/or the crimping module in order to be able to transfer the containers between the handling station and the filling module or between the handling station and the crimping module, respectively. 
     In a further refinement, the handling station comprises a container holder in which fed containers or containers to be transported away are arrangeable. 
     In the container holder, fed containers or containers to be transported away can thus be temporarily stored or collected. The container holder is thus an intermediate storage location between the feeder (in particular the transport device) and the first handling device. 
     In a further refinement, the container holder comprises a plurality of receptacles each for receiving a container. 
     In this way, a plurality of containers can be collected or temporarily stored in the container holder. 
     In a further refinement, the receptacles of the container holder are arranged in a row. 
     Both the transport device and the first handling device can be configured to handle several containers simultaneously, i.e., to receive, transfer, and place several containers simultaneously. When the receptacles of the container holder are arranged in a row, the simultaneous insertion of several containers into the container holder and the simultaneous removal of several containers from the container holder is facilitated. 
     In a further refinement, the first handling device is configured to remove one or more containers from the container holder, transfer them to the carrier plate, and insert them into empty receptacles of the carrier plate. 
     In this way, the first handling device can remove the fed and temporarily stored containers from the receptacles of the container holder and insert them into or arrange them in the receptacles of the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the first handling device is configured to remove one or more containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, transfer them to the container holder, and insert them into the container holder. 
     In this way, the first handling device can remove the freeze-dried containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate and place or arrange them in the receptacles of the container holder for temporary storage prior to removal. 
     In a further refinement, the first handling device is configured to handle a row of containers. 
     For removing a row, the gripping device of the first handling device can comprise, for example, several gripping members for gripping individual containers, wherein the gripping members are arranged in a row. Each gripping member can comprise a receptacle formed by two receiving members that are displaceable between a gripping position in which a container can be gripped and a receiving position in which a container can be received. The handling of a row of containers is particularly advantageous when the containers in the container holder and in the carrier plate are also arranged in rows, in particular when the receptacles of the container holder and of the carrier plate are each arranged in rows. 
     In a further refinement, a second handling device of the at least one handling device is configured to insert the carrier plate into the freeze dryer for loading the freeze dryer and/or to remove the carrier plate from the freeze dryer again for unloading the freeze dryer. 
     By means of the second handling device, a carrier plate equipped with containers can thus be easily inserted into the freeze dryer and removed from the freeze dryer again after freeze-drying. 
     In a further refinement, the second handling device is configured to push the carrier plate from the handling station into the freeze dryer for loading the freeze dryer and/or to pull the carrier plate out of the freeze dryer again for unloading the freeze dryer. 
     In a further refinement, the second handling device comprises a linear unit, in particular a pusher, by means of which the carrier plate is pushable and/or pullable. 
     By means of the linear unit, the carrier plate can be pushed into the freeze dryer, for example, from the handling station. In particular, a pusher can push the carrier plate from a transfer plate (which is described further below) of the handling station onto a placement surface within the freeze dryer. The pusher can comprise, for example, a pushing member that can be brought into contact with an edge side of the carrier plate in order to push the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the carrier plate comprises at least one coupling portion, wherein the linear unit is couplable with the at least one coupling portion to pull and/or push the carrier plate. The coupling portion can in particular be the first coupling portion. Alternatively, the at least one coupling portion can also comprise the two third coupling portions of the carrier plate. 
     Preferably, the pushing member can be configured to couple with the first coupling portion or with the third coupling portions of the carrier plate. For this purpose, the pushing member can engage the recess of the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple with the first or each third coupling portion. In other words, the pushing member can comprise at least one coupling portion that can couple with the first coupling portion or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate. Each coupling portion of the pushing member can be configured, for example, as a protrusion that extends downward from the bottom side of the pushing member. For coupling, each protrusion can engage the recess of the corresponding first or third coupling portion. In the coupled state, the pushing member can then push the carrier plate in an insertion direction and pull it against the insertion direction. The insertion direction runs from the transfer plate to the freeze dryer, in particular to the placement plate of the freeze dryer. When the pushing member is used to couple with the first coupling portion of a carrier plate to pull the carrier plate, the carrier plate is arranged in the operating position on the transfer plate such that the first edge side faces away from the freeze dryer. In other words, the first edge side is thereby arranged upstream at the carrier plate in the insertion direction of the carrier plate. When the pushing member is used to couple with the two third coupling portions of a carrier plate to pull the carrier plate, the carrier plate is arranged in the operating position on the transfer plate so that the second edge side faces away from the freeze dryer. In other words, the second edge side is thereby arranged upstream at the carrier plate in the insertion direction of the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the pushing member of the linear unit is configured such that it can simultaneously push and/or pull two carrier plates that are arranged perpendicular to the insertion direction. 
     In this way, two carrier plates can be handled simultaneously, thereby increasing efficiency. 
     In a further refinement, the pushing member can comprise four coupling portions, wherein the four coupling portions are arranged such that they can couple with the third coupling portions of two carrier plates arranged side by side. 
     For this purpose, the four coupling portions are distributed perpendicularly to the insertion direction along the pushing member at equal intervals. The coupling portions can be, for example, protrusions extending downward from a bottom side of the pushing member. For coupling, each protrusion can engage a corresponding recess of a third coupling portion of the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the second handling device is vertically movable. 
     Preferably, for this purpose, the second handling device comprises a drive device, in particular a stroke device, by means of which the pusher is vertically movable. In this way, the second handling device can comprise the pusher at the level of the carrier plate (in particular above the transfer plate) for pushing the carrier plate into the freeze dryer or pulling the carrier plate out of the freeze dryer. The pusher, however, restricts the accessibility to the carrier plate if it is arranged at the level of the carrier plate. Therefore, it is advantageous if the pusher during loading and unloading of the carrier plate with containers is arranged below the carrier plate (in particular below the transfer plate). For this purpose, it can be provided that the pusher is moved to the level of the carrier plate only for inserting and pulling out the carrier plate and, correspondingly, is otherwise moved below the carrier plate (in particular below the transfer plate). For example, the second handling device can be arranged below the transfer plate while inserting the containers by means of the first handling device. After the carrier plate is equipped with containers, the second handling device can be moved above the transfer plate to the level of the carrier plate to couple with the carrier plate. The carrier plate can then be inserted into the freeze dryer. Once the carrier plate is inserted, the second handling device is decoupled from the carrier plate and moved out of the freeze dryer. After freeze-drying, the second handling device is moved back into the freeze dryer again to couple with the carrier plate. The carrier plate can then be pulled out of the freeze dryer until it is arranged on the transfer plate. Then, the second handling device is decoupled from the carrier plate and moved under the transfer plate. Then, the first handling device can remove the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate again. In this way, the accessibility to the carrier plate during loading and unloading of the carrier plate with containers is improved. 
     In a further refinement, the second handling device is configured as a stroke-linear unit. 
     A stroke-linear unit is vertically movable and comprises a member, for example a pusher, by means of which a carrier plate can be pushed or pulled. 
     In a further refinement, the freeze dryer comprises at least one placement surface for the containers, wherein the containers are pushable onto and/or pullable from the placement surface by means of the second handling device. 
     Preferably, the freeze dryer comprises one or more placement plates, wherein each placement plate comprises a placement surface. The placement surface is thereby the top side of a placement plate. On the placement surface, one or several carrier plates equipped with containers can be arranged. 
     In a further refinement, the freeze dryer comprises a plurality of placement surfaces. 
     Preferably, a freeze dryer comprises several placement plates distributed on several levels of the freeze dryer. As a result, the placement surfaces are also distributed on multiple levels of the freeze dryer. Each placement surface can be arranged on a particular level of the freeze dryer, or can be fixedly arranged. 
     In a further refinement, the handling station comprises a transfer plate on which the carrier plate is arrangeable in the handling station for loading and unloading. 
     The transfer plate can also be referred to as a push-over plate. The transfer plate comprises a transfer surface on which the carrier plates can be arranged. The transfer surface is a top side of the transfer plate. On the transfer plate, the carrier plates can be arranged one after another for loading, for example, and equipped with containers. The carrier plates equipped with containers can then be inserted into the freeze dryer. After freeze-drying, the carrier plates can be correspondingly transferred out of the freeze-dryer again onto the transfer plate, where the containers can be removed again. 
     In a further refinement, the second handling device is configured to push the carrier plate from the placement surface to the transfer surface and/or pull the carrier plate from the placement surface to the transfer surface. 
     In this way, the carrier plates can be easily inserted into the freeze dryer and removed therefrom again. 
     In a further refinement, the placement surfaces are vertically movable. 
     In this way, the placement surfaces can be arranged on different levels of the freeze dryer. 
     In a further refinement, the placement surfaces are vertically movable such that for inserting and/or removing the carrier plate, one of the placement surfaces can be arranged substantially in one plane with a transfer surface of the transfer plate. In one plane means that an offset between the transfer surface and the placement surface in the vertical direction amounts to only a few millimeters. For example, the offset is less than 5 mm, in particular less than 1 mm. 
     In other words, the individual placement surfaces can be moved one after another to the level of the transfer plate for loading, so that one or several carrier plates can be pushed from the transfer plate to the respective placement surface. After loading, each placement surface is moved to a specific assigned level of the freeze dryer. For unloading, the placement surfaces are moved again one after another to the level of the transfer surface of the transfer plate, so that the carrier plates can be pulled again from the placement surface onto the transfer plate. For pulling and pushing, the placement surfaces can in particular be arranged such that they are at the same level as the transfer surface of the transfer plate or arranged in alignment with the transfer surface. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the placement surfaces are fixedly mounted on the individual levels of the freeze dryer and that the transfer plate is vertically movable instead. For loading and unloading a placement surface, the transfer plate can then be moved such that the transfer surface is brought to the level of the placement surface. 
     Preferably, when inserting the carrier plate, the placement surface is arranged lower than the transfer surface, and when removing the carrier plate, the placement surface is arranged higher than the transfer surface. In particular, an offset between the transfer surface and the placement surface in the vertical direction, as previously described, amounts thereby to only a few millimeters. In this way, safe sliding over of the carrier plate is made possible without the carrier plate adhering to an edge of the placement plate or the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the handling station comprises a carrier plate holder that is configured to hold and/or store a plurality of carrier plates. 
     The carrier plates are arranged for storing in the carrier plate holder without received containers. For this purpose, the carrier plate holder can comprise individual holders or receptacles for the carrier plates. If a carrier plate is required for loading the freeze dryer, it can be removed from the carrier plate holder and equipped with containers. In other words, the carrier plate holder offers the possibility to hold the carrier plate in front so that a carrier plate can be removed when needed. Correspondingly, after freeze-drying, the emptied carrier plates are transferred back into the carrier plate holder. The carrier plate holder thus allows a quick accessibility to or placement of carrier plates. 
     In a further refinement, a third handling device of the at least one handling device is configured to transfer a carrier plate between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. 
     In this way, by means of the third handling device, the carrier plates can be provided for loading and, after unloading, can be stored again in the carrier plate holder. In particular, the third handling device is configured to remove the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder, transfer it to the transfer plate and arrange it on the transfer plate and/or receive it from the transfer plate, transfer it to the carrier plate holder and arrange or place it in the carrier plate holder. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises at least one coupling portion and the third handling device comprises a receiving device, wherein the receiving device is couplable with the coupling portion of one of the carrier plates so that the third handling device can transfer, in particular lift, lower and move horizontally, the carrier plate in the coupled state. The coupling portion of the carrier plate can in particular be the first coupling portion. Alternatively, the at least one coupling portion can also comprise the third coupling portions of the carrier plate. 
     In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. The third handling device is preferably a handling robot that is configured for handling the carrier plate. The handling robot can comprise an end effector for handling the carrier plate. The handling robot can comprise a multi-jointed arm at the end of which the end effector can be arranged, wherein the end effector is movable in space by means of the arm. The end effector of the handling robot can comprise the receiving device. For moving the arm, drive means, such as one or more drive devices, can be provided. The arm can be fixed to a support structure arranged in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector is movable between the transfer plate and the carrier plate holder. When the receiving device is used to couple with the first coupling portion of a carrier plate to transfer the carrier plate, the carrier plate in the operating position is arranged in the carrier plate holder such that the first edge side is oriented upwardly. When the receiving device is used to couple with the two third coupling portions of a carrier plate to transfer the carrier plate, the carrier plate is arranged in the operating position in the carrier plate holder such that the second edge side is oriented upwardly. 
     In a further refinement, the receiving device of the third handling device comprises at least one receiving member, wherein the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate is engageable with the corresponding receiving member for coupling. 
     In this way, the carrier plate can be easily coupled with the third handling device. Each receiving member is preferably hook-shaped or configured as a hook, wherein the receiving member hooks with the first coupling portion, in particular with the holding member, of the carrier plate for coupling. In other words, each receiving member comprises at least one coupling portion that can be engaged with the corresponding first or third coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple the receiving device with the carrier plate. Each coupling portion of the receiving member can be configured as a hook-shaped receptacle, for example. In this way, the third handling device can lift, transfer, and place the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the holding member of the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate is configured such that the corresponding receiving member can be engaged with the holding member of the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple the handling device with the carrier plate. 
     In this way, the carrier plate is easily coupled with the handling device so that the handling device can move the carrier plate. The holding member of the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate is preferably configured such that the corresponding receiving member can engage the recess of the holding member of the first or each third coupling portion of the carrier plate to couple the handling device with the carrier plate. In particular, each receiving member is hooked with the corresponding holding member for coupling. 
     In a further refinement, the first and third handling devices are configured by a handling robot, in particular wherein the handling robot comprises an end effector that comprises the gripping device of the first handling device and the receiving device of the third handling device. 
     In this way, installation space is saved since the first and third handling devices are configured by means of a single handling robot that comprises, for example, two different tools at its end effector. Thereby, the gripping device can be arranged on one side of the end effector and the receiving device can be arranged on a second side of the end effector opposite to the first side. The end effector can be rotatably mounted at the multi-jointed arm of the handling robot, whereby the orientation of the tool to be used (i.e., gripping or receiving device) is adjustable accordingly. 
     In a further refinement, the feeding of the containers comprises the following steps:
     transporting the containers to a container holder of the handling station by means of a transport device; and   arranging the fed containers in the container holder.   

     The transport device can be configured to feed the containers to the handling station and remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. Alternatively, two different transport devices can also be provided, wherein a first transport device is configured to feed the containers to the handling station and a second (further) transport device is configured to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus provide a feeder or remover for the containers to/from the handling station, wherein the containers are arranged in the container holder. For example, the transport device(s) can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with filling station and stopper placing station to the handling station. Furthermore, the transport device(s) can remove the containers from the handling station to a downstream crimping module with crimping station. In the container holder, fed containers or containers to be transported away can be temporarily stored or collected. The container holder is thus an intermediate storage place between the feeder (in particular the transport device) and the first handling device. 
     In a further refinement, the containers are transported individually or several containers are transported together, in particular in pairs, by means of the transport device. 
     For this purpose, the transport device can comprise a handling robot that is configured to receive the containers individually or in pairs from an upstream filling module for feeding and to transfer them to the handling station (in particular to a container holder in the handling station described in the following). Correspondingly, the handling robot of the transport device or the further transport device can be configured to transfer the containers individually or in pairs from the handling station (in particular from a container holder in the handling station described in the following) to a crimping module arranged downstream for removing and to transfer the containers to the crimping module. For handling the containers, the handling robot can comprise a gripping device by means of which one or several containers can be gripped simultaneously. For example, the handling robot can comprise an end effector, wherein the gripping device is arranged at the end effector. The end effector can comprise the gripping device or support the gripping device. The handling robot preferably comprises a multi-jointed arm, at the end of which the end effector is arranged. The arm thus carries the end effector. The end effector can be moved in space by means of the arm. For moving the arm, drive means, such as one or more drive devices, can be provided. The arm can be fixed to a support structure that is arranged in or at the handling station. The reach of the arm is preferably such that the end effector is movable between the handling station and the filling module and/or the crimping module in order to be able to transfer the containers between the handling station and the filling module or between the handling station and the crimping module. 
     In a further refinement, the container holder comprises a plurality of receptacles, wherein the containers are inserted into the receptacles for arranging the containers in the container holder. 
     In this way, a plurality of containers can be collected or temporarily stored in the container holder. 
     In a further refinement, the inserting of the containers into corresponding receptacles of the carrier plate by means of the first handling device comprises the following steps:
     removing one or several containers, in particular a row of containers, from the container holder;   transferring the removed containers to the carrier plate; and   inserting the transferred containers into empty receptacles of the carrier plate.   

     In this way, the first handling device can remove the fed and temporarily stored containers from the receptacles of the container holder and insert them into or arrange them in the receptacles of the carrier plate. 
     In a further refinement, the carrier plate is arranged on a transfer plate in the handling station for loading and/or unloading. 
     The transfer plate can also be referred to as a push-over plate. The transfer plate comprises a transfer surface on which the carrier plates can be arranged. The transfer surface is a top side of the transfer plate. On the transfer plate, the carrier plates can be arranged one after another for loading, for example, and equipped with containers. The carrier plates equipped with containers can then be inserted into the freeze dryer. After freeze-drying, the carrier plates can be correspondingly transferred out of the freeze-dryer again onto the transfer plate, where the containers can be removed again. 
     In a further refinement, in the step of inserting the carrier plate into the freeze dryer, the carrier plate is inserted by means of the second handling device from the handling device into the freeze dryer. 
     In particular, the carrier plate is thereby pushed from a transfer plate of the handling station onto a placement surface of the freeze dryer. In this way, the carrier plates can be easily inserted into the freeze dryer. 
     In a further refinement, the providing of the carrier plate comprises the following steps:
     Arranging a plurality of carrier plates in a carrier plate holder of the handling station; and   Transferring the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder to the transfer plate by means of a third handling device.   

     The carrier plates are arranged for storing in the carrier plate holder without received containers. For this purpose, the carrier plate holder can comprise individual holders or receptacles for the carrier plates. If a carrier plate is required for loading the freeze dryer, it can be removed from the carrier plate holder and equipped with containers. In other words, the carrier plate holder offers the possibility to hold the carrier plate in front so that a carrier plate can be removed when needed. Correspondingly, after freeze-drying, the emptied carrier plates are transferred back into the carrier plate holder. The carrier plate holder thus allows a quick accessibility to or placement of carrier plates. By means of the third handling device, the carrier plates can be provided for loading and after unloading can be stored again in the carrier plate holder. In particular, the third handling device is configured to remove the carrier plate from the carrier plate holder, transfer it to the transfer plate and arrange it on the transfer plate and/or receive it from the transfer plate, transfer it to the carrier plate holder and arrange or place it in the carrier plate holder. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises a coupling portion and the handling device comprises a receiving device that is couplable with the coupling portion, wherein the providing of the carrier plate further comprises the following steps:
     coupling the third handling device with one of the carrier plate arranged in the carrier plate holder prior to the step of the transferring; and   decoupling the third handling device from the carrier plate after the step of transferring.   

     In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. 
     In a further refinement, the step of providing alternatively comprises the following steps:
     arranging the carrier plate in the freeze dryer, in particular on a placement surface of the freeze dryer; and   removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device, in particular wherein the carrier plate is pulled from the placement surface onto the transfer plate.   

     In this way, the carrier plates can be temporarily stored empty in the freeze dryer, for example, and removed from the freeze dryer for equipping with containers. In this way, the area of the loading system is cleared so as not to overly affect the laminar flow stream. 
     In a further refinement, the method comprises the following steps for unloading the freeze dryer:
     removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device;   removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate in the handling station by means of the first handling means; and   removing the containers from the handling station by means of the transport device or a further transport device.   

     In this way, the freeze dryer can be unloaded again after the freeze-drying. 
     In a further refinement, in the step of removing the carrier plate from the freeze dryer, the carrier plate is pulled out of the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device. 
     In particular, the carrier plate is pulled from the placement surface onto the transfer plate of the handling station. In this way, the carrier plates can be easily removed again from the freeze dryer. 
     In a further refinement, the removing of the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate by means of the first handling device comprises the following steps:
     removing one or several containers, in particular a row of containers, from the receptacles of the carrier plate;   transferring the removed containers to the container holder; and   inserting the transferred containers into the container holder.   

     In this way, the first handling device can remove the freeze-dried containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate and place or arrange them in the receptacles of the container holder for temporary storage prior to the removal. In this way, the containers to be transported away can be collected in the container holder prior to being transported away. 
     In a further refinement, the removing of the containers from the container holder comprises:
     removing the containers from the container holder; and   transporting the containers away by means of the transport device or a further transport device.   

     As previously described, the transport device is configured at least to feed the containers to the handling station. Either the transport device or a further transport device can be configured to remove the freeze-dried containers from the handling station. The transport device(s) thus provide a feeder or remover for the containers to/from the handling station. For example, the transport device(s) can feed the containers from an upstream filling module with filling station and stopper placing station to the handling station. Furthermore, the transport device(s) can remove the containers from the handling station to a downstream crimping module with crimping station. 
     In a further refinement, the method comprises, after the step of removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, furthermore the following step: 
     - storing the carrier plate in the carrier plate holder. 
     In this way, the carrier plates can be arranged in the carrier plate holder again after their use, in order to store them until their next use. 
     In a further refinement, the storing of the carrier plate in the carrier plate holder comprises the following steps:
     transferring the carrier plate from the transfer plate to the carrier plate holder by means of the third handling device; and   arranging the transferred carrier plate in the carrier plate holder.   

     In this way, by means of the third handling device, the carrier plates can be stored again in the carrier plate holder after unloading. In particular, the third handling device is configured to receive the carrier plate from the transfer plate, transfer it to the carrier plate holder, and arrange or place it in the carrier plate holder. 
     In a further refinement, each carrier plate comprises a coupling portion and the handling device comprises a receiving device that is couplable with the coupling portion, wherein the storing of the carrier plate further comprises the following steps:
     coupling the third handling device with a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate prior to the step of transferring; and   decoupling the third handling device from the transferred carrier plate after the step of transferring.   

     In the coupled state, the handling device can handle a coupled carrier plate, in particular move it between the carrier plate holder and the transfer plate. 
     In a further refinement, the method comprises, after the step of removing the containers from the receptacles of the carrier plate, alternatively the following steps:
     inserting the emptied carrier plate into the freeze dryer by means of the second handling device, in particular wherein the carrier plate is pushed from the transfer plate onto the placement surface of the freeze dryer; and   storing the carrier plate in the freeze dryer.   

     As a result, the emptied carrier plates can be temporarily stored in the freeze dryer. In this way, the area of the loading system is cleared so as not to overly affect the laminar flow stream. 
     It is understood that the above features and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Showing: 
         FIG.  1    a schematic view of a first embodiment of a loading system for a freeze dryer; 
         FIG.  2    an isometric view of a second embodiment of a loading system for a freeze dryer; 
         FIGS.  3 - 36    are detailed views of the loading system of  FIG.  2    in various operating conditions; 
         FIG.  37    is a schematic view of an embodiment of a method for handling containers in a loading system for a freeze dryer; 
         FIG.  38    is a schematic view of the loading of the freeze dryer step in the method of  FIG.  37   ; 
         FIG.  39    is a detailed view of the providing step in  FIG.  38   ; 
         FIG.  40    is a detailed view of the feeding step in  FIG.  38   ; 
         FIG.  41    is a detailed view of the inserting step in  FIG.  38   ; 
         FIG.  42    is a schematic view of the unloading of the freeze dryer step in the method of  FIG.  37   ; 
         FIG.  43    is a detailed view of the unloading step in  FIG.  42   ; 
         FIG.  44    is a detailed view of the removing step in  FIG.  42   ; 
         FIG.  45    is a detailed view of the storing step in  FIG.  42   ; 
         FIG.  46    is an isometric view of a third embodiment of a loading system for a freeze dryer; and 
         FIGS.  47 -  63    are detailed views of the loading system of  FIG.  46    in various operating conditions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    shows a first embodiment of a loading system  10  for a freeze dryer  16 . The loading system  10  is part of a freeze-drying system  12  that comprises the loading system  10  and the freeze dryer  16 . The freeze-drying system  12  can be part of a packaging machine in which pharmaceutical or cosmetic substances are packaged in containers  114 . 
     For this purpose, the packaging machine comprises a filling module  18 , a freeze-drying module  14 , and a crimping module  20 . The filling module  18  can comprise a filling station, in which the containers are filled with the substance, and a stopper placing station, in which a stopper is placed on the containers. The crimping module  20  can comprise a crimping station in which each container is closed with a crimping cap. The entire packaging process of the substances is performed in an aseptic environment, for example in a clean room or ultraclean room. 
     Freeze-drying module  14  is coupled with the freeze dryer  16  via a port  51 . The loading system  10  is arranged in the freeze-drying module  14 . By means of the loading system, containers can be inserted into the freeze dryer through the port  51  and removed from the freeze dryer after the freeze-drying. 
     The freeze-drying system  12  can comprise the freeze-drying module  14 . The freeze-drying module  14  is arranged between the filling module  18  and the crimping module  20 . By means of a first transfer station  22 , containers can be transferred between the filling module  18  and the freeze-drying module  14 . By means of a second transfer station  24 , containers can be transferred between the freeze-drying module  14  and the crimping module  20 . 
     For feeding the containers from the filling module  18  and for removing the containers into the crimping module  20 , the freeze-drying module  14  comprises at least one transport device  26 ,  28 . For example, the freeze-drying module  14  comprises a first transport device  26  for feeding the containers and a second transport device  28  for removing the containers. Alternatively, only the first transport device  26  can be provided, wherein the first transport device  26  then performs the feeding and removing of the containers. During the feeding and removing, the containers can, for example, be transferred between the modules  14 ,  18 ,  20  via the transfer stations  22 ,  24 . 
     At least one of the transport devices  26 ,  28  can be configured, for example, as a handling robot that comprises a gripping tool for handling containers. Alternatively, the transport devices  26 ,  28  can also be configured in other ways to feed or remove the containers. For example, at least one of the transport devices  26  can also be configured as a transport belt or other type of conveyor technology to feed or remove the containers. 
     The loading system  10  comprises a handling station  30 . The handling station  30  is arranged between the transport devices  26 ,  28  and the freeze dryer. The handling station  30  is in particular arranged next to the port  51 . 
     The handling station  30  comprises a first handling device  32 , a second handling device  34 , a third handling device  36 , a container holder  38 , a carrier plate holder  40 , and a transfer plate  42 . 
     The container holder  38  comprises receptacles for containers, in which containers can be received respectively individually. For feeding the containers, the first transport device inserts the containers to be fed into the container holder  38 . For removing the containers, the first transport device  26  or the second transport device  28  removes containers to be removed from the container holder  38 . 
     The carrier plate holder  40  comprises receptacles or holders for carrier plates. The carrier plates serve as carriers for a plurality of containers. For this purpose, each carrier plate comprises a plurality of receptacles, each of which is configured to receive a container. 
     The transfer plate  42  comprises a transfer surface  44 . The transfer surface  44  is a top side of the transfer plate  42 . The transfer surface  44  is preferably oriented horizontally. On the transfer surface  44 , the carrier plates are arranged for loading and unloading the freeze dryer. For loading the freeze dryer  16 , the carrier plates are arranged one after another on the transfer plate  42 , equipped with containers and then inserted into the freeze dryer  16 . For unloading the freeze dryer  16 , the carrier plates are taken out of the freeze dryer  16  one after another, arranged on the transfer plate  42  and the containers are removed. 
     The freeze dryer  16  comprises a plurality of placement plates  52 . Each placement plate  52  comprises a placement surface  54  on which one or more carrier plates can be arranged, in particular placed. Each placement surface  54  is the top side of a corresponding placement plate  52 . The placement plates  52  can be vertically movable. For this purpose, the freeze dryer  16  can comprise a drive device which can move the placement plates  52  vertically. 
     Preferably, the transfer plate  42  is arranged at the port  51 . Between the transfer plate  42  and the placement plate  52 , a gap can be arranged. To keep the gap as small as possible, the transfer plate  42  and the placement plate  52  can be arranged as close as possible to the port. The gap is preferably smaller than half the width of the carrier plate. In this way, it is achieved that when inserting and removing the carrier plate, the carrier plate always rests on the placement surface and on the transfer surface when the center of gravity of the carrier plate is arranged above the gap. 
     The first handling device  32  is configured to transfer the containers between the container holder  38  and the transfer plate  42 . For example, the handling device  32  can remove the fed containers from the container holder  38 , transfer them to the transfer plate  42 , and insert them into receptacles of a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate  42 . Furthermore, the handling device  32  can remove the containers to be removed from the receptacles of a carrier plate arranged on the transfer plate  42 , transfer them to the container holder  38 , and insert them therein. 
     The first handling device  32  can comprise a gripping device  46  for handling the containers. The gripping device  46  is configured to grip the containers. For example, the handling device  32  can be configured as a handling robot that comprises a multi-jointed arm and an end effector, wherein the end effector is arranged at an end of the arm. The gripping device can be arranged at the end effector. 
     The second handling device  34  is configured to insert the carrier plates into the freeze dryer  16  and to remove them from the freeze dryer  16  again after the freeze-drying. In other words, the handling device  34  is configured to transfer the carrier plates between the transfer plate  42  and the freeze dryer  16 . The handling device  34  can, for example, insert one or several carrier plates from the transfer plate  42  onto one of the placement surfaces  54  to insert the carrier plates into the freeze dryer. The handling device  34  can furthermore pull one or several carrier plates from a placement surface  54  onto the transfer plate  42  to remove or retrieve the carrier plates from the freeze dryer. Prior to the insertion or removal, the corresponding placement surface is transferred to the level of the transfer surface  44  so that the carrier plates can be moved or pulled planarly. Preferably, when inserting the carrier plate, the placement surface  54  is arranged lower than the transfer surface  44 , and when removing the carrier plate, the placement surface  54  is arranged higher than the transfer surface  44 . In particular, thereby an offset between the transfer surface  44  and the placement surface  54  in the vertical direction is only a few millimeters. For example, the offset can be less than 5 mm, in particular less than 1 mm. In particular, the offset can be 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm or 5 mm. 
     The second handling device  34  can comprise a linear unit  48  for handling the carrier plates. The linear unit  48  is configured to move the carrier plates horizontally, in particular to push and pull them. Preferably, the second handling device  34  can push and pull several carrier plates simultaneously. 
     The third handling device  36  is configured to transfer the carrier plates between the carrier plate holder  40  and the transfer plate  42 . For example, the handling device  36  can remove a respective carrier plate from a receptacle of the carrier plate holder  40 , transfer it to the transfer plate  42 , and place it on the transfer surface  44 . Furthermore, the third handling device  36  can lift a respective carrier plate from the transfer plate  42 , transfer it to the carrier plate holder  40 , and place it in a receptacle of the carrier plate holder  40 . Furthermore, the third handling device  36  can displace the carrier plate on the transfer plate  42  to position the carrier plate on the transfer surface  44 . 
     The third handling device  36  can comprise a receiving device  50  for handling a carrier plate. The receiving device  50  can comprise at least one receiving member that can couple with the carrier plate to be handled in order to move the carrier plate. 
     The loading system  10  can comprise a control device (not shown) that is configured to control the handling devices  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The control device can also be configured to control the transport devices  26 ,  28  and the drive device of the freeze dryer  16 . 
       FIGS.  2  to  36    show a second embodiment of the loading system  10 . The loading system  10  is shown in  FIGS.  2  to  36    in various operating positions. The loading system  10  of the second embodiment corresponds substantially to the loading system  10  of the first embodiment of  FIG.  1   . The same elements are identified by the same reference signs and are not explained in further detail. 
     In the loading system  10 , carrier plates  58  are used to load or unload the freeze dryer  16  with containers  114 . The containers  114  have a cylindrical shape. In other words, the containers  114  are configured to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis. The containers  114  comprise, in an axial direction with respect to the axis, a bottom on one side and an opening on the other side. On the opening of the containers  114 , a stopper can be arranged. During the handling in the loading system  10 , the containers  114  are handled such that the opening is arranged upwardly with respect to a vertical direction and the bottom is arranged downwardly. 
     Each carrier plate  58  is configured to be cuboid-shaped. Each carrier plate  58  has a rectangular base surface. Each carrier plate  58  comprises a first side surface  62  and a second side surface  64 . The first side surface  62  is arranged opposite the second side surface  64 . The first and the second side surfaces  62 ,  64  are arranged parallel to each other. The side surfaces  62 ,  64  extend in the length and width direction of the carrier plate  58 . The shape of each side surface  62 ,  64  thus corresponds to the shape of the base surface of the carrier plate  58 . The side surfaces  62 ,  64  thus each have a rectangular shape. A distance between the first side surface  62  to the second side surface  64  thus corresponds to the thickness of the carrier plate  58 . The thickness of the carrier plate  58  is substantially smaller than the length and width of the carrier plate  58 . Each carrier plate  58  comprises a plurality of receptacles  60  on the first side surface  62 . Each receptacle  60  is configured to receive a respective container. The receptacles are configured as recesses on the first side surface  62  of the carrier plate  58 . Each recess comprises the same depth. Each recess extends from the first side surface  62  toward the second side surface  62 . The recesses, however, do not extend to the second side surface  64 . In other words, a depth of the recesses is less than a distance of the first side surface  62  to the second side surface  64 . The receptacles  60  are regularly distributed on the first side surface  62 . In particular, the receptacles  60  are arranged in rows and comprise the same distance to adjacent receptacles  60 . 
     The first side surface  62  is divided in the length direction into two equally sized areas. The areas are preferably square. In each area, the rows of receptacles  60  are arranged one after the other in the width direction of the carrier plate  58 . Each row extends in the length direction. 
     In the operating state, that is, when a carrier plate  58  is received on the transfer plate  42  or on one of the placement plates  52 , the first side surface  62  corresponds to the top side of the carrier plate  58 . Correspondingly, the second side surface  64  corresponds to the bottom side of the carrier plate  58  in the operating state. In the operating state, the containers  114  can be inserted into the receptacles  60 . The inserted containers  114  then stand in the recesses of the receptacles  60  and are held by the edge of each receptacle  60  in the respective receptacle  60 . 
     Each carrier plate  58  furthermore comprises a first edge side  70  and a second edge side  72 . The first edge side  70  is arranged opposite to the second edge side  72 . The first and second edge sides  70 ,  72  each extend from the first side surface  62  to the second side surface  64 . In particular, the first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  are arranged perpendicular to the first and second edge sides. The first and second edge sides  70 ,  72  extend in the length and height direction of the carrier plate  58 . Each carrier plate  58  comprises a first coupling portion  66  and a second coupling portion  68 . The first coupling portion  66  is arranged on the first edge side  70  of the carrier plate  58 . The second coupling portion  68  is arranged on the second edge side  72  of the carrier plate  58 . The first and second coupling portions  66 ,  68  are each arranged centrally with respect to the longitudinal direction on the corresponding edge side  70 ,  72 . 
     The first coupling portion  66  of a carrier plate  58  can couple with a coupling portion of another object. The coupling portion of the other object can be, for example, the second coupling portion  68  of an adjacent carrier plate  58 . In the coupled state, the carrier plate  58  and the object coupled thereto are movable together in at least one spatial direction. For example, coupled carrier plates  58  can be handled together. 
     The first coupling portion  66  comprises a holding member  74  and a recess  76 . The holding member  74  is configured as a web that extends from one side of the recess  76  to an opposite side of the recess  76 . The web is preferably arranged parallel to the first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  and parallel to the first and second edge sides  70 ,  72 . The web is preferably arranged at an outer end of the recess  76 . A corresponding member of another object can couple with the holding member  74  to couple the carrier plate  58  with the other object. For example, the member can engage with the recess  76  to couple with the holding member  74 . 
     The second coupling portion  68  comprises a locking member  78 . The locking member  78  can be a hook member that is rotatably mounted at the coupling portion  66  for rotation about a rotational axis. The rotational axis is preferably arranged parallel to the first and second side surfaces  62 ,  64  as well as parallel to the first and second edge sides  70 ,  72 . Thus, the rotational axis is also arranged parallel to the web of the holding member  74  of the same carrier plate  58 . The locking member  78  can be displaced between a coupling state and an uncoupling state. The displacement is achieved by rotation about a rotational axis. 
     In the coupling state, the second coupling portion  68  can couple with a first coupling portion  66  of a further carrier plate  58 . In the uncoupling state, the second coupling portion  68  does not couple with a first coupling portion  66  of a further carrier plate  58 . For coupling two carrier plates  58 , the carrier plates  58  are arranged such that the second coupling portion  66  of the first carrier plate  58  is adjacent to the first coupling portion  68  of the second carrier plate  58 , wherein the locking member  78  of the first carrier plate  58  is arranged in the uncoupling state. Then, this locking member  78  is moved to the coupling state to couple the carrier plates  58  with each other. Thereby, the locking member  78  of the first carrier plate  58  engages the recess  76  of the second carrier plate  58  and thereby couples with the holding member  74  of the second recess. The hook-shaped locking member  78  preferably extends on both sides of the rotational axis, wherein the locking member  78  comprises a hook portion on one side and an actuating portion on the other side. The hook portion comprises, for example, a hook-shaped receptacle. By means of the hook portion, the locking member  78  can couple. In particular, the hook-shaped receptacle can receive the holding member  74  of the first coupling portion  66  for coupling. By means of the actuating portion, the locking member  78  can be actuated. By actuating the actuating portion, the locking member  78  is rotated about a rotational axis to displace the locking member  78  between the coupling state and the uncoupling state. For example, the actuating portion can be pressed for actuation. 
     In the operating state, the locking member  78  as an initial state, preferably due to gravity, can be arranged in the coupling state. In the operating state, preferably the hook-shaped receptacle of the hook portion of the locking member  78  is oriented downward. For coupling with a further carrier plate  58 , the locking member  78  must then first be moved to the uncoupling state, preferably against the force of gravity, so that the respective coupling portions  66 ,  68  can be arranged adjacent to each other for coupling. Thereby, the hook-shaped receptacle of the hook portion of the locking member  78  is moved upwardly. For moving to the uncoupling state, the actuating portion of the locking member  78  can be actuated. 
     The locking member  78  can also comprise a flank at the radially outer end of the hook portion. By actuation of the flank, the locking member  78  can be moved from the coupling state to the uncoupling state. For example, for arranging the coupling portions  66 ,  68  side by side, the carrier plates  58  can be moved toward each other so that the holding member  74  is moved toward the locking member  78 . The holding member  74  can actuate the flank of the locking member  78  during this relative movement of the carrier plates  58  to move the locking member  78  to the uncoupling state. In other words, the locking member  78  swerves due to a pushing movement of the holding member  74  in a rotational direction about a rotational axis in the direction of the uncoupling state. As soon as the carrier plates  58  are adjacent to each other, i.e., when the holding member  74  has passed the flank, the locking member  78  can be moved back to the coupling state to couple the carrier plates  58  to each other. Preferably, the locking member  78  automatically returns to the coupling state due to gravity when the holding member  74  has passed the flank. 
     For releasing the coupling of two carrier plates  58 , the corresponding locking member  78  is again moved into the uncoupling state. For this purpose, the actuating portion of the locking member  78  can be actuated again, for example. 
     The container holder  38  comprises a plurality of receptacles  102 . Each receptacle  102  is configured to receive a respective container  114 . The receptacles  102  are arranged in a row. The receptacles  102  are arranged at regular distances. 
     The carrier plate holder  40  comprises a plurality of holders or receptacles  56  in which the carrier plates  58  can be held. In each receptacle  56 , a carrier plate  58  can be held. The receptacles  56  are configured such that the receptacles  56  are open upwardly in the vertical direction and closed downwardly. Closed means that the carrier plates  58 , when they are arranged in a receptacle  56 , rest on at least one support member at the lower end of the receptacle  56 . In particular, the receptacles  56  are configured such that the carrier plates  58  are received in the receptacles  56  such that the side surfaces  62 ,  64  are arranged parallel to the vertical direction. As a result, the carrier plates  58  can be arranged in the receptacles such that the first edge side  70  is arranged on the top and the second edge side  72  is arranged on the bottom. In this way, the first coupling portion  66  is accessible from above. 
     In the loading system  10  of the second embodiment, the first handling device  32  and the third handling device  36  are configured by means of a handling robot  84 . The handling robot  84  comprises a support structure  86  and an end effector  88  mounted thereto. The support structure  86  is configured as a multi-jointed arm. By means of the multi-jointed arm, the end effector  88  is movable in three spatial directions, i.e. horizontally and vertically. 
     The end effector  88  comprises the gripping device  46  of the first handling device  32  and the receiving device  50  of the third handling device  36 . The gripping device  46  is arranged at a first side  90  of the end effector  88 . The receiving device  50  is arranged on a second side  92  of the end effector  88 . The first side  90  and the second side  92  are arranged on opposite sides of the end effector  88 . 
     The gripping device  46  is configured to transfer respective one or several containers  114  between the container holder  38  and the transfer plate  42 , in particular a carrier plate  58  arranged on the transfer plate  42 . For this purpose, the gripping device comprises a plurality of gripping members. Each gripping member is configured to grip a respective container. The gripping members of the gripping device  46  are arranged in a row. The gripping members are arranged at regular distances. By means of the gripping members, the gripping device can remove a row of containers  114  from the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38  and insert them into empty receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58 . Thereby, the distance between adjacent gripping members is equal to the distance between adjacent receptacles  102  and equal to a distance between adjacent receptacles  60 . 
     The receiving device  50  is configured to handle a respective carrier plate  58 . For handling, the receiving device  50  comprises a receiving member  80 . The receiving member  80  comprises a coupling portion  82 , by means of which the receiving device  50  is couplable with the first coupling portion  66  of a carrier plate  58 . In the coupled state, third handling device  36  can handle the carrier plate  58  by means of the receiving device  50 . Preferably, the third handling device  36  can move the carrier plate  58  horizontally and vertically, in particular lift, lower and displace it on a surface. 
     The receiving member  80  is configured hook-shaped in the area of the coupling portion  82 . In other words, the receiving member  80  comprises a hook-shaped receptacle in the area of the coupling portion  82 . In the operating state, the hook-shaped receptacle is open upwardly. For coupling with the first coupling portion  66  of a carrier plate  58 , the hook-shaped receptacle can receive the holding member  74  of the first coupling portion  66  of the carrier plate  58 . By means of this coupling, the carrier plate  58  can be moved vertically, in particular lifted and lowered, as well as moved or transferred horizontally. When the carrier plate  58  is fully lifted, the side surfaces  62 ,  64  of the carrier plate  58  are vertically oriented and the first and second edge sides  70 ,  72  are correspondingly horizontally oriented, wherein the first edge side  70  is arranged at the top and the second edge side  72  is arranged at the bottom. 
     On the side of the receiving member  80  opposite to the hook-shaped receptacle, the receiving member  80  can additionally comprise a protrusion which can engage the recess  76  of a carrier plate  58  in order to couple the receiving device  50  with the carrier plate  58 . By means of this coupling, the carrier plate  58  can be moved, in particular pulled or pushed, when the carrier plate  58  in the operating state rests on a surface, in particular on the transfer surface  44  or on one of the placement surfaces  54 . 
     The second handling device  34  is configured as a handling robot  104 . The handling robot  104  comprises the linear unit  48  and a stroke unit  106 . In other words, the handling robot  104  is configured as a stroke and linear unit. The linear unit  48  is configured to move the carrier plates  58  horizontally, in particular to push and pull them. In particular, the linear unit  48  can push the carrier plates  58  in an insertion direction from the transfer plate  42  onto one of the placement plates  52  and, correspondingly, pull them back from the placement plate  52  onto the transfer plate  42  against the insertion direction. For this purpose, the linear unit  48  comprises a pushing member  108 . The linear unit  48  is configured to move the pushing member  108  back and forth in a, preferably horizontal, direction. The pushing member  108  is thereby extended in the direction of the freeze dryer, or retracted in the opposite direction. In other words, the pushing member  108  can push or pull the carrier plates  58  by means of this movement. The stroke unit  106  is configured to move the linear unit  48  vertically. In this way, the height at which the linear unit  48  performs the pushing or pulling movement can be adjusted. 
     For moving the carrier plate  58 , the pushing member  108  can be placed against the first or second edge side  70 ,  72  and then push the carrier plate  58  in the corresponding direction. In this way, the pushing member can pull or push the carrier plate  58 . The carrier plate  58  is pushed when the carrier plate  58  is moved away from the linear unit  48 . This occurs, for example, during the inserting of the carrier plate  58  into the freeze dryer. Thereby, the pushing member  108  can push against the first edge side  70  and thus push the carrier plate  58  into the freeze dryer. Correspondingly, the carrier plate  58  is pulled when the carrier plate  58  is moved toward the linear unit  48 . This occurs, for example, during the removing of the carrier plate  58  from the freeze dryer. Thereby, the pushing member  108  can push against the second edge side and thus pull the carrier plate  58  out of the freeze dryer. 
     Additionally, the pushing member  108  can comprise a coupling portion  110  by means of which the pushing member  108  is couplable with the first coupling portion  66  on the first edge side  70  of a carrier plate  58 . In the coupled state, the pushing member  108  can then also pull the carrier plate  58 . In this way, the pushing member does not need to be moved to the second edge side  72  for pulling. The pushing member  108  can comprise, for example, a protrusion extending vertically downward as the coupling portion  110 . The protrusion can be engaged with the recess  76  so that the protrusion engages the holding member  74  during pulling. The protrusion is engaged with or disengaged from the recess  76  by means of a vertical movement. The vertical movement is performed by means of the stroke unit  106 . 
     The protrusion of the pushing member  108  can also be used to actuate the actuating portion of the locking member  78  of the second coupling portion  68 . For this purpose, the pushing member can be vertically moved by means of the stroke unit  106  such that the protrusion presses on the actuating portion, to thus relocate the locking member  78  to the uncoupling state. With two coupled carrier plates  58 , the coupling can thus be released by actuation of the corresponding actuating portion. Since the actuating portion is arranged at the second edge side  72 , the pushing member  108 , in the actuated state, can also simultaneously pull the carrier plate  58  away from the other carrier plate  58 , thereby distancing it therefrom. In this way, for example, coupled carrier plates  58  can be decoupled from each other. 
     The loading system  10  of the second embodiment comprises only one transport device  26 , by means of which the containers are fed and removed. The transport device  26  comprises a handling robot  94 . The handling robot  94  comprises a support structure  96  and an end effector  98  mounted thereon. The support structure  96  is configured as a multi-jointed arm. By means of the multi-jointed arm, the end effector  98  is movable in three spatial directions, i.e., horizontally and vertically. The end effector  98  comprises a gripping tool  100 , by means of which one or several containers  114  can be handled, respectively. For example, the gripping tool comprises one or more grippers by means of which a respective container can be gripped. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping tool  100  comprises two grippers, by means of each of which two containers can be handled simultaneously. In other words, the gripping tool  100  is configured to handle the containers in pairs. 
     The transfer plate  42  is arranged between the handling devices  32 ,  34 ,  36  and the freeze dryer. When a placement surface  54  is arranged at the level of the transfer surface  44 , a distance between the placement plate  52  and the transfer plate  42  is less than half a width of a carrier plate  58 . The transfer plate comprises a recess  112 . The recess  112  extends in the vertical direction from the bottom side to the top side of the transfer plate  42 . In this way, the linear unit  48  or the receiving device  50  can be moved vertically through the recess  112 . Furthermore, the recess  112  extends from the side facing away from the freeze dryer into the transfer plate  42 . The recess  112  extends in particular from the side facing away from the freeze dryer to the center of the transfer plate  42 . 
     In the illustration of  FIGS.  2  to  36   , the filling module  18 , the crimping module  20 , the transfer stations  22  and  24 , the port  51  as well as the wall of the freeze dryer  16  and partially the wall of the freeze dryer module  14  are omitted in order to better illustrate the individual processes within the loading system  10 . Furthermore, only one placement plate  52  of the plurality of placement plates  52  within the freeze dryer  16  is always illustrated in  FIGS.  2  to  36    in order to better illustrate the movement of the carrier plates. 
     In  FIG.  2   , an operating state is illustrated that is assumed prior to a start of a freeze-drying cycle, in particular prior to a start of filling or packaging of the containers. In this state, all carrier plates  58  are arranged in the receptacles  56  of the carrier plate holder  40 . In other words, the carrier plates  58  are stored in this way in the carrier plate holder  40  until their use. In this operating state, in particular, H2O2 decontamination of the freeze-drying module can be performed. In other words, the operating state of  FIG.  2    is assumed during a decontamination cycle. Thereby, each carrier plate  58  is arranged in a corresponding receptacle  56  such that the first edge side  70  is arranged at the top with respect to a vertical direction and the second edge side  72  is arranged at the bottom. Furthermore, the linear unit  48  of the second handling device  34  is arranged below the transfer plate. 
     Departing from the operating state of  FIG.  2   , the empty carrier plates are next placed into the freeze dryer  16 . The placing and intermediate storing of the carrier plates  58  into the freeze dryer is thereby a special embodiment. In principle, the carrier plates  58  can also be held in the carrier plate holder  40  until they are removed from the carrier plate holder  40  and equipped with containers  114 . For loading the empty carrier plates  58 , the handling robot  84  transfers the carrier plates  58  one after the other to the transfer plate  42 . From the transfer plate  42 , the carrier plates  58  are then inserted into the freeze dryer by means of the stroke and linear unit  104 . 
     For this purpose, a placement plate  52  is arranged so that its placement surface  54  is arranged at the level of the transfer surface  44 . Then, the receiving device  50  of the handling robot  84  is moved to a carrier plate  58  arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 , as illustrated in  FIG.  3   . Since the first edge side  70  of each carrier plate  58  is arranged at the top, the first coupling portion  66  is accessible to the receiving device  50 . Then, the receiving member  80  of the receiving device  50  is coupled with the holding member  74  of the carrier plate  58 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . For this purpose, the receiving member  80  engages the recess  76  and the holding member  74  is received in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving member  80 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the receiving device  50  can be moved vertically upwardly. The carrier plate  58  coupled with the receiving device  50  is thereby also moved upwardly, in particular lifted, and lifted out of the receptacle  56 . In this way, the carrier plate  58  is removed from the receptacle  56  of the carrier plate holder  40 . 
     The carrier plate  58  is then transferred to the transfer plate  42 , oriented, and placed on the transfer surface  44 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  6  to  9   . For this purpose, the receiving device  50  is moved by means of the handling robot  84  correspondingly. During the transfer, the carrier plate  58  hangs at the receiving device  50 . In particular, the carrier plate  58  is hung in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving member  80  by means of the holding member  74 . Thereby, the side surfaces  62 ,  64  are oriented vertically. During placing of the carrier plate  58  on the transfer plate  42 , the carrier plate is tilted, in particular by 90°, so that the carrier plate  58  rests with the second side surface  64  on the transfer surface  44 . Thereby, the side surfaces  62 ,  64  are preferably oriented horizontally. The carrier plate  58  is tilted during placing such that the second edge side  72  faces the freeze dryer and the first edge side  70  faces away from the freeze dryer. With respect to the insertion direction into the freeze dryer  16 , the first edge side  70  is thus arranged upstream and the second edge side  72  is arranged downstream. Thereby, the first edge side  70  of the linear unit  48  faces the second handling device  34  and the second edge side  72  faces away from the linear unit  48 . The carrier plate is further placed such that the first coupling portion  66  is arranged above the recess  112 . The receiving device  50  is moved downwardly through the recess  112  to decouple the receiving member  80  from the first coupling portion  66 . 
     Then, the receiving device  50  is moved such that the receiving member  80  bears against the first edge side  70 , in particular against the holding member  74  from the outside. By means of the receiving device  50 , the carrier plate  58  is then pushed so far in the direction of the freeze dryer, in particular in the direction of the placement plate  52  arranged at the same level, until the first coupling portion  66  is at least no longer arranged above the recess  112  but above the transfer surface  44 . The carrier plate  58  then projects over the edge of the transfer plate  42  in the direction of the placement plate  52 . In other words, the carrier plate  58  is arranged partially above the gap between the transfer plate  42  and the placement plate  52 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  10   . The carrier plate  58  can also be partially or fully inserted into the freeze dryer in this way by means of the receiving device  50 , in particular by being displaced onto the placement plate  52 . 
     The receiving device  50  is then moved to the side and makes room for the second handling device  34 . By means of the stroke unit  106 , the linear unit  48  is moved through the recess  112  vertically upwardly until the linear unit  48  is arranged at the level of the carrier plate  58 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
     Then, the carrier plate  58  is pushed by means of the pushing member  108  of the linear unit  48  completely into the freeze dryer onto the placement surface  54 , as illustrated in  FIG.  12   . 
     Subsequently, the pushing member  108  is moved back again. Then, the linear unit  48  is again moved through the recess  112  vertically downward by means of the stroke unit  106  to arrange the linear unit  48  below the transfer plate  42  again. 
     In the same way, two further carrier plates  58  are removed from the carrier plate holder  40  and pushed one behind the other onto the placement surface  54  of the placement plate  52 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  13   . Each placement surface  54  is configured such that three carrier plates  58  can be arranged on it one behind the other. The three carrier plates  58  are thereby coupled with each other via their first and second coupling portions  66 ,  68 . In other words, the middle carrier plate  58  is thereby coupled with the rear carrier plate  58  via its second coupling portion  68  and coupled with the front carrier plate  58  via its first coupling portion  66 . The rear carrier plate  58  has been inserted first. The center carrier plate  58  has been inserted second. The front carrier plate  58  has been inserted third. During insertion of a carrier plate  58  onto the placement surface  54 , the carrier plate is inserted with the second edge side  72  ahead. An inserted carrier plate  58  is oriented on the placement surface  54  such that the first edge side  70  is arranged on the side of the carrier plate  58  facing the transfer plate  42 . If a first carrier plate  58  is arranged on the placement surface  54 , during insertion of a second carrier plate  58 , the second edge side  72  of the second carrier plate  58  is pushed onto the first edge side of the first carrier plate  58 , wherein the first and second coupling portions couple together. The coupling occurs by pressing the locking member  78  of the second carrier plate  58  against the holding member  74  of the first carrier plate  58 , whereby the locking member  78  couples with holding member  74  by means of the flank actuation. During the insertion of the carrier plates, each carrier plate  58  is inserted only up to a front area of the placement surface  54 , respectively, since during the equally far insertion of a further carrier plate  58 , the firstly inserted carrier plate  58  after the coupling is further inserted together with the further carrier plate. The coupling of two carrier plates  58  is illustrated in  FIG.  14   . The coupling is not strictly necessary for the joint insertion, since during the insertion, the following carrier plate  58  pushes the firstly inserted carrier plate further to the rear, as soon as the following carrier plate comes into abutment with the first carrier plate during the insertion. However, the coupling for the joint removing of the carrier plates from the freeze dryer  16  is of advantage, which will still be explained in the following. 
     In the same way, then, also the further placement surfaces  54  of the freeze dryer are each loaded with three carrier plates from the carrier plate holder, until only one placement surface  54  remains to be loaded. This is illustrated in  FIG.  15   . For loading the placement surfaces  54 , the placement surfaces  54  are moved one after the other to the level of the transfer surface  44  and loaded with three carrier plates each. 
     When only one placement surface  54  remains to be loaded, the receiving device  50  removes a carrier plate  58  from the carrier plate holder  40  and places it on the transfer plate  42 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  16   . 
     By means of the transport device  26 , containers  114  are then fed to the handling station  14  and arranged in the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  17   . 
     When all receptacles  102  of the container holder  38  are equipped with containers  114 , the gripping device  46  is moved to the container holder  38  by means of the handling robot  84  and removes a row of containers  114 . The gripping device  46  is then moved to the transfer plate  42 , in particular to the carrier plate  58  arranged on the transfer plate  42 , wherein the row of containers  114  is transferred thereto. The gripping device  46  then inserts the row of containers  114  into corresponding empty receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58 , which are arranged in a row. This is illustrated in  FIG.  18   . 
     In this way, further containers  114  are fed to the container holder  38  one after the other and are inserted into the receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58  by means of the gripping device  46  until in each receptacle  60  of the carrier plate  58  a container is inserted. This is illustrated in  FIG.  19   . 
     Then, the receiving device  50  is moved again such that the receiving member  80  bears against the first edge side  70 , in particular against the holding member  74  from the outside. By means of the receiving device  50 , the carrier plate  58  is then pushed so far in the direction of the freeze dryer, in particular in the direction of the placement plate  52  arranged at the same level, until the first coupling portion  66  is at least no longer arranged above the recess  112  but above the transfer surface  44 . The carrier plate  58  then projects over the edge of the transfer plate  42  in the direction of the placement plate  52 . In other words, the carrier plate  58  is partially arranged above the gap between the transfer plate  42  and the placement plate  52 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  20   . The carrier plate  58  can also be partially or fully inserted into the freeze dryer in this way by means of the receiving device  50 , in particular it can be displaced onto the placement plate  52 . 
     The receiving device  50  is then moved to the side and makes room for the second handling device  34 . By means of the stroke unit  106 , the linear unit  48  is moved through the recess  112  vertically upwardly until the linear unit  48  is arranged at the level of the carrier plate  58 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  21   . 
     Then, the carrier plate  58  is pushed completely into the freeze dryer onto the placement surface  54  by means of the pushing member  108  of the linear unit  48 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  22   . Subsequently, the pushing member  108  is moved back again. 
     In the same way, two further carrier plates  58  are removed from the carrier plate holder  40 , equipped with containers  114  and pushed one behind the other onto the placement surface  54  of the placement plate  52 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  23   . During the insertion, the three carrier plates  58  are again coupled with each other correspondingly. 
     Thereafter, the placement surfaces  54  are moved vertically such that a placement surface  54  loaded with empty carrier plates  58  is arranged at the level of the transfer surface  44 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  24   . 
     Then, the front carrier plate  58  is pulled from the placement plate  52  onto the transfer plate  42 . Since the three carrier plates  58  arranged on the placement plate  52  are coupled with each other, the center carrier plate and the rear carrier plate are thereby also pulled to the front. For this purpose, the linear unit  48  and the stroke unit  106  are moved such that the protrusion of the pushing member  108  engages the recess  76  of the first coupling portion of the front carrier plate  58  so that it can be pulled. The front carrier plate  58  is pulled off the placement plate  52  so far until the center carrier plate  58  is arranged at the front edge of the placement plate  52 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  25   . 
     Then, the pushing member  108  is moved to the second coupling portion  68  of the front carrier plate  58 , actuates the actuating portion of the locking member  78 , wherein the front carrier plate  58  is decoupled from the center carrier plate  58 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  26   . 
     Then, the pushing member  108  pulls the front carrier plate  58 , while the locking member  78  is actuated, so far onto the transfer plate  42  until the first coupling portion  66  is arranged over the recess  112 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  27   . Thereafter, the pushing member  108  is again removed from the recess  76  and moved back. Then, the linear unit  48  is moved by means of the stroke unit  106  vertically downward through the recess  112  to arrange the linear unit  48  below the transfer plate  42  again. 
     Then, the receiving device  50  is moved to the first coupling portion of the front carrier plate  58  and coupled therewith. For this purpose, the receiving member  80  is moved from below through or in the recess  112  upwardly, such that the holding member  74  is received in the hook-shaped receptacle of the receiving member  80 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  28   . 
     Then, the carrier plate  58  is lifted by means of the receiving device  50 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  29  (A) to (C)  . During lifting, the carrier plate is pivoted such that the side surfaces are transferred from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation. 
     The carrier plate is then transferred to a receptacle  56  of the carrier plate holder  40  by means of the receiving device  50  and inserted therein. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  30  (A) and (B) . After the insertion, the receiving member is again decoupled from the first coupling portion. 
     In the same way, the center carrier plate  58  is pulled out from the placement surface  54  onto the transfer plate  42 , and from there is further transferred into the carrier plate holder  40 . Then, the rear carrier plate is pulled out from the placement surface onto the transfer plate by means of the linear unit so far until the first coupling portion is arranged above the transfer surface  44  or above the recess. Then, the linear unit is again arranged below the transfer plate  42  and the receiving device  50  can pull the carrier plate  58  further to the front. This is illustrated in  FIG.  31   . 
     Then, the three carrier plates  58  are again equipped with containers  114  corresponding to the description of  FIGS.  16  to  23    and pushed onto the placement surface  54  of the freeze dryer. 
     In this way, all placement surfaces  54  of the freeze dryer are loaded one after the other with equipped carrier plates  58 . In  FIG.  32   , the state is illustrated in which all placement surfaces  54  are loaded with equipped carrier plates  58 . In other words, the freeze dryer is thereby completely loaded. 
     After the freeze-drying, the carrier plates  58  are removed from the freeze dryer again and the containers  114  are removed from the receptacles  60  of the carrier plates  58  and removed. 
     For this purpose, the carrier plates  58  are pulled from each placement surface  54  by means of the linear unit  48  one after the other onto the transfer plate  42 . There, the containers  114  are then removed from the receptacles  60  by means of the gripping device  46 , transferred to the container holder  38 , and inserted into the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38 . Thereby, the containers are again handled in rows. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  33  and  34   . 
     After the removing of the containers  114 , each empty carrier plate  58  is inserted into an empty receptacle of the carrier plate holder  40 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  35  (A) through (D) . Thereby, the carrier plate is handled corresponding to the description of  FIGS.  29  and  30   . 
     In this way, all carrier plates  58  are removed one after the other from the freeze dryer  16 , the containers  114  are removed from the receptacles  60 , and the carrier plates  58  are subsequently stored again in the carrier plate holder  40 . This state is illustrated in  FIG.  36   . When the freeze dryer  16  is completely emptied and all carrier plates  58  are again arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 , an automatic washing cycle can be performed by cleaning the carrier plates  58 , in particular by means of a sprinkler system. The washing cycle can be performed in the complete interior of the isolator. After a filling cycle or batch, the interior is decontaminated with H 2 O 2 , if required, and cleaned manually or automatically (wash cycle). 
       FIG.  37    shows an embodiment of a method  120  for handling containers filled with a medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic substance, in the loading system  10  for a freeze dryer. In particular, the containers  114  can be handled in the loading system  10  according to  FIG.  1   , or the loading system  10  according to  FIGS.  2  to  36   , or the loading system  10  according to  FIGS.  46  to  63   , corresponding to the method  120 . 
     The handling of the containers  114  in the loading system  10  can comprise, on the one hand, the loading  122  of the freeze dryer  16 . Thereby, the containers  114  are inserted into the freeze dryer  16  by means of the carrier plates  58 . 
     The handling of the containers  114  in the loading system  10  can alternatively or additionally comprise the unloading  150  of the freeze dryer  16 . Thereby, the containers  114  arranged in the carrier plates  58  are removed from the freeze dryer  16 . 
       FIG.  38    shows the loading  122  of the freeze dryer  16  of  FIG.  37   . 
     In a first step  124  of the loading  122 , an empty carrier plate  58  is provided in a handling station  30 , wherein the carrier plate  58  comprises a plurality of receptacles  60  each configured to receive one of the containers  114 . 
     In a further step  126  of the loading  122 , containers  114  are fed to the handling station  30 . 
     In a further step  128  of the loading  122 , the containers  114  are received in the receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
     In a further step  130  of the loading  122 , the carrier plate  58  is inserted into the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 . Preferably, the carrier plate  58  is thereby inserted from the handling device  30  into the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 , in particular wherein the carrier plate  58  is pushed from a transfer plate  42  of the handling device  30  onto a placement surface  54  of the freeze dryer  16 . 
     In  FIG.  39   , steps are shown that can be performed for providing  124  the carrier plate  58 . 
     In a first step  132  of the providing  124  of the carrier plate  58 , a plurality of carrier plates  58  are arranged in a carrier plate holder  40  of the handling station  30 . 
     In a further optional step  134  of the providing  124  of the carrier plate  58 , the third handling device  36  is coupled with one of the carrier plate  58  arranged in the carrier plate holder  40  that shall be provided. 
     In a further step  136  of the providing  124  of the carrier plate  58 , the carrier plate  58  is transferred from the carrier plate holder  40  to the transfer plate  42  by means of the third handling device  36 . 
     In a further optional step  138  of the providing  124  of the carrier plate  58 , the third handling device  36  is decoupled from the transferred carrier plate  58 . 
     As an alternative to the steps illustrated in  FIG.  39   , for providing  124  the carrier plate  58 , the carrier plate  58  can also be previously arranged in the freeze dryer  16 , in particular on one of the placement surfaces  54  of the freeze dryer  16 , and removed from the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 , in particular wherein the carrier plate  58  is pulled from the placement surface  54  onto the transfer plate  42 . 
     In  FIG.  40   , steps are shown that can be performed for feeding  126  the containers  114 . 
     In a first step  140  of the feeding  126  of the containers  114 , the containers  114  are transported to the container holder  38  of the handling station  30  by means of the transport device  26 . 
     In a further step  142  of the feeding  126  of the containers  114 , the fed containers  114  are arranged in the container holder  38 . For arranging  142  the containers  114 , the containers  114  are inserted into the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38 . Thereby, the fed containers  114  can be collected in the container holder  38 . 
     In  FIG.  41   , steps are shown that can be performed for inserting  128  the containers  114 . 
     In a first step  144  of the inserting  128  of the containers  114 , one or several containers  114 , in particular a row of containers  114 , are each removed from the container holder  38  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
     In a further step  146  of the inserting  128  of the containers  114 , the removed containers  114  are transferred by means of the first handling device  32  to the carrier plate  58  which is arranged on the transfer plate  42 . 
     In a further step  148  of the inserting  128  of the containers  114 , the transferred containers  114  are inserted into empty receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
       FIG.  42    shows the unloading  150  of the freeze dryer  16  of  FIG.  37   . 
     In a first step  152  of the unloading  150 , a carrier plate  58  equipped with containers  114  is provided in the freeze dryer  16 . The providing can be performed in the method  120  of  FIG.  37    by the loading  122  of the freeze dryer  16 . 
     In a further step  154  of the unloading  150 , the carrier plate  58  is removed from the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 . 
     In a further step  156  of the unloading  150 , the containers  114  are removed in the handling station  30  from the receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
     In a further step  158  of the unloading  150 , the containers  114  are removed from the handling station by means of the transport device  26  or the transport device  28 . Preferably, the carrier plate  58  is pulled out of the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 , in particular wherein the carrier plate  58  is pulled from the placement surface  54  onto the transfer plate  42  of the handling station  30 . 
     In a further optional step  160  of the unloading  150 , the carrier plates are stored in the carrier plate holder  40 . 
     Alternatively, the carrier plates  58  can also be stored in the freeze dryer  16 . For this purpose, the emptied carrier plate  58  can be inserted into the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 , in particular wherein the emptied carrier plate  58  is pushed from the transfer plate  42  onto the placement surface  54  of the freeze dryer  16  by means of the second handling device  34 . 
     In  FIG.  43   , steps are shown that can be performed for removing  156  the containers  114 . 
     In a first step  162  of the removing  156  of the containers  114 , one or several containers  114 , in particular a row of containers  114 , are each removed from the receptacles  60  of the carrier plate  58  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
     In a further step  164  of the removing  156  of the containers  114 , the removed containers  114  are transferred to the container holder  38  by means of the first handling device  32 . 
     In a further step  166  of the removing  156  of the containers  114 , the transferred containers  114  are inserted into the container holder  38  by means of the first handling device  32 . Thereby, the containers  114  are inserted into the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38 . In the container holder  38 , the containers  114  to be transported away can be collected. 
     In  FIG.  44   , steps are shown that can be performed for removing  158  the containers  114 . 
     In a first step  168  of the removing  158  of the containers  114 , the containers are removed from the container holder  38 , in particular from the receptacles  102  of the container holder  38 , by means of the transport device  26  or the transport device  28 . 
     In a further step  170  of the removing  158  of the containers  114 , the containers  114  are transported away by means of the transport device  26  or the transport device  28 . 
     In  FIG.  45   , steps are shown that can be performed for storing  160  the containers  114 . 
     In a first optional step  172  of the storing  160  of the containers  114 , the third handling device  36  is coupled with the carrier plate  58  arranged on the transfer plate  42 . 
     In a further step  174  of the storing  160  of the containers  114 , the carrier plate  58  is transferred by means of the third handling device  36  from the transfer plate  42  to the carrier plate holder  40 . 
     In a further step  176  of the storing  160  of the containers  114 , the third handling device  36  is decoupled from the transferred carrier plate  58 . 
     In a further optional step  178  of the storing  160  of the containers  114 , the transferred carrier plate  58  is arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 , in particular in an empty receptacle  56  of the carrier plate holder  40 . 
       FIGS.  46  to  63    show a third embodiment of the loading system  10 . The loading system  10  is illustrated in various operating positions in  FIGS.  46  to  63   . The loading system  10  of the third embodiment corresponds substantially to the loading systems  10  of the first and second embodiments of  FIGS.  1  to  36   . The same elements are identified by the same reference signs and are not explained in further detail. 
     The loading system  10  of the third embodiment differs in particular from the loading system  10  of the second embodiment in that the carrier plates, the carrier plate holder  40 , the linear unit  48  of the second handling device  34 , the receiving device  50  of the third handling device  36 , and the transfer plate  42  are configured differently. 
     The carrier plates of the third embodiment are identified by the reference sign  200 . The carrier plates  200  of the third embodiment correspond substantially to the carrier plates  58  of the second embodiment. The carrier plates  200  differ from the carrier plates  58  of the second embodiment in the shape of the base surface and in the arrangement and configuration of the coupling portions. 
     The carrier plates  200  substantially have a square base surface. In other words, the side surfaces  62 ,  64  each have a square shape. The rows of receptacles  60  are arranged in the width direction on the first side surface  62  one after the other. Each row extends in the length direction of the carrier plate  200 . 
     The receptacles  56  of the carrier plate holder  40  of the third embodiment of the loading system  10  compared to the receptacles  56  of the second embodiment of the loading system  10  are adapted to the changed square shape of the carrier plates. In particular, instead of one wide receptacle  56 , two narrow receptacles  56  are arranged next to each other, respectively. 
     The carrier plates  200  comprise substantially the same width as the carrier plates  58 . Due to the square shape, however, the carrier plates  200  are only half as long as the carrier plates  58 . As a result, in the carrier plate holder  40  two carrier plates  200  each can be arranged next to each other. Furthermore, also on the transfer surface  44  and on the placement surface  54 , two carrier plates  200  can be arranged next to each other perpendicular to the insertion direction due to the halved space requirement. 
     Furthermore, the carrier plates  200  of the third embodiment of the loading system  10  as compared to the carrier plates  58  of the second embodiment of the loading system  10  are arranged oppositely in the receptacles  56 , on the transfer surface  44  and on the placement surface  54 , respectively. This means that the carrier plates  200  are oriented such that the first and second edge sides  70 ,  72  are reversed in contrast to the arrangement in  FIGS.  2  through  36   . The carrier plates  200  are arranged in the receptacles  56  such that the second edge side  72  is oriented upwardly and the first edge side  70  is oriented downwardly. On the transfer surface  44 , the carrier plates  200  are arranged such that the second edge side  72  is arranged on the side facing away from the freeze dryer  16  and the first edge side  70  is arranged on the side facing the freeze dryer  16 . On the placement surface  54 , the carrier plates  200  are arranged such that the second edge side  72  is arranged on the side facing the transfer plate  42  and the first edge side  70  is arranged on the side facing away from the transfer plate  42 . With respect to the insertion direction into the freeze dryer  16 , the first edge side  70  is thus arranged downstream and the second edge side  72  is arranged upstream. 
     The carrier plates  200  of the loading system  10  of the third embodiment are couplable with each other by means of the first and second coupling portions  66 ,  68 . In particular, the coupling portions  66 ,  68  in the loading system  10  of the third embodiment are configured substantially the same as the coupling portions  66 ,  68  in the loading system  10  of the second embodiment. The coupling portions  66 ,  68  in the loading system  10  of the third embodiment differ from the coupling portions  66 ,  68  in the loading system  10  of the second embodiment in that the locking member  78  is biased into the uncoupling state by means of spring force of a spring member, for example a spiral spring, or by means of gravity. The biasing by means of gravity is achieved, for example, in that the center of gravity of the locking member  78  lies with respect to the rotational axis on the side opposite to the hook portion. 
     Furthermore, the locking member  78  is configured so as to be arranged in the coupling state when the second coupling portion  68  is arranged on a surface, in particular the placement surface  54 . In particular, the locking member  78  is configured such that it is displaced from the uncoupling state to the coupling state when the second coupling portion  68  is pushed onto a surface, in particular the placement surface  54 . Correspondingly, the locking member  78  is also configured such that it is displaced from the coupling state to the uncoupling state when the second coupling portion  68  is pulled off a surface, in particular the placement surface  54 . For this purpose, the locking member  78  can comprise, for example, on the side which is arranged opposite to the hook portion with respect to the rotational axis, a flank which is arranged on the bottom side of the locking member  78 . During the pushing of the carrier plate  200  onto a surface, this flank comes into contact with the edge of the surface once the second coupling portion  68  has reached the edge. When the carrier plate is pushed further, the locking member  78  is displaced from the uncoupling state to the coupling state by the force exerted via the flank in a direction of rotation opposite to the biasing force. Correspondingly, the locking member  78  is again displaced from the coupling state to the uncoupling state by the biasing force as soon as the locking member  78  is no longer in contact with the surface when the carrier plate  200  is pulled off the surface. 
     The carrier plates  200  comprise two third coupling portions  202 ,  204  in addition to the first and second coupling portions  66 ,  68 . The third coupling portions  202 ,  204  are arranged on the second edge side  72 . The third coupling portions  202 ,  204  are arranged in the length direction on both sides of the second coupling portion  68 . The third coupling portions  202 ,  204  comprise the same distance with respect to the longitudinal direction to the second coupling portion  68 , in particular to a center of the second edge side  72 . In other words, the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  are arranged symmetrically to the second coupling portion  68 , in particular to a center of the second edge side  72 . The third coupling portions  202 ,  204  are configured the same as the first coupling portion  66 . For this purpose, each third coupling portion  202 ,  204  comprises a holding member  214  and a recess  216 . The holding member  214  is configured as a web, in particular as a bar, which extends in the length direction of the carrier plate  200  from one side of the recess  216  to an opposite side of the recess  216 . The web is preferably arranged parallel to the first and the second side surfaces  62 ,  64  and parallel to the first and the second edge sides  70 ,  72 . The web is preferably arranged at an outer end of the recess  216 . 
     The third coupling portions  202 ,  204  and the receiving device  50  are configured such that they are couplable with each other. For this purpose, the receiving device  50  comprises two receiving members  206 ,  208 . The receiving members  206 ,  208  have the same distance from each other as the two third coupling portions  202 ,  204 . The receiving members  206 ,  208  can each couple with a corresponding third coupling portion  202 ,  204  to move the carrier plate  200 . 
     Each receiving member  206 ,  208  comprises an upper coupling portion  210  and a lower coupling portion  212 . The upper coupling portion  210  is arranged on a top side of the corresponding receiving member  206 ,  208  in the operating state. The lower coupling portion  212  is arranged on a bottom side of the corresponding receiving member  206 ,  208  in the operating state. The upper and lower coupling portions  210 ,  212  are each configured hook-shaped. In other words, each receiving member  206 ,  208  comprises a hook-shaped receptacle in the area of each coupling portion  210 ,  212 . In the operating state, the hook-shaped receptacle of each upper coupling portion  210  is upwardly open and the hook-shaped receptacle of each lower coupling portion  212  is downwardly open. 
     For coupling with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of a carrier plate  200 , the hook-shaped receptacles of the upper coupling portions  210  can each receive a holding member  214  of the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  58 . By means of this coupling, the carrier plate  200  can be moved vertically, in particular lifted and lowered, as well as moved or transferred horizontally. When the carrier plate  200  is fully lifted, the side surfaces  62 ,  64  of the carrier plate  200  are vertically oriented and the first and second edge sides  70 ,  72  are correspondingly horizontally oriented, wherein the second edge side  72  is oriented at the top and the first edge side  70  is oriented at the bottom. 
     For coupling with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of a carrier plate  200 , furthermore, the hook-shaped receptacles of the lower coupling portions  212  can also each receive a holding member  214  of the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  58 . By means of this coupling, the carrier plate  200  can be moved horizontally, in particular pulled and pushed, when the carrier plate  200  rests on a surface, in particular on the transfer surface  44  or on one of the placement surfaces  54 , in the operating state. 
     The linear unit  48  can move, in particular push and pull, at least two carrier plates  200  horizontally at the same time. As previously described, two carrier plates  200  can be arranged next to each other on the transfer plate  42  and on the placement plate  52  perpendicular to the insertion direction. The linear unit  48  can push two carrier plates  200  arranged next to each other in the insertion direction from the transfer plate  42  onto one of the placement plates  52 , and correspondingly pull them back from the placement plate  52  onto the transfer plate  42  against the insertion direction. For this purpose, the linear unit  48  comprises a pushing member  218 . The linear unit  48  is configured to move the pushing member  218  back and forth in a, preferably horizontal, direction. The pushing member  218  comprises a rod that extends in the insertion direction, and pushing part that extends perpendicular to the insertion direction. One end of the rod is arranged centrally at the pushing part. As a result, the pushing member is configured T-shaped. The pushing member  218  is coupled with a base body of the linear unit  48 , wherein the pushing member  218  is movable relative to the base body. Thereby, the pushing member  218  can be extended in the direction of the freeze dryer  16 , that is, in the insertion direction, or retracted in the opposite direction. Thereby, the pushing member  218  is displaceable between a retracted state and an extended state. In other words, the pushing member  218  can push and pull the carrier plates  200  by means of this movement. 
     The pushing member  218  comprises four coupling portions  220 . Each coupling portion  220  is arranged on the bottom side of the pushing member  218 . Each coupling portion  220  is configured, for example, as a protrusion that extends downward from the bottom side of the pushing member  218 . The coupling portions  220  are couplable with third coupling portions of the carrier plates  200 . For coupling with a third coupling portion, the protrusion of a coupling portion  220  engages the recess  216  of the respective third coupling portion  202 ,  204 . In other words, for coupling, the protrusion is brought into engagement with the recess  216 , and for decoupling, the protrusion is brought out of engagement again. The coupling portions  220  comprise the same distance from each other as the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of two carrier plates  200  arranged next to each other perpendicular to the insertion direction. 
     For moving two carrier plates  200  arranged next to each other, the pushing member  218  can be moved to the second edge side  72  of the two carrier plates  200 . Then, the pushing member  218  is coupled with the two carrier plates  200  to be able to move the carrier plates  200  horizontally. For this purpose, the pushing member  218  is moved such that the coupling portions  220  couple with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the two carrier plates  200 . In this way, the two carrier plates  200  can be pulled and pushed. 
     Furthermore, the pushing of two carrier plates  200  arranged next to each other can also be performed by means of the linear unit  48  without a coupling of the pushing member  218  with the carrier plates  200 . For this purpose, the pushing member  218  can be moved to the second edge sides  72  of the two carrier plates  200  and brought into abutment with the second edge sides  72 . Thereby, for example, the protrusions of the pushing member  218  can bear against the holding members  214  of the third coupling portions from the outside. When the pushing member is then moved in the insertion direction, the two carrier plates  200  are pushed in the insertion direction. 
     Furthermore, the transfer plate  42  of the loading system  10  of the third embodiment corresponds substantially to the transfer plate  42  of the loading system  10  of the second embodiment. These transfer plates  42  differ in the configuration of the recess  112 . The recess  112  of the charging system of the third embodiment also extends from the bottom side to the top side of the transfer plate. However, the recess has a T-shaped cross-section. The recess  112  is configured such that the linear unit  48  can be moved vertically through the recess  112  when the pushing member  218  is in the retracted position. In other words, the recess  112  is adapted to the shape that the linear unit  48  has in the retracted position of the pushing member  218 . 
     The sequence of the individual operating states of the charging system  10  of the third embodiment corresponds substantially to the sequence of the operating states of the charging system  10  of the second embodiment. 
     In  FIG.  46   , the initial and final states are thereby illustrated, in which all carrier plates  200  are arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 . Prior to the start of a freeze-drying cycle, H2O2 decontamination of the freeze-drying module  14  is again performed in the initial state. After the freeze-drying cycle, a washing cycle can again be performed in the final state. 
     At the beginning of the freeze-drying cycle, carrier plates are again transferred from the carrier plate holder  40  into the freeze dryer. For this purpose, the carrier plates  200  are first transferred to the transfer plate  42  and then pushed from there onto a placement plate  52  of the freeze dryer  16 . 
     For transferring, by means of the third handling device  50 , two carrier plates  200  are always removed one after the other from the carrier plate holder  40 , transferred to the transfer plate  42 , placed on it perpendicular to the insertion direction side by side, and positioned correspondingly on the transfer plate  42  for further handling. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  47  (A) to (D) ,  FIGS.  48  (A) to (C)  and  FIGS.  49  (A) and (B) . For transferring, the upper coupling portions  210   are thereby coupled with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  200  to be transferred prior to the removing and decoupled after the placing. Then, the transferred carrier plate  200  is positioned such that the linear unit  48  can be moved through the recess by means of the stroke unit  106 . For this purpose, the carrier plate  200  is pushed so far in the insertion direction until the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  are at least no longer arranged above the recess  112 . For pushing the carrier plate  200 , the lower coupling portions  212  are thereby coupled with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  200  to be positioned and decoupled again after pushing. In this way, two carrier plates  200  are always arranged next to each other on the transfer plate  42  and at least partially pushed into the freeze dryer  16 . The configuration of the lower coupling portions  212  is illustrated in  FIG.  49  (C) . 
     Then, the two carrier plates  200  arranged on the transfer plate  42  are pushed together in the insertion direction onto one of the placement plates  52 . For this purpose, the linear unit  48 , which is previously arranged below the transfer plate  42 , is moved through the recess  112  of the transfer plate  42  in order to arrange the linear unit above the transfer plate  42 , in particular at the level of the two carrier plates  200 . The linear unit  48  is thereby arranged such that the pushing member  21  lies against both carrier plates  200 . In particular, two coupling portions  220  of the pushing member  218 , in particular the protrusions of the coupling portions  220 , thereby each lie against a respective one of the two carrier plates  200  on the respective second edge side  72 . In particular, these protrusions lie against the outer side of a corresponding holding member  214  of the third coupling portions  202 ,  204 . Due to displacement of the pushing member  218  in the insertion direction, the two carrier plates  200  are then pushed together into the freeze dryer  16  onto the corresponding placement surface  54 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  50  (A) and (B) . In  FIG.  50  (C)  , the configuration of the pushing member  218  is illustrated. 
     In this way, four further carrier plates  200  are removed from the carrier plate holder  40  and pushed onto the same placement surface  54  of the freeze dryer  16 , so that six carrier plates  200  are arranged on the placement surface  54  of the freeze dryer  16 . The carrier plates  200  are arranged such that three carrier plates  200  are each arranged one after the other in the insertion direction, and two carrier plates  200  are each arranged next to each other perpendicular to the insertion direction. The carrier plates  200  that are arranged one after the other in the insertion direction are coupled with each other. The coupling of the carrier plates  200  by means of the corresponding first and second coupling portions  66 ,  68  is performed automatically during the inserting. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  51  (A) to (C)  . The coupling is performed by means of the hooking mechanism that is actuated by flank actuation. 
     Corresponding to the procedure described in  FIGS.  47  to  51   , all placement surfaces  54  of the freeze dryer  16  except one are loaded with six carrier plates  200  each. In other words, as many carrier plates  200  are inserted into the freeze dryer until only six carrier plates  200  are still arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 . This state is illustrated in  FIG.  52   . 
     These six carrier plates  200  are then transferred one after the other corresponding to  FIGS.  47  and  48    from the carrier plate holder  40  to the transfer plate  42 , arranged on the transfer plate  42 , and equipped with containers  114 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  53  (A) to (C) and  54  (A) to (C)  . As soon as two carrier plates  200  are each equipped with containers  114 , these carrier plates  200  are pushed together from the transfer plate  42  onto the placement plate  52  by means of the second handling device  34 . The inserting of the equipped carrier plates  200  is performed corresponding to the inserting of empty carrier plates  200 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  49  to  51   . In this way, six carrier plates  200  are removed from the carrier plate holder  40 , equipped with containers  114  on the transfer plate  42  and pushed into the freeze dryer  16 . This state is illustrated in  FIG.  55  (A) . 
     Then, the placement plates  52  of the freeze dryer are displaced vertically so that a placement plate  52  having empty carrier plates  200  is arranged in one plane with the transfer plate  42 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  55  (B) . 
     Then, the six empty carrier plates  200  that are arranged on this placement plate  52  are removed from the freeze dryer  16 , and five of the six removed carrier plates  200  are then arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 , wherein the sixth carrier plate  200  remains on the transfer plate  42  after the removing. 
     For this purpose, the carrier plates  200  are pulled in pairs one after the other against the insertion direction from the placement surface  54  onto the transfer plate  42  by means of the second handling device  34 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  56  (A) and (B) . As previously described, each of the front carrier plates  200  is coupled with one of the middle carrier plates  200  via the corresponding coupling portions  66 ,  68 , and each of the middle carrier plates  200  is coupled with one of the rear carrier plates  200  via the corresponding coupling portions  66 ,  68 . For pulling out, the coupling portions  220  of the pushing member  218  of the linear unit  48  of the second handling device  34  are coupled with the corresponding third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the two carrier plates  200  to be pulled out. The carrier plates  200  are then pulled out by means of the second handling device  34  so far that the second coupling portions  68  of the following carrier plates  200  are no longer arranged on the placement surface  54 , so that the carrier plates  200  to be pulled out are automatically decoupled from the following carrier plates  200 . Thereafter, the linear unit  48  is moved vertically downward by means of the stroke unit  106  so that the linear unit  48  is arranged below the transfer plate  42 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  57  (A) and (B) . 
     Then, the two pulled-out carrier plates  200  are pulled further onto the transfer plate  42  by means of the third handling device  36 , one after the other against the insertion direction, and transferred to the carrier plate holder  40 . For this purpose, the lower coupling portions  212  of the receiving device  50  are first coupled with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  200  to further pull the carrier plate. The carrier plates  200  are thereby pulled onto the transfer plate so far until the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  project over the edge on the side of the transfer plate  42  facing away from the freeze dryer  16 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  58    (A) and (B). Then, by means of the third handling device  36 , the carrier plate  200  is transferred from the transfer plate  42  to the carrier plate holder  40  and arranged therein. For transferring, the upper coupling portions  210  are coupled with the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  of the carrier plate  200 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  59  (A) to (C) and  60  (A) to (C)  . 
     Corresponding to  FIGS.  56  to  60   , five of the six carrier plates  200  are arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 . The sixth carrier plate  200  remains on the transfer plate  42 , as illustrated in  FIG.  61   . Thereby, the carrier plate  200  is again arranged such that the third coupling portions  202 ,  204  project over the edge of the transfer plate  42  on the side facing away from the freeze dryer  16 . 
     Corresponding to  FIGS.  53  to  61   , all placement plates  52  carrying empty carrier plates  200  are displaced one after the other to the level of the transfer plate  42 , wherein the empty carrier plates  200  are then removed from this placement plate  52 , equipped with containers  114  and pushed back onto the placement plate  52 . In this way, all carrier plates  200  are equipped with containers  114  and inserted into the freeze dryer  16 . 
     After the freeze-drying, the containers  114  can then be correspondingly removed from the freeze dryer  16  and discharged again. For this purpose, the carrier plates  200  are again pulled one after the other from the placement surfaces  54  onto the transfer plate  42  by means of the second handling device  34 . Then, there the containers  114  are removed by means of the first handling device  32  and transferred to the container holder  38 . This is illustrated in  FIGS.  62  (A) and (B) . 
     Then, the containers  114  are removed from the container holder  38  by means of the transport device  26  and transported away. This is illustrated in  FIGS.  63  (A) to (C)  . For this purpose, the gripping tool  100  grips two containers  114  each and transports them away. The gripping tool can receive the two containers  114  one after the other. Subsequently, the transport device  26  can transfer the containers  114  to the crimping module  20 . 
     Each emptied carrier plate  200  is then transferred to the carrier plate holder  40  by means of the third handling device  36  and arranged in one of the receptacles  56 . In this way, all carrier plates  200  are emptied and subsequently transferred back to the carrier plate holder  40 . 
     After all of the carrier plates  200  are emptied and arranged in the carrier plate holder  40 , a wash cycle can again be performed by cleaning the carrier plates  200 , for example, by means of a sprinkler system. 
     It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims. 
     As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “e.g.,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.