Holding device for containers comprising a filling tube, and use of said device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the automated storage, support and handling of containers for pharmaceutical use, in particular pouches. More particularly, the invention relates to a holding device ( 10 ) for containers comprising at least one tube or a filling neck, said device ( 10 ) comprising a support surface ( 100 ) having a front face defining a front face of the holding device. The front face of the support surface ( 10 ) comprises at least one gripping member ( 200, 200′ ) for holding a tube or a filling neck of a container that is to be held by said device in a position parallel to the support surface ( 100 ). The holding device according to the invention further comprises: ⋅—a temporary closure ( 300 ) for opening the at least one tube or filling neck of the container that is to be held by the holding device ( 10 ), ⋅—at least one attachment element ( 40 ) for securing or suspending the holding device to or on another support. The invention also relates to the use of said holding device.

1 . A holding device for containers including a filling tube or neck, said holding device including:
 a supporting surface including a front face defining a front face of the holding device, wherein the front face of the supporting surface includes at least one gripping member for holding at least one filling tube or neck of a container intended to be held by said device in a position parallel to said supporting surface,   a temporary fastener for the opening of the at least one filling tube or neck intended to be held by said holding device,   at least one hooking element for attaching said holding device to, or suspending said holding device from, another support.   
     
     
         2 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the temporary fastener is formed by a wall extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the front face of the supporting surface, said wall being disposed parallel with respect to the at least one gripping member. 
     
     
         3 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the wall forming the temporary fastener corresponds to an upper face of the supporting surface put in the vertical position. 
     
     
         4 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the wall forming the temporary fastener abuts the at least one gripping member. 
     
     
         5 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the temporary fastener includes a closing body, such as a spike, which can be at least partly introduced into the opening of the at least one filling tube or neck of the container intended to be held by the holding device. 
     
     
         6 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding device includes a plurality of gripping members, and said gripping members are formed by a longitudinal indentation on the front face of the supporting surface, said indentation including recessed sections of sufficient width to at least partly insert a filling tube or neck of the container intended to be held by said holding device. 
     
     
         7 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the holding device includes a second indentation, parallel and substantially symmetrical with the first indentation. 
     
     
         8 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said holding device includes on one of its lateral sides, a male assembly element, and on its opposite lateral side, a female assembly element complementary to said male assembly element. 
     
     
         9 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding device includes at least two hooking elements in the shape of eyelets, and wherein corners of the holding device are rounded. 
     
     
         10 . The holding device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the holding device is made of a material resistant to sterilization by irradiation, and/or of the material of which is made the container intended to be held by said device, such as polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . Use of the holding device as claimed in  claim 1  for storing one or more pouches including at least one filling tube and/or one or more vials including a filling neck.