DE102012110973A1 - Annular holding element for holding e.g. vial for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, has container arranged on holding structure through aperture, such that element rests in sections on edge of aperture - Google Patents

Abstract

The element has multiple apertures formed in a holding structure, where a container (2) e.g. medicament container, is inserted in the apertures. The container is arranged on the holding structure through the apertures, such that the element rests in sections on an edge of the aperture. The container is provided with a narrowed neck portion (5). Inner diameter of a central opening is matched to outer diameter i.e. external diameter, of the narrowed neck portion of the container. A beveled edge portion extends along an edge of the element. An independent claim is also included for a method for treatment or processing of containers for storage of substances.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the simultaneous mounting of a plurality of containers for storing substances for medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, in particular of vials, and more particularly concerns the simultaneous mounting of a plurality of such containers in a support structure in a simple and reliable manner such that, while they are held in a holding structure provided for this, they can be processed or further processed in filling or processing plants, in particular in a sterile tunnel, a filling plant for liquid medical or pharmaceutical applications or a freeze-drying cabinet for this purpose. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a transport and / or packaging container with at least one such support structure and optionally with an integrated sensor and / or plagiarism protection. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for treating or processing vials in a processing station while they are held by the support structure or at least guided, and an adjusting device for this purpose.

Background of the invention

As containers for storing and storing medical, pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations in liquid form, in particular in pre-dosed quantities, medicine containers such as vials, ampoules or carpules are widely used. These generally have a cylindrical shape, can be made of plastics or glass and are available in large quantities at low cost. For the most economical filling of the container under sterile conditions concepts are increasingly used in which the containers are packaged sterile sterile at the manufacturer of containers in transport and packaging containers, which then at a pharmaceutical company under sterile conditions, especially in a so-called. Sterile tunnel , unpacked and then processed further.

For this purpose, div. Transport and packaging containers are known from the prior art, in which at the same time a plurality of drug containers in a regular arrangement, for example, in a matrix array along rows and at right angles to extending columns, are arranged. This has advantages in the automated further processing of the containers, since the containers can be transferred to processing stations in controlled positions and in a predetermined arrangement, for example to process machines, robots or the like. For this purpose, holding structures are used, in which at the same time a plurality of containers can be held in a predetermined regular arrangement. To transfer to a processing station just needs the transport and packaging container to be properly positioned and opened. The downstream processing station then knows in which position and arrangement the containers to be further processed are arranged.

Such a transport and packaging container and a corresponding packaging concept are for example in the US 8,118,167 B2 disclosed. The further processing of the container, however, always takes place in such a way that the holding structure from the transport and packaging container, the container is removed from the support structure and separated and transferred to a conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, individually to the processing stations and further processed there. This limits the achievable speed in further processing. In particular, when separating the container by means of cellular wheels or the like, it always comes back to individual containers abut uncontrollably, resulting in undesirable abrasion and consequent contamination of the container interior or the process plant and to a deterioration of the external appearance of the container leads, which is undesirable.

US 8,100,263 B2 discloses a sterile packable and transportable transport and packaging container in which a plate-shaped support structure can be used, in which a plurality of drug containers are kept in a regular arrangement. The individual medication containers are initially arranged loosely in receptacles which are formed in the holding structure. Subsequently, the support structure is inserted into the transport and packaging container and this surrounded with a gas-impermeable plastic tube. During the subsequent evacuation of the packaging unit formed in this way, the plastic tube is forced into the intermediate spaces between the medicament containers due to the negative pressure prevailing in the tube, which on the one hand stabilizes the position of the medicament container in the holding structure and, on the other hand, prevents further uncontrolled collision of adjacent medicament containers. When evacuating and the subsequent opening of the plastic tube, however, the drug container can slip sideways, which increases the automation effort for further processing of the drug container. Furthermore, the medicine containers after opening the plastic tube nevertheless collide uncontrollably, which brings the aforementioned disadvantages. The medicine containers can not be further processed in the transport or packaging container or in the holding structure, but must first be separated in the conventional manner and handed over to downstream processing stations.

There are no packaging solutions of vials that can be freeze-dried (lyophilized) in the holding structure (in the nest) and / or inside the package without significant impact on the process. The mounting variants from the WO 2010/086128 A1 Keep the vials in the nest on the ground. Since the nest here acts as an insulator between the freezer bottom plate and the vial, the heat transfer is difficult or hardly economical.

WO 2009/015862 A1 discloses a nest solution based on a firm connection with the vials via frictional engagement ("... flaps fit against neck ..."). Due to the fact that plastic nests can never be made stress-free and the vials usually have different lengths, it follows that individual vials in the freeze drier lose ground contact during the process. The freeze-drying process can therefore be unstable and difficult to control.

Furthermore, with this solution, the vials can not be reintroduced from above into the nest during in-process control. However, many pharmaceutical manufacturers require strict avoidance of any ingress of particles from above into the vial filling holes. Thus, recirculation of the vials measured or tested during processing back into the nest is desired.

The freeze-drying process is one of the most expensive processes in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. Since the costs essentially depend on the packing density that can be achieved during processing and freeze-drying, this must be optimized.

Furthermore, the existing packaging is not flexible enough to transport different vial sizes. Most nest solutions use the outside diameter of the vial as an auxiliary contour for fixation. However, this is usually less standardized and, moreover, is often subject to comparatively high tolerances.

In the holding structures after the WO 2011/135085 A1 and WO 2009/015862 A1 the vials in the support structure can not be held tension-free, which can lead to an undesirable bulging of the support structure, in particular during processing, for example in a freeze-drying cabinet.

In any case, a direct contact of the bottoms of the drug container, in particular the bottoms of vials, in the conventional holding structures is not possible. However, this complicates the further processing of the drug container, especially if the contents of a freeze-drying (also known as lyophilization or sublimation drying) to be subjected. Further, a further processing of the drug container directly in the support structures is not possible because they are either held rigidly or not sufficiently accessible for further processing, which is why the drug container for a wide processing traditionally always have to be removed from the support structures, which is time consuming and expensive is.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to further improve the holding of containers which serve for the storage of substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, so that these containers can be handled, transported and processed even faster and more economically, better automatable and reliable ,

This object is achieved by a holding element and its use for holding containers according to claim 1, by a holding structure according to claim 21 and by a method according to claim 22. Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, a holding member is provided, which is arranged on a portion of the container to hold the respective container, wherein the container is inserted with the holding element arranged thereon in an opening of the holding structure, that the holding element at least partially on a Edge of the opening rests.

With the help of the retaining element tolerances, in particular with respect to the outer radius or the outer contour of the container and their length, can be compensated in a simple manner. For example, tolerances with respect to the outer radius or the outer contour of the container can be compensated simply by a certain radial play with which the containers are held by the holding element or by a certain elasticity or deformability of the holding element. Tolerances or Differences in length between individual containers in the axial direction can be compensated for simply by arranging the holding element at different axial positions of the container, in particular in this or in an outer circumference thereof.

According to claim 2, such tolerance compensation and flexible mounting of vials with different outer contours and dimensions can be accomplished even easier. The annular retaining element engages around the outer circumference of the container at least in sections, and particularly preferably substantially completely, except for an approximately intended insertion opening for insertion and removal of the container into or out of the annular retaining element.

The engagement of the retaining element in the region of a narrowed neck section of the container is particularly flexible and simple, which is encompassed by the retaining element at least in sections.

The holding element can in principle engage frictionally or positively in the outer circumference of the container, particularly preferably in the region of the narrowed neck portion of the container.

Most preferably, the container is received in each case with radial play in a central opening of the holding element, whose inner diameter is greater than the outer diameter of the constricted neck portion but smaller than the outer diameter of an upper edge of the container, which adjoins the narrowed neck portion. In particular, when the lower edge of the upper edge (in particular rolled edge) of the container is bevelled, a self-centering effect occurs, so that the container is automatically centered in the central opening of the holding element.

According to claim 6, the insertion and removal of the container in or out of the annular support member is further facilitated.

According to claim 7 or claim 8, the handling of the holding element or held by this container is facilitated. The beveled edge allows the formation of a wedge-shaped space, such as in 3c shown, in which a gripping or handling tool can be introduced to grip the holding element or handle.

According to further embodiments, such a beveled edge of the retaining element can provide for a further self-centering of the container when it rests on the edge of the associated opening. This in particular, if the friction between the holding element and the edge of the associated opening is advantageously low due to a suitable friction pairing of these elements, so that the weight of the container or a slight shaking movement is sufficient to automatically cause this self-centering of the container.

For ease of handling or gripping of the holding element together with the container held by this can be provided according to claim 16 to 18, a suitable structure, such as recess, projection or form-fitting structure, at a suitable location on the holding element, for handling or gripping the Holding element is sufficiently accessible.

LIST OF FIGURES

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, advantages and objects to be achieved will result. Show it:

1 in a schematic sectional view of a vial (vial) to be held by a support structure according to the present invention;

2a in a schematic plan view and in a sectional view of a retaining clip, which is attached for holding a vial around the neck around it;

2 B in a perspective plan view of a holding structure (holding plate) with a plurality of vials (containers) held therein;

2c in an enlarged view the portion B according to the 2 B ;

2d a plan view of the support structure (holding plate) according to the 2a ;

2e a greatly enlarged partial section of the plan view according to the 2d ;

3a in a schematic sectional view of the holder of a vial according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

3b in an enlarged view of the section F according to the 3a ;

3c in a schematic sectional view of the holder of a vial according to another embodiment of the present invention;

3d in a schematic sectional view of the holder of a vial according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

3e in a schematic sectional view of the holder of a vial according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, identical reference numerals designate identical or substantially equivalent elements or groups of elements.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

A holding structure and a transport and packaging container, which accommodates such a support structure, according to the present invention, as described below, the simultaneous support of a plurality of containers for storing substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, preferably in a regular Arrangement, in particular in a matrix arrangement at regular intervals of the container to each other, along two different spatial directions, preferably along two mutually orthogonal spatial directions or in regular rows, which are arranged offset relative to each other.

An example of such drug containers in the form of vials is in the 1 shown schematically in a longitudinal section. These have a cylindrical basic shape, with a cylindrical side wall 4 with - within the tolerances - constant inside and outside diameter, that of a flat bottle bottom 3 protrudes vertically and near the upper open end of the vial in a narrowed neck section 5 of comparatively small axial length and then in a widened upper edge 6 (also rolled edge) passes, which has a larger outer diameter than the associated neck portion 5 and designed for connection to a closure element. How to get the 1 can take, is the bottom of the roll edge 6 beveled and extends at an acute angle downwards and toward the narrowed neck portion 5 ,

The neck section 5 can be formed smooth-walled without external thread or can be provided with an external thread for screwing a closure element. For example, in the inner bore of the neck portion 5 and the upper edge 6 a plug (not shown) can be inserted whose upper end with the upper edge 6 the vial is gas-tight and protected against the ingress of contaminants into the vial with the top edge 6 is connected, for example by crimping or crimping a metal protective film, not shown. Such vials are radially symmetrical and formed of a transparent or colored glass or by blow molding or plastic injection molding techniques of a suitable plastic material, and may in principle be internally coated, so that the material of the vial emits as little impurities to the male substance.

Another example of containers in the context of the present application are ampoules, carpules or syringe or injection containers. Ampoules or cartridges are containers for pharmaceuticals for the most parenteral application (injection), for cosmetics and other substances and are usually cylindrically shaped with a solid tip (spit or head) and a flat bottom or with two solid tips on both ends. These can be designed in particular as crushing ampoules with an annular predetermined breaking point around the ampoule neck or as an OPC ampoule (one-point-cut ampoule) with a scratched into the glass crushing ring. Syringes or injection containers, also referred to as injection vials, punctured ampoules or reusable ampoules, are cylindrical, bottle-like shaped containers made of glass or plastic, usually in relatively small nominal volumes (eg 1 ml, 10 ml). They are closed with a rubber stopper with septum (puncture rubber). To protect the septum and fix the rubber stopper is still an outer closure (crimp cap or staple), often made of aluminum sheet applied. In a carpule, the liquid is in a cylinder, which is closed at one end with a thick rubber or plastic stopper. This acts as a piston when the contents are squeezed out with a Karpulenspritze. At the other end, the cylinder is closed only with a thin membrane that is pierced in use by the rear end of the cartridge needle (a cannula ground on both sides). Cylinder ampoules are often used in dentistry for local anesthesia. Special cylindrical ampoules with a specially designed front part (eg thread) are used for insulin therapy in insulin pens.

For the purposes of the present invention, such containers are used for storing substances or active substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications which are to be stored in one or more components in solid or liquid form in the container. Especially with glass containers storage periods can be many years, which depends in particular on the hydrolytic resistance of the type of glass used. While containers are disclosed below which are cylindrical, it should be noted that the containers in the sense of present invention may also have a different profile, for example, a square, rectangular or polygonal profile.

Inevitably, such containers have manufacturing tolerances, which may be just one or more tenths of a millimeter, especially in glass containers. In order to compensate for such manufacturing tolerances and at the same time to ensure that all bottle bottoms 3 can be arranged in a plane, the containers are inventively fixed to a support structure, as explained below. The holder of the container is doing in the transition region of the narrowed neck portion 5 to the widened upper edge 6 or in the area of the narrowed neck 5 realized. As explained below, around the narrowed neck section 5 a holding element (hereinafter retaining clip) is arranged, which the narrowed neck portion 5 at least partially surrounds and with the narrowed neck section 5 is in a frictional or positive engagement or receives this with a certain radial clearance to compensate for tolerances and different outer diameters of different types of containers. This holding element in turn rests on the support structure in the region of the associated opening or receptacle formed therein or is suitably fixed therein.

The method according to the invention is based essentially on the fact that a plurality of containers are held together on a carrier and, while they are held on the carrier or at least guided, can be treated or further processed. As those skilled in studying the above description will be readily apparent, this approach is basically suitable for any process steps for the treatment or processing of containers for storing substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications.

The holding force exerted on the containers by holding elements is sufficient to reliably hold the containers in the holding element and on the holding structure. In particular, the holding force exerted is greater than the weight of the container, possibly with content and plugs. According to further embodiments, the holding force can also be dimensioned by suitable design of the holding means so that it is greater than usual force in the handling, processing or treatment of the container in a process plant. As a result, a reliable mounting of the container is always guaranteed. Nevertheless, the containers can be adjusted by simply gripping and adjusting the holding elements common to each held by these containers without much resistance in the openings or recordings, in particular axially advanced or rotated.

For insertion, removal or displacement of the containers on a carrier, it is simply necessary to insert the containers suitably into the openings or receptacles of the carrier and to properly place or engage the holding elements on the edge of the respective openings or receivers of the carrier. The resulting achievable mounting of the container is sufficiently stable that they continue to be reliably held by a small force, such as vibrations of the process plant or funding thereof to the wearer and not fall over accidentally. This considerably reduces the risk of unintentional contamination in process plants.

Another significant advantage of the present invention is that the containers can be inserted from above into the openings or receptacles of the carrier and can also be taken out of these again or axially adjusted. The risk of accidental penetration of particles into the internal volume of the container can thus be minimized.

• – Die Gefriertrockung im Nest ist praktisch möglich.
• – Die Verbördelung der Behälter im Nest ist möglich, da die Fläschchen angehoben werden können.
• – Die Fläschchen können leicht von oben zurück in das Nest gesetzt werden. Deshalb brauchen die Fläschchen bei Pharmaprozessen nie das Nest verlassen. Dies spart Handhabungswerkzeuge, ermöglicht eine hohe Packungsdichte der Behälter, insbesondere bei der Gefriertrocknung, verhindert einen Glas-zu-Glas Kontakt im Prozess und ermöglicht einen sicheren Transport der Behälter, da die Relativbewegungen der Fläschchen zum Nest eingeschränkt sind. Insgesamt wird auch ein günstiger, stabiler und qualitativ hochwertiger Füllprozess ermöglicht.
• – Ein unmittelbarer Bodenkontakt sämtlicher Fläschchen, die von einem Nest (Haltestruktur) gehalten werden, ist auch beim Verziehen das Nest und für verschiedene Fläschchenlängen möglich.
• – Das Nest und die Fläschchenclips können mit einfachen Spritzgusswerkzeugen hergestellt werden, insbesondere frei von Hinterschnitten.

Further advantages are:

• - The freeze-drying in the nest is practically possible.
• - The crimping of the containers in the nest is possible because the vials can be lifted.
• - The vials can easily be placed back in the nest from above. Therefore, the vials never need to leave the nest for pharmaceutical processes. This saves handling tools, enables a high packing density of the containers, especially in the freeze-drying, prevents glass-to-glass contact in the process and allows safe transport of the containers, as the relative movements of the vials are restricted to the nest. Overall, a cheaper, more stable and high quality filling process is possible.
• - A direct contact with the ground of all vials held by a nest (holding structure) is also possible when warping the nest and for different vial lengths.
• - The nest and the vial clips can be made with simple injection molds, especially free of undercuts.

The details of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art directly from the accompanying drawings. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description, the individual may Aspects and features of the embodiments described above are also combined and claimed in any suitable manner, resulting in numerous other embodiments and modifications. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate upon reading the present specification and drawings, all such other embodiments and modifications are intended to be embraced by the present invention so long as they do not depart from the general spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,496,074; attached claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Vial

3

bottle bottom

4

Side wall

5

neck

6

upper edge / rolled edge

7

filling

10

clip

11

ring part

12

central opening

13

insertion

14

rounded corner area

15

lower slope

16

front

17

lower slope

18

rounded corner area

20

Retaining plate

21

Opening of retaining plate

22

Free space for gripping the retaining clip 10

23

bevelled edge of opening 21

24

Trough / recessed section on top of retaining plate 20

25

Side wall

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8118167 B2 [0004]
• US 8100263 B2 [0005]
• WO 2010/086128 A1 [0006]
• WO 2009/015862 A1 [0007, 0011]
• WO 2011/135085 A1 [0011]

Claims (29)

Use of a holding element ( 10 ) for holding a container ( 2 ) for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular a vial, on a holding structure ( 20 ), in which a plurality of openings or receptacles ( 21 ) are formed, in which the containers are insertable, wherein the retaining element ( 10 ) on a section ( 5 ) of the container is arranged to hold the container, and wherein the container with the arranged on this holding element ( 10 ) into an opening ( 21 ) of the holding structure is introduced, that the holding element at least partially on an edge of the opening ( 21 ) rests.  Use according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element is annular. Use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the containers ( 2 ) a narrowed neck portion ( 5 ) and wherein the retaining element has a respective narrowed neck portion ( 5 ) The container at least partially engage around to hold the container. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular retaining element has a central opening ( 12 ) having an inner diameter which is matched to the outer diameter of the container, in particular to the outer diameter of the narrowed neck portion ( 5 ). Use according to claim 4, wherein the inner diameter of the central opening ( 12 ) is greater than the outer diameter of the narrowed neck portion ( 5 ) is smaller than the outer diameter of an upper edge of the container ( 5 ), which is the narrow neck ( 5 ). Use according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the annular retaining element further comprises an insertion opening ( 13 ) having a clearance that is matched to the outer diameter of the container, in particular to the outer diameter of the narrowed neck portion ( 5 ), and which is preferably larger than the outer diameter of the narrowed neck portion ( 5 ). Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element ( 10 ) a beveled edge portion ( 17 ) which extends along the edge of the retaining element. Use according to claim 7, wherein the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) is provided on the underside of the holding element. Use according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an inclination angle of the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) is in the range between 10 degrees and 50 degrees, more preferably in the range between 15 degrees and 30 degrees, and more preferably in the range between 15 degrees and 25 degrees with respect to a top or bottom of the support member. Use according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) directly on an edge of the associated opening ( 21 ) of the support structure rests. Use according to claim 10, wherein the border ( 23 ) of the associated opening ( 21 ) of the support structure on which the beveled edge portion ( 17 ) of the retaining element ( 10 ) directly rests, is formed chamfered, wherein the inclination angle of the chamfered edge portion ( 17 ) of the retaining element ( 10 ) and the edge ( 23 ) of the associated opening ( 21 ) of the support structure correspond to each other. Use according to claim 11, wherein the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) of the retaining element ( 10 ) so on the edge of the associated opening ( 21 ) of the holding structure rests that between the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) of the retaining element ( 10 ) and the top of the support structure a wedge-shaped gap ( 22 ) remains, so that a gripping tool, the holding element on the bevelled edge portion ( 17 ) can grip the container ( 2 ) together with the retaining element ( 2 ) from the opening ( 22 ) of the support structure ( 20 ) or to adjust it axially in this opening. Use according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the edge of the associated opening ( 21 ) of the holding structure in a trough ( 24 ) or a recessed portion on top of the support structure ( 20 ) rests.  Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clip is integrally formed from a plastic, in particular by injection molding.  Use according to claim 14, wherein the plastic is an elastic or elastomeric plastic. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on an outer peripheral surface ( 16 ) of the retaining element is formed at least one recess or a projection, in which (n) engages a gripping or handling tool to grip the retaining element and the container ( 2 ) together with the retaining element ( 2 ) from the opening ( 22 ) of the support structure ( 20 ) or to adjust it axially in this opening. Use according to claim 16, wherein the recess as a circumferential groove or the projection as a circumferential annular projection on the outer peripheral surface ( 16 ) of the holding element is formed. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein on an upper surface or outer peripheral surface ( 16 ) of the holding element, a form-fitting structure is formed, in which a gripping or handling tool engages in order to grip the holding element and the container ( 2 ) together with the retaining element ( 2 ) from the opening ( 22 ) of the support structure ( 20 ) or to adjust it axially in this opening. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on an underside of the support structure ( 20 ) Projections, in particular annular side walls ( 25 ), which surround a respective opening at least in sections, are formed to prevent contact of immediately adjacent containers when they are held together by the support structure. Use according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the subpages ( 3 ) the container from the back or bottom of the support structure ( 20 ) Are freely accessible, if they are held together by the support structure, so that all containers can rest directly on a common support surface. Holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers ( 2 ) for substances for cosmetic, medical or pharmaceutical applications, in particular of vials, with a carrier ( 20 ) having a plurality of openings or receptacles ( 21 ), in which the containers are insertable, as well as with holding means for holding the container in the openings or receptacles, characterized in that the holding means is designed as a holding element, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. Method of treating or processing containers ( 2 ), which serve for the storage of substances for cosmetic or medical or pharmaceutical applications or containing them, in particular of vials, wherein the containers are cylindrical and open on at least one end and automatically guided by a conveyor for processing or processing to process stations or go through which method a plurality of containers ( 2 ) is conveyed by the conveyor, while this of a support (holding structure 2 ) are held together in a regular two-dimensional arrangement, wherein the carrier has a plurality of openings or receptacles ( 21 ), which provide the regular arrangement, and the treatment or processing of the containers is carried out at or in at least one of the process stations while they are held by the carrier, wherein a holding element ( 10 ) each at a section ( 5 ) is arranged a container to hold the container, and the container with the holding element arranged thereon ( 10 ) into an opening ( 21 ) of the holding structure is introduced, that the holding element at least partially on an edge of the opening ( 21 ) of the carrier rests. The method of claim 22, wherein the containers ( 2 ) are moved to a raised position for treatment or processing at or in the process station in the respective opening or receiving in the longitudinal direction.  The method of claim 23, wherein the containers are further held in the raised position in the openings or receptacles of the carrier for processing or processing at or in the process station.  The method of claim 23, wherein the containers in the raised position continue to be received in the openings or receivers of the carrier but are supported on an additional support surface or held by an additional holding or gripping means to be processed at or in the process station to become.  The method of claim 25, wherein the additional support surface comprises at least one rotatably mounted and driven turntable on which the containers are rotated during or during processing or processing at the process station while still being received in the openings or receptacles of the carrier.  The method of claim 26, wherein one of the process stations is a crimping or crimping station wherein a metal lid is crimped or crimped on the upper edge of the containers, the crimping containers being rotated in the raised position by the turntable about its longitudinal axis while the metal lid is crimped or crimped, and pushed back into the openings or receptacles after crimping or crimping. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 27, wherein the supports ( 20 ) are arranged in transport and packaging containers and the carrier for treatment or processing in or on at least one of the process stations are removed from the respective transport and packaging container and supported on the conveyor or a support surface. The method of claim 28, wherein one of the process stations is a freeze-drying cabinet in which a freeze-drying process is performed, and the support surface is a cooling surface of the freeze-dryer cabinet, the floors ( 3 ) the containers are freely accessible at their closed ends from a first side of the carrier, so that the trays ( 3 ) are in direct contact with the cooling surface during treatment in the freeze-drying cabinet.

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