Device for moving containers, an apparatus and a method for producing pharmaceutical or biotechnological articles

An apparatus for automated production of pharmaceutical or biotechnological articles comprising:

• a device for moving a group of containers for pharmaceutical or biotechnological use, between a first chamber with a first controlled atmosphere and a second chamber with a second controlled atmosphere in at least one of which transport means of the containers operate, comprising:
• a support structure;
• supports, each comprising a support part configured to accommodate a container with an exposed part so that it can be picked up by transport means of the containers;
• a guide which is configured to guide the supports, which is rotationally coupled to the support structure with respect to an axis of rotation so as to rotate between a first position and a second position and which receives the supports orientated in such a way that the support parts are facing towards a first zone in the first position and towards a second zone in the second position so as to locate, at least partially, the exposed part of each of the containers respectively in a first chamber with a first controlled atmosphere and in a second chamber with a second controlled atmosphere;
• first rotating means configured to rotate the guide with respect to the axis of rotation;
• movement means configured to move the supports along the guide so as to vary the distances between the supports according to the direction of the axis of rotation;
• a first chamber with a first controlled atmosphere;
• a second chamber with a second controlled atmosphere;
• an opening for passage of containers between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• first transport means arranged internally of the first chamber and configured to transport containers so as to deposit or pick up containers on the supports of the device and/or second transport means arranged internally of the second chamber and configured to transport containers so as to deposit or pick up containers on the supports of the device;
• wherein the support structure arranges the axis of rotation of the guide at or in proximity of the opening so that the rotation of the first rotating means brings the supports from a first position, in which the supports face towards the first chamber, to a second position in which the supports face towards the second chamber, so as to locate, at least partially, the exposed part of each of the containers respectively in the first chamber and in the second chamber.

A method for producing pharmaceutical or biotechnological articles comprising steps of:

• providing an apparatus comprising a first chamber with a first controlled atmosphere, a second chamber with a second controlled atmosphere, an opening for passage of containers between the first chamber and the second chamber, first transport means of the containers comprising a first robotic system arranged internally of the first chamber, second transport means of the containers comprising a second robotic system arranged internally of the second chamber and supports comprising support parts, each configured to accommodate a container with an exposed part so that the container can be picked up by the first transport means of the containers and by the second transport means of the containers, and rotationally movable with respect to the opening according to an axis of rotation so as to rotate between a first position in which the supports face towards the first chamber to a second position in which the supports face towards the second chamber thus locating, at least partially, the exposed part of each of the containers respectively in the first chamber and in the second chamber;
• introducing containers into the first chamber;
• depositing a group of containers introduced on the supports by the first robotic system so that the first robotic system does not invade the second chamber;
• rotating the supports towards the second chamber so that the exposed part of each container can be picked up by the second robotic system without invading the first chamber;
• picking up the group of containers from the supports by means of the second robotic system in such a way that the second robotic system does not invade the first chamber;
• filling the group of containers with pharmaceutical or biotechnological material.