Method, device and system for filling pharmaceutical containers

A stoppering apparatus for closing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers held in a container nest with a corresponding plurality of closures held in a closure nest, the apparatus comprising a controlled environment enclosure capable of maintaining an aseptic condition;

• an actuated ram comprising an upward facing horizontal ram surface, wherein the ram is configured to move along a vertical path within the controlled environment enclosure;
• a fixed plate disposed within the controlled environment enclosure above the ram and comprising a lower horizontal surface parallel to and facing the horizontal ram surface;
• and
• attached to the horizontal lower surface of the fixed plate a plurality of pins corresponding center-to-center along a vertical axis with the plurality of closures, wherein
• the pins are disposed and configured to pass through openings in the closure nest to engage with the tops of the closures when the actuated ram forces the plurality of containers into the plurality of corresponding closures;
• and wherein
• the pins are configured to elastically compress the closure tops under the action of the actuated ram.

A stoppering apparatus for closing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers held in a container nest with a corresponding plurality of closures held in a closure nest, the apparatus comprising a controlled environment enclosure capable of maintaining an aseptic condition;

• an actuated ram comprising an upward facing horizontal ram surface, wherein the ram is configured to move along a vertical path within the controlled environment enclosure;
• a fixed plate disposed within the controlled environment enclosure above the ram and comprising a lower horizontal surface parallel to and facing the horizontal ram surface;
• and
• attached to the horizontal lower surface of the fixed plate a plurality of pins corresponding center-to-center along a vertical axis with the plurality of closures, the plurality of pins disposed and configured to pass through openings in the closure nest to engage with the tops of the closures when the actuated ram forces the plurality of containers into the plurality of corresponding closures
• wherein each pin comprises disposed at a point along its length an elastically compliant element made of an elastically compliant material, the elastically compliant element being disposed and configured to be elastically compressible.

A stoppering apparatus for closing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers held in a container nest with a corresponding plurality of closures held in a closure nest, the apparatus comprising

• a controlled environment enclosure capable of maintaining an aseptic condition;
• an actuated ram comprising an upward facing horizontal ram surface, wherein the ram is configured to move along a vertical path within the controlled environment enclosure;
• a fixed plate disposed within the controlled environment enclosure above the ram and comprising a lower horizontal surface parallel to and facing the horizontal ram surface;
• and
• attached to the horizontal lower surface of the fixed plate a plurality of elastically compressible telescopic pins corresponding center-to-center along a vertical axis with the plurality of closures, the plurality of pins disposed and configured to pass through openings in the closure nest to engage with the tops of the closures when the actuated ram forces the plurality of containers into the plurality of corresponding closures.

A method of operating a stoppering apparatus for closing a plurality of pharmaceutical containers held in a container nest with a corresponding plurality of closures held in a closure nest, the method comprising:

• providing a controlled environment enclosure capable of maintaining an aseptic condition;
• providing within the controlled environment enclosure an actuated ram comprising an upward facing horizontal ram surface, wherein the ram is configured to move along a vertical path within the controlled environment enclosure;
• providing within the controlled environment enclosure a fixed plate disposed within the controlled environment enclosure above the ram and comprising a lower horizontal surface parallel to and facing the horizontal ram surface;
• attaching to the horizontal lower surface of the fixed plate a plurality of pins corresponding center-to-center along a vertical axis with the plurality of closures, wherein
• the pins are disposed and configured to pass through openings in the closure nest to engage with the tops of the closures when the actuated ram forces the plurality of containers into the plurality of corresponding closures;
• and wherein
• the pins are configured to elastically compress the closure tops under the action of the actuated ram;
• and
• pressing together the articulated ram and the fixed plate.