IP Library Granted Patent US 12,409,968
Granted Patent B2
US 12,409,968 · App. 18/496,020 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Device for removing a sterile object from an outer packaging, a system comprising a corresponding device, and a method for removing a sterile object from an outer packaging

Inventors: Juergen Leidig (Frankenhardt, DE); Florian Weber (Crailsheim, DE); Alexander Ekkart (Crailsheim, DE)
Assignee: Syntegon Technology GmbH
B65B69/0008B65B69/00B65B69/0041B65B69/0033
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,409,968
App. No.
18/496,020
Granted
Sep 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device ( 1 ) for removing a sterile object ( 2 ) from an outer packaging ( 3 ), a system with a corresponding device ( 1 ) and a method for removing a sterile object ( 2 ) from an outer packaging ( 3 ) are proposed.

Claims (23)

1. A device ( 1 ) for removing a sterile object ( 2 ) from an outer packaging ( 3 ), the device having a tensioning device ( 4 ) which comprises a rotatable tensioning roller ( 9 ) and a further tensioning element ( 10 ), wherein, during a removal process, a first section ( 11 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ) can be clamped between the tensioning roller ( 9 ) and the further tensioning element ( 10 ), and wherein the outer packaging ( 3 ) can be tensioned by rotating the tensioning roller ( 9 ) when the first section ( 11 ) is clamped, having a cutting device ( 5 ) for cutting open the tensioned outer packaging ( 3 ), and with a removal device ( 7 ) for removing the sterile object ( 2 ) from the cut open outer packaging ( 3 ), wherein at least one piercing element ( 14 ) is arranged on the tensioning roller ( 9 ), which piercing element ( 14 ) has a gas supply channel ( 15 ) with at least one inlet opening ( 16 ) for supplying gas and at least one outlet opening ( 17 ), wherein the piercing element ( 14 ) can be pierced into the outer packaging ( 3 ) and gas can be blown into the outer packaging ( 3 ) via the outlet opening ( 17 ) of the pierced piercing element ( 14 ) in order to fill the outer packaging ( 3 ) with gas.

2. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning roller ( 9 ) is tubular with a cavity ( 22 ) extending along its length, and wherein the cavity ( 22 ) is fluidically connected to the inlet opening ( 16 ) of the gas supply channel ( 15 ).

3. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the piercing element ( 14 ) is arranged in a through-opening ( 23 ) of a shell wall ( 22 ) of the tensioning roller ( 9 ).

4. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the piercing element ( 14 ) comprises a conical end portion ( 19 ), and wherein the outlet opening ( 17 ) is formed in the end portion ( 19 ) at a distance from a tip ( 20 ) of the end portion ( 19 ).

5. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the further tensioning element ( 10 ) comprises a circumferential groove ( 30 ) radially opposite the piercing element ( 14 ).

6. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of piercing elements ( 14 ) are arranged on the tensioning roller ( 9 ).

7. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one elastically deformable ring element ( 13 ) is arranged on the tensioning roller ( 9 ).

8. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding device ( 6 ) for holding a flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ).

9. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , wherein the holding device ( 6 ) comprises at least one suction element ( 38 ) for sucking in the flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ).

10. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 8 , wherein the holding device ( 6 ) comprises a hold-down device ( 33 ) displaceable in the vertical direction, for applying a compressive force to the flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ).

11. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 10 , further comprising a spring device ( 36 ) which applies to the hold-down device ( 33 ) a spring force acting in a direction of the flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ).

12. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 10 , wherein at least one suction element ( 38 ) protrudes through an aperture ( 40 ) or a recess of the hold-down device ( 33 ).

13. The device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one piercing unit ( 41 ) for piercing a flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ).

14. A system comprising a sterile object ( 2 ) which is packaged in an outer packaging ( 3 ), and a device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 for removing the sterile object ( 2 ) from the outer packaging ( 3 ).

15. A method for removing a sterile object ( 2 ) from an outer packaging ( 3 ) comprising the following steps:

a. Clamping of a first section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ) between a rotatable tensioning roller ( 9 ) and a further tensioning element ( 10 ), at least one piercing element ( 14 ) being arranged on the tensioning roller ( 9 ), which piercing element ( 14 ) comprises a gas supply channel ( 15 ) with at least one inlet opening ( 16 ) and at least one outlet opening ( 17 ),

b. Tensioning the outer packaging ( 3 ) by rotating the tensioning roller ( 9 ),

c. Piercing the piercing element ( 14 ) into the outer packaging ( 3 ),

d. Injecting gas through the outlet opening ( 17 ) of the pierced piercing element ( 14 ) into the outer packaging ( 3 ),

e. Cutting open the tensioned and inflated outer packaging ( 3 ), and

f. Removing the sterile object ( 2 ) from the outer packaging ( 3 ).

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein a flat section ( 31 ) of the outer packaging ( 3 ) is held by a holding device ( 6 ).

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein at least one piercing unit ( 41 ) is pierced into the flat section ( 31 ) for pressure regulation.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jul 4, 2026
From: SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
To: SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 075893/0756 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2023
From: LEIDIG, JÜRGEN; WEBER, FLORIAN; EKKART, ALEXANDER
To: SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Reel/Frame 065370/0001 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2022 129 107.3 · Nov 3, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240150061A1 · May 9, 2024
References Cited (43)
US 2730254A · Sabaroff · 1956 [cited by examiner]
US 4034877A · Bennison · 1977 [cited by examiner]
US 4158417A · Inoue · 1979 [cited by examiner]
US 4219299A · Watson · 1980 [cited by examiner]
US 4390135A · Wakamatsu · 1983 [cited by examiner]
US 4515509A · Frisz · 1985 [cited by examiner]
US 4917283A · Weatherhead · 1990 [cited by examiner]
US 5222600A · Stoddard · 1993 [cited by examiner]
US 5352082A · Bennison · 1994 [cited by examiner]
US 5590777A · Weiss · 1997 [cited by examiner]
US 5613824A · Kato · 1997 [cited by examiner]
US 5947287A · Weiss · 1999 [cited by examiner]
US 6089814A · Bayer · 2000 [cited by examiner]
US 6223578B1 · Kamijo · 2001 [cited by examiner]
US 6251489B1 · Weiss · 2001 [cited by examiner]
US 6488279B1 · Fukuda · 2002 [cited by examiner]
US 9266314B2 · Findley · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 10829259B2 · Nehus · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20030185703A1 · Walsh · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20030230847A1 · Shikahama · 2003 [cited by examiner]
US 20040251617A1 · Tsukada · 2004 [cited by examiner]
US 20130269164A1 · DeHart · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20160194187A1 · Greadington · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20210107693A1 · Palumbo et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220227522A1 · Kupfer et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
CA 2741247C · 2017 [cited by examiner]
CN 104816847B · 2019 [cited by examiner]
CN 114631840A · 2022 [cited by examiner]
CN 106927098B · 2022 [cited by examiner]
CN 116674833A · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 117244905A · 2023 [cited by examiner]
DE 102007027878 · 2008 [cited by applicant]
DE 102011080289 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
DE 102011084302A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
DE 102014201814A1 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
DE 102019206449 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 2110331A2 · 2009 [cited by examiner]
JP 2016169017A · 2016 [cited by examiner]
NL 1027106 · 2006 [cited by applicant]
RU 897647A1 · 1979 [cited by examiner]
RU 1284895A1 · 1987 [cited by examiner]
European Patent Office Extended Search Report for Application No. 23204430.5 dated May 14, 2024 (11 pages including English machine translation). [cited by applicant]
Office Action for German Application No. 10 2022 129 107.3 mailed on May 3, 2023 (Statement of Relevance, 9 pages). [cited by applicant]