DEVICE FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING STOPPERS FROM CONTAINERS

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for inserting and/or removing stoppers from containers of various size and shape, which must be hermetically sealed by tight-fitting stoppers. In particular, the invention relates to sterile containers designed to carry medicines and or other containers that must be kept sterile, and that have stoppers or stoppers of rubber or semi-rigid material that is forced into or from a mouth rim of the container.

Description of the prior art.

[0002] Various types of sterile containers designed to carry medicines and or other containers that must be kept sterile exist, for example as disclosed in GB2248442A.

[0003] Such containers are also called canisters, or drums, or jugs or cans, or bottles, and are used for transporting bulk drugs, for example in the form of powder or granules, from the manufactures of single pharmaceutical components to pharmaceutical laboratories that prepare pharmaceutical compositions.

[0004] The containers can be made of metal, for example aluminium, or other stiff sterile material suitable for carrying medicines or sanitary stuff. The containers have a large mouth closed by a stopper. The stoppers can be made of rubber, having an undercut stopper rim, or a circumferential rib, that engages an undercut container rim made in the inner rim of the mouth of the container.

[0005] The stoppers of such containers are mainly inserted or extracted either manually using both hands, or by bulky and heavy devices.

[0006] A device for extracting stoppers according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from WO 2004/016544 A1.

[0007] With such stoppers the following problems arise.

[0008] Concerning the insertion of the stopper: in order to assure tightness and stability in the closed position and guarantee a sealed closure, the stoppers have ribs that increase their diameter with respect to the rim of the mouth of the container. Normally, this operation is manually carried out through a considerable manual pressure of the stopper inside the bottle, which, to be fully accomplished, takes at least ten seconds. This operation is made in the production site of the medicine, by authorised operators that normally wear gloves.

[0009] Concerning the removal of the stopper, also in this case this operation is normally carried out manually in sterile environments. In order to avoid pollution of the environment, where pharmaceutical compositions are prepared with different components, the operators wear one or even double or triple layer of gloves. The manual extraction of the stopper, considering the number of worn gloves, has the risk that the operator has no precise tactile sensations on the fingers and so it takes a lot of time to remove the stopper from the container. Moreover, during the manual extraction the worn gloves can be damaged by friction of the gloves themselves on the metallic rib of the container, with the risk of contaminating both the operator's hands and the content of the bottle.

[0010] Owing to the reason that the stoppers are made of rubber, the bigger the diameter of the stopper and of' the mouth of the container the higher the force necessary for deforming the stopper and inserting it in the mouth of the container or extracting it from the container.

[0011] Devices are known that allow both the insertion and extraction of the stopper in the bottle, which are heavy, bulky, and which are not very easy to use. Such devices, in case of insertion, push the stopper into the bottle neck mechanically and in case of extraction make use of levers that are operated simultaneously with the use of both hands.

Summary of the invention

[0012] In the present description, with the term stopper, any resilient stopper, or cap, or lid, or cover of a container that is arranged to be elastically forced within the rim of the mouth of the container is intended, and which generates the closure force by the reaction generated by is reduction of diameter is intended.

[0013] It is then a feature of the present invention to provide a device for inserting/removing a stopper from a container that does not present the drawbacks of the prior art as above described.

[0014] A further object of the disclosure is to provide a modified stopper for containers arranged to be used in association with some embodiments of the device according to the invention solving the above described drawbacks.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide a system of a device and of a modified stopper which solve the above described drawbacks.

[0016] These and other objects are achieved by the device and system according to any of the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will be now shown with the following description of some exemplary embodiments thereof, exemplifying but not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

• Figs. 1-4 show a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Figs. 5-8 show a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

• Figs. 9-12 show a stopper for a container according to the prior art;
• Fig. 13 show an exemplary container for the stopper of figures 9-12
• Fig. 14 show a third exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Fig. 15 show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Fig. 16 show a fifth exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

Detailed description of some exemplary embodiments

[0018] With reference to Figs. 1 to 13, an exemplary device is described for inserting a stopper 14 in or from the mouth 31 of a container 30 (Fig. 13), for example a bulk container for pharmaceuticals.

[0019] As above described, such types of stoppers 14 are made of a resilient material, for example rubber, and, in order to assure tightness and stability in the closed position and to guarantee a sealed closure of mouth 31 of container 30, they have ribs 14' that have a diameter larger than the inner rim of the mouth 31 of container 30.

[0020] In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, depicted in figures 1-8, the device comprises and end plate 1 with a recess 15 having the same size of the maximum diameter of stopper 14. Recess 15 has a concave inner surface .

[0021] Recess 15 is arranged in such a way that stopper 14 can be elastically pulled by a force generated in recess 15, from a rest position to a deformed position in which it is bent towards concave inner surface .

[0022] Such bending force, causes the deformation of the external face 14a of the stopper, as shown in figures 11 and 12, which becomes substantially dome-shaped. Moreover, and this is the technical effect of the present invention, the bending force causes the reduction of the diameter of the ribs 14' of stopper 14, as shown in figure 12, from the original shape of the stopper, which therefore permit the stopper to be freely inserted.

[0023] In the embodiment of figures 1-8, and in Fig. 14, and in other similar embodiments that a person skilled in the art can make without further researches, the bending force that causes the deformation of the stopper and the reduction of the diameter of ribs 14' is generated by vacuum inside recess 15. In this way, the vacuum permits to the atmospheric pressure acting on stopper 14, especially on the opposite side of external face 14a, to bend stopper 14.

[0024] With reference to figures 1-4, which is a first possible example of a device that inserts or extracts a stopper by vacuum forces, an operator can hold the device in an open position, through an outer sleeve 3. Then, the operator puts the device on stopper 14 (figure 4), so that end plate 1 overlaps the external face 14a of stopper 14. End plate 1 can be equipped with a neck 16, which can be dimensioned and internally threaded to accommodate an internal stem 2 and a spring 9, which internally passes through stem 2. An O-ring 6 can be inserted into a specific housing of neck 16 of end plate 1, at the base of internal stem 2. A retaining ring 5 is positioned in a housing of the top of internal stem 2.

[0025] The operator can press down outer sleeve 3, which pushes the spring 9, which is then compressed. Outer sleeve 3 ends with a support ring 10, which is designed to contain a scraper ring 8 and an internal guide 4. The stem 2 passes inside the latter. The scraper ring 8 is made of rubber or equivalent material. Internal guide 4 is a bushing of metal or PTFE, or other equivalent material. After movement of lever 19, support ring 10 ends its path when reaching the neck 16 of end plate 1, causing the air to exit.

[0026] At this point the device has expelled all the contained air, except from a small quantity of residual air remaining between the external surface 14a of stopper 14 and the concavity 15 of end plate 1.

[0027] The operator releases the hand from the outer sleeve 3 and then stops the force exerted on the spring 9, which is decompressed creating a sufficient level of depression within inner stem 2. End plate 1 is equipped with a opening hole or groove or cavity 17, adapted to air passage between the external face 14a of stopper 14 and the concave bottom part 15 of end plate 1 and the inside of the device.

[0028] Consequently, the small quantity of residual air between the outer surface of stopper 14 and the concavity 15 of end plate 1 is sucked into inner stem 2 through the opening 17 and this creates a suction effect thanks to which stopper 14, which as mentioned is of rubber or similar material, adheres to end plate 1. In this way, the diameter of stopper 14 is reduced and becomes less than or equal to the diameter of the neck of the bottle.

[0029] Stopper 14, which is completely sucked into the concave recess 15 of end plate 1, is integral with the device and then can be moved by the operator and placed for example on the mouth 31 bottle 30, where it can be inserted without applying any additional force.

[0030] Once on mouth 31 of bottle 30, the operator presses a vent valve or button 12, which is located on the outer sleeve 3, compressing the spring 13 which surrounds it. The button 12 internally houses an O-ring 7 and an Allen screw 11, through which it is joined to the outer sleeve 3. There is a hexagonal bar 25 which acts as a guide for screw 11. The spring 13 has a suitable diameter to surround the button 12 but smaller than its knob 18 so that it cannot slide out, even when it decompresses and puts the button 12 back to its position. When the operator presses the vent valve 12, the hole in the outer sleeve opens 3 and so, the previously created depression disappears since the inside of the device and the external environment are placed in communication. Consequently, stopper 14 is left free from end plate 1 and goes back to its normal diameter. At this point the container is closed hermetically and the device can be moved. All the aforesaid steps take place by holding the device with one hand.

[0031] With reference to Figs 5 to 8 another alternative exemplary embodiment of the invention is described, where outer sleeve 3 is integral to the neck 16 of end plate 1, where the neck 16 is suitably dimensioned like outer sleeve 3.

[0032] In order to close the device, a knob 24 and, consequently, a flange 20, can be pushed towards the sleeve 3, namely neck 16 of end plate 1, up to a stop. Then, the O-ring and spring 9 contained in it are caused to slide in outer sleeve 3.

[0033] A flange 20, which replaces support ring 10 of figure 1-4, is arranged to house scraper ring 8 and internal guide 4. Scraper ring 8 and guide 4 can be of a same material indicated in the description of the device's embodiment as referred to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0034] Flange 20, furthermore, is dimensioned and internally threaded to accommodate and anchor inner stem 2 and to house spring 9. In this case the device remains closed due to the fact that a lever 19, positioned on the upper part of stem 2, through a flange 20 and a screw 21, is stuck in the groove 22 of knob 24. Lever 19 remains in tension thanks to a spring 23 placed between it and the flange 20.

[0035] In order to pick up stopper 14, the device is placed thereon so that end plate 1 overlaps the external face of stopper 14. The neck 16 of end plate 1, which has the function of outer sleeve 3, also in this case is dimensioned and internally threaded to accommodate inner stem 2 and to house and anchor the spring 9, which passes internally into stem 2. Stem 2 however, with respect the embodiment of the invention of figures 1-4, has O-ring 6 that is inserted into a special housing of flange 20, up to the top of inner stem 2, while a retaining ring 5 is positioned in a special housing of the base of inner stem 2.

[0036] The device of embodiment of figures 5-8 is then closed, so that spring 9 is already compressed and the air has already come out except from a small quantity necessarily located between the outer surface of stopper 14 and the concavity 15 of the end plate, but it could be closed once it is positioned on stopper 14 with a similar result.

[0037] Then, the force exerted on spring 9 is withdrawn, and in order to ensure that spring 9 decompresses extending upwards and causes a vacuum in stem 2, the operator presses the lever 19 towards the sleeve 3 or neck 16, then releasing it from groove 22 of knob 24.

[0038] Consequently, also in this embodiment of figures 5-8, the small quantity of air that remains between the outer surface of stopper 14 and the concavity 15 of end plate 1 is sucked into inner stem 2 through opening 17, creating a suction effect for which stopper 14, which as mentioned is of rubber or similar flexible material, adheres to end plate 1.

[0039] In this way, the diameter of stopper 14 is reduced and becomes less than or equal to inner diameter of rim 31 of the container 30 of figure 13. Also in this case, it can be easily inserted or extracted in and from the mouth of the container.

[0040] In case of insertion, since stopper 14 is completely sucked into the concavity 15 of end plate 1, it is integral with the device, and then it can be moved at will by the operator and placed, for example, on the inlet mouth of the bottle, where it can be inserted without applying pressure. Once in the mouth of the bottle, the operator presses the knob 24 downwards, until it stops and then locks the lever 19 in groove 22 of knob 24. In doing so, the internal spring 9 compresses and brings inner stem 2 towards the end plate 1. The air enters between the concavity 15 of the end plate and stopper 14 and, consequently, stopper 14 is left free from end plate 1 and goes back to its normal diameter. So, at this point the container is closed hermetically. The device at this point can be moved.

[0041] All the aforesaid steps can be carried out by holding the device with one hand.

[0042] A seen above for the embodiment of figs 1-4 and for the embodiment of figs 5-8, with two different mechanisms a vacuum is created manually between stopper 14 and end plate 1.

[0043] With reference to fig. 14, a vacuum pump 50 can be arranged with a tube 51 communicating with neck 16 of end plate 1 by a collection member 52.

[0044] The embodiment of figure 14 is particularly suitable when the operation of inserting and/or removing stopper 14 is carried out very frequently, or where vacuum is easily accessible.

[0045] With reference to fig. 15, a first modified end plate 101 can comprise a magnet 102, such as a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet. A first modified stopper 114 can comprise a magnet 115, or a ferromagnetic material, which can be attracted by magnet 102. In this case, a magnetic force can be generated by approaching first modified end plate 101 and first modified stopper 114, in such a way that stopper 114 reaches a deformed shape like figures 11 and 12, and can enter or exit from mouth 31 freely or without substantial friction forces.

[0046] With reference to fig. 16, a second modified end plate 201 can comprise a gripper 202. A second modified stopper 214 can comprise a handle portion 215, which can be a protrusion like in Fig. 16 or a recessed portion (not shown, but equivalent by function to the protrusion) which can be gripped by gripper 202. In this case, a pulling mechanical force can be generated by causing gripper 202, which is housed in second modified end plate 201, to grip and pull second modified stopper 214, in such a way that second modified stopper 214 reaches a deformed shape like figures 11 and 12, and can enter or exit from mouth 31 freely or without substantial friction forces.

Claims

1. A device for inserting or extracting a stopper (14, 114, 214) in or from a mouth (31) of a container (30), like a bulk container for pharmaceuticals, said stopper (14, 114, 214) made of a resilient material, like rubber or other flexible material, said stopper having at least a side rib (14') arranged to be forced in said mouth (31) to sealingly close said container (30),
wherein said device comprises an end plate (1, 101, 201) having a recess (15) wherein that end plate (1, 101, 201) is arranged to generate a pulling force on that stopper, characterized in that
the recess is configured to fit said stopper (14, 114, 214) in such a way that a concave inner surface of said recess (15) faces an external face (14a) of said stopper (14, 114, 214),
and in that said end plate (1, 101, 201) is arranged to generate a pulling force on said stopper (14, 114, 214) in such a way that said stopper bends elastically from a rest position to a deformed position in which said external face (14a) of said stopper (14, 114, 214) is bent towards said concave inner surface of said recess (15) .

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said end plate (1) is arranged to generate said pulling force on said stopper (14) by vacuum between said recess (15) and said external face (14a) of said stopper (14).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said stopper is a first modified stopper (114) comprising a magnetic portion (115) selected among a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic portion, and wherein said end plate (101) is arranged to generate said pulling force on said stopper (114) by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic element (102) selected among a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic element and associated with said end plate (101) .

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said stopper is a second modified stopper (214) comprising a handle portion (214') selected among a protrusion and a recessed portion, and wherein said end plate (201) is arranged to generate said pulling force on said stopper (214) by a gripper (202), which is housed in said end plate (201).

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said end plate (1) is arranged to generate said pulling force on said stopper (14) by a manual vacuum generation device (3).

6. The device according to claim 2, wherein, said end plate (1) is arranged to generate said pulling force on said stopper (14) by a vacuum pump (50).

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein manual vacuum generation device comprises a sleeve (3) arranged to move relatively with respect to said end plate (1) to generate said vacuum by means of a stem (2).

8. The device according, to claim 5, wherein manual vacuum generation device comprises a knob (24) arranged to move relatively with respect to said end plate (1) to generate said vacuum by means of a stem (2).

9. A system comprising

- a stopper (14, 114, 214) for a mouth (31) of a container (30), like a bulk container for pharmaceuticals, said stopper (14, 114, 214) made of a resilient material, like rubber or other flexible material, said stopper having at least a side rib (14') arranged to be forced in said mouth (31) to sealingly close said container (30),

- a device for inserting or extracting said stopper (14, 114, 214) in or from said mouth (31) of said container (30) according to any of the previous claims,
said stopper and said device selected among

- a stopper (14) having an external face (14a), said device arranged to generate by said end plate (101) said pulling force on said stopper (14) by vacuum between said recess (15) and said external face (14a) of said stopper (14);

- a first modified stopper (114) comprising a magnetic portion (115) selected among a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic portion, said device arranged to generate by a first modified end plate (101) said pulling force on said stopper (114) by a magnetic force generated by a magnetic element (102) selected among a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic element and associated with said end plate (101);

- a second modified stopper (214) comprising a handle portion (214') selected among a protrusion and a recessed portion, and wherein said device is arranged to generate by said end plate (201) said pulling force on said stopper (214) by a gripper (202) which is housed in said second modified end plate (201).

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zum Einführen oder Herausziehen eines Stopfens (14, 114, 214) in eine oder aus einer Öffnung (31) eines Behälters (30), wie ein Massengutbehälter für Arzneimittel, wobei der Stopfen (14, 114, 214) aus einem elastischen Material hergestellt ist, wie Gummi oder ein anderes flexibles Material, wobei der Stopfen mindestens eine Seitenrippe (14') aufweist, die dazu angeordnet ist, in die Öffnung (31) gedrückt zu werden, um den Behälter (30) abdichtend zu verschließen, wobei
die Vorrichtung eine Endplatte (1, 101, 201) umfasst, die eine Aussparung (15) aufweist, wobei diese Endplatte (1, 101, 201) dazu angeordnet ist, eine Zugkraft an diesem Stopfen zu erzeugen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
die Aussparung dazu konfiguriert ist, den Stopfen (14, 114, 214) derart anzupassen, dass eine konkave Innenfläche der Aussparung (15) einer Außenfläche (14a) des Stopfens (14, 114, 214) zugewandt ist, und dass die Endplatte (1, 101, 201) dazu angeordnet ist, eine Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (14, 114, 214) derart zu erzeugen, dass sich der Stopfen elastisch von einer Ruheposition zu einer verformten Position biegt, in der die Außenfläche (14a) des Stopfens (14, 114, 214) in Richtung der konkaven Innenfläche der Aussparung (15) gebogen wird.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Endplatte (1) dazu angeordnet ist, die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (14) durch Vakuum zwischen der Aussparung (15) und der Außenfläche (14a) des Stopfens (14) zu erzeugen.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Stopfen ein erster modifizierter Stopfen (114) ist, der einen Magnetabschnitt (115) umfasst, der unter einem Permanentmagneten oder einem ferromagnetischen Abschnitt ausgewählt ist, und wobei die Endplatte (101) dazu angeordnet ist, die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (114) durch eine Magnetkraft zu erzeugen, die von einem Magnetelement (102) erzeugt wird, das unter einem Permanentmagneten oder einem elektromagnetischen Element ausgewählt und der Endplatte (101) zugeordnet ist.

4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Stopfen ein zweiter modifizierter Stopfen (214) ist, der einen Griffabschnitt (214') umfasst, der unter einem Vorsprung und einem vertieften Abschnitt ausgewählt ist, und wobei die Endplatte (201) dazu angeordnet ist, die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (214) durch einen Greifer (202) zu erzeugen, der in der Endplatte (201) untergebracht ist.

5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Endplatte (1) dazu angeordnet ist, die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (14) durch eine manuelle Vakuumerzeugungsvorrichtung (3) zu erzeugen.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Endplatte (1) dazu angeordnet ist, die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (14) durch eine Vakuumpumpe (50) zu erzeugen.

7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die manuelle Vakuumerzeugungsvorrichtung eine Hülse (3) umfasst, die dazu angeordnet ist, sich relativ zu der Endplatte (1) zu bewegen, um das Vakuum mittels eines Schafts (2) zu erzeugen.

8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die manuelle Vakuumerzeugungsvorrichtung einen Knopf (24) umfasst, der dazu angeordnet ist, sich relativ zu der Endplatte (1) zu bewegen, um das Vakuum mittels eines Schafts (2) zu erzeugen.

9. System, umfassend:

- einen Stopfen (14, 114, 214) für eine Öffnung (31) eines Behälters (30), wie ein Massengutbehälter für Arzneimittel, wobei der Stopfen (14, 114, 214) aus einem elastischen Material hergestellt ist, wie Gummi oder ein anderes flexibles Material, wobei der Stopfen mindestens eine Seitenrippe (14') aufweist, die dazu angeordnet ist, in die Öffnung (31) gedrückt zu werden, um den Behälter (30) abdichtend zu verschließen

- eine Vorrichtung zum Einführen oder Herausziehen des Stopfens (14, 114, 214) in die oder aus der Öffnung (31) des Behälters (30) gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Stopfen und die Vorrichtung ausgewählt sind unter

- einem Stopfen (14), der eine Außenfläche (14a) aufweist, wobei die Vorrichtung dazu angeordnet ist, durch die Endplatte
(101) die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (14) durch Vakuum zwischen der Aussparung (15) und der Außenfläche (14a) des Stopfens (14) zu erzeugen;

- einem ersten modifizierten Stopfen (114), der einen Magnetabschnitt (115) umfasst, der unter einem Permanentmagneten oder einem ferromagnetischen Abschnitt ausgewählt ist, wobei die Vorrichtung dazu angeordnet ist, durch eine erste modifizierte Endplatte (101) die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (114) durch eine Magnetkraft zu erzeugen, die von einem Magnetelement (102) erzeugt wird, das unter einem Permanentmagneten oder einem elektromagnetischen Element ausgewählt und der Endplatte (101) zugeordnet ist;

- einem zweiten modifizierten Stopfen (214) ist, der einen Griffabschnitt (214') umfasst, der unter einem Vorsprung und einem vertieften Abschnitt ausgewählt ist, und wobei die Vorrichtung dazu angeordnet ist, durch die Endplatte (201) die Zugkraft an dem Stopfen (214) durch einen Greifer (202) zu erzeugen, der in der zweiten modifizierten Endplatte (201) untergebracht ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif destiné à insérer ou extraire un bouchon (14, 114, 214) dans ou à partir d'une embouchure (31) d'un contenant (30), de type contenant en vrac pour produits pharmaceutiques, ledit bouchon (14, 114, 214) étant constitué d'un matériau élastique, de type caoutchouc ou autre matériau souple, ledit bouchon possédant ant au moins une nervure latérale (14') agencée pour être forcée dans ladite embouchure (31) pour fermer hermétiquement ledit contenant (30),
ledit dispositif comprenant une plaque d'extrémité (1, 101, 201) possédant un évidement (15), ladite plaque d'extrémité (1, 101, 201) étant agencée pour générer une force de traction sur ce bouchon, caractérisé en ce que
l'évidement est conçu pour s'adapter audit bouchon (14, 114, 214) d'une façon telle qu'une surface interne concave dudit évidement (15) fait face à une face externe (14a) dudit bouchon (14, 114, 214), et en ce que ladite plaque d'extrémité (1, 101, 201) est agencée pour générer une force de traction sur ledit bouchon (14, 114, 214) d'une façon telle que ledit bouchon plie élastiquement d'une position de repos à une position déformée dans laquelle ladite face externe (14a) dudit bouchon (14, 114, 214) est
pliée vers ladite surface interne concave dudit évidement (15).

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, ladite plaque d'extrémité (1) étant agencée pour générer ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (14) sous l'effet d'un vide entre ledit évidement (15) et ladite face externe (14a) dudit bouchon (14).

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, ledit bouchon étant un premier bouchon modifié (114) comprenant une partie magnétique (115) choisie parmi un aimant permanent ou une partie ferromagnétique, et ladite plaque d'extrémité (101) étant agencée pour générer ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (114) par une force magnétique générée par un élément magnétique (102) choisi parmi un aimant permanent ou un élément électromagnétique et associé à ladite plaque d'extrémité (101).

4. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, ledit bouchon étant un second bouchon modifié (214) comprenant une partie poignée (214') choisie parmi une saillie et une partie évidée, et ladite plaque d'extrémité (201) étant agencée pour générer ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (214) par une pince (202), qui est logée dans ladite plaque d'extrémité (201).

5. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, ladite plaque d'extrémité (1) étant agencée pour générer ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (14) par un dispositif de génération de vide manuel (3).

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, ladite plaque d'extrémité (1) étant agencée pour générer ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (14) par une pompe à vide (50).

7. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, ledit dispositif de génération de vide manuel comprenant un manchon (3) agencé pour se déplacer relativement par rapport à ladite plaque d'extrémité (1) pour générer ledit vide au moyen d'une tige (2).

8. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, ledit dispositif de génération de vide manuel comprenant un bouton (24) agencé pour se déplacer relativement par rapport à ladite plaque d'extrémité (1) afin de générer ledit vide au moyen d'une tige (2).

9. Système comprenant

- un bouchon (14, 114, 214) pour une embouchure (31) d'un contenant (30), de type récipient en vrac pour produits pharmaceutiques, ledit bouchon (14, 114, 214) étant constitué d'un matériau élastique, de type caoutchouc ou autre matériau souple, ledit bouchon possédant au moins une nervure latérale (14') agencée pour être forcée dans ladite embouchure (31) afin de fermer hermétiquement ledit contenant (30),

- un dispositif destiné à insérer ou à extraire ledit bouchon (14, 114, 214) dans ou à partir de ladite embouchure (31) dudit contenant (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ledit bouchon et ledit dispositif étant choisis parmi

- un bouchon (14) possédant une face externe (14a), ledit dispositif étant agencé pour générer par ladite plaque d'extrémité
(101) ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (14) sous l'effet d'un vide entre ledit évidement (15) et ladite face externe (14a) dudit bouchon (14) ;

- un premier bouchon modifié (114) comprenant une partie magnétique (115) choisie parmi un aimant permanent ou une partie ferromagnétique, ledit dispositif étant agencé pour générer par une première plaque d'extrémité modifiée (101) ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (114) par une force magnétique générée par un élément magnétique (102) choisi parmi un aimant permanent ou un élément électromagnétique et associé à ladite plaque d'extrémité (101) ;

- un second bouchon modifié (214) comprenant une partie poignée (214') choisie parmi une saillie et une partie évidée, et ledit dispositif étant agencé pour générer par ladite plaque d'extrémité (201) ladite force de traction sur ledit bouchon (214) par une pince (202) qui est logée dans ladite seconde plaque d'extrémité modifiée (201).

Drawing