DE102013110292A1 - Method for coupling two containers and device for coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for coupling containers and / or lines in order to transfer a product, preferably bulk material, located in a first space (1), the containment (2), into a subsequent second space (3) Slider plate (5) in the housing (7) of the slide (6) provided inlet opening (8) in a closed position (9) closes, by means of a closure element (9) closed coupling stub (11) of a second space (3) with an outlet opening ( 12) of the slide housing is sealingly connected, then the closure element (10) in a recess (13) of the slide plate (5) is received and fastened, the closure element (9) of the coupling stub (11) of the second space (3) is removed, and then the slide plate (3) is moved into its open position (14). Moreover, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for coupling and / or separating containers and / or lines to separate or connect a first space, so-called containment, and a subsequent second space by means of a movably guided separating element without opening the containment according to the preamble of the main claim or a device for carrying out the method according to the preamble of claim 7.

Such a method and apparatus is known from DE 100 10 99 5 A1 known. In order to promote the bulk material located in a first container in a subsequent container or in a line to be connected, a termination plate is created on a coupling stub and creates a vacuum between the end plate and another deflector. Subsequently, the terminator with the firmly connected deflector is moved back into the coupling stub for material removal and opened a closing flap.

Such elaborate methods are particularly necessary in the pharmaceutical industry, since contaminated surfaces can come in contact with the atmosphere in the short term when coupling containers or lines. To avoid this, additional dust caps are provided on the end faces of the pipe socket, which must be removed before the coupling of the container takes place. However, it should be largely avoided that dust not only from the ambient atmosphere or the like get into the pipe socket, but also that the material contained therein does not escape into the ambient air.

Other shut - off valves, which largely fulfill these conditions necessary in the pharmaceutical industry, are from the U.S. Patent 3,106,223 or from the DE 69321378.7 known. In these documents valves for a pollution-free transmission are proposed, with which the previously described dust protection flaps should be dispensable.

However, all the solutions described is common that they are extremely expensive because they consist of many parts.

The invention is therefore based on the object to propose another method or another device that allows a particularly safe switching of potentially contaminating substances. Method and device should make it possible to couple containers or lines in a simple manner with each other and, if necessary, to separate again, without causing a contact of the inner surfaces of the connecting piece with the outside atmosphere environment during connection and / or separation of the two devices.

[A01] The process task is solved by a method for coupling two containers and / or conduits by using a slider plate of a slider as the movable separator. Such a slide is a per se known device. It is used in pipelines for switching the fluids flowing through the lines. By using a slide couplings and separations of rooms can be made safer, especially in pharmaceutics, because a slider, which uses a slide plate as a separator, cleans the slide plate again with each switching operation. By the sliding movement of the seal on the slide plate namely any adhesions are sheared off of the seal and thereby cleaned.

In a refinement of the use of a slide, it is provided for a method for coupling containers and / or lines in order to transfer a material located in a first space, the containment, preferably bulk material, into a subsequent second space the slide plate of the slide closes an inlet opening provided in the housing of the slide in its closed position, and a second space closed by means of a closing element, preferably sealingly connected to an outlet opening of the slide housing by means of a closing element, then receives and fixes the closing element in a recess of the slide plate is removed, the closure element of the second space or the coupling stub, and then the slide plate is moved to its open position.

In order to avoid that substances in contact with the slider from the environment enter the product or vice versa, the product enters the environment, a second container provided with a closure element as protection or a line end provided with a closure element in the outlet opening, the slide attached and removed the closure element of the second container or the conduit end only in this position of the container or the conduit end. The protected by the closure element opening or that of the other container or line end remains closed until it is sealed in a position within the housing of the device. Only there is the closure element removed. The closure element also does not enter the environment because it is received in a recess of the slide and stored there. Then the slider can be moved to its open position. Contamination of the Environment or product is therefore excluded.

So that the inlet opening of the second container or of the pipe end does not have to be adapted to the outlet opening of the valve body or vice versa, it makes sense to connect a coupling pipe in between. This serves as an adapter between the outlet opening of the slider housing or the closure element and the inlet opening of the second space, i. the container or the pipe end. In this way standard connections can be adapted.

As mentioned, the method according to the invention can also be used without coupling stubs.

[A03] In an embodiment of the method is provided for the separation of containers and / or lines that the closure element is provided in the recess of the slide plate, the slide plate is moved to its closed position, the second space or optionally the coupling tube is closed with the closure element and the sealed second room or possibly its coupling stub is removed from the housing of the slide. When the slider is moved to its closed position, the separation of the volumes, i. the spaces completed, and the second container or the conduit end can be closed with the waiting in the recess of the slider closure element before the second container so closed or the closed end of the line is removed from the device. Thus, even when separating the rooms, neither something from the environment can enter the containment nor transgress something from the containment into the environment. The separation process is thus designed to be safe for pharmaceutical purposes.

[A04] In particular, for product change, it is advantageous if a passage opening of the slide plate and / or at least one existing sealing surface is cleaned, preferably by rinsing, wherein the cleaning is preferably carried out in the closed position of the slide plate. The device can be advantageously integrated into existing CIP (cleaning-in-place) circuits and automatically cleaned before the inner surfaces come into contact with another product. Product changes can therefore be realized for a short time. The production is not only safer but also more flexible. The cleaning is advantageously carried out in an end position, in particular in the closed position and / or open position of the slider. Depending on the design of the slider, other surfaces in the open position or closed position can advantageously be cleaned. If these two switching states of the device respectively represent end positions of the slide, these end positions can also be approached with great repeatability.

Because the functional elements are arranged in a housing whose interior is subjected to negative pressure with respect to the environment, only a defined direction of the Lekageströmung can occur in the interior of the device in Lekagen. A transgression of hazardous substances into the environment is excluded.

[A06] In a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that the movements of the slide plate in its sealing plane and / or the coupling stub take place rotationally or linearly, preferably automatically controlled by a motor control and controlled by a control. Depending on the application, a rotary or linear movement of the slide plate may be more advantageous. For example, the direction of the movement can always be maintained in the case of a rotational movement, whereas in the case of a linear movement, any shearing edges when the slider is being closed are loaded opposite to when they are opened. From the different movement out also follow different designs, which can offer additional benefits depending on the installation location. Also, for attachment of the coupling stub in the valve body and or for the separation or connection of the closure element both linear and rotarische movements can be used constructively to realize the desired process step. The safety against operating errors is increased if the motions are motorized and automated controlled by a controller.

[A07] The object is also achieved by a device for coupling and / or separating containers and / or lines in order to connect or disconnect a first space, in particular a containment, and a subsequent second space, for example a bottle, without to open the containment, with a housing provided in the inlet opening and an outlet opening and with a movable separating element arranged therebetween, in which the separating element is designed as a slide plate and the outlet opening is formed for receiving a coupling stub and the slide plate a recess with a holder for receiving and for holding a closure element for the coupling stub. This device according to the invention can be produced with considerably reduced production costs, without having to compromise on process reliability. Tablet testing machines can be combined particularly advantageously with containers for used DUTs. The containers can then be archived directly with content according to the regulations.

[A08] To close the container advantageously a holder in the slide plate is arranged, and the coupling stub is formed with the container or line end stationary connected to the slide housing. The slider serves at the same time as a means of transport for the closure element to the opening to be closed, whose axis is stationary until closed. To hold the cap or closure element during transport, a cap holder is provided. This can also be switchable with advantage, for example designed as an electromagnet. The cap can then be released simply by interrupting the exciter current, for example, for removal.

[A09] It can also be used brackets, in which the holding forces are generated mechanically by positive or non-positive, for example, as in a push button. An advantageous closure element for use in the device according to the invention provides that the closure element is designed as a sealing plug or cap and preferably has a magnetizable element or at least one molding element as a supplement to the temporary attachment in the slide plate.

[A10] A coupling stub for use in a device according to the invention is advantageously designed as a ring with a, preferably inner, sealing surface to the closure element and with at least one arranged on its outer circumference form element for attachment in the outlet opening of the valve body. The coupling stub can then be securely connected to the slide housing, for example by insertion into the outlet opening of the slide housing and subsequent rotation, when the contact areas of coupling stub and outlet opening are designed in the manner of a bayonet closure. The axial movement can also have several depths to be approached. For example, the closure element can be removed at a depth and a locking with the slider housing take place in another depth or plane. For this purpose, the parts to be joined with appropriate custom threads or bayonet locks are equipped with the help of which the parts are connected by a coupling drive. Once the coupling tube has been connected to the closure element, then the protected and sealed opening can be removed from the device.

Sufficient durability and cleanliness, even with aggressive substances, can be achieved if the slide and / or parts of the housing made of ceramic. For cleaning, the housing has an inlet and a drain for a cleaning fluid.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to a drawing. In this functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

The figures of the drawing show in detail:

1 a perspective view of a slider according to the invention in a first embodiment,

2 a vertical section through the slide according to the invention according to the first embodiment in the open position

3 a vertical section through the slider according to the invention according to 1 in closed position,

4 a perspective view of a slide according to the invention in a second embodiment,

5 a vertical section of a slider according to the invention in the second embodiment in the open position,

6 a vertical section of a slider according to the invention in the second embodiment in the closed position and

7 a vertical section through the second embodiment of the slide according to the invention in the closed position and with closed coupling connection.

In 1 a slider according to the invention is shown in perspective view. The slider 6 consists of a housing 7 , on its top 28 a connection flange 29 is screwed, the connection to a room, not shown 1 that is the containment 2 , made in a known way.

On the bottom 30 of the housing 7 is the end of a coupling 11 to recognize in which a bottle 21 is attached. The bottle 21 makes a room in this way 3 represents.

By means of the slider 6 this is above the connection flange 29 located containment 2 with the room 3 connected switchable. To move the slider from its open position to a closed position 9 to move is the handle 31 intended. Instead, any other linear drive can be used, which can be addressed for example by a controller.

The internal structure of the slider 6 is out 2 seen.

In 2 is a vertical section of the slider 6 according to 1 shown. In 2 is on the top 28 of the slider 6 the connection flange 29 recognizable in section, by the arrow in the direction 32 Bulk material, for example a sample collective of tablets, from the upstream containment 2 can be supplied. This bulk material passes through the inlet opening 8th in the slider housing 7 one. Below is a slide plate 5 as a separator 4 , which in this representation are in their open position 14 located. In this open position 14 namely lies the passage opening 15 the slide plate 5 below the inlet opening 8th , so that the bulk material continues the opening 33 the coupling socket 11 can happen to get into the bottle 21 to fall. bottle 21 points as a form element 34 a thread 35 for attachment in coupling socket 11 on, so the bottle 21 tight with the coupling pipe 11 can be screwed.

Additionally located in the slide plate 5 a depression 13 in which a closure element 10 for closing the coupling socket 11 is provided. The closure element 10 , in the case shown a stopper 24 , is in the recess 13 from one in the slide plate 5 provided magnet 23 held. For this purpose, the stopper has 24 a magnetizable element 25 ,

In the outlet opening 12 of the valve body 7 is, if necessary, by means not shown of the form elements 37 , the coupling tube 11 sealed.

To the slide plate 5 from the illustrated open position 14 to move into the closed position is by means of a handle 31 the slide plate 5 moved to the left, so that there is the interior shown 18 reduced.

Once the slide plate 5 has reached its left stop, there is the sealing plug 24 above the outlet opening 12 , This position is in 3 shown.

In this in 3 shown position is first by a suitable movement of the positive or positive connection between coupling stub 11 and outlet opening 12 the slide housing 7 solved. As a form element, for example, a conventional bayonet serve. Here would be the connection of the coupling tube 11 first turned and then vertically upwards into the recess 13 the slide plate 5 moves until the coupling tube 11 firmly abuts the closure element. This is the coupling tube 11 by means of the closure element 10 that is the sealing plug 24 , locked. Since the joining forces between coupling stubs 11 and the closure element 10 , or sealing plug 24 , are higher than the holding forces of the magnet 23 , the coupling tube can 11 with the bottle 21 in the closed state down from the outlet opening 12 of the valve body 7 to be moved out. This is the spaces 2 and 3 separated and closed, so that the containment for the separation and closing did not have to be opened.

The depression 13 is now ready to get a new closure element 10 to record in an analogous but reverse manner.

The closure element 13 can in the recess 13 Of course, also be held positively.

For filling a new sample collective in a bottle 21 will the bottle with coupling tube 11 and sealing plugs 24 one after the other or together first into the outlet opening 12 and deepening 13 the slide plate 5 pushed in until the sealing plug 24 eg positively in the slide plate 5 is held by a corresponding locking rotation. Subsequently, the sealing plug 24 from coupling tube 11 separated by a vertically downward movement and in the plane shown by a further rotation within the outlet opening 12 locked. Subsequently, by the operation of the handle 31 in the opposite direction of the arrow 38 the slide plate 5 be moved into their open position as they are in 2 is shown.

In 4 is shown as a second embodiment of the slider according to the invention, a design variant in which the movement of the slide plate from one functional position to the other takes place rotationally.

In this variant, the slider housing 7 cylindrical and the handle 31 to move the slide plate is radially outward. On the top 28 of the valve body 7 is again the connection flange 29 recognizable. In this case it is for coupling with a space above, that is the containment 2 , a connection bracket 39 shown

A similar connection bracket 40 is on the bottom 30 with a lever 41 hingedly connected, whose pivot bearing 42 on the housing 7 is appropriate. With this lever, the coupling stub can 11 be moved vertically as well as rotatory.

The internal structure of this design variant is out 5 apparent: In the cylindrical slide housing 7 is the slide plate 5 covering the entire interior 18 slide housing 7 can fill. In the illustrated position of the slide plate 5 there is the passage opening 15 below the inlet opening 8th of the valve body 7 , Coaxial with it is the coupling tube 11 with bottle 21 arranged. To move the coupling socket 11 inside the outlet opening 12 slide housing 7 serves the connection bracket 40 that by means of lever 41 the coupling pipe 11 moved vertically. The outer circumference 27 the coupling socket 11 is by means of gasket 43 inside the outlet opening 12 of the housing 7 sealed. To this slider from the illustrated open position 14 to move into a closed position, the slide plate 5 by handgrip 31 around the axis of rotation 44 turned until the in 6 illustrated closed position 9 is reached.

The in 6 shown vertical section shows the slide plate 5 in its closed position within the housing 7 , In this position, the closure element is located 10 ie the sealing plug 24 , coaxial above the opening 46 as a ring 45 trained coupling socket 11 , By the movement of the lever 41 ( 4 ) is the coupling tube 11 vertically up into the depression 13 the slide plate 5 moves while sealing over the projection 47 of the sealing plug 24 pushed. The forming clamping forces between ring 45 and stuffing 24 suffice that the plug in the opposite direction movement of the lever 41 the holding forces of the magnet 23 overcomes the so-sealed coupling pipe 11 from the outlet opening 12 of the slider 6 to be able to pull.

The upper end position of the locked coupling stub 11 within the recess 13 the slide plate 5 is in 7 shown.

In this way, a completion of the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry finishing device is created, which reliably prevents contamination of the environment or vice versa of the product.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

room

2

containment

3

room

4

separating element

5

slide plate

6

pusher

7

casing

8th

inlet opening

9

closed position

10

 closure element

11

 coupling socket

12

 outlet

13

 deepening

14

 open position

15

 Through opening

16

 sealing surface

17

 Surroundings

18

 inner space

19

 sealing plane

20

 control

21

 bottle

22

 bracket

23

 magnet

24

 sealing plug

25

 element

26

 sealing surface

27

 Outer circumference (coupling tube)

28

 top

29

 flange

30

 bottom

31

 handle

32

 arrow

33

 Opening (coupling pipe)

34

 Mold element (bottle)

35

 thread

36

 Plug

37

 Mold element (outlet opening)

38

 arrow

39

 brace

40

 brace

41

 lever

42

 pivot bearing

43

 poetry

44

 axis of rotation

45

 ring

46

 Opening (coupling pipe)

47

 head Start

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

• DE 10010995 A1 [0002]
• US 3106223 [0004]
• DE 69321378 [0004]

Claims (10)

Method for coupling and / or separating containers and / or lines around a first space ( 1 ), so-called containment ( 2 ), and a subsequent second room ( 3 ) by means of a movably guided separating element ( 4 ) to separate or connect without the containment ( 2 ), characterized in that as a movable separating element ( 4 ) a slide plate ( 5 ) a slider ( 6 ) is used. Method according to claim 1 for coupling containers and / or lines to one another in a first room ( 1 ), the containment ( 2 ), good, preferably bulk material, in a subsequent second space ( 3 ), characterized in that first the slide plate ( 5 ) one in the housing ( 7 ) of the slider ( 6 ) provided inlet opening ( 8th ) in a closed position ( 9 ), by means of a closure element ( 9 ) locked second room ( 3 ), if necessary via a coupling stub ( 11 ), with an outlet opening ( 12 ) of the valve body is sealingly connected, then the closure element ( 10 ) in a depression ( 13 ) the slide plate ( 5 ) is received and fastened, the closure element ( 9 ) of the second room ( 3 ) or possibly the coupling stub ( 11 ) is removed, and then the slide plate ( 3 ) into its open position ( 14 ) is moved. Method for separating containers and / or lines, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, in which the slide plate is initially located in one of the two spaces ( 1 . 3 ) open position ( 14 ), characterized in that the closure element ( 9 ) in the depression ( 13 ) the slide plate is provided, the slide plate ( 3 ) in its closed position ( 8th ), the second space ( 3 ) or possibly the coupling stub ( 11 ) with the closure element ( 9 ) is closed and the sealed second room or the coupling tube ( 11 ) is removed from the housing of the slider. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a passage opening ( 9 ) of the slide plate and / or at least one existing sealing surface ( 10 ) of the slide, preferably by rinsing, wherein the cleaning is preferably carried out in the closed position of the slide plate. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 11 ) is sealed against the environment, and the interior ( 18 ) is exposed to the environment with negative pressure. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movements of the slide plate ( 5 ) in their sealing plane ( 19 ) and / or the coupling stub ( 11 ) take place rotationally and / or linearly, preferably motorized and automated controlled by a control. Device for coupling and / or separating containers and / or lines around a first space ( 1 ), in particular a containment ( 2 ), and a subsequent second room ( 3 ), for example a bottle ( 21 ) to connect or disconnect without opening the containment, with one in the housing ( 7 ) provided inlet opening ( 8th ) and an outlet opening ( 12 ) and with a movable separating element ( 4 ), characterized in that the separating element ( 4 ) as a slide plate ( 5 ) is formed and the outlet opening ( 12 ) for receiving a container opening or a conduit end of a second space ( 3 ), preferably a coupling stub ( 11 ), and the slide plate ( 5 ) a recess ( 13 ) with a holder ( 22 ) for receiving and holding a closure element ( 10 ) for the coupling tube ( 11 ) having. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that as a holder ( 22 ) in the slide plate ( 5 ) for the closure element ( 10 ) a magnet ( 23 ), in particular a switchable magnet ( 23 ) is arranged. Closure element for use in a device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the closure element ( 10 ) as a sealing plug ( 24 ) or cap is formed and preferably a magnetizable element ( 25 ) or at least one form element ( 37 ) as a supplement to the temporary attachment in the slide plate ( 5 ). Coupling stub for use in a device according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the coupling stub ( 11 ) as a ring ( 45 ) is formed with a, preferably inner, sealing surface to the closure element and with at least one on its outer periphery ( 27 ) arranged form element ( 34 ) for attachment in the outlet opening ( 12 ) of the valve body ( 7 ).

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