DE60311926T2 - Deformable bag for the transport of powdery products - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a powder container for storing or transporting powder, the container comprising an elongate deformable plastic bag (40) having an aperture defined at one end being less than half the maximum width of the bag, wherein the walls of the bag taper inwardly between the maximum width to the aperture, which aperture is supported by and defined by an elongate collar (42) connected to the bag. <??>There is also provided a method of manufacturing such a powder container comprising a deformable bag having an elongate collar. <IMAGE>

Description

The The present invention relates to containers for conveying Powders, more specifically deformable bags used as such containers.

A size Variety of industries uses dry powder in normal Manufacturing processes that involve both the storage and transportation of require such powders within the manufacturing environment on a large scale. Examples of such industries are the pharmaceutical Industry for the carriage of powdered pharmaceutical products. The use of powder However, it also takes place in other areas in the same way, such as the food industry, which is itself for the promotion sugar, flour or other powdered material, or in the chemical industry for the transport of colored pigments and other raw materials in a powdered form. This makes the use of special containers necessary, the safe storage and transportation of the powdered Material allow.

Further are many powders that are used in certain industries find, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, extremely expensive, and it has to be done carefully Care should be taken to minimize waste and loss during transport and to reduce the storage of such powders. Furthermore must also be for security reasons an unintended spread of such powdered material be prevented because such powders of all kinds, whether it is now pharmaceutical or chemical powder is a potential Pose a health risk when exposed to air.

Historical you have seen for mass transportation of such powdered materials in a manufacturing environment Plastic bags used. The disadvantage of such bags is that they due to the difficulty of sealing the material in such bags and subsequent material losses when such bags are opened, usually by the formation of an irreversible welded joint have been sealed within their scope.

at other solutions Therefore, rigid plastic containers were used, the one conical neck, in an opening with a suitable Flange for connection with a suitable cap or other Sealing device ends. The disadvantage of such container designs, apart from the high raw material and manufacturing costs however, first and foremost, that such containers due to their rigid Construction need a high storage volume if they are not in use, and due to their own weight considerably contribute to the conveying mass can, if such containers fully loaded are. This rigidity also prevents manipulation of the container and thus its content in support of the product flow. One Another disadvantage of existing containers of this type is that that in the container Shoulders or flanges are formed, which is present in the container Powder during capture the discharge process, so that during the powder transport a considerable one Amount of waste accumulates.

It It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitable container for transportation and to provide the storage of powder with which the above pointed out problems can be avoided in a simple and cost-effective manner.

The DE 196 08 110 A describes a sample container having a filling and a discharge opening, which can be sealed in a sealed manner. The sample container is formed of a weldable synthetic material and has the filling and dispensing opening at one end and a welding zone at the other end. The following documents show apparatus and / or methods relating to containers and / or openings for containers: JP2000128277 . JP10203542 , US-A-4512136, GB-A-2344651, JP2001240083 , WO99 / 19134, DE 20 00 532 , US-A-3690524 and JP07112788 ,

According to the invention there is provided a container for storing or conveying powder comprising an elongate deformable bag having a closed end and a longitudinally opposite open end, the open end having an opening extending through and being smaller than the open end Half of the maximum width of the bag, the side walls of the bag taper between the maximum width to this opening, the opening of an elongated sealable collar, which is connected to the bag, is stored and formed, the collar a flange at a free end the same from the bag, which is shaped so that it can accommodate a complementary shaped coupling flange of a device to be connected to the bag, and a sealing ring for forming a seal between the flange of the collar and the flange of the device and a clamping device for clamping the Flanges to the A Forming an airtight connection between the device and the bag are provided, characterized in that the collar has a tapered insertion surface for complementary engagement with the tapered sides of the bag in the areas of the opening and the bag is attached to an inner surface of the tapered insertion surface.

Preferably own the flanges of the Federation and the device opposite planar surfaces and opposite Grooves, and the sealing ring comprises a ring-shaped element with a planar Section that covers the planar surfaces of the Flanges contacted, and a raised section.

There Furthermore, the bag is deformable, this also allows a easy manipulation of any powder contained in the bag, to support the flow of this powder.

Usually are the tapered side walls of the Bag relative to a longitudinal direction extending axis of the bag at an angle of between 20 ° and 70 ° inclined. Particularly preferred is this taper angle 30 °, for a optimum powder flow along the inclined inner surface, when the bag is upside down.

Preferably the collar itself is essentially cylindrical and includes a Flange element along a free end thereof removed from the bag. The flange member forms a suitable means for connection the bag with a device, for example either one Sealing cap or a suitable valve mechanism to a Product transfer to enable, again, the waistband is essentially rigid around the bag to support, if this during the transfer of the Material to the bag or bag with a device part connected is.

There the insertion area for a essentially complementary Engaging with the rejuvenating Side of the bag is formed, this conical insertion surface is preferably relative to a longitudinal side wall of the covenant inclined at an angle between 20 ° and 70 ° to join the tapered ones side walls to adjust the bag. Again, it is preferred that the insertion under an angle of 30 ° relative inclined to the side wall of the covenant.

Preferably owns the long side wall of the Federal a first thickness while the insertion surface a second thickness is less than half the first thickness.

Of the container preferably comprises a support element, that crosses over in the transverse direction the container in the Area of the closed end extends. The support element allows that the bag can be stored in an inverted position, without collapsing, and is preferably in a sealed Bag stored at the closed end of the bag. This support element usually includes at least one suspension device for Intervention with an external fixation to the container specifically in an inverted position to mount on this external fixation, if powder from the container is emptied. The suspension device may be a projection or, preferably, a projection extending therethrough Hole to provide a suitable fastening device, such as a hook, take. By arranging the support element in a sealed Bag of the flexible bag can be a hook through both the bag material this sealed bag as well as through the support element guided be without the integrity of the container to sacrifice. This will provide a simplified connection system achieved low cost.

One Another advantageous feature of the invention in question relates the fact that this was used to make such bags Material usually one transparent plastic material, so that therefore the support device colored can be designed to provide a suitable ad for the specific Use of the bag provided. If, for example, various different Chemicals of pharmaceutical products in a corresponding Be transferred to the environment There may be a need to use the same bag for different Avoid materials to prevent contamination. This difficulty can be explained by the use of simple colored Ads are avoided.

Even though the bag may consist of a single layer is preferred to use a multi-layer bag, usually at least two Bag comprises, one of which is arranged in the other. if a variety of layers is used in this way at least the innermost layer of the bags with the inner layer of Insertion surface welded while the outermost layer of the bag with the outer surface of the bag Inserted to be welded can. This will be a disturbing Influence of the powder outflow from the bag through the insertion surface on prevented. The use of multiple layers further increases the integrity and strength of the container, especially if a layer fails or is perforated.

The collar of the container may itself comprise a valve mechanism for selectively opening or closing the aperture, such valve mechanism being able to be formed partially along the length of the collar. By the order of an integrally formed with the collar valve element is the possibility of a product Waste is avoided in a significant way, as the valve remains closed until the collar is connected to a suitable container into which the powder is to be transferred.

Of the container can also optionally a detachable Cap element for sealing engagement with the collar include to in this way a seal of the pulverized therein Material effect. Preferably, such a cap member comprises a circular one Plastic disc to make a complementary engagement with the cylindrical Reach the federal government. Such a cap member is common with an elastic sealing element for compression between the cap member and the collar provided or associated with such around for to provide such a sealing engagement therebetween, preferably a clamping element is used to the cap member with the To clamp the collar and to compress the sealing element in between.

According to the invention is further a method for producing a powder container made of a tubular plastic material made available, which includes the following steps: welding at least two opposite ones seams, each relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube are inclined along a portion of the tubular plastic material for forming a conical bag with a first opening one end of the hose with a width that is less than the half the maximum width of the hose, further arranging a plastic collar in engagement with an outer surface of the Bag to engage the bag around this first opening, and then inserting a first pressing tool into the bag a second opening at an end remote from the first opening, and following Compress the bag and collar between this first pressing tool and a second pressing tool external to the bag, wherein at least One of the pressing tools is heated to a suitable weld between the bag and an inner surface of the covenant under pressure produce, and finally Remove the first pressing tool from the bag and weld one Closing seam around the far end of the bag, with the waistband a rejuvenating one Einführfläche owns.

Usually this method further comprises the step of sealing the bag at its end remote from the first opening Training of two welds to form a pocket at this distal end, wherein a support element arranged between these two welds is to be kept in the bag.

Based The drawings are now exemplary containers and other devices described for the understanding of the present invention are suitable. Show it:

1 a sectional view of a powder container according to the prior art;

2 a front view of a powder bag;

3 a perspective view of a federal of the bag of 2 ;

4 a sectional view of the bag of 3 along line IV-IV;

5 a perspective view of the bag of 2 ;

6 a schematic representation of a pharmaceutical reactor, wherein the bag of the 2 Use finds;

7a a locking clamp for use with the bag of 2 ;

7b a sectional view of the clamp of 7a that the covenant of the bag of 2 connects to a reactor inlet / outlet port;

7c a partial sectional view of a sealing cap, the collar of 4 is attached; and

8th a schematic representation of another embodiment of a bag.

In 1 is a powder container 10 represented according to the prior art. This container 10 has a substantially hollow cylinder of molded plastic material, usually high density polyethylene (HDP). Alternatively, such cylinders may also be made of stainless steel, especially if used in the pharmaceutical industry. Such a device has a wall thickness between 4 mm and 10 mm, so that a substantially rigid construction is formed, and comprises a cylindrical main portion 12 with uniform diameter, extending from a sealed base 14 extends out. An end 16 of the container opposite the base 14 is with a circular opening 18 provided, which is formed coaxially with the cylinder axis A. The opening 18 is with a circular flange 22 formed on a cylindrical collar 20 is mounted, which is also mounted coaxially about the axis A. The diameter of the covenant 20 is much smaller than the diameter of the main section 12 so that the container 10 therefore with a conical wall section 24 is provided, which is between the wall 12 of the main section and the covenant 20 extends.

The flange 22 is with an external edge 26 to cooperate with a suitable clamping mechanism to the container 10 to connect with an inlet valve or an outlet valve of a material handling device and to allow the transfer of material to the container or from the container. The flange 22 is further provided with an inner circular flange portion 26 provided by the federal government 20 extends radially inwardly and forms an inner lip around the inner surface of the covenant around. This inner lip carries a variety of protrusions 30 serving as an alignment mechanism with suitable openings in either a lid or a connector to which the container 10 should be attached.

Even though container This type of suitable storage and transportation of powdered Allow materials have their strength and rigidity to follow that they, if they are not in use, occupy a large storage volume, with their weight resulting from the required material thickness to maintain a suitable storage stability results, the handling of such containers difficult especially if they are completely filled. Also the high costs of such drum-shaped ones or cylindrical containers (due the proportion of material and the manufacturing processes) make their reusability absolutely necessary for these costs to be amortized in a suitable manner can be. To the possibility to prevent contamination of the residual powder content, need beyond this container after each use an expensive cleaning process, which in turn makes their use expensive.

Although the conical surface 24 ensures that powdered material in the container 10 free in the direction of the opening 18 can flow when the container is turned over to empty the powder out of it, creating the inner lip 26 of the flange 22 a shoulder that obstructs the flow of powder past this flange when the container is emptied. If this powder material is comparatively expensive, ie in the pharmaceutical industry, the resulting loss of material captured on such a lip can be costly considering the number of containers used during a normal manufacturing operation.

A final drawback of the prior art device results from the difficulty in maneuverability and handling of these devices in an inverted position to deflate their contents. If during a manufacturing process such containers are emptied into a suitable reaction vessel, the container 10 turned over and connected to a suitable inlet on the reactor. Due to the inherent weight of the product and its voluminous shape, it may be relatively difficult to maneuver this product into an inverted position and keep it in sealed engagement with the reaction vessel, thus requiring complex and expensive bearing mechanisms on the reaction vessel itself. Furthermore, since such containers are rigid, an operator is prevented from accessing from outside and from manipulating the powder therein, which could aid in powder flow, especially when the powder has become moist.

These difficulties in the containers of this type of prior art are associated with a in 2 eliminated modified container type shown eliminated.

2 shows a container 38 comprising a flexible plastic container in the form of a collapsible bag 40 which is preferably made of a mixture of low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene with 1.0% antistatic agents and 0.5 lubricants. It is preferred to make the bag from a single plastic to achieve environmental benefits in its elimination. The bag 40 is with a substantially rigid shaped waistband 42 made of plastic so that it is held in tight engagement with this collar.

As the 3 . 4 and 5 show includes the covenant 42 an elongated cylindrical section 44 through which there is a cylindrical opening 46 extends. At one end of this cylindrical section 44 is a radially extending, circular flange element 48 formed while the portion at its longitudinally opposite end a conical insertion surface 50 with increasing diameter in one direction from the flange 48 includes away. This covenant 42 is usually made of the same material as the bag and molded by injection molding.

While the plastic material used to make this particular type of container entails environmental benefits in its disposal, it also complies with the plastic migration legislation of the European Community and the United States restricting the use of plastic materials, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, to those materials which minimal migration of contaminants from such plastic material during use. This is of particular importance in the pharmaceutical industry, where the purity of the pharmaceutical products must be maintained throughout both the handling process and the manufacturing process.

How to further the in 4 shown sectional view is the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion 44 of the federal government 42 much larger than the conical insertion surface 50 , wherein the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion is preferably in a range of 4 mm to 8 mm and is constant. A thickness of 5.33 mm is preferred. The wall thickness of the conical section is in a range of 1 mm to 3 mm, and is preferably 1.65 mm.

The cylindrical section 44 is coaxial with a container axis X (see the 2 and 4 ), so that its side walls are parallel to this axis, with the conical insertion surface 50 is also mounted coaxially to this axis and inclined at an angle α between 20 ° and 70 °, with an angle α of 30 ° is preferred.

The circular flange 48 forms a substantially flat surface 52 in an outwardly facing axial direction and has a circular groove 54 that is coaxial with the axis X in this area 52 extends. In cross-sectional profile is this groove 54 formed semicircular and forms a receptacle for a sealing ring, as explained hereinafter. The backside 56 of the flange 48 (axially opposite the flat surface 52 ) is from the outer edge of the flange to the cylindrical element 44 inclined to a second conical surface 56 to build. This particular flange construction is common in the pharmaceutical industry and will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with the 7a and 7b described.

As is customary for the production of such flexible plastic bags, the polyethylene material is delivered as a conventional cylindrical tube due to its manufacturing process. This cylindrical tube is flattened to form a longitudinal strip, after which a conventional plastic welding tool is used to weld two opposing surfaces of the polyethylene tubular material into two axially inclined welds 60 train. This welding technique is conventional, with pressure and heat being applied to melt and squeeze the polyethylene to form such secure seams. The remaining excess material of the tubular polyethylene (schematically in 62 in 2 is shown) is then removed with a suitable cutting device. Through the formation of two seams 60 , as in 2 shown, owns the bag 40 a main section 64 with a maximum width W and a conical area, that of the seams 60 is formed. The two welds 60 are symmetrical about a central axis X of the bag 40 formed as shown, and are inclined inwardly at an angle β of preferably 30 ° relative to the axis X, although this angle β may vary between 20 ° and 70 °.

The inclined welds 60 Therefore, they form an opening of reduced width in one end of the bag 40 , wherein the width of this opening W1 ( 2 ) is substantially less than the maximum width W of the bag 40 and preferably less than half the width W. In this embodiment, W1 corresponds to about one third of W.

During the production of the bag 40 the end remains at this stage 70 of the bag, which is longitudinally opposite and remote from the conical end, so that a suitably shaped conical first pressing tool can be inserted into the bag to engage its interior. A second outer welding tool will then be in complementary engagement with the outer surface of the bag 40 in the area of his intervention with the federal government 42 brought to the bag 40 and the conical section of the covenant 42 to squeeze in between. A press tool or both press tools are provided with a suitable heat source to weld the plastic material of the bag and the conical section 50 of the federal government 42 to achieve pressure in a conventional manner. Preferably, two radially extending welds 45 formed, which extend coaxially to the axis X.

After that, the welding tools are removed from the bag 40 removed, which then has another welding process at its far end 70 is sealed.

The last welding process to close the end 70 is done via a double sealing process to a sealed bag 75 at the far end 70 of the bag. The welding operations are carried out by conventional means in which the bag is compressed between two elongated sealing members which are then heated to reflow and compress the portions. The first seam 77 isolates the bag opposite the main section of the bag 40 , and a substantially rigid elongate plastic support member 79 will be in the bag 75 used before the second seam 81 is produced. In this embodiment, the second seam is 81 profiled with tapered edges. The support element 79 is elongated and extends transversely to axis X. During the bag 40 is able to collapse in the axial direction, thus increasing the support element 79 the stiffness to maintain the transverse shape of the bag, as in 2 shown. Furthermore, the support element 79 with a circular opening 83 provided so that this support member can be connected to a suitable hook or other projection, if appropriate, as described below.

Although a bag of a single layer is described above, it is preferred that the container 38 a two-layer bag, which is formed in a simple manner of two concentric tubular plastic bags, the appropriate welding operations, the above in connection with the formation of the welds 60 and for welding the bags to the waistband 42 described are welded together. The use of two layers (if necessary of three or more layers) provides additional integrity of this bag type, with integrity of the storage device being maintained by the second layer upon damage to the outer layer. It is understood, however, that the use of a single-layer bag is also advantageous if such integrity has only a reduced importance (for example in the transport of cheap powder, such as sugar).

Combined with 6 Now, the use of the bag described above 38 explained. Especially in the pharmaceutical industry, powder materials that form the basis of a drug are considered a quality component. Carrying or storing such a powder material is of great importance, not only because of the cost of the material itself, but also because of its hazardous nature, since the release of high volumes of pharmaceutical powder material may pose a danger when inhaled or handled ,

The containers thus enable secure storage and transportation in such an environment. As in 6 shown, serve the containers 38 for the transfer of pharmaceutical powders, in particular to a suitable reaction vessel 100 or from this. Such a reaction vessel is usually stored between two floors of a building, wherein such a floor is schematically in 6 with the reference number 102 is provided. The construction of the reaction vessel is of no significance to the container, except that it is used to mix suitable pharmaceutical powder materials. In practice, such reaction vessels have 100 a variety of inlet openings 104 with suitable releasable Ven tilmechanismen that ensure that such inlet openings 104 remain closed until a suitable container is connected. In a corresponding manner, the reaction vessels comprise at least one outlet opening 106 which allows removal of the mixed materials from the reaction vessel. Furthermore, the outlet has 106 an openable control valve to maintain the integrity of the vessel until a suitable container is connected to collect material to be removed from the reaction vessel. The connection between the bag 38 and the inlet / outlet port 104 . 106 will be described below in connection with the 7a and 7b described. This compound is performed in an airtight manner to prevent release of the powder material into the atmosphere during transfer from the reaction vessel to the bag and vice versa.

When in practice powder material through an inlet valve 104 is to be introduced into the reaction vessel, finds a suitable hook element 108 attached to a suitable scaffold 110 is mounted, use with the support element 79 of the bag 38 to engage. The hook element 108 can the sealed bag 75 perforate without the integrity of the powder delivery section of the bag 40 to sacrifice, and thus is capable of opening 83 in the support element 79 to penetrate and from the opposite side of the bag 38 step out. This provides an efficient and cost effective means for hanging the bag 38 in an inverted position without complex bearing mechanisms for storing the main surface of the bag 38 needed. The bag 38 is sealed during the ses Umdrehprozesses via a suitable valve mechanism, which with the collar 42 is connected (as described below in connection with the 7a and 7b described). After turning around and mounting on the scaffolding 110 becomes the covenant with the inlet valve 104 connected in a sealed manner, the appropriate control valves are then opened so that the product in a conventional manner from the bag 38 in the reaction vessel 100 can flow. Because the weld 60 of the bag 38 a suitably inclined insertion surface in the direction of the collar 42 No shoulders are provided in the inner surface of the bag where the pharmaceutical material can accumulate during this product transfer. Further, because the conical surface of the collar fits snugly with this inclined inner surface of the bag 40 is arranged, the effect of an end face of this conical section 42 is significantly reduced to the powder flow in this inverted position. This effect is further reduced by the reduced wall thickness of the conical section 42 and by the fact that the bag 40 in close proximity to the entire circumference of the Bun welded around. This bag construction thus allows a free flow of the powder product out of the bag, leaving no product at all or only a small amount of product. In addition, since the bag itself is made of a flexible plastic material, the operator has the opportunity, if necessary, to manipulate the bag contents to assist the flow of powder. This is particularly useful when the contents of the bag become damp or powder is retained in some fold within the bag.

If once the bag has been emptied it will decrease due to its collapsible shape and the light materials used immediately its total size for storage. Due to the lightweight material handling is further simplified.

As further out 6 shows are the bags 38 further with the outlet opening 106 engageable to the reaction vessel 100 to collect and store discharged powder material. This is how the bags are made 38 via substantially airtight connections in turn with the exhaust valve 106 but are in suitable containers 112 made of steel or plastic, to give the bag extra strength when the powder material is collected. The use of such containers 112 is optional. The valves of the outlet opening 106 can then be opened so that powder can flow by gravity into the bag.

In conjunction with the 7a and 7b Now, the connection system used with this type of collar and flange is described. The once filled bags 38 can be sealed with a cap member for long-term storage, if appropriate.

Alternatively, have the filled bags 38 an openable valve element connected thereto and forming a suitable temporary seal when the bags are located away from the reaction vessel. However, if the valve elements are then connected at their free end to a suitable inlet or outlet valve of a reaction vessel, the valve can be opened so that the product can flow from the bag to the reaction vessel. Although such valve connectors are expensive, they are used in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is usually important for such powder containers to remain sealed during transport, storage and product transfer even over short distances or periods. In practice, the connectors of the valve devices or caps with which the federal government 42 is to be connected, the same configuration as the collar itself and each have a substantially cylindrical tubular portion with a correspondingly shaped flange. This is in 7b shown according to the flange 48 of the federal government 42 against a corresponding and identical flange 48 ' a device 49 , such as a cap member, a valve member, or an inlet / outlet valve of a reaction vessel. A suitable elastic sealing element 120 , usually made of rubber or plastic, which is a circular disc 121 and a tubular portion 122 is between the two flanges 48 . 48 ' arranged so that the tubular section 122 in a complementary way in the semicircular recordings 54 . 54 ' each flange is fitted to be compressed therebetween. A clamping element 150 (as in 7a shown) is then used to the two flange elements 48 . 48 ' clamp together in this sealed engagement. The clamping element 150 has a hinge 152 to the two semicircular arms 154 . 156 pivotally mounted, these engaging arms by means of a suitable locking mechanism, which is generally at 161 is shown, can be locked together. as in 7b shown, which is a sectional view of the clamp 150 shows possesses each engagement element 154 . 156 two opposite inclined engagement surfaces 160 for complementary engagement with each conical surface 56 on the back of the flanges 48 . 48 ' , as in 7b shown. In practice, the two flanges are engaged in the manner shown, with the two engaging elements 154 . 156 are then pivotally engaged so that they surround these inter-engaging flanges, and then on the appropriate mechanism 161 be locked. This mechanism 161 is further provided with means to the two engaging arms 154 . 156 not only to lock together, but also to press these engagement devices against each other and thereby the overall diameter of the terminal 150 reducing this diameter reduction, the engagement elements are pressed against each other, resulting in a cam engagement between the inclined surfaces 160 and the conical surfaces 56 the inclined flanges leads. This cam engagement serves to compress the two flange elements against each other and the seal 120 in between to form a suitable airtight connection. This type of locking mechanism is considered conventional in the pharmaceutical industry and is exemplary only.

Although it is preferred that the bag 38 by the connection of a suitable double-ended valve element (one end of which can be connected to the bag, as in connection with 7b described while the other end with an inlet or outlet opening of a suitable Reaction vessel is connectable), so that the valve connector can be suitably opened or closed to either keep the bag sealed or to allow product flow into the bag or out of the bag when connected to a suitable vessel Also considered that a suitable valve mechanism in the tubular portion of the covenant 42 can be incorporated if this section is extended, so that a conventional valve mechanism can then be readily integrated into this collar construction, which is provided for opening or closing this valve. As a result, it is no longer necessary to connect an intermediate valve element and a clamping mechanism with the bag.

In many industries, particularly the pharmaceutical industry, the contents of the bags must be sealed therein as the bags are moved between ports to a reaction vessel or other type of conduit. However, the double ended valve mechanisms used to provide a means for sealing the bag and allowing it to be removed from a suitable reaction vessel without exposing the bag contents to the atmosphere are expensive and thus inefficient for long term storage of the product in the bags. It is therefore an improvement to provide a suitable capping mechanism for sealing such bags for storage purposes, thereby eliminating the need for a large number of expensive valve mechanisms that would otherwise be used in an expensive manner for storage purposes. In 7c is a cap element 410 made of plastic shown in partial section, which includes a simple circular disc (which consists of the same plastic material as the collar and the bag). This cap is also made of plastic and has in its bottom 412 an annular receptacle 414 for receiving a tubular portion 122 a suitable elastic seal 120 of the same type used when connecting the collar to the valve element, as in 7b shown and described in connection therewith.

In this particular embodiment of the cap 410 is their top 416 just so that they are parallel to the bottom 412 (as in 7c shown), and differs from in 7b shown valve in that it is not provided with an inclined clamping surface. Then again finds a similar clamping element 450 Use to the lid 410 in a similar manner as in the clamping element 150 with the flange element 48 of the federal government 42 jamming and thereby clamping the valve mechanism as in 7a shown. The clamping mechanism 450 includes two pivotally mounted semi-circular engagement arms (one of which is in 7c shown) to in a channel 452 hereof with the cap 410 and the flange 48 to engage and record this. Because the top 416 the cap 410 is substantially planar, has one of the inwardly extending side walls 454 the clamp 450 a complementary planar configuration, while the opposite wall 456 for a complementary cam engagement with the conical surface 56 of the collar flange is tilted when the clamp 450 radially inward in the direction indicated by the arrow 460 in 7c indicated direction is compressed. The from the wall 454 the clamp on the cap against the flange 48 exerted resulting compressive force compresses the seal 120 between and serves to provide a proper sealing engagement between the cap and the bag, thus providing an inexpensive means of sealing such bags for storage purposes.

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is desirable to minimize exposure of the pharmaceutical product contained in the pouch to the atmosphere. The in conjunction with 7b described valve mechanism serves to seal the bag when it has been removed from the reaction vessel and until it is placed in a suitable glove box (an isolated and sealed chamber, which makes it possible to manipulate the contents therein by an operator who is outside this Chamber is located, with the help of gloves, which extend into the chamber). The replacement of the valve mechanism with the cap element 410 can then be carried out in a simple manner in a sealed environment. Once the cap has been attached, the bag can be safely stored with its contents. If required by the bag contents, the container may similarly be returned to the glove box, with the cap member being replaced by a suitable valve mechanism for connection to a suitable reaction vessel.

The special embodiment of the collar used with the collar 48 It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment of the flange mechanism used to connect the cap or a suitable valve mechanism to the collar. The special flange described here 48 is just an example.

In the containers of the present invention, the bag 40 with the inner surface 51 the conical insertion surface 50 welded. In doing so, the collar first becomes adjacent during manufacture to the outside of the bag 40 arranged so that the tapered end of the bag adjacent to the inner surface 53 lies. A suitable welding tool is reinserted into the interior of the bag, as described above, around the bag against the conical surface 50 to push, and a second external pressing tool occurs with the outer surface 51 of the federal government to squeeze the bag and the collar between the two conical pressing tools and then verschscheißen in a conventional manner. The added advantage of welding the bag to the collar in this manner is that the formation of a lip on the inner inclined surface of the bag can be avoided (that of the end face of the insertion surface 50 results).

It is also possible, when using a dual membrane bag system (when using two concentric bags as described above), to have a first outer bag with the outer surface 51 the conical surface 50 weld to the inner bag with the inner surface via a second welding operation, as described above 53 to weld, as explained above. Both bags may also have a coaxial radial weld adjacent this conical surface 50 be welded together. In this case, a dual-manufacturing process is required, wherein a single-layer bag is first constructed and then a second bag can be formed and inserted into the first bag to this over an additional welding process with the inner surface 53 welding the conical surface to weld the bags together at at least one point adjacent the collar. This offers the additional advantage that the opening of the outer bag prevents and supports excessive loading of the federal in use, with the inner bag containing the powder not being obstructed by an inwardly extending portion of the covenant.

Another improvement is the arrangement of support elements 79 For example, in use in the pharmaceutical industry, significant volumes of chemicals and pharmaceutical products are delivered using such devices. In order to prevent the possibility of contamination by the unintended use of the same bag for different chemical products, this can by the arrangement of support rods 79 with different colors a color code system can be used.

While the bag described herein is a substantially tubular bag 40 is, other geometric embodiments are possible. As in 8th shown, the bag can 338 for example, may also be shaped to be substantially square / rectangular, in which manner suitable welds may be placed in a conventional tubular plastic material as described above, and by the arrangement of the appropriate welds 300 suitable conical surfaces 302 which taper inwardly from the periphery of the substantially square bag to engage with a square or rectangular collar which is schematically illustrated in FIG 8th With 310 is designated. Such a square collar also has suitably inclined rectangular insertion surfaces for complementary engagement with the tapered side surfaces 302 of the bag 338 in a manner similar to that described above in connection with 2 to 5 corresponds described conical arrangement. Similarly, a triangular bag may also be provided with a suitable triangular collar construction, in which case the core feature is the inclined embodiment of the bag from its maximum width to the waistband so as to provide a tapered or tapered bag.

Claims (24)

Container for storing or conveying powder with an elongated deformable bag ( 40 ) having a closed end and a longitudinally opposite open end, the open end having an opening that is less than half the maximum width of the bag, the side walls of the bag tapering inwardly between the maximum width and the opening, the opening from an elongated sealable waistband ( 42 ), with the bag ( 40 ), stored and formed, the collar has a flange ( 48 ) on a free end thereof away from the bag ( 40 ) which is shaped so that it has a complementarily shaped coupling flange ( 48 ' ) a device ( 49 ), with the bag ( 40 ) is connectable, and a sealing element ( 120 ) for forming a seal between the flange ( 48 ) of the collar and the flange ( 48 ' ) of the device ( 49 ) and a clamping device ( 150 ) for clamping the flanges ( 48 . 48 ' ) for forming an airtight connection between the device ( 49 ) and the bag ( 40 ), characterized in that the collar has a tapered insertion surface ( 50 ) for complementary engagement with tapered sides of the bag ( 40 ) in the region of the opening and the bag is secured to an inner surface of the tapered insertion surface. Container according to claim 1, in which the flanges ( 48 . 48 ' ) have opposite planar surfaces and opposite grooves and the sealing element ( 120 ) an annular element ( 120 ) having a planar portion that defines the planar surfaces of the flanges ( 48 . 48 ' ), and a raised portion ( 120 ). container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tapered side walls of the Bag relative to a longitudinal direction extending axis of the bag at an angle between 20 ° and 70 ° inclined are. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the collar ( 42 ) is cylindrical. A container according to claim 1, wherein the tapered insertion surface ( 50 ) is inclined relative to a longitudinal side wall of the collar at an angle between 20 ° and 70 °. A container according to claim 5, wherein the tapered insertion surface ( 50 ) relative to a longitudinal side wall of the Federal ( 42 ) is inclined at an angle of 30 °. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which a longitudinal side wall of the Federal ( 42 ) has a first thickness and the insertion surface ( 50 ) has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the bag is a support element ( 79 ) which transversely over the bag ( 40 ) in the region of the closed end ( 70 ). Container according to Claim 8, in which the support element ( 79 ) in a sealed bag ( 75 ) of the bag ( 40 ) at the closed end ( 70 ) is stored. Container according to Claim 9, in which the support element ( 79 ) at least one suspension device ( 83 ) for engagement with an external fixation for mounting the container ( 38 ) at the external fixation. Container according to Claim 10, in which the suspension device ( 83 ) an opening ( 83 ) by the support element. Container according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the support element ( 79 ) is colored to form a visible indication. Container according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a multilayer bag ( 40 ). Container according to claim 13, comprising at least two bags ( 40 ), one of which is arranged in the other. A container according to claim 14, wherein at least one bag having an inner surface ( 51 ) of the Confederation ( 42 ) and at least one bag having an outer surface ( 53 ) of the Confederation ( 42 ) connected is. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the bag ( 40 ) and the federal government ( 42 ) are molded from plastic material. Container according to one of the preceding claims, in which the device ( 49 ) has a valve mechanism for selectively opening or closing the opening. Container according to claim 17, in which the valve mechanism ( 49 ) partly along the length of the Federal ( 43 ) is trained. Container according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which the device ( 49 ) comprises a releasable cap member for sealing engagement with the collar. A container according to claim 19 when appended to claim 4, wherein the cap member (16) 49 ) has a circular plastic disc. Container according to Claim 19 or 20, in which the cap element ( 49 ) further the elastic sealing element ( 120 ) for compression between the cap element ( 49 ) and the federal government ( 42 ) to establish a sealing engagement therebetween. Container according to one of claims 19 to 21, in which a clamping element ( 150 ) for clamping the cap element ( 49 ) on the Bund ( 42 ) is provided. Method for producing a powder container ( 38 ) of a tubular plastic material comprising the steps of: making at least two opposing welds ( 60 ), each inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube, along a portion of the tubular plastics material to admit a tapered bag having a first opening at one end of the tube having a width less than half the width of the tube to shape; Bringing a plastic collar ( 42 ) engaging an outer surface of the bag to engage the bag around the first opening; Inserting a first pressing tool in the bag ( 40 ) from an end remote from the opening; Compressing the bag ( 40 ) and the Federal ( 42 ) between the first pressing tool and a second pressing tool outside the bag; Heating at least one of the pressing tools to the bag ( 40 ) with an inner surface of the Federal ( 42 ) to be welded under pressure; and removing the first pressing tool from the bag ( 40 ) and welding a sealing seam over the distal end ( 75 ) of the bag ( 40 ), whereby the federation ( 42 ) a tapered insertion surface ( 50 ) owns. The method of claim 23 including the steps of sealing the bag ( 40 ) at one end ( 75 ) away from the first opening by the arrangement of two welds to form a pocket at the far end, wherein a support member is disposed between the two welds to be held in the pocket.