EP0616945B1 - Method and device for filling hazardous material into receptacles - Google Patents

Abstract

What is described is a method for filling hazardous materials into containers, in which the materials to be filled are portioned and packaged under clean-room conditions at the exit of a production installation via a glove box (1), a lock chamber and a cask container (49), the cask container being positioned under the sealing-off device (3) on the upper glove box on a balance platform (6), and the upper annular flange (50) of the cask container being sealed off as a result of the inflation of the inflatable seal (43), and the passage (2) between the glove box and the room having the cask container being opened, and furthermore the operator drawing the outer bag (51) out of the cask container over the flange in the glove box and fastening it.

Description

The invention relates to a device for filling dangerous substances in containers according to the generic term of Claim 1 and a method for operating the device.

This is the subject of the same applicants declining EP-A-0 521 252 and DE-U-9 107 768. Bei this known bottling plant are two superimposed Boxes available, both designed as glove boxes are.

The upper box was used to manipulate one User to the filling head to release the dangerous substances to be able to operate safely. The lower box was used for Picking up and manipulating a barrel or barrel container, in which the containers to be filled were accommodated.

The use of two glove boxes on top of each other however, makes the facility expensive and relative difficult to use. There was also an unsealable one Transition opening between the upper and the lower Glove box. Under certain circumstances, therefore Air from the barrel to be filled and the lower chamber into the get into the upper chamber and contaminate it.

EP-A-0 521 252 also does not describe air guidance in the chamber via appropriate filters and blowers as well appropriate cleaning options.

The invention is therefore based on the object Device and a method of the type mentioned above to further develop that at lower manufacturing costs safe operation with improved handling is possible.

Technical teaching is used to solve the task of claim 1 and the related to the device Process claim 10.

The essential basic idea of the invention is that lower glove box completely. The Barrel or the barrel container itself act as Lock chamber. For this purpose, the barrel is sealed to one the bottom of the box or the chamber Sealing device created and forms a complete closed atmosphere.

Here the barrel container is opposite the frame sealed, which in turn seals the chamber connected is.

By dropping the lower glove box is the Manufacture device much cheaper because all corresponding parts can be omitted.

It is also essential that a sealing device in Transitional area between the chamber (glove box) and the barrel arranged beneath it is provided. This Sealing device consists essentially of a Swing lid, which seals over certain sealing rings Opening between the chamber and the barrel below either releases or seals it.

The process involves placing the barrel container in the frame to bring in and seal it. Then the Opening to the chamber released, the container or containers in the Barrel container attached and the filling process started. After the filling, the container or containers are closed and in brought the barrel container; also the opening will be again closed.

The frame is opposite the chamber by a flexible Ring hose sealed, the seal between the barrel container and frame is made by an inflatable seal. The Weighing forces are neither through the ring hose nor the Seal adulterated as it is a closed system acts on the scales. So none can external forces are introduced into the system.

It is now possible for the first time to make a barrel to hold in a weighing rack, which weighing rack via a flexible ring hose on the Bottom of the upper glove box arranged is, which makes an absolutely tight closing of the entire system is reached towards the environment.

Another feature of the process is that in certain Process steps operated a swing lid which is optionally the opening at the bottom of the glove box towards the sealing held barrel opens and closes.

The subject matter of the present invention provides not only from the subject of the individual claims, but also from the combination of the individual Claims among themselves. All in the records, including the summary, disclosures disclosed and features, in particular that shown in the drawings spatial training are essential to the invention claimed as far as they are individually or in Combination are new compared to the prior art.

In the following the invention is based on only one Execution path illustrating drawings explained in more detail. Here go from the drawings and their description further features and advantages essential to the invention Invention.

Figur 1:

schematisiert eine Anlage nach der Erfindung in der Ausgangsstellung;

Figur 2:

die Anlage nach Einbringen und Abdichten des Fasses;

Figur 3:

die Anlage mit befestigtem Außensack;

Figur 4:

die Anlage mit abgedichtetem Außensack;

Figur 5:

die Anlage mit montiertem Innensack;

Figur 6:

die Anlage mit einer Darstellung der Belüftung des Innensackes;

Figur 7:

die Anlage mit Darstellung der Befüllung des Innensackes;

Figur 8:

die Anlage mit Darstellung des Verschlusses des Innensackes;

Figur 9:

die Anlage nach Auftrennen der Verbindung zwischen dem oberen und dem unteren Teil des Innensackes;

Figur 10:

die Anlage nach Einbringen beider Säcke in das Faß;

Figur 11:

die Anlage nach Verschluß der Öffnung im Handschuh-Kasten und Entfernung des Fasses;

Figur 12:

die Anlage in einer alternativen Ausführungsform im Vergleich zur Figur 5;

Figur 13:

die Anlage in einer Reinigungsphase;

Figur 14:

die Anlage in der Trocknungsphase.

Show it:

Figure 1:

schematized a system according to the invention in the starting position;

Figure 2:

the system after inserting and sealing the barrel;

Figure 3:

the system with attached outer bag;

Figure 4:

the system with a sealed outer bag;

Figure 5:

the system with the inner bag installed;

Figure 6:

the system with a representation of the ventilation of the inner bag;

Figure 7:

the system showing the filling of the inner bag;

Figure 8:

the system showing the closure of the inner bag;

Figure 9:

the system after breaking the connection between the upper and lower part of the inner bag;

Figure 10:

the system after inserting both bags into the barrel;

Figure 11:

the system after closing the opening in the glove box and removing the barrel;

Figure 12:

the system in an alternative embodiment compared to Figure 5;

Figure 13:

the system in a cleaning phase;

Figure 14:

the system in the drying phase.

According to Figure 1, the system consists essentially of an upper glove box 1, the lower one Has opening 2 in a bottom plate 69, wherein a sealing device 3 is arranged below the opening 2 which is part of a frame 4, which rests on the weighing platform 6.

The glove box 1 is in turn on one Frame 5 on the ground.

It is important that the one sitting on the scale platform Frame 4 has a game 7 to the ground, so that this frame is part of the scale itself.

Filling with liquid or pourable substances takes place via an outlet valve 8, which with a Feed system, not shown, is connected. A metering device can be located on the underside of the outlet valve 8 9 be arranged and the outlet of the Dosing device opens via a filling head 10 in the glove box 1.

Part of the filling head 10 is a filling tube 11, which an inflatable seal 12 on its outer circumference has, which is pneumatically inflatable via a line 14 and is ventable.

Part of the filling head 10 is also a suction nozzle 13, via which a line 16 Suction can take place from the sack to be filled.

A line 15 also opens into the filling head 10, which introduce an inert gas into the filling head 10 can to make it inert.

The air flow in the glove box is in Arrow direction 24 via a supply air filter 25, the via a suction opening 26 in the glove box 1 ends. The glove box 1 becomes air sucked off the pre-filter 17 and the main filter 18, which flows in through the suction opening 26. The over the Filter 17, 18 entering air collects in one Collection room 19 and is optionally via a line 20 either supplied to the atmosphere via exhaust air filter 22 or it is via a blower 23 in the direction of the arrow 31 vacuumed.

Instead of the exhaust air filter 22, which is connected to line 21 is, the line 21 can also immediately in a product collection room, not shown be returned for the product to be filled.

Filters 17, 18 are intended to be removed via line 16 filter and remove air entering the filling head 10, while further filters 28, 29 via an intake opening 27 and a flap valve in the chamber itself Filter circulating air and via line 30 should remove.

By the inflow of air at the intake opening 26 and the outflow via the suction opening 27 thus creates a negative pressure in the glove box, which prevents contaminated air from the glove box 1 got into the environment.

There are still cleaning devices, whereby via a line 32 a cleaning medium in the Chamber is inserted, being on a flexible Hose 33 a spray gun 34 is arranged, the about the operation through the glove openings anywhere in the glove box 1 can be directed.

Via the line 35, a drying medium in the Chamber are introduced.

The bottom plate 69 is towards a corner of the Glove box 1 inclined so that a drain opening is defined with an underlying valve 36 and the cleaning medium is removed via this drain opening can be.

The opening is in the normal state (initial state) 2 between the glove box 1 and the one below exposed frame 4 hermetically sealed closed. A swing lid 38 is used for this, the one via a lever 37 in two different Pivotal positions is pivotable. On the swing lid 38 supports a sealing ring 39, which is shown in FIG still has no sealing function.

The sealing device 3 consists essentially of said swing lid 38 and a circumferential, inflatable seal 40 which is in the area of a externally opened, U-shaped flange 41 is arranged. Seals on the flange 41 a flexible ring hose 42 to the top the frame 4 is connected. On frame 4 is a vertical downward inflatable second seal 43 arranged. The seals 41.43 can be aerated and vented via lines 47, 48.

To determine whether a barrel is present in frame 4 is or not, there is a proximity sensor 44 on the frame 4 arranged.

Another proximity sensor 45 pivots of the lever 37 firmly, namely whether the swing lid 38 in one or the other swivel position located.

According to Figure 2, a barrel 49 is now on the scale platform 6 placed and the seal 43 inflated, whereby the ring flange 50 of the barrel seals applied to the seal 43.

As explained at the beginning, this seal changes not the weighing result because the seal 43 on Frame 4 is arranged and the frame 4 in turn stands on the scale platform 6. It is about a self-contained system of forces, which does not involve an additional force supports external parts.

The weight of the frame and the seal 43 is compensated by taring the scale.

There are two sacks in barrel 49, namely an outer bag 51 and an inner bag 52. Both bags 51.52 are open.

By actuating the lever 37, the swing lid 38 with the sealing ring 39 in the position 38 ', 39' pivoted so that the opening 2 is now free. It is now used by the operator of the system the edge 53 of the outer bag 51 is pulled upwards and placed over the flange 41. Then it will 4, the adjacent sealing ring 39 ' mounted so that it occupies its position 39, whereby the edge 53 of the outer bag 51 is fixed is. According to Figure 5, the inner bag 52 is now pulled up so that its edge is against the inflatable Seal 12 creates the part of the filling head 10 is.

The seal 12 is inflated via the line 14.

According to Figure 6, the interior of the inner bag can now 52 can be rendered inert by a line 15 inert gas is introduced via the inner bag 52, which in the direction of the arrows Interior 54 rinses and which via line 16 and the filters 17, 18 and over the fan 23 again is suctioned off.

This ventilation of the inner bag 52 is only optional and is not necessary for all applications.

In the transition from Figure 6 to Figure 7, the Scale tared to switch off all foreign weights. The actual filling process can now begin, in which from the outlet valve 8 when switched on Dosing device 9 the product (product) in the direction of the arrow 56 flows into the inner bag 52 and there in on the floor Form of product 57 accumulates. The in this filling process displaced air is drawn upwards in the direction of the arrow Line 16 sucked in and can escape via line 21.

After filling, the scale reports the complete Filling the inner bag 52, whereby the Product flow from the outlet valve is stopped. According to FIG. 8, the inner bag is first placed over the Suction nozzle 13 sucked off, the bag closures 59.60 are not yet attached. So it happens an evacuation of the inner bag 52 and only when this is evacuated, the bag closures 59, 60 attached. For the rest, then Air is sucked out of the filling head 10 in the direction of arrow 58.

According to Figure 9, a separating cut between the upper bag closure 59 and the lower bag closure 60 executed, whereby a sack residue 61 on the filling head 10 remains.

The inner bag 52 is then stuffed back into the barrel 49.

According to Figure 10, the inflatable seal 40 is vented and the sealing ring 39 will be back in its Position 39 'spent. Then the outer bag 51 closed with a bag closure 62.

By actuating the lever 37, the swing lid closed and then carries the on its top Seal ring 39. The seal 40 is inflated, to apply the swing lid 38 sealingly, whereby the opening 2 is hermetically sealed.

11, the seal 43 is then vented, whereby the ring flange 50 of the barrel 49 is released and this in the direction of arrow 63 from the weighing platform 6 can be removed.

The barrel will not be closer with one afterwards barrel cap shown and an associated clamping ring hermetically sealed.

This is the complete process of filling a barrel has been described.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative to the state of the method in Figure 5. That is, Figure 5 shows that Fill a first sack if there is no sack residue is present, while Figure 12 shows how a in the glove box 1 remaining sack 61 Will get removed.

For this purpose, it is provided that this sack residue 61 at vented seal 12 in an arranged in the chamber Basket 46 is spent and only after that then the inner bag 52 according to FIG. 5 on the filling head 10 attached.

At the same time, according to FIG. 12, the upper edge 64 of the inner bag 52 put over the sealing ring 39, to ensure that in the area of the bag residue 61 still located or in the area of the filling head 10 product particles in the inner bag 52 fall in and not in the space between the inner bag 52 and the outer bag 51.

Figure 13 shows the cleaning phase of the entire Plant where a cleaning medium via line 33 is supplied, which via the spray gun 34 in the chamber is distributed. Here, the filter 17, 18 are removed, as are the pipe sections 66, 67, each detachable via aseptic latches connected to the corresponding pipes are.

The cleaning medium flows over the inclined base plate 69 to the drain opening above the valve 36 from.

The line 36 is via a valve with an outlet 65 connected.

Figure 14 shows the drying phase, where a Line 35 a drying medium, e.g. B. hot air, an inert gas or the like is introduced and over the spray gun 34 in the entire glove chamber 1 is distributed. It can be the drying air with fan 23 switched on via line 20 be removed from the chamber, in the direction of the arrow 24 air is sucked in via line 26.

The essence of the present invention is thus in the new process steps that a barrel on the outdoor scale is placed and on the Weighing scale is arranged, which is hermetic with one on the bottom of the glove box attached sealing device is connected.

Another important process step is that the Chamber has cleaning and drying facilities, just like a special air duct, both the air is removed from the filling head 10 can, as well as the air from the chamber itself.

DRAWING LEGEND

1

Glove box

2nd

opening

3rd

Sealing device

4th

frame

5

frame

6

Libra platform

7

game

8th

Outlet valve

9

Dosing device

10th

Filling head

11

Filling pipe

12th

Inflatable seal

13

Extraction nozzle

14

management

15

management

16

management

17th

Prefilter

18th

Main filter

19th

Gathering room

20th

management

21

management

22

Exhaust filter

23

fan

24th

Arrow direction

25th

Supply air filter

26

Suction opening

27

Suction opening

28

Prefilter

29

Main filter

30th

management

31

Arrow direction

32

management

33

tube

34

Spray gun

35

management

36

Valve

37

lever

38

Swing lid

39

Sealing ring

40

Inflatable seal

41

flange

42

flexible ring hose

43

Inflatable seal

44

Proximity sensor

45

Proximity sensor

46

basket

47

management

48

management

49

Barrel

50

Ring flange

51

Outer bag

52

Inner bag

53

Edge (outer bag 51)

54

Interior (inner bag 52)

55

Arrow direction

56

Arrow direction

57

product

58

Arrow direction

59

Bag closure (inner bag)

60

Bag closure (inner bag)

61

Bag residue

62

Bag closure

63

Arrow direction

64

Edge (inner bag 52)

65

procedure

66

Pipe piece

67

Pipe piece

68

Arrow direction

69

Base plate

Claims (14)

1. Device for filling hazardous materials into receptacles, having a chamber (1) with a through-grip opening and a frame (4) arranged beneath the chamber (1) for receiving a barrel container (49) in which is accommodated a receptacle to be filled, wherein the chamber (1) has a closeable opening (2) facing the frame (4), characterised in that the opening of the chamber (1) is connected to the frame (4) in a sealing manner via a first sealing device (3), and that a second sealing device (43) is provided between the frame(4) and a barrel container (49) received in the frame (4), so as to connect sealingly the barrel container (49) with the chamber (1).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the second sealing device is constructed as an inflatable seal (43) and is fixed to the flange of the frame (4).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the opening (2) between the chamber (1) and the barrel container (49) is hermetically sealable with a swing lid (38) and seal (40).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the barrel container (49) and the frame (4) are arranged on a weighing platform (6).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tight connection between the chamber (1) and the frame (4) is constructed as a flexible annular hose (42).
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the barrel container (49) are arranged two containers (51, 52), one inserted in the other.
7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the chamber (1) are provided further devices (12; 40) for sealingly securing receptacles (51, 52) received in the barrel container (49).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided a device for introducing inert gas.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided a cleaning device for the chamber (1) which has spray nozzles for liquid or gaseous cleaning agents and suction or drainage devices as well as a drying device.
10. Method for operating the device according to one of the preceding claims by the following steps:

    introducing a barrel container (49) in the frame (4),

    sealing the barrel container (49) with respect to the flange of the frame (4) by activating the sealing device (43),

    releasing the opening (2) between the chamber (1) and the barrel container (49) by deactivating the seal (40) and opening the swing lid (38),

    fixing the receptacles (51, 52) received in the barrel container (49) at allocated places (41, 12) in the chamber (1), so as to achieve a tight connection between the container (52) and an outlet for the materials to be filled,

    closing the receptacle (51, 52) at the end of the filling process,

    introducing the receptacle (51, 52) into the barrel container (49), and

    closing the barrel container (49) and the opening (2) between the chamber (1) and the barrel container (49).
11. Method according to claim 10, which further comprises the step of evacuating the receptacle (52).
12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, in which it is determined by weighing whether the filling process has been completed.
13. Method according to one of the claims 10 - 12, in which the receptacle (51), after sealingly attaching the same to the outlet for the materials to be filled, is treated with an inert gas.
14. Method according to one of the claims 10 - 13, in which after the chamber (1) has been closed at the end of the filling process, cleaning of the chamber (1) takes place.

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