EP1391399A2 - Verformbarer Beutel für den Transport von pulverförmigen Produkten - Google Patents

Verformbarer Beutel für den Transport von pulverförmigen Produkten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1391399A2
EP1391399A2 EP03255158A EP03255158A EP1391399A2 EP 1391399 A2 EP1391399 A2 EP 1391399A2 EP 03255158 A EP03255158 A EP 03255158A EP 03255158 A EP03255158 A EP 03255158A EP 1391399 A2 EP1391399 A2 EP 1391399A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bag
container
collar
face
engagement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03255158A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1391399A3 (de
EP1391399B1 (de
Inventor
David Bilton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ice Packaging Ltd
Original Assignee
Ice Packaging Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ice Packaging Ltd filed Critical Ice Packaging Ltd
Publication of EP1391399A2 publication Critical patent/EP1391399A2/de
Publication of EP1391399A3 publication Critical patent/EP1391399A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1391399B1 publication Critical patent/EP1391399B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52—Details
    • B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • B65D75/5861—Spouts
    • B65D75/5872—Non-integral spouts
    • B65D75/5883—Non-integral spouts connected to the package at the sealed junction of two package walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D31/04—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents with multiple walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D31/00—Bags or like containers made of paper and having structural provision for thickness of contents
    • B65D31/14—Valve bags, i.e. with valves for filling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/14—Suspension means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
    • B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/50—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes
    • B01L3/505—Containers for the purpose of retaining a material to be analysed, e.g. test tubes flexible containers not provided for above
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2155/00—Flexible containers made from webs
    • B31B2155/003—Flexible containers made from webs starting from tubular webs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2160/00—Shape of flexible containers
    • B31B2160/30—Shape of flexible containers pointed or tapered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B2170/00—Construction of flexible containers
    • B31B2170/20—Construction of flexible containers having multi-layered walls, e.g. laminated or lined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B31—MAKING ARTICLES OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER; WORKING PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B—MAKING CONTAINERS OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER
    • B31B70/00—Making flexible containers, e.g. envelopes or bags
    • B31B70/74—Auxiliary operations
    • B31B70/81—Forming or attaching accessories, e.g. opening devices, closures or tear strings
    • B31B70/84—Forming or attaching means for filling or dispensing contents, e.g. valves or spouts
    • B31B70/844—Applying rigid valves, spouts, or filling tubes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to containers for transporting powder and, more particularly, to deformable containment bags used as such containers.
  • a wide variety of industries utilise dry powder in normal manufacturing processes necessitating both the storage and transportation of such powders within the manufacturing environment on a large scale.
  • industries include the pharmaceutical industry for the transport of powdered pharmaceutical products, but powder use is equally applicable in other fields such as the food industry, be it the transfer of sugar, flour or any other powdered material, through to the chemical industry for the transfer of paint pigment and other raw materials in a powdered form, necessitating the design of specific containers allowing for safe and secure storage and transport of this powdered material.
  • a container for storing or transporting powder comprising an elongate deformable bag having a closed end and a longitudinally opposed open end, which open end defining an aperture therethrough that is less than half the maximum width of said bag, said side walls of the bag tapering inwardly between said maximum width to said aperture, characterised in that the aperture is supported and defined by an elongate sealable collar connected to the bag , the collar having a flange on a free end thereof remote from the bag that is shaped to receive a complimentary shaped coupling flange, of a device to be connected to the bag, a sealing gasket for effecting for a seal between the flange of the collar and the flange of the device, and clamping means for clamping the flanges and the together to form an airtight connection between the device and the bag .
  • the flanges of the collar and the device have confronting planar surfaces and confronting grooves
  • the sealing gasket comprises an annular member having a planar portion that contacts the planar faces of the flanges and a raised portion.
  • the bag is deformable, this also allows ease of manipulation of any powder contained in the bag to aid the flow of such powder.
  • the tapered sidewalls of the bag will be inclined relative to a longitudinally extending axis of the bag at an angle of between 20° and 70°. Most preferably this angle of taper will be 30° so as to provide optimum flow of powder along the inclined inner surface when the bag is inverted.
  • the collar itself will be substantially cylindrical and will comprise a flange member along a free end thereof remote from the bag itself.
  • the flange member provides an appropriate means for connecting the bag to a device such as either a sealing cap or an appropriate valve mechanism to allow product transfer, whereby again the collar is substantially rigid to support the bag when connected to a piece of apparatus during transfer of the material to or from such bag.
  • the collar will also comprise a conical lead-in face for complimentary engagement with the tapered sides of the bag in the region of the aperture.
  • the plastic bag may be welded to the exterior surface of the conical lead-in face, it is equally possible that such bag could be welded to an internal face of the lead-in face.
  • the maximum diameter of the conical lead-in face, opposed to the flange end of the collar will have a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the cylindrical collar itself, whereby such maximum diameter will also be greater than the maximum diameter of the aperture formed in the plastic bag so that during manufacture, the collar will be retained from displacement out of the bag during its connection thereto, when the bag is welded to the external surface of the lead-in face.
  • the lead-in face is designed for substantially complimentary engagement with the tapered sides of the bag, such conical lead-in face is preferably inclined relative to an elongate sidewall of the collar at an angle of between 20° and 70° so as to compliment the tapered sidewalls of the bag. Again it is preferable the lead-in face is inclined at an angle of 30° relative to the collar sidewall.
  • the elongate sidewall of the collar will define a first thickness whereby the lead-in face will define a second thickness less than half the first thickness.
  • the lead-in face projects into the interior of the bag of the container then its inner end face is required to be of minimum thickness so as to alleviate its interference with powder flowing out of the bag.
  • the thickness of the conical surface can therefore be uniform or may in fact taper from its engagement with the sidewall of the collar to its remote end so as to provide a minimal resistive surface to powder flow.
  • the container will preferably comprise a support member, extending transversely across the bag in the region of the closed end.
  • the support member allows the bag to be supported in an inverted position without collapsing and will preferably be supported within a sealed pocket at the closed end of the bag.
  • This support member will usually comprise at least one hanging means for engagement with an external fixing so as to mount the container on that external fixing specifically in an inverted position when emptying powder from the container.
  • the hanging means may comprise a projection or, preferably, will comprise a hole extending therethrough for receipt of an appropriate fastening device, such as a hook.
  • a further advantageous feature of the current invention resides in the fact that the material used to manufacture such bags will usually be a clear plastic material and thus the support means may be coloured to provide an appropriate indices for particular use of the bag. For example, where several different chemicals of pharmaceutical products are being transferred in a similar environment, there may be a need to avoid the same bag being used for different materials in case of cross contamination. Use of simple coloured indices could alleviate this potential difficulty.
  • the container may comprise a single layer, it is preferable that the container will utilise a multi-layer bag, usually comprising at least two bags, one disposed within the other. Where a plurality of layers are used in this manner, both or all bags may be welded to either the external or internal surface of the conical lead-in face of the collar or, alternatively, the innermost layer of the bags may be welded to the inner face of the lead-in surface whereby the outermost layer of the bag may be welded to the exterior surface of the lead-in face. This would serve to further reduce interference of the lead-in face with powder flow out of the bag.
  • the use of multiple layers also increases the integrity and strength of the container, especially if one layer should fail or be perforated.
  • the collar of the container may itself comprise a valve mechanism for selectively opening or closing the aperture therethrough, whereby such a valve mechanism would be formed partway along the elongate length of the collar.
  • the container may optionally further comprise a releasable cap member for sealable engagement with the collar, thereby effecting sealing of the powdered material therein.
  • a releasable cap member for sealable engagement with the collar, thereby effecting sealing of the powdered material therein.
  • a method of manufacturing a powder container from a tubular plastic material comprising the steps of welding at least two opposed seams, each inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube, along a part of said tubular plastic material to form a tapered bag having a first opening at one end of said tube with a width less than half the maximum width of the tube; further placing a plastic collar into engagement with the bag so as to engage the bag about this first opening and then inserting a first press tool into the bag, through a second opening, at an end remote from the first opening and subsequently compressing the bag and the collar between this first press tool and a second press tool external of the bag, whereby at least one of the press tools are heated so as to form an appropriate weld between the bag and the collar under pressure, finally removing the first press tool from the bag and welding a closure seam across the remote end of the bag.
  • this method further provides the step of sealing the bag at its end remote from the first opening by forming two welded seals so as to form a pocket at this remote end, wherein a support member is positioned between these two seals so as to be retained within the pocket.
  • the collar will have a tapered lead-in face so as to be placed into engagement with the bag by inserting the collar into the bag from an end remote from the opening, causing an external surface of the lead-in face to engage an internal surface of the bag about said opening, thereby supporting the collar within the bag during the manufacturing process.
  • a powder container (10) comprises a substantially hollow drum made of moulded plastic material, usually high density polyethylene (HDP). Alternatively such drums may also be manufactured from stainless steel, especially when used in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • This container will have a wall thickness of between 4mm and 10mm so as to form a substantially rigid structure and comprises a cylindrical main section (12) of uniform diameter, extending from a sealed base (14).
  • An end (16) of the container opposed to the base (14) is provided with a circular aperture (18) which is formed coaxial with the drum axis (A).
  • the aperture (18) is formed within a circular flange (22) supported on a cylindrical collar (20) also mounted coaxial about axis (A).
  • the diameter of the collar (20) is significantly less than the diameter of the main section (12) and the container (10) is therefore provided with a conical wall portion (24) extending between the main body portion wall (12) and the collar (20).
  • the flange (22) is provided with an external rim (26) for co-operation with appropriate clamping mechanism for connecting the container (10) to an inlet valve or outlet valve of a material handling device to allow transfer of material to or from the container.
  • the flange (22) is further provided with an internal circular flange portion (26) extending radially inwardly of the collar (20), forming an internal lip around the interior surface of the collar. This interior lip supports a plurality of projections (30) which serve as an alignment mechanism with appropriate apertures in either a lid or connector to which the container (10) is to be secured.
  • containers of this type provide for appropriate storage and transportation of powdered materials
  • their inherent strength and rigidity mean that when not in use they occupy a large volume of storage area, whereby their weight, resulting from the thickness of material required to give appropriate support strength, can make such containers difficult to handle, especially when fully laden.
  • the high costs of such drums due to both material content and manufacturing processes) makes their re-usability an inherent necessity so as to appropriately amortise such cost.
  • drums also require a costly cleaning process after each usage, again rendering their use expensive.
  • the conical surface (24) ensures that powdered material within the container (10) is able to flow freely towards the aperture (18) when the container is inverted so as to empty the powder therefrom
  • the formation of the inner lip (26) of the flange (22) creates a shoulder restricting flow of powder past this flange when the container is being emptied.
  • powdered material is comparatively expensive, ie. the pharmaceutical industry, then the resultant potential loss of material by being trapped on such lip can be costly when considering the number of containers used during a normal production run.
  • One final drawback of the prior art device results from its difficulty in manoeuvrability and handling the devices into an inverted position so as to empty the contents therefrom.
  • the container (10) When emptying such containers into an appropriate reactor vessel during a manufacturing process, the container (10) needs to be inverted and connected to an appropriate inlet on the reactor. Due to the inherent weight of the product itself and its bulky shape, it can be relatively difficult to manoeuvre this product to an inverted position and maintain it in sealed engagement with the reactor, requiring complex and expensive support mechanisms on the reactor itself. Also, since such containers are rigid, this prevents an operator from being able to externally access and manipulate any powder therein which could assist powder flow, particularly if the powder became damp.
  • Figure 2 shows a container (38) which comprises a flexible plastic container in the form of a collapsible bag (40), preferably manufactured of a blend of low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene with 1.0% anti static and 0.5% slip additives. It is preferable that the bag is made of a mono plastic to provide for ecological benefits in its disposal.
  • the bag (40) is welded to a substantially rigid plastic moulded collar (42) to be maintained in sealed engagement with this collar.
  • the collar (42) itself comprises an elongate cylindrical portion (44) defining a cylindrical aperture (46) therethrough. At one end of this cylindrical portion (44) is formed a radially extending circular flange member (48) and, at its longitudinally opposed end, comprises a conical lead-in face (50) having an increasing diameter in a direction away from the flange (48).
  • This collar (42) is also usually manufactured from the same material as the bag and is formed by injection moulding.
  • plastic material used in the manufacture of this particular type of container provides for ecological benefits in its disposal, it also meets the approval of the European Community and United States Plastics Migration Legislation, which legislation limits the plastics material that can be used, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, to those materials having minimal migration of contaminates out of such plastic material in use. This is of specific importance in the pharmaceutical industry whereby the purity of the pharmaceutical products must be maintained throughout the handling process as well as the manufacturing process.
  • the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion (44) of the collar (42) is considerably greater than the conical lead-in face (50) whereby the wall thickness of the cylindrical portion is preferably in the region of 4mm to 8mm and of constant thickness, with a preferred thickness of 5.33mm.
  • the wall thickness of the conical portion is in the region of 1mm to 3mm thick and preferably 1.65mm thick.
  • the cylindrical portion (44) is mounted coaxial with a container axis X (refer to Figures 2 and Figures 4) so that its sidewalls are parallel to such axis, whereby the conical lead-in face (50) is also mounted coaxial with this axis and inclined at an angle ⁇ of between 20° and 70° with a preferred angle ⁇ of 30°.
  • the circular flange (48) presents a substantially flat surface (52) in an outwardly facing axial direction, and has a circular groove (54) extending coaxial with axis X in said surface (52). In cross sectional profile, this groove (54), is semi circular, and forms a gasket rebate as will be discussed below.
  • the rear surface (56) of the flange (48) (axially opposed to the flat surface (52)) is axially inclined from the outer edge of the flange towards the cylindrical member (44) so as to form a second conical surface (56).
  • the particular flange design is conventional for use in the pharmaceutical industry and will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 7a and 7b below.
  • the polyethylene material is supplied as a conventional cylindrical tube as the result of its manufacturing process.
  • This cylindrical tube is flattened so as to form an elongate strip whereby a conventional plastic weld tool is then employed to form two axially inclined weld seams (60) by welding together the opposed surfaces of the tubular polyethylene material.
  • a conventional plastic weld tool is then employed to form two axially inclined weld seams (60) by welding together the opposed surfaces of the tubular polyethylene material.
  • Such welding technique is conventional and employs the application of pressure and heat so as to melt and squeeze together the melted polyethylene to form such secure seals.
  • the remaining excess material of the tubular polyethylene (shown schematically as (62) in Figure 2) is then removed by an appropriate cutting device.
  • the bag (40) comprises a main body portion (64) having a maximum width W and having a tapered region defined by the seals (60).
  • the two welded seals (60) are formed symmetrically about a central axis X of the bag (40), as shown, and taper inwardly at angle (3 with respect to such axis X at an angle ⁇ of preferably 30°, although it will be appreciated that this angle ⁇ can vary between 20° and 70° as appropriate.
  • the inclined weld seals (60) therefore define a reduced width opening in an end of the bag (40) whereby the width of this opening, W1 ( Figure 2) is significantly less than the maximum width W of the bag (40) and is preferably less than half the width W. In this embodiment, W1 is approximately one third of W.
  • the end of the bag (70) longitudinally opposed from and remote from the tapered end remains open, allowing the collar (42) to be inserted into the bag (40) and for the flange (48) and cylindrical portion (44) to pass through the reduced width aperture defined between the two tapered seals (60).
  • the conical portion (50) of the collar (42) has a greater maximum diameter than the opening formed in the bag and thus the collar (42) is restrained from passing out of this aperture.
  • the angle ⁇ of the conical lead-in surface of the collar (42) and the angle ⁇ of the bag (40) are preferably similar and set ideally at 30° then the exterior surface (51) of the conical surface (50) abuts the interior surface of the bag (42) in close fitting engagement.
  • An appropriately shaped conical first press tool is then also inserted into the bag so as to engage the interior surface (53) of said conical portion (50) of the collar (42) in a complimentary fit so as to support this rear surface (53).
  • a second, exterior, weld tool is then brought into complimentary engagement with the exterior surface of the bag (40) in the region of its engagement with the collar (42) so as to compress the bag (40) and the conical portion of the collar (42) therebetween and one or both of the press tools is provided with an appropriate heat source so as to effect welding of the plastic material of the bag and the conical portion (50) of the collar (42), under pressure, in a conventional operation.
  • two radially extending welds (45) are formed extending coaxial with axis X.
  • the welding tools are removed from the bag (40) which is then sealed at its remote end (70) by a further welding process.
  • the final, closure welding, of end (70) is effected by a dual sealing process so as to form in a sealed pocket (75) at the remote end (70) of the bag.
  • the welding operations are achieved by conventional means of compressing the bag between two elongate sealing members which are then heated so as to melt and compress the melted regions together.
  • the first seal (77) isolates the pocket from the main portion of the bag (40) and a substantially rigid elongate plastics support member (79) is inserted into the pocket (75) before the second seal (81) is achieved.
  • the second seal (81) is profiled with tapered edges.
  • the support member (79) is elongate and extends transverse to the axis X.
  • support member (79) adds rigidity to maintain the transverse shape of the bag as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the support member (79) is provided with a circular aperture (83) therethrough to allow this support member to be connected to an appropriate hook or other projection where appropriate, as will be described later.
  • the container (38) be provided with a dual layer bag which is simply formed of two concentric tubular plastic bags which are welded together by the appropriate welding stages previously described in forming the weld seals (60) and those welding the bags with the collar (42).
  • both bag layers are again welded to the outer surface (51) of the conical portion of the collar (42).
  • the use of two (or if required three or more layers) provides for additional integrity of this type of containment bag whereby should the outer layer be ripped or damaged then the integrity of the storage device is maintained by the second layer.
  • the invention resides in the use of a single layer bag where such integrity is of reduced importance (for example in lower cost powder transportation), such as sugar.
  • the containers (38) are used for transferring pharmaceutical powders, primarily, to and from an appropriate reactor vessels (100).
  • Such reactor vessel will usually be supported between two floors of a building whereby such a floor is illustrated schematically in Figure 6 by reference (102).
  • the design of the reactor is irrelevant to the current invention save to mention that it is used for mixing appropriate powdered pharmaceutical materials.
  • such reactor vessels (100) will have a plurality of input ports (104) with appropriate releasable valve mechanisms ensuring that such input ports (104) remain closed until such time that an appropriate container is connected thereto.
  • the reactor vessels will comprise at least one outlet port (106) allowing the mixed materials to be removed from the reactor.
  • outlet port (106) will also have a releasable control valve to maintain the integrity of the vessel until such time that an appropriate container is connected thereto to collect material to be removed from the reactor vessel.
  • Connection between the containment bag (38) and the inlet/outlet port (104, 106) will be described below with reference to Figures 7a and Figure 7b but the connection is effectively airtight preventing release of the powdered material into the atmosphere during transfer from the reactor to the containment bag and vice versa.
  • an appropriate hook member (108), mounted on an appropriate gantry (110), is used to engage the support member (79) of the containment bag (38).
  • the hook member (108) is able to perforate the sealed pocket (75) without compromising the integrity of the powder conveying portion of the bag (40) and is thus able to pass through the aperture (83) in the support member (79) and pass out through the opposite side of the bag (38). This provides for an efficient and cost effective means of hanging the bag (38) in an inverted position without the need for providing complex support mechanisms to support the major surface of the bag (38).
  • the containment bag (38) will, during this inversion process, be sealed by an appropriate releasable valve mechanism connected to the collar (42) (as will be described in Figure 7a and Figure 7b below).
  • the collar Once inverted and mounted on the gantry (110) the collar will be sealably connected to the input valve (104) with the appropriate control valves then opened to allow the product to flow from the bag (38) into the reactor vessel (100) in a conventional manner. Since the weld seal (60) of the bag (38) provides an appropriate inclined lead-in surface towards the collar (42), no shoulders are provided within the interior surface of the bag against which the pharmaceutical material could collect during this product transfer.
  • the conical surface of the collar is disposed in close fitting abutment with this interior inclined surface of the bag (40) then the effect of an end face of this conical portion (42) on powder flow in this inverted position is significantly reduced. Such effect is further reduced by the reduced wall thickness of the conical portion (42) and the fact that the bag (40) is welded in close proximity about the entire circumference of the collar.
  • the current containment bag design allows the powdered product to freely flow out of the bag with little or no product retention therein. Since the bag itself is of a flexible plastic material, it also allows an operator to, if necessary, manipulate the contents thereof so as to assist powder flow. This is particularly useful if the bag content becomes damp or powder is retained in any crease or fold within the bag.
  • the bag Once the bag has been emptied, due to its collapsible nature and the lightweight materials used, it is readily reduced in overall size for storage until subsequently required. Its lightweight material also makes for ease of handling.
  • the bags (38) are also engageable with the outlet port (106) to collect and store powdered material output from the reactor (100).
  • the bags (38) are again connected, via substantially airtight seals, with the output valve (106) but, in this situation, are housed within appropriate steel or plastic bins (112) to provide additional strength to the bag when collecting the powdered material.
  • appropriate steel or plastic bins (112) to provide additional strength to the bag when collecting the powdered material.
  • the use of such bins (112) is optional.
  • the valves of the outlet port (106) can then be opened to allow the flow of powder into the bag under gravity.
  • the containment bags (38), once filled, may be sealed with a cap member, where appropriate, for long term storage.
  • the filled containment bags (38) will have a releasable valve member connected thereto which provide an appropriate temporary seal when the bags are remote from the reactor but, when the valve members are then subsequently connected at their free end to an appropriate input or output valve of a reactor, the valve can be opened to allow product to flow from the bag to the reactor.
  • valve connectors whilst expensive, are readily employed within the pharmaceutical industry where it is usually important for such powder containers to remain sealed during transportation, storage and product transfer even over short distances or time periods.
  • the connectors of the valve means or caps to which the collar (42) is to be connected will comprise the same configuration as the collar itself, each having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion with a correspondingly shaped flange.
  • FIG. 7b This is illustrated in Figure 7b whereby the flange (48) of the collar (42) abuts a corresponding and identical flange (48') of a device (49) such as either a cap member, a valve member or an input/output valve of a reactor.
  • An appropriate resilient gasket (120) usually rubber or plastic, comprising a circular disc (121) and tubular portion (122) is disposed between the two flanges (48, 48') such that the tubular portion (122) is received in a complimentary fit within the semi-circular rebates (54, 54') of each flange to be compressed therebetween.
  • a clamp member (150) (as shown in Figure 7a) is then used to clamp the two flange members (48, 48') in this sealed engagement.
  • the clamp member (150) comprises a hinge (152) about which are pivotally mounted two semi-circular engagement arms (154, 156) and which engagement arms can be locked together by use of an appropriate locking mechanism, shown generally at (160).
  • each of the engagement members (154, 156) have two opposed and inclined engagement faces (160) for complimentary engagement with each conical surface (56) on the rear of the flanges (48, 48') respectively as shown in Figure 7b.
  • the two flanges are brought into engagement as shown, whereby the two engagement members (154, 156) are then pivotally brought into engagement so as to surround these engaged flanges, and are then locked together by the appropriate mechanism (161).
  • This mechanism (161) is further provided with means to not only lock together the two engaged arms (154, 156) but to compress these engagement means towards one another so as to reduce the overall diameter of the clamp (150), whereby the reduction of such diameter forces the engagement members towards one another resulting in cam engagement between the inclined surfaces (160) and the conical surfaces (56) of the appropriate flanges.
  • This cam engagement serves to compress the two flange members towards one another and to compress the gasket (120) therebetween to form an appropriate air tight seal.
  • This type of locking mechanism is considered conventional within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and is provided by way of example only.
  • the containment bag (38) is sealable by connection of an appropriate double ended valve member (one end of which may be connected to the bag as described with reference to Figure 7b and the other end which may be connectable to an input or output port of an appropriate reactor vessel) such that the valve connector can be opened or closed as appropriate to either retain the bag as sealed or to allow product to flow into or out of the bag when connected to an appropriate vessel
  • an appropriate valve mechanism can be readily incorporated into the tubular portion of the collar (42) if this portion is increased in length, whereby a conventional valve mechanism can then be readily integrated into this collar design which will be provided for opening or closing such valve as appropriate. This would remove the need for an intermediate valve member and clamping mechanism to connect it to the containment bag.
  • a plastic cap member (410) is shown in part cross section, which cap member comprises a simple circular disc (again made from the same plastic material as both the collar and the bag). Again such cap will be plastics moulded and will have formed in its lower surface (412) and annular rebate (414) for receipt of a tubular portion (122) of an appropriate resilient gasket (120) of the same type utilised when connecting the collar to the valve member as shown in and discussed with reference to Figure 7b.
  • cap (410) its upper surface (416) is flat so as to lie parallel to the lower surface (412) (as shown in Figure 7c) and differs from the valve shown in Figure 7b in that it is not provided with an inclined clamping surface.
  • a similar clamp member (450) is then used to clamp the lid (410) to the flange member (48) of the collar (42) in a similar manner to use of the clamp member (150) for clamping the valve mechanism thereto as shown in Figure 7a.
  • the clamp mechanism (450) again comprises two pivotally mounted semi-circular engagement arms (one of which is shown in Figure 7c) so as to engage and receive, within a channel (452) thereof, the cap (410) and the flange (48).
  • one of the inwardly extending side walls (454) of the clamp (450) is of complimentary flat configuration, whereas its opposed wall (456) is inclined for complimentary cam engagement with the conical surface (56) of the collar flange as the clamp (450) is compressed radially inwards in the direction indicated by the arrow (460) in Figure 7c.
  • the resultant compressive force exerted by the wall (454) of the clamp on the cap towards the flange (48) compresses the gasket (120) therebetween and serves to provide an appropriate sealed engagement between the cap and the containment bag, providing for an inexpensive means for sealing such bags for storage.
  • valve mechanism as described in reference to Figure 7b will be used to seal the bag as it is removed from the reactor and until it is placed in an appropriate sealed glove box (isolated and sealed chambers allowing contents placed therein to be manipulated by a user located outside of such chamber by the use of gloves extending thereinto).
  • Replacement of the valve mechanism with the cap member (410) can then be simply undertaken in a sealed environment. Once the cap has been attached thereto, the containment bag with its contents can then be safely stored. Similarly, when the contents of the bag are required, the container may be returned to the glove box whereby the cap member is accordingly replaced with an appropriate valve mechanism for connection with an appropriate reactor.
  • the specific design of the flange (48) used with the collar of the preferred embodiment is one of several possible variants and it is important to note that the current invention is not limited to the specific design of flange mechanism used for connecting either the cap or an appropriate valve mechanism to the collar.
  • the specific flange (48) described herein is by way of example only.
  • the current invention is equally applicable where the plastic bag (40) will be welded to the interior surface (53) of such conical member.
  • the collar is firstly positioned adjacent to the exterior of the bag (40) during manufacture so that the tapered end of the bag lies adjacent to this interior surface (53).
  • An appropriate weld tool is again introduced into the interior of the bag, as previously described so as to compress the bag against the conical surface (50) and a second, exterior, press tool engages the outer surface (51) of the collar to compress the bag and collar between the two conical press tools which are then plastics welded in a conventional manner.
  • the added advantage of welding the bag to the collar in this manner will be to alleviate the formation of a lip on the interior inclined surface of the bag (resulting from the end surface of the lead-in face (50)). It is also possible that where a dual membrane bag system is employed (using two concentric bags as previously described) then a first, outer bag, could be welded to the outer surface (51) of the conical surface (50) as previously described with a second welding operation to weld the interior bag to the inner surface (53) as described above. Both bags could also be welded together, with a coaxially extending radial weld, adjacent to this conical surface (50).
  • a dual stage manufacturing process would be required whereby a single layer bag according to the preferred description would firstly be constructed then a second bag could be formed and inserted into the first bag so as to be welded against the inner surface (53) of the conical surface with an additional welding operation to also weld the bags together at at least one point adjacent to the collar.
  • the thickness of this lead-in surface (50) could be tapered so as to reduce in thickness as it extends away from the cylindrical portion (44) thereby further alleviating any impact on product flow that this narrow conical portion may have.
  • a further enhancement in the current invention would be the provision of different coloured support members (79).
  • a colour coded system could be readily employed by the provision of different coloured support bars (79).
  • the current invention is also applicable to a collar which does not have a conical lead-in face, but may, in fact, simply have a radially extending connector (250) as shown in Figure 8.
  • the collar (242) as shown in Figure 8 has a similar flange (248) to that shown in Figure 4, wherein here it is simply provided with a radial extending surface (250) to which the tapered bag (40) can be welded in a conventional manner.
  • the reduced aperture of the bag (40) can be welded directly to the flat radially extending flange (251) of this collar (242) by appropriate design of the welding tool.
  • a conical surface (50) as described within the preferred embodiment as this provides for additional support of the bag (40) in the region of the collar.
  • the current invention is equally applicable to bags of different geometric design.
  • the bag (338) could in fact be formed so as to be substantially square/rectangular whereby, in a manner to that previously described, appropriate seals can be welded into a conventional tubular plastic material whereby the array of appropriate welded seals (300) will create appropriate tapered faces (302) tapering inwardly from the periphery of the substantially square bag to engage with a square or rectangular collar shown schematically in Figure 8b as (310).
  • Such a square collar would also have appropriately inclined rectangular lead-in faces for complimentary engagement with the tapered side faces (302) of the bag (338) in the manner similar to that described with reference to the conical arrangement in Figures 2 through 5.
  • a triangular containment bag could also be provided with an appropriate triangular collar design, whereby the key feature here being the inclined nature of the bag from its maximum width to the collar providing an inclined or tapered containment bag.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
EP03255158A 2002-08-21 2003-08-20 Verformbarer Beutel für den Transport von pulverförmigen Produkten Expired - Lifetime EP1391399B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0219394 2002-08-21
GB0219394A GB2392148B (en) 2002-08-21 2002-08-21 A powder container

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1391399A2 true EP1391399A2 (de) 2004-02-25
EP1391399A3 EP1391399A3 (de) 2004-05-06
EP1391399B1 EP1391399B1 (de) 2007-02-21

Family

ID=9942661

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EP03255158A Expired - Lifetime EP1391399B1 (de) 2002-08-21 2003-08-20 Verformbarer Beutel für den Transport von pulverförmigen Produkten

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1391399B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE354528T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60311926T2 (de)
GB (1) GB2392148B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005018343A1 (de) * 2005-04-20 2006-10-26 Huhtamaki Ronsberg, Zweigniederlassung Der Huhtamaki Deutschland Gmbh & Co. Kg Folienverpackung, insbesondere Folienbeutel
ES2300230A1 (es) * 2008-02-12 2008-06-01 Grup Vemsa 1857 S.L. Boca de descarga para bolsas flexibles.
EP3271003A4 (de) * 2015-03-20 2018-11-14 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Aufnahme- und transfervorrichtung für hochaktive oder empfindliche verbindungen
CN111433344A (zh) * 2017-11-30 2020-07-17 康宁股份有限公司 无菌干燥转移的方法和装置

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US3690524A (en) * 1969-04-26 1972-09-12 Thimonnier & Cie Mouthpiece for a plastics material bag, packet, receptacle sachet or the like
US4512136A (en) * 1982-08-23 1985-04-23 Trinity Associates, A Partnership Of The State Of Pennsylvania Fitment attachment methods in horizontal form/fill/seal machines
JPH07112788A (ja) * 1993-10-07 1995-05-02 Asahi Chem Ind Co Ltd 粒状物等の運搬方法およびこれに使用される折り畳み可能なコンテナ
DE19608110A1 (de) * 1996-03-02 1997-09-04 Undine Dr Soltau Probenbehältnis
JPH10203542A (ja) * 1997-01-20 1998-08-04 Kao Corp 詰め替え用袋
WO1999019134A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Technical Developers, Inc. Flexible container with tubular fitment and method of mounting same
JP2000128277A (ja) * 1998-10-23 2000-05-09 Mitsubishi Kagaku Sanshi Corp 高気密性フレキシブルコンテナ
GB2344651A (en) * 1998-12-11 2000-06-14 Biofence Ltd Reaction pouch
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FI923789A0 (fi) * 1992-08-24 1992-08-24 Seppo Katjo Foerfarande, anordning och foerpackning foer stroeende av kornigt aemne.
JP2001158443A (ja) * 1999-09-20 2001-06-12 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd 自立性袋
JP4601763B2 (ja) * 1999-11-17 2010-12-22 大日本印刷株式会社 ボトル形パウチ
CN1222839C (zh) * 2000-01-07 2005-10-12 株式会社理光 粉体收纳容器，粉体排出装置及图像形成装置
CA2410504C (en) * 2000-06-06 2010-02-09 Decko Products Inc. Dispensing pouch

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US3690524A (en) * 1969-04-26 1972-09-12 Thimonnier & Cie Mouthpiece for a plastics material bag, packet, receptacle sachet or the like
DE2000532A1 (de) * 1970-01-07 1971-07-29 Spiess C F & Sohn Verschluss- oder Entleerungsstutzen fuer Tuben,Behaelter,Beutel usw.
US4512136A (en) * 1982-08-23 1985-04-23 Trinity Associates, A Partnership Of The State Of Pennsylvania Fitment attachment methods in horizontal form/fill/seal machines
JPH07112788A (ja) * 1993-10-07 1995-05-02 Asahi Chem Ind Co Ltd 粒状物等の運搬方法およびこれに使用される折り畳み可能なコンテナ
DE19608110A1 (de) * 1996-03-02 1997-09-04 Undine Dr Soltau Probenbehältnis
JPH10203542A (ja) * 1997-01-20 1998-08-04 Kao Corp 詰め替え用袋
WO1999019134A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Technical Developers, Inc. Flexible container with tubular fitment and method of mounting same
JP2000128277A (ja) * 1998-10-23 2000-05-09 Mitsubishi Kagaku Sanshi Corp 高気密性フレキシブルコンテナ
GB2344651A (en) * 1998-12-11 2000-06-14 Biofence Ltd Reaction pouch
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005018343A1 (de) * 2005-04-20 2006-10-26 Huhtamaki Ronsberg, Zweigniederlassung Der Huhtamaki Deutschland Gmbh & Co. Kg Folienverpackung, insbesondere Folienbeutel
ES2300230A1 (es) * 2008-02-12 2008-06-01 Grup Vemsa 1857 S.L. Boca de descarga para bolsas flexibles.
EP3271003A4 (de) * 2015-03-20 2018-11-14 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Aufnahme- und transfervorrichtung für hochaktive oder empfindliche verbindungen
CN111433344A (zh) * 2017-11-30 2020-07-17 康宁股份有限公司 无菌干燥转移的方法和装置
CN111433344B (zh) * 2017-11-30 2024-04-26 康宁股份有限公司 无菌干燥转移的方法和装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2392148B (en) 2005-11-23
GB0219394D0 (en) 2002-09-25
EP1391399A3 (de) 2004-05-06
GB2392148A (en) 2004-02-25
DE60311926D1 (de) 2007-04-05
EP1391399B1 (de) 2007-02-21
ATE354528T1 (de) 2007-03-15
DE60311926T2 (de) 2007-06-28

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