EP2125523B1 - Device and method for decanting powders and solid substances while avoiding contamination and novel use of a weldable and peelable tubular film - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a method for decanting powders and solid substances or materials while avoiding contamination and a novel use of a weldable and peelable continuous tubular film (1). The invention provides a basic version, with which it is simply possible to work free from contamination and a further-developed form, with which it is also possible, in addition to avoiding contamination, to perform decanting under sterile conditions.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for contamination-preventing decanting (emptying or filling of containers, for example bulk containers or silos or the like). The ever increasing demands on industrially manufactured products or on the purity of agricultural products such as cereal flour or the like. There are also increasing demands on the raw materials and components that are used. The products have an ever-increasing degree of specialization, which means: ever-higher degrees of purity, more and more effective and valuable substances and possibly even more dangerous substances.

The problems go in two directions. Once in the field of operator protection: An operator must not be exposed to any danger and, secondly, to the area of product protection: The product must not be contaminated or contaminated with foreign matter, germs, etc.

These are general requirements, which occur mainly in biotechnology and food technology, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors of industry and possibly also in food technology and agriculture and medicine.

To meet these requirements, the products to be processed are not open, but in closed transport containers such. As fixed transport containers, flexible transport containers (also called big bags) or barrels handled. All transport containers can additionally be equipped with a foil inner bag (inner liner).

The question arises as to how these transport containers can be emptied and filled to avoid contamination.

While already expensive and complex docking systems such as. B. split flaps, cone systems or the like. Are available for Transport container with flexible outlet or inlet no satisfactory solution that excludes the contamination of an operator or the leakage of Umfüllmaterial during the transfer process safely.

The problem is that until now there is no clean way to connect transport containers with flexible outlet in closed to surrounding environment to the environment to a product inlet or product outlet of a system or system and the emptied or filled container after emptying or filling again completely free from contamination.

For the purposes of the invention, "attachment" means any containers in which there is something which is then to be in another container or in another device. In many cases, the products are stored and processed in containers. However, it may also be solids or articles coming from an insulator. Therefore, the term plant is used in the following, which also includes the term container or insulator or in the broadest sense also a room. For the same reason (broadest interpretation), the receptacle to be refilled is hereinafter referred to as the institution.

Previous systems use for the connection of the container mechanical clamping devices, wherein the outlet is clamped and sealed at the connection system. When changing the container, however, both the connection system as well as the container is open. Dust-laden air and trickling residual product can lead to contamination at the connection point and contamination of the operator and the environment.

An improvement of this known technology is in the WO-2005056443 described. There is an attempt to provide a method for low-contamination emptying or filling of bulk containers using protective films.

• Anordnen eines zu entleerenden Behälters mit an einer Abbindstelle ab- gebundenem Auslauf oberhalb eines Anschlussrohres,
• anordnen einer Schlauchfolie um das Anschlussrohr, so, dass sie gegen den einlaufseitigen Rand des Anschlussrohres dichtend anliegt,
• abbinden der Schlauchfolie oberhalb des Anschlussrohres so, dass oberhalb der Abbindstelle ein trichterförmig aufweitbares Ende der Schlauchfolie verbleibt, klemmendes verbinden von Auslauf des flexiblen Behälters und der Schlauchfolie so, dass über der Klemmverbindung freie Schlauchfolie verbleibt,
• lösen der Abbindstellen von Auslauf und Schlauchfolie und dadurch entleeren des Schüttguts, zusammenfassen des oberhalb der Klemmstelle verbliebenen freien Endes der Schlauchfolie gegen den Behälterauslauf und festlegen daran,
• nachziehen von Schlauchfolie aus einem Schlauchfolienvorrat, bis oberhalb des Anschlussrohres saubere Schlauchfolie zur Verfügung steht,
• verschliessen der Schlauchfolie an zwei benachbarten Verschliessstellen im sauberen Bereich, durchtrennen der Schlauchfolie zwischen den beiden Verschliessstellen,
• nachziehen von Schlauchfolie aus dem Schlauchfolienvorrat und erneutes abbinden derselben an einer Abbindstelle im Abstand von der Durchtrennungsstelle,
• entfernen der Verschliessstelle im Bereich der Durchtrennungsstelle und ausbreiten der Schlauchfolie zwischen der Durchtrennungsstelle und der im Abstand von der Durchtrennungsstelle befindlichen Abbindstelle zu einer Trichterform.

In this case, a tubular film is used, which connects the one container with the other container and is connected at one or more Abbindstellen before transferring so with the containers that nothing can escape between film and container during transfer. In particular, the following steps are used:

• Arranging a container to be emptied with an outlet tied off at a setting point above a connecting pipe,
• arranging a tubular film around the connecting pipe, so that it bears sealingly against the inlet-side edge of the connecting pipe,
• setting the tubular film above the connecting pipe so that a funnel-shaped expandable end of the tubular film remains above the setting point, clamping connection of the outlet of the flexible container and the tubular film so that free hose film remains above the clamping connection,
• loosen the binding points of the outlet and the tubular film and thereby empty the bulk material, combine the free end of the tubular film remaining above the clamping point against the container outlet and fix it,
• retracting tubular film from a tubular film supply until clean tubular film is available above the connecting pipe,
• closing the tubular film at two adjacent sealing points in the clean area, severing the tubular film between the two closing points,
• retracting tubular film from the tubular film supply and re-setting it at a setting point at a distance from the cut-through location,
• remove the sealing point in the region of the cut-through point and spread the tubular film between the cut-through point and the setting point located at a distance from the cut-through point to form a funnel shape.

By this Abbindverfahren incorporating connecting pipes and the like. However, it does not lead to a completely contamination-free manipulation. At the setting site [3.1] (cf. Fig.1 ) occurs during the transition from a filling process to a next filling process to the exposure of the inside of the film tube, which has been contaminated on its inside. This allows material to escape from the inside of the film tube into the environment.

The known method is thus advantageous over other known solutions, but not really optimal in terms of contamination prevention. Above all in the onward transport or in the further manipulation with the plants and facilities a contamination is not excluded.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a new method and a new device, which ensures a complete contamination avoidance. This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1 or by an apparatus according to claim 5 and in particular by the novel use of a weldable and peelable continuous film tube according to claim 17. claim 10 also discloses an improved method for not only contamination-free but also sterile decanting , Claim 15 a device based on this improved method.

The essential feature of the new device and the new method is the use of a weldable peelable Endlosschlauchfolic in conjunction with a complete replacement of the known Abbindverfahrens by welding, in particular at the setting site [3.1], which must not be expressly seen in accordance with the known WO-A , Firstly, it is ensured by the inventive welding at this point that any contaminating coatings of the film tube in the weld remain trapped (melted down) and can not be released to the environment. Secondly, the peelability of the endless tubular film according to the invention makes it possible, after welding to the inlet, to establish the connection between the container and the device without having to carry out any manipulations with the twine. By peelability is meant that property in which a - possibly with itself - verschseisste plastic film at the weld seam can be solved again, as if it had not been welded. These are specially treated or produced films that have this property. In most cases, this technique is already used on Kunitsioff packaging to make it easier for a customer to open the packaging.

Zuddern is obvious in the invention and advantageous if the continuous film tube is not like the acquaintance around the inlet - so usually raised down but around the spout. This brings advantageously with it that elaborate clamping devices, etc. can be omitted, since the endless film tube is pulled from top to bottom and then hang in a hanging form, so no additional support requires, Finally, this circumstance brings with it the advantage that the Funnel shape of the endless film tube can be omitted (see Figure 8 , WO-A), since just this need in the known to expose a large contaminated Surface, namely the inside of the funnel leads.

The new devices and the new methods also result in particular in the advantage that the systems and devices are optimally closed after the inventive refilling with the endless film tube and thus require no additional closing devices, which is not only the purity of the method but also the total Improved efficiency compared to conventional systems.

For holding the continuous film tube, any means known per se, such as e.g. a Radialblähring be used according to the aforementioned WO-A. In this regard, the Blähring 9 is explicitly referenced from the figures of WO-A and the accompanying explanatory parts of the description

In the following, the method and the structure of the invention are explained and further advantages are given.

The method is set up so that it is optimally suited for the contamination-avoiding transfer of free-flowing goods, eg powders and solids. In addition, there is another application in medical technology and surgery. For example, in the case of organ transplants, it is inevitable to transport organs or tissues that must be transported as sterile as possible and free of contamination and, if necessary, repacked. Such tissues or organs and the like. can also be optimally filled with the erfindungemässen solutions. According to the invention, the goods are transferred from a system with an optionally flexible outlet into a downstream device with a tube-shaped weldable inlet of an inner liner, the method having the following method steps. Such systems are standard in a variety of forms (silos, transport bags, insulators, clean rooms, etc.) and need not be explained in more detail. Vessels with liners are also standard and commonly used. The inner liner is intended to discourage the material being picked up from the actual container into which it is to be transferred and thus to prevent contamination of the device and / or material.

As a first step, an endless film tube which is weldable on its outside and inside, the inside after peeling is peelable, attached to the outlet of the plant and indeed so that it can be pulled like an extension of the outlet along its longitudinal extent. At the outlet or above, the continuous film tube is e.g. fixed with a Blähring, so that it can be tightened until it is used up. Preferably, the endless film tube is unfolded bellows-like for this purpose. This is known per se and has the advantage that the transport and storage as well as the tracking of continuous film tube is easy.

Now, if the endless film tube welded in the assembled state at its free end, so it closes the outlet. This is a simple and safe method. Compared to conventional valves, etc., this is much cheaper and cleaner, since in a system behind each other optionally different materials are stored, conventionally, in particular the flaps, valves, etc. are particularly well cleaned. However, if the endless film tube assumes this valve function, this expense is eliminated. With the welding of the endless film tube begins a process cycle.

Of course, this welding at the first point of the endless film tube already take place in the hose manufacturer, so that after mounting the endless film tube first no manipulation must be done, but rather the system can be filled in turn with the material. By the invention, however, mixed variants are also included, ie variants which have in addition to the continuous film tube valves.

Once the continuous film tube is in place, the placing of the inlet of the device to be transferred to follows around the outside of the continuous film tube so that the inlet side edge of the inlet is above the welding point of the continuous film tube.

Now, preferably, material is forced back out of the endless film tube in the direction of the installation, so that the inner sides of the endless film tube come to rest against one another and the inner side of the inlet on the outer side of the endless film tube. Thereafter, the welding of the endless film tube with the inlet, so that the continuous film tube between its existing weld and the inlet side edge of the inlet at least one continuous new weld is formed on the one hand the inside of the inlet to the outside of the continuous film tube and on the other hand at the same point the inside of the endless film tube connects. The welding process can be carried out with conventional impulse welding devices, but also by thermal welding or by laser welding, for example by means of the transmission method.

By subsequently loosening the peelable inside of the continuous film tube, the two welds are peeled inside the continuous film tube so that the system is connected to the device via a laterally closed tunnel. As a result, the transfer process can take place until the continuous film tube is rewelded, preferably after prior material displacement by constriction at a third point, thus preventing the flow of material.

This third welding corresponds to the first and the cycle is closed or the next device can be filled.

Preferably, the welding at the third point is carried out so broadly that subsequently in the region within the weld seam - preferably approximately in the middle, the transection of the continuous film tube takes place. Also, the welding can be carried out at the third place as a double weld with a central seam.

The holder of the endless film tube is preferably a tubular film carrier, optionally with a Blähring or the like. works for fixation.

A practical welding process results when the welding is carried out by means of pulse welding technique, and / or that before welding the endless film tube is compressed by means of clamping bars, so that the material is displaced in the region of the subsequent weld as possible up / down in the film tube. The bars and welding rollers, welding electrodes or the like. are preferably integrally formed, so that the bars serve them as a guide.

Pulse-welding technique is preferably used according to the invention. Other comparable welding technologies, such as e.g. However, ultrasonic technology or laser welding technology can also be used.

A device according to the invention for the contamination-free transfer of pourable materials and in particular for carrying out a method specified above is specified in claim 5.

By the dependent claims 6 to 9, this device is developed.

Preferably, the welding device is a pulse welding device and / or it includes a separation device, which can preferably cut through the endless tubular film approximately in the middle of the weld. If a cut is made through the welded area, it is ensured that contaminated surfaces are not even exposed. Any contamination is and will be integrated in the weld seam.

As a typical plastic for the endless tubular film is available polyethylene, from which most of the inner liners are made. However, the invention is by no means limited to polyethylene.

Since endless tubular films are already known per se, the new and inventive use of such a film for transferring materials from a system into a device is also covered by claim 10

Endless tubular films have of course been known for some time, as also indicated in WO-A. However, hitherto, such endless tube films with a peelable inner surface have not been used for transfer operations. Until now, they were only used for packaging purposes by creating a package from the tubular film by means of welding, which can be opened by peeling. Typical application example: potato chips - packaging or the like

The further claims 11 to 14 indicate even more advanced usage details.

• Dabei ist zu beachten, dass dieses neuartige Verfahren im Prinzip auf dem Verwendungsprinzip einer schweissbaren peelfähigen Endlosschlauchfolie basiert und
• insofern eine einheitliche Erfindung mit den oben beschriebenen Verfahren und
• Vorrichtungen bzw. Verwendungen darstellt.

The inventive method for contamination-preventing and sterile transfer of solids from a system with flexible outlet in a downstream device with A tube-shaped weldable inlet of an inner liner is specified in claim 15 and has the following method steps:

• It should be noted that this novel method is based in principle on the principle of use of a weldable peelable endless tubular film and
• insofar a uniform invention with the methods described above and
• Represents devices or uses.

• Eine schlauchförmige Übergangsfolie (violett), die innen nicht und aussen jedoch schon schweissbar ist, ist an ihrer Aussenseite mit der Innenseite des Einlaufs verschweissbar und
• mit ihrer dem Einlauf abgewandten Seite mit einer sackförmigen Abdichtfolie verbunden,
• deren Sachboden innerhalb der Übergangsfolie liegt und deren Sackrand mit der dem Einlauf abgewandten Seite der Übergangsfolie verbunden, beispielsweise verschweisst ist, wobei für die Abdichtfolie ein Kunststoff gewählt wird, der gut schweissbar ist;

Arranging an internally sterile continuous film tube which is weldable on its outside and inside, the inside after peeling is peelable to the sterile outlet, welding the continuous film tube at its free end, adapting a sterilized bag on the inlet of the inner liner and sterilizing the bag with Inner liner, wherein the bag was constructed prior to welding with the inlet of the inner liner as follows:

• A tubular transition foil (violet), which is not weldable on the inside and outside, is on its outside with the inside of the inlet weldable and
• connected with its side facing away from the inlet with a bag-shaped sealing film,
• whose material bottom is within the transition foil and the sack edge of which is connected to the side facing away from the inlet of the transition foil, for example, is welded, wherein for the sealing film, a plastic is chosen, which is well weldable;

Arranging the bag-shaped sealing film around the outside of the endless film tube so that the welded part of the endless film tube comes to lie within the bag;
preferably pushing back of material from the continuous film tube in the direction of plant, welding the endless film tube with the sealing film, so that the continuous film tube between its existing weld and the free edge of the sealing film at least one continuous new weld seam preferably double weld arises, on the one hand the inside of the sealing film with the outside the continuous film tube and on the other hand at the same point connects the inside of the continuous film tube, wherein during this welding process the center of the weld, preferably between the double welds a separating seam is set, so that the remote from the outlet part of the continuous film tube in the form of a Material including tokens together with the enclosing Abdiehtfolic is separated.

The welding and separation is accomplished from the outside through the transition foil, without welding or separating the transition foil itself. Since this inner layer of the transition foil is not weldable, no connection of the films.

Subsequently, the peelable inside of the endless film tube and its second welded point is released, so that the Umfüllvorgang takes place until the Endlofolienschlauch is again welded through at a third location and so prevents the flow of material.

Preferably, the sealing film is selected from pure polyethylene, since it is so continuously weldable.

The manipulation is particularly simple if the pouch is tightly welded to the inlet, then sterilized, preferably Y-sterilized and supplied as an accessory to the ripper.

In order to simplify the separation, the welding on the third point of the continuous film tube can be carried out so broadly, and then in the area within the weld - preferably approximately centrally the transection of the continuous film tube done, after which a new filling / Umfüllvorgang can be done in a new facility. Alternatively, a double-seam seam with a central dividing seam can be attached to the continuous film tube at the third position.

The waste product (token) obtained as a waste product can - if it does not matter - remain in the device and be disposed of after emptying the device. However, it can also be removed through the spout.

It should be noted that the invention is not limited to those methods in which the transfer process is carried out from top to bottom. There are also included methods in which the system is retative to the device in a plane and the endless film tube is therefore arranged horizontally.

An apparatus for the contamination-preventing and sterile transfer of free-flowing materials and in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding statements is described in claim 15 or protected. Further developments result from the dependent claims.

Preferably, the bag-shaped sealing film is formed together with the loop-shaped transition foil as a bag which is firmly connected to the inlet of the inner liner and sterilized. Such a package (bag with inner liner can - even sterile packed - easily transported and mounted.

Based on embodiments, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of example.

• Fig.1 eine Ansicht auf eine verschweisste Endlosschlauchfolie oberhalb eines Einlaufs eines zu befüllenden Innenliners;
• Fig.2 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig.1;
• Fig.3 eine Ansicht auf die verschweisste Endlosschlauchfolie von Fig.1 nach dem Einstecken in den Einlauf des zu befüllenden Innenliners;
• Fig.4 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig. 3;
• Fig.5 die Ansicht von Fig.3 mit angebrachter Schweissnaht;
• Fig.6 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig.5;
• Fig.7 eine Ansicht auf eine verschweisste und anschliessend gepeelte Endlosschlauchfolie nach Fig.5;
• Fig.8 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig.7;
• Fig.9 eine Ansicht auf eine gepeelte und anschliessend an einer dritten Stelle wieder verschweissten Endlosschlauchfo lie gemäss Fig.7;
• Fig.10 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig.9;
• Fig.11 eine Ansicht der an der Dritten Stelle wieder verschweissten und dort getrennten Endlosschlauchfolie oberhalb des Einlaufs gemäss Fig.9, wobei die freistehenden Enden des Innenliners verschweisst sind;
• Fig.12 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig. 11;
• Fig.13 eine Ansicht auf eine Endlosschlauchfolie gem. Fig.1 oberhalb eines erfindungsgemässen Beutels an einem Einlauf;
• Fig.14 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.13;
• Fig. 15 eine Ansicht auf den Aufbau nach Fig.13, wobei die Endlosschlauchfolie in den Beutel eingesteckt wurde;
• Fig.16 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.15;
• Fig.17 eine Ansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.15 jedoch mit zusätzlich angebrachter Schweissnaht an einer zweiten Stelle;
• Fig.18 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.17;
• Fig.19 eine Ansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.17 jedoch mit einem abgetrennten Token;
• Fig.20 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung von Fig.19;
• Fig.21 eine Ansicht auf den Aufbau gemäss Fig.19, wobei die Endlosschlauchfolie an Ihrer ersten Schweissstelle aufgepeelt (geöffnet) wurde;
• Fig.22 eine Seitenansicht auf die Darstellung gemäss Fig.21 und
• Fig.23 und 24 den Aufbau von Fig.21, nachdem an der Endlosschlauchfolie an einer dritten Stelle wieder eine Trennschweissung angebracht wurde.

The figures show schematically:

• Fig.1 a view of a welded endless tubular film above an inlet of an inner liner to be filled;
• Fig.2 a side view on the representation of Fig.1 ;
• Figure 3 a view of the welded endless tube of Fig.1 after insertion into the inlet of the inner liner to be filled;
• Figure 4 a side view on the representation of Fig. 3 ;
• Figure 5 the view of Figure 3 with attached weld seam;
• Figure 6 a side view on the representation of Figure 5 ;
• Figure 7 a view of a welded and then peeled endless tubular film after Figure 5 ;
• Figure 8 a side view on the representation of Figure 7 ;
• Figure 9 a view of a peeled and then re-welded at a third point Endlosschlauchfo lie according to Figure 7 ;
• Figure 10 a side view on the representation of Figure 9 ;
• Figure 11 a view of the rewelded at the third place and there separated endless tubular film above the inlet according to Figure 9 wherein the freestanding ends of the innerliner are welded;
• Figure 12 a side view on the representation of Fig. 11 ;
• Figure 13 a view of an endless tube film acc. Fig.1 above a bag according to the invention at an inlet;
• Figure 14 a side view of the illustration according to Figure 13 ;
• Fig. 15 a view on the structure after Figure 13 wherein the endless tubular film has been inserted into the bag;
• Figure 16 a side view of the illustration according to Figure 15 ;
• Figure 17 a view on the representation according to Figure 15 but with additionally attached weld at a second location;
• Figure 18 a side view of the illustration according to Figure 17 ;
• Figure 19 a view on the representation according to Figure 17 however, with a severed token;
• fig.20 a side view on the representation of Figure 19 ;
• Figure 21 a view of the structure according to Figure 19 where the endless tubular film was peeled (opened) at your first welding site;
• Figure 22 a side view of the illustration according to Figure 21 and
• Fig.23 and 24th the construction of Figure 21 After a separation weld has been attached to the endless tubular film at a third position again.

Not shown is the separation of the endless tubular film after attaching the Trennschweissung at the third point of the endless tubular film. This will be on FIGS. 11 and 12 referenced, here the welding of freely projecting remnants of the inlet can be omitted, since the separated lower part of the endless tubular film already serves as a closure of the inner liner or inlet.

The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. Same components bear the same reference numerals. Similar components or functionally similar components bear the same reference numerals with different indices.

• Eine nach oben zu "endlose" Endlosschlauchfolie 1, die an ihrer Aussenseite schweissbar und an ihrer Innenseite schweissbar und peelfähig ist (blau) ist an der Anlage (nicht gezeigt) in Form eines vorzugsweise axial gefalteten Endlosliner befestigt.

Fig.1 and 2 show the initial situation:

• An upward to "endless" endless tubular film 1, which is weldable on its outer side and on its inside welded and peelable (blue) is attached to the system (not shown) in the form of a preferably axially folded endless liner.

The endless tubular film is original or welded from the last separation down or at its one end 2a facing the end 3. The process is thereby kept closed.

The inlet is part of an inner liner 4a to be filled in a device (not shown). The inlet 2a of the inner liner 4a must be internally weldable. It is open in this embodiment and therefore may not be sterile.

Namely, this structure is less used to protect the product to be filled, but rather to protect the operators from contamination.

3 and 4 show the next step, in which the free welded end 3a of the endless tubular film is inserted into the inner liner 4a or its inlet 2a to be filled.

• Mit einem herkömmlichen Schweissgerät werden die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 und der Einlauf 2a des zu befüllende Innenliners 4a durchgängig miteinander verschweisst (zweite Schweissnaht 6a). Der die Breitseite der Endlosschlauchfolie 1 überragende Teil 5a wird ebenso durchgeschweisst. Dadurch ergibt sich vollständiger Kontaminationsschutz, da so zwischen Endlosschlauchfolie 1 und Einlauf 2a kein Material entweichen kann. Abgesehen davon ist zwischen der Aussenseite der Endlosschlauchfolie 1 und der Innenseite des Einlaufs 2a eine dichte, nicht peelfähige Schweissnaht entstanden. Die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 selbst ist an ihrer Innenseite mit sich selbst verschweisst.

Fig.5 and 6 indicate the process of the welding according to the invention:

• With a conventional welding apparatus, the endless tubular film 1 and the inlet 2a of the innerliner 4a to be filled are continuously welded together (second weld 6a). The broad side of the endless tubular film 1 superior part 5a is also welded through. This results in complete protection against contamination, since so no material can escape between endless tubular film 1 and inlet 2a. Apart from that, between the outside of the endless tubular film 1 and the inside of the inlet 2a a dense, non-peelable weld seam has been created. The endless tubular film 1 itself is welded to its inside with itself.

Fig.7 and 8 now show the process of opening the hose connection to enable the Umfüllvorgangs: the first weld 3a and the second weld 6a are peeled, ie externally detects an operator, the endless tubular film 1 and pulls them apart, wherein the internal welds 3a and 6a aufpeelen. The opening or the Aufpeelen may optionally also be effected by the optionally slightly increased inerting pressure of the material from the plant.

The welding between the outside of the endless tubular film 1 and the inlet 2a remains. As a result, the inner liner 4a is tightly connected to the plant or its outlet (not shown). In this state, the inner liner 4a is filled.

Fig.9 and 10th shows the process of completing the filling process. After filling, the endless tubular film 1 is preferably separated with a separating weld seam 3b. A separating weld 3b is a weld which, after the welding operation, allows separation of the two parts which abut the weld. The two parts remain welded at the ends facing each other.

The transfer process in the plant as well as in the device is thus closed, since the cutting seam as mentioned forms an edge weld. The weld seam 3b corresponds to the weld seam 3a in a new cycle.

FIGS. 11 and 12 shows the next step, in which preferably the inner liner 4a is closed at its upper end again by the free ends of the inlet 2a at a fourth spot 7 tightly welded. In advance, the welded-off (3b ") remainder of the endless tubular film 1 is placed or inserted in the inlet 2a.

This results in a closed package of the inner liner 4a with the completely enclosed material. Both endless tubular film 1 and inner liner 4a remain completely free of contamination on their outsides.

The same property, but beyond sterile working conditions, that is, from the environment no substances, germs or the like. can be introduced into the material to be transferred, are realized by the advanced method described below; that is, the inner sides of the films never come into contact with the environment during the entire refilling process, whereas in the method described above, the inner surfaces do not come into contact with the environment until they have come into contact with the transfer material, and not only Outside are free of material.

• Die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 ist an einer unter sterilen Bedingungen aufgebauten Anlage (z.B. in einem Reinraum in Form eines Endlosliners rund um den Auslauf der Anlage (nicht gezeigt) befestigt. Die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 ist innen peelbar und aussen schweissbar. Die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 ist - z.B. noch von der letzten Abtrennung her - unten verschweisst 3a. Der zu befüllende Innenliner 4b verfügt über einen kurzen Einlauf 2b, der mit eine speziellen schlauchförmigen Übergangsfolie 5 verschweisst ist. Die Übergangsfolie 5 ist innen nicht schweissbar und aussen schweissbar. An der Übergangsfolie 5 ist an Ihrer dem Einlauf 2b abgewandten Seite mit einer sackartigen Abdichtfolie 16 randdicht verschweisst. Die Abdichtfolie 16 ist aus reinem PE und an allen ihren Seiten gut schweissbar. Der Innenliner 4b ist mit der Übergangsfolie 5 dicht verschweisst und kann gas- oder gamma-sterilisiert werden. Das gesamte Paket kann somit beispielsweise in steriler Verpackung geliefert werden und vor Ort (z.B. in dem Reinraum) in die Einrichtung eingesetzt werden.

Fig.13 and 14th show the initial situation for the sterile and contamination-free Umfüllverfahren according to the further development of the invention:

• The endless tubular film 1 is attached to a system constructed under sterile conditions (eg in a clean room in the form of an endless liner around the outlet of the system (not shown).) The endless tubular film 1 is internally peelable and externally weldable The inner liner 4b to be filled has a short inlet 2b, which is welded to a special tubular transition foil 5. The transition foil 5 can not be welded on the inside and can be welded on the outside Infeed 2b facing away from the edge is welded edge-tight with a bag-like sealing foil 16. The sealing foil 16 is made of pure PE and can be easily welded on all its sides The inner liner 4b is tightly welded to the transition foil 5 and can be sterilized by gas or gamma can thus be delivered, for example, in sterile packaging and before Place (eg in the clean room) are used in the device.

Fig.15 and 16 show how endless tubular films in the special inlet structure consisting of transition foil 5 and sealing foil 16 welded to the inlet as a bag. 7 trained special be inserted: The endless tubular film 1 is inserted into the bag-shaped recess of the sealing film 16 of the inner liner 4b to be filled. The outer sides of the sealing film 16 thus touch the outer sides of the endless film tube 1. The outer side in this case is the side that comes into contact with the environment. From the perspective of the bag 7, however, it is more due to the bag formation of the sealing film 16 is an inner side. For linguistic clarification, however, the outside world always speaks in the above sense.

Fig.17 and 18th now show the process in which the nested endless tubular film 1 and sealing film 16 are welded: - With a welder (not shown, because in itself conventional), the endless tubular film 1 and the sealing film 16 are welded together, so that two tight welds 8a, 8b between the continuous film tube 1 and the bag 7 arise. In this process, the endless tubular film 1 is also welded together. During the welding process, a separating seam 9 is set between the welding seams 8a and 8b. This separates the non-sterile part in the form of a waste part 10. The welding and separation is done from the outside through the transition foil 5 through. Since the inner layer is not weldable, there is no connection of the inside of the transition foil 5 with the inside of the sealing foil 16 or with the endless tubular foil 1.

• Dabei fällt das Abfallteil nach unten in den Innenliner 4b und verbleibt als steriler Fremdkörper im Umfüllgut, oder es wird von Seiten der Anlage her (z.B. wenn die Anlage als ein Isolator ausgebildet ist) entnommen. (Fig.21,22) Es kann sich dabei ja auch um einen horizontalen Förderprozess handeln.

Fig.19 and 20 show the process of separating the waste part 10:

• In this case, the waste part falls down into the inner liner 4b and remains as a sterile foreign body in the Umfüllgut, or it is from the plant side (eg when the system is designed as an insulator) removed. ( Fig.21,22 ) It can also be a horizontal funding process.

Fig.21 and 22nd show the process of peeling, in which the endless tubular film 1 and with it the sealing film 16 is opened. The welding between the endless tubular film 1 and sealing film 16, however, remains. As a result, the inner liner 4b is tightly connected to the system or its outlet.

The abgeschweisst, waste part 10 is removed in this embodiment as a waste part of the insulator (Appendix) ago. In this state, the inner liner 4b is filled or emptied sterile.

• Nach der Befüllung kann die Endlosschlauchfolie 1 mit einer Trenn-Schweissnaht 3b abgetrennt werden. Der Prozess in der Anlage wie auch der Innenliner 4b sind damit geschlossen und steril, da die Trennnaht 3b eine Randschweissung auslöst.

With the off Fig.23 and 24th shown steps, the cycle closes. It comes to a separation welding:

• After filling, the endless tubular film 1 can be separated with a separating weld 3b. The process in the plant as well as the inner liner 4b are thus closed and sterile, since the separating seam 3b triggers an edge weld.

For a new decanting process, the separating seam 3b with its edge welding would correspond to the weld seam 3a on the endless tubular film 1.

In the context of the invention, if appropriate, processes which replace the "welding" by a "gluing", provided that the bonds have the same properties with respect to the peelability, as indicated for the welding above. "Welding" is therefore to be understood in a very broad sense.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1 endless tube film
• 2 a, b inlet
• 3 a, b third weld seam on the endless tubular film 1
• 4 a, b Inner liner of the device to be transferred to.
• 5 transition foil
• 6a second weld seam contamination-free design
• 7 bags
• 8a, b Second weld sterile version
• 9 cutting seam
• 10 waste part
• 16 sealing film

Claims (22)

1. A method for decanting bulk goods and solidus (material), avoiding contamination, from a facility having a preferably flexible outlet into a downstream apparatus having a weldable inlet (2a), in the form of a tubular film, of an inner liner (4a), wherein the method has the following method steps:

   arranging an endless tubular film (1), which is weldable on its outer side and inner side, wherein the inner side is peelable after welding, around the outlet, welding of the endless tubular film (1) at its free end (3),

   arranging the inlet (2a) around the outer side of the endless tubular film (1) so that the edge of the inlet (2a) on the inlet side comes to lie above the welding point (3a) of the endless tubular film (1), - preferably pushing back material from the endless tubular film (1) in the direction of the facility,

   welding of the endless tubular film (1) with the inlet, so that on the endless tubular film (1) between its existing weld seam (3a) and the edge of the inlet (2) on the inlet side at least one continuous new second weld seam (6a) is produced, which on the one hand connects the inner side of the inlet (2a) with the outer side of the endless tubular film (1) and on the other hand connects the inner side of the endless tubular film (1) at the same point,

   subsequent detaching of the peelable inner side of the endless tubular film (1), so that the decanting process takes place until the endless tubular film (1) is welded through again at a third point (3b) and in this way prevents the material flow or respectively the possibility of a material flow.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the welding at the third point (3b) is carried out so widely, and that subsequently a cutting through of the endless tubular film (1) takes place in the region inside the weld seam (3b) - preferably approximately centrally -, after which a new filling/decanting process can take place again into a new apparatus, or that the welding (3b) is carried out at the third point as a double weld seam (3b'; 3b") with a central partition seam.
3. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to receive the endless tubular film (1) around the outlet, a tubular film carrier is arranged surrounding the outlet.
4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the welding is carried out by means of pulse welding technology, and/or that before welding, the endless tubular film (1) is pressed together by means of clamping bars, so that the material in the region of the later weld seam is displaced upward or downward as much as possible in the endless tubular film (1).
5. To device for the contamination-free decanting of bulk material for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a facility having an outlet, around which a weldable endless tubular film (1), which is peelable on its inner side, is mounted as a supply, which is weldable by its outer side with The inner side of an inlet (2a) of an inner liner (4a) of an apparatus, into which decanting is to be carried out if necessary.
6. The device according to Claim 5, characterized in that beneath the free end of the outlet and laterally to its imaginary extended spatial longitudinal extent, compression bars are provided, which can press together the endless tubular film (1) from laterally to lying against it, wherein preferably the welding device is arranged integrated in these compression bars.
7. The device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the welding device is a pulse welding device and/or that it also comprises a cutting device, which can preferably cut through the endless tubular film (1) approximately in the middle of the weld seam (3b).
8. The device according to one of Claims 5-7, characterized in that the endless tubular film (1) consists of polyethylene and/or is unfolded in axial direction in the delivery state and is preferably held by means of a slip brake at its mounting location to retain the outlet against unintentional slipping.
9. The device according to one of Claims 5-8, characterized in that the endless tubular film (1) is unfolded axially.
10. The method for the sterile decanting of powders or solids or respectively materials, avoiding contamination, from a facility having a flexible outlet into a downstream apparatus having a weldable inlet (2b), in the form of a tubular film, of an inner liner (4b) of an apparatus for receiving materials, wherein the method has the following method steps:

    arranging an internally sterile endless tubular film (1), which is weldable on its outer side and inner side, wherein the inner side is peelable after welding, around the sterile outlet, welding of the endless tubular film (1) on its free end, adapting a sterilized bag (7) on the inlet (2b) of the inner liner 4b) and sterilizing the bag (7) with inner liner (4b), wherein the bag (7) was constructed as follows, prior to its welding to the inlet (2b) of the inner liner (4b) :

    a tubular transition film (5), which is not weldable internally and is, however, already weldable externally, is weldable on its outer side with the inner side of the inlet (2b) and is connected by its side facing away from the inlet with a bag-shaped sealing film (16), the bottom of which bag lies inside the transition film (5) and

    the edge of which bag is connected, for example welded, with the side of the transition film (5) facing away from the inlet, wherein a plastic which is readily weldable is selected for the sealing film (16);

    arranging the bag-shaped sealing film (16) around the outer side of the endless tubular film (1) so that the welded part of the endless tubular film (1) comes to lie inside the bag;

    preferably pushing back material from the endless tubular film (1) in the direction of the facility,

    welding the endless tubular film (1) to the sealing film (16), so that at least one continuous new weld seam (8), preferably a double weld seam (8a, 8b) is produced on the endless tubular film (1) between its existing weld seam (3a) and the free edge of the sealing film (16), which on the one hand connects the inner side of the sealing film (16) with the outer side of the endless tubular film (1) and on the other hand connects the inner side of the endless tubular film (1) at the same point, wherein during this welding process a partition seam (9) is placed in the middle of the weld seam (8), preferably between the double weld seams (8a, 8b), so that the part of the endless tubular film (1) facing away from the outlet is cut off in the form of a waste part (10), comprising material, together with the sealing film (16) surrounding it, subsequent detaching of the peelable inner side of the endless tubular film (1) at its second welded point (8a), so that the decanting process takes place, until the endless tubular film (1) is welded through again at a third point (3b) and in such a way prevents the material flow.
11. The method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the sealing film (16) is selected from pure PE.
12. The method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the bag (7) is tightly welded with the inlet (2b), is sterilized, preferably Y-sterilized, and is provided as an accessary to the decanter.
13. The method according to one of Claims 10-12, characterized in that the welding at the third point (3b) of the endless tubular film (1) is carried out so widely, and that subsequently in the region inside the weld seam (3b) - preferably approximately centrally, the cutting through of the endless tubular film (1) takes place, after which a new filling/decanting process can occur again into a new apparatus, or that a double weld seam (3b) with a central partition seam is applied on the endless tubular film (1) at the third point.
14. The method according to one of Claims 10-13, characterized in that the token (10) is removed through the outlet.
15. The device for the sterile decanting of bulk materials, avoiding contamination, for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 10-14, characterized in that it comprises a facility with an outlet, around which a weldable endless tubular film (1), which is peelable on its inner side, is mounted as a supply, which is connected by its outer side with the inner side of a bag-shaped sealing film (16), which is welded to a tubular transition film (5), which latter is welded to the inlet of an inner liner (4b) of an apparatus into which decanting is to take place if necessary.
16. The device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the bag-shaped sealing film (16) together with the tubular transition film (5) is constructed as a bag (7), which is securely connected with the inlet (2b) of the inner liner (4b) and sterilized.
17. Use of a weldable endless tubular film (1), which is peelable on its inner side, for the decanting of materials from a facility into an apparatus, for a method according to one of Claims 1-4 or 10-14, or respectively for a device according to one of Claims 5-9 or 15, 16.
18. Use of an endless tubular film (1) according to Claim 17, by the endless tubular film (1) being mounted so as to be able to be tightened around the outlet of the facility and in the tightened state is welded to an inlet (2) of an inner liner (4) of an apparatus into which decanting is to sake place.
19. Use of an endless tubular film (1) according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the endless tubular film (1) is connected with a bag (7) according to Claim 10, in order to make possible the sterile decanting.
20. Use of an endless tubular film according to one of Claims 17-19, characterized in that the endless tubular film (1) is offered as a replacement part for decanting devices.
21. Use of an endless tubular film (1) for the production of a bag (7) according to Claim 10, preferably as an everted transition film (5) according to Claim 10.
22. Use of an internally weldable and peelable endless tubular film (1) in particular according to one of the preceding methods for the decanting of transplantable organs, tissues or suchlike in medicine or surgery.

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