EP2130769A1 - Container for flexible bulk material packages and method for filling these packages. - Google Patents

Abstract

The dimensionally stable receptacle (1) has a receptacle base (8), a side wall (6), an upper part (4), and a filling opening (9) in an upper part. A reversible passage device is opened and closed for inserting a flexible container (2) and removing the container out of an interior space of the receptacle. A suction line ends in the interior space, where a docking coupling (10) is provided in a region of the filling opening, and forms the filling opening. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a filling module for bulk goods, with a dimensionally stable receptacle for receiving a flexible container; and (2) a method for filling a flexible container, particularly a bulk goods container.

Description

The present invention relates to a receptacle for flexible bulk containers and a filling module for bulk material comprising this receptacle. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for filling flexible containers with bulk material and the use of the receptacle according to the invention and of the filling module for the filling of flexible containers with bulk material.

Flexible containers, such as sacks, bags or bags, have always been used to transport a wide variety of bulk solids. Also, for such bulk materials, which are preferably environmentally friendly to transport or store, for example, because these bulk materials may not be contaminated with substances from the environment or because the bulk goods could pose environmental hazards, resorting increasingly to flexible packaging. This trend is not least attributable to interim coupling locking systems and docking devices, with the help of such flexible containers for the first time can be filled and emptied unproblematic and reliable environmentally sealed. For example, reference is made to coupling closures, as described in the following documents: WO 03/03 7717 A1 . WO 2004/103816 A1 . WO 2005/070776 A1 and WO 2006/053545 A1 , The aforementioned documents also take one that can be obtained using two corresponding coupling closures environmentally sealed docking. The advantage of such coupling closures and docking devices is that neither when docking with the formation of a docking device still transferred during the decoupling process or to be transferred bulk material with the environment in Contact kicks. It is also advantageous that the said coupling closures can be readily connected tightly to the material of the flexible container.

Being able to ensure environmentally sound filling is of particular importance in the pharmaceutical sector as well. This not only applies to the handling of starting materials and intermediates, but also to e.g. in tablet form end products. Tablets are regularly supplied in large numbers and at no slow speed after their completion via slides or piping corresponding transport containers. The resulting inevitable abrasion leads to the formation of dust and could contaminate the environment sustainably, would not be taken appropriate precautions. These measures include sucking the air over the transported tablets.

In the filling systems for bulk goods used hitherto, e.g. Tablets, complications are not always to be excluded with sufficient reliability when Umfüll- or filling. Such complications require regularly to interrupt the filling process, in order to then be able to manually resolve the problem encountered. In an otherwise essentially fully automated process sequence, these interruptions represent a lasting disruption. In order to be able to avoid complications with a sufficient degree of reliability and, at the same time, to minimize the problem of contamination, these are especially common in the pharmaceutical and food sectors still always expensive equipment and thus expensive constructions preference.

The present invention therefore an object of the invention to provide a device with which even flexible containers can be filled reliably, substantially complication-free and safe, without causing an increased risk of contamination. The object of the present invention was, in particular, to make available such devices with which flexible containers can be filled with contamination without complications with bulk material in an essentially automatic process sequence.

According to one aspect, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a dimensionally stable container for receiving at least one flexible container in one Interior with a container bottom, side wall, upper part and at least one, in particular in the upper part, filling opening, comprising at least one reversibly openable and closable passage device for introducing at least one flexible container in and for removal of this container from the interior of the receptacle, at least one in the Interior opening suction line, at least one present and / or in the region of the filling opening and / or the filling opening forming the first docking coupling for, in particular environmentally tight, docking a first supply line for bulk material, so that in direct or indirect coupling present in the receptacle flexible container with the first docking coupling and / or the filling opening results in an over the suction line under negative pressure (first negative pressure) settable interior.

In this case, in one embodiment, a receptacle may be provided, further comprising at least one second supply line, which is present in the interior of the receptacle, with a first opening end and a second, in particular opposite, opening end, the first opening end environmentally sealed with the filling opening and / or the the first docking coupling is connected or connectable and wherein there is a first coupling closure at the second opening end, suitable for environmentally sealed coupling with a corresponding second coupling closure of a present in the receptacle flexible container to form an environmentally sealed first docking device.

The first supply line may, for example, be directly connected to a tablet press and designed as a chute for the tablets to be filled into a flexible container. The dust produced during transport or during the production of tablets can be removed via a suction line connected to the first and / or second supply line.

According to a further aspect, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a dimensionally stable container for accommodating at least one flexible container in an interior, in particular a receptacle as described above, with a container bottom, side wall, upper part and at least one, in particular present in the upper part, Filling opening, comprising at least one reversible openable and closable Passage device, in particular passage closure, for the introduction of at least one flexible container in and for the removal of this container from the interior of the receptacle, at least one opening into the interior suction line, at least one present in and / or in the region of the filling opening and / or forming the filling opening first docking coupling for, in particular environmentally sealed, docking a first supply line for bulk material, a second supply line, which is present at least partially in the interior of the receptacle, with a first opening end and a second, opposite opening end, the first opening end environmentally sealed with the filling opening and / or the first docking coupling is connected or connectable and wherein at the second opening end in particular a first coupling closure is present, suitable for environmentally sealed coupling with a corresponding second coupling closure of a in the Aufn Ahmebehältnis insertable or present flexible container to form an environmentally sealed first docking, so that when coupling the second coupling closure of the flexible container with the first coupling closure via the suction line under negative pressure (first negative pressure) settable interior results, further comprising at least one at least partially present in the interior and in particular outside the interior operable actuator for closing (shutter mode) and opening (loading mode) of the first and / or second coupling closure and / or the first docking device.

The actuating device is preferably designed such that the inlet opening of a flexible container in the region of the filling opening thereof or in the region of the second opening of the second supply line can be held and opened and closed. These actuators are to operate in an expedient embodiment from the outside, so that the inlet opening of the flexible container can be opened and closed from the outside in otherwise closed receptacle. The actuating device is preferably provided in or adjacent to the filling opening.

In order to generate a sufficient negative pressure in the interior of the receptacle, a pump may be connected to the suction line or connectable. Furthermore, one can attach a valve in the suction line or in conjunction with this, for example, for better regulation of the negative pressure to be set. Alternatively, the negative pressure on the Suction line can also be generated in that the suction line, for example via a bypass connection with a Entstauberabsaugleitung or the pump used for this purpose is in communication or is connectable. Also, such a conduit may be equipped with a valve for fine adjustment of the desired negative pressure in the interior.

For the use of the receptacles according to the invention, it is sufficient on a regular basis if a negative pressure is established in the interior space and can be maintained at least for a certain duration. For example, in a variant of the interior be sealed so that after applying a vacuum, the suction closed and the pump no longer needs to be taken. In a further embodiment, a negative pressure in the interior during the filling process of the therein contained flexible container can be achieved by evacuating the interior via the suction line by means of a pump, wherein air is always sucked into the interior via a ventilation valve. On the vote of suction power of the pump, optionally finely adjusted by a valve, with the inlet capacity of the ventilation valve can also be set and maintained in the interior of a defined negative pressure. Conveniently, during the filling operation, a pressure in the range of up to 100 mbar, preferably of up to 50 mbar, particularly preferably in the range of 5 to 50 mbar, in particular in the range of 5 to 30 mbar, for example in the range of 10 to 20 mbar, can be set.

Suitable receptacles are characterized in that the passage device or the passage closure is present in the side wall and / or the container bottom, preferably in the side wall. This is usually a door or flap. So that a negative pressure over a longer period in the interior can be maintained in the simplest possible way, seals, for example in the passage closure, can be provided.

In the dimensionally stable receptacle according to the invention, the interior to be evacuated or placed under reduced pressure is generally formed from that volume which is not filled by the flexible container in the receptacle which is tightly connected or connectable to the filling opening.

The materials which are suitable for the dimensionally stable receptacle can be varied within wide limits, as long as it is ensured that the negative pressure applied in the interior does not lead to damage or substantial or irreversible deformation thereof. The receptacle may e.g. be made of metal and / or plastic parts. Accordingly, one can rely on a variety of materials for the container bottom, the side wall and the top of a receptacle. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the container bottom and / or at least one side wall and / or the upper part are at least partially transparent or translucent. By at least elements of the receptacle are made transparent or translucent, the filling process can be followed without further notice, so that not only the filling state, but also possible complications are always immediately recognizable.

Also, those receptacles are particularly preferred in which the actuating device is in operative connection with the passage closure, that the latter can only be opened when the actuating device is in the closure mode. In this way it is ensured that bulk material to be transported is contaminated during the filling process and also thereafter at no time with substances from the environment. The receptacle according to the invention thus automatically ensures a very high degree of operating safety.

In an expedient embodiment, a first docking coupling is provided in the or in the region of the filling opening as a connecting element for the, in particular environmentally-sound, coupling to the first supply line and / or for coupling to the second supply line. This may be, for example, a tri-clamp connection. Alternatively, it is also possible to refer to coupling closures, also referred to as third coupling closures, as described in US Pat WO 03/03 7717 A1 . WO 2004/103816 A1 . WO 2005/070776 A1 and WO 2006/053545 A1 are described. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first docking coupling can be designed in such a way that it achieves an environmentally sound connection with the first supply line present outside the receptacle as well as an environmentally sealed connection with the second supply line present within the receptacle. Of course, it is also possible to form the first docking coupling from combined connecting elements, for example, two directly or indirectly adjacent tri-clamp connections. Consequently, in a preferred embodiment it is possible to provide two such connecting elements immediately adjacent to each other. In this case, the first connection element for the, in particular environmentally-proof, connection with the first supply line is then provided, while the second connection element is provided for the direct or indirect connection to the inlet opening of the flexible container.

It can further be provided that the second supply line extends as a substantially tubular structure from the filling opening or the first docking coupling in the interior with a first end in the region of the filling opening and with an opposite second end, wherein at the second end another , Third connecting element may be present, in particular an at least partially flexible coupling closure as a first coupling closure, which is or is suitable and designed to enter into a substantially environmentally sealed compound with a flexible container.

As a third connecting element, preference is given to an at least partially flexible coupling closure, called first coupling closure, which is suitable and designed to form a substantially environmentally-sealed docking device, also called a first docking device, with a corresponding coupling closure in the region of the inlet opening of the flexible container. such as in the WO 03/03 7717 A1 . WO 2004/103816 A1 . WO 2005/070776 A1 and WO 2006/053545 A1 described.

Accordingly, in one embodiment suitable coupling closures are characterized in that they are elastically deformable at least in some areas and have an upper side which can be docked to an upper side of a second coupling closure substantially tightly and, in particular, reversibly. Here, the said coupling closure is closed in the ground state and under elastic deformation, in particular via at least one slot, reversibly openable, so that there is a passage from the first to the second side of the coupling element. Using two such corresponding coupling closures gives a sealed docking device in which each Coupling closure for opening and closing to form at least a partially overlapping passage gap or slot is elastically deformable.

Particularly suitable coupling closures comprise at least one first closure strip, comprising at least one at least partially elastic cheek body with an inner side, an outer side, an upper side and / or edge and / or a lower side and / or edge, at least one first bearing element at the first end of the Cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer circumferential section and / or at least a first space for receiving a joint axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element at the second end opposite the first end of the cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer peripheral portion and / or at least a second space for receiving a hinge axis and / or in the form of a second hinge element; at least one second closure strip, comprising at least one at least partially elastic cheek body having an inner side, an outer side, an upper side and / or edge and / or a lower side and / or edge, at least one first bearing element at the first end of the cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer circumferential portion and / or at least one space for receiving a joint axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element at the second, the first end opposite end of the car body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer peripheral portion and / or at least one space for receiving a hinge axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element;
wherein the inner sides of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip at least partially sealingly against each other can be applied, wherein the first bearing element of the first closure strip with the second bearing element of the second closure strip and the second bearing element of the first closure strip with the first bearing element of the second closure strip in each case under at least sections mutual Installation of the inner sides of the cheeks of the first and second closure strip adjacent can be arranged to form first and second joint body, in particular comprising common outer surface areas, in particular cylindrical surface areas. Especially Preferably, these coupling closures further have at least one first bending and / or stretch-elastic element with opposite first and second ends, within these first and second ends at least between a first holder, in particular on or adjacent to the first end of the cheek body of the first closure strip and a second support, in particular on or adjacent to the second end, of the cheek body of the first closure strip, and / or at least one second bending and / or stretch elastic element with opposing first and second ends extending within these first and second ends at least between a first holder, in particular on or adjacent to the first end of the cheek body of the second closure strip and a second holder, in particular on or adjacent to the second end of the cheek body of the second closure strip extends.

The above-specified coupling closures and docking facilities can be found for example in the WO 03/037717 A1 . WO 2004/103816 A1 and the WO 2006/053545 A1 , which is hereby incorporated by reference, disclosed in detail.

Suitable receptacles according to the invention are furthermore regularly equipped with at least one reversibly closable ventilation device for the interior, eg in the form of a flap. Such a device allows, for example, in a particularly rapid manner, to open the passage device or the passage closure in order to remove a filled container can. Also, in the case of a complication occurring a particularly fast intervention is possible. The ventilation device may be configured in a variant as a ventilation valve. Of course, such a ventilation device can also be used to set the most favorable negative pressure in the interior of the receptacle. For example, this ventilation device is suitable for setting a suitable negative pressure in the interior, in particular even when the suction line is connected via a bypass connection to the suction pump of a deduster or a tablet press.

Suitable receptacles preferably have internal spaces whose dimensions substantially correspond to the dimensions of a flexible container to be filled in the receptacle.

A particularly suitable embodiment of a receptacle according to the invention also has at least one first detector, suitable and arranged for determining the degree of filling of a flexible container in the interior. Alternatively or additionally, at least one second detector can also be provided, suitable and set up to determine whether bulk material accumulates in the first and / or the second supply line during a filling process of a flexible container present in the receptacle. While the first detector can be provided in particular for continuously monitoring the degree of filling of the flexible container with bulk material, it is sufficient for the second detector to be detected regularly if this bulk material can be detected as soon as it accumulates in the first and / or second supply line , If the second detector is to be used to determine whether bulk material accumulates in the second supply line, it has proved to be advantageous to position this second detector in the interior of the receptacle, preferably adjacent to the second supply line, in particular attached between the first and the second second end of the second supply line. Insofar as the second supply line is located above the inlet opening of the flexible container, it is first regularly determined with the second detector that the absorption capacity of the flexible container has been exceeded under the given filling conditions. If a filling of the second supply line is detected via the second detector, the filling process can be stopped manually, for example, via an interaction with a signal generator. Alternatively, by connecting the first or second detector to a control and / or regulating unit, it is also possible to automatically stop the filling process. Because the fact that the flexible container in the interior is exposed to a vacuum during the filling process, only about 90 to 95% of the maximum loading capacity of the container are regularly exhausted. Regularly, it is already sufficient if, after stopping the filling process, the negative pressure in the interior is reduced for a short period of time, for example for a few seconds, for example 5 to 10 seconds, so that the bulk material accumulated in the first and / or second supply line can sag in the flexible container. In this way, in general, the inlet opening of the Canned released again to be subsequently closed. Also succeed in this approach, a maximum filling of the flexible container.

Suitable first and second detectors are, for example, also optical sensors. Such detectors are not known to the person skilled in the art.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a further aspect by a Befiillmodul for bulk material, comprising at least one inventive dimensionally stable receptacle for flexible containers and at least one flexible container containing at least one inlet opening with the docking coupling, the filling opening and / or the second Supply line connected or connectable. In one embodiment, such a filling module comprises a dimensionally stable container for flexible containers, with a container bottom, side wall and upper part, which encloses a vacuum-settable interior, comprising a reversibly openable and closable passage device, e.g. Passage closure, for the introduction of a flexible container in and for the removal of the container from the interior of the receptacle, at least one filling opening and at least one opening into the interior suction line, and at least one flexible container, containing at least one inlet opening.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved by such filling modules, comprising the embodiments of receptacles described above in detail and at least one flexible container, in particular bulk containers, containing at least one inlet opening.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the inlet opening of the flexible container is equipped with a second coupling closure and that the second end of the second supply line is provided with a first coupling closure, wherein the first and second coupling closure are connected or connectable to form a first docking device.

The flexible containers are preferably based on gas or airtight materials and can be made for example of plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride.

Preferably, such flexible containers are used for the filling modules according to the invention, which have at least one carrying or holding device opposite the inlet opening. This may be, for example, a carrying or holding device in the form of a hole or opening, for example in a seam of the flexible container. By, for example, tightly seal the flexible containers with the help of the coupling fasteners used after filling and can also be locked, for example, with a separate or one located on the coupling closure locking unit, the filled containers can be hung for further filling operations on this support device or transported as practicable become.

The receiving containers and filling modules according to the invention are preferably configured and arranged such that upon connection of a flexible container present in the interior with the filling opening and / or the first docking coupling, an evacuatable interior remains or results, so that a negative pressure is generated or maintained via the suction line can be. The receptacles according to the invention accordingly do not necessarily have to be evacuated even if no flexible container has been introduced into the interior thereof and has been connected to the filling opening.

In a further development of the filling modules according to the invention, these furthermore have at least one tablet press, in particular a suction pump, wherein the outlet of the tablet press is connected or connectable to the filling opening via the first feed line and / or the third feed line. According to a further development, such filling modules are also provided, further comprising a dedusting system, which is in operative connection with the tablet press and / or the first and / or third supply line and is suitable and arranged in the first, second and / or third supply line and optionally build in the flexible container a second negative pressure and preferably maintained.

Of course, such receptacles and filling modules can be provided in which several of these receptacles are integrated in a coherent unit.

For example, a filling module according to the invention can have two, three, four, five or six receiving containers according to the invention, which are present in a structural unit and which are each equipped with a flexible container. Such a filling module comprising at least two receptacles may, in a particularly expedient embodiment, further comprise at least one deflecting device which may be e.g. in a second position closes the first supply line of the second receptacle, releasing the first supply line of the first Aufnahmebehältnis.

In a further embodiment, a filling module according to the invention also has a control and / or regulating unit. Such a control and / or regulating unit may, for example, be connected to the first and / or second detector and to the tablet press and / or the deflection device and to switch on or off the tablet press and / or the actuation depending on the detected Befiillzustand cause the deflection of the first to the second position or from the second to the first position.

The receptacles and Befiillmodule invention are particularly suitable for the filling of flexible containers with bulk material. Suitable bulk solids may be liquid or solid. In particular, the devices according to the invention are suitable for the filling of flexible containers with particulate bulk material, in particular tablets.

1. a) Zurverfügungstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Aufnahmebehältnisses oder eines erfindungsgemäßen Befüllmoduls,
2. b) gegebenenfalls Zurverfügungstellung eines flexiblen Gebindes, umfassend eine Einlassöffnung, insbesondere ausgestattet mit einem, insbesondere zumindest teilweise flexiblen, reversibel verschließbaren zweiten Kupplungsverschluss, soweit nicht bereits das Gebinde in dem Innenraum vorliegt bzw. vorgelegen hat,
3. c) gegebenenfalls Einführen des flexiblen Gebindes in den Innenraum des Aufnahmebehältnisses oder Befüllmoduls, insbesondere über eine Durchlassvorrichtung, beispielsweise einen Durchlassverschluss, soweit nicht bereits das Gebinde in dem Innenraum vorliegt bzw. vorgelegen hat,
4. d) gegebenenfalls Verbinden der Einlassöffnung, insbesondere des zweiten Kupplungsverschlusses, des flexiblen Gebindes mit der Einfüllöffnung, der ersten Andockkupplung oder mit der zweiten Zuführleitung, in der Weise, dass der nicht von dem flexiblen Beutel und gegebenenfalls von der zweiten Zuführleitung ausgefüllte Innenraum gegen die Einfüllöffnung abgedichtet und unter Unterdruck setzbar ist, soweit nicht bereits geschehen,
5. e) gegebenenfalls Schließen der Durchlassvorrichtung bzw. des Durchlassverschlusses, soweit nicht bereits das Gebinde in dem Innenraum vorgelegen hat und die Durchlassvorrichtung verschlossen ist,
6. f) Anlegen eines ersten Unterdrucks in dem Innenraum über die Saugleitung,
7. g) Befüllen des flexiblen Gebindes über die Einfüllöffnung mit Schüttgut,
8. h) zumindest partielles Aufheben des ersten Unterdrucks in dem Innenraum,
9. i) Öffnen des Aufnahmebehältnisses über die Durchlassvorrichtung bzw. den Durchlassverschluss, und
10. j) Entnahme des befüllten flexiblen Gebindes.

According to another aspect, the object underlying the invention is achieved by a method for filling a flexible container, in particular bulk goods, with bulk material, comprising

1. a) providing a receptacle according to the invention or a filling module according to the invention,
2. b) optionally providing a flexible container, comprising an inlet opening, in particular equipped with a, in particular at least partially flexible, reversibly closable second coupling closure, as far as the container is not already present in the interior,
3. c) optionally introducing the flexible container into the interior of the receptacle or filling module, in particular via a passage device, for example a passage closure, as far as the container is not already present in the interior,
4. d) optionally connecting the inlet opening, in particular of the second coupling closure, of the flexible container with the filling opening, the first docking coupling or with the second supply line, in such a way that the interior space not filled by the flexible bag and possibly by the second supply line opposes the filling opening sealed and placed under reduced pressure, if not already done,
5. e) optionally closing the passage device or the passage closure, if not already the container has been present in the interior and the passage device is closed,
6. f) applying a first negative pressure in the interior space via the suction line,
7. g) filling the flexible container via the filling opening with bulk material,
8. h) at least partial cancellation of the first negative pressure in the interior,
9. i) opening the receptacle via the passage device or the passage closure, and
10. j) removal of the filled flexible container.

In a particularly expedient embodiment, it can be provided that at least during the filling according to step g) at least in phases via the filling opening and / or the first supply line adjusts or maintains a second negative pressure in the flexible container. During the filling according to step g), in a preferred embodiment, the first negative pressure, ie the negative pressure in the inner space, is at least in phase approximately equal to the second negative pressure.

It is also particularly expedient if at least before and / or at the beginning of the filling step g) the first negative pressure, at least in phases, is smaller by an amount ΔP1 than the second negative pressure. In this way it can be prevented that bulk material accumulates at the beginning of the filling process in the upper region or the inlet opening of the container, and e.g. due to its low weight and / or because the walls of the container adhere to each other, does not fall through to the bottom of the container. It can be ensured in this way that the filling process is not interrupted and the receptacle does not need to be opened, e.g. to manually reach the falling through of the bulk material. According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that, after completion of the filling step g), the first negative pressure, at least in phases, is greater than the second negative pressure by an amount ΔP2. This makes it particularly efficient to ensure optimal filling of the container with bulk material and to prevent bulk material prevents or impaired in the inlet opening a safe and environmentally sealed, in particular automatic and / or made with tools closing the container. In this case, it can preferably be provided that the amount ΔP1 and / or that the amount ΔP2 is in the range from 20 Pa to 200 Pa, in particular in the range from 30 Pa to 100 Pa.

When using the receptacle according to the invention or the filling module according to the invention succeeds flexible containers, be it made of plastic or other flexible and preferably substantially airtight materials contamination-free with bulk material preferably continuously to fill without complications must be feared. By creating a negative pressure in the interior, the tendency of such flexible container can be counteracted, not or not sufficiently to open under the weight of the bulk material to be filled due to a suction pump of a dedusting system that keeps the filling dust-free. Thus, particulate bulk material, which frequently carries small dust particles during transport, can be filled and transported without contamination. Neither when filling, nor when replacing the filled containers is to be feared that such dust enters the environment. Thus, the receiving containers according to the invention and the filling modules according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in the pharmaceutical industry or in the production, filling and transport of intermediate and end products in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

The present invention was based on the surprising finding that flexible containers are also suitable for filling with, in particular, sensitive bulk material, in particular particulate bulk material, even if the air is sucked off above the filling unit. For this purpose, the flexible containers are to be introduced into receptacles in which generates a negative pressure and is preferably maintained during the filling. By no longer relying on stainless steel containers for collecting bulk material, such as tablets, the amount of rejects can be reduced since the impact of e.g. Tablets can be buffered when using flexible containers.

Figur 1

eine schematische seitliche Schnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Befüllmoduls,

Figur 2

eine schematische seitliche Schnittansicht des um 90° um die Längsachse gedrehten Befüllmoduls gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Befüllmoduls in schematischer seitlicher Schnittansicht und

Figur 4

eine schematische seitliche Schnitteinsicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Befüllmoduls.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In these drawings show

FIG. 1

a schematic sectional side view of a filling module according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a schematic sectional side view of the rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis of the filling according to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a further embodiment of a filling module according to the invention in a schematic side sectional view and

FIG. 4

a schematic side sectional view of another embodiment of a filling module according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a filling module 100 according to the invention, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a dimensionally stable receptacle 1 according to the invention and a flexible container 2. The dimensionally stable receptacle 1 according to the invention has an upper part 4, a side wall 6 and a container bottom 8. In the upper part 4, in the illustrated embodiment, in the centered position, there is a filling opening 9. In the Einfüllöffnung 9 can, as in FIG. 1 shown, a first docking coupling 10 are present, for example in the form of a tri-clamp connection, to which a first supply line (see FIG. 4 ) for the purpose of filling bulk material in the flexible container 2 in particular can be environmentally sealed docked or coupled. The connection between the first docking coupling 10 and the inlet opening 12 of the container 2 takes place in the illustrated embodiment via the second supply line 14 in the form of a tubular element. While the first end of the hose member 14 is connected to the first docking coupling 10, eg via a tri-clamp connection, the opposite second end 18 of the hose member 14 may comprise a first coupling closure 20. This coupling closure 20 is set up and designed to form an environmentally-sealed first docking device 24 with a corresponding second coupling closure 22, which is present in the region of the inlet opening 12 of the flexible container 2. For example, for such coupling closures and docking in the WO 03/03 7717 A1 . WO 2004/103816 A1 . WO 2005/070776 A1 and WO 2006/053545 A1 disclosed systems are used. Suitable coupling closures may maintain the inlet port 12 and the second end 18 of the hose member 14 in a closed condition, both in the coupled and uncoupled modes.

As in FIG. 1 shown, the dimensions of the flexible container 2 can be matched to the dimensions of the interior 26 of the receptacle 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 2 has on the underside a hem or a strip 27, in which two carrying openings 29 are embedded. By opening the coupling element 10 flush in the filling opening 8 and the coupling closures 20 and 22 of hose member 14 and container 2 connects to form a first docking device 24 receives a practical transport of the filled and sealed via the second coupling closure a substantially dense interior 26, which can be placed on the suction line 28 under negative pressure. For this example, a pump 30 may be connected to the suction line 28. A valve 32 can be used for closing and / or for fine adjustment of the negative pressure in the suction line 28.

The receptacle 1 further has an actuating device 34, with which the first docking device 24 can be opened and closed. Are the docking device 24 forming coupling fasteners 20 and 22, for example, each formed from two mutually juxtaposed flexible strips, as this example, in the in the WO 2004/103816 A1 and the WO 2006/053545 disclosed coupler closures is the case, can be created by a succession to move the locking arms 36 and 38 of the holder device 34, a through hole in the docking, passes through the bulk material in the container 2. If the filling process is completed, the locking arms can be returned under lock the docking device 24 again. For this example, on the in FIG. 1 Lever assembly 40 shown used, which can be manually operated.

FIG. 2 shows the filling module 100 according to FIG. 1 in rotated 90 ° about the longitudinal axis shape, also in a schematic sectional view. In the illustrated embodiment, the container bottom 8 and the upper part 4 are made transparent. This allows to constantly control the filling process. Of course, parts of the side wall 6 can be made transparent. Of the FIG. 2 Furthermore, a passage device or a passage closure 38 in the form of a door is removed. This door of the receptacle 1 covers substantially the entire longitudinal side of the surface of the side wall 34 of the container 1 from. The door 38 is opened via the handle 40, which only succeeds in the illustrated embodiment when the first docking device 34 or the first and the second coupling closure 20 and 22 is or are in the closed state. In the passage closure 38 is also a ventilation device 42, for example in the form of a ventilation flap 42 before. This ventilation flap can be used eg for rapid ventilation of the evacuated interior 26, in particular in order to accelerate the removal process of the filled container 2. Of course, the ventilation device may also be located at another location of the receptacle.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a filling module 100 according to the invention, in which two receptacles 1 and 1 'according to the invention are combined and have a common side wall 44. With the in FIG. 3 presented version of a Filling module 100 according to the invention, the filling process can be carried out continuously. If the flexible container 2 is filled in the receptacle 1, the deflection device 48 is folded over in the first supply line 46, whereby the supply line section 50 is closed to the first receptacle 1 and at the same time the supply line section 52 is released to the second receptacle 1 '. During the filling of the flexible container 2 ', the filled container 2 can be removed from the receptacle 1 and replaced by an empty container. Since this process succeeds unproblematically quickly, not least because of the previously described coupling fasteners 20 and 22 and docking devices 24, it is often not necessary to shut off or throttle the vacuum generating pump (not shown). Rather, it is sufficient, via the ventilation flap 42, temporarily release the negative pressure, so as to allow an opening of the receptacle 1 via the passage closure 38. Of course, it is also possible to combine not only two receptacles 1 and 1 'in a filling module 100 according to the invention. Also, three, four or even more receptacles can be combined in one filling module and, for example, filled via one, two or more supply lines.

In the illustrated embodiment of a filling module 100 according to the invention, the receiving conditions 1 and 1 'in the respective inner spaces 26 and 26' are each equipped with a second detector 54 or 54 '. These second detectors are each mounted on the inside of the partition wall 44 at the level of the second supply lines 14 and 14 '. These second detectors, which may be, for example, optical sensors, detect the Befiillzustand the second feed lines 14 and 14 'and can be in operative connection with a signal generator (not shown) and / or control unit (not shown) stand, which in turn may be in operative connection with the deflecting device 48. If, for example, it is detected with detector 54 that bulk material accumulates in the second supply line 14, a signal can go to the control and / or regulating unit so that the deflection device 48 can be caused to feed the feed section 50, for example via an electric motor (not shown) to close under release of the feed section 52, so that the container 2 'in the receptacle 1' is filled. During this filling process, the negative pressure in the receptacle 1 can be reduced or canceled, for example via the ventilation device 42, the taken filled containers 2 in the closed state and replaced by an empty container.

The filling module according to the invention can be seen to be extremely user-friendly and reliable in terms of operation, since it is also possible to fill and transport hazardous bulk goods in an environmentally-friendly manner, without affecting e.g. Stainless steel containers to be exhibited.

FIG. 4 shows a further development of the filling module according to the invention 100. In addition to the already in FIG. 1 described features of the filling module 100 has the in FIG. 4 reproduced variant via a first feed line 56 which is connected at one end environmentally sealed to the first docking coupling 10 in the region of the filling opening 9 of the receptacle 1 and at its other end to the output of a schematically indicated tablet press 58. The tablets ejected from the tablet press consequently pass via the first supply line 56 and the second supply line 14 into the flexible container 2. The abrasion of the transported tablets and other particulate components escaping from the tablet press 58 are separated off via a dedusting system 58. The dedusting system 58 comprises a suction pump 60 and a connecting line 62 (third supply line) to the first supply line 56. By the suction pump 60, a negative pressure is generated in the closed system formed essentially from the first supply line, the second supply line and the flexible container. In particular, in still unfilled state, this negative pressure regularly causes the inner sides of the container 2 adhere to each other and bulk material can not reach the bottom of the container, but rather gets stuck in the inlet opening. By generating a negative pressure in the interior 26 via the suction line 28 and the pump 30, the filling process of the flexible container 2, in particular at the beginning of the filling process can be significantly improved and complication-free.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims as well as in the drawings may be individually as well as in any arbitrary Combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments essential.

Claims (32)

Dimensionally stable container for receiving at least one flexible container in an inner space with a container bottom, side wall, upper part and at least one, in particular in the upper part, filling opening, comprising at least one reversibly openable and closable passage device for introducing at least one flexible container into and for removal of this Canned from the interior of the receptacle, at least one opening into the interior suction line, at least one present and / or in the region of the filling opening and / or the filling opening forming the first docking coupling for, in particular environmentally sealed, docking a first supply line for bulk material, so that in immediate or indirect coupling of a present in the receptacle flexible container with the first docking coupling and / or the filling opening on the suction line under negative pressure (first negative pressure) settable interior results. A receptacle according to claim 1, comprising at least one second supply line, which is at least partially present in the interior of the receptacle, with a first opening end and a second, in particular opposite, opening end, wherein the first opening end environmentally connected to the filling opening and / or the first docking coupling or connectable and wherein at the second opening end in particular a first coupling closure is present, suitable for environmentally sealed coupling with a corresponding second coupling closure of a container can be introduced or present in the flexible container to form an environmentally sealed first Andockeinrichung. Dimensionally stable container for receiving at least one flexible container in an interior space, in particular according to claim 1, with a container bottom, side wall, upper part and at least one, in particular present in the upper part, filling opening, comprising at least one reversibly openable and closable passage device, in particular passage closure, for the introduction of at least one flexible container in and for the removal of this container from the interior of the receptacle, at least one opening into the interior suction line, at least one present in and / or in the region of the filling opening and / or the Filling opening forming the first docking coupling for, in particular environmentally sealed, docking a first supply line for bulk material, a second supply line, which is present at least partially in the interior of the receptacle, having a first opening end and a second, opposite opening end, the first opening end environmentally sealed with the filling opening and / or the first docking coupling is connected or connectable and wherein at the second opening end in particular a first coupling closure is suitable for environmentally sealed coupling with a corresponding second coupling closure of a container can be introduced or present in the flexible container to form an environmentally sealed first docking, so that when coupling the second coupling closure of the flexible container with the first coupling closure via the suction line under negative pressure (first negative pressure) settable interior results, fer comprising at least one at least partially present in the interior and in particular outside the interior operable actuator for closing (shutter mode) and opening (loading mode) of the first and / or second coupling closure and / or the first docking device. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one first supply line for bulk material, suitable and adapted for environmentally sealed connection to the first docking coupling and / or filling opening and for filling a can be introduced or present in the receptacle flexible container with bulk material. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a connected to the suction line or connectable pump and / or at least one valve in operative connection with the suction line. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage device or the passage closure in the side wall and / or the container bottom is present. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container bottom and / or at least one side wall and / or the upper part are at least partially transparent or translucent. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage device or the passage closure is a vacuum-tight closable door or flap. A receptacle according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the actuating device is in operative connection with the passage device or the passage closure, the latter can only be opened when the actuating device is in the closure mode. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first docking coupling is or comprises at least one tri-clamp connection or a third coupling closure. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one reversibly closable ventilation device for the interior, in particular a ventilation valve. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the interior substantially correspond to the dimensions of a receptacle to be filled in the flexible container. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least a first detector, suitable and adapted for determining the Befiillungsgrades a flexible container. Receptacle according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one second detector, suitable and arranged to determine whether accumulates bulk material during a filling process of a present in the receptacle flexible container in the second and / or the first supply line. Receptacle according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the first and / or the second detector is adjacent to the first and / or adjacent to the second supply line. Receptacle according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the first and / or the second detector is or are arranged in the interior such that it can be determined whether bulk material accumulates in the second supply line. Receptacle according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the first and / or the second detector is an optical detector. Filling module for bulk material, comprising at least one dimensionally stable receptacle for flexible container according to one of the preceding claims and at least one flexible container, containing at least one inlet opening, which is connected or connectable to the first docking coupling, the filling opening and / or the second supply line. Filling module according to claim 18, characterized in that the inlet opening of the flexible container with a second coupling closure and that the second end of the second supply line is equipped with a first coupling closure, said first and second coupling closure to form a first docking, in particular environmentally sealed, connected or connectable are. Filling module according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the flexible container is based on substantially airtight material and / or is made predominantly of plastic. Filling module according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the flexible container of the inlet opening opposite at least one carrying or holding device, in particular opening, has. Filling module according to one of claims 18 to 21, further comprising at least one, in particular a suction pump comprising, tablet press, wherein the outlet of the tablet press via the first supply line and / or a third supply line to the filling opening is connected or connectable, the suction pump in particular suitable and is set up in the first, second and / or third supply line and optionally in the flexible container to build a second negative pressure and preferably maintained Filling module according to one of claims 18 to 22, further comprising a suction pump comprising a Entstauberanlage which is in operative connection with the tablet press and / or the first and / or third supply line and which is particularly suitable and adapted, in the first, second and / or third supply line and optionally in the flexible container to build a second negative pressure and preferably maintained. Filling module according to one of claims 18 to 23, comprising at least two receptacles according to any one of claims 4 to 17 and further at least one deflecting device which closes in a first position, the first supply line of the first receptacle releasing the first supply line of the second Aufnahmebehältnis and in a second position closes the first supply line of the second receptacle, releasing the first supply line of the first Aufnahmebehältnis. Filling module according to one of claims 18 to 24, further comprising a control and / or regulating unit, which is in operative connection with the first and / or second detector and with the tablet press and / or the deflecting device and in dependence on the detected Befiillzustand the tablet press - or off and / or causes the actuation of the deflection of the first to the second position or from the second to the first position. Use of the receptacle according to one of claims 1 to 17 or of the filling module according to one of claims 18 to 25 for the filling of flexible containers with bulk material, in particular tablets. A method for filling a flexible container, in particular bulk goods, with bulk material, comprising a) providing a receptacle according to one of claims 1 to 17 or a filling module according to one of claims 18 to 25, b) optionally providing a flexible container, comprising an inlet opening, in particular equipped with a, in particular at least partially flexible, reversibly closable second coupling closure, as far as the container is not already present or has been in the interior, c) optionally introducing the flexible container into the interior of the receptacle or filling module, in particular via a passage device, for example a passage closure, as far as the container is not already present in the interior, d) optionally connecting the inlet opening, in particular of the second coupling closure, of the flexible container with the filling opening, the first docking coupling or with the second supply line, in such a way that the interior space not filled by the flexible bag and possibly by the second supply line opposes the filling opening sealed and placed under reduced pressure, if not already done, e) optionally closing the passage device or the passage closure, if not already the container has been present in the interior and the passage device is closed, f) applying a first negative pressure in the interior space via the suction line, g) filling the flexible container via the filling opening with bulk material, h) at least partial cancellation of the first negative pressure in the interior, i) opening the receptacle via the passage device or the passage closure, and j) removal of the filled flexible container. A method according to claim 27, characterized in that at least during the filling according to step g) at least in phases via the filling opening and / or the first supply line adjusts a second negative pressure in the flexible container. A method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that during filling according to step g) at least in phases, the first negative pressure is approximately equal to the second negative pressure. A method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that at least before and / or at the beginning of Befüllschritts g) the first negative pressure at least in phases by an amount ΔP1 is smaller than the second negative pressure. Method according to one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that after completion of the Befüllschritts g) the first negative pressure at least in phases by an amount .DELTA.P2 is greater than the second negative pressure. A method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the amount ΔP1 and / or that the amount ΔP2 is in the range of 20 Pa to 200 Pa, in particular in the range of 30 Pa to 100 Pa.

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