EP2285684B1 - Apparatus for, and method of, introducing or emptying bulk materials in a contamination-free manner - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has connection and stop valves (1, 2) that are attached to two containers, respectively, where one of the valves is attached to the other valve in a congruent manner for connecting the containers. The valves respectively include flexible, sealing elements (10, 20) provided with passage slots (100, 200). A reversible traction drive unit (3) is engaged transverse to a slot longitudinal axis under formation of a passage hole for free-flowing bulk goods, where the passage slots are openable by the reversible traction drive unit.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for contamination-free filling or emptying of bulk materials from an outlet of a reservoir, for example, in a smaller individual container.

In particular, if the bulk materials to be filled are those of the food or pharmaceutical industry, one of the main requirements is to reliably ensure that contamination of the bulk material and the parts in contact with it does not occur with the environment or the bulk material is classified as hazardous and an operator should not come into contact with the substance.

For this purpose, so-called endless liner systems have hitherto been used in which the containers to be filled with bulk material are lined with a tubular film which is taken from a provided tubular film supply. Depending on the size of the container to be lined with the tubular film and the length of the tubular film supply, it is possible to successively fill a plurality of sections of the tubular film supply with the bulk material until the entire film supply has been used up.

Generic devices are for example from the DE 44 06 605 A1 . WO 2005/056443 A1 and DE 10 2007 038 974 A1 known. A problem with all these known devices and methods is that, in particular at the time of replacement of a spent tube sheet contamination of the inner volume of the tube film supply can not be prevented, since at least when attaching the beginning portion of the new Schlauchfolienvorrates at the outlet of the corresponding reservoir, the inner volume of the tube film stock free is accessible. There is therefore a long-standing demand to eliminate this risk of contamination without abandoning the handling advantages of an endless liner system and also making the device suitable for the filling of bags or the increasingly used big bags.

The invention therefore has the task of proposing a device and a method of the type mentioned above, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular allows a completely contamination-free filling of bulk materials in particular using an endless liner system.

To achieve the object, an apparatus and a method according to the independent claims are proposed according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the respective dependent claims.

The proposed in the invention device for contamination-free filling of bulk materials from an outlet of a reservoir comprises a provided on a support tube with inlet and outlet tube stock, which can be filled through the support tube with bulk material, as it is available from many available on the market endless Linder -Systems is known. According to the invention it is proposed that the outlet of the reservoir, a first connection and obturator and the inlet opening of the support tube is associated with a second connection and obturator, which can be brought sealingly abutting each other and reversibly openable to form a through opening for the bulk material to be filled. The invention thus proposes to provide not only the outlet end of the reservoir with an associated connection and obturator, so that it can be sealed off from the environment, but also communicating with the tubular film supply inlet opening of the support tube with a second connection and obturator provided so that it can not lead to contamination of the interior of the tubular film supply during storage and handling of the support tube with the tube film supply arranged thereon. If the provided on the support tube tube film supply is required in the context of filling, the two connecting and shut-off are sealed to each other for conditioning and thus seal against the environment and are only then reversibly opened to form a through hole for the bulk material to be filled to to start the filling process. In this respect, there is no longer any risk that a contact between the interior of the bulk material receiving the bulk material receiving hose film takes place with the environment. Once the connection between the two connection and shut-off is made, the further handling of the device according to the invention in the filling of bulk materials is no longer different from that of the known endless liner systems.

When the tube film supply is used up on the support tube, the two connecting and shut-off valves are closed again, whereby the passage opening for the bulk material to be filled is closed again and subsequently the two connection and shut-off elements are separated. After removal of the support tube with the exhausted tube film supply another equipped with a new tube sheet supply carrier tube can be provided and placed in the region of its associated connection and obturator with the other connection and obturator at the outlet of the reservoir sealingly to the plant and the process is repeated again ,

According to one proposal of the invention, the inlet opening of the support tube via a hose portion with the second connection and obturator connected, while according to an alternative proposal of the invention, an end portion of the tubular film supply is arranged inside extending through the support tube and is secured in the region of its end opening to the second connection and obturator. In the latter embodiment, the end portion of the tubular film supply thus forms an inside lining for the support tube. This offers advantages, in particular for adhesion-prone bulk goods, which are difficult to clean. In such a case, the entire product-contact film can be disposed of and so eliminates the costly cleaning.

According to a further suggestion of the invention, the tube section connecting the inlet opening of the carrier tube to the second connecting and obturator is formed with a dedusting connection to which an aspiration device can be connected for aspirating accumulating dust within the tube foil supply during filling of the bulk goods. Such a dedusting connection can, of course, also be provided at the end section of the tubular film supply if this is arranged running as a lining through the carrier pipe. Via the dedusting connection, displaced air can be returned to the storage container even when filling the tube film supply.

The tube section connecting the inlet opening of the carrier tube to the second connecting and obturator also causes a decoupling of the carrier tube and the tube film supply to be filled from a weighing device for the filled bulk material.

According to a further proposal of the invention, one of the connecting and shut-off elements is equipped as an active part with drive means for reversible opening, while the other connection and obturator as passive part has no own drive means for reversible opening, but non-positively connected to the active part and by means of Drive means is also reversibly openable. In this embodiment, the required drive means together with energy and control lines need only be provided on a connection and obturator, so that it is in particular offers to form the arranged at the outlet of the reservoir first connection and obturator as an active part, while the carrier tube associated second connecting and obturator is designed as a passive part and thus is significantly cheaper to produce due to the elimination of the drive means. Of course, depending on the system configuration, the reverse configuration is also conceivable.

According to a further proposal of the invention, at least one of the connection and shut-off devices is operable as a metering device for the bulk materials to be filled, i. the reversible formation of the passage opening is used not only for the release of a passage cross-section for the bulk materials, but also for the quantitative metering thereof during the filling process. In this case, it is particularly appropriate to operate the active part as a metering device for the bulk materials to be filled.

According to a further proposal of the invention, a receiving frame is provided, in which the carrier tube with the tube film supply thereon can be suspended. The carrier tube remains in the receiving frame, as long as the filling of the tube film supply is still ongoing and is removed after exhausting the tubular film supply from the receiving frame and replaced with a new provided with a tubular film supply carrier tube.

Furthermore, it is proposed to provide a detachable sealing ring for sealing the tube film supply relative to the outlet opening of the support tube.

The connection and shut-off devices are congruent to one another according to a further proposal of the invention can be brought to bear and each comprise an elastic, provided with a passage slot sealing element, wherein the passage slot is reversibly openable to form a through hole for the bulk material openable. In this case, it may in particular be provided to open the passage slot of the sealing elements by means of traction drive means engaging transversely to the longitudinal axis of the passage slots, wherein furthermore is provided that the sealing elements are forcibly guided in scissor joints.

In particular, it is provided in the context of the invention to provide as connecting and shut-off devices such embodiments, as shown in the DE 20 2008 007 187 U1 are described. The disclosure of the DE 20 2008 007 187 U1 will be fully included in the notification for this purpose.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines mit einem zugeordneten ersten Verbindungs- und Absperrorgan verschlossenen Auslasses des Vorratsbehälters;
2. b) Bereitstellen eines mit einem zugeordneten zweiten Verbindungs- und Absperrorgan verschlossenen Schlauchfolienvorrat auf einem Trägerrohr;
3. c) abdichtendes Verbinden der beiden Verbindungs- und Absperrorgane miteinander;
4. d) Öffnen der Verbindungs- und Absperrorgane unter Ausbildung einer Durchgangsöffnung für die abzufüllenden Schüttgüter und nachfolgendes Abfüllen derselben in den Schlauchfolienvorrat.

The method proposed in the invention for the contamination-free filling of bulk goods from an outlet of a storage container into a tube film supply provided on a carrier tube comprises the following steps:

1. a) providing a sealed with an associated first connection and obturator outlet of the reservoir;
2. b) providing a tubular film supply sealed to an associated second connection and obturator on a support tube;
3. c) sealingly connecting the two connecting and shut-off elements with each other;
4. d) opening the connecting and shut-off elements to form a through-opening for the bulk materials to be filled and then filling them in the tubular film supply.

Contamination of the bulk material receiving the bulk material of the tubular film supply which is to be filled is thus reliably prevented at all times.

Figur 1

in schematisierter Seitenansicht eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figuren 2 bis 6

in chronologischer Abfolge die Funktionsweise der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 7

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figuren 8 u. 9

alternative Anwendungen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Figur 10

in perspektivischer Ansicht von oben die Verbindungs- und Absperrorgane der erfndungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;

Figur 11

in perspektivischer Darstellung von unten die Verbindungs- und Absperrorgane gemäß Figur 10;

Figur 12

in perspektivischer Darstellung ein Dichtelement eines Verbindungs- und Absperrorgans gemäß der Erfindung.

After completion of the filling of the tube film supply, a closure of the two connecting and shut-off elements is brought about and then the sealing connection between both canceled, so that even then no access of ambient air and the like can take place in the outlet of the reservoir more. Further embodiments and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

in a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 6

in chronological order, the operation of the device according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7

another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9

alternative applications of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 10

in a perspective view from above the connecting and shut-off devices of the inventive device;

FIG. 11

in perspective view from below the connecting and shut-off according to FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12

in perspective view a sealing element of a connecting and obturator according to the invention.

From the FIG. 1 a device for contamination-free filling of bulk materials from a reservoir, not shown here, can be seen, the bulk materials are discharged during the filling process according to arrow V from a marked with reference numeral A outlet of the reservoir of gravity following downwards.

About an example made of a silicone elastomer balance compensator 8 of the outlet A is explained in more detail below first connection and obturator 1 closed, so that in the closed state contamination of the outlet A and the bulk material in front of it from the environment is avoided.

The in the FIG. 1 The device shown operates on the so-called endless liner system in which the bulk material to be filled in one of the FIGS. 2 to 4 apparent container B is filled, which receives in its interior a closed, the bulk material receiving and protecting against contamination bag 301 made of a film material.

The bag 301 is formed successively from a tubular film supply 3, which is provided on a support tube 4 with inlet opening 40 and outlet opening 41.

The support tube 4 is made for this purpose from a dimensionally stable material, such as a metal or a suitable plastic and is connected in the region of the inlet opening 40 via a flexible hose portion 42 with a second connection and obturator 2 corresponding to the first connection and obturator 1 ,

The protruding from the tubular film supply 3 below the outlet opening 41 of the support tube 4 end portion of the tubular film supply 3 is closed by a clip 31 and forms the bottom portion 300 of the trainees closed bag 301 for receiving the bulk material to be filled.

The carrier tube 3 with the tube film supply 4 arranged thereon and the associated second connection and obturator 2 communicating via the tube section 42 with the inlet opening 40 of the carrier tube 4 form a closed connection and obturator 2 which is completely closed to the environment and thus protected from contamination Unit that can be stored, transported and provided in this configuration to fill bulk goods into a container B. Such a unit consisting of carrier tube 4 with tube film supply 3 and associated and in the closed position befindlichem connection and obturator 2 thus represents a replaceable cartridge which can be used in the context of an endless liner system.

In order to carry out the filling of bulk materials from the outlet A of a reservoir, the support tube 4 is used with the tubular film supply thereon 3 in a formed on the device and identified by reference numeral 6 receiving frame, including the receiving part 6 adapted to the diameter of the support tube 4 supports 60th , 61, between which the support tube 4 can be suspended with a flange-like extension formed in the region of the inlet opening 40.

In this position, the first, the outlet A of the reservoir associated with connection and obturator 1 with the second, connected via the flexible hose portion 42 with the inlet opening 40 of the support tube 4 second connection and obturator 2, each in the closed state to each other for conditioning be brought and by suitable, hereinafter explained connecting means to each other to the plant and hereby seal each other.

At the bottom of the receiving frame 6 is a pivotable about a pivot axis 51 in the direction of arrow S arm, which carries a sealing ring 5, placed around a flange extension of the outlet opening 41 of the support tube 4, wherein between the outlet opening 41 of the support tube 4 and the sealing ring 5, the via a clip 31 closed beginning portion of the tubular film supply 3 exits, which forms the later bottom portion 300 of the bag 301.

In this, also from the FIG. 2 In this position, a container B is then positioned underneath the device and the film is drawn from the tubular film supply 3 into the container B. The two connecting and shut-off devices 1, 2 are sealingly brought into contact with each other and subsequently opened together. Only by the opening of the connecting and shut-off devices 1, 2 at a time when they already come to rest against one another in a sealing manner does the outlet A of the storage container communicate with the interior of the support tube 4, so that contamination of the interior of the support tube 4 and / or the inner volume of the tubular film supply 3 is excluded from the thus caused docking on the first connection and obturator 1.

Like from the FIG. 3 can be seen then flows with open connection and shut-off valves 1, 2, the bulk material to be filled according to arrows V through the connection and shut-off devices 1, 2 through the support tube 3 into the interior of the tubular film supply, so that the closed end with the clip 31 at the bottom the container B comes to rest and the container B is lined with the film to protect the filled bulk material from further contamination. In this case, according to the progressive filling process, the tubular film runs from the tubular film supply 3 or else from the tubular film supply, a sufficient length of tubular film is introduced into the container B before the beginning of the filling process.

After completing the filling process in container B according to FIG. 4 the forming tubular bag is hermetically sealed in the upper area by an upper clip 32, so that within the container B, a closed, the bagged bulk material receiving bag 301 has been formed. The beyond the clip 32 located end of the unused tubular film supply is closed with another clip 33 to form a next bottom portion 300 and subsequently the tubular film between the clips 32, 33 are cut to complete the filling process. Then, according to the iterative sequence of FIGS. 2 to 4 a further filling operation are carried out until the tube film supply 3 is used up on the support tube 4 and only one end section 30.3 is present. This condition is in the FIG. 5 shown.

The beginning and the end of the filling process can be controlled via the opening and closing of the connecting and shut-off valves 1, 2, these thus also serve as a metering device for the bulk material to be filled.

In the case of a required replacement of the used up on the support tube 4 tube film supply 3 against a new, provided on another support tube 4 tube sheet supply according to FIGS. 1 and 2 the procedure is as follows:

First, the two connecting and shut-off devices 1, 2 are closed, hereinafter according to FIG. 6 the sealing ring 5 is opened by movement of the associated holding arm 50 in the direction of arrow F down about the pivot axis 51 and the spent carrier tube 4 with the connected thereto via the tube section 42 second connection and obturator 2 can be undocked by the first and hermetically sealed connection and obturator , By the closed connection and obturator 1 in this state, contamination of the outlet A of the reservoir from the environment is excluded. The spent carrier tube 4 with connection and obturator 2 can either be disposed of or re-equipped with a tubular film supply 3. A new carrier tube 4 with a corresponding new tube film supply 3 can as from FIG. 1 can be positioned in the device and docked with its second connection and obturator 2 on the first connection and obturator 1.

It is obvious that contamination of the bulk material and / or of the tubular film receiving the bulk material or of the carrier tube serving for passage from the environment is thus prevented during the entire operation and in particular of the entire bulk material filling. The device thus offers a complete contamination protection.

From the representation of FIG. 1 moreover, it can still be seen that in the case of heavily dusty bulk goods to be filled, the flexible hose section 42 can be designed with a dedusting connection 7 to which an extraction system can be connected in order to remove dust from the device if required.

As connection and shut-off devices 1, 2 may be any suitable organs are used, with a particularly suitable from the FIGS. 10 to 12 is apparent.

It can be seen the first connection and obturator indicated by reference numeral 1 and the second connection and obturator, indicated by reference numeral 2, which are also referred to in more detail in the reference DE 20 2008 007 187 U1 are described.

An essential component of the two connecting and shut-off elements 1 is a sealing element 10, 20 made of a rubber-elastic material, which is exemplified by the example of the sealing element 10 from the FIG. 12 is apparent.

The sealing element 10 has a passage slot 100, which in the in FIG. 12 shown relaxed position is closed and thus prevents the passage of bulk material as well as the ingress of contaminated material. In this passage slot 100, for example, a hose defining the outlet A is welded endwise, as well as the flexible hose portion 42 is glued or welded in the correspondingly constructed sealing element 20 in the region of the passage slot 200.

Legs 102, which have through holes 103, are formed transversely to the longitudinal axis L defined by the passage slot 100. The same applies to the sealing element 20 as well.

As in particular from the illustrations according to FIGS. 10 and 11 can be seen, the sealing elements 10, 20 in scissor joints 101, 201 forcibly guided, consisting of interconnected toggle levers, wherein the first connection and obturator 1 is formed as an active part and has traction drive means 9 in the form of pneumatic cylinders, via the scissors hinges 101 and corresponding Bolt connections, which run through the through holes 103, transverse to the longitudinal axis L attacking tensile forces Z can apply.

If the traction drive means 9 engage the sealing element 10 in accordance with the arrows F, the passage slot 100 is opened to form an oval and forms a passage opening for the bulk materials to be filled, which, due to the reversible material properties of the sealing element 10, reversibly into the closed state according to FIG FIG. 12 can be reset, which can also be supported by a corresponding opposing force of the traction drive means 9.

When in docked state according to FIGS. 1 to 5 the two connecting and shut-off devices 1, 2 come into contact with each other, the two sealing elements 10, 20 are congruent to each other and seal each other. By suitable connecting means, the sealing elements or the connection and shut-off 1, 2 are also positively connected to each other, so that the first connection and obturator 1, the so-called active part provided Zugantriebsmittel 9 via the non-positive connection and simultaneously to the first sealing element open and close the second sealing element 20.

In this respect, can be dispensed with the complex drive means in the interchangeable and connected to the support tube 3 as a passive part formed second connection and obturator 2.

From the FIG. 7 is a modification of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 can be seen in the same parts have the same reference numerals and will not be explained separately to avoid repetition, unless this is necessary for understanding the invention.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1 the end portion 30 of the tubular film supply 3 is not fixed on the outer circumference of the support tube 4, but occurs together with the bottom portion 300 forming and connected via the clip 31 beginning portion of the tubular film supply 3 between the outlet opening 41 of the support tube and the sealing ring 5. The end portion 30 of the tubular film supply 3 is then guided within the support tube 4 as a lining thereof upwards and exits from the inlet opening 40 of the support tube 4 and is there directly connected sealed to the second connection and obturator 2, for example glued into the passage gap 200 or welded. Also in this embodiment, a on the first connection and obturator 1 on and abdockbare unit consisting of support tube 4 with tube film supply 3 and second connection and obturator 2 is present, which due to the closure effect of the second connection and obturator 2 and the above the clip 31 connection is well protected against contamination from the environment.

Both embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 7 It is therefore peculiar that a closed with an associated first connection and obturator 1 outlet A of the reservoir is provided and also a closed with an associated second connection and obturator 2 tubular film supply 3 is provided on a support tube 4, which at the first connection - And obturator is dockable, ie both connecting and shut-off valves 1, 2 are sealingly connected to each other. Only when the sealing connection between the two connection and shut-off devices 1, 2 is produced, the connection and shut-off devices 1, 2 are opened to form a through-opening for the bulk materials to be filled and then the filling takes place in the tubular film supply 3.

It is understood that by appropriate design of the connection and shut-off elements 1, 2, in particular of the formed as an active part connection and obturator 1 and an immediate dosage of bulk materials can be made by the control of the sealing element 10 is effected so that an exact For example, weight or volume-controlled metering of the bulk material in the container B can be done without the need for additional metering. A variable opening of the passage cross-section can also be used by appropriate control. Finally, it should be pointed out that the devices described above, as a modification of an endless liner system, are also suitable in accordance with FIG FIG. 8 With a second connection and obturator 2 directly equipped bag 3 a to fill without contamination or to empty or according to FIG. 9 to fill or empty a big bag 3c lined with a foil liner 3b free from contamination.

The operation and handling of the above-explained devices and methods is extremely simple and the cleaning effort is very low.

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus for drawing off bulk materials from an outlet of a supply container in a contamination-free manner, comprising a tubular sheet-material supply (3), which is provided on a carrier tube (4) with an entry opening (40) and an exit opening (41) and can be filled with the bulk material through the carrier tube (4), characterised in that the outlet of the supply container is associated with a first connecting and shut-off means (1) and the entry opening (40) of the carrier tube (4) is associated with a second connecting and shut-off means (2), which can be bought into sealing abutment against one another and can be opened reversibly to form a through-opening for the bulk materials to be introduced.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the entry opening (40) of the carrier tube (4) is connected to the second connecting and shut-off means (2) by means of a tubular portion (42).
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that an end portion (30) of the tubular sheet-material supply (3) is arranged running through the carrier tube (4) on the inside and is fastened in the region of its end opening (31) on the second connecting and shut-off means (2).
4. Apparatus according to either of claims 2 or 3, characterised in that the tubular portion (42) or the end portion (30) of the tubular sheet-material supply (3) is formed with a dust removal connection (7).
5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that one of the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) is equipped, as an active part, with drive means for reversible opening and the other connecting and shut-off means (2, 1), as a passive part, is non-positively connectable to the active part and can be reversibly opened by means of the drive means thereof.
6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one of the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) can be operated as a metering device for the bulk materials to be introduced.
7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a receiving frame (6) is provided, in which the carrier tube (4) can be suspended with the tube sheet-material supply (3) located thereon.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a releasable sealing ring (5) is provided to seal the tubular sheet-material supply (3) relative to the exit opening (41) of the carrier tube (4).
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) can be brought into congruent abutment against one another and in each case comprise a resilient sealing element (10, 20) provided with a through-slot (100, 200), the through-slot (100, 200) being reversibly openable to form a through-opening for the bulk materials.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the through-slot (100, 200) of the sealing elements (10, 20) can be opened by means of pulling drive means (9) engaging transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) of the through slots (100, 200).
11. Apparatus according to either of claims 9 or 10, characterised in that the sealing elements (10, 20) are forcibly guided in scissor-mechanism joints (101, 201).
12. Method for drawing off bulk materials from an outlet of a supply container in a contamination-free manner into a tubular sheet-material supply (3) provided on a carrier tube (4), characterised by the following steps:

    a) providing an outlet (1) of the storage container closed by an associated first connecting and shut-off means (1);

    b) providing a tubular sheet-material supply (3) closed by an associated second connecting and shut-off means (2) on a carrier tube (4);

    c) sealingly connecting the two connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) to one another;

    d) opening the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) to form a through-opening for the bulk materials to be introduced and subsequent drawing off thereof into the tubular sheet-material supply (3).
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that once the filling of the tubular sheet-material supply (3) is completed, the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) are closed and the sealing connection between them is removed.
14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the two connecting and shut-off means (1, 2) are non-positively connected to one another and the opening and closing thereof is brought about together by means of drive devices (9) on a shut-off means.
15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that a metering of the bulk materials is brought about by means of the connecting and shut-off means (1, 2).
16. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that instead of a tubular sheet-material supply (3) arranged on a carrier tube (4), a container provided with an associated second connecting and shut-off means (2), such as a bag or "Big Bag" is provided.

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