Abstract:
A method for the contamination-preventing transferring bulk material between a container having a flexible opening and a connecting tube using a tubular film is placed around the connecting tube; the tubular film is tied beyond the connecting tube leaving a free end of the tubular film beyond the tying point; the flexible opening and the tubular film are connected; the tying points of the outlet and the tubular film are untied, and the bulk material transferred; the free end of the tubular film, is constricted and additional tubular film is pulled from a tubular film supply until clean tubular film is available beyond the connecting tube; the tubular film is closed at two points in the clean section and cut in two between them; additional tubular film is pulled from the tubular film supply, and tied at a tying point located at a distance from the cutting point.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to methods for emptying/filling of bulk goods from/into a container without contamination.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     The steadily growing demand for industrially manufactured products is also imposing increasing demands in terms of raw materials and components that are used. The products involving an increasing degree of specialization, which means: increasingly higher degrees of purity, increasingly more effective substances, and unfortunately, also increasingly more dangerous substances, toxicity, the triggering of allergies and the effects of contamination and pollution are also on the increase. The problems are going in two directions. First, in the area of operator protection—the operator must not be exposed to any danger—and secondly, in the area of product protection—the product must not be contaminated with foreign substances. These are general requirements which are imposed mainly in bio- and food technology, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors of industry.  
         [0005]     To meet these requirements the products to be processed are not handled openly, but in closed transport containers, e.g., fixed transport containers, flexible transport containers (also called big-bags) or barrels. All transport containers may additionally be equipped with an inner film bag.  
         [0006]     This raises the question as to how these transport containers can be emptied and filled while avoiding contamination.  
         [0007]     While expensive docking systems are already available for fixed transport containers, e.g., split valves, cone systems or the like, there is absolutely no satisfactory solution for transport containers with a flexible outlet and inlet.  
         [0008]     The problem lies in the fact that, up till now, it has not been possible to connect transport containers with a flexible outlet in a form that is sealed from the surrounding area to a product inlet or product outlet of an installation or system, and to remove the emptied or filled container after emptying and filling again without contamination.  
         [0009]     Conventional systems use mechanical clamping devices for connecting the containers, where the outlet on the connection system is clamped and sealed. However, when the container is changed, both the connection system and the container are open. Contamination at the connection point and contamination of the operator and the surrounding area may result from dust-laden air and dripping residual product.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The object of the invention is to provide a method for emptying and filling bulk goods containers with little contamination using protective films.  
         [0011]     This object is achieved according to the invention with a method according to the invention as described below.  
         [0012]     Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     FIGS.  1  to  9  show method steps between an initial position and the next time this initial position is reached using a film carrier which is able to receive a film supply for several container changes, when a container with a flexible outlet is emptied,  
         [0014]     FIGS.  10  to  17  show method steps for disposal of the end of a protective film that can no longer be used and the fitting of a new one when emptying a container,  
         [0015]     FIGS.  18  to  27  show steps for individual bag emptying with a protective film for only one emptying process,  
         [0016]      FIG. 28  shows the method during emptying a container with rigid outlet,  
         [0017]     FIGS.  29  to  39  show method steps of a filling process between an initial position and the next time this initial position is reached, using a foil carrier which is able to receive a film supply for several container changes,  
         [0018]     FIGS.  40  to  47  show method steps for disposing of the end of a protective film that can no longer be used, and the fitting of a new one, and  
         [0019]     FIGS.  48  to  53  show method steps for cleaning the bottom of the filling/sealing mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0000]     Emptying Process  
         [0020]     As shown in FIGS.  1  to  9 , a connection tube  1  with the outlet at the bottom, through which the contents of a flexible transport container disposed over connection tube  1  are discharged, is enclosed by a hose film  3  and is sealed by tying the hose film at  3 . 1 , at the beginning of the emptying process. The hose film extends from a film carrier  2  surrounding the connection tube  1 , in which carrier the film is present in a length sufficient for several emptying processes (“endless film”). The film is guided between an axial sealing ring  5 , located in a sealing ring recess  6  on the upper edge of the connection tube, and the upper edge of connection tube  1  against which it acts, and can be removed from the film carrier  2  in the required length. Hose film  3  is first tied at  3 . 1  above filling tube  1 . Here, the hose film is pulled out of the film carrier to the extent that an end piece that can be widened into a funnel shape is produced above the tying point. This end piece is inserted in a radial expanding ring  9 , which rests in a expanding ring recess  8 , and is therefore clamped to the outlet edge of a flexible container (a so-called big bag, for example) arranged above filling tube  1 , by means of a counter ring  10  designed as a disposable part, whose outside diameter is roughly equal to the inside diameter of radial expanding ring  9 , at which time the container to be emptied, as shown at  11 . 1 , is still tied up (See FIGS.  1  to  3 ).  
         [0021]     The hose film is then untied at  3 . 1 , which gives rise to the condition shown in  FIG. 4 . The container to be emptied is then opened at  11 . 1  and the bulk goods contained in the container drop from the container through connection tube  1  ( FIG. 5 ).  
         [0022]     A pocket  3 . 8  of the hose film is placed inside connection tube  1  and protects the upper region of connection tube  1  from the adhesion of product. If the product pressure is high, protective film  3  can be retained by a support tube  7  (shown in  FIG. 5  as a dotted line). As soon as the flexible container (big bag) is emptied, and evacuated if necessary, the free end of hose film  3  is pulled together over expanding ring recess  8  and connected to the outlet of the container  11  at  3 . 2 . In particular, it is tied to it as shown ( FIG. 6 ).  
         [0023]     Axial sealing ring  5  is then relieved of load and hose film  3  is pulled out until sufficient clean hose film is obtained that it can be sealed in the clean region at  3 . 4 , and immediately above it in region  3 . 3  (see,  FIG. 6 ). In particular it is tied, as shown.  
         [0024]     Radial expansion ring  9  is then relieved of load and the hose film separated between the tying points  3 . 3  and  3 . 4  (see,  FIG. 7 ). Flexible container  11  can now be disposed of free of contamination. Counter ring  10  is a disposable part which is also disposed of.  
         [0025]     Hose film  3  is then pulled out of film carrier  2  again, until sufficient film is present below tying point  3 . 4  for a new connection funnel and it can be tied again immediately above the filling tube at  3 . 1  ( FIG. 8 ). With the removal of the upper tying at  3 . 4 , the hose film can be expanded to form a funnel with which the condition shown in  FIG. 1  is again reached and the device is ready for a new filling process.  
         [0026]     This means that after the emptied container is detached from connection tube  4 , both the contaminated outlet of the container and the contaminated connection tube are never open but are always sealed by surrounding protective film.  
         [0027]     FIGS.  10  to  17  show method steps from a time when the remaining film contained in film carrier  2  is no longer sufficient for a further emptying process. The remaining film must be removed and at the same time it must be ensured that neither the remaining film can fall into connection tube  1  nor the connection tube, possibly contaminated, is unsealed at the top.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the condition according to  FIG. 7 , except that the hose film supply is at the end.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , axial sealing ring  5 , which clamps the hose film against the filling tube edge, is relieved of load and both recess  6  for axial sealing ring  5  and recess  8  for the expansion ring are removed so that film carrier  2  is accessible and can be removed ( FIG. 11 ), a new film carrier  2 , with a new film, is fitted ( FIG. 12 ) and the end of the hose film of the new film carrier  2  is secured to a suitable elastic fixing ring  4  on connection tube  1 . The beginning of the new hose film is then pulled over the old remaining film and both films are tied at  3 . 5  underneath tying point  3 . 4  ( FIG. 13 ). Both films are then pulled up with the old film inside the new film together with the elastic fixing ring of the old film, and the new hose film tied twice at  3 . 6  and  3 . 7  underneath the old hose film lying in it ( FIG. 14 ). The new hose film is then cut between the two tying points  3 . 6  and  3 . 7  so that the remaining old hose film, packed in a piece of new hose film, can be disposed of ( FIG. 15 ). The tying point at  3 . 7  prevents the packet cut off with the old hose film from falling into connection tube  1 , and at the same time ensures that the connection tube is sealed.  
         [0030]      FIGS. 16 &amp; 17  correspond to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  and the associated method steps correspond to those described with reference to  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9 .  
         [0031]     During the emptying of an individual bag, it is not necessary to provide hose film for several emptying processes. Connection tube  1  is then surrounded with hose film for a single emptying process, the design of the parts being otherwise the same.  
         [0032]     The method steps for this case, including disposal of the used hose film by means of a new hose film, are shown in FIGS.  18  to  27 . In this case FIGS.  18  to  21  correspond to FIGS.  2  to  5 ,  FIGS. 22 and 23  correspond to  FIGS. 6 and 7 ,  FIGS. 24 and 25  correspond to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , and  FIGS. 26 and 27  correspond to FIGS.  14  to  17 , the only difference being that the packet containing the old film is not cut off until the end of the process.  
         [0033]     The advantage of this embodiment is that the connection funnel is not contacted by product and is therefore completely free of contamination, thus the connection to the outlet of the container to be emptied takes place without contamination. This is because a new single film, screened by the old hose film, does not come into contact with the edge of the connection tube, which can be contaminated under certain circumstances. The new hose film is protected in the same way as the beginning of an endless film, which replaces a used endless film.  
         [0034]      FIG. 28  shows the method when applied to a container with a rigid outlet, the container being designed as a fixed transport container  14  with a sealing cap  13  in the container.  
         [0035]     Radial expansion ring  9 , with expanding ring recess  8  and counter ring  10 , are dispensed with. The connection funnel of hose film  3 , described above, is secured directly to the container outlet by means of a clamp band  12 . After the tie is loosened at tying point  3 . 1 , the container can be emptied.  
         [0036]     After emptying, hose film is tied twice in the clean region, after being pulled out, as described with reference to  FIG. 6 , and cut in between as in  FIG. 7 . This ensures that the container can be cut off without contamination.  
         [0037]     As far as the replacement of film carrier  2  is concerned, this is carried out exactly as described above for containers with a flexible outlet.  
         [0038]     Apart from sealing point  3 . 1 , the other sealing points  3 . 2 - 3 . 7  can also be advantageously formed, for example, by welding or another permanent type of sealing.  
         [0000]     Filling Process  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIGS. 29 and 39 , at the beginning of the filling process, a connection tube  1 , through which a flexible transport container placed underneath it is to be filled, is wrapped in a hose film  3  and sealed by tying of the hose film at  8 . 1 . To protect from falling product and to minimize product loss, a further sealing mechanism  20  can be integrated in connection tube  1 . Hose film  3  extends from a film carrier  2  surrounding the connection tube, in which carrier it is present in a length sufficient for several filling processes (“endless film”). Film  3  is guided between a radial sealing ring  19  located at the lower edge of the connection tube and connection tube  1 , and can be taken from film carrier  2  in the required length by pulling. The hose film  3  is first tied at  8 . 1  underneath connection tube  1 . Here, the hose film is pulled out of the film carrier until a piece of hose that can be widened is produced underneath the tie. Counter ring  10  is inserted in this end piece. Inlet  11 . 2  of the flexible transport container  11  can then be clamped and sealed with protective film  3  and counter ring  10  in the container inlet radial sealing ring  9  (see, FIGS.  29  to  31 ).  
         [0040]     The connection between connection tube  1  and transport container inlet  11 . 2  is opened by opening the tie of the hose film at  8 . 1 . The transport container can be filled after sealing mechanism  20  is opened ( FIG. 33 ). Here, a pocket of the hose film  3  is placed on the edge of the container inlet  11 . 2  and protects it from coarse product adhesion.  
         [0041]     As soon as the flexible container (big bag)  11  is completely filled and sealing mechanism  20  is closed, radial sealing ring  9  on connection tube  1  is relieved of load and fresh hose film  3  is pulled out until sufficient clean hose film is obtained for it to be sealed in the clean region at  8 . 2  and immediately underneath at  8 . 3  (see  FIG. 34 ). In particular, it can be tied at those points, as shown.  
         [0042]     After hose film  3  is cut off between seals  8 . 2  and  8 . 3 , a product sample can be removed by hand, if necessary, from transport container  11  and enclosed in the hose film by ting at  8 . 4 . Inlet  11 . 2  of transport container  11  must then be tied initially above radial sealing ring  9  with tie  8 . 5 , then below radial sealing ring  8 . 6 , and once again, immediately below this, at  8 . 7 . Radial sealing ring  9  is then relieved of load and the hose film is cut off between tying points  8 . 4  and  8 . 5  (cutting off the sample bag) and between  8 . 6  and  8 . 7  (see,  FIG. 37 ). The film pocket, with counter ring  10  enclosed, can now be disposed off without contamination.  
         [0043]     Hose film is then pulled out of film carrier  2  once again until sufficient film is present above tying point  8 . 2  for a new connection funnel, and this can be tied once again immediately underneath connection tube  1  at  8 . 1  ( FIG. 38 ). When the lower tie at  8 . 2  is removed, hose film  3  can again be widened to form a funnel, with which the condition shown in  FIG. 29  is again reached and the device is ready for a new filling process.  
         [0044]     This means that after the filed container  11  is detached from connection tube  1  both the contaminated inlet of the container and the contaminated connection tube are never open but are always sealed by surrounding protective film.  
         [0045]     FIGS.  40  to  47  show method steps from a time when the remaining film contained in film carrier  1  is no longer sufficient for a further filling process. The remaining film must be disposed of and at the same time it must be ensured that the filling tube is at no time unsealed.  
         [0046]      FIG. 40  shows the condition shown in  FIG. 37 , except that the hose film supply is used up.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 41 , radial sealing ring  19  and container inlet radial sealing ring  9  are removed so that film carrier  2  is accessible and can be removed. A new film carrier  2  with new film  3  is fitted ( FIG. 42 ) and the end of the hose film is secured with a suitable elastic fixing ring  4  to connection tube  1 . The beginning of the new hose film is then pulled over the old remaining film and sealed at  8 . 8  ( FIG. 43 ). The old film with its fixing ring is then pulled off and enclosed in a film pocket by tying the new film  8 . 9  and the hose film is tied once again at a short distance above  8 . 9  at  8 . 10  ( FIG. 44 ). After hose film  3  is cut between tying points  8 . 9  and  8 . 10 , the remaining old film can be disposed of with the new protective film surrounding it. Radial sealing  19  and container inlet radial sealing ring  9  can now be returned to the working position.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 46 &amp; 47  correspond to  FIGS. 38 &amp; 39  and the associated method steps for forming a new connection funnel correspond to those described with reference to  FIGS. 38 &amp; 39 .  
         [0049]     FIGS.  48  to  51  show method steps that are required if it is necessary to clean the bottom of sealing mechanism  20  due to product adhesions.  
         [0050]      FIG. 48  shows the condition shown in  FIG. 39  after completion of a filling process. A cleaning cloth is packed in a film bag in a suitable clean surrounding area, with or without cleaning agent. This bag can now be enclosed in the connection funnel of hose film  3 , with tie  8 . 12 . After tie  8 . 1  is loosened and the cleaning bag is opened, the surface of sealing mechanism  20  can be wiped. Protective film  3  is then tied again at  8 . 2  and  8 . 13  underneath connection tube. The hose film is cut off between the tying points and the film s disposed off with the cleaning utensils ( FIGS. 50 &amp; 51 ).  
         [0051]      FIGS. 52 &amp; 53  correspond to  FIGS. 38 &amp; 39 , and the associated method steps for forming a new connection funnel correspond to those described with reference to  FIGS. 38 &amp; 39 .  
         [0052]     Apart from sealing point  8 . 1 , the other sealing points  8 . 2 - 8 . 13  can advantageously also be formed by welding, for example, or another permanent method of sealing.