Docking closure and method for the contamination-free connection of a first flexible casing to a second flexible casing, flexible casing having such a docking closure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a docking closure (18) for the contamination-free connection of a flexible first casing (10) to a flexible second casing (12), comprising: a first closure pair (14), which can be connected or is connected to the first casing (10) and has a first primary form-fitting means (35) and a first secondary form-fitting means (40); and a second closure pair (16), which can be connected or is connected to the second casing (12) and has a second primary form-fitting means (50) and a second secondary form-fitting means (52), wherein the first closure pair (14) has a first alignment section (28), and the second closure pair (16) has a second alignment section (30), in which the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) can be inserted into each other when the first slide (20) and the second slide (22) are in the first end position. The invention also relates to a flexible casing (10) having such a docking closure (18). The invention further relates to a device (78) and to a method for filling such flexible casings (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a docking closure and a method for contamination-free connection of a first flexible sheath to a second flexible sheath.

[0002] A docking device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in DE 20 2009 018082 U1.

[0003] The invention further relates to a flexible enclosure with such a docking closure. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device and a method for filling such flexible enclosures.

[0004] Flexible enclosures are, for example, flexible containers used for transporting substances, especially in the form of solid bulk materials. However, stationary devices such as filling units or reactors can also have a flexible enclosure.

[0005] During both filling and emptying, the first flexible enclosure in which the substance is stored must be connected to a second flexible enclosure, which is directly or indirectly assigned to the reactor or filling unit, so that the substance can be transferred into the reactor or introduced into the flexible enclosure. Particularly if the substance is toxic, the two enclosures must be connected to each other in a contamination-free manner. This primarily means that the substance, when connected, cannot escape into the environment where it could endanger people in the vicinity of the enclosure. A contamination-free connection should also be understood, however, to mean that no substances from the environment can enter the flexible enclosures. Dust and moisture, for example, can negatively affect further processing.

[0006] In order to connect the two flexible sheaths, closure systems have been developed, often referred to as docking closures. Examples of such docking closures are described in DE 10 2004 003 511 A1, WO 2008 / 006 557 A1, DE 20 2009 018 082 U1, and DE 10 2018 105 676 A1.

[0007] A common feature of docking closures is that the wrappers each have their own closure, which can be connected to each other. When the two closures are connected, they are not only connected but also opened simultaneously. Sliders, which are also used in the zippers of freezer bags, are often used for this purpose. This creates a passageway enclosed by the docking closure, through which the substance can pass from the first flexible wrapper to the second flexible wrapper without contamination. To provide this passageway, the wrappers and closures themselves must be able to exhibit a certain degree of flexibility. In this respect, the term "flexible wrapper" refers to the ability of both the wrapper itself and the closures to enclose the passageway.

[0008] However, in the docking closures shown in DE 10 2004 003 511 A1, DE 20 2009 018 082 U1, and DE 10 2018 105 676 A1, the necessary flexibility results in the docking closures twisting relatively strongly when opening and closing, so that the sliders can only be moved with a relatively large amount of force. This force can, however, lead to tearing of the closures themselves and / or the flexible coverings.

[0009] In the docking closure shown in WO 2008 / 006 557 A1, the two flexible sheaths are sealed only by relatively large sealing surfaces abutting against each other. Strips are used to connect the two flexible sheaths, which are moved parallel to each other. While this minimizes distortion of the flexible sheaths, the substance transferred between the two flexible sheaths can adhere to the strips and thus escape into the environment, so the docking closure shown there can only be used for non-toxic substances.

[0010] The operation of the docking closures, which are described in DE 10 2004 003 511 A1, WO 2008 / 006 557 A1, DE 20 2009 018 082 U1, JP 2011 087875 A, and DE 10 2018 105 676 A1, is very difficult to automate. As mentioned, there is a risk that the docking closure or the flexible casing will tear when actuating it. Therefore, filling, for example, is typically performed largely manually, which results in high costs and time.

[0011] The object of one embodiment and one realization of the present invention is to create a docking closure and a related method with which it is possible to connect two flexible enclosures to one another without contamination, while keeping the twisting and the force required to actuate the docking closure to a minimum. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is based on the object of creating a flexible enclosure that can be provided with such a docking closure. Furthermore, one implementation of the present invention is based on the object of providing a method with which the flexible enclosures can be filled effectively.

[0012] This object is achieved by the features specified in claims 1, 7, and 9. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention relates to a docking closure for contamination-free connection of a first flexible sheath to a second flexible sheath, comprising a first closure pair, which is connectable or connected to the first casing and which has a first primary form-locking means and a first secondary form-locking means, and a second closure pair, which is connectable or connected to the second casing and which has a second primary form-locking means and a second secondary form-locking means, wherein a first slider is displaceable along the first closure pair and a second slider is displaceable along the second closure pair between ∘ a first end position, in which the first casing is closed by the first primary form-locking means and the second casing is closed by the second primary form-locking means, and ∘ a second end position,in which the first sheath and the second sheath are connected to one another by means of the first secondary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means, and in which the first closure pair and the second closure pair provide a passageway enclosed by them for the contamination-free transport of substances between the first sheath and the second sheath, and the first closure pair has a first alignment section and the second closure pair has a second alignment section, into which the first secondary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means can be inserted into one another when the first slide and the second slide are in the first end position.

[0014] An essential aspect of the present invention is that the docking lock cannot be activated without the first lock pair and the second lock pair being brought into the second alignment section and the first alignment section respectively. As a result, the two lock pairs are aligned relative to one another before the first slider or the second slider can even be moved out of the first end position. The first alignment section and the second alignment section counteract the twisting of the respective lock pairs mentioned above. This effect is greater the longer the alignment section is. However, even with a comparatively short alignment section, the twisting is kept within limits to such an extent that the forces required to open and close the docking lock are also kept low.The above-mentioned risk of tearing of the docking closure or at least one of the flexible sheaths is significantly reduced.

[0015] The closure pairs consist of two halves, which can be closed with the primary form-locking elements. The secondary form-locking elements are used to connect the closure pairs to each other and thus the two enclosures.

[0016] According to the invention the first closure pair has a first end face with which the first closure pair abuts the second slide when the first secondary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means are inserted into one another, and the second closure pair has a second end face with which the second closure pair abuts the first slide when the first secondary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means are inserted into one another, wherein the first slide can be displaced from the first end position into the second end position by means of the second closure pair and the second slide can be displaced by means of the first closure pair when the first secondary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means are inserted into one another.

[0017] According to the invention, the first slider of the second closure pair and the second slider of the first closure pair are displaced from the first end position to the second end position. This ensures that the force acting on the respective sliders acts essentially along the closure pairs. This also counteracts twisting of the respective closure pairs, so that the force required to displace the first slider and the second slider from the first end position to the second end position is kept low. The risk of the docking closure and / or the flexible sheaths tearing in the process is correspondingly low.

[0018] In a further developed embodiment the first slider can have a first locking device which is adjustable between a closed position in which the movement along the first pair of closures is blocked and an open position in which the movement along the first pair of closures is released, and the second slider can have a second locking device which is adjustable between a closed position in which the movement along the second pair of closures is blocked and an open position in which the movement along the second pair of closures is released, wherein the first locking device can be adjusted into the open position by means of the second pair of closures and the second locking device can be adjusted into the open position by means of the first pair of closures.

[0019] The first locking device and the second locking device prevent the first slide and the second slide from being arbitrarily moved from the first end position to the second end position. The first locking device and the second locking device are designed such that the two locking devices can only be moved from the closed position to the open position when the two pairs of closures are inserted into one another. Opening at least one of the two flexible enclosures without the pairs of closures is therefore not possible. This largely eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation of the docking closure.

[0020] In a further developed embodiment, the first slider can have a first connecting device which is adjustable between a release position in which the movement of the first sheath and the second sheath are decoupled, and a closed position in which the movement of the first sheath and the second sheath are coupled.

[0021] The first connecting device prevents the first slider or the second slider from being moved along the closure pairs from the first end position to the second end position without the first sheath or the second sheath also being moved along the closure pairs at the same time. If the first slider could be opened without the flexible second sheath being moved synchronously with the first slider, the first sheath would be opened without forming a passageway enclosed by the two closure pairs. The substance could then escape unhindered into the environment, which is prevented by the connecting device.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the second slider can have a second connecting device that is adjustable between a release position, in which the movement of the first sheath and the second sheath are decoupled, and a closed position, in which the movement of the first sheath and the second sheath are coupled. To couple the movement of the first sheath and the movement of the second sheath, it is sufficient to provide only one connecting device. If two connecting devices are provided, the force flow is evened out, and the forces transmitted per connecting device are reduced. The risk of twisting and tearing is minimized.

[0023] According to a further developed embodiment, the first primary form-locking means and the first secondary form-locking means are combined to form a common first form-locking means and the second primary form-locking means and the second secondary form-locking means are combined to form a common second form-locking means.

[0024] As mentioned, the two halves of a closure pair are closed with the primary locking means, while the closure pairs are connected to each other, and thus the two enclosures, with the secondary locking means. To keep the two halves of a closure pair closed, the locking force must act in a first direction. To connect the two closure pairs, the necessary connecting force must act in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction.

[0025] With a suitable geometry of the form-locking means, which is designed, for example, in the manner of a dovetail connection, the form-locking acts not only in the first direction, but also in the second direction perpendicular to this. This property is exploited in this embodiment. The slide is designed in such a way that, for example, when moving from the first end position to the second end position, it not only releases the form-locking between the two halves, but with the same movement, related to a section, it also establishes the form-locking between the two closure pairs almost simultaneously. For this purpose, a part of the common form-locking means can be arranged on a flexible flank of one half of a closure pair. The common form-locking means are always engaged between the first end position and the second end position, just not within the slide.In this way, the common form-locking means of the respective closure pairs are protected from external influences, in particular from the substance to be transferred.

[0026] A further developed embodiment is characterized in that the first closure pair and / or the second closure pair are made of metal or a plastic, in particular of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or high-density polypropylene (HDPP). As mentioned, it is possible to move the first slider with the second closure pair and the second slider with the first closure pair from the first end position to the second end position. The materials used according to this embodiment are particularly well suited to transmitting compressive forces without causing excessive twisting of the closure pairs. Furthermore, the tendency of these materials to tear is comparatively low.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention relates to a flexible first sheath which is connected to a first pair of closures of a docking closure according to one of the preceding claims, which a first primary form-locking means and a first secondary form-locking means and a first alignment section, into which ∘a second secondary form-locking means of a second closure pair of a docking closure according to one of the previous embodiments of a second flexible sheath, ∘ or a further form-locking means of an opening device corresponding to the secondary form-locking means can be introduced when the first slider is in the first end position.

[0028] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the proposed flexible sheath correspond to those discussed for the present docking closure. In summary, it should be noted that the alignment section minimizes the torsion of the respective closure pair when moving the first slider between the first and second end positions, thus keeping the force required for this to a minimum. The risk of the closure pair and / or the flexible sheath tearing during this process is correspondingly low.

[0029] Even if two flexible enclosures are primarily intended to be connected together, it may be desirable to open the flexible enclosure itself, for example, to take a sample. For this purpose, an opening device can be used that is essentially constructed in the same way as the second pair of closures, but is not connected to a flexible enclosure. Since the opening device does not need to be opened as such, it can be designed as a single piece. Accordingly, it does not interact with a slider.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the first flexible sheath has a blocking section that prevents the first slider from moving along the first pair of closures. The blocking section can be designed, for example, as a type of stop or as a welded section along which a side wall of the flexible sheath is formed. The blocking section defines the second end position, thereby preventing the first slider from being moved beyond the second end position and removed from the first pair of closures.

[0031] One implementation of the invention relates to a method for contamination-free connection of a first flexible sheath to a second flexible sheath by means of a docking closure according to one of the previously explained embodiments, comprising the following steps: Providing a first flexible sheath with a first pair of closures and a second flexible sheath with a second pair of closures, wherein the first slider and the second slider are arranged in the first end position, introducing the second secondary form-locking means into a first alignment section of the first pair of closures and introducing the first secondary form-locking means into a second alignment section of the second pair of closures, displacing the first slider into the second end position by means of the second pair of closures and displacing the second slider into the second end position by means of the first pair of closures.

[0032] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the proposed method correspond to those discussed for the present docking closure. In summary, it should be noted that the alignment section minimizes the twisting of the respective closure pair when moving the first slider between the first end position and the second end position, so that the force required for this is kept low. The risk of the closure pair and / or the flexible sheath tearing in the process is correspondingly low. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1A shows a flexible first sheath and a flexible second sheath, which together form a docking closure according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the docking closure is in a first state, Figure 1B shows a basic and not to scale sectional view along the Figure 1A defined section plane AA, Figure 2Aden in Figure 1A shown docking lock in a second state, Figure 2B a basic and not to scale sectional view along the Figure 2A defined cutting plane BB, Figure 3Aden in Figure 1A shown docking lock in a third state, Figure 3B a basic and not to scale sectional view along the Figure 3A defined cutting plane CC, Figure 4Aden in Figure 1A shown docking lock in a fourth state, Figure 4B a basic and not to scale sectional view along the Figure 4Adefined section plane DD, Figure 5A a basic view of a second embodiment of a proposed docking closure in a first state, Figure 5B which in Figure 5A illustrated second embodiment of the proposed docking closure in a second state, Figure 5C, which in Figure 5A shown second embodiment of the proposed docking closure in a third state, Figure 6A a basic view of a third embodiment of a proposed docking closure in a first state, Figure 6B in Figure 6A illustrated third embodiment of the proposed docking closure in a second state, Figure 6C, which in Figure 6Aillustrated third embodiment of the proposed docking closure in a third state, Figure 6D a basic representation of a slider, Figure 7A a basic representation of a flexible casing which interacts with an opening device, Figure 7B a basic and not to scale sectional view along the Figure 7A defined section plane EE, Figure 8A a basic representation of a device for filling flexible enclosures, and Figure 8B a basic plan view of some of the Figure 8A shown flexible sheaths.

[0033] Figure 1Ashows a flexible first sheath 10 and a flexible second sheath 12 based on a schematic view. The flexible first sheath 10 comprises a first pair of closures 14, and the flexible second sheath 12 comprises a second pair of closures 16, which together form a docking closure 18 according to a first exemplary embodiment. A first slider 20 is arranged in the first pair of closures 14, and a second slider 22 is arranged in the second pair of closures 16. Figure 1A shows the docking lock 18 1 in a first state, in which the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 are each in a first end position. As will be explained later, the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 can be moved along the first lock pair 14 and the second lock pair 16, respectively, from the first end position to a second end position.

[0034] The flexible first enclosure 10 comprises a first side wall 24 and a second side wall, wherein the first closure pair 14 extends from the first side wall 24 to the second side wall. As shown in Figure 1A As can be seen, the first slider 20 is not aligned with the first side wall 24 when it is in the first end position. The first pair of closures 14 forms a first alignment section 28 between the first side wall 24 and the first slider 20 in the first end position. The flexible second sheath 12 is constructed essentially the same way as the flexible first sheath 10, so that the second pair of closures 16 also forms a second alignment section 30, which is arranged between the first side wall 24 and the second slider 22 in the first end position.

[0035] Figure 1B shows a basic and not to scale representation along the Figure 1Adefined sectional plane AA. The first closure pair 14 has two halves 32, 34, on each of which a first primary positive locking means 35 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the first primary positive locking means 35 comprises a projection 36 arranged on the first half 32 and a recess 38 arranged on the second half 34, which are designed in the manner of a dovetail connection. However, other geometries can also be used which can establish a positive connection between the first half 32 and the second half 34.

[0036] Furthermore, the first closure pair 14 has a first secondary positive locking means 40, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as an arrow-shaped recess 42 arranged on the first half 32 and as an arrow-shaped projection 44 arranged on the second half 34. Here, too, other geometries are conceivable that can provide a positive locking.

[0037] The second closure pair 16 also has two halves 46, 48, on which a second primary form-locking means 50 and a second secondary form-locking means 52 are arranged. The basic design of the second primary form-locking means 50 and the second secondary form-locking means 52 corresponds to that of the first closure pair 14.

[0038] While the primary form-locking means 35, 50 serve to connect the two halves 32, 34, 46, 48 of the respective closure pairs 14, 16 to one another, the secondary form-locking means 40, 52 serve to connect the two closure pairs 14, 16 to one another, which will be discussed in more detail later.

[0039] In the Figure 2A The docking lock 18 1 is in a second state. In the second state, the first alignment section 28 and the second alignment section 30 are inserted into one another. Consequently, the flexible first sheath 10 and the flexible second sheath 12 are pre-positioned relative to one another. Figure 2B shows a basic sectional view along the Figure 2Adefined section plane BB. It can be seen that when the first alignment section 28 and the second alignment section 30 are inserted into one another, the first secondary form-locking means 40 and the second secondary form-locking means 52 engage with one another. This ensures that the first casing 10 and the second casing 12 can only move together within the section plane BB. The first primary form-locking means 35 and the second primary form-locking means 50 also engage with one another.

[0040] In Figure 3Athe docking closure 18 1 is in a third state. In the third state, the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 have been moved from the first end position to the respective second side wall 26 of the flexible first sheath 10 and the flexible second sheath 12. The movement of the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 from the first end position to the second end position causes the positive connection between the first primary positive connection means 35 and the second primary positive connection means 50 to be released. Where the positive connection between the first primary positive connection means 35 and the second primary positive connection means 50 is released, a passage channel 54 is created, through which a substance can be passed from the flexible first sheath 10 into the flexible second sheath 12 or vice versa. The passage channel 54 is in Figure 3B already recognizable.

[0041] At the same time, the first closure pair 14 and the second closure pair 16 are increasingly brought into one another, so that the positive connection between the first secondary positive connection means 40 and the second secondary positive connection means 52 is increased accordingly.

[0042] In Figure 4A the docking closure 18 1 is in a fourth state, in which the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 are in the second end position. Due to the fact that the positive connection between the first primary positive connection means 35 and the second primary positive connection means 50 is canceled over a maximum distance and the first closure pair 14 and the second closure pair 16 have a certain flexibility, the passage channel 54 is enlarged compared to the Figures 3A and 3Billustrated state, so that the passage channel 54 provides a sufficient cross-sectional area to ensure the passage of the substance therethrough. At the same time, the positive connection between the first secondary positive connection means 40 and the second secondary positive connection means 52 is formed over a maximum distance, so that the first sheath 10 and the second sheath 12 are connected to one another almost across their entire width.

[0043] In order to move the first slide 20 and the second slide 22 from the first end position to the second end position, the first locking pair 14 and the second locking pair 16 are brought into one another to a corresponding extent. In this respect, it is possible and even desired to move the first slide 20 and the second slide 22 from the first end position to the second end position not by a user pulling on the first slide 20 with their left hand and on the second slide 22 with their right hand, but rather by the user or a machine pushing the first locking pair 14 and the second locking pair 16 into one another. This results in the situation that the force applied to the first slide 20 and the second slide 22 acts essentially along the first locking pair 14 and along the second locking pair 16 and thus essentially perpendicular to the section planes AA, BB, CC and DD.The direction of the force is therefore clearly defined, which is not the case when a user applies their hands to the first slider 20 and the second slider 22. The force is therefore applied largely perpendicularly to the first slider 20 and the second slider 22, whereby it is optimally used to move the first slider 20 and the second slider 22. Twisting of the first locking pair 14 and the second locking pair 16 when moving the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 is kept to a minimum, whereby the force required to move the first slider 20 and the second slider 22 is also kept to a minimum.

[0044] In the Figures 5A to 5CA docking lock 18 2 according to a second embodiment is shown in various states. The basic structure of the docking lock 18 2 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the structure of the docking lock 18 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0045] From the Figure 5A It is clearly visible that the first closure pair 14 has a first end face 56 and the second closure pair 16 has a second end face 58, with which they abut the second slider 22 and first slider 20, respectively, when they are inserted into the first alignment section 28 and the second alignment section 30. This state is in Figure 5B shown.

[0046] In the second embodiment of the docking closure 18 2 , the first slider 20 has a first locking device 60 and the second slider 22 has a second locking device 62. The first locking device 60 and the second locking device 62 can be moved between a closed position, which is in the Figures 5A and 5B shown, and an open position, which is shown in Figure 5C shown. In the closed position, the first locking device 60 blocks movement of the first slide 20 along the first pair of closures 14, while in the closed position the second locking device 62 prevents movement of the second slide 22 along the second pair of closures 16.

[0047] Furthermore, the first slider 20 comprises a first connecting device 64 and the second slider 22 comprises a second connecting device 66. The first connecting device 64 can be adjusted between a release position, in which the movement of the first casing 10 and the second casing 12 are decoupled, and a closed position, in which the movement of the first casing 10 and the second casing 12 are coupled. Figures 5A and 5B the first connecting device 64 and the second connecting device 66 are in the release position. In Figure 5C the first connecting device 64 and the second connecting device 66 are in the closed position.

[0048] Both the first locking device 60 and the first connecting device 64 can be moved between the described positions by means of a first activation device 68. Accordingly, the second locking device 62 and the second connecting device 66 can be adjusted by means of a second activation device 70. The first activation device 68 and the second activation device 70 are arranged and designed such that they are actuated when the second end face 58 strikes the first slide 20 or the first end face 56 strikes the second slide 22. This is determined by comparing the Figures 5B and 5C clearly.

[0049] As mentioned, the first locking device 60 is located in Figure 5Cin an open position and the first connecting device 64 in a closed position. Accordingly, the second locking device 62 is in an open position and the second connecting device 66 is in a closed position. Consequently, the first slide 20 and the second slide 22 can be moved along the first pair of closures 14 and the second pair of closures 16, respectively. At the same time, it is also ensured that the first casing 10 and the second casing 12 follow the movements of the first slide 20 and the second slide 22.

[0050] Furthermore, the first activation device 68 can be designed such that, when actuated by the second end face 58 of the second closure pair 16, it simultaneously also causes the second closure pair 16 to lock with the first slide 20. The second activation device 70 can be designed accordingly. This has the effect that not only compressive forces but also tensile forces can be transmitted to the second slide 22 and the first slide 20 via the first end face 56 and the second end face 58, respectively. Consequently, it is ensured that the flexible first sheath 10 and the flexible second sheath 12 move relative to one another in a defined manner when the first slide 20 and the second slide 22 are moved between the first end position and the second end position. Incorrect operation of the docking lock 18 2 is thus largely ruled out.

[0051] In the Figures 6A to 6CA third embodiment of a docking lock 18 3 is shown. The basic structure and the basic functioning of the docking lock according to the third embodiment correspond to those of the first and second embodiments, so that in particular the Figures 1 to 4In the following, only the essential differences are discussed. The first primary form-locking means 35 and the first secondary form-locking means 40 of the first closure pair 14 are combined to form a common first form-locking means 71. Correspondingly, the second primary form-locking means 50 and the second secondary form-locking means 52 are combined to form a common second form-locking means 73. In the illustrated third embodiment of the docking closure 18 3, the arrow-shaped recesses 42 and the arrow-shaped projections 44 are omitted. The part of the common first form-locking means 71 of the second half 34 of the first closure pair 14 is arranged on a flexible flank of the second half 34. The second half 48 of the second closure pair 16 is constructed identically. In Figure 6AIn the state shown, the two halves 32, 34 of the first closure pair 14 are closed with the common first form-locking means 71 and the two halves 46, 48 of the second closure pair 16 are closed with the common second form-locking means 73. In Figure 6BIn the state shown, the respective slider 20, 22 has released the positive locking provided by the common first positive locking means 71 in the first closure pair 14 and by the common second positive locking means 73 in the second closure pair 16. In addition, the respective slider 20, 22 has rotated the flexible flank of the second halves 34, 48 by 180° and established a positive locking between the first half 32 of the first closure pair 14 and the second half 48 of the second closure pair 16, as well as between the second half 34 of the first closure pair 14 and the first half 46 of the second closure pair 16. Since the first half 32 and the second half 34 of the first closure pair 14 and the first half 46 and the second half 48 of the second closure pair 16 are no longer positively connected to one another, they can be removed from one another. The passage channel 54 can now be formed, as shown in Figure 6C shown.

[0052] From the Figures 6A to 6C It can be seen that the common first positive locking means 71 and the common second positive locking means 73 are not engaged only for the period during which the flexible flanks of the second halves 34, 48 are rotated. The common first positive locking means 71 and the common second positive locking means 73 are protected from external influences by the closure pairs 14, 16.

[0053] In Figure 6D A schematic representation of a slider 72 is shown, which can be used as a first slider 20 or as a second slider 22. Depending on the direction in which the slider 72 is moved relative to the closure pair 14, 16 shown there, it brings the primary form-locking means 35, 50 (see Figure 1B ) into or separates it from each other. Consequently, the two halves 32, 34, 46, 48 of the closure pair 14, 16 are connected to or separated from each other.

[0054] In Figure 7A a flexible first sheath 10 is shown, which in this case is not intended to be connected to a flexible second sheath 12, but is intended to be opened, for example, to take a sample. In the event that the flexible first sheath 10 is equipped with the first locking device 60, the flexible first sheath 10 cannot be opened, since the locking device blocks the movement of the first slide 20 between the first end position and the second end position. Therefore, an opening device 74 is used, which is basically constructed like a second closure pair 16, which can be inserted into the first closure pair 14 in the same way as for the Figures 1 to 5In particular, the first slide 20 can be moved between the first end position and the second end position without it itself having to be touched by a user. Rather, a user can engage the opening device 74 at the end opposite the first slide 20 and thus at a distance from the first slide 20. Due to this distance, a direct interaction between the user and the substance can be prevented. In particular, if the substance is toxic, the user can be protected. As can be seen from the Figure 7B As can be seen, this also creates a passage channel 54 through which the substance can be removed from the flexible first sheath 10.

[0055] The Figure 7AThe flexible first sheath 10 shown has a blocking section 76. The blocking section 76 can be formed, for example, by a weld seam with which the two halves 32, 34 of the closure pair 14 (see Figure 1B ) are connected to one another in such a way that they can no longer be separated from one another using a slider. The blocking section 76 ensures that the first slider 20 cannot be displaced beyond the second side wall 26 of the flexible first sheath 10. In this respect, the blocking section 76 functions as a stop, with which the second end position of the first slider 20 is determined.

[0056] It should be noted here that the flexible first sheath 10 and the flexible second sheath 12 can be structurally identical. The statements relating to the first sheath 10 apply equally to the second sheath 12.

[0057] In Figure 8AAn embodiment of a device 78 for filling flexible wrappings 10, 12 is shown in a schematic representation. A film-like starting material 80 is wound onto a first roll 82, while a pair of closures 14, 16 is wound onto a second roll 84. The device 78 has a movement device 86 with which the starting material 80 and the pair of closures 14, 16 can be unwound from the first roll 82 and the second roll 84, respectively. The main direction of movement of the starting material 80 and the pair of closures 14, 16 is indicated by the arrow P2. It is advisable for the starting material 80 to be rolled onto the first roll 82 in two layers.

[0058] In addition, the device 78 comprises a joining device 88, with which the starting material 80 and the closure pair 14, 16 can be joined together. As mentioned, the starting material 80 is wound in two layers on the first roll 82. When fed to the joining device 88, the starting material 80 is rotated by 90°. Consequently, after the rotation, Figure 8A selected representation lower end of the starting material 80 there is a kink along which the starting material 80 is closed there.

[0059] It is advisable to select a weldable material, in particular a weldable plastic, for the closure pair 14, 16 and for the starting material 80, so that the closure pair 14, 16 can be connected to the starting material 80 by means of a welding process.

[0060] The device 78 is provided with a section 90 which has a second secondary form-locking means 52 not shown here (cf. Figures 1 to 4 ), which interacts with a secondary form-locking means 40, 52 of the closure pair 14, 16, also not shown (cf. Figures 1 to 4 ). The locking pair 14,16 is guided here.

[0061] After the pair of closures 14, 16 is connected to the starting material 80, the starting material 80 is closed at both the upper and lower ends, but not at the lateral ends. Therefore, the device 78 comprises a portioning device 92, which in the illustrated embodiment has a welding unit 93 with which the starting material 80 is connected to one another to form a side wall 24, 26. In this case, the starting material 80 is not moved relative to the welding unit 93 with respect to the main direction of movement indicated by the arrow P2. After the starting material 80 has passed through the portioning device 92, a closed side wall 24, 26 is also present at one lateral end. The starting material 80 is then moved further by the width with the moving device 86, which the finished flexible sheath 10, 12 is intended to have.The portioning device 92 is then activated again, creating a second side wall 24, 26. Here, too, the starting material 80 is not moved relative to the sealing unit 93 in the main direction of movement indicated by arrow P2. A flexible enclosure 10, 12 is now present, which can only be opened via the pair of closures 14, 16.

[0062] The device 78 further comprises a filling unit 94, which has a funnel-shaped free end 96. Starting from the funnel-shaped free end 96, the filling unit 94 is connected to a storage tank 98, in which the substance with which the flexible casing is to be filled can be stored. The storage tank 98 is arranged above the filling unit 94. Between the storage tank 98 and the funnel-shaped free end 96, an opening flap 100 is arranged, with which the gravity-driven flow of the material to the funnel-shaped free end 96 can be selectively released or blocked. The filling unit 94 can be raised or lowered, as indicated by the arrow P1 in Figure 8A is shown.

[0063] Furthermore, an opening slide 102 is arranged on a first side of the filling unit 94 and a closing slide 104 is arranged on a second side of the filling unit 94. As can be seen in particular from the Figure 8BAs can be seen, the opening slide 102 and the closing slide 104 cause that when the starting material 80 is moved from the opening slide 102 to the closing slide 104, as shown in Figure 8A marked with the arrow P2, the locking pair is opened by the opening slide 102 and closed again by the locking slide 104. Accordingly, the Figure 8B clearly visible passage channel 54, into which the funnel-shaped free end 96 of the filling unit 94 is introduced by a corresponding lowering, as shown in Figure 8A The movement device 86 is stopped when a first side wall 24 of a flexible enclosure 10, 12 is aligned with the opening slide 102 and a second side wall 26 of this flexible enclosure 10, 12 is aligned with the closure slide 104. In this state, the opening flap 100 is opened so that the substance can be transferred from the storage tank 98 into the flexible enclosure 10, 12.

[0064] Subsequently, the movement device 86 is activated until the side wall 24, 26 of another flexible enclosure 10, 12 is aligned with the opening slide 102, and the side wall 24, 26, which was previously aligned with the opening slide 102, is now aligned with the closing slide 104. Consequently, another flexible enclosure 10, 12 can now be filled.

[0065] The device 78 further comprises a housing 105, which is connected to the opening slide 102, the closing slide 104, and the filling unit 94. The housing 105 is designed to allow the movement of the filling unit 94. For this purpose, the housing 105 can be flexible, for example, in the manner of a bellows. The housing 105 prevents the substance from escaping into the environment when filling the flexible casing 10, 12.

[0066] The opening slide 102 and the closing slide 104 can be provided with a second secondary positive locking means 52 (not shown), into which the first secondary positive locking means 40 of the closure pair 14, 16 engages. This also guides the closure pair 14, 16 and the starting material 80 connected thereto.

[0067] In addition, the portioning device 92 comprises a separating tool 106, with which two adjacently arranged flexible coverings 10, 12 can be separated from one another in the region of the side walls 24, 26. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 78, the separating tool 106 is arranged behind the filling unit 94 with respect to the direction of movement indicated by the arrow P2. However, the now isolated flexible covering 10, 12 does not yet have a slider 20, 22 with which the closure pair 14, 16 can be opened and closed. This slider 20, 22 is introduced into the closure pair 14, 16 by means of a handling device 108. The flexible covering 10, 12 can now be Figures 1 to 5 shown. In this process, the previously mentioned blocking section 76 ( Figure 7A) which prevents the two halves 32, 34, 46, 48 of the closure pair 14, 16 from being separated from one another and the slide 20, 22 from being separated from the closure pair 14, 16 beyond the relevant lateral end.

[0068] From the above explanations it follows that with the proposed device 78 it is possible both to produce the flexible enclosures 10 and to fill them quasi-continuously. List of reference symbols

[0069] 10 first enclosure 12 second enclosure 14 first closure pair 16 second closure pair 18 docking closure 18 1 , 18 2 , 18 3 docking closure 20 first slider 22 second slider 24 first side wall 26 second side wall 28 first alignment section 30 second alignment section 32 first half 34 second half 35 first primary form-locking means 36 projection 38 recess 40 first secondary form-locking means 42 arrow-shaped recess 44 arrow-shaped projection 46 first half 48 second half 50 second primary form-locking means 52 second secondary form-locking means 54 passage channel 56 first end face 58 second end face 60 first locking device 62 second locking device 64 first connecting device 66 second Connecting device 68First activation device 70Second activation device 71Common first form-locking means 72Slider 73Common second form-locking means 74Opening device 76Blocking section 78Device 80Starting material 82First roll84Second roller 86Moving device 88Joining device 90Section 92Portioning device 93Welding unit 94Filling unit 96Free end 98Storage tank 100Opening flap 102Opening slide 104Closing slide 105Housing 106Cutting tool 108Handling device P1Arrow P2Arrow

Claims

1. A docking closure (18) for contamination-free connection of a flexible first envelope (10) to a flexible second envelope (12) comprising - a first closure pair (14) which is connectable or connected to the first envelope (10) and which comprises a first primary form-fitting means (35) and a first secondary form-fitting means (40), and - a second closure pair (16) which is connectable or connected to the second envelope (12) and which comprises a second primary form-fitting means (50) and a second secondary form-fitting means (52), wherein - a first slider (20) slidable along the first closure pair (14) and a second slider (22) slidable along the second closure pair (16) between ∘a first end position in which the first envelope (10) is closed by the first primary form-fitting means (35) and the second envelope (12) is closed by the second primary form-fitting means (50), and ∘ a second end position, in which the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12) are connected to each other by means of the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52), and in which the first closure pair (14) and the second closure pair (16) provide a passageway (54) enclosed by them for the contamination-free transport of substances between the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12), and - the first closure pair (14) has a first alignment section (28) and the second closure pair (16) has a second alignment section (30), in which the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) can be inserted into one another, when the first slider (20) and the second slider (22) are in the first end position, characterized in that - the first closure pair (14) has a first end face (56) with which the first closure pair (14) abuts against the second slider (22) when the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) are inserted into one another, and - the second closure pair (16) has a second end face (58) with which the second closure pair (16) abuts against the first slider (20) when the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) are inserted into one another, wherein - the first slider (20) can be displaced from the first end position to the second end position by means of the second closure pair (16) and the second slider (22) can be displaced from the first end position to the second end position by means of the first closure pair (14) when the first secondary form-fitting means (40) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) are inserted into one another.

2. Docking closure (18) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the first slider (20) has a first locking device (60) which is adjustable between a closed position, in which the movement along the first closure pair (14) is blocked, and an open position, in which the movement along the first closure pair (14) is released, and - the second slider (22) has a second locking device (62) which is adjustable between a closed position, in which the movement along the second closure pair (16) is blocked, and an open position, in which the movement along the second closure pair (16) is released, wherein - the first locking device (60) is movable into the open position by means of the second closure pair (16), and - the second locking device (62) is movable into the open position by means of the first closure pair (14).

3. Docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first slider (20) has a first connecting device (64) which is adjustable between a release position, in which the movement of the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12) are decoupled, and a closed position, in which the movement of the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12) are coupled.

4. Docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second slider (22) has a second connecting device (66) which can be adjusted between a release position, in which the movement of the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12) are decoupled, and a closed position, in which the movement of the first envelope (10) and the second envelope (12) are coupled.

5. Docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the first primary form-fitting means (35) and the first secondary form-fitting means (40) are combined to form a common first form-fitting means (71), and - the second primary form-fitting means (50) and the second secondary form-fitting means (52) are combined to form a common second form-fitting means (73).

6. Docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closure pair (14) and / or the second closure pair (16) are made of metal or of a plastic, in particular of rigid polyethylene or rigid polypropylene.

7. Flexible envelope (10) connected to a first closure pair (14) of a docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises - a first primary form-fitting means (35) and a first secondary form-fitting means (40) and - a first alignment section (28), in which ∘ a second secondary form-fitting means (52) of a second closure pair (16) of a docking closure (18) according to one of the preceding claims of a flexible second envelope (12), ∘ or a further form-fitting means of an opening device (74) corresponding to the secondary form-fitting means can be introduced, - when the first slider (20) is in the first end position.

8. Flexible envelope (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the flexible envelope (10) has a blocking section (76) which prevents the movement of the first slider (20) along the first closure pair (14).

9. Method for contamination-free connection of a flexible first envelope (10) to a flexible second envelope (12) by means of a docking closure (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - providing a flexible first envelope (10) with a first closure pair (14) and a flexible second envelope (12) with a second closure pair (16), wherein the first slider (20) and the second slider (22) are arranged in the first end position, - inserting the second secondary form-fitting means (52) into a first alignment section (28) of the first closure pair (14), and - inserting the first secondary form-fitting means (40) into a second alignment section (30) of the second closure pair (16), - moving the first slider (20) into the second end position by means of the second closure pair (16) and - moving the second slider (22) into the second end position by means of the first closure pair (14).

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