Connection device for transferring bulk material goods and port system

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device for transferring bulk material goods into a receiving port along a through-passage direction with a through-passage frame for guiding the bulk material goods through a through-passage with a through-passage axis and a holding bag for providing the bulk material goods, wherein the through-passage frame has a connection side, a rear side, and a respective inner surface facing the through-passage axis and outer surface facing away from the through-passage axis and arranged between the connection side and the rear side, and, in a connected position, the connection side is facing the receiving port and the rear side is facing away from the receiving port and the through-passage direction runs from the rear side to the connection side, wherein the holding bag has a film-type main body arranged on the rear side and with a connection region, and the connection region is securely connected to the through-passage frame by means of a connection, wherein the film-type main body is guided from the rear side, along the through-passage direction, through the through-passage and to the connection side, such that the connection region is at least partially in contact with the connection side and the connection is arranged after the through-passage along the through-passage direction.

Description

Connection device for transferring a pourable Good port system

[0001] The invention relates to a connection device for transferring a bulk material into a receiving port along a passage direction, comprising a passage frame for guiding the bulk material through a passage with a passage axis and a holding bag for providing the bulk material, wherein the passage frame has a connection side, a rear side, and an inner surface facing the passage axis and an outer surface facing away from the passage axis, arranged between the connection side and the rear side, and in a connected position the connection side faces the receiving port and the rear side faces away from the receiving port and the passage direction runs from the rear side to the connection side, wherein the holding bag has a film-like base body arranged on the rear side with a connection area and the connection area is firmly connected to the passage frame by means of a connection.Furthermore, the invention relates to a port system with a receiving port and such a connection device.

[0002] Connecting devices and related transfer devices for transferring a bulk good are used to transfer a bulk or free-flowing good, such as plugs, connectors or other small parts, especially in In the field of sterile technology, this involves transferring items through so-called receiving ports while maintaining the sterility of the goods. Appropriate connection devices are used for this purpose; these devices are attached to, connected to, or otherwise linked to a receiving port to transfer items, for example, from a bag connected to the connection device, into the receiving port.

[0003] Connection devices are also known in which, for example, a retaining bag is radially attached and welded to the outside of a pipe section or flange along a flow direction or axis. This creates a step or undercut in the flow direction, where bacteria, dirt, or other contaminants can collect. Cleaning and sterilization are correspondingly difficult.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0005] The problem is solved by a connection device for transferring a bulk material into a receiving port along a flow direction, with a flow frame for guiding the bulk material through a passage with a flow axis and a holding bag for providing the bulk material, wherein the flow frame has a connection side, a rear side, and each The retaining bag has an inner surface facing the passage axis and an outer surface facing away from the passage axis, arranged between the connection side and the rear side, and in a connected position the connection side faces the receiving port and the rear side faces away from the receiving port and the passage direction runs from the rear side to the connection side, wherein the retaining bag has a film-like base body arranged on the rear side with a connection area and the connection area is firmly connected to the passage frame by means of a connection, wherein the film-like base body is guided from the rear side through the passage along the passage direction and guided to the connection side, such that the connection area is at least partially in contact with the connection side and the connection is arranged along the passage direction behind the passage.

[0006] By guiding the film-like base body from the rear along the flow direction through the opening and to the connection side, it is possible for the connection area to at least partially abut the connection side, and the connection linking the connection area to the opening frame can be created in such a way that free flow of suitable pourable or free-flowing materials through the connection device into the receiving port is enabled. In particular, the flow of the pourable materials is not impeded by the connection. A key aspect of the invention is to design the connection area of ​​the holding bag, i.e., for example, a connection area attached to the foil-like base body to guide around the passage frame and then connect in an area on the passage frame which is located outside the passage and, viewed from the direction of the foil-like base body, is 'behind' the passage frame.

[0007] The following terms will be explained:

[0008] A "connection device" for transferring a bulk good is, for example, a device equipped with a bag for bulk goods, by means of which bulk goods, such as stoppers or other items requiring sterilization in the field of sterile and medical technology, can be connected to a receiving port, i.e., a coupling device. The connection device serves to provide a secure connection between the receiving port and the connection device, whereby sterility requirements regarding the transfer of the bulk goods must be met.

[0009] The "transfer" of a bulk good refers to the physical process of moving the bulk good into or through the receiving port. This transfer occurs along a "direction of flow," which indicates the overall course of the transfer and does not necessarily describe a mathematically precise direction. Rather, the direction of flow denotes in particular the path of the bulk material described in relation to the receiving port, for example along a discharge parabola or a discharge path.

[0010] A "passage frame" refers to the frame-like portion of the connection device that spans a "passage." The passage frame is designed to be directly coupled to the corresponding port, for example, by means of a sealing bayonet closure, as is common in sterile technology. This allows the free-flowing material to pass through the passage frame and thus through the passage during transfer. The geometric reference point for both the passage and the passage frame is a "passage axis," which, for example, defines a main axis of the passage frame and / or the connection device running from the rear to the connection side. The passage axis describes, for example, a mathematically idealized axis that indicates an idealized path along the flow direction.

[0011] A "holding bag" serves to provide the bulk material and is, for example, designed as a plastic or foil bag, which is attached to or mounted on the pass-through frame. In this context, the "connection side" refers to the side of the connection device facing the receiving port, while a "rear side" refers to a provision side, i.e., the side of the holding bag. The pass-through frame has an "inner surface," i.e., a surface facing the passage axis and an "outer surface", i.e. a surface facing away from the passage axis, whereby this also refers, for example, to the inside and outside of the tubular passage frame or at least to the tubular passage frame in sections.

[0012] The retaining bag, which for example has a film-like base, also features a "connection area" that serves to be firmly attached to the pass-through frame. "Fixed" here refers to a mechanical connection of the connection area to the pass-through frame, achieved by means of a "joint." Such a joint could be, for example, an adhesive bond, a clamping connection, or a welded joint, which enables the mechanical fixing of the film-like base to the pass-through frame via the connection area.

[0013] According to the invention, the film-like base body is guided through the passage from the rear along the direction of passage and is thus arranged "behind the passage", so that in particular the film-like base body is guided through the passage along the axis of passage and in particular is guided at least partially around the passage frame, so that in particular an undisturbed flow of the pourable material through the passage is enabled and in particular no disturbance of the escape occurs through the connection.

[0014] According to one design form, the connection can be arranged on the connection side and / or the connection area can be extended to the outside or to the back around the passage frame, so that the connection or another connection or further connections are each arranged on the outside and / or on the back.

[0015] This creates an additional safety measure and positions the connection geometrically even further away from the bulk goods, thus preventing disruption of the transmission or, for example, the occurrence of sterility problems due to the adhesion of particles and / or microorganisms in the area of ​​the connection outside the passage frame and thus outside the transmission path of the bulk goods.

[0016] The connection can be a welded joint, an adhesive bond, or a positive-locking and / or friction-locking plug connection, depending on the specific design. In a positive-locking and / or friction-locking plug connection, a locking element can be used to create the connection by being inserted or pressed into a recess in the connection frame. The foil-like base body and / or the connection area are clamped or pressed between the locking element and the plug connection, thus creating a secure and, for example, liquid-tight connection.

[0017] A "welded joint" is a material-bonded connection, achieved in particular by melting the base material. This is created, for example, by welding the foil-like base body to the through-ring using ultrasonic welding and / or thermal welding. In this context, an "adhesive joint" is an adhesive or cohesive connection using an adhesive, particularly one that acts chemically and / or physically. A "plug-in joint" can be achieved, for example, using a plug ring as a locking element, by which the connection area of ​​the foil-like base body is clamped in a ring-shaped recess in the through-ring.

[0018] The securing element itself can be partially ring-shaped or ring-shaped, depending on the specific design chosen for the film-like base body and / or the connection area. Thus, the film-like base body and / or the connection area can have a partial ring cross-section or a ring cross-section, whereby the partial ring cross-section can form a filling pouch for further external filling with, for example, non-sterile goods, or a complete ring cross-section can form a closed bag.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the through-frame can have a first coupling device on the connection surface and / or on the outer surface for coupling the connection device to a port associated with the receiving port. The first coupling device must have a corresponding second coupling device, such that the connection device is firmly connected to the receiving port and / or an insertion aid of the receiving port in the connected position by means of the coupled first and second coupling devices. This enables a corresponding connection to the receiving port or to an insertion aid of the receiving port.

[0020] In this context, the "coupling device" is, for example, a mechanical device that primarily acts as a positive locking mechanism and may also include additional sealing elements for sealing and ensuring sterility. For example, the coupling device may have a bayonet fitting, a click-lock, or a plug-in fitting. A "first" coupling device and a "second" coupling device describe the respective, corresponding parts of the coupling device on the respective interacting components, such as the through-frame and the receiving port.

[0021] In another aspect, the problem is solved by a port system with a receiving port and a connection device according to one of the previously described embodiments, in particular according to claims 1 to 9.

[0022] The invention will be further described using the following examples: This will be explained in more detail using examples. They show Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a Transmission device with a foil bag and a pass-through frame in an isometric view, Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an alternative passage frame with part of the foil bag of Figure 1, as well as Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a transfer port with a transmission device of Figure 1.

[0023] A transfer device 101 serves to transfer, for example, loose goods (not shown), such as sealing plugs, into a receiving port or a sterilization device. The transfer device 101 has a foil bag 103, which is attached to a passage frame 105 by a connection area 104. The passage frame 105 has an opening 106 through which corresponding sealing plugs can be passed through or poured out of the foil bag 103.

[0024] The passage frame 105 itself has an inner side 107 facing the passage 106, a connection side 108, an outer side 109 opposite the inner side 107, and a back side opposite the connection side 108 directed towards the foil bag.

[0025] The connection area 104 of the foil bag 103 is firmly connected to the passage frame 105 by a weld seam 121 on the connection side 108. Thus, along a passage axis 383, which runs through the passage 106, it is possible to transfer, for example, the sealing plugs from the foil bag 103 in a passage direction 385, without the corresponding sealing plugs getting caught, for example, on an undercut or on an edge of the passage frame 105.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the connection area 104 of the foil bag 103 can also be extended further around the passage frame 105, so that it not only covers the inside 107 and the connection side 108, but is arranged around the passage frame 105, for example, up to the outside 109 or even up to the back 110, and is also attached to the outside 109 or the back 110 with a weld seam and / or alternatively with an adhesive connection.

[0027] An alternative passage frame 205 has a passage 206 and is basically constructed analogously to the passage frame 105. According to a further embodiment (compare Figure 2), the film bag 103 is guided through the passage 206 past the inner side 207 to a connection side 208 and an outer side 209, wherein a ring 213 is clamped in an annular groove 211 in the connection side 208, i.e., axially to the passage axis 383. The connection area 104 of the film bag 103 is clamped between the ring 213 and the annular groove 211. so that a corresponding connection between the The foil bag 103 and the passage frame 205 are combined. Additionally, the connection area 104 can also be secured, for example on the outside 209, with an adhesive bond or a welded connection.

[0028] A transfer port 301 has a port ring 303, which forms a passage 305. The port ring 303 is arranged vertically, although an inclined or even horizontal arrangement is also possible to facilitate filling goods into the transfer port 101. A gap cover 307 is arranged in the passage 305, which radially bridges a gap between the passage 305 and an insertion aid 309, so that no objects can be inserted here. The insertion aid 309 itself forms a feedthrough 395 through which the goods are to be introduced from the foil bag 103. Thus, with the aid of the transfer device 101, corresponding goods can be transferred from the foil bag 103 from an outside area 171 of the transfer port 301 to an inside area 373 (compare Figure 3).

[0029] Furthermore, both the through-frame 105 and the through-frame 205, and the insertion aid 309 on the opposite side, can be equipped with, for example, a bayonet fitting or a click-lock fitting, so that coupling the respective through-frame to the insertion aid 309 is simple and secure. Alternatively, it could be a simple plug connection, for example, a conical design of the passage frame or a act on the outside of the respective passage frame. Reference character list 101 Transmission device 103 foil bags 104 Connection area 105 passage frames 106 Passage 107 Inside 108 Connection page 109 Outside 110 reverse 121 weld 205 passage frames 206 Passage 207 Inside 208 Connection page 209 Outside 210 reverse 211 Ring groove 213 Ring 301 Transfer Port 303 Port Ring 305 Passage 307 Gap cover 309 Introductory Guide 371 Outdoor area 373 Interior 383 Through shaft 385 Direction of passage 395 Implementation

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Connection device (101) for transferring a bulk material into a receiving port (301) along a passage direction (385) with a passage frame (105, 205) for guiding the bulk material through a passage (106, 206) with a passage axis (383) and a holding bag (103) for providing the bulk material, wherein the passage frame (105, 205) has a connection side (108, 208), a rear side (110, 210), and one arranged between the connection side (108, 208) and the rear side (110, 210), the the inner surface (107, 207) facing the passage axis (383) and the outer surface (109, 209) facing away from the passage axis (383), and in a connected position the connection side (108, 208) facing the receiving port (301) and the rear side (110, 210) facing away from the receiving port (301), and the passage direction (385) running from the rear side (110, 210) to the connection side (108, 208), wherein the retaining bag (103) has a film-like element arranged on the rear side (110, 210). Base body (103) has a connection area (104) and the connection area (104) is firmly attached to the passage frame by means of a connection (121, 211, 213). (105, 205) is connected, characterized in that the foil-like base body (103) is guided from the rear (110, 210) along the passage direction (385) through the passage (106, 206) and guided to the connection side (108, 208), so that the The connection area (104) is at least partially adjacent to the connection side (108, 208) and the connection (121, 211, 213) is arranged along the passage direction (385) behind the passage (106, 206). Connection device (101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection (121, 211, 213) is arranged on the connection side (108, 208) and / or that the connection area (104) extends around the passage frame (105, 205) to the outside (109, 209) or to the rear (110, 210), such that the connection (121, 211, 213) or a further connection or further connections are arranged on the outside (108, 208) and / or on the rear (110, 210). Connection device (101) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connection (121, 211, 213), the further connection and / or the further connections is or are a welded connection (121). Connection device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (121, 211, 213) , the further connection and / or the further connections is or are an adhesive connection. Connection device (101) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (121, 211, 213) , the further connection and / or the further connections is or are a positive-locking and / or friction-locking plug connection (211, 213), wherein a locking element (213) for making the plug connection (211, 213) is inserted into a recess (211) in the The connecting frame (205) is inserted or pressed in. The connecting device (101) according to claim 5 is characterized in that the locking element (213) is a partially annular or ring-shaped locking ring (213) with, in particular, a rectangular, square and / or round locking ring cross-section. Connection device (101) according to one of the previous Claims, characterized in that the foil-like base body (103) and / or the connection area (104) along the passage axis (383) a partial ring cross-section or a ring cross-section, such that the foil-like base body (103) and / or the connection area (104) partially or completely surrounds the passage frame (105, 205) along the passage circumference (107, 108, 109, 110, 207, 208, 209, 210). Connection device (101) according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the passage frame (105, 205) has a first coupling device on the connection surface (108, 208) and / or on the outer surface (109, 209) for coupling the connection device (101) to a second coupling device associated with the receiving port (301) and corresponding to the first coupling device, such that the The connecting device (101) is firmly connected in the connected position to the receiving port (301) and / or an insertion aid (309) of the receiving port by means of the coupled first coupling device and second coupling device. (301) is connected. Connection device (101) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first coupling device and / or the second coupling device is or are a bayonet lock, a click lock and / or a plug lock. Port system (101, 301) with a receiving port (301) and a connection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

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