Transport adapter for connecting bag to container and process of establishing transport connection

Abstract

To improve an adapter for material transport that connects a container and a bag etc., together.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a transport adapter that connects with a container so as to fill or empty a bag or cylindrical inner bag (510). The transport adapter comprises an adapter unit (20) which connects with an opening part of the container. The adapter unit has an inner wall defining a transport opening and a retaining unit (101, 102). The retaining unit comprises a retainer fastener (11) which receives a circumferential belt-like part of the bag or cylindrical inner bag (510) and a retainer element (12) which retains the circumferential belt-like part inside the retainer fastener (11). The retaining unit (101, 102) is so sized as to be arranged detachably in the transport opening part such that the transport opening part forms a transport passage together with the bag or cylindrical inner bag (510) which is open. The present invention further relates to a transport system with the adapter, and a method for transporting a material between the container and the bag or cylindrical inner bag through the transport adapter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer adapter for connecting a bag or tubular liner to a container, thereby facilitating the transfer of materials, such as bulk materials, between the container and the bag or tubular liner. The present invention also relates to a method for discharging or transferring the contents of a container into the bag or tubular liner. [Background technology]

[0002] In handling or processing industrial bulk materials, efficiency, safety, and contamination prevention are paramount concerns. The transfer of bulk materials, whether powders, granules, or liquids, requires meticulous procedures to prevent spills during transfer while protecting the transferred material from contamination.

[0003] Different transfer systems and adapters are known in the art for connecting bags or liner to containers to be filled or emptied.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an adapter for connecting a bag to a container, enabling contamination-free filling or emptying of the bag. The adapter has a through opening through which material can be filled or emptyed, and a holding means on the inner wall of the through opening for receiving a bag section that is held in the holding part by a holding element. The adapter is designed to be connectable to further adapters, and when connected to the opening of the container for filling or emptying, repeated transfers of material can be performed by stacking the adapters used for each transfer.

[0005] Although this allows for repeated transfers, stacking multiple adapters at the opening of a container is undesirable for the transfer process, as the increased height of the stacked connection elements can complicate the process and require continuous adaptation of the transfer procedure to accommodate the increased height, for example, the container may need to be lifted and lowered to allow for repeated emptying or filling processes.

[0006] Repeated draining or filling procedures require the provision of a series of transfer adapters, which unnecessarily increases the amount and volume of equipment required for multiple successive filling or draining procedures.

[0007] Furthermore, securing the bag through the opening can be cumbersome because access to the holder is limited by the opening, and the structure and weight of the transfer adapter, which includes means for securing to containers and other connecting elements, can make securing the bag cumbersome.

[0008] Additionally, because the bag holder is located inside the adapter opening and is difficult to access, thorough cleaning of the holder, which is essential for repeated use of adapters for transferring industrial bulk materials, is also more difficult.

[0009] Therefore, an improvement to the system described in Patent Document 1 is desirable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 3000739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved transfer adapter for connecting a container to a bag for the transfer of materials, particularly bulk materials, which overcomes the problems and limitations of the prior art.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a transfer adapter for connecting a container and a bag for the transfer of materials, particularly bulk materials, which transfer adapter allows the bag to be easily secured to the container to be filled or emptied.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to find a transfer adapter that facilitates repeated transfer between different bags and containers, without the need to stack transfer adapters on top of previously used transfer adapters so that used transfer adapters do not accumulate at the fill or discharge opening of the container.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to find a method for discharging material from a container into a bag or filling a container with material received from a bag, which allows for easy transfer of the material.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to find an alternative transfer adapter, which avoids spillage and / or contamination of the transfer material during emptying and / or filling of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] According to the present invention, one or more of these objects are achieved by the subject matter of the attached claims, and in particular by the independent claims. The dependent claims provide advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0017] One or more of these objects are achieved by a transfer adapter for connection to a container, in particular when filling or emptying a bag or tubular liner, said transfer adapter comprising an adapter unit and a holding unit.

[0018] The adapter unit is adapted to be reversibly attached to the opening of the container. Preferably, the adapter is designed to complement the opening of the container, for example by means of a connecting part, such that it can be reversibly attached to the opening of the container. Such a connecting part may be designed, for example, to form a bayonet catch. However, other embodiments are possible.

[0019] The adapter unit has an interior wall that defines a transfer opening that is aligned with the opening of the container when the adapter unit is attached to the container to allow material transfer.

[0020] The holding unit is detachable from the adapter unit, the two units being formed as separate units and therefore capable of being provided independently of each other.

[0021] The holding unit is configured to fit into the transfer opening along the inner wall of the adapter unit.

[0022] The holding unit comprises a retaining fastener that receives a circumferential band of the bag or tubular liner and a retaining element that holds the circumferential band within the retaining fastener, such that the bag or tubular liner is secured to the holding unit such that the holding unit ensures that an inlet or outlet opening defined by the circumferential band of the bag or tubular liner remains open.

[0023] The retaining fastener may be formed, for example, as two concentric regions or circumferential sections with circumferentially inwardly facing notches sized to receive an annular retaining element of appropriate dimensions.

[0024] The holding unit is sized to match the cross-sectional shape of the transfer opening and to be removably positioned within the transfer opening so that the transfer opening, together with the open bag or the open tubular inner bag, forms a transfer passageway.

[0025] When attached to the transfer opening, the holding unit is preferably arranged to form a seal, which may be an airtight seal against the inner wall of the adapter unit. The individually adapted attachment ensures that material can be emptied from or filled into the container through the transfer adapter without risk of being contaminated in the process.

[0026] To allow for better attachment, the holding unit may be elastically deformable. The increased flexibility of this elastically deformable holding unit also makes it easier to attach to and detach from the adapter unit.

[0027] In one embodiment, the opening of the container and the transfer opening of the adapter unit have a circular shape. In this embodiment, the holding unit is formed in an annular shape that fits the transfer opening. However, other shapes are also possible, for example, oval opening diameters and corresponding shapes of transfer openings and holding units.

[0028] In one embodiment, the holding unit comprises a release member, e.g. an attachment such as a lug, arranged such that pulling on the release member allows detachment of the holding unit from the adapter unit. The release member may form an integral part of the holding fastener. The release member facilitates detachment of the holding unit from the adapter unit, e.g. by pulling on the release member parallel to the transport direction. Advantageously, the release member is shaped in such a way that it can be gripped by a user's hand or a corresponding tool such as a hook or pinch.

[0029] In one embodiment, the holding unit is translatable from a first position at the transfer opening to a second position at the transfer opening, the second position being located behind the first position in the transfer direction of the material to be transferred when the transfer adapter is attached for emptying or filling a container, the transfer direction may for example be determined according to the direction of gravity of the material to be transferred.

[0030] In this embodiment, the adapter unit is preferably adapted to simultaneously hold two holding elements, one of which is in the first position and one of which is in the second position.

[0031] To further improve contamination-free transfer of material, the transfer adapter comprises a sealing element arranged to provide a sealed connection between the inner wall of the adapter unit and the holding unit, and to maintain the sealed connection between the inner wall of the adapter unit and the holding unit when the holding unit is moved from the first position to the second position.

[0032] The sealing element may be an integral part of the adapter unit or may be formed in a single piece with the adapter unit.

[0033] In one embodiment of the adapter unit designed to hold the holding unit in two consecutive different positions, i.e., a first position and a second position, the sealing element is preferably located between the first and second positions, and in order to form a tight seal, the sealing element may be located along the entire periphery of the inner wall of the adapter.

[0034] In one embodiment, the sealing element is an elastically deformable or pivotable sealing lip that is positioned between the first and second positions of the retaining unit. The sealing lip is disposed along the inner wall of the adapter unit. In the relaxed state, the sealing lip protrudes inward, generally toward the center of the transfer opening. The sealing lip may be angled upward, i.e., facing in the opposite direction of transfer. At least a portion of the sealing lip may be disposed to contact the retaining unit when the retaining unit is in the first position, e.g., to form a circumferential seal between the inner wall and the retaining unit.

[0035] The sealing lip is arranged such that when the holding unit is moved to the second position, the sealing lip is pushed in this direction of movement and faces in the transport direction when the holding unit is in the second position, i.e. the inwardly facing sealing lip is flipped from an upward angular position to a downward angular position during this movement. As used herein, the term "downward" refers to the direction of material transport and the term "upward" refers to the direction opposite to the direction of material transport.

[0036] Importantly, the sealing lip maintains a sealed connection with the retaining unit during translational displacement of the retaining unit from the first position to the second position.

[0037] As described above, the present invention relates to a set of a transfer adapter having a first position and a second position for movably positioning one or two holders, and a mounting device. The mounting device is arranged on the adapter unit to move the holding unit from the first position to the second position. For this purpose, the mounting device is configured to engage with the holding unit so as to move the holding unit from the first position to the second position when pressed in the material transport direction. The mounting unit may have, for example, a hollow, round or annular part that is inserted into the transfer opening and is arranged to abut against a part of the holding unit when moved downward. By further pressing the abutting mounting device downward, the movable holding unit can be translated from the first position to the second position.

[0038] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a transfer adapter having a first and second position for movably positioning one or two holding tools as described above, and a connection system comprising a bag or a tubular liner, each of which is appropriately dimensioned to be held by a holding unit of the transfer adapter, in particular, an opening of the bag or the tubular liner being large enough to be held by the holding unit.

[0039] In one embodiment, the bag or tubular liner each comprises two openings located at opposite ends of the bag or tubular liner, each of said opposing openings being dimensioned to be held by a holding unit of the transfer adapter.

[0040] In one embodiment, the bag or bladder includes a side pocket dimensioned to receive and hold the holding unit.

[0041] The bag or tubular liner may further comprise a release tool designed to engage with the holding unit, in particular with a release member of the holding unit, e.g., to facilitate pulling or pushing the holding unit out of the adapter unit. The release tool may, for example, be a device with a hook, the hook designed to engage with a lug or flap of the release member. Other designs are possible.

[0042] The release tool may be fixed to the wall of the bag or tubular liner.

[0043] The removal tool may include a handle portion that can be grasped manually or by a suitable robotic mechanism.

[0044] Once the holding unit is detached from the adapter unit, it can be moved to a side pocket of the bag or to the inner tubular bag with the detacher.

[0045] The removed holding unit, and optionally the side pocket containing the removal tool, can be separated from the main compartment of the bag and from the transport path, for example by twisting the side pocket to close the connecting opening to the main compartment of the bag, or by crimping or pinch-clamping said connecting opening.

[0046] The transfer adapter of the present invention may be used to connect a bag or bladder to a container for transferring materials to and from the container. It is particularly useful for transferring bulk materials to and from the container. Transfer of bulk materials is preferably in the direction of gravity.

[0047] At the initial stage of transport, the holder and adapter unit are provided as separate elements.

[0048] The adapter unit is then attached to the opening of the container so that the transfer opening is aligned with the opening of the container.

[0049] Thereafter, a circumferential strip of the bag or tubular liner is secured to the holding unit so as to maintain the bag or tubular liner in an open position.

[0050] The holding unit together with the held bag or tubular liner is then placed in the transfer opening of the adapter unit, where a transfer passage is created by connecting the internal volume of the container with the internal volume of the bag or tubular liner, the transfer passage being defined by a portion of the internal wall of the adapter unit and the internal wall of the bag or tubular liner, respectively.

[0051] The transfer adapters, each having a first position and a second position, are arranged to hold one of the above-mentioned holding units and are particularly suitable for repeatedly establishing transfer connections, such as allowing a series of bags and / or tubular inner bags to be used to successively empty or fill the container.

[0052] To do this, the process described above of connecting the bag or tubular liner to the container is carried out.

[0053] Thereafter, the holding unit holding the bag or tubular liner (first bag or first tubular liner, if consecutive) is translationally displaced from a first position to a second position within the transfer opening of the adapter unit.

[0054] In a subsequent step, the first bag or first tubular inner bag is closed while still held by the holding unit. Thus, the portion of the first bag or first tubular inner bag that serves to close the first bag or first tubular inner bag is at an appropriate distance from the circumferential band held by the holding unit. The first bag or first tubular inner bag is closed, for example, by pinch-clamping or crimping the first bag or first tubular inner bag at a position away from the circumferential band.

[0055] The closed or cut portion includes a closed section and a circumferential band secured to the holding unit, and is then severed from the remainder of the first bag or first tubular inner bag, for example by cutting.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first bag or the remainder of the first inner tubular bag is also closed, for example by twisting, crimping or clamping, so as to maintain the contamination of the interior space of the bag.

[0057] The first bag or the separated remaining portion of the first tubular inner bag is then removed from the transfer adapter.

[0058] A second holding unit holding a second bag or a second tubular liner may then be placed in the first position in the transfer opening of the adapter unit, the second bag or the second tubular liner having a side pocket for receiving and holding the holding unit.

[0059] Once the holding unit with the cut portion of the first bag or first tubular inner bag is positioned in the second position and the second holding unit holding the second bag or second tubular inner bag is positioned in the first position, the first holding unit is removed from the adapter unit by retracting it into the second bag or second tubular inner bag.

[0060] The removed first holding unit, which is holding the cut portion of the first bag or first tubular inner bag, may then be placed in a side pocket of the second bag or second tubular inner bag.

[0061] Optionally, the side pockets of the second bag or the second inner tubular bag may be closed, thereby removing the side pockets from the main compartment of the bag and the transfer passageway, respectively.

[0062] Once the connection between the container and the bag or bladder is established, material is transferred to or from the container.

[0063] In one embodiment, material is transferred from the first container to the second container through a transfer passageway formed by the transfer opening and the bag or bladder.

[0064] To this end, as described above, a transfer adapter of the present invention is used to establish a connection between the first container and the fill opening of the bag or sachet, and by connecting the bag or sachet to the first container, a transfer passage is formed for the material to be transferred.

[0065] After this, a second connection is established between the second container and the discharge opening of the same bag or tubular inner bag.

[0066] In this way, the material contained in the first container is filled into the bag or inner cylindrical bag and then discharged into the second container by means of the second connection to the second container.

[0067] Thus, the transfer process comprises a filling step in which material from a first container enters a transfer passage formed by a bag or tubular inner bag, and a step of emptying the container in which material contained in or passing through the bag or tubular inner bag is transferred through the discharge opening and transfer adapter to a second container.

[0068] The filling and emptying steps may be performed consecutively such that there is no clear distinction between them, such as when material flows from a first container to a second container through an established transfer path.

[0069] Alternatively, the filling and discharging steps may not be a continuous process, but may be separate steps performed in sequence. In this embodiment, the bag or tubular liner is first filled through the fill opening to receive the receiving material into the chamber. In a subsequent step, a discharge opening is formed and opened to allow the bag or tubular liner to be discharged into a second container through the discharge opening held by the transfer adapter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0070] This modular transfer adapter with a removable holding unit facilitates repeated transfer processes of material from and / or to the tubular inner bag compared to the current state of the art by avoiding undesirable and obstructive stacking of transfer adapter material at the transfer site of the transferred material. The transfer adapter increases efficiency, especially in industrial and automated environments, by eliminating the need to consider variations in the height of the fill and discharge ports during repeated transfer processes.

[0071] Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the present description and in the following drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0072] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a transfer adapter 70 with an adapter unit 20 and a holding unit 101. FIG. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the adapter unit 20 without the holding unit 101. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a holding unit 101 for the adapter unit 20 of FIG. 1B holding a bag 510. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a mounting fixture 80 suitable for mounting the holding unit of FIG. 1C to the adapter unit of FIG. 1B. [Figure 3A] 3A to 3H show schematically different steps in a process for repeatedly connecting a series of bags or tubular inner bags to a container to enable material transfer between the bags or tubular inner bags and the container, with FIG. 3A showing a cross-sectional view of adapter unit 20. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B shows the first holding unit 101 with the adapter unit 20 connected to the container 60 and ready to be placed in the transfer opening 3 . [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C shows the same holding unit 101 positioned inside the transfer opening. [Figure 3D]FIG. 3D shows a cut portion of the closed bag or tubular liner held in the transfer opening 3 after transfer is complete. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E shows the second holding unit 102 holding a second bag or second tubular liner 520 inserted into the transfer opening. [Figure 3F] FIG. 3F shows the first holding unit 101 being removed from the adapter unit 20 and placed in the side pocket 525 of the second bag. [Figure 3G] FIG. 3G shows the second holding unit 102 with a second bag or second tubular liner 520 positioned in a second position in the material transfer of the adapter unit 20. [Figure 3H] FIG. 3H shows the closed cut portion 521 of the second bag held by the holding unit 102 inside the adapter unit 20 after the second transfer of material to the container. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a bag 510 for transferring material from a first container to a second container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0073] The invention will now be explained in more detail using examples shown in the drawings.

[0074] Figure 1A shows the transfer adapter 70 in an assembly comprising an adapter unit 20 and a holding unit 101. The adapter unit 20 and holding unit are typically provided separately. Figure 1B shows the adapter unit 20 with the holding unit removed. Figure 1C shows the holding unit 101 holding a bag or tubular liner 510.

[0075] The adapter unit 20 is generally cylindrical, the interior wall of which defines a transfer opening 3. It includes a fastener 26 for reversibly connecting the transfer adapter to an opening of a container with a compatible fastener 62 (FIG. 3B).

[0076] A sealing element, in the example shown an upwardly sloping sealing lip 24, is provided along the inner wall of the transfer adapter 20. Additional sealing elements 25 arranged along the inner wall provide a continuous, tight seal between the holding unit 101 and the adapter unit 20 when the holding unit 101 is displaced at the transfer opening 3, thereby further reducing the risk of contamination during transfer of material through the adapter.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1A, the holding unit 101, which is a generally annular element, may be inserted into the transfer opening 3 of the adapter unit 20 directly above the upwardly curved sealing lip 24 so that the lip contacts the holding unit and forms a seal. This position of the holding unit 101 on the adapter unit 20 is the first position P1. The holding unit is designed to be able to translate within the transfer opening. During its translation, the holding unit is in continuous contact with the adapter unit 20, in particular its sealing elements 24, 25. Continuity of the seal is important to avoid contamination during the connection and / or transfer process.

[0078] The holding unit 101 includes a retaining fastener 11 to which a portion of the bag or tubular inner bag 510 is attached, and a retaining element 12 that secures the bag or tubular inner bag to the retaining fastener 11. As shown in FIG. 1C and in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B, the retaining fastener 11 in this embodiment is a ring with an internal circumferential groove into which a circumferential portion of the bag or tubular inner bag 510 is inserted. The retaining element 12 has an annular structure that matches the internal groove of the retaining fastener 11, so that when the retaining fastener 11 is placed therein, the inserted portion of the bag or tubular inner bag is sandwiched in the groove. This ensures that the bag or tubular inner bag 510 is securely held in the assembled holding unit 101 and will not slip off the holding unit even when pulled.

[0079] The holding unit 101 may include a removal member 16 arranged to facilitate removal of the holding unit 101 from the assembled transfer adapter 70. Preferably, the removal member 16 is connected to the holding fastener 11 as shown. The removal member 16 may be, for example, a lug as shown in Figures 1A and 1C.

[0080] To facilitate proper insertion of the holding unit 101 into the adapter unit 20, a suitable mounting fixture 80 is advantageously used.

[0081] 2 shows an example of such a mounting fixture 80. The mounting fixture 80 comprises an outer cylindrical member 83 and an inner cylindrical member 84 that are concentric and fixed to each other via a bridging member 81.

[0082] The outer cylindrical member 83 is sized to match the outer dimensions of the adapter unit, while the inner cylindrical member 83 is sized to fit inside the transfer opening 3. The inner cylindrical member 83 is dimensioned to slide along the inner wall of the transfer unit 20.

[0083] In use, the mounting fixture 80 is placed on the transfer adapter 70 so that the cylindrical wall of the adapter unit 20 is located between the outer cylindrical member 83 and the inner cylindrical member 84 of the mounting fixture 80. The inner cylindrical member 83 is dimensioned to slide along the inner wall of the transfer unit 20. The cylindrical member 83 is further dimensioned so that the edge facing the bridging member 81 contacts the holding unit 101 located within the transfer adapter 70. Thus, when pressed downwards, the holding unit 101 is displaced downwards within the adapter unit 20.

[0084] To ensure that the holding unit 101 is pushed into the desired position, e.g., the first predetermined position P1 or the second predetermined position P2, the mounting fixture may include guide members 82 that define the extent of downward movement of the mounting fixture 80, as will be explained further below. In the example shown, the mounting fixture includes guide grooves 82 into which matching guide protrusions 28 of the adapter unit 20 (see FIG. 1B ) may fit. The downward rotation of the mounting fixture 80 is determined by the helical arrangement of the grooves in the outer cylindrical member 83 of the mounting fixture. Thus, the displacement of the holding unit 101 within the adapter unit 20 is driven by the downward rotation of the mounting fixture 80, which forces it to move.

[0085] The mounting may further comprise suitable fixing members 85 , such as screws or clamps, which serve to fix the position of the mounting 80 with respect to the adapter unit 20 .

[0086] The method of repeatedly connecting different bags or tubular liner bags 510, 520 to a container 60 according to the present invention is illustrated in more detail in Figures 3A to 3F.

[0087] The illustrated example in these figures shows a suitable process for sequentially discharging the contents of a tubular inner bag 500 into a container 60 positioned below bags or tubular inner bags 510, 520. The connection between the bags or tubular inner bags 510, 520 and the container 60 is established by a transfer adapter of the present invention, through which the material is discharged into the container. This process is shown diagrammatically by cross-sectional views of the relevant components. The figures are not to scale.

[0088] Similarly, a transfer adapter may be used to sequentially connect a bag or liner to a container and fill the bag or liner with the material contained in the container. For this process, the container to be emptied may be positioned above the bag or liner. This is particularly advantageous when the material is to be filled into the bag or liner by gravity. However, the container to be emptied may also be positioned transversely to the bag or liner.

[0089] 3A depicts the adapter unit 20 of the transfer adapter without a holding unit yet inserted. The adapter unit is provided with two different positions P1, P2 adapted to receive holding units 101, 102, respectively. The inner wall of the adapter unit defines a transfer opening 3. As shown, the transfer adapter 70 preferably has a generally hollow cylindrical shape, and the transfer opening 3 is a circular opening.

[0090] For example, the adapter unit 20 further includes one or more fastening members 26 that engage with one or more compatible members 62 of the container to reversibly secure the adapter to the opening of the container 60 (FIG. 3B).

[0091] The one or more fastening members 26 of the adapter unit are designed to adequately secure the adapter unit to the opening to avoid gaps between the adapter unit and the opening that could lead to leakage of the transferred material and / or contamination of the material and / or container. Different fastening mechanisms, such as bayonet clamps, are well known to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not limited to any particular type of fastening mechanism used, provided that it adequately prevents leakage of material and contamination from the environment.

[0092] Fastening member 26 is preferably an integral part of adapter unit 20. However, it may also be provided as a separate element that is attachable to adapter unit 26.

[0093] In Fig. 3B, the adapter unit is coupled to the opening of the container 60. A first holding unit 101 comprising a retaining fastener 11 and a retaining element 12 is provided separately. The first holding unit is inserted into the transfer opening 3 of the adapter unit 20. The first holding unit can be positioned in a first position P1 or a second position P2 within the adapter unit 20, as shown in Fig. 3C.

[0094] The adapter unit 20 has an inwardly projecting sealing lip 24 that slopes upward when relaxed and is located between the first position P1 and the second position P2 and contacts the holding units 101, 102 when the holding units are located in the first position.

[0095] When the retaining units 101, 102 are slid from the first part P1 (first position P1) to the second position P2, the sealing lip 24 tilts or pivots downwards and maintains a tight connection with the retaining units 101, 102 throughout the displacement. When the retaining units 101, 102 are in the second position P2, the sealing lip is in tension as it tilts or pivots downwards. As a result, the sealing lip 24 is pressed inward against the retaining units 101, 102, thereby ensuring a tight sealing connection with the retaining units 101, 102.

[0096] Regardless of whether the holding unit is in the first position P1 or in the second position P2, the transfer of material into or out of the bags or tubular liner 510, 520 is possible. However, if the above-mentioned sealing lip is provided as sealing element 24, it is preferred to transfer material when the holding unit 101, 102 assumes the second position P2, since in this position the sealed connection between the adapter unit 20 and the holding unit 101, 102 is tight, as explained in the previous paragraph.

[0097] 3C shows the holding unit 101 arranged in the second position P2 and the transfer path formed between the bag or inner tubular bag 510 and the container 60. The direction of material transfer in the transfer path is indicated by an arrow, and as illustrated in this figure, preferably follows the flow of gravity.

[0098] After the transfer of material is completed, the bag or inner tubular bag 510 is closed, for example, by clamping or crimping the first bag or inner tubular bag (510) away from the circumferential strip portion held in the holding unit (101), as shown in FIG. 3D. The cut portion 511 of the first bag or inner tubular bag, including the held circumferential strip, and the closure portion of the first bag or inner tubular bag are severed, for example by cutting, from the remainder of the empty bag or inner tubular bag. This remainder is removed from the transfer adapter, allowing access to the cut portion 511 of the bag or inner tubular bag.

[0099] Optionally, the remaining portion of the bag or tubular inner bag may be closed, for example by crimping or clamping with a clamp, to maintain the bag contamination-free. Preferably, the separation line between two portions of the tubular inner bag is between the closed sections of either of these portions and is cut only after these sections have been closed.

[0100] Once the remainder of the first bag or tubular inner bag 510 has been removed from the transfer adapter, the second holding unit 102 holding the second bag or tubular inner bag 520 can be inserted into the transfer opening 3 of the adapter unit 20, as shown in Figure 3E.

[0101] The second holding unit 520 is initially located in the first position P1 since the first holding unit 101 holding the closed cut portion 511 of the first bag or inner tubular bag occupies the second position P2.

[0102] When the second holding unit 520 is in the first position P1, the first holding unit 510 is detached from the adapter unit and retracted into the second bag 520. For this purpose, the holding unit may be provided with a detachment member 16 that facilitates detachment of the holding unit from the adapter unit 20. The detachment member may be, for example, a flap or a protrusion. Optionally, a suitable tool 517 for gripping the detachment member 16, for example a tool with hooks or pincer jaws, may be provided in the second bag or tubular inner bag 520. The tool 517 is preferably attached to the wall of the bag or tubular inner bag, for example as shown in FIG. 4 .

[0103] To avoid undesired interference in the transfer process, the first holding unit 101 removed together with the cut portion 511 of the first bag or inner cylindrical bag is placed in a side pocket 525 of the second bag that protrudes laterally from the wall of the transfer path. The removal of the holding unit from the transfer path to the side pocket 525 is indicated by an arrow in Figure 3F.

[0104] In Figure 3G, the transfer path is now established with the second bag or tubular inner bag 520 held in the transfer opening in a second position P2 by the second holding unit 102. A second transfer can now be performed in the direction shown.

[0105] Similar to the first transfer process, the second bag or second tubular inner bag 520 is closed and the cut portion 521 is severed from the remainder of the second bag, as shown in Figure 3H, which corresponds to the state of the first bag or first tubular inner bag shown in Figure 3D.

[0106] The transfer process can be repeated with the third bag or third tubular inner bag held in the third holding unit. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary, thereby allowing for continuous transfer of material.

[0107] 3A to 3H show the procedure for emptying bags or tubular liner into a container, but the same process can also be carried out for filling bags or tubular liner. For this purpose, a transfer adapter is attached to the discharge opening of the container, which opening can be located at the bottom of the container. One or more holding units 101, 102 are then inserted into the transfer opening in the direction opposite to the transfer direction. The second position P2 of the transfer opening 3 is closer to the discharge opening of the container than the first position P1.

[0108] In one embodiment depicted in Figure 4, bag 510 has a fill opening 511 and a reversibly sealable portion 512, which forms the bottom of the bag's receiving interior space. The fill opening 511 and the seal portion form a receiving chamber 513 for the material. The seal portion may separate the receiving chamber from the portion of the bag that includes a second opening 514, which is a discharge opening.

[0109] Once the seal 512 is sealed, the bag 510 can receive and hold material loaded into the bag through a transfer adapter that can be used to attach to a first container from which the material can be loaded and received.

[0110] To drain the contents of the bag into a second container, second outlet 514 is connected to the second container using a transfer adapter of the present invention. Seal 512 is opened and the contents contained in chamber 513 of the bag are drained through the transfer adapter into the second container.

[0111] The bag 510 may be provided with one or two side pockets 515 and / or a removal tool 517. When two side pockets 515 and / or a removal tool 517 are provided, they are preferably located on either side of the sealable portion 512. In particular, two side pockets 515 are advantageous when the bag is designed to be filled and emptied from opposite openings, as this allows for complete removal of the holding unit and cut bag or tubular inner bag portions from both transfer openings.

[0112] The bag may be removed from the transfer adapter of the first container before the fill port of the bag is closed and the bag is connected to the second container.

[0113] Alternatively, the bag may remain connected to the first container while filling and emptying the bag.

Claims

1. A transfer adapter (70) for connecting to a container for filling or emptying a bag or tubular liner, comprising: an adapter unit (20) for connection to an opening of the container, said adapter unit (20) having an inner wall defining a transfer opening (3); a retaining fastener (11) for holding a circumferential band of the bag or the tubular inner bag (510, 520); a retaining element (12) adapted to retain said circumferential strip within the retaining fastener (11) to maintain the bag or tubular inner bag (510, 520) in an open position; A holding unit (101, 102) comprising: In the transfer adapter, A transfer adapter (70) that is dimensioned so that the holding unit (101, 102) is removably positioned within the transfer opening (3) so that the transfer opening forms a transfer passage together with an open bag or an open tubular inner bag (510, 520).

2. 2. A transfer adapter according to claim 1, wherein when the holding unit (101, 102) is inserted into the adapter unit (20), a sealed connection is formed between the holding unit (101, 102) and the inner wall of the adapter unit (20).

3. 3. A transfer adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding units (101, 102) are elastically deformable.

4. 4. A transfer adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding units (101, 102) are provided with a detachment member (16) which is an appendage, for example a lug, arranged so that the holding units (101, 102) can be detached from the adapter unit (20) when the detachment member (16) is pulled.

5. 5. A transfer adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holding units (101, 102) are translatable from a first position (P1) in the transfer opening (3) to a second position (P2) in the transfer opening (3).

6. 6. A transfer adapter according to claim 5, wherein the adapter unit (20) is adapted to hold two holding elements (101, 102), one of which is arranged in a first position (P1) and the other holding element (101) is arranged in a second position (P2).

7. the adapter unit (20) comprises one or more sealing elements (24, 25); 7. A transfer adapter according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sealing element is arranged to provide a sealed connection between an inner wall of the adapter unit and the holding unit (101, 102) when the holding unit is moved from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) and to maintain the sealed connection between the inner wall of the adapter unit (20) and the holding unit (101, 102).

8. the sealing element is an elastically deformable or pivotable sealing lip (24), The sealing lip Located between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2) of the holding unit, When the holding units (101, 102) are arranged at the first position (P1), they are inclined inwardly in a direction opposite to the material transport direction, When the holding units (101, 102) move to the second position (P2), the holding units (101, 102) are arranged to be pushed in a transfer direction, the holding units (101, 102) are arranged to maintain a sealed connection during translational displacement while moving from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2), A transfer adapter according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. A set of the transfer adapter (70) according to any one of claims 5 to 8 and a mounting fixture (80), 9. A set of a transfer adapter (70) and a mounting fixture (80) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the mounting fixture is adapted to engage with the holding unit (101, 102) and move the holding unit (101, 102) from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) when the mounting fixture is pushed in the transfer direction.

10. A transfer adapter (70) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, adapted to be connected to an opening of a container; a transfer bag or transfer bladder (510, 520) dimensioned to be held by the holding unit (101, 102) of the transfer adapter (70); A connection system with

11. 11. The connection system of claim 10, wherein the transfer bag and the tubular inner bag (510, 520) have two openings located at opposite ends of the transfer bag and the tubular inner bag, respectively, each of the opposite openings being suitable for attachment to the holding unit (101, 102) of the transfer adapter.

12. 12. A connection system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the transfer bag or transfer bladder (510, 520) comprises a side pocket (515, 525) dimensioned to receive and hold the holding unit (101, 102).

13. 1. A method of connecting a bag or tubular liner (510, 520) to a container (60) for transferring material to or from the container, comprising: - separately providing the holding unit (101, 102) of a transfer adapter (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the retaining fastener (11) and the retaining element (12), wherein the adapter unit (20) of the transfer adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8 has an inner wall defining a transfer opening (3); - aligning the transfer opening with the opening of the container and fixing the adapter unit (20) to the opening of the container; fastening a circumferential strip of said bag or tubular liner (510, 520) in said holding unit (101, 102) so as to keep said bag or tubular liner open; - inserting said holding unit (101, 102) holding said bag or tubular liner (510, 520) into the transfer opening (3) of said adapter unit, thereby forming a transfer passage connecting the internal volume of said container with the internal volume of said bag or tubular liner (510, 520); A method for connecting a bag or tubular inner bag (510, 520) to a container (60), comprising:

14. 14. A method for repeatedly establishing a connection between a container and a bag (510, 520) or between a container and a tubular inner bag (510, 520), comprising a plurality of the steps according to claim 13, - transferring a holding unit (101) holding a bag or a first tubular liner (510), which holds a first bag or a first tubular liner, from a first position P1 to a second position P2 in the transfer opening of the adapter unit; - closing the first bag or the first inner cylindrical bag (510) at a position away from the circumferential strip held in the holding unit (101), for example by clamping or crimping with a clamping tool, Separating the cut portion (511) of the first bag or first tubular inner bag including the retained circumferential band and the closed portion of the first bag or first tubular inner bag from the remainder of the first bag or first tubular inner bag; - removing the separated remaining portion of the first bag or the first inner tubular bag from the transfer adapter; - providing a second holding unit (102) for holding a second bag or second tubular liner (520), said second bag or second tubular liner having a side pocket (525) for receiving and holding said holding unit; - inserting said second holding unit (102) holding said second bag or said second tubular inner bag (520) into a first position (P1) of said transfer opening of said adapter unit (20); - removing the first holding unit (101) holding the cut portion of the first bag or the cut portion of the first tubular inner bag (511) from the adapter unit (20) by pulling it into the second bag or the second tubular inner bag (520); - placing the first holding unit, which holds the cut portion of the first bag or the cut portion of the first tubular inner bag, in a side pocket (525) of the second bag or the second tubular inner bag; - optionally closing the side pockets (525) of said second bag or said second inner tubular bag, thereby removing said side pockets from said transfer passage; The method for repeatedly establishing a connection between a container and a bag (510, 520) or a container and a tubular inner bag (510, 520) further comprises:

15. 1. A method for transferring material from a first container to a second container, comprising: (i) establishing a connection between a first container and an inlet of a bag or inner cylindrical bag (510, 520) according to claim 13; (ii) establishing a connection between the second container and the outlet of the bag or inner tubular bag (510, 520) according to claim 13; (iii) transferring material from the first container to the second container through a transfer passage provided by the bag or inner tubular bag (510, 520); 1. A method of transferring material from a first container to a second container, comprising:

16. Bulk materials, Transfer from the container into the bag or through the inner tubular bag (510, 520); or Put it into the container from the bag or through the inner cylindrical bag. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising a plurality of steps of carrying out the method according to claim 13 or claim 14 or claim 15, (iv) passing the bulk material through a transfer passageway between the containers; A method for transferring bulk material from a container into a bag or through a tubular inner bag (510, 520) or from a bag or through a tubular inner bag into a container.

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