Device and method for emptying a container with a liner

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) and a method for emptying a container with a liner (50) comprising: a product guiding tube (1) with an upper liner connection end (2), a lower connection end (3), and an access connector (4) which branches off from the product guiding tube and can be closed, wherein the liner connection end (2) comprises a sealing ring arrangement (5, 7, 8) for sealingly fixing the liner (50), said sealing ring arrangement having an outer ring arrangement (5) fixedly connected to the product guiding tube (1) and a guide ring arrangement (6) formed coaxially to the outer ring arrangement (5) and adjustable axially along a tube axis (6), wherein the outer ring arrangement (5) has, on its inner side, a lower and an upper radially inwardly adjustable sealing ring (14, 15), which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction along the tube axis (6), the guide ring arrangement (7) comprises a guide connector (26) with an outer sealing surface (27) which, in a working position of the guide ring arrangement (7), are arranged radially inside the sealing rings (14, 15), against which outer sealing surface the sealing rings (14, 15), in their sealing position, can be placed to seal and fix the liner (50), and between the product guiding tube (1) and the outer ring arrangement (5) an annular receiving arrangement (10) is arranged which has a docking connector (12) with an outer sealing surface (20) which is arranged and designed radially within the lower sealing ring (14) in such a manner that the lower sealing ring (14), in its sealing position, can be placed against the outer sealing surface (20) to seal the liner (50) when the guide ring arrangement (7) is not in the working position.

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMPTYING A

[0002] CONTAINER WITH A LINER

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally and more particularly to an apparatus and method for emptying a container having a liner—a flexible inner lining of the container. The apparatus comprises a product guide tube having an upper liner connection end, a lower connection end—for connecting another container to be filled or for connecting a processing system for the product supplied from the container (or the liner) through the product guide tube—and having a closable access nozzle branching off from the product guide tube, wherein the liner connection end comprises a sealing ring arrangement for sealingly securing the liner.

[0004] The term "liner" here refers to an inner bag or sack arranged within a container, or a separate inner lining for the product to be transported or transferred. It can also be an outlet, e.g., a tubular film, that is attached to the container to be emptied, which can have any shape.

[0005] TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0006] Such devices are used to transfer free-flowing bulk materials from one container to another with low contamination (in particular for emptying big bags) or to feed such bulk materials from the container to a production process.

[0007] First, the liner itself or a connector (a tubular outlet of the liner) is secured and sealed to the connecting end of the product guide tube, preventing product from escaping into the environment during emptying or transferring. To change the container, a contaminated liner end can then be removed via a tubular film system in a sealed bag through the sealable access port, preventing any product on the liner from escaping into the environment. At the same time, such systems ensure that the product being transferred or emptied cannot be contaminated from the outside.

[0008] Due to constantly increasing demands for occupational safety, purity, and low emissions during transfer processes, such low-contamination systems are increasingly in demand in the industrial sector, where more and more requirements previously known only from the pharmaceutical sector are becoming established. Such devices are known, for example, from DE 10 2019 110 413 B3. Similar devices and methods are also known from EP 4 046 927 A1 and EP 1 958 900 B1.

[0009] DE 102019 109 648 A1 relates to a connecting device for connecting a tubular film to a device, wherein the connecting device comprises: a base body which forms a channel, wherein the channel extends along a channel axis and ends at an opening of the base body and opens outwards; a clamping device which runs around the opening of the base body and is designed to clamp the tubular film in a clamping space after it has been pulled over the base body in such a way that the tubular film is fastened in a sealed manner and a powder / granular product can be transferred between the base body and the tubular film in a contamination-free manner; and an introduction means which runs at least partially around the base body and the tubular film pulled over the base body and both in a direction running around the channel axis

[0010] Circumferential direction as well as a circumferential direction opposite to the circumferential direction is movable in such a way that when moving in the circumferential direction it is displaced radially to the channel axis into the clamping space and thereby transfers the tubular film radially constricting it into the clamping space, and when moving in the opposite circumferential direction it is displaced radially to the channel axis out of the clamping space.

[0011] However, with existing methods, the design and handling of the liner connection can be complex and time-consuming. The design of the access nozzle for dust-free removal of contaminated liner ends also requires improvement.

[0012] The object is therefore to provide a device and a method for emptying a container with a liner, in which the known disadvantages can be at least partially eliminated.

[0013] SUMMARY

[0014] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for emptying a container with a liner, comprising: a product guide tube with an upper liner connection end, a lower connection end, and a closable access nozzle branching off from the product guide tube, wherein the liner connection end comprises a sealing ring arrangement for sealingly securing the liner, which has an outer ring arrangement firmly connected to the product guide tube and a guide ring arrangement formed coaxially to the outer ring arrangement and axially adjustable along a tube axis, wherein the outer ring arrangement has on its inner side a lower and an upper radially inwardly adjustable sealing ring, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction along the tube axis, the guide ring arrangement comprising a guide nozzle with an outer sealing surface,which, in a working position of the guide ring arrangement, is arranged radially inside the sealing rings, against which the sealing rings can be placed in their sealing position to seal the liner, and an annular receiving arrangement is arranged between the product guide tube and the outer ring arrangement, which has a docking nozzle with an outer sealing surface, which is arranged and designed radially inside the lower sealing ring such that the lower sealing ring can be placed against the outer sealing surface in its sealing position to seal the liner when the guide ring arrangement is not in the working position.

[0015] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided according to claim 13. According to a further aspect, a method is provided in which the following is carried out using the device according to the invention:

[0016] (1) Fixing the liner to the conical outer sealing surface of the docking nozzle 12 by means of the lower sealing ring;

[0017] (2) Closing and separating the liner end;

[0018] (3) Pulling the liner into the product guide tube;

[0019] (4) Pre-fixing a new liner to the guide ring assembly;

[0020] (5) Moving the guide ring assembly from a change position to an intermediate position;

[0021] (6) Release of the sealed liner end;

[0022] (7) Removal of the liner end through the access nozzle;

[0023] (8) Adjusting the guide ring assembly to the working position and sealing the new liner 50' on the outer sealing surface of the guide socket by means of the sealing rings and;

[0024] (9) Starting the emptying or filling process;

[0025] Optionally, step (8) can also include a leak test of the system. This allows for safe, simple, and improved container emptying. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0026] Embodiments will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 2a is an enlarged view of detail A of Fig. 2, in which the guide ring arrangement is shown in an intermediate position;

[0030] Fig. 2b Detail A from Fig. 2, showing the guide ring arrangement in its working position;

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the device according to the invention, in which the guide ring arrangement is shown in its changing position;

[0032] Fig. 3a Detail B of Fig. 3, in which the outer ring arrangement is shown without an engaging guide ring arrangement;

[0033] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the access nozzle with the closure inserted;

[0034] Fig. 4a Detail C from Fig. 4; and

[0035] Fig. 5 shows a method according to the invention using an inventive

[0036] Device.

[0037] DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0038] Before a detailed description of the embodiment with reference to Fig. 1, general explanations of the embodiments follow.

[0039] The inventive embodiment of the device according to claim 1 is characterized, among other things, in that the outer ring arrangement has on its inner side a lower and an upper, radially inwardly adjustable sealing ring, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction along the pipe axis. In conjunction with the claimed embodiment of the guide arrangement with its guide socket having an outer sealing surface, which in a working position is arranged radially inside the sealing rings, it is ensured that the liner can be reliably sealed at all times during the filling process itself and also when changing the liner. The combination of the guide socket on the guide ring arrangement and the docking socket on the receiving arrangement enables particularly simple guidance of the liner hose by means of the sealing rings and the respective outer sealing surfaces of the guide socket orof the docking nozzle and thus ensures a reliable sealing function.

[0040] According to the device according to claim 2, a first end profile is arranged at the lower end of the guide nozzle, which is designed to be complementary to a second end profile at the upper end of the docking nozzle.

[0041] The first and second stylus profiles form a guide labyrinth that ensures that the liner film guided between the sealing rings and in particular the outer sealing surface of the guide socket can be sealed reliably and largely without wrinkles.

[0042] The embodiment according to claim 3 thus ensures that a double seal of the liner on the outer sealing surface of the adjusting ring arrangement can be guaranteed when the latter is in its working position.

[0043] The design according to claim 4 serves to ensure that a liner end to be removed can be sealed by the lower sealing ring on the outer sealing surface of the docking nozzle, while simultaneously a new liner end can be sealed at the lower end area of ​​the outer sealing surface of the adjusting ring assembly with the upper sealing ring. This reliably seals the space for removing the used liner piece.

[0044] The design of the first and second end profiles according to claim 5 allows a transition of the adjusting ring arrangement from an intermediate position into the working position, in which a new liner can be guided completely into the sealing surface areas of the outer ring arrangement and the liner is clamped without damage by the guide labyrinth formed by the two intermeshing end profiles.

[0045] According to the embodiment according to claim 6, the sealing rings are designed as inflatable hose seals that can be actuated with compressed air. This allows for simple pneumatic actuation, which can be used safely even with potentially flammable or explosive products.

[0046] According to the embodiment according to claim 7, the outer ring assembly and the receiving assembly are coupled to each other via a flange on the product guide tube by means of a screw connection that extends through the flange and the receiving assembly and engages the outer ring assembly. This allows a functional unit to be easily manufactured that reliably secures the components to each other. The sealing grooves in a flange ring of the receiving assembly allow chambered O-ring seals to be manufactured with minimal machining effort and to function reliably.

[0047] Actuating the guide ring assembly via a linear drive allows for simple, reliable, precise, and automated actuation of the guide assembly, which can be adjusted axially along the pipe axis between a change position, an intermediate position, and a working position. If necessary, additional intermediate positions can be provided and / or the adjustment speeds can be adjusted. For example, the adjustment of the guide ring assembly from the change position to the intermediate position can be performed at a relatively high speed, while the adjustment from the intermediate position to the working position can be performed at a reduced speed to protect the liner material.

[0048] According to claim 9, an access nozzle is provided, which comprises a support tube whose inner end opens into the product guide tube and whose outer end can be closed with a closure. The closure piston fills the support tube and acts against the inside of the support tube via a radially adjustable sealing ring at its inner end. This ensures a tight and reliable encapsulation of the product guide tube during filling operations.

[0049] The air duct for actuating this sealing ring, which is designed as an inflatable inflation tube, is easy to manufacture and install.

[0050] The design of the receiving area for the sealing ring and the design as an annular groove with a detachably connected flange ring is particularly easy to install and maintain.

[0051] The removable hose cassette according to claim 12 allows a modular exchange and a reliable closure of the access to the extraction hose stored in the hose cassette.

[0052] There are versions in which a different system for the liner connection is implemented in conjunction with the access nozzle described above.

[0053] The method steps according to claims 13 and 14 allow a particularly simple and stringent operating sequence of the device according to the invention and ensure the low-contamination change of the liner and operation of the device.

[0054] Returning to Fig. 1, this illustrates an embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention with a product guide pipe 1 running vertically from top to bottom with an upper liner connection end 2 and a lower connection end 3 as well as a closable access nozzle 4 branching off from the product guide pipe 1.

[0055] The liner connection end 2 is shown in detail in Figures 2a, 2b, and 3a. It comprises an outer ring arrangement 5 and a guide ring arrangement 7 adjustable along the pipe axis 6. The guide ring arrangement 7 is adjusted via a linear drive 8, which is attached to the product guide pipe 1. The outer ring arrangement 5 comprises a connection flange 9 welded to the product guide pipe 1, a nozzle ring 10 designed as an annular receiving arrangement with a flange region 11 and a docking nozzle 12. The outer ring arrangement 5 further comprises a seal carrier ring 13, which has two recesses on its inner side for an upper and lower sealing ring 14, 15, which are designed as radially inward-acting inflatable hose seals. The flange region 11, the nozzle ring 10, and the seal carrier ring 13 can be firmly coupled to one another via a screw connection 16.Fastening screws 17 pass through the connecting flange 9 and the flange area 11 and are screwed into the seal carrier ring 13.

[0056] In the upper and lower flange sides of the nozzle ring 10, annular sealing grooves 18 are provided for receiving an O-ring 19, so that the nozzle ring 10 is sealed against the connecting flange 9 and the seal carrier ring 13.

[0057] The docking nozzle 12 comprises a conical outer sealing surface 20, which is arranged radially inside the lower sealing ring 14 and against which the activated—pressurized—sealing ring 14 rests, sealing the liner material located there. The conical outer sealing surface 20 transitions via a rounded end edge 21 into a likewise conical inner surface 22. The conical outer sealing surface 20, the end edge 21, and the inner surface 22 form a second end profile 12a on the docking nozzle 12.

[0058] The guide ring arrangement 7 comprises a support ring 23, which is coupled to the linear drive 8 via a tab 24. The support ring 23 is firmly connected to an annular guide socket 26 via a screw connection 25 passing through the support ring 23.

[0059] The guide sleeve 26 comprises a cylindrical outer sealing surface 27, which, in a working position of the guide ring arrangement, extends radially inside the lower and upper sealing rings 14 and 15 (see Fig. 2b). A first end profile 26a is formed on the guide sleeve 26, which is formed by the outer sealing surface 27, which transitions via a tapered end edge 28 into a conical inner surface 29 and a groove base 30 into a conical outer surface.

[0060] In the working position of the guide ring arrangement, the front edge 21 of the docking nozzle 12 (second end profile) lies in the groove bottom 30 of the guide nozzle 26 (first end profile).

[0061] Fig. 2a shows the guide ring arrangement in an intermediate position, in which the outer sealing surface 7 with its lower region is arranged only in the area of ​​the upper sealing ring 15, and Fig. 2b shows the guide ring arrangement 7 in its working position, in which the outer sealing surface 27 is arranged in the area of ​​both sealing rings 14 and 15. Fig. 3 shows the guide ring arrangement 7 in a change position, in which the guide ring arrangement 7 is arranged completely outside the outer ring arrangement 5. In this position, the linear drive is fully extended.

[0062] The structure of the access nozzle 4 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and particularly in Figures 4 and 4a, is as follows. The access nozzle 4 comprises a support tube 32, which is welded into the product guide tube 1 as a radially inclined upward nozzle.

[0063] A closure piston 33 serves to close the access port 4. Its inner end includes a radially outwardly adjustable sealing ring 34, which is also designed as an inflatable hose seal. The sealing ring 34 sits on a tapered end 35 of the closure piston 33 and is axially secured there by a flange ring 37 screwed to the base 36.

[0064] When the sealing ring 34 is actuated, its outer sealing surface rests against the inner wall of the support tube 32, sealing the support tube from the outside. The sealing ring is actuated via an air connection running in the axial direction of the closure piston 33, which is coupled via a connecting piece 38 secured in the sealing ring and a line 39 to a connection end 40 arranged in a cover 41 that closes the closure piston 33 at the outer end. The line 39 thus runs through the cavity of the closure piston 33 from the sealing ring 34 to the outside through the cover 41.

[0065] A jacket-shaped hose cassette 42 is arranged on the outside of the support tube, in which a compressed (gathered) film tube is arranged, which can be guided from the outside to the inside into the support tube 32. The hose cassette is removably coupled to the support tube 32 via clamp fasteners 43.

[0066] The function and handling of the device 100 is described below.

[0067] In the initial position, the guide ring arrangement 7 is initially in its working position (see Fig. 2b). An existing liner 50 runs between the first and second end profiles 12a, 26a on the guide socket 26 and the docking socket 12 (see Fig. 2b). It runs around the end edge 28 along the outer sealing surface 27 and outward between the carrier ring 23 and the seal carrier ring 13. The liner 50 is sealed by the two sealing rings 14 and 15 on the outer surface 27 of the guide socket 26. Both sealing rings 14 and 15 are activated, i.e., inflated.

[0068] The liner piece protruding from the top of the liner connection end 2 is tightly sealed with a splittable closure (not shown). The closure is severed, and the closed, docked liner end 50 closes the product guide tube 1 at the liner connection end 2.

[0069] The upper sealing ring 15 is deactivated, and the guide ring assembly 7 is moved into the change position shown in Fig. 3. The outer sealing surface 27 moves axially out of engagement with the lower sealing ring 14, which, however, continues to seal the liner material of the liner 50 (closed end) against the conical outer sealing surface 20 on the docking nozzle (12) (see Fig. 3a).

[0070] The guide ring assembly 7 is in the replacement position. A new liner 50' is inserted from above through the opening of the guide ring assembly 7 and pre-fixed to the guide ring assembly 7 from the inside out, thereby encompassing in particular the guide socket 26, the outer sealing surface 27, and the carrier ring 23. Alternatively, it can also be guided over the conical outer surface 51 of the seal carrier ring 13.

[0071] The guide ring assembly 7 is moved axially into its intermediate position (see Fig. 2a). The outer sealing surface 27 thereby moves into the area of ​​the upper sealing ring 15 and temporarily seals the new liner 50'.

[0072] To remove the closed liner end, it is sucked inwards into the product guide tube 1 so that the closed end runs in the area of ​​the access nozzle 4.

[0073] The closure piston 33 is removed and placed over a closed end of the

[0074] The liner can be grasped through the support tube 32 by means of the extraction hose 52, which is guided from the hose cassette 42 into the interior of the support tube 32. The lower sealing ring 14 is deactivated, and the liner end 50 can be pulled completely into the end of the extraction hose 52. It is removed from the access nozzle without external contact and hermetically sealed with a hose closure.

[0075] The closure of the withdrawal tube 52 is also split, and the closed end, without the separated bag and liner end, is pushed back into the access port 4. The closure piston 33 is inserted, and the sealing ring 34 is activated, so that the withdrawal connection or the access port 4 is tightly closed again.

[0076] The guide ring arrangement 7 is now brought into its working position (see Fig. 2b) and the lower sealing ring 14 is activated, so that the new liner 50' is now sealed by both sealing rings 14 and 15 on the outer sealing surface 27 of the guide socket 26.

[0077] The tightness of the system can now be determined using an air connection (not shown) and a suitable pressure sensor. The newly inserted 50' liner is opened, and another emptying, filling, or

[0078] The transfer process can be carried out via the liner through the product guide tube 1 which is sealed to the outside.

[0079] In summary, the procedure described in detail above comprises the following steps:

[0080] (1) Fixing the liner 50 to the conical outer sealing surface of the docking nozzle 12 by means of the lower sealing ring 14;

[0081] (2) closing and separating the liner end 50;

[0082] (3) Pulling the liner 50 into the product guide tube 1;

[0083] (4) Pre-fixing a new liner 50' to the guide ring assembly 7;

[0084] (5) Moving the guide ring arrangement 7 from a change position to an intermediate position;

[0085] (6) Release of the closed liner end 50;

[0086] (7) Removal of the liner end 50 through the access port;

[0087] (8) Adjusting the guide ring arrangement 7 into the working position and sealing the new liner 50' on the outer sealing surface 27 of the guide socket 26 by means of the sealing rings 14 and 15;

[0088] (9) Starting the emptying or filling process;

[0089] (10) Ending the filling process

[0090] (11) Closing and separating the liner end (50()

[0091] (12) Moving the empty guide ring arrangement (7) into the change position.

[0092] Optionally, step (8) may include a leak test of the system.

[0093] Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art within the scope of the claims.

[0094] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0095] 100 device

[0096] 1 product guide tube

[0097] 2 liner connection end

[0098] 3 lower connection end

[0099] 4 access nozzles

[0100] 5 Outer ring arrangement

[0101] 6 Pipe axis

[0102] 7 Guide ring arrangement

[0103] 8 Linear drive

[0104] 9 Connection flange

[0105] 10 nozzle ring

[0106] 11 Flange area

[0107] 12 docking ports

[0108] 12a second front profile

[0109] 13 Seal carrier ring

[0110] 14 lower sealing ring

[0111] 15 upper sealing ring

[0112] 16 screw connection

[0113] 17 Screw

[0114] 18 Sealing groove

[0115] 19 O-ring

[0116] 20 conical outer sealing surface

[0117] 21 Front edge

[0118] 22 inner surface

[0119] 23 Carrier ring

[0120] 24 tab

[0121] 25 screw connection

[0122] 26 guide nozzles

[0123] 26a first frontal profile

[0124] 27 External sealing surface

[0125] 28 front edge

[0126] 29 conical inner surface

[0127] 30 groove base

[0128] 31 conical outer surface

[0129] 32 support tube

[0130] 33 locking pistons

[0131] 34 Sealing ring

[0132] 35 tapered end

[0133] 36 Floor

[0134] 37 Flange ring

[0135] 38 connecting piece

[0136] 39 Line

[0137] 40 connection end

[0138] 41 lids

[0139] 42 hose cassette

[0140] 43 tension lock

[0141] 50, 50' liner

[0142] 51 conical outer surface

[0143] 52 sampling hose

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A device (100) for emptying a container with a liner (50), comprising: a product guide tube (1) with an upper liner connection end (2), a lower connection end (3), and a closable access nozzle (4) branching off from the product guide tube (1), wherein the liner connection end (2) comprises a sealing ring arrangement (5, 7, 8) for sealingly fixing the liner (50), which has an outer ring arrangement (5) firmly connected to the product guide tube (1) and a guide ring arrangement (6) formed coaxially to the outer ring arrangement (5) and axially adjustable along a tube axis (6), wherein the outer ring arrangement (5) has on its inner side a lower and an upper radially inwardly adjustable sealing ring (14, 15), which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction along the tube axis (6),the guide ring arrangement (7) comprises a guide socket (26) with an outer sealing surface (27) which, in a working position of the guide ring arrangement (7), is arranged radially inside the sealing rings (14, 15), against which the sealing rings (14, 15) can be placed in their sealing position to seal and fix the liner (50), and an annular receiving arrangement (10) is arranged between the product guide tube (1) and the outer ring arrangement (5), which has a docking socket (12) with an outer sealing surface (20) which is arranged and designed radially inside the lower sealing ring (14) such that the lower sealing ring (14) can be placed against the outer sealing surface (20) in its sealing position to seal the liner (50) when the guide ring arrangement (7) is not in the working position.

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the guide socket (26) has at its lower end a first end profile (26a) which is complementary to a second end profile (12a) at the upper end of the docking socket (12).

3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein in the working position of the guide ring arrangement (7) its outer sealing surface (27) is arranged radially inward and opposite the sealing rings (14, 15), the first and second end profiles (26a, 12a) engage with one another and a lower end region of the outer sealing surface (27) of the guide ring arrangement (7) covers the outer sealing surface (20) of the docking nozzle (12).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in an intermediate position of the guide ring arrangement (7) a lower end region of the outer sealing surface (27) is arranged radially inward and opposite the upper sealing ring (15) and the outer sealing surface (20) of the docking nozzle (12) is free, so that the upper sealing ring (15) can be placed on the lower end region of the outer sealing surface (27) of the guide ring arrangement (7) and the lower sealing ring (14) can be placed on the outer sealing surface (20) of the docking nozzle (12).

5. Device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer sealing surface (20) of the docking nozzle (12) is conical and merges via a rounded end edge (21) into a conical inner surface (22) and thus forms the second end profile (12a), and the outer sealing surface (27) of the guide ring arrangement (7) is cylindrical and merges via a rounded end edge (28) into a conical inner surface (29), which merges via a rounded groove base (30) into a conical outer surface (31) and thus forms the first end profile (26a), and the first and second end profiles (26a, 12a) are designed and arranged such that they engage with one another in the working position of the guide ring arrangement (7).

6. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing rings (14, 15) are designed as inflatable hose seals actuated by compressed air.

7. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer ring arrangement (5) and the receiving arrangement (10) are coupled to one another via a connecting flange (9) on the product guide tube (1) by means of a screw connection (16) passing through the connecting flange (9) and the receiving arrangement (10) and engaging in the outer ring arrangement (5), wherein an annular sealing groove (18) is formed on the receiving arrangement (10) on the flange side and on the outer ring side.

8. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide ring arrangement (7) is axially adjustable by means of a linear drive (8), in particular between a change position, an intermediate position and a working position.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the access nozzle (4) comprises a support tube (32) which opens with its inner end into the product guide tube (1), and the outer end can be closed with a closure which has a closure piston (33) filling the support tube (32) and which has at its inner end (35) a radially adjustable Sealing ring (34) which, in its sealing position, acts against the inside of the support tube (32).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the sealing ring (34) is designed as an inflatable inflation tube which can be actuated via an air connection running in the axial direction of the closure piston (33) and which is connected via an access (38) running inside the closure piston to an air connection (40) arranged at the outer end of the closure piston (33).

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the sealing ring (34) is arranged in an annular groove at the inner end of the closure piston, which is formed by a tapered end (35) of the closure piston (33) and a flange ring (37) detachably connected to the bottom (36) of the closure piston (33).

12. Device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the access nozzle (4) is surrounded by a jacket-shaped, removable hose cassette (42) surrounding it, the outer end of which can be closed with a cover element (41) of the closure.

13. A method for emptying a container with a liner using a device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: (1) Fixing the liner (50) to the conical outer sealing surface of the docking nozzle (12) by means of the lower sealing ring (14); (2) closing and separating the liner end (50); (3) Pulling the liner (50) into the product guide tube (1); (4) Pre-fixing a new liner (50)) to the guide ring arrangement (7); (5) moving the guide ring arrangement (7) from a change position to an intermediate position; (6) Release of the closed liner end (50); (7) Removal of the liner end (50) through the access nozzle (4); (8) Adjusting the guide ring arrangement (7) into the working position and sealing the new liner (50)) on the outer sealing surface (27) of the guide socket (26) by means of the sealing rings (14) and (15); (9) Starting the emptying or filling process; (10) Ending the filling process (11) Closing and separating the liner end (50)) (12) Moving the empty guide ring arrangement (7) into the change position.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Perform a leak test of the system after adjusting the guide ring arrangement (7) into the working position and sealing the new liner (SO 1 ) on the outer sealing surface (27) of the guide socket (26) by means of the sealing rings (14) and (15).

15. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 12 for carrying out the method according to one of claims 13 or 14.

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