Container Isolator Sealing for Contamination-Free Undocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices for containers with powder/granular products are complex, time-consuming, and require significant effort for handling and disposal, with a high risk of user exposure due to direct contact with the product during undocking.

Innovation Solution

An isolator with a connecting device that includes a sealing device with an adjustable sealing element, generating a directed air flow to prevent product release during undocking, and an inflatable seal that detaches from the container to form a controlled gap, allowing automated and contamination-free undocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foil tube is used to connect the container to the isolator, then the product can be transferred without direct user contact, but the handling becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidhandling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the foil tube from the system entirely. Instead of using a foil tube that requires manual tying and cutting, the container opening is directly connected to the isolator through a sealing device with an adjustable sealing element that creates a direct seal between the container and isolator, eliminating the intermediate foil tube component and all associated manual handling steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical operations of tying and cutting the foil tube are replaced by an automated adjustable sealing element that can be positioned to create or release the seal. The sealing element's adjustable position allows automated control of the connection state without requiring user manual manipulation of foil materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the sealing element is released to allow container removal, then undocking is enabled, but product may escape to the outside environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveundocking capabilityVSAvoidproduct exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by creating a directed air flow from the isolator toward the container opening before and during the undocking process. This air flow acts in advance to prevent product escape, counteracting the potential harmful effect of product exposure that would occur when the sealing element is released for container removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The directed air flow serves as an intermediary protective mechanism between the product and the outside environment during undocking. The air flow mediates the transition state when the sealing element is released, maintaining product containment through the controlled air current even though the physical seal is temporarily open

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sealing element is pressed directly against the container wall, then a sealed state is achieved, but the structure requires high precision for proper sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the sealing element adjustable in position rather than fixed. The sealing element can be moved along the container opening to achieve optimal sealing contact, allowing adaptation to slight variations in container positioning and reducing the need for extremely high manufacturing precision. The adjustable mechanism enables dynamic optimization of the sealing interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and contamination-free undocking of containers by minimizing product exposure to the user and environment, reducing handling complexity and costs, and eliminating the need for foil tubes.

Implementation Method 1

a lower ambient pressure is generated in the inner space of the base body than in the outside environment... an air flow directed into the inner space of the base body is generated due to the different ambient pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12521898B2Isolator

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 HECHT TECHNOLOGIE GMBH

AI summary

An isolator for emptying a container includes a connecting device for connecting the container containing a powder/granular product to the isolator; and a base body defining a connecting opening via which an opening of the container can be introduced at least in sections into an inner space of the base body from an outside environment. A connecting device includes a sealing device arranged at the connecting opening and has an adjustable sealing element. The adjustable sealing element is pressed against an outer wall of the container to produce a sealed state and is released from the outer wall of the container to produce an at least partially open state. A gap is formed between the sealing element and the outer wall of the container that an air flow directed into the inner space of the base body is generated due to the different ambient pressure.