EP2419342B1 - Method for the environmentally sealed connection of two at least partially flexible packages - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for the environmentally sealed connection of a first at least partially flexible container with a second at least partially flexible container according to the preamble of claim 1, known from WO 2008/078221 ,

In the further processing of raw materials, which would represent a significant health risk for the people working with these substances in direct contact, is in many industries, such as the pharmaceutical or chemical industry, pay attention to increased cleanliness and a completely contamination-free work.

A risk of contamination of the working environment of humans and / or in general the environment and / or the corresponding burden on the people themselves is particularly given when the raw materials are present as a powdery or granular material. Such raw materials must be handled in appropriate containers. Containers of flexible containers or containers of sturdy racks containing flexible containers are used. Foil tube sections made of endless packages, so-called endless liners, which are separated in sections depending on the portioning of the raw materials, are preferably used as flexible containers. As individually filled containers, they are available to customers who continue to use them without contamination.

The customer connects such containers with each other, to raw materials contained therein continuously a method available to deliver. This "connecting together" is a so-called docking. The connection must be made in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid contamination of the environment.

In known devices, docking is still uncomfortable to handle against the background of the problem of contamination. Known devices for filling or emptying of such containers are in DE 10 2006 057 760 B3 or EP 1 702 866 A1 described.

In addition, so-called peelable films have long been known, which are firmly welded on one side and less firmly welded on an inside. A weld of such peelable insides can be released by pulling perpendicular to the plane of the film without damaging the walls of the film itself. Consequently, the walls in the area of the dissolved weld remain environmentally sealed.

For example, it is known from chip bags for potato chips that an opening is possible in that a weld at one end of the chip bag can be solved by lateral pulling and so the chip bag is opened clean up.

The object of the invention is consequently to provide a cost-effective, easy-to-use and absolutely clean, in particular contamination-free, method for the environmentally sealed connection of two flexible containers.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a method having the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention enables an environmentally sealed connection, hereinafter called contamination-free docking, a first at least partially flexible container with a second at least partially flexible container. Between containers docked in such a manner without contamination, flow through a raw material in a flow direction is made possible by a method according to the invention.

At the beginning of the process, the containers consist at least in a docking area of foils with firmly welded outer sides and inner sides which are detachably weldable with an inner seam. These are preferably containers from the above-mentioned internally peelable films. At least one of the containers is usually filled with the raw material at the beginning of the procedure. Regardless of the type of filling at least one end is welded detachable inside each container.

The containers to be joined together are arranged to reach a starting position opposite each other with a receiving end of the second container and a penetrating end of the first container in a docking area.

According to the invention, two alternative method steps are provided, which are carried out starting from this starting position up to a first welding in order to arrive at a comparable result of interconnected containers.

According to a first of the alternative method steps, the receiving end is inverted, so that a receiving area arises. This is followed by insertion of the penetrating end into the receiving area. The ends are or are thus interlocked. The inside turned outsides of the receiving end overlap in a welding area located within the receiving area, the outsides of the penetrating end. In this position, the ends are prepared for welding.

According to a second of the alternative method steps, either a band circulating around the ends or two bands not connected to one another are arranged in parallel direction to the course of the ends over their entire width or beyond on both sides of the container. The at least one band thus covers the area between the ends of the containers on both sides and protrudes in the direction of flow beyond end sections of the ends, so that complete overlapping of the band with both ends is ensured.

The bands or the circulating band consist at least partially of films with firmly welded inner sides. Such bands may in particular consist of the aforementioned one-sided peelable films, with a peelable outer side initially remaining unused.

The ends thus protrude between the bands, which can be carried out particularly advantageously as a continuous band, and are accommodated in this way in a receiving area between the bands. The bands or the circumferential band overlap in a welding region which lies within the receiving region, the outer sides of both ends penetrating between the bands. In this position, the ends are prepared for welding to the bands or circulating band in the weld area.

Overlapping of the ends by the invagination of the receiving end according to the first of the alternative method steps thus corresponds analogously in the second of the alternative method steps, an overlap of the at least one band with the ends.

After welding, regardless of whether the first or the second alternative method step has been selected, the containers are connected to each other, but still closed to each other. A flow from one container into the other container is not yet possible. The inner sides of the penetrating end and the inner sides of the receiving end are each detachably welded together. These releasable connections are the only obstacle to flow after welding.

After welding, a lateral pulling takes place at the ends. The detachably welded inner sides of the ends are preferably peelable. Accordingly, the lateral pulling leads to opening the container to each other. The tight welds on the outsides of the ends remain and the walls of the bundles are not damaged. The containers are thus outside the dissolved inner seams after the lateral pulling hose-like and environmentally sealed together, so that the outward environmentally-friendly flow is possible.

The inventive method allows a hose-like connection with very simple means, namely only a device for welding, in particular heat sealing. The hose-like connection between the containers docked in this way is made contamination-free or environmentally sealed. The enclosed inside the container Raw material at no point in the process has the opportunity to contaminate a surrounding work environment. In this case, properties of the peelable films are optimally utilized. It is particularly cleverly solved according to the first of the alternative method steps that the different properties of the inner and outer sides of the films are used by the respective sides of the two containers are selectively placed on each other and welded in a single step at a suitable location.

The method can advantageously be extended after the lateral drawing by a first additional welding and a first separation on a first side of the receiving region, in particular by a separating weld. The first container is present after the first separation at a first separation point as at the beginning of the process separately with an end closed on the inner sides. In the same process step, the receiving area is closed on a first side. Again, two inner sides of the film are detachably welded together.

Advantageously, the first container after the first separation again in a state in which it can be docked by the method according to the invention to a third container. The initial situation is therefore restored to the first container. It is also particularly advantageous that no contamination could take place, since the first separation in the welded area of the first additional welding takes place in such a way that the detachably welded inner sides remain sealed together on both sides of a first parting line, as long as no lateral tension acts on the inner sides. Here it is assumed that the ideal situation is that the weld seams can be made sufficiently wide. As a general rule a separation between two welds produced can be provided, but this carries the risk of minor contamination.

According to a further variant of the method takes place, in particular in addition to the first additional welding and first separation, on a second side of the receiving area at a second separation point, a second additional welding and a second separation, in particular by a Trennschweißung. Thus, the second container is again closed clean.

The receiving area is present after the first and second additional welding and the first and second separation separately and closed, so that no contamination could take place here. Such a closed receiving area can be disposed of separately.

The first and second separation is to be understood as at least partial, in particular also sectional, over the entire Ouerschnitt performed at the separation points separation. It is particularly advantageous to provide the separation points as perforated lines. The user can thus flexibly decide whether and when the containers are completely separated from each other, in particular when the closed receiving area is completely separated from one of the containers.

An inventive method is advantageously carried out with a corresponding device, in particular a device for heat sealing and / or a device for particular perforating separation or a combination of such devices.

Figur 1

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen einer Anordnung zweier Enden (a) von flexiblen Gebinden in einem Andockbereich, die eine Ausgangsposition für drei Ausführungsbeispiele erfindungsgemäßer Verfahren ist,

Figur 2

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden aus Figur 1, wobei eines der Enden gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens eingestülpt (b.1.1) ist, sodass ein Aufnahmebereich entstanden ist,

Figur 3

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden aus Figur 2, wobei zur Vorbereiten eines Verschweißens ein Ende in den Aufnahmebereich eingeführt (b.1.2) ist,

Figur 4

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden aus Figur 3 nach einem Verschweißen (c) der Enden,

Figur 5

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der durch das Verschweißen (c) verbundenen Enden aus Figur 4 nach einem darauf folgenden seitlichen Ziehen (d) an den Enden in einer Umfüllsituation,

Figur 6

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen zweier ausgehend von Figur 5 durch ein erneutes Verschweißen (e, g) geschlossener und getrennt vorliegender Gebinde und eines dazwischen abgeschlossen und getrennt vorliegenden Aufnahmebereichs,

Figur 7

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden aus Figur 1, wobei gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zwei Bänder zum Überbrücken einer Lücke zwischen den Gebinden beidseits der Enden angeordnet (b.2) sind, so dass zwischen den Bändern ein Aufnahmebereich entstanden ist,

Figur 8

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden aus Figur 1, wobei im Unterschied zur Figur 7 gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ein umlaufendes Band in dem Andockbereich angeordnet (b.2) ist und das umlaufende Band die Lücke zwischen den Gebinden überbrückt und die Enden mindestens teilweise umschließt,

Figur 9

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der Enden und der Bänder aus Figur 7 nach einem Verschweißen (c) der Enden mit den Bändern,

Figur 10

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen der durch das Verschweißen verbundenen Enden aus Figur 9 nach einem darauffolgenden seitlichen Ziehen (d) an den Enden in einer Umfüllsituation, und

Figur 11

schematisch vereinfachte Darstellungen - vergleichbar den Darstellungen in Figur 6 - zweier, ausgehend von Figur 10, durch ein erneutes Verschweißen (e, g) verschlossener und getrennt vorliegender Gebinde und eines dazwischen abgeschlossenen und getrennt vorliegenden Aufnahmebereichs.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. In each case in a sectional view and in a side view (with a to i are process steps according to the patent claims designated):

FIG. 1

schematically simplified representations of an arrangement of two ends (a) of flexible containers in a docking area, which is a starting position for three embodiments of inventive method,

FIG. 2

schematically simplified representations of the ends FIG. 1 wherein one of the ends according to a first embodiment of a method according to the invention is recessed (b.1.1), so that a receiving area has arisen,

FIG. 3

schematically simplified representations of the ends FIG. 2 wherein, to prepare for welding, one end is inserted into the receiving area (b.1.2),

FIG. 4

schematically simplified representations of the ends FIG. 3 after welding (c) the ends,

FIG. 5

schematically simplified representations of the connected by the welding (c) ends FIG. 4 after a subsequent lateral pulling (d) at the ends in a transfer situation,

FIG. 6

schematically simplified representations of two starting from FIG. 5 by a renewed welding (e, g) closed and separately present container and a receiving area completed therebetween and separated,

FIG. 7

schematically simplified representations of the ends FIG. 1 wherein, according to a second embodiment of a method according to the invention, two bands for bridging a gap between the containers are arranged on both sides of the ends (b.2), so that a receiving region has developed between the bands,

FIG. 8

schematically simplified representations of the ends FIG. 1 , unlike the FIG. 7 according to a third embodiment of a method according to the invention, a circulating belt is arranged in the docking area (b.2) and the circulating belt bridges the gap between the containers and at least partially surrounds the ends,

FIG. 9

schematically simplified representations of the ends and the bands FIG. 7 after welding (c) the ends with the bands,

FIG. 10

schematically simplified representations of the connected by welding ends FIG. 9 after a subsequent lateral pulling (d) at the ends in a refilling situation, and

FIG. 11

schematically simplified representations - comparable to the representations in FIG. 6 - two, starting from FIG. 10 , by a re-welding (e, g) closed and separately present container and a between closed and separated present receiving area.

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 are intermediate results after necessary process steps a, b.1.1, b.1.2, c and d of the method according to the invention shown according to a first embodiment, as they correspond to the numbering of FIGS. 1 to 5 follow one another.

In the FIGS. 1 . 7 . 9 and 10 or in the FIGS. 1 and 8th to 10 are intermediate results after necessary process steps a, b.2, c and d of the inventive method according to a second and a third embodiment shown as they follow one another in accordance with the aforementioned numbering of the figures. The FIG. 8 is thus an alternative to FIG. 7 and to consider as a third embodiment.

With each intermediate result, a penetrating end 16 of a first flexible container 10 and / or a receiving end 16 'of a second flexible container 10' are changed until they are finally docked to one another. The containers 10, 10 'each have firmly weldable outer sides 12 and releasably weldable inner sides 14. The different properties having outer and inner sides 12, 14 are stacked in the course of the process selectively in pairs with the same properties and finally heat-sealed.

In the figures, like parts are designated by like reference numerals. For a better overview, not all reference numbers are given in all figures.

The flexible containers 10, 10 'each consist of a special foil on at least one end 16, 16'. The special film is treated on one side so that the two sides of the film have different adhesion after heat welding. It should be generated during docking a predetermined breaking, which firmly welded only the outer sides 12 of the films, while the inner sides 16 are detachably welded. Such films are also called peelable films.

According to FIG. 1 lie after a process step a the closed ends 16, 16 'opposite each other. Both the first container 10 and the second container 10 'according to the invention have peelable inner sides 14 and firmly welded outer sides 12.

As in FIG. 2 schematically illustrated, the receiving end 16 'is recessed according to a first of the alternative process steps b.1.1, so that a receiving area F for the penetrating end 16 is formed.

According to FIG. 3 According to the first of the alternative method steps b.1.2, the first container 10 is introduced with its penetrating end 16 into the receiving region F, so that the penetrating end 16 is located in a welding region S in the receiving end 16 '.

The ends 16, 16 'are joined together according to method step c by lateral pressing and heat sealing. It is important to ensure that the heat sealing takes place only in the welding area S and not outside in an area by the two outer sides 12 of the container 10 'lie on one another because of the invagination, without being spaced from the penetrating end 16 of the first container 10 from each other are. Corresponding welds between the inner and outer sides are in the sectional views of FIGS. 4 and 5 indicated by dots. In principle, in the case of compounds according to the invention, welding is carried out without applying additional material, while at the same time the walls of the films are pressed laterally onto one another with their inner or outer sides.

FIG. 4 shows the after the welding c interconnected container 10 ', 10th

There is a lateral pulling on the ends 16, 16 'according to a method step d. This breaks the breaking point. Accordingly, the welded connection between the inner sides 14 of the first container 10 and between the inner sides of the second container 10 'is released, so that a passage is created between the two containers 10, 10'. At the same time the firm connection of the outer sides 12 of the container 10, 10 'remains. The result is in FIG. 5 shown schematically.

A second of the alternative method steps b.2 begins according to a second embodiment of a method according to the invention according to an arrangement a of the closed containers 16, 16 'according to FIG FIG. 1 as an alternative to method step b.1.1, b.1.2 with an arrangement b.2 of two bands 32, 34 parallel to the ends 16, 16 '. According to FIG. 7 These are two mutually parallel bands 32, 34, which receive the ends 16, 16 'between them. The bands 32, 34 have the ends 16, 16 'facing a firmly weldable surface.

In FIG. 8 is in accordance with a third embodiment of a method according to the invention in step b.2 a continuous belt 36 is disposed around the ends 16, 16 '. The band 36 may be formed by forming the bands 32, 34 FIG. 7 are connected together at both ends. Alternatively, the circulating belt 36 can also be made as a section of an endless hose, the inside of which is firmly welded to the ends 16, 16 '.

The bands 32, 34, 36 from the FIGS. 7 or 8 become due to lateral pressing and heat sealing c according to FIG. 9 connected to the ends 16, 16 '. It is important to ensure that the heat sealing takes place in a welding area in which the respective end 16, 16 'of the band 32, 34, 36 is overlapped. Corresponding welds are indicated between the bands 32, 34, 36 and the outer sides 12 and between the inner sides 14 of the ends 16, 16 'in the sectional views of Figures 9 to 11 by dots. In principle, in the case of compounds according to the invention, welding is carried out without applying additional material, while at the same time the walls of the films or strips are pressed laterally onto one another with their inner and outer sides.

FIG. 10 shows the after the first welding c interconnected container 10 ', 10. There is a lateral pulling at the ends 16, 16' according to the method step d, thereby breaking the predetermined breaking points between the inner sides 14 of the first container 10 and between the inner sides 14 of the second container 10 ', so that the passage for the flow between the two containers 10, 10' is provided. At the same time, the fixed connection of the outer sides 12 of the containers 10, 10 'with the bands 32, 34 or the band 36 remains. The result is in FIG. 10 shown schematically.

The result of a separation f, h, which is advantageous in addition to the method according to the invention, of a closed receiving region F is in FIG FIG. 6 for the first embodiment and in FIG. 11 for the second embodiment and the third embodiment shown schematically.

According to the requirements of the user can advantageously according to a method step e and / or below the receiving area F according to a method step g after a transfer operation analogous to the method steps c are heat-sealed according to the process steps c. At the same time, a separation point 20, 20 ', in particular a perforation i, can be provided within the respective weld seam, so that in each case adjacent to the corresponding separation point 20, 20' again the inner sides 14 are welded to one another. Thus, detachable welds are again produced at ends 16 ", 16 '" of reclosed containers 10, 10'. Likewise, receiving area F with its inner sides 14 is closed at receiving area ends 22, 22 'and thus disposed of without danger of contamination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 first container 10 ' second container 12 outside 14 inside 16 penetrating end 16 ' receiving end 16 '' The End 16 '' ' The End 20 first separation point 20 ' second separation point 22 Reception area end 22 ' Reception area end 32 tape 34 tape 36 circulating band A docking S welding area F, F ' reception area a Arranging the ends b.1.1 invagination b.1.2 Introduce b.2 Arranging a ribbon c weld together d lateral pulling e first additional welding f first disconnect G second additional welding H second separation i Perforate

Claims (6)

1. Method for the environmentally sealed connection of a first at least partially flexible package (10) to a second at least partially flexible package (10'), the packages (10, 10') consisting at least partially of films which have fixedly sealable outer sides (12) and inner sides (14) which can be sealed releasably by an inner seam,
   at least having the method steps

   a. arranging apposite one another a receiving end (16') of the second package (10') and a penetrating end (16) of the first package (10) in a docking region (A),

   b. introducing the penetrating end into the receiving end,

   c. sealing the ends (16, 16') in a sealing region (S) within the receiving region (F, F') and

   d. pulling the ends (16, 16') sideways to release the inner seam,

   characterised in that
   either

   b.1.1 before the introduction, the receiving end (16') is pushed in, thereby producing a receiving region (F),
   and

   b.1.2 the penetrating end (16) is introduced into the receiving region (F),

   or

   b.2 arranged on the apposite arrangement a. of the ends (16, 16') is at least one strip (32, 34, 36) in a parallel direction to the ends (16, 16'), thereby producing a receiving region (F') and the ends (16, 16') are at least partially surrounded by the strip (32, 34, 36).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the pulling procedure (d) is followed by at least further steps of the method:

   e. first additional sealing and

   f. first separation,

   both procedures taking place on a first side of the receiving region (F), in particular by a first synchronous separating sealing procedure.
3. Method according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the pulling procedure (d) is followed by at least further steps of the method:

   g. second additional sealing and

   h. second separation,

   both procedures taking place on a second side of the receiving region (F), in particular by a second synchronous separating sealing procedure.
4. Method according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that a further method step follows during or after the first and/or second additional sealing procedure (e, g):

   i. perforation, so that the separating procedure (f, h) takes place in a region of a perforated line.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sealing procedure (c, e, g) is configured as heat sealing.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one of the packages (10, 10') consists at least partially of a closed portion of a tubular continuous package, in particular of a continuous liner.

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