A Docking Arrangement for an Additive Manufacturing Process An operating handle (50) for controlling the operational state of a valve arrangement (26) associated with a container (12) to control dispensing of material from the container (12) to a component of an additive manufacturing process. The operating handle (50) includes a rotatable shaft 56 which is coupled to the valve arrangement (26) and is rotatable between a plurality of angular positions corresponding one or more operational states of the valve arrangement (26). A lever (52) is operatively coupled to the shaft (56) and is configured to cause rotation of the shaft (56) between the plurality of angular positions upon rotation of the lever (52). The handle (50) is also rotatable under the operation of an actuator (40) provided as part of a docking arrangement (10) associated with the component.

A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a material transfer station provides a base frame equipped with a table member, a container tipper, an operator interface, and a connection to a power source. In operation, a destination container is positioned beneath the table member, and the container tipper holds a supply container. Solid matter may be conveyed from the supply container into the destination container through an opening in the table member. Modules may be attached to provide additional functionality, such as a receiving module, a containment module, a vibratory screener, a flexible film isolator, and a nitrogen purge system.

A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.

The invention relates to a seal assembly comprising: a seal for a bulk material container, having a ring-shaped connecting flange with a through opening and a first moving element; and a seal member for selectively sealing or opening the through opening. A container wall of the bulk material container can be attached to the connecting flange. The seal assembly also comprises a docking device having a housing, a second moving element, and a seal actuating device. In order to increase the tightness of the seal, one of the moving elements comprises a peripheral first stripping element, by means of which impurities are stripped from a surface of the connecting flange, in a closing process for sealing the though opening of the connecting flange.

The present invention proposes a relief module comprising a tubular body (10) for the passage of bulk material, at least a lateral opening (12) in the tubular body (10), a window (20) to cover the respective lateral opening (12), the window (20) operating in a closed position preventing the bulk material from exiting through the lateral opening (12) or in an open position allowing the material to exit through the lateral opening (12), the window (20) having at least one portion made of filtering material allowing the air to pass through and retain solid particles, when the window (20) is in the closed position. The present invention also proposes a bulk material discharge device which receives the bulk material from a feeding system and discharges the bulk material to a destination, the discharge device comprising a relief module configured according to the invention.

A system for preparing a dry process material includes a sealed container that holds and seals the dry process material therein and prevents airborne dust or particles from the dry process material from escaping the sealed container. Sealed processing equipment receives the dry process material from the sealed container and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping the sealed processing equipment. A sealed connection sealingly couples the sealed container to the sealed processing equipment and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping while transferring the dry process material. A sealed transfer conduit is sealingly coupled to and extends from the sealed processing equipment.

The invention relates to a filling and/or emptying apparatus (1) and to methods for filling and/or emptying flexible containers (5), particularly sacks, with in particular hazardous, loose substances, preferably in powder form, comprising a filling and/or emptying neck (2) with an open end portion and at least one deformable disposable fastening ring (9), wherein the disposable fastening ring (9) is designed in relation to the internal diameter of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) such that once a container edge (7) is folded over around the fastening ring, preferably from radially inside to the outside, it is possible to insert, particularly to insert manually, the disposable fastening ring (9) in an end portion of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) so that the disposable fastening ring (9) is arranged substantially concentrically with the filling and/or emptying neck (2), and a radially outer fold-over portion (8) of the container edge (7) is arranged and/or clamped between an inner surface of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) and a radially outer surface. Furthermore, the disposable fastening ring (9) is designed in relation to the internal diameter of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) such that it is possible to press, particularly to press by mechanical means, the disposable fastening ring (9) into a sealing portion (15) of the filling and/or emptying neck (2), which is arranged after the end portion in the axial direction (A) and preferably has a smaller internal diameter than the end portion, wherein the disposable fastening ring (9) undergoes, preferably elastic deformation in the radial direction, so that the insertion and/or pressing into the interior of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) leads to a radial deformation and a counterposed pressure force, preferably an elastic return force, which presses the outer fold-over portion (8) of the container edge (7) against the inner surface of the filling and/or emptying neck (2), thereby sealing the container (5) against the filling and/or emptying neck (2).

A transfer device is designed for contamination-protected transfer of flowable process material between a first container and a second container. The transfer device includes a guide tube having an axial passage for the flow of the process material, which has a connection at one end and terminates with a tube edge at the other end. A transfer unit opens into the guide tube, which allows engagement with the guide tube. A tubular liner supply having a plurality of peelable useful sections, each provided with a first crimp, is stored on the transfer unit. The useful sections can be used to isolate liner remnants from previous transfer operations for disposal. A first tensioner and a second tensioner are arranged circularly on the guide tube and concentrically to each other, which serve for temporary sealed fixing of residual ends and open ends of new liner pieces originating from inner liners from the second containers.

A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.