Docking Seal and Docking Method for the Contamination-Free Connection of a First Flexible Casing With a Second Flexible Casing, First and Second Flexible Casings Connectable Contamination-Free Using Such Docking Seal as Well as Use of Such Docking Seal for the Safe Handling of Toxic Powdery Particulate Substances

Abstract

A docking seal for the contamination-free connection of a first flexible casing or enveloping enclosure with a second flexible casing, comprising a first seal device which is connectable or is connected with the first casing, and a second seal device which is connectable or is connected with the second casing, wherein the first seal device comprises a first docking port, a first end port and a first slider, and the second seal device comprises a second docking port, a second end port and a second slider. The invention, furthermore, relates to a docking method for the contamination-free connection of a first flexible casing with a second flexible casing with such a docking seal.

Claims

1. A docking seal for the contamination-free connecting of a first flexible casing or enveloping enclosure with a second flexible casing, comprising: a first seal device which is connectable or is connected with the first casing, and a second seal device which is connectable or is connected with the second casing, wherein the first seal device comprises a first docking port, a first end port and a first slider, and wherein the second seal device comprises a second docking port, a second end port and a second slider, wherein the first slider and the second slider are slidable between a docking position and a throughflow position, wherein in the docking position the first casing within the first seal device is closed by the latter and the second casing within the second seal device is closed by the latter, wherein in the docking position the first slider is in contact on the first docking port and the second slider is in contact on the second docking port, wherein the first docking port and the second docking port are detachably connectable with one another, wherein the first end port and the second end port are detachably connectable with one another, and wherein when the first docking port and the second docking port are connected with one another, the first slider and the second slider during the sliding in the direction toward the throughflow position, in which the first slider is in contact on the first end port and the second slider is in contact on the second end port, the first casing and the second casing open and establish a throughflow channel, encompassed by the first seal device and the second seal device, for the contamination-free transport of a substance between the first casing and the second casing.

2. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein the first slider and the second slider are detachably connectable with one another.

3. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein the first slider and/or the second slider comprise an actuation section.

4. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein the docking seal comprises at least one slide closure for the connection of the first seal device with the second seal device, which slide closure is closable by sliding the first slider and/or the second slider into the throughflow position.

5. The docking seal as in claim 4, wherein the slide closure comprises sealing ends which are brought into sealing contact with one another if the first slider and/or the second slider is slid into the throughflow position.

6. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the docking ports comprises a docking port suspension element.

7. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the end ports comprises an end port suspension element.

8. The docking seal as in claim 6, wherein each of the docking port suspension element and the end port suspension element encompass an opening whose plane extends substantially parallel to a main transit direction of the substance between the first casing and the second casing.

9. The docking seal as in claim 8, wherein the docking port suspension element and the end port suspension element are introducible into the other.

10. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein at least the first docking port and the second docking port comprise positioning sections, corresponding to one another, for the positioning of the docking ports relative to one another.

11. The docking seal as in claim 1, wherein at least the first docking port and the second docking port comprise hooks and/or friction-closure means for the detachable connection of the docking ports with one another.

12. A docking method for the contamination-free connection of a first flexible casing with a second flexible casing with a docking seal comprising: providing a first seal device with a first docking port, a first end port and a first slider, providing a second seal device with a second docking port, a second end port and a second slider, wherein the first seal device and the second seal device are in a docking position in which the first casing within the first seal device is closed off by the latter, and the second casing within the second seal device is closed off by the latter, and in which the first slider is in contact on the first docking port, and the second slider is in contact on the second docking port, connecting the first docking port with the second docking port, connecting the first end port with the second end port, and sliding the first slider and the second slider in the direction toward a throughflow position in which the first slider is in contact on the first end port, and the second slider is in contact on the second end port, whereby the first casing and the second casing are opened and establish a throughflow channel, encompassed by the first seal device and the second seal device, for the contamination-free transport of a substance between the first casing and the second casing.

13. The docking method as in claim 12, comprising the following step: connecting the first slider with the second slide.

14-15. (canceled)

Description

[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail in the following with reference to the attached drawings. Therein depict:

[0040] FIGS. 1A to 10 fundamental depictions to illustrate a docking method according to the invention,

[0041] FIGS. 2A to 2C different views of a first embodiment of a docking seal according to the invention in which the slide is in a docking position,

[0042] FIGS. 3A1 to 3D2 different views of the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2A to 2C of the docking seal in different positions,

[0043] FIGS. 4A1 to 4C2 different views of a second embodiment of the docking seal in different positions,

[0044] FIG. 5 an enlarged depiction of the first docking port suspension element and of the first end port suspension element,

[0045] FIGS. 6A to 6C different dispositions of the first casing,

[0046] FIGS. 7A and 7B different views of a third embodiment of the docking seal, and

[0047] FIGS. 8A and 8B different views of a fourth embodiment of the docking seal.

[0048] The fundamental FIGS. 1A to 10 serve for the illustration of the docking method according to the invention, utilizing a docking seal 10 according to the invention. In FIG. 1A is connected a first flexible casing 12 with a first seal device 14 of the docking seal 10 and closed thereby [seal device 14]. Furthermore, a second flexible casing 16 is connected with a second seal device 18 of the docking seal 10 and closed thereby [seal device 18]. The first casing 12 as well as also the second casing 16 involve flexible containers which can be implemented as original packagings. In one of the casings 12, 16, in the depicted example in the first casing 12, a not depicted substance, for example a pharmaceutical and/or toxic substance, is contained. One or both casings 12, 16 can, however, also be flexible pipe connections or the like.

[0049] The first seal device 14 comprises a first docking port 20, a first end port 22 and a first slider 24 which can be slid back and forth between the first docking port 20 and the first end port 22. The second seal device 18 correspondingly comprises a second docking port 26, a second end port 28 and a second slider 30. The second slider 30 is also slidable back and forth between the second docking port 26 and the second end port 28. As is evident in the sectional representation along the section plane A-A, the first docking port 20, the first slider 24 and the first end port 22 are of a two-part structure. The first casing 12 is disposed between the two parts of the first docking port 20, of the first slider 24 and of the first docking port 20. However, a unitary physical form is also conceivable. The second docking port 26, the second slider 30 and the second end port 28 can be structured in the same way.

[0050] In FIG. 1A the first slider 24 and the second slider 30 are in a docking position, in which the first slider 24 is in contact on the first docking port 20, and the second slider 30 is in contact on the second docking port 26. In the docking position the first casing 12 is closed within the first seal device 14 by the latter. The same applies to the second casing 16. A substance, stored for example in the first casing 12, can consequently not leave the first casing 12 through the first seal device 14. The same applies also to the second casing 16, wherein, however, as already stated, in the depicted example a substance is only stored in the first casing 12.

[0051] As is discernible in FIG. 1A, the first casing 12 and the second casing 16 are disposed spaced apart. In FIG. 1B the first docking port 20 and the second docking port 26, the first slider 24 and the second slider 30 as well as the first end port 22 and the second end port 28 are in contact on one another. However, the first slider 24 and the second slider 30 are, as before, in the docking position such that the first casing 12 and the second casing 16 continue to be closed. In FIG. 10 the first slider 24 and the second slider 30 have been slid into a throughflow position in which the first slider 24 is in contact on the first end port 22 and the second slider 24 is in contact on the second end port 28. Due to the sliding of the sliders 24, 30 into the throughflow position, the first casing 12 and the second casing 16 are opened such that a throughflow channel 32 is established through which the substance can be transferred contamination-free from the first casing 12 into the second casing 16. The arrow in FIG. 10 indicates the main transit direction D of the substance through the first and the second seal device 14, 18 during the transfer from the first casing 12 into the second casing 16.

[0052] To close the two casings 12, 16 again and to separate them contamination-free from one another, the described steps are executed in reverse sequence and oppositely.

[0053] In FIG. 2A is shown a first embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.1 according to the invention in conjunction with a side view, in FIG. 2B in conjunction with a plan view and in FIG. 2C in conjunction with a front view, in each instance without the casings 12, 16. The first docking port 20 and the second docking port 26 comprise form-closure means 34 with which they can be connected with one another such that they are detachable. The form-closure means 34 are developed as hooks 36 engaging into one another. The first docking port 20 and the second docking port 26, furthermore, comprise positioning sections 38 with which the position of the two docking ports 20, 26 relative to one another can be defined. The first slider 24 and the second slider 30 as well as the first end port 22 and the second end port 28 also comprise such positioning sections 38. As is especially clearly visible in FIG. 2C, some of the positioning sections 38 comprise sleeves 40 into which corresponding projections 42 with a certain oversize can be introduced such that these positioning sections 38 are developed as friction-closure means 44 with which the docking ports 20, 26, the sliders 24, 30 and/or the end ports 22, 28 can be detachably connected with one another.

[0054] As is evident in FIG. 2B, the first seal device 14 and the second seal device 18, in this regard structured identically, comprise each a first zipper 55 or a second zipper 57, respectively (see FIG. 4A2) with which the first casing 12 or the second casing 16 are closed. Instead of the zipper, a zip closure is also conceivable.

[0055] The first slider 24 as well as also the second slider 30 comprise each an actuation section 46 which comprises two handle pieces 48 projecting laterally outwardly, as is especially clearly visible in FIG. 2C.

[0056] The first docking port 20, moreover, comprises a first docking port suspension element 50.sub.1 and the second docking port 26 comprises a second docking port suspension element 50.sub.2. The first end port 22 comprises a first end port suspension element 52.sub.1 and the second end port 28 comprises a second end port suspension element 52.sub.2. With the docking port suspension element 50.sub.1, 50.sub.2 as well as also with the end port suspension element 52.sub.1, 52.sub.2 the docking seal 10.sub.1 can be held and be suspended on a suspension device.

[0057] In FIGS. 3A1 to 3D2 the embodiment, depicted in FIGS. 2A to 2C, of the docking seal 10.sub.1 is shown in different positions, once in conjunction with a side view and once in conjunction with a plan view. The Figures which show the same positions are denoted by the same letters.

[0058] In FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 the two seal devices 14, 18 are disposed at a spacing from one another. In FIGS. 3B1 and 3B2 the two seal devices 14, 18 are in contact on one another and are detachably connected with the form-closure means 34 and the friction-closure means 44 at the docking ports 20, 26, at the sliders 24, 30 and at the end ports 22, 28 (s. FIGS. 2A to 2C). In FIGS. 3A1 to 3B2 the sliders 24, 30 are in contact on the docking ports 20, 26 such that, as described for FIGS. 1A to 1C, the casings 12, 16, not depicted here, are closed, which is, in particular, evident in FIGS. 3A2 and 3B2, where teeth 54 of the first zipper 55 of the first seal device 14 engage one another. As stated, the sliders 24, 30 are in the docking position.

[0059] In FIGS. 301 and 3C2 can be seen that the sliders 24, 30 have been slid from the docking position in the direction of the throughflow position. Since they are connected with one another by means of the form-closure element 34 and/or by means of the friction-closure element 44, the sliders 24, 30 can only be moved jointly and simultaneously. In FIG. 301 is clearly discernible that the docking seal 10.sub.1 comprises a slide closure 56 for the connection of the first seal device 14 with the second seal device 18 which is closable by sliding the first slider 24 and/or the second slider 30 into the throughflow position. In FIG. 301 the slide closure 56 between the sliders 24, 30 and the docking ports 20, 26 is closed, while it is still open between the sliders 24, 30 and the end ports 22, 28. In FIG. 3C2 it is evident that the seal devices 14, 18 between the sliders 24, 30 and the docking ports 20, 26 are open, and between the sliders 24, 30 and the end ports 22, 28 they [seal devices] are still closed.

[0060] In FIG. 3C2 is also clearly discernible that the sliders 24, 30 comprise overall four centering projections 58 which, depending on whether the sliders 24, 30 are in the docking position or in the throughflow position, engage into not shown recesses, either of the particular docking ports 20, 26 or of the particular end port 22, 28, whereby the position of the sliders 24, 30 relative to the end ports 22, 28 or to the docking ports 20, 26 is defined.

[0061] In FIGS. 3D1 and 3D2 the sliders 24, 30 are in the throughflow position in which they are in contact on the end ports 22, 28. In FIG. 3D1 is event that the slide closure 56 is completely closed such that the first seal device 14 and the second seal device 18 are also connected with one another between the docking ports 20, 26 and the end ports 22, 28. In FIG. 3D2 it is evident that the two seal devices 14, 18 are open and establish the throughflow channel 32 through which the substance can be transferred contamination-free from the first casing 12 into the second casing 16 and conversely.

[0062] In FIGS. 3A1 to 3D2 is discernible that the first seal device 14 comprises the earlier described zipper 55 or zip closure, with which the first casing 12 can be opened and closed. The second seal device 18 correspondingly comprises a second zipper 57 or zip closure (see FIGS. 4A2) with which the second casing 16 can be opened and closed. In the docked state, the first zipper 55 or zip closure and the second zipper 57 or zip closure are in parallel planes with respect to one another, which planes extend perpendicularly to the main transit direction D (see FIG. 10). The slide closure 56 is developed as a third zipper 59 or zip closure, however, it can also comprise a fourth zipper or zip closure (not shown). The third zipper 59 or zip closure is in a plane that extends parallel to the main transit direction D and thus perpendicularly to the plane in which extend the first and the second zipper 55, 57 or zip closure. The first and the second zippers 55, 57 therefore form with the third zipper 59 an angle of 90. All zippers 55, 57, 59 are simultaneously actuated with the sliders 24, 30, wherein the first zipper 55 and the second zipper 57 are opened when the third zipper 59 is closed and conversely. The zippers 55, 57, 59 are in particular water-tight. Especially the third zipper 59 can be replaced by form-closure means such as a butterfly connection.

[0063] In FIGS. 4A1 to 4A2 a second embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.2 according to the invention is shown analogously to the depictions of FIGS. 3A1 to 3D2, wherein the throughflow position according to FIGS. 3D1 and 3D1 [sic:3D2] is not shown for reasons of presentation.

[0064] The structure and mechanism of function of the second embodiment does not differ significantly from those of the first embodiment. For that reason, in the following only the differences will be elucidated. The two docking port suspension elements 50.sub.1, 50.sub.2 and the two end port suspension elements 52.sub.1, 52.sub.2 are rotated by 90 in the second embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.2 according to the invention in comparison to the first embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.1 and are developed annularly. The two docking port suspension elements 50.sub.1, 50.sub.2 and the two end port suspension elements 52.sub.1, 52.sub.2 encompass each an opening 60 whose plane [extends] substantially parallel to the main transit direction D as indicated in FIG. 1C.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the first docking port suspension element 50.sub.1 and of the first end port suspension element 52.sub.1. It is discernible that the first docking port suspension element 50.sub.1 is shaped such that the first end port suspension element 52.sub.1 can be introduced into it. The second docking port suspension element 50.sub.2 and the second end port suspension element 52.sub.2 can be structured in the same way. In FIGS. 6A to 6C the background of insertability is explained. For example, the emptied first casing 12, which is separated from the second casing 16 and is consequently closed (see FIG. 6A), is wound about the first seal device 14, as is shown in FIG. 6B. The first seal device 14 is subsequently bent such that the first docking port suspension element 50.sub.1 and the first end port suspension element 52.sub.1 can be introduced one into the other. In FIG. 6C the first docking port suspension element 50.sub.1 and the first end port suspension element 52.sub.1 are introduced one into the other and connected with one another using a zip tie such that they cannot become detached from one another. The first casing 12 is consequently sealed and cannot roll off again from the first seal device 14.

[0066] In FIGS. 7A and 7B is shown a third embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.3 in conjunction with a perspective partial view and in conjunction with a front view. As is evident in FIGS. 3A1 to 3A2, the docking seal 10.sub.3 comprises the slide closure 56 with which the first seal device 14, disposed on the first flexible casing 12, is connectable with the second seal device 18 of the second flexible casing 16. As stated, the slide closure 56 is formed by the third zipper 59. In the third embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.3 the third zipper 59 comprises sealing means 64 which are brought into sealing contact when the first slider 24 and/or the second slider 30 are slid into the throughflow position and the zipper 59 is closed. In this case, the sealing means 64 are formed by the first flexible casing 12 and the second flexible casing 16 that are implemented and connected with the zipper 59 such that these, when the zipper 59 is closed, abut one another such that each forms a sealing edge 66. The throughflow channel 32 is additionally sealed by the sealing means [64]. It is especially discernible in FIG. 7B that the sealing edges 66 are encompassed by the teeth of the zipper 59. The sealing edges 66 therefore extend within the zipper 59.

[0067] The first zipper 55 and the second zipper 57 can analogously be structured such that they also comprise sealing means [64] that become effective when the zippers 55, 57 are closed.

[0068] In FIGS. 8A and 8B a fourth embodiment of the docking seal 10.sub.4 is shown in conjunction with a perspective depiction or a front view. The fundamental structure of the docking seal 10.sub.4 according to the fourth embodiment herein corresponds to that of the docking seal 10.sub.3 according to the third embodiment. However, the sealing edge 66 does not extend within the zipper 59 but rather outside thereof. The sealing means 64 are each formed by an additional layer 68 which is applied onto the first flexible casing 12 and the second flexible casing 16. If the third zipper 66 [sic: 59] is closed, the two layers 68 abut one another such that the sealing edge 66 is formed. The two layers 68 can be implemented, for example, as polyethylene coating (PE coating).

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0069] 10, 10.sub.1 to 10.sub.4 Docking seal [0070] 12 First flexible casing [0071] 14 First seal device [0072] 16 Second flexible casing [0073] 18 Second seal device [0074] 20 First docking port [0075] 22 First end port [0076] 24 First slider [0077] 26 Second docking port [0078] 28 Second end port [0079] 30 Second slider [0080] 32 Throughflow channel [0081] 34 Form-closure means [0082] 36 Hook [0083] 38 Positioning section [0084] 40 Sleeves [0085] 42 Projection [0086] 44 Friction-closure means [0087] 46 Actuation section [0088] 48 Handle piece [0089] 50 Docking port suspension element [0090] 50.sub.1 First docking port suspension element [0091] 50.sub.2 Second docking port suspension element [0092] 52 End port suspension element [0093] 52.sub.1 First end port suspension element [0094] 52.sub.2 Second end port suspension element [0095] 54 Teeth [0096] 55 First zipper [0097] 56 Slide closure [0098] 57 Second zipper [0099] 58 Centering projection [0100] 59 Third zipper [0101] 60 Opening [0102] 62 Zip tie [0103] 64 Sealing means [0104] 66 Sealing edge [0105] 68 Layer [0106] D Main transit direction