Docking device comprising two coupling closures for the environmentally sealed transfer of bulk material, having at least one locking unit

US8539996B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GEA Pharma Systems Limited · CH

Inventors

• Peter Lais · Memmingen, DE
• Martin Koch · Neuenbürg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 24, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/87973
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A docking device for transferring the contents of, filling, and/or emptying containers comprises first and second coupling latches positioned flush to one another along respective closing sides thereof. A locking unit is configured for locking together pipe nozzles of the first and second coupling latches. The locking unit includes at least one movable first arresting element that is present in a passage that has an opening to an exterior of the second coupling latch, and is configured to interact with a corresponding second arresting element present on an exterior of the pipe nozzle of the second coupling latch. The docking device further comprises a bolt that is movable in a cylinder. The bolt has a first section with a first diameter, a second section with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and a third transfer section between the first and second section with a tapering diameter.