Installation and method for transferring products flowing out under gravity

A method for transferring, without contamination, products flowing out under gravity from an upper receptacle including a lower orifice, the mouth of which points downwards, towards a lower pipe situated at a lower level than the upper receptacle including an upper orifice, the mouth of which points upwards, it being possible for each of these orifices to be closed off by a moveable cover which is comprised of the following operations:

• a) bringing the respective orifices of the upper receptacle and lower pipe to face each other axially;
• b) providing a hermetic enclosure defining an inside volume and surrounding the orifice of the lower pipe, the inside volume of the said enclosure being separated from the ambient atmosphere by first closing-off means;
• c) opening the first closing-off means of the enclosure;
• d) inserting the mouth of the orifice of the upper receptacle into the enclosure;
• e) separating the inside volume of the enclosure from the ambient atmosphere by second closing-off means respectively secured to the enclosure and to the mouth of the upper receptacle;
• f) blowing a flow of gas through the inside volume of the enclosure;
• g) opening the respective covers of the upper receptacle and lower pipe;
• h) axially displacing the mouth of the orifice of the lower pipe such that it connects up hermetically to the mouth of the upper receptacle;
• i) allowing the products to be transferred to flow out;
• j) repeating the above operations in the reverse order after an adequate amount of products has been transferred.

A device for transferring, without contamination, products flowing out under gravity from an upper pipe including a lower orifice, the mouth of which points downwards, towards a lower receptacle situated at a lower level than the upper pipe and including an upper orifice, the mouth of which points upwards, wherein each orifice of said lower receptacle and upper pipe is closed off by a moveable cover, the said device being comprised of

• a hermetic enclosure defining an inside volume and surrounding the orifice of said upper pipe, and including an access opening shaped such that the mouth of the orifice of the lower receptacle is insertable therein;
• first closing-off means for closing said access opening and isolating the inside volume of the enclosure with respect to the ambient atmosphere when said lower receptacle is not inserted therein, and actuating means for opening said first closing-off means such that said lower receptacle is capable of being inserted therein;
• second closing-off means for isolating the inside volume of the enclosure with respect to the ambient atmosphere when the mouth of said lower receptacle is inserted therein;
• means capable of opening the respective covers of the lower receptacle and upper pipe when their orifices are facing each other and when the enclosure is isolated from the ambient atmosphere by the second closing-off means;
• means for injecting a flow of gas into the inside volume of the enclosure surrounding the respective mouths of the upper receptacle and lower pipe;
• and,
• means connected to the inside volume of the enclosure for sucking up the flow of gas.

A method for transferring, without contamination, products flowing out under gravity from an upper pipe including a lower orifice, the mouth of which points downwards, towards a lower receptacle situated at a lower level than the upper pipe including an upper orifice, the mouth of which points upwards, it being possible for each of these orifices to be closed off by a moveable cover which is comprised of the following operations:

• a) bringing the respective orifices of the lower receptacle and upper pipe to face each other axially;
• b) providing a hermetic enclosure defining an inside volume and surrounding the orifice of the upper pipe, the inside volume of the said enclosure being separated from the ambient atmosphere by first closing-off means;
• c) opening the first closing-off means of the enclosure;
• d) inserting the mouth of the orifice of the lower receptacle into the enclosure;
• e) separating the inside volume of the enclosure from the ambient atmosphere by second closing-off means respectively secured to the enclosure and to the mouth of the lower receptacle;
• f) blowing a flow of gas into the enclosure;
• g) opening the respective covers of the lower receptacle and upper pipe;
• h) axially displacing the mouth of the orifice of the upper pipe such that it connects up hermetically to the mouth of the lower receptacle;
• i) allowing the products to be transferred to flow out;
• j) repeating the above operations in the reverse order after an adequate amount of products has been transferred.