Connecting device

1 . Connecting device ( 2 ) for connecting a container (F) containing a powder/granular product to an isolator ( 1 ) with a connecting opening ( 120 ), through which the container (F) is introduced into the isolator ( 1 ) for emptying as intended, the connecting device ( 2 ) comprising:

a holding device ( 220 ) being configured to receive the container (F) and hold it during connecting and emptying;

a transfer device ( 210 , 230 ) for transferring the holding device ( 220 ); and

a control device for controlling the transfer device ( 210 , 230 ); wherein

the control device is configured to control the transfer device ( 210 , 230 ) in such a way that the transfer device ( 210 , 230 ) transfers the holding device ( 220 ) together with the container (F) from an initial holding position in which the container (F) is received in the holding device ( 220 ) as intended, into an emptying position such that at least an opening of the container (F), via which the powder/granular product is removed for emptying the container (F) as intended, is introduced into the isolator ( 1 ) through the connecting opening ( 120 ),

wherein an entire transfer process of transferring the container from the initial holding position to the emptying position is automated, so that a user does not need to be in the immediate vicinity of the container during connecting, and

wherein the holding device ( 220 ) undergoes an intermediate position during transfer, the intermediate position being a position at which the transfer of the container is paused in order to carry out intermediate processes in connection with the automated feeding/connecting of the container into/to the isolator.

2 . Connecting device according to any one of claim 1 , wherein

the control device comprises an operating device with an actuating element which requires an operator to continuously hold the actuating element when controlling the transfer device ( 210 , 230 ).

3 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to any one of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sealing device ( 250 ) arranged at the connecting opening ( 120 ), through which the container (F) is introduced into the isolator (F) for emptying as intended, being configured to seal a gap(S) between the connecting opening ( 120 ) and the container (F) during or after introduction of the container (F) in such a way that the powder/granular product is prevented from emerging from the isolator ( 1 ) during emptying.

4 . Isolator ( 1 ) comprising a connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 1 .

5 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 1 , wherein

a suction device ( 224 ) is provided to the holding device ( 220 ) being configured to suck off an area around the opening of the container (F) during transfer from the initial holding position to the intermediate position, so that powder/granular product emerging from the container (F) is sucked off.

6 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 5 , wherein

the suction device ( 224 ) is supported with respect to the holding device ( 220 ) in such a way that the suction device ( 224 ) and the holding device ( 224 ) perform a relative movement with respect to one another when being transferred from the intermediate position to the emptying position, so that the suction device ( 224 ) moves away from the area around the opening of the container (F).

7 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 5 , further comprising:

a lid displacement device ( 240 ) being controlled by the control device and being configured to displace a lid (D) closing the container (F) in such a way that the container (F) is in an open state at the latest in the intermediate position.

8 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 7 , wherein

a fixing device ( 226 ) is provided on the holding device ( 220 ) being configured to fix the lid (D) to the container (F) during transfer.

9 . Connecting device ( 2 ) according to claim 7 , wherein

the lid displacement device ( 240 ) comprises a gripping device ( 242 ) being configured to grip the lid (D) in a gripping position and to displace the lid (D) into a displaced state in such a way that the container (F) is in the open state.

10 . Connecting device according to claim 9 , wherein

the gripping device ( 242 ) comprises a receiving plate ( 245 ) being configured to close the connecting opening ( 120 ) of the isolator ( 1 ) in the gripping position and to release it when the cover (D) is displaced into the displaced state for insertion of the container (F).

11 . Method for connecting a container (F) containing a powder/granular product to an isolator ( 1 ) with a connecting opening ( 120 ), through which the container (F) is introduced into the isolator ( 1 ) as intended for emptying, comprising the following steps:

Receiving and holding the container (F) in an initial holding position;

Transferring the container (F) from the initial holding position to an intermediate position, whereby an area around the opening of the container is sucked off in such a way that the powder/granular product is prevented from emerging during transfer;

Transferring the container (F) from the intermediate position to an emptying position in such a way that at least the opening of the container is inserted into the isolator ( 1 ), whereby a gap(S) between the container and the connecting opening is sealed in such a way that the powder/granular product is prevented from emerging from the isolator, wherein an entire process of transferring of the container from the initial holding position to the emptying position is automated, so that a user does not need to be in the immediate vicinity of the container during connecting.