Buck Valve bucks the trend

Buck Valve, from Müllheim, Germany, has launched the HiCoFlex SL, a self-locking coupling that allows highly sensitive or toxic powders and granules to be transferred safely from flexible sacks into the manufacturing process, or vice versa.

Previously, the contained transfer of powder products has required the use of rigid containers fitted with high value containment valves assembled from precision-made stainless steel components. While rising costs have led more manufacturers to consider supplying these materials in flexible transport containers, such as FIBCs, sacks and Big Bags, existing contained docking systems were not suitable for these flexible containers, meaning that containment could not be guaranteed. However, the new Buck HiCoFlex system addresses this problem and enables materials supplied in flexible bags to be transferred in a controlled and contained way, the company says. The HiCoFlex SL operates on the principle of a snap ring. The containment during all stages of the decanting process is achieved by using a split coupling principle, which has already been successfully introduced by Buck Valve. Two complementary half-couplings are docked to each other, forming a combined coupling, which then opens and closes together for the contained decanting and undocking process. It is inexpensive, operates automatically and is designed for operation in areas requiring up to OEB4 Dust Emission Class containment. It can be fitted to a flexible bag and can be kept or disposed of after use with the bag itself. The company has also fitted the HiCoFlex SL to a transport sack called the BuckBag. Designed to meet the special needs of r&d laboratories in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, it has "the potential to revolutionise contamination-free handling, making isolators and contamination suits unnecessary." The company has also recognised the need for a similar mechanism for large flexible containers, and has developed a manual version, the HiCoFlex ML, for this purpose.