'World first' coupling for Buck Valve

The new HiCoFlex SL from Buck Valve, of Muellheim in Germany, is a self-locking coupling that allows the safe transfer of highly sensitive or toxic powders and granules 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.

However, existing contained docking systems are not suitable for use with flexible transport containers such as FIBCs and sacks - a problem that is addressed by the new Buck HiCoFlex system.

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. 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, the company says. It can be fitted to a flexible bag and can be kept or disposed of after use with the bag itself.

Buck Valve has also fitted the HiCoFlex SL to a transport sack called the BuckBag. This has been designed to meet the special needs of r&d laboratories in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The BuckBag has the potential to revolutionise contamination-free handling making isolators and containment suits unnecessary, Buck Valve claims.

The company has also recognised that there is a need for a similar closure mechanism for large flexible containers, and to this end it has developed a manual-closing version, the HiCoFlex ML.