Device and method for producing a connection with no force shunt

Abstract

A connection device for connecting an outlet opening of a downpipe to an upward-facing inlet opening of a container, comprising a body with a continuous opening from an upper side to an underside of the body, wherein the body is designed in such a way that it is suitable to before being connected by its upper side to the outlet opening of the downpipe via a flexible connection element, in particular via a compensator, in such a way that a connection is created between the outlet opening of the downpipe and the opening of the body. The connection device also comprises a coupling device which is attached to the underside of the body and which is suitable for creating a sealed connection between the opening of the body and the inlet opening of the container when the body rests on an upper side of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connection device ( 100 ) for connecting an outlet opening ( 210 ) of a downpipe ( 200 ) to an upward-facing inlet opening ( 310 ) of a container ( 300 ), wherein the connection device ( 100 ) has:
 a body ( 110 ) with a continuous opening ( 120 ) from an upper side ( 112 ) to an underside ( 114 ) of the body ( 110 ); wherein   the body ( 110 ) is configured to be connected by its upper side ( 112 ) to the outlet opening ( 210 ) of the downpipe ( 200 ) via a flexible connection element ( 400 ), in such a way that a connection is created between the outlet opening ( 210 ) of the downpipe and the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ); wherein a coupling device ( 130 ), which is attached to the underside ( 114 ) of the body ( 110 ) and which is configured for creating a sealed connection between the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) and the inlet opening ( 310 ) of the container ( 300 ) when the body ( 110 ) rests on an upper side ( 302 ) of the container ( 300 ).   
     
     
         2 . The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , furthermore comprising a lowering device ( 140 ), which is configured to mount the body ( 110 ) in a hanging manner with upward-facing upper side ( 112 ) and to lower and raise the body ( 110 ) in such a way that the lowering device ( 140 ) does not exert any forces onto the body ( 110 ) when the body ( 110 ) rests on the upper side of the container ( 300 ). 
     
     
         3 . The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein the lowering device ( 140 ) has cable elements ( 142 ) on which the body ( 110 ) is fastened and the free lengths of which can be lengthened for lowering the body ( 110 ) and can be shortened for raising the body ( 110 ). 
     
     
         4 . (Orignal) The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the lowering device ( 140 ) has pneumatic cylinders ( 144 );   the cable elements ( 142 ) are fastened on pistons ( 146 ) of the pneumatic cylinders ( 144 );   and the lengthening and shortening of the free lengths of the cable elements ( 142 ) is brought about by moving the pistons ( 146 ).   
     
     
         5 . The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the coupling device ( 130 ) has a sealing element ( 132 ) arranged on the underside of the body, which sealing element surrounds the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) on the underside ( 114 ) of the body ( 110 ); and
 the coupling device ( 130 ) has fixing elements ( 134 ), which are configured for generating the sealed connection between the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) and the inlet opening ( 310 ) of the container ( 300 ) to press the body ( 110 ) against the upper side ( 302 ) of the container ( 300 ) in such a way that the sealing element ( 132 ) is pressed in between body ( 110 ) and container ( 300 ).   
     
     
         6 . The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , furthermore comprising:
 a control element, which is suitable to control the producing of the sealed connection between the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) and the inlet opening ( 310 ) of the container ( 300 ) through the coupling device ( 130 ) based on a user input; wherein   the coupling device has vacuum suction cups which are controllable through the control device.   
     
     
         7 . The connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the body ( 110 ) is configured in a plate-shaped manner; and/or the upper side ( 112 ) of the body ( 110 ) has a projection ( 116 ) for mounting the flexible connection element ( 400 ), which surrounds the opening ( 110 ). 
     
     
         8 . A system for connecting an outlet opening ( 210 ) of a downpipe ( 200 ) with an upward-facing inlet opening ( 310 ) of a container ( 300 ), wherein the system has:
 the downpipe ( 200 ), the container ( 300 ), the connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1  and the flexible connection element ( 400 ).   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) on the underside ( 114 ) of the body ( 110 ) is smaller than the inlet opening ( 310 ) of the container ( 300 ).   
     
     
         10 . A method for connecting an outlet opening ( 210 ) of a downpipe ( 200 ) with an upward-facing inlet opening ( 310 ) of a container ( 300 ) by means of a connection device ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:
 producing a connection between the outlet opening ( 210 ) of the downpipe ( 200 ) and the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 120 ) by means of a flexible connection element ( 400 ) particular by means of a compensator;   applying the body ( 110 ) onto an upper side ( 302 ) of the container ( 300 ); and   producing a tight connection between the opening ( 120 ) of the body ( 110 ) and the inlet opening ( 310 ) of the container ( 300 ) by means of the coupling device ( 130 ).