U.S. patent application number 12/373290 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for coupling fastener for a flexible container, a docking device for flexible containers, a method for emptying, filling or refilling bulk material from flexible containers, and two flexible containers which are coupled tightly with respect to the environment.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEA NIRO GMBH. Invention is credited to Martin Koch, Peter Lais.
Application Number | 20100294396 12/373290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37685031 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100294396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koch; Martin ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
COUPLING FASTENER FOR A FLEXIBLE CONTAINER, A DOCKING DEVICE FOR
FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS, A METHOD FOR EMPTYING, FILLING OR REFILLING
BULK MATERIAL FROM FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS, AND TWO FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS
WHICH ARE COUPLED TIGHTLY WITH RESPECT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
The present invention relates to a coupling seal for a container
flexible at least in sections, for example a bag or a hose,
comprising a first and a second longitudinal sealing bead, which in
each case are fitted with first and second sealing elements, and a
coupler seal, which is provided with a longitudinal bead with
adjacent third and fourth sealing elements, which can be connected
reversibly, in particular sealed to the environment, with the first
or respectively second sealing elements of the first and second
sealing beads. Furthermore, the invention relates to a docking
device, formed by two inventive coupling seals. At this point, the
first and second sealing elements of the first coupling seal engage
in each case in complementary first and second sealing elements of
the second coupling seal. In addition, the invention relates to a
container flexible at least in sections, whereof the opening is
fitted with an inventive coupling seal. Finally, the invention
relates to a process for in particular filling, refilling and/or
emptying containers sealed to the environment by means of inventive
coupling seals or respectively the inventive docking device.
Inventors: |
Koch; Martin;
(Neuenburg-Grissheim, DE) ; Lais; Peter; (Auggen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Assignee: |
GEA NIRO GMBH
Muellheim
DE
|
Family ID: |
37685031 |
Appl. No.: |
12/373290 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
July 11, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP07/06132 |
371 Date: |
August 24, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/10 ; 141/314;
141/316; 383/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/1675 20130101;
B65D 88/1668 20130101; B65B 1/28 20130101; B65D 33/2508
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/10 ; 141/314;
141/316; 383/59 |
International
Class: |
B65B 1/28 20060101
B65B001/28; B65D 33/16 20060101 B65D033/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 11, 2006 |
EP |
06014378.1 |
Claims
1. A first coupling seal for a container that is flexible at least
in sections, comprising: a first sealing bead having a first end,
an opposite second end in longitudinal extension, an inside, an
outside, and a feed side, joining together the inside and the
outside, wherein the feed side includes at least one first sealing
element; a second sealing bead having a first end, an opposite
second end in longitudinal extension, an inside, an outside, and a
feed side, joining together the inside and the outside, wherein the
feed side includes at least a second sealing element, wherein the
first and second ends of the first sealing bead and the second
sealing bead are adjacent with interdependent positioning of the
insides of the first and second sealing beads, and wherein the
first and second sealing elements extend to at least one of the
adjacent first and second ends; and a coupler seal comprising a
bead having a first end and a second end in longitudinal extension
from the first end, wherein at least one of the first and second
end of the coupler seal has a limit stop, and a bearing side
comprising a third sealing element in longitudinal extension on the
bearing side connected reversibly to the first sealing element, and
a fourth sealing element connected reversibly to the second sealing
element.
2. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
and/or second end of the coupler seal has a limit stop, the first
and/or second end of the first sealing bead has a limit stop, and
the first and/or second end of the second sealing bead has a limit
stop, wherein adjacent ends of the coupler seal and of the first
and second sealing bead have a limit stop, the first and second
sealing elements extending to the adjacent limit stops of the first
and second sealing bead, and the third and the fourth sealing
elements extending to the limit stop of the coupler seal, which
adjoins the mutually adjacent limit stops of first and second
sealing bead.
3. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
and/or second sealing bead has a retainer section in longitudinal
alignment at the first and/or second end containing first or second
bearing faces, an outside.
4. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and
second sealing bead in longitudinal alignment at the first and/or
second end are elongated out over the first or second limit stop
respectively and in transverse alignment, are spaced apart from the
stop sides and in contact with the first or second limit stop in
the form of retainer sections, containing the first or second
bearing face respectively and extending from the first or second
limit stop, and an inside and an outside, such that the first and
second limit stop are positioned to bear on corresponding limit
stops of a coupler seal of a second coupling seal.
5. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupler
seal in transverse alignment between the bearing side and the side
opposite the bearing side has a thickness, in the vicinity of the
limit stop of the coupler seal which corresponds substantially to
the distance between the bearing face of the retainer section of
the first or second sealing bead, at a point where the bearing face
meets the first or second limit stop, and the feed side of the
first or second sealing bead respectively.
6. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second sealing beads are made substantially from a flexible
synthetic material and the coupler seal is made from at least one
of a flexible synthetic material and a rigid material.
7. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing
elements of the first and second sealing bead constitute a groove,
and the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupling seal
constitute a spring, which is complementary to the groove of the
first or second sealing bead, such that the groove and the spring
are reversibly engageable.
8. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the vicinity
of the first and second end of the coupler seal, the bead of the
coupler seal has in longitudinal alignment a take-up device,
comprising a recess for receiving the retainer section of a first
and/or second sealing bead of a second coupling seal, in the form
of spaced-apart side walls, stretching away from the side opposite
the bearing side of the bead.
9. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 8, wherein the take-up
device is connected to the bead by at least one of a plug-in and a
clip connection.
10. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 9, wherein the take-up
device has at least one guide element on an inside of the
spaced-apart side walls of the take-up device, which is engageable
with a complementary guide element of the retainer section of the
first and/or second sealing bead of a second coupling seal.
11. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one
retainer section of the first and/or second sealing bead has on its
outside at least one guide element, which is engageable with a
complementary guide element of the coupler seal of a second
coupling seal.
12. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
third sealing elements and the second and fourth sealing elements
match each other such that the feed side of the first or second
sealing bead and the bearing side of the coupler seal fit tightly
together in a connected state; and wherein the third and fourth
sealing elements are at such a distance from one another that the
inner sides of the first and second sealing bead, when connected
with the first or second sealing element, fit tightly together.
13. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second sealing element in longitudinal alignment are substantially
the same length and the third and fourth sealing element in
longitudinal extension are substantially the same length and are
parallel, and the first and third sealing element and the second
and fourth sealing element are substantially the same length in
longitudinal alignment.
14. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
the second sealing bead are connected to one another by the
retainer sections of their adjacent ends and by the inner side
regions of adjacent limit stops, forming a closed periphery.
15. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container
that is flexible at least in sections, comprises a bag, wherein an
opening edge of the bag is connected separately or one-storied to
the first and or second sealing bead.
16. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: at
least first adjustment means at the first and/or second end of the
coupling seal in the form of at least one of a pin and an inlet,
for accommodating second adjustment means of a second coupling seal
to be connected, by taking up complementary adjustment means of a
first and/or second sealing bead of a dockable second coupling seal
and at least second adjustment means of the first and/or second
sealing bead at the first and/or second end in the form of at least
one of a pin and an inlet, for taking up complementary adjustment
means of a second coupling seal to be connected, for by taking up
complementary adjustment means of a coupling seal of a dockable
second coupling seal.
17. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 4, further comprising
first centring means on the bearing face of a first and second
retainer section in longitudinal alignment, which are engageable
with complementary second centring means on the side of the
coupling seal of a dockable coupling seal opposite the bearing
side.
18. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
and/or second sealing bead, distant from the feed side, has a
connection surface, for the opening edge of containers, having a
thickness which is less than the thickness of the first or second
sealing bead in the vicinity of the limit stops.
19. A docking device for emptying and filling bulk goods,
comprising a first and a second coupling seal as claimed in claim
1, wherein the first and the second sealing bead of the first
coupling seal and the first and the second sealing bead of the
second coupling seal are substantially the same length, and wherein
the first and second sealing elements of the first and second
sealing bead of the first coupling seal are complementary to the
first and second sealing elements of the first and second sealing
bead of the second coupling seal, such that the first and second
sealing beads of the first and second coupling seal are reversibly
connectable to one another.
20. The docking device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first
and second coupling seal are connectable separately or one-storied
to a flexible container.
21. The docking device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first
and second coupling seal are substantially identical.
22. The docking device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third
and the fourth sealing elements of the coupler seal of the first
coupling seal, while in the docked state of the first and second
coupling seal, remain engaged with the first and second sealing
elements of the first and second sealing bead of the first coupling
seal, and the third and the fourth sealing elements of the coupler
seal of the second coupling seal, while in the docked state, remain
engaged with the first and second sealing elements of the first and
second sealing bead of the second coupling seal.
23. A container that is flexible at least in sections, containing
at least a coupling seal as claimed in claim 1.
24. A method for filling and emptying containers, the method
comprising: providing a first container flexible at least in the
opening region, as claimed in claim 23, containing at least a
first, coupling seal as claimed claim 1; providing a second
container that is flexible at least in an opening region, as
claimed in claim 23, containing at least a second coupling seal as
claimed in claim 1; applying the first end of the first sealing
element of the first sealing bead of the first coupling seal to the
first end of a complementary first sealing element of a first
sealing bead of the second coupling seal; applying the first end of
the second sealing element of the second sealing bead of the first
coupling seal to the first end of a complementary second sealing
element of the second sealing bead of the second coupling seal,
such that the complementary first and second sealing elements of
the first and second coupling seal are engaged by an axial motion
thereby interlocking the respectively complementary first and
second sealing elements by axial sliding, wherein the third and
fourth sealing elements of the coupler seals of the first and
second coupling seal are released successively from the connection
with the first and second sealing element of the first and second
coupling seal; transferring bulk goods from the first container to
the second container; moving the first end of the coupler seal of
the first coupling seal in the direction of the first end of this
coupling seal; moving the first end of the coupler seal of the
second coupling seal in the direction of the first end of this
coupling seal, such that the third and fourth sealing elements of
the coupler seal of the first coupling seal are engaged
successively with the complementary first and second sealing
elements of the first and second sealing beads of the first
coupling seal, and the third and fourth sealing elements of the
coupler seal of the second coupling seal are engaged successively
with the complementary first and second sealing elements of the
first or second sealing bead of the second coupling seal, until the
first and second sealing elements of the first coupling seal are no
longer engaged with the complementary first and second sealing
elements of the second coupling seal.
25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the limit stop of
the coupler seal of the first coupling seal is brought up to the
limit stops of the first and second sealing bead of the second
coupling seal and the limit stop of the coupler seal of the second
coupling seal is brought up to the limit stops of first and second
sealing bead of the first coupling seal, so that at least in the
vicinity of the limit stops, the bearing side of the coupler seal
of the first coupling seal is substantially parallel to the stop
sides of the first and the second sealing bead of the second
coupling seal, and the bearing side of the coupler seal of the
second coupling seal is substantially parallel to the stop sides of
the first and second sealing bead of the first coupling seal.
26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first and second
bearing face of the first and second retainer section of the first
coupling seal in axial alignment fits on the side opposite the
bearing side of the bead of the coupler seal of the second coupling
seal, and the first and the second bearing faces of the first and
second retainer section of the second coupling seal fits on the
side opposite the bearing side of the bead of the coupler seal of
the first coupling seal.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first and second
retainer sections of the first coupling seal are introduced to a
recess of the coupler seal of the second coupling seal, and the
first and second retainer sections of the second coupling seal are
introduced to a recess of the coupler seal of the first coupling
seal.
28. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and
second sealing elements of first and second sealing bead constitute
a spring and that the third and fourth sealing elements of the
coupling seal constitute a groove, complementary to the spring of
first or respectively second sealing bead, so that the groove and
the spring are reversibly engageable.
29. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
sealing element of the first sealing bead constitutes a groove and
the second sealing element of the second sealing bead constitute a
spring, and the third sealing element of the coupling seal
constitutes a spring, complementary to the groove of the first
sealing bead, and the fourth sealing element of the coupling seal
constitutes a groove, complementary to the spring of the second
sealing bead, so that the groove and the spring are reversibly
engageable.
30. The coupling seal as claimed in claim 4, wherein, on the side
opposite the bearing side of the coupling seal, there are at least
second centring means, in longitudinal alignment, which are
engageable with complementary first centring means on the bearing
face of a first and second retainer section of a dockable coupling
seal.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling seal for a
flexible container, a docking device for flexible container, a
process for emptying, filling or refilling bulk goods from flexible
containers and two connected flexible container sealed to the
environment.
[0002] High quality requirements in the food and pharmaceutical
industries are expected during transfer of bulk goods in or out of
containers. On the one hand the environment may not be contaminated
with bulk goods sometimes hazardous to health, and on the other
hand constituents from surrounding air or air as such sealed to the
environment are to be kept away from the bulk goods during the
transfer process. Also, the requirements for contamination-free
work in the food-processing, chemical and pharmaceutical industry
are also very high for less problematic bulk goods.
[0003] So-called containment docking systems based on semi-valve
technology, as described for example in DE 196 41 827 C2, have been
reinforced for these purposes. These systems generally built from
stainless steel satisfy the highest requirements in terms of
sealing capacity during transfer of bulk goods, however they are
complex in construction and only conditionally suitable in
particular at greater nominal diameters due to the not
insignificant intrinsic weight for storage-variable use.
[0004] Structurally simpler docking devices, such as disclosed in
WO 03/037717 A1, employ e.g. elastically deformable coupling
elements, which in each case have a superposed slot sealed under
normal conditions and can be opened by pressurisation. With this
configuration of a docking device particular care is to be given so
that the slots of the adjacent coupling elements are of equal
length and come to rest exactly above one another.
[0005] German patent application with reference DE 103 21 814
discloses a coupling element for environmentally isolated
refilling, filling and emptying of containers, composed
substantially of two flush sealing beads which have at their ends
interengaging articulated bodies, in turn rotatable about common
bearing elements. The articulated axle elements or respectively
articulated caps have to exactly match the form and size of the
bearing elements of the sealing beads to be able to function
permanently and reliably as pivot bearings. Opening and closing of
this coupling element is achieved by opposite articulated bodies
being moved towards one another or respectively away from one
another. In this case the spring elasticity of the material of the
sealing beads is utilised to cause resetting to the closed state
when admission of force ceases. It is true that there is by now a
plurality of sprung-elastic synthetic materials suitable for such
applications, though the sealing beads can be over-stretched or
held open too long in the open state e.g. through improper
handling, whereby sealing tightly to the environment is no longer
guaranteed. The attempt is made to cope with this problem through
use of resetting elements additionally incorporated into the
sealing beads, as disclosed for example in WO 2006/053545 A1.
[0006] In addition to this, reclosable zip seals for reversible
sealing of plastic bags are known from DE 103 35 325 A1 for less
demanding applications. Such sealing systems are to be fitted with
a zip and a connecting slide element. Whereas the zip is
responsible for sealing the opposite sealing beads of a bag,
reversible coupling on the sealing beads of a second bag is
completed only with the coupling slide element. Both the sealing
elements on the opposite inner sides of the sealing beads of a bag
and also the sealing elements on the top sides of these sealing
beads are accordingly necessary.
[0007] It would now be preferable to again be able to employ
improved sealing systems for flexible bags, which can be used for
any bag or respectively opening size equally reliably and
practicably, in particular for variants in storage, and which also
enable secure, nevertheless easier sealing of containers.
[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide
seals for flexible containers, which are not afflicted by the
disadvantages of the prior art and which guarantee secure and
easy-to-handle sealing and opening, in particular for any container
size, i.e. in particular also for large container and opening
sizes.
[0009] A coupling seal for a container flexible at least in
sections was accordingly found, comprising a first sealing bead
with a first end and an opposite second end in longitudinal
extension (X direction), an inside, an outside and a feed side,
which joins together the inside and outside, whereby the feed side
has at least one first sealing element in longitudinal extension at
least in sections; a second sealing bead with a first end and an
opposite second end in longitudinal extension, an inside, an
outside and a feed side, which joins together the inside and
outside, whereby the feed side has at least one second sealing
element in longitudinal extension at least in sections, whereby the
first and second ends of first and second sealing bead are in each
case also adjacent when the inner sides of these sealing beads are
applied interdependently, and whereby the first and second sealing
elements extend as far as the adjacent first and/or adjacent second
ends; and a coupler seal, comprising a bead with a first and a
second end in longitudinal extension, whereby the first and/or
second end has a limit stop, and a bearing side, comprising a third
sealing element in longitudinal extension on the bearing side at
least in sections, which is connected or can be connected
reversibly to the first sealing element, in particular sealed to
the environment, and is spaced apart, in particular spaced
equidistant, for this purpose a fourth sealing element, which with
the second sealing element, in particular sealed to the
environment, is coupled or can be coupled reversibly at least in
sections.
[0010] According to a particularly preferred configuration it is
provided that the first and/or second end of the coupling seal has
a limit stop, the first and/or the second end of the first sealing
bead has a limit stop and the first end and/or the second end of
the second sealing bead has limit stop, whereby in each case
adjacent ends of coupler seal and of first and second sealing bead
have a limit stop, and that the first and second sealing elements
extend as far as the adjacent limit stops of first and second
sealing bead and that the third and fourth sealing elements extend
as far as the limit stop of the coupling seal, which is adjacent to
the adjacent limit stops of first and second sealing bead, and that
the first and/or second end of the coupling seal has a limit
stop.
[0011] Furthermore, according to the present invention it can be
provided that the first and/or second sealing bead has a retainer
section in longitudinal alignment at the first and/or second end,
containing first or respectively second bearing faces as well as an
inside and an outside. The inside and outside of a retainer section
are connected together by the first or respectively second bearing
face.
[0012] Bulk goods, which can be transferred by means of the
inventive coupling seal sealed to the environment, include all
liquid systems, which are pourable. At this point, these can be
liquid bulk goods and also particulate bulk goods, for example
fine-particle or coarse-particle.
[0013] Bags or sacks as well as transportation means, for example
in the form of hoses or hose elements, can be considered as
flexible containers, for example. Preferred container are also
constituted by so-called inliners, e.g. for big bags, which are
used for example in storage tanks for liquid or particulate bulk
goods. These containers can e.g. also be made from a plastic,
textile and/or fleece material. That section of the container in
the vicinity of the opening edge connected to the coupling seal is
effectively configured flexibly. The inventive coupling seal as a
result acts in its first function as seal for the openings of
flexible containers. Its second function is to couple or
respectively dock to a complementary coupling seal in forming a
docking device in particular sealed to the environment, by which
bulk goods can be transported trouble-free from a first container
to a second container.
[0014] The size of the coupling seals can be extensively adapted to
the opening size of the container to be sealed or respectively to
be connected. By way of example the inventive coupling seals can
have openings with a diameter in the vicinity of 10 to 200 cm,
preferably in the vicinity of 15 to 100 cm. Containers, in
particular bags and transportation means, e.g. hoses, which have
opening diameters in the vicinity of 10 to 200 cm, preferably from
15 to 100 cm, can accordingly be sealed or respectively docked
using the inventive coupling seals.
[0015] The inventive coupling seals or respectively the first and
second sealing beads and the coupler seal have a longitudinal
extension, in each case delimited by the first and the opposite
second end of the coupling seal or respectively of the sealing
beads and of the coupling seal. The length of such a coupling seal,
i.e. the distance between the first and second end can, which is
demonstrably a particular advantage of the inventive coupling
seals, vary widely and for example be in the vicinity of 10 to 400
cm, preferably in the vicinity of 15 to 315 cm. If the coupling
seal or respectively the first and second sealing beads and the
coupler seal are in longitudinal alignment on an X axis, the
transversal or respectively oblique expansion, i.e. vertically to
the X axis, can also vary widely. By way of example the height of
the coupling seal, i.e. the extension in the Z direction, can be in
the vicinity of 10 to 130 mm, preferably from 20 to 50 mm At this
point, the height of the sealing beads as a rule takes on a value
in the vicinity of 6 to 100 mm, preferably from 16 to 40 mm, and
the height of the coupling seal or respectively of the bead of the
coupling seal can have a height in the vicinity of 4 to 30 mm,
preferably von 4 to 10 mm The height of the limit stop of first and
second sealing bead can be for example in the vicinity of 4 to 10
mm This height of the limit stop of first and second sealing bead
preferably matches the height of the coupling seal or respectively
of the bead of the coupling seal of a second coupling seal to be
docked, in particular whenever the sealing beads have retainer
sections, moving out in the X direction via the limit stops. The
width of the first and second sealing beads, i.e. the extension in
the Y direction, is in each case preferably in the vicinity of 2 to
10 mm, in particular from 2 to 4 mm, while the width of the
coupling seal is preferably in the region of 5 to 30 mm, in
particular from 5 to 10 mm In an effective configuration the
coupler seal is wide than both first and second sealing beads
adjacent on their inner sides, so that the bearing side of the
coupling seal projects at its lengthways edges over the stop sides
of the sealing beads. The X, Y and Z dimensions correspond to the
axes of a Cartesian coordinate system.
[0016] The first and the second sealing bead of the coupling seals
form a peripheral edge, which can be closed tight by interdependent
application of the inner sides of these sealing beads. The sealing
beads are preferably made from a non-rigid material, in particular
a synthetic material. Suitable materials for the sealing beads are
for example polyethylene and polypropylene. Basically all
thermoplastic materials, also in the form of mixtures, and known to
the specialist are taken into consideration. Sealing beads, which
are designed to be less flexible, can understandably also be used,
as long as an adequate cross-section can be reversibly adjusted for
the passage of bulk goods.
[0017] For the coupler seal both flexible and more rigid materials,
for example made of synthetic material or metal, can be used.
Appropriate flexible materials include e.g. polyolefins and
polyethylene, in particular LD polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and
polyester. Polyamides, polystyrol, polypropylene and polyoxy
alkylene are e.g. suitable as more rigid synthetic materials. Those
materials, with which coupler seal, in particular the bead of the
coupling seal, can be manufactured by means of an extrusion profile
by means of extrusion, e.g. polyethylene, are particularly
preferred. The bead of the coupling seal can assume any basic form,
as long as it is ensured that docking to a complementary coupling
seal can be effected. The bearing side of the coupling seal is
preferably configured flat. The base form of the bead, when viewed
from above on the bearing side, can basically be any form and for
example may be straight, bent or corrugated. The trajectory of the
bead, when viewed from above on the bead, is preferably straight.
This preferably also affects the third and fourth sealing elements
of the coupling seal present on the bearing side. The third and
fourth sealing elements extend likewise as the first and second
sealing elements of the sealing beads at least at one end directly
as far as the respective limit stops.
[0018] The stop sides of the sealing beads are preferably formed
such that they can form a tight termination when applied to the
bearing side of the coupling seal.
[0019] The cross-section of the sealing beads can basically take on
any form. The cross-sectional shapes of the first and second
sealing bead preferably match one another and/or the coupler seal
such that a coupling seal sealed to the environment results. By way
of example the first and second sealing beads in an embodiment can
have a square or rectangular cross-section. According to a further
preferred configuration the cross-section of first and/or second
sealing bead tapers, the further it moves away from the feed side.
This can be continuous or discontinuous. By way of example, the
cross-sectional expansion can be constant in the vicinity of the
limit stop, after which tapering of the cross-section may begin.
This tapering does not apply particularly preferably immediately,
but at a point still further removed from the feed side. In this
embodiment the retainer section thus also has a cross-sectional
segment which at least partially has a uniform cross-sectional
width. While e.g. the uniform width (in the Y direction) extends
over the entire extension of the limit stop, e.g. over an extension
of 5 to 10 mm, this unchanged cross-sectional expansion can still
be maintained for a further 5 to 10 mm, before the cross-section
begins to taper. The tapering of the cross-section is preferably
such that the inside of the first and/or second sealing bead
remains substantially on a straight line. In particular, the
sections of the sealing beads tapering away from the feed side are
suited as a connection surface, preferably a welding surface, for
the edges of containers to be connected to the inventive coupling
seals. Joining the flexible container edges to the connection
surface or respectively to the sealing bead can be done using means
known to the specialist, for example by means of adhesion,
ultrasound, vibration or laser welding.
[0020] A further development of the inventive coupling seals
accordingly also ensures that the first and/or second sealing bead
has a connection surface, in particular welding surface, for the
opening edge of containers remote from the feed side (in the Z
direction) in particular with a thickness (in the Y direction),
which is less at least in sections than the thickness of the first
or second sealing bead in the vicinity of the limit stops. It is
understood that the container edges can also reach as far as the
feed side and beyond and can e.g. be connected over the full
surface to the inner sides of the sealing beads. Alternatively, the
container edges can also be connected with the outer sides of the
sealing beads.
[0021] According to a preferred configuration it is ensured that
the first and/or second sealing bead are elongated in longitudinal
alignment at the first and/or second end over the first or
respectively second limit stop and in transversal alignment (Z
direction) away from the stop sides and connecting to the first
and/or second limit stop in the form of retainer sections,
containing a first or respectively second bearing face extending
away from the first and/or second limit stop as well as an inside
and an outside, in particular such that the first and/or second
limit stop can be attached to the limit stop of a coupling seal of
a second coupling seal. The retainer sections protrude in the X
direction for example in a length of 10 to 50 mm, preferably from
20 to 40 mm, over the respective limit stop.
[0022] If the first and second sealing beads with their inner sides
fit together tightly and the stop sides of these sealing beads
substantially form a common face, the first and second sealing
elements as a rule can implicitly be pushed into the complementary
third or respectively fourth sealing elements. By the limit stops
of the first and second sealing beads being applied to the limit
stop of the coupling seal of a complementary coupling seal and at
the same time the limit stops of first and second sealing beads of
a second coupling seal being applied to the limit stop of the first
coupling seal, the in each case complementary first and second
sealing elements of first and second sealing bead can be pushed
into one another in forming a tight docking device. At the same
time the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupler seals are
gradually freed. This docking procedure can be substantially
improved and simplified by the above described retainer sections.
The retainer sections make up an elongation of the sealing beads
remote from its stop sides, while retaining the first and second
limit stops. The retainer sections accordingly do not have a
continuous feed side with the sealing beads, rather the bearing
face of the retainer sections is shifted in the direction of the
bag wall to be connected and usually terminates at an angle,
preferably right angle, in the first or respectively second limit
stop. The bearing face of the retainer section of a sealing bead is
preferably parallel to its feed side.
[0023] The retainer sections further considerably facilitate
operation of the inventive coupling seals. With manual docking of
complementary coupling seals the bearing faces of the retainer
sections can be applied to the side opposite the bearing side of
the coupling seal, by which the stop sides of the sealing beads of
the coupling seal to be docked are approximately at a level at
which the sealing beads or respectively their first and second
sealing elements can be introduced directly into the complementary
first and second sealing elements of the first coupling seal.
[0024] At the same time it can be provided in particular that in
transversal alignment (Z direction) the coupler seal has a
thickness between the bearing side and the side opposite the
bearing side in the vicinity of the limit stop, which corresponds
substantially to the distance between the bearing face of the
retainer section of the first and/or second sealing bead, at the
point where the bearing face meets the first or respectively second
limit stop, and corresponds substantially to the feed side of first
or respectively second sealing bead.
[0025] In general, for complementary sealing elements of
spring/groove connections can be employed. An embodiment
accordingly distinguishes itself in that the sealing elements of
first and second sealing bead in each case constitute a groove and
that the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupling seal in
each case constitute a spring, which is complementary to the groove
of the first or respectively second sealing bead, so that groove
and spring can be engaged in each case reversibly, in particular
sealed to the environment. According to a further variant it is
provided that the first and second sealing elements of first and
second sealing bead in each case constitute a spring and that the
third and fourth sealing elements of the coupling seal constitute a
groove, complementary to the spring of first or respectively second
sealing bead, so that groove and spring can be engaged in each case
reversibly, in particular sealed to the environment. Alternatively,
it can also be ensured that the first sealing element of the first
sealing bead constitute a groove and the second sealing element of
the second sealing bead constitute a spring, and that the third
sealing element of the coupling seal constitute a spring,
complementary to the groove of the first sealing bead, and the
fourth sealing element of the coupling seal constitute a groove,
complementary to the spring of the second sealing bead, so that
groove and spring can be engaged in each case reversibly, in
particular sealed to the environment.
[0026] First and second coupling seal can then be coupled
particularly unproblematically if, in the vicinity of the first
and/or second end, in particular in the vicinity of the limit stop
of the first and/or second end in longitudinal alignment, the bead
of the coupling seal has take-up device, in particular a recess,
for receiving the retainer section of a second coupling seal, in
particular in the form of remote side walls, extending away from
the side opposite the bearing side, in particular substantially
parallel walls at least in sections.
[0027] At this point, it is of advantage if the take-up device, in
particular has at least an inside of the spaced-apart side walls of
this take-up device, at least a guide element, which can be engaged
with a complementary guide element of the retainer section of first
and/or second sealing bead of a second coupling seal. The retainer
sections are present in the vicinity of the first and second ends
of the inventive coupling seal. At these opposite ends the coupling
seals are generally gripped by hand to initiate the docking
procedure. By the coupler seals being fitted with recesses, in
which the retainer sections of corresponding coupling seals can be
laid, the first and second sealing beads can already be moved
jointly by pressing together of the side walls of these recesses
when there is adequate thickness of the inserted adjacent first and
second retainer sections. The adjoining first and second sealing
beads forming a seal are then connected to a complementary coupling
seal particularly well and unproblematically, as previously
described, whenever the retainer sections can no longer slip out of
the recess during the docking procedure. This succeeds through the
use of complementary guide elements, which can be engaged in one
another and are thus present in a substantially arrested state.
[0028] The inventive coupling seals accordingly preferably have at
least one retainer section of first and/or second sealing bead with
at least one guide element on its outside, which can be engaged in
a complementary guide element of the coupling seal of a second
coupling seal. Those coupling seals, in which the first and third
sealing elements and/or the second and fourth sealing elements
match one another such that the feed side of the first or
respectively second sealing bead and the bearing side of the
coupling seal fit tightly together or respectively can be fitted
tightly together in the connected state at least in areas are
particularly suited here.
[0029] According to the invention it is also provided that the
third and fourth sealing elements are at such a distance from one
another that in the state connected to the first or respectively
second sealing element the inner sides of first and second sealing
bead fit tightly together or can be fitted tightly together, in
particular sealing tightly at least in areas.
[0030] The first and the second sealing element are effectively
substantially the same length in longitudinal alignment. This
preferably applies likewise to the third and the fourth sealing
element, which preferably run parallel.
[0031] Coupling seals, in which the first and the third sealing
element and/or the second and the fourth sealing element are
substantially the same length in longitudinal alignment, are also
particularly preferred.
[0032] The device for taking up the retainer section or
respectively the first and second retainer sections of a second
coupling seal can be connectable or connected one-storied or
separately to the bead of the coupling seal of the first coupling
seal. This device, which assumes in an effective configuration the
form of a recess, can preferably be connected as a separate
structural component to the bead, in particular at its first and/or
opposite second end, e.g. by way of a plug-in or clip connection.
Bead and device can thus be made separately for taking up the
retainer section of a second coupling seal.
[0033] The first and second sealing beads can be present both
separately and connected to one another. It is preferable for the
first and the second sealing bead to be connected to one another by
way of their in each case adjacent ends, in particular by way of
adjacent retainer sections and/or by way of the inner side areas
adjacent to the limit stops of adjacent limit stops, in particular
in forming a closed periphery. At least areas of the adjoining
inner sides of adjacent retainer sections are accordingly
preferably connected. The inner side regions adjacent to the
adjacent limit stops of first and second sealing bead are also
particularly preferably connected to one another or respectively
sealed at least in sections, e.g. by forming a film hinge.
[0034] According to the invention coupling seals likewise include
those embodiments in which the sealing beads are connected at least
in sections separately or one-storied to the opening edge of a
flexible container, in particular in the form of a bag or means of
transportation.
[0035] Particularly secure docking of a first inventive coupling
seal on a second inventive coupling seal occurs through at least
one first adjustment means present at the first and/or second end,
in particular in and/or on the limit stop, of the coupling seal, in
particular in the form of at least a pin or an inlet, for receiving
second adjustment means of a second coupling seal to be connected,
in particular for receiving complementary adjustment means in
and/or on the limit stop of first and/or second sealing bead of a
dockable or respectively second coupling seal to be coupled.
[0036] The pins and/or inlets of the adjustment means are
preferably designed with a cross-sectional geometry, for example in
the form of a rectangle, triangle, square or pentagon, which
automatically ensure the required alignment of the first and second
sealing elements of first and second coupling seal to be meshed, by
locking with the complementary second adjustment means of the
second coupling seal.
[0037] The docking procedure is made easier by at least second
adjustment means present on the first and/or second end, in
particular in and/or on the limit stop, of the first and/or second
sealing bead, in particular in the form of at least of a pin or an
inlet, for receiving complementary adjustment means of a second
coupling seal to be connected, in particular for taking up
complementary adjustment means in and/or on the limit stop of a
coupling seal of a second coupling seal to be coupled or
respectively to be docked.
[0038] Furthermore, those coupling seals are preferred in which
there are first centring means on the bearing face at least of a
first and/or second retainer section, in particular in longitudinal
alignment, which can be engaged with a complementary second
centring means on the side of the coupling seal of a coupling seal
to be coupled or respectively docked opposite the bearing side.
[0039] By providing centring means, for example in the form of a
longitudinally aligned link or a longitudinally aligned recess or
respectively groove on the bearing face of the retainer section,
secure and unproblematic docking of two coupling seals can again be
improved. These first centring means engage or respectively snap in
complementary second centring means present on the side opposite
the bearing side of the bead of the coupling seal of a second
coupling seal to be connected, ensuring reciprocal axial alignment
of the sealing beads of first and second coupling seal at least in
the vicinity of the adjoining ends.
[0040] According to the invention those coupling seals are
therefore also included, in which there are at least second
centring means on the side opposite the bearing side of the
coupling seal, in particular in longitudinal alignment, which can
be engaged with complementary first centring means on the bearing
face of a first and/or second retainer section of a coupling seal
to be coupled or respectively to be docked.
[0041] In a further variant embodiment the inventive coupling seals
are designed such that during docking with a complementary second
coupling seal the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupler
seals are not pulled fully out of the connected connection with the
first and second sealing elements of the first and second sealing
beads, rather they are still engaged with the first and second
sealing elements of the first and second sealing bead of the
coupling seal in sections the third and fourth sealing elements of
a coupling seal.
[0042] According to a further aspect the object of the invention is
solved by a docking device for, in particular sealed to the
environment, emptying, filling or refilling bulk goods, comprising
a first and second coupling seal, as claimed in any one of the
foregoing claims, whereby the first and the second sealing bead of
the first coupling seal and the first and the second sealing bead
of the second coupling seal are substantially the same length and
whereby the first and second sealing elements of first and second
sealing bead of the first coupling seal are complementary to the
first and second sealing elements of first and second sealing bead
of the second coupling seal, so that the first and second sealing
beads of first and second coupling seal, in particular sealed to
the environment, can be connected or are connected to one another
reversibly.
[0043] At the same time it can in particular be ensured that the
first and/or second coupling seal can be connected or is connected
to a flexible container, in particular in the form of a receptacle
or of means of transportation, separately or one-storied. A
particular advantage of the inventive docking devices is also
substantiated on the fact that two substantially identical coupling
seals can be used, thus drastically lowering material and
construction expense.
[0044] A further development of the inventive docking device also
ensures that the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupling
seal of the first coupling seal in the docked state of first and
second coupling seal in sections remain engaged with the first and
second sealing elements of first and second sealing bead of the
first coupling seal and/or that the third and fourth sealing
elements of the coupling seal of the second coupling seal remain
engaged in the docked state in sections with the first and second
sealing elements of the first and second sealing bead of the second
coupling seal.
[0045] According to a further aspect the object underlying the
invention is solved by a method for, in particular sealed to the
environment, emptying, filling or refilling containers, comprising
the steps: [0046] providing a first container flexible at least in
the region of the opening, in particular of an inventive container,
containing at least a first, at least partially closed present
inventive coupling seal, [0047] providing a second container
flexible at least in the region of the opening, in particular of an
inventive container, containing at least a second, at least
partially closed present inventive coupling seal, [0048] applying
the first end of the first sealing elements of the first sealing
bead of the first coupling seal to the first end of a complementary
first sealing elements of a first sealing bead of the second
coupling seal and applying the first end of the second sealing
elements of the second sealing bead of the first coupling seal to
the first end of the complementary second sealing element of the
second sealing bead of the second coupling seal, so that the in
each case complementary first and second sealing elements of first
and second coupling seal can be engaged by axial motion, [0049]
interdependent meshing of the in each case complementary first and
second sealing elements by axial shifting, whereby the third and
fourth sealing elements of the coupler seals of first and second
coupling seal are released successively from the connection with
the first and second sealing element of first or respectively
second coupling seal, preferably until the first end of the
coupling seal of the first coupling seal is in the vicinity of the
second end of the first coupling seal, and until the first end of
the coupling seal of the second coupling seal is in the vicinity of
the second end of the first coupling seal, in particular forming an
inventive docking device, [0050] transferring bulk goods from the
first container to the second container, or vice versa, [0051]
moving the first end of the coupling seal of the first coupling
seal in the direction of the first end of this coupling seal and
moving the first end of the coupling seal of the second coupling
seal in the direction of the first end of this coupling seal, so
that the third and fourth sealing elements of the coupling seal of
the first coupling seal are successively engaged with the
complementary first and second sealing elements of the first and
second sealing beads of the first coupling seal, and that the third
and fourth sealing elements of the coupling seal of the second
coupling seal are engaged successively with the complementary first
and second sealing elements of the first or respectively second
sealing bead of the second coupling seal, in particular until the
first and second sealing elements of the first coupling seal are no
longer engaged with the complementary first and second sealing
elements of the second coupling seal, so that the first and second
container are separated from one another.
[0052] Particularly preferred are those methods in which the limit
stop of the coupling seal of the first coupling seal is advanced to
the limit stops of first and second sealing bead of the second
coupling seal and the limit stop of the coupling seal of the second
coupling seal is advanced to the limit stops of first and second
sealing bead of the first coupling seal, in particular are fitted
tightly together, so that at least in the vicinity of the limit
stops the bearing side of the coupling seal of the first coupling
seal runs substantially parallel to the stop sides of first and
second sealing bead of the second coupling seal, and/or that the
bearing side of the coupling seal of the second coupling seal runs
substantially parallel to the stop sides of first and second
sealing bead of the first coupling seal.
[0053] A further development of the inventive method is based on
the fact that the first and second bearing face of first and second
retainer section of the first coupling seal are applied in axial
alignment to the side opposite the bearing side of the bead of the
coupling seal of the second coupling seal, and/or that the first
and second bearing faces of first and second retainer section of
the second coupling seal are applied to the side opposite the
bearing side of the bead of the coupling seal of the first coupling
seals.
[0054] Furthermore, in a preferred configuration the inventive
method provides for the first and second retainer sections of the
first coupling seal to be inserted into a recess of the coupling
seal of the second coupling seal and/or for the first and second
retainer sections of the second coupling seal to be inserted into a
recess of the coupling seal of the first coupling seal.
[0055] The surprising realisation of the present invention was that
even very flexible coupling seals for any nominal widths can be
sealed by means of a bead-like coupling seal sealed to the
environment. Furthermore, the surprising realisation of the
invention is that these systems, when fitted with a common limit
stop, can be connected trouble-free with complementary coupling
seal systems in forming a docking device sealed to the
environment.
[0056] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
emerge from the following description, in which embodiments of
inventive coupling seals and docking devices are explained in
detail by means of schematic diagrams, in which:
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a section of a schematic perspective view of an
inventive coupling seal;
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a section of a schematic perspective view of
two inventive coupling seals;
[0059] FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation of an inventive docking
device in the disconnected state; and
[0060] FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of an inventive docking
device in the connected state.
[0061] FIG. 1 shows the area around the first end 3 of a preferred
embodiment of an inventive coupling seal 1. The coupling seal 1 is
composed of a first sealing bead 5, a second sealing bead 7 and the
coupler seal 9. The first and second sealing beads can be connected
one-storied to the front and rear side walls of a flexible bag. In
the illustrated embodiment the cross-section of the inventive first
and second sealing elements (in the Y-Z plane) is constant,
beginning from the feed side first. Both the limit stops and a
section of the retainer sections (apart from the recess 61)
accordingly have a substantially constant cross-section (in the Y
direction). Beginning from the edges 41 and 43 the first or
respectively second sealing bead taper until they have reached a
relatively thin-walled cross-section. In the illustrated variant
the resulting minimal cross-section is maintained for a specific
length. The tapering particularly preferably influences the contour
of the outer walls of the sealing bead, however not the contour of
the inner walls. The inner walls of the sealing beads can be laid
preferably in one flat plane, as shown.
[0062] The tapering sections of the sealing beads, inside as well
as outside, constitute preferred welding surfaces for flexible bag
edges of containers to be connected, sealed to the environment. The
first sealing bead 5 and the second sealing bead 7 are fitted with
limit stops 15 or respectively 17 at their respective first end 3.
Furthermore, the first sealing bead 5 has a first sealing element
19 in the form of a longitudinal groove and the second sealing bead
7 has a second sealing element 21 in the form of a longitudinal
spring. The groove 19 and the spring 21 are in each case arranged
on the feed side 23 and 25 of first and second sealing bead 5 or
respectively 7. Furthermore, the first and second sealing beads 5
and 7 have at least on the first end 3 retainer sections 27 or
respectively 29.
[0063] The sealing beads 5 and 7 have a longitudinal alignment
between the first end 3 and the second end 31 (not shown), i.e. the
stop sides 23 and 25 extend between the first and second end in
longitudinal alignment (X direction). Each sealing bead has a
thickness or respectively width transverse to this longitudinal
alignment (distance between the respective outer sides 33, 35 and
inner sides 37, 39 of first and second sealing bead (Y direction)).
Furthermore, each sealing bead or respectively the base body of the
sealing bead likewise transverse to the longitudinal direction has
a height extension (Z direction), which is characterised on one
side by the stop sides 23 or respectively 25 and on the other side
by the edges 75 and 77.
[0064] Extending out over the limit stops 15 and 17 of first or
respectively second sealing bead 5, 7 in each case are retainer
sections 27 or respectively 29. These retainer sections represent
elongations of the sealing beads 5, 7 in longitudinal alignment.
The respective retainer sections 27 and 29 begin in the Z direction
where the limit stops 15 and 17 stop. The limit stops 15 and 17
preferably merge into the retainer sections 27 and 29 at a right
angle. Just like the sealing beads 5, 7, these retainer sections
have an outer and an inner side as a constituent of same. The outer
and inner sides 33a, 35a or respectively 37a, 39a of the retainer
sections 27, 29 generally seamlessly form a unitary face with the
inside and outside 33, 37; 35, 39 of the sealing beads on the far
side of the limit stops. In the illustrated embodiment these outer
and inner sides of the retainer sections are connected by a bearing
face 45, 47, running parallel to the feed side 23, 25 of first or
respectively second sealing bead 5, 7. The inner sides 35a, 39a of
the retainer sections 25, 27 of first and second sealing bead 5, 7
are likewise fitted tightly together, and are preferably connected
solidly to one another. If the inner sides 35, 39 of the first and
second sealing bead 5, 7 are applied tightly to one another, so
that the respective first and second ends 3, 31 and thus also the
respective limit stops 15, 17 are adjacent to one another, the
faces of the respective limit stops are in a common curved or
planar, in particular planar, plane, as shown in FIG. 1.
Furthermore, the both limit stops 15, 17 of first and second
sealing bead 5, 7 are uniformly dimensioned at least in the Z
direction, so that the bearing faces 45, 47 of the retainer
sections 27, 29 of first and second sealing bead and the stop sides
23, 25 of first and second sealing bead 5, 7 also for a curved or
planar plane, in particular a planar plane.
[0065] In addition, the inventive seal 1 has a coupler seal 9. This
coupler seal 9 has between the first and second end or the sealing
beads a longitudinal extension in the form of a bead 49. This bead
49 is fitted with a bearing side 51, on which there are third and
fourth sealing elements 53, 55 adjacent to one another in
longitudinal alignment. In the illustrated embodiment the third
sealing element 53 constitutes a spring and the fourth sealing
elements 55 a groove. The third sealing element 53 is complementary
to the first sealing element 19 in the form of a groove of the
first sealing bead 5. The fourth sealing element 55 is
complementary to the second sealing element 21 in the form of a
spring of the second sealing bead 7. At the first end 3a of the
coupling seal 9 there is a limit stop 57, extending at the first
end between the bearing side 51 and the side 59 opposite the
bearing side. As is evident from FIG. 1, in the connected state the
coupler seal 9 enables closing of the first and second sealing bead
5, 7 sealed to the environment. At this point, the first and third
19, 53 or respectively second and fourth sealing elements 21, 55
have been matched to each other such that the stop sides 23, 25 of
first and second sealing bead are in each case tightly sealed on
the bearing side 51 of the coupling seal 9. Furthermore, the
distance from third and fourth sealing element 53, 55 of the
coupling seal 9 and the thickness of first and second sealing
element 19, 21 (in the Y direction) are selected such that in the
closed, i.e. connected state the respective inner sides 37, 39 of
first and second sealing bead 5, 7 fit tightly together. The
retainer sections 27, 29 are in each case additionally fitted with
a guide element 61, whereof the operation is described in greater
detail hereinbelow.
[0066] As is evident from FIG. 1 the thickness or respectively
height of the limit stop 57 of the coupling seal 9 (i.e. the
extension in the Z direction) is substantially the same as the
height of the limit stops 15, 17 (likewise in Z alignment) of first
and second sealing bead.
[0067] As illustrated, the coupler seal 9 in the vicinity of the
first end 3a has substantially parallel side walls 63, 65, which
extend away from the bead 49 and form between them a channel-like
recess 67. Provided on the outer sides of these side walls 63, 65
are projections 69 for facilitating the manual operating
procedure.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the thickness of the sealing beads 5, 7
(in the Y direction) in the vicinity of the limit stops, is
preferably greater than the thickness in the vicinity of the
welding surfaces 11, 13 for the connecting bag walls. The
transition from sealing bead to bag wall can continue
erratically.
[0069] FIG. 2 shows two inventive coupling seals 1, 1' just before
the docking procedure. The aim of the docking procedure in an
initial step is to place in contact the limit stops 15, 17 of first
and second sealing bead 5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1 with the
limit stop 57' of the coupling seal 9' of the second coupling seal
1' as well as the limit stops 15', 17' of first and second sealing
bead 5', 7' of the second seal 1' with the limit stop 57 of the
coupling seal 9 of the first coupling seal 1 in such a way that the
complementary first sealing elements 19, 19' of first and second
coupling seal 1, 1' and the complementary second sealing elements
21, 21' of first and second coupling seal 1, 1' can be coupled
together by interdependent shifting of both inventive coupling
seals 1, 1' or respectively of the coupler seals 9; 9' and/or
sealing beads 15, 17; 15', 17' in longitudinal alignment. This
proves to be particularly reliable if retainer sections 27, 29 and
27', 29' are used, which can be inserted into recesses 67' or
respectively 67 of the coupler seals 9', 9. Reliable docking of
first and second coupling seal 1, 1' requires that the
complementary first sealing elements 19, 19' and the complementary
second sealing elements 21, 21' of first and second coupling seal
engage in one another in each case unhindered, by which the
respective coupling seals 9, 9' are successively pressed out of
their connection with these sealing elements. For this purpose the
height of the limit stops 15, 17 of first and second sealing bead
5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1 is such (in the Y direction)
that, whenever the bearing faces 45, 47 of the retainer sections
27, 29 in the recess 67' of the coupling seal 9' of the second
coupling seal 1' are in contact with the side 59' opposite the
bearing side 51' of the coupling seal 9', the stop sides 23, 25 of
first and second sealing bead 5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1 are
located substantially at the level of the bearing side 51' of the
coupling seal 9' of the second coupling seal 1'. Similarly, the
dimensions of the limit stops 15', 17' of first and second sealing
bead 5', 7' of the second coupling seal 1' match the limit stop 57
of the coupling seal 9 of the first coupling seal 1.
[0070] The inner sides of the side walls 63, 65; 63', 65' of the
coupler seals 9, 9' of first and second coupling seal 1, 1' forming
the recess 67, 67' are fitted with guide elements 71, 71', which
engage in complementary guide elements 61 or respectively 61' on
the outer sides 33, 33' of the respective retainer sections 25, 27
or respectively 25', 27' during the docking procedure. The position
of these complementary guide elements 61, 71' or respectively 61',
71 is selected such that the complementary first and second sealing
elements of the first and second sealing beads of first and second
coupling seal to be coupled can be guided into one another
unproblematically. An added purpose of the side walls 63, 65
forming the recesses 67, 67' of the coupling seal 9 during the
docking procedure in particular manual is to serve as preferred
grip or respectively holding points. In this case particularly
reliable docking can be completed using the complementary
intermeshing of the guide elements by the retainer sections 25, 27
of the first coupling seal 1 and the coupler seal 9' of the second
coupling seal 1'. For in this way the sealing beads of the
inventive coupling seals in each case fitting tightly are carried
along securely and reliably during the docking procedure.
[0071] While the retainer sections 27, 29 of the first and second
sealing bead 5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1 snap into the recess
67' of the coupling seal 9' of the second coupling seal 1', this
happens similarly with the retainer sections 27', 29' of first and
second sealing bead 5', 7' of the second coupling seal 1', which
snap in the recess 67 of the coupling seal 9 of the first coupling
seal 1.
[0072] As is already evident from FIG. 2, an advantage of the
inventive docking device also consists of two identical inventive
coupling seals 1, 1' being able to be formed. This again leads to
minimising of construction and material expenditure for
manufacturing docking devices sealed to the environment.
[0073] FIG. 3 shows an inventive docking device 101, in which both
inventive coupling seals 1, 1' are coupled in the vicinity of their
respective adjacent first ends 3, 3'. This arrangement is obtained
by the coupling seals 1, 1', as indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrow
symbols, being moved to one another until they are interdependently
attached. In the process the bearing faces 45, 47 of the retainer
sections 25, 27 of the first and second sealing bead 5, 7 of the
first coupling seal 1 become attached to the coupling seal 9' of
the second coupling seal 1' and the bearing faces of the first and
second sealing beads 5', 7' of the second coupling seal 1' become
attached to the coupler seal 9 of the first coupling seal 1.
Likewise the limit stops 15, 17 of first and second sealing bead 5,
7 of the first coupling seal 1 rest on the limit stop 57' of the
coupling seal 9' of the second coupling seal 1' and the limit stops
15', 17' of the first and second sealing bead 5', 7' of the second
coupling seal 1' rest on the limit stop 57 of the coupling seal 9
of the first coupling seal 1. At this point, the retainer sections
27, 29 of the first and second sealing beads 5, 7 of the first
coupling seal 1 are present in the recess 67' of the coupling seal
9' of the second coupling seal 1' and the retainer sections 27',
29' of the first and second sealing beads 5', 7' of the second
coupling seal 1 are present in the recess 67 of the coupling seal 9
of the first inventive coupling seal 1. In the illustrated
embodiment the coupler seals 9, 9' of first and second coupling
seal 1, 1' are made of flexible synthetic materials, just as the
sealing beads 5, 5', 7, 7' of first and second coupling seal 1,
1'.
[0074] To keep the coupler seals 9, 9' in this embodiment connected
reliably to the first or respectively second coupling seal 1, 1',
the use of complementary guide elements on the inner sides of the
side walls of the recess has proven itself in particular also. A
particularly preferred example of such an embodiment is where the
side walls 63, 65 forming the recess 67 of the coupling seal 9 have
other clamping or respectively mounting elements on their opposite
inner sides. These clamping or respectively mounting elements can
be e.g., as shown in FIG. 4, projections 73 pointing in the
direction of the in each case opposite side wall, which are
arranged as far as possible away from the side 53 opposite the
bearing side 51.
[0075] A coupled docking device can be obtained by interdependently
moving the coupling seals 1, 1' (see arrows in FIG. 3).
[0076] FIG. 4 shows an inventive docking device 101 in the
connected state. At this point, the first sealing beads 5, 5' of
first and second coupling seal 1, 1' are connected tightly together
via their complementary first sealing elements 19, 19' and the
second sealing beads 7, 7' of first and second coupling seal 1, 1'
via their complementary second sealing elements 21, 21' over their
entire length in longitudinal extension. In the illustrated
embodiment the respective coupler seals 9, 9' of first and second
coupling seal 1, 1' are connected by the retainer sections 27, 29
or respectively 27', 29' to the respective sealing beads. In this
embodiment the sealing elements 53, 55; 53', 55' of the coupler
seals 9, 9' are no longer meshed with the sealing elements of the
first or respectively of the second coupling seal 1, 1'. Of course,
it is likewise possible to pull the coupler seals of first and/or
second coupling seal 1, 1' out of the first and second sealing
elements of these coupling seals, only to the point where a section
at the end of the coupler seals in sections still remains in
constant connection with the first and second sealing elements.
[0077] In a particularly preferred embodiment the inner sides 35,
39; 35', 39' of the first and second sealing beads 5, 7; 5', 7' of
the inventive coupling seals 1, 1' in the vicinity of the limit
stops and in particular also in the vicinity of the inner sides of
the retainer sections 27, 29; 27', 29' are connected to one another
permanently tightly, for example adhered or in one piece.
[0078] The inventive method of emptying or respectively filling
and/or refilling bulk goods by means of the inventive coupling
seals 1, 1' or respectively the inventive docking device 101 is
described hereinbelow by way of the abovementioned diagrams. For
better illustration it should be assumed that the inventive first
coupling seal 1, as shown in FIG. 3, closes the opening of an
inliner, as used for example for so-called big bags for products
used in the food industry. In the present case the inventive second
coupling seal 1' should represent the opening of a flexible filler
hose, which is connected to a store tank. The coupling seals 1, 1'
present in each case in the closed state should first be guided to
one another in the vicinity of their limit stops 15, 17; 15', 17'
to be connected, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. At this point, the
retainer sections 27, 29 of the first coupling seal 1 are inserted
in the recess 67' of the coupling seal 9' of the second coupling
seal 1', and the retainer sections 27', 29' of the second coupling
seal 1' are inserted in the recess 67 of the coupling seal 9 of the
first coupling seal 1 until they are interdependently attached in
each case. The limit stops are present in this procedural step such
that the first sealing element 19 of the first sealing bead 5 of
the first coupling seal 1 engages in the complementary first
sealing element 19' of the first sealing bead 5' of the second
coupling seal 1', and the second sealing element 21 of the second
sealing bead 7 of the first coupling seal 1 engages in the
complementary second sealing element 21' of the second sealing bead
7' of the second coupling seal 1'. Docking for both inventive
coupling seals 1, 1' can now be completed by the side walls 63, 65
of the recess 67 of the coupling seal 9 of the first coupling seal
1 being held to draw the sealing beads 5', 7' of the second
coupling seal 1' (to the left in diagram 4) over the sealing beads
5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1. At this point, the stop sides
23, 23', 25, 25' of first and second coupling seal 1, 1' slide over
one another.
[0079] Alternatively, the side walls 63', 65' of the coupling seal
9' of the second coupling seal 1' can be held to connect the first
and second sealing beads 5, 7 of the first coupling seal 1 (to the
right in FIG. 3), as previously shown, with the sealing beads 5',
7' of the second coupling seal 1'. In addition, there is the
possibility of moving the sealing beads of these seals towards each
other and relative to one another by holding the side walls 63, 65;
63', 65' of the coupler seals 9, 9' of first and second coupling
seal 1, 1'. Each of these variants results in a connected docking
device 101, as shown in FIG. 4. This docking device can now be
separated again, and at that sealed to the environment, by the
third and fourth sealing elements 53, 55 of the first coupling seal
1 being re-inserted into the complementary first and second sealing
elements 19, 21 of the first coupling seal 1. At this point, the
first and second sealing elements 19', 21' of the second coupling
seal 1' are again inserted automatically into the complementary
third and fourth sealing elements 53', 55' of the second seal. The
coupling seals 1, 1' to be connected are accordingly automatically
opened during the docking procedure, while they are automatically
closed again in each case when disconnected.
[0080] In the docked state, bulk goods can thus be filled into the
inliner of a big bag from a store tank, e.g. a silo. If the filling
procedure is completed and no more bulk goods material is being
transferred the docking device can be detached again, as described
hereinabove. Throughout the procedure it is ensured that neither
can the bulk goods to be filled into the inliner fall out, nor can
constituents from outside contaminate the bulk goods material.
[0081] The characteristics of the invention disclosed in the
abovementioned description, diagrams and claims can be essential
for carrying out the invention in its various embodiments both
individually and in any combination.
LEGEND
[0082] 1 coupling seal [0083] 3 first end of the coupling seal
[0084] 3a first end of the coupling seal [0085] 5 first sealing
bead [0086] 7 second sealing bead [0087] 9 coupler seal [0088] 11
welding surface for front wall of a flexible bag [0089] 13 welding
surface for rear wall of a flexible bag [0090] 15 limit stop of the
first sealing bead [0091] 17 limit stop of the second sealing bead
[0092] 19 first sealing element of the first sealing bead [0093] 21
second sealing element of the second sealing bead [0094] 23 feed
side of the first sealing bead [0095] 25 feed side of the second
sealing bead [0096] 27 retainer sections of the first sealing bead
[0097] 29 retainer section of the second sealing bead [0098] 31
second end of the coupling seal [0099] 33 outside of the first
sealing bead [0100] 35 outside of the second sealing bead [0101] 37
inside of the first sealing bead [0102] 39 inside of the second
sealing bead [0103] 41 tapering edge of the first sealing bead
[0104] 43 tapering edge of the second sealing bead [0105] 45
bearing face of the first retainer section [0106] 47 bearing face
of the second retainer section [0107] 49 bead of the coupling seal
[0108] 51 bearing side of the bead [0109] 53 third sealing element
of the coupling seal [0110] 55 fourth sealing element of the
coupling seal [0111] 57 limit stop of the coupling seal [0112] 59
side of the bead opposite the bearing side 51 [0113] 61 guide
element of the side walls [0114] 63 side walls [0115] 65 side walls
[0116] 67 recess [0117] 69 projections, protrusions [0118] 71 guide
element on the outside of the retainer section [0119] 73 projection
[0120] 75 upper edge of the first sealing bead [0121] 77 upper edge
of the second sealing bead [0122] 101 docking device
* * * * *