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.

Description

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

• • 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,
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • 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,
  • transferring bulk goods from the first container to the second container, or vice versa,
  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

FIG. 1 shows a section of a schematic perspective view of an inventive coupling seal;

FIG. 2 shows a section of a schematic perspective view of two inventive coupling seals;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation of an inventive docking device in the disconnected state; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of an inventive docking device in the connected state.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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′.

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.

A coupled docking device can be obtained by interdependently moving the coupling seals 1, 1′ (see arrows in FIG. 3).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• 1 coupling seal
• 3 first end of the coupling seal
• 3a first end of the coupling seal
• 5 first sealing bead
• 7 second sealing bead
• 9 coupler seal
• 11 welding surface for front wall of a flexible bag
• 13 welding surface for rear wall of a flexible bag
• 15 limit stop of the first sealing bead
• 17 limit stop of the second sealing bead
• 19 first sealing element of the first sealing bead
• 21 second sealing element of the second sealing bead
• 23 feed side of the first sealing bead
• 25 feed side of the second sealing bead
• 27 retainer sections of the first sealing bead
• 29 retainer section of the second sealing bead
• 31 second end of the coupling seal
• 33 outside of the first sealing bead
• 35 outside of the second sealing bead
• 37 inside of the first sealing bead
• 39 inside of the second sealing bead
• 41 tapering edge of the first sealing bead
• 43 tapering edge of the second sealing bead
• 45 bearing face of the first retainer section
• 47 bearing face of the second retainer section
• 49 bead of the coupling seal
• 51 bearing side of the bead
• 53 third sealing element of the coupling seal
• 55 fourth sealing element of the coupling seal
• 57 limit stop of the coupling seal
• 59 side of the bead opposite the bearing side 51
• 61 guide element of the side walls
• 63 side walls
• 65 side walls
• 67 recess
• 69 projections, protrusions
• 71 guide element on the outside of the retainer section
• 73 projection
• 75 upper edge of the first sealing bead
• 77 upper edge of the second sealing bead
• 101 docking device

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.