EP1812293B1 - Coupling seal docking device comprising two of said coupling seals and container comprising at least one of said coupling seals - Google Patents

Abstract

Coupling closure comprises a first closing strip (2) containing an elastic cheek body (6), a second closing strip (4), and a first elastic element (200) with opposite-lying ends (202, 204). The cheek body has an inner side (10), an outer side (14) an upper side and/or edge and a first bearing element (18) on the first end of the cheek body. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) Docking device comprising at least of the coupling closures; and (2) Holding device for operating the coupling closure.

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling closure and a docking device, comprising two coupling closures docked to each other according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a holding device for actuating erfmdungsgemäßen coupling closures or docking devices. The invention also relates to a container for fine metering of powdery or granular materials, comprising at least one coupling closure according to the invention.

In many areas, especially in the processing industry, high demands are often placed on the purity of the starting materials used, which is why contamination by impurities must be avoided at every point of the process sequence and not only in the production and isolation of the starting materials. Frequently, however, contact with the environment can not be completely avoided, especially when filling the finished starting products into suitable containers and when transferring them to further processing into intermediates or end products. Already hereby the quality of the further processed products can be sustainably affected. If necessary, product batches can even be completely discarded. On the other hand, care must be taken, especially in the case of toxic compounds, that humans and the environment do not come into contact with these substances, which likewise requires very careful, environmentally-isolated work. Often only work under cleanroom conditions meets the requirements to be able to transfer toxic substances into suitable processing containers. In any case, both in the endeavor to avoid contaminating valuable starting materials and with the objective of not contaminating the environment with toxic compounds, a high equipment and safety effort associated, which inevitably also reflected in the manufacturing cost. High demands on contamination-free work, for example, regularly made by the food processing, chemical or pharmaceutical industry, for example, when products in the form of bulk material or fluids from a fixed first container to be transferred to a portable second container. Since some products have a very toxic effect on the human organism even in very small amounts and other products are very sensitive to air, for example, the industry has developed effective coupling elements or docking devices which can be filled or emptied in an insulated or at least dust-free container To enable state. For example, for this purpose containers are filled via a double cap technique, which have proved to be very efficient, but also because of the technical design and the materials used, as costly. Also, reliability in continuous operation often does not meet the desired requirement profile.

WO 2004/103816 describes a docking device according to the preambles of claim 1. Its contents are considered as prior art according to Article 54 (3) EPC.

In the DE 43 29 276 A1 is a dust-tight connection of transportable Schüttbehältem, which in turn are already provided with a connection device proposed. Here, the bulk material container is inserted in the docked state with the outlet from above in an elastic disc and closed when closed by a sealing cone. The discharge hopper of the bulk material container has a diameter which is larger than that of the hole in the rubber disc. An end cone located in the outlet funnel cuts off the bulk material flow with its lower edge. When using a rubber disc with a deliberately undersized passage opening as a sealing element, however, can not be excluded that, at least in frequent use, damage or deteriorate the elasticity, so that an environmentally sound insulation of the discharge funnel is no longer guaranteed. Furthermore, special precautions must be taken to be able to effect an environmentally insulated closing of the bulk material container via a displacement of the end cone. The application possibilities of the dustproof connection according to DE 43 299 276 A1 are therefore severely limited.

The DE 20 217 669 U1 describes a sealed docking between two substantially environmentally insulated containers, each container is at least partially substantially flexible and are tightly connected to a coupling closure can. The tightly against each other adjacent elastic coupling elements are each equipped with a slot that can be opened by elastic deformation of the coupling elements. By the respective slots of the flush abutting coupling elements are in register with each other, the slots are opened by pressurizing opposite sides of the coupling elements and contents can be transported. In this way, in particular the handling of docking devices, as they are known from DE 69 504 581 T2 are known, simplified and the manufacturing costs are reduced. A further development to DE 20 217 669 U is found in the WO 03/037756 described. The coupling element disclosed therein can, for example, have guide rails mounted on a circumferential edge on its longitudinal sides and can be equipped on its opposite narrow sides with fixing elements for mutual fixation of the coupling elements forming a docking device. Such coupling elements are suitable for axial coupling to a second coupling closure for the purpose of forming the docking device described above.

The GB 2 040 862 A discloses a packaging apparatus for vacuum packaging or for packaging in the absence of air and moisture. In addition to a suction line for evacuating the container to be filled and holding members are provided with which the opening edge of a flexible container held during filling and can be opened or closed automatically. In this case, a one-piece holding device made of a rubber material can be used which, in order to ensure a reliable opening and closing of the opening edge of the flexible container, is additionally equipped with metallic struts. With the in the GB 2 040 862 A The device should shorten the filling cycles, reduce or eliminate decontamination of the environment and minimize the control effort during filling.

The use of thermoplastic molded parts instead of components made of metal for docking systems for contamination-free transfer of bulk material can lead to material fatigue, especially in continuous operation or with very strong, long-lasting application of force. For example, in thermoplastic component components whose elastic properties biegelastische can be used very advantageous for high-quality coupling fasteners and docking systems, with prolonged deflection from the ground state As a result of cold forming processes a reduced tightness observed. However, this phenomenon does not usually occur during normal transfer cycles, but only at long opening intervals, and here in particular when using small-sized coupling fasteners and docking systems noticeable. Nevertheless, it would be very desirable to be able to rely on coupling closures and on these coupling closures formed docking systems made of plastic, which are not affected by the disadvantages described above and in particular, although made of plastics, no fatigue under continuous load and in particular no impairment in long-lasting Show force. At the same time, efforts should be made to further simplify the handling of these coupling closures and docking systems and to further reduce their production costs.

When filling and / or emptying particular small-volume containers with powdered bulk material, the problem often arises of exact dosage. In addition, it is found that a reproducible exact dosage made the more difficult, the finer the bulk material is. The EP 527 976 B1 proposes for this purpose a small dosage device for powdered or granular substances, which has a side opening under pressure and variable expanding outlet and a larger diameter storage space in the manner of a baby pacifier, provided with a tapered towards the outlet pin-shaped tip for applying pressure is. In addition, a loosening device, which can be attached above the outlet to dissolve a dome formation, and an activation device for applying pressure as well as for vibrating the loosening device can be used. However, such a metering device does not allow a large margin in the amounts to be transferred. Also, it does not provide any precautions for an environmentally-friendly filling.

The object underlying the invention is achieved by a coupling closure for environmentally-insulated transfer, filling and / or emptying of containers, comprising at least a first closure strip, containing at least one at least partially elastic cheek body with an inner side, an outer side, a top and / or - edge and / or a bottom and / or edge, at least one first bearing element at the first end of the cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer peripheral portion and / or at least a first inner space for receiving a joint axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element at the second, the first end opposite the cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer peripheral portion and / or at least a second interior for receiving a hinge axis and / or in the form of a second hinge element; at least one second closure strip, comprising at least one at least partially elastic cheek body having an inner side, an outer side, an upper side and / or edge and / or a lower side and / or edge, at least one first bearing element at the first end of the cheek body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer circumferential section and / or at least one inner space for receiving a joint axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element at the second, opposite end of the first end of the car body, in particular with a rounded, in particular radial, outer circumference or outer peripheral portion and / or at least one inner space for receiving a hinge axis and / or in the form of a first hinge element;
wherein the inner sides of the cheek body of first and second closure strip at least partially sealingly against each other can be applied, wherein the first bearing element of the first closure strip with the second bearing element of the second closure strip and the second bearing element of the first closure strip with the first bearing element of the second closure strip in each case under at least sections mutual Arrangement of the inner sides of the cheeks of the first and second closure strip adjacent can be arranged to form first and second joint body, in particular comprising common outer surface areas, in particular cylinder surface areas; and
at least one first bending and / or stretch-elastic element with opposite first and second ends, which is within these first and second ends at least between a first holder, in particular on or adjacent to the first end of the cheek body of the first closure strip and a second holder, in particular extends at or adjacent to the second end of the cheek body of the first closure strip, and / or
at least one second bending and / or stretch-elastic element with opposite first and second ends, which is within these first and second ends at least between a first holder, in particular on or adjacent to the first end of the cheek body of the second closure strip and a second holder, in particular at the or adjacent to the second end, the cheek body of the second closure strip extends.

By pressing against each other of the first and second joint body and / or by pulling apart of the first and second closure strip of the coupling closure according to the invention is opened. In the ground state, the coupling closure is therefore generally closed, the inner sides of the closure strips abut each other. This is particularly due to the use of at least one first and / or at least one second bending and / or stretch-elastic element. Preference is given to bending elastic elements. Bending as well as stretch-elastic elements are in each case in the manner of the closure strip in operative connection or are connected to this, that they counteract a lateral deflection of the same from the ground state with the release of a through hole in the coupling closure according to the invention. Accordingly, the bending and / or stretch-elastic elements counteract an outwardly directed deflection of the abutting cheeks body.

A flexurally elastic element in the sense of the present invention can be elastically bent laterally under the action of force. Bend-elastic elements are regularly not stretch-elastic at the same time. Preferably, flexural elastic elements are substantially invariant to longitudinal expansion. Particularly preferred are flexurally elastic elements with pronounced bending stiffness, the resilience of which does not lose its original quality even with frequent, possibly even long-lasting deflection. Suitable flexural elastic elements are preferably in the form of strips, struts or rods. These strips, struts and rods are preferably dimensioned in such a way that their transverse extent is not greater than the transverse extent of the cheek body. Preferably, the longitudinal extent of these flexurally elastic elements is not greater than that of the cheek body.

In a particularly suitable embodiment, the flexurally elastic element is a component, in particular a strut, a rod or a strip, of metal and / or of a composite material, in particular carbon and / or glass fiber composite material.

Suitable composites include e.g. Fiber, tape, sheet and particle composites. Fiber composites are particularly preferred. Glass fiber composites can be produced for example by means of pressing, winding or spin coating or by hand lamination. The particularly suitable fiber composites are characterized by an increased tensile and compressive strength and are elastic in bending, while they have a pronounced resilience at the same time.

Stretch-elastic elements in the sense of the present invention represent components which are reversibly changeable in their longitudinal extent when force is applied. For example, rubber materials known to the person skilled in the art, such as rubber bands, strips or rods. Here, the first and / or second end of the first and / or second stretch-elastic element of the first and / or second closure strip with the first and second holder of the first and / or second closure strip are connected and are preferably already in the ground state of the coupling closure, i. with closed coupling closure under a bias.

In particularly suitable coupling closures, the first and / or second flexurally elastic element in the installed state in the holder on a bias. This bias contributes to or causes the inner sides of the cheeks body are pressed against each other, whereby a tight seal is ensured. For example, the flexurally elastic element in the ground state is arched or bent and can only be converted into the non-bent state under the action of force and introduced into the mountings. In this embodiment, because the retainers ensure that the flexurally elastic element can not return to its initial state, a permanent pressure is exerted on the outside of the closure strip.

An embodiment of the invention provides that the first and / or second holder of first and / or second closure strip on or on the outside of the cheek body of first or second closure strip is present or present. For example, these may be those brackets into which the opposite first and second ends of the flexurally elastic elements can be inserted or snapped. The flexurally elastic elements, when present with their first and second ends in the brackets, are preferably in at least one of these brackets in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the Shutter bar movably mounted and can generally be removed only with strong bending from these brackets. The bending of the cheeks when opening the coupling closure is not enough for this regularly. The brackets have accordingly in the main function to prevent the opposite ends of the flexurally elastic element, neither in the ground state of the closure strip, for example when under bias, even in the deflected state of the closure strip to be able to remove this closure strip substantially.

Consequently, preferred embodiments are also distinguished by the fact that the first and / or second end of the first and / or second flexurally elastic element is at least partially movable inserted into the first and second bearing element and / or the first and second support of the first and / or or second sealing strip.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is further provided that the first and / or second bearing element of the first and / or second closure strip comprises or comprise the first or second holder of the first or second closure strip. For example, it is possible to provide insertion or latching possibilities for the first and second ends of the flexurally elastic elements in the bearing elements.

The distance between the first and second brackets is preferably greater than half the length of the cheek body. The bending or stretch-elastic element, when present in the first and second brackets, preferably spans the central region of the cheek body. Of course, two, three or more bending and / or stretch-elastic elements may be present next to each other. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange bending and / or stretch-elastic elements one behind the other. For example, then there is the first holder in the first bearing element, a second holder and a third holder are mounted approximately in the middle of the cheek body and a fourth holder is in the second bearing element. The bending and / or stretch-elastic elements then extend between said pairs of holders. Of course, the second and third holder can form a unitary unit in this case.

In a particularly suitable development, the coupling closure according to the invention further has at least one first joint cap, which can be arranged to form a pivot bearing at least partially and / or about a first joint body, in particular adjacent first and second bearing elements of the first and second closure strip, and / / or at least one second joint cap which, with the formation of a pivot bearing, can be arranged at least partially above and / or around a second joint body, in particular adjacent second and first bearing elements of the first or second closure strip; and / or at least one first hinge axis for receiving in the first inner space for rotatably supporting the first joint body, in particular the first and second bearing element of the first and second closure strip, and / or at least one second hinge axis for receiving in the second interior for rotatably supporting the second joint body, in particular of the second and first bearing element of the first and second closure strip.

According to the invention is also provided in a further embodiment that the first hinge element of the first closure strip and the second hinge element of the second closure strip as a first hinge body, a first hinge, in particular film hinge, and / or that the second hinge elements of the first closure strip and the first hinge element of the second closure strip form a second hinge, in particular film hinge, as the second joint body.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the first and / or second bearing element of the first and / or second sealing strip at least partially simulates or emulate the shape of a circular ring, in particular represent bridge arms.

First and second bearing elements are preferably designed such that they form a joint body which is held on a common axis and / or a common joint cap in such a way that a guided, hinge-like movement of the cheek bodies connected to the bearing elements is made possible. A rounded or circular outer and / or inner surface of the bearing elements generally allows a joint guide in a simple manner. Of course, adjacent bearing elements and / or the outer and / or inner surfaces of the joint body may be provided with a lubricant and / or lubricant.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the first and / or second bearing element of the first and / or second closure strip on the outside of the first and / or second end of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip is attached or attachable. By attaching the bearing elements on the outside of the closure strip the cheek body over its entire length a maximum range of motion is granted. From this embodiment, e.g. includes such coupling closures, in which the or the bearing elements are an integral part of the first and / or second closure strip, as well as those in which the or the bearing elements are separate components with the closure strip or the webs or cheeks of the closure strip reversibly connectable. For example, it can be provided that a bearing element can be coupled via a snap-in connection, a spring / groove connection or another reversibly releasable non-positive or positive connection to the closure strip. This allows a very simple handling of the coupling closures according to the invention and also allows to keep containers sealed by means of the closure strips, without having to rely on additional storage elements. For this purpose, it is also possible, for example, to make use of a separate cover rail which can be pulled over adjoining first and second closure strips, e.g. using a spring / groove connection. The number of required for loading and refilling, structurally complex and therefore more expensive storage elements can be greatly reduced in this way, without having to accept restrictions when loading and decanting bulk material.

It can be inventively provided that, in particular annular, first and / or second bearing element does not extend to the inside of the cheek body of the first or second closure strip or extend, in particular has a centering in the range of 90 ° to 240 ° or have , By the bearing elements do not circumscribe a complete circular path, but leave in the region of the inside of the cheeks body an opening, the handling when joining the sealing strips to coupling closures or docking devices and in particular the attachment of bag edges on the closure strips is facilitated.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the first and / or second joint cap has or have internal dimensions which correspond to the outer dimensions of adjacent substantially correspond to first and / or second bearing elements, so that when abutting inner sides of the cheek body of first and second closure strip, the first joint cap, the first and second bearing element of the first and second closure strip and the second joint cap, the second and first bearing element of the first and second second closure strip at least partially flush forming a pivot bearing. The expended for the bending apart of the elastic cheek body forces can be introduced, for example, by using a joint cap in the closure strips. This joint cap holds the first and second bearing elements forming the joint body also in the opening and closing of the cheek body in their predetermined adjacent arrangement.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the first and / or second joint cap a Gelenkkappendeckel with a hinge axis, in particular in the form of a hollow cylinder segment comprises, which formed in the first and second bearing element of the first and second closure strip first interior and the second and the first bearing element of the first and second closure strip formed second interior is inserted or are. In addition to the fixing or guiding of the bearing elements via a joint cap, in a particularly preferred embodiment, a joint or rotation axis can also be introduced into these first and second bearing elements or the first and second internal spaces.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is also contemplated that the joint cap comprises a first and a second joint cap half. Here, the first and / or second joint cap half has or have a locking opening in the rounded outer surface for receiving a locking pin of a bearing element and / or at least one locking pin on a cover inner side for receiving in a recess on the lower or upper side of a bearing element. Furthermore, the first and / or second joint cap may have a predetermined open section, which determines the opening angle of the first and second closure strip in the region of the first and second joint body. About the defined by the opening angle in the joint body maximum deflection can be easily adjusted, the maximum size of the opening of the coupling closure and thus a predetermined bulk material fall speed.

Preferred coupling closures are further distinguished by the fact that the first end, in particular the inner side, of the cheek body of the first closure element and / or the second end, in particular of the inner side, of the cheek body of the second closure element projects into the first inner space, in particular up to approximately to the center of the interior, and / or that the second end, in particular that of the inside, the cheek body of the first closure strip and the first end, in particular the inside, of the cheek body of the second closure strip protrudes into the second interior, in particular to approximately the center of the interior. It has proved to be particularly advantageous to let the cheeks body end approximately in the center of first and second inner spaces formed by the first and second bearing elements. As a result, on the one hand, the mechanical stress on the components of the coupling closure is minimized. On the other hand, the bag edges attached to the cheeks are treated very gently and experience no distortion when opening and closing the coupling closure.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the first bearing element of the first and / or second closure strip at least partially comprises at least one annular body and that the second bearing element of first and / or second closure strip comprises at least two spaced apart annular body, wherein the annular body of the first bearing element between two spaced annular body of the second bearing element, in particular flush, is fittable to form a first joint body, and / or wherein the annular body of the second bearing element between two spaced annular body of the first bearing element, in particular flush, with the formation of a second joint body einpaßbar is, in each case to form an interior for receiving at least one hinge axis. In that the first and second bearing elements of the first and second closure strip are designed such that they can be fitted flush with each other, the quality of the guide and the fixation when opening and closing the coupling closure is increased again. It can further be provided that the first and second bearing elements of the first and second closure strip at least in sections form a substantially uniform cylindrical or spherical outer surface.

According to another aspect, preferred coupling closures are characterized in that the inside of the cheek body of the first closure strip and / or the inside of the cheek body of the second closure strip curved at least in the ground state, in particular in the form of a circle segment, is or are. Consequently, the inner sides close in mutual contact an opening slot. Formed from two cheek bodies, which are each curved on its inner side, a coupling closure according to the invention, this leads first to the fact that in fixed bearing elements or joint bodies, the adjoining inner sides of this cheek body form a substantially straight closure line. Here, the bulge of the insides in the ground state in such a coupling closure already provides a bias and consequently for a still safe closing. Furthermore, the use of curved on the inside cheek body in a coupling closure according to the invention to the fact that the outer sides of these cheeks body in such a coupling closure often have an outer curvature. This outer curvature is now suitable to direct or facilitate the unfolding or opening of the abutting cheeks body. Accordingly, it is further provided that at, in particular flush, contact the inner sides of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip at least one outer side of a cheek body has an outer curvature. Particularly suitable are also coupling fasteners in which the inside of at least one cheek body is profiled. By profiling the inside of the cheeks body, both the tightness of the coupling closures can be further improved, as well as the risk of residual contamination, e.g. be considerably reduced by leaving residual material in the area of the coupling closure.

Preferred coupling closures have at least one bulge bar and / or at least one indentation gutter on the inside of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip, which extends in particular from the first to the opposite second end of the cheek body, preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cheek body extend. It can be provided that at least one bulge in the region of at least one longitudinal edge is present or designed as a longitudinal edge and / or that there is at least one, in particular central, gutter gutter between two spaced longitudinal edges and / or Ausbuchtungsstegen. In this case, the bulge bar can have, in longitudinal section, substantially the shape of a circular section, in particular with a maximum bulge approximately in the middle of the cheek body.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that at least one inner wall, preferably both inner walls of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip, at least one, in particular central, bulge and at least one gutter between the bulge and the upper longitudinal edge and at least one gutter between the bulge and the having lower longitudinal edge of the inner wall. Here, e.g. the Ausbuchtungssteg at least partially emerges more strongly from the inner wall than the lower and / or upper longitudinal edges of the same.

It is also possible, in particular only the longitudinal edges and the Ausbuchtungsstege on the inner wall of the cheeks body elastically design or only those areas that come for a secure closing when mutual contact of the inner sides of the cheeks body in question. The flexible containers or hoses are preferably not attached to these elastic regions by means of an adhesive, but only in those areas which are not essential for a secure closure of the cheeks body. In this way it is prevented that the permanent elasticity of said, used for the secure closing areas of the inner wall is affected by adhesive or adhesive.

Accordingly, a particularly preferred coupling closure on a flexible container or a flexible hose, the or, in particular along the edge regions or longitudinal edges, on the inside, outside, top edge and / or bottom edge of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip, in particular along the entire length of the cheeks body, attachable or present.

A preferred embodiment is also characterized in that the container or tube covers the entire inside of the cheeks body of the first and / or second closure strip, in particular the edge of the container or the tube approximately to the edge of the inside of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip corresponds and / or protrudes beyond this.

The container or the tube can be glued or welded, for example, all over or partially to the cheek body or its inner side. In a preferred embodiment, the hose or the flexible container already in the injection molding of the cheek body or the closure strip integrated at least on a component of the coupling closure. This eliminates a further step and creates a particularly strong and tight connection. Furthermore, the curing phenomena are avoided, which can occur when using adhesives due to the interaction with eg a flexible plastic material of the cheek body. It also provides a further development that the hose or the container both on the first cheek body or the first closure strip and on the second cheek body and the second closure strip a coupling closure during injection molding of these components, either in one step or in successive process steps , with incorporated or tethered.

Furthermore, it can be provided according to the invention that the first and / or second closure strip on the longitudinal top and / or bottom, in particular in each case comprising the portion between the inside and the outside of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip, at least one coupling device, in particular in the form of a groove and / or spring.

Appropriately, it is provided that the first and / or second closure strip or its cheek body on the longitudinal side top has a groove or a spring and on the longitudinal underside of a spring or a groove or have.

It has proved to be advantageous to provide coupling devices on the upper and lower sides of the coupling closures according to the invention, since this leads to docking devices formed in each case from two coupling closures, which are distinguished by a particularly pronounced environmental tightness. Of course, a docking device according to the invention is already available with two inventive coupling fasteners that are flush against each other, can be filled with the bulk material environment-friendly, especially if the edge of the container or hose approximately with the edge of the inside of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip corresponds and / or protrudes beyond this.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the first and the second sealing strip substantially coincide in their shape and / or size. A particular advantage of the coupling closures according to the invention is that they can be formed from two substantially identical closure strips. For this purpose, one of the closure strips is only to be rotated by 180 ° C in order to be able to be brought into contact with a further closure strip to form a coupling closure. This reduces the manufacturing costs, simplifies the assembly and ultimately also to less failure sides when loading or transferring bulk material.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip on or on the inside, in particular extending over the entire length of the inside, at least one elastomeric or thermoplastic-elastomeric segment. Accordingly, the inside of the cheek body can be formed by an elastomeric segment. The cheek body or closure strip may be made of two or more different materials, the inside of the cheek body preferably comprising said elastomeric or thermoplastic elastomeric material for reasons of better sealing, while the outside is e.g. can be made of a thermoplastic or metal. Such components can be e.g. Produce in a single process by means of two-component injection molding. Accordingly, the outer sides of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip are preferably at least partially made of a thermoplastic material, e.g. in the form of a thermoplastic segment. In this case, the thermoplastic outer side or the outer segment of the closure strip can also be very thin, e.g. be kept in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm. Although the elastomeric inner side or the inner segment can also be made very thin, but is usually thicker on average than the outer component.

In a further, alternative embodiment, the elastomeric inner side or the elastomeric inner segment of the cheek body at least one closure strip of the coupling closure at least partially, in particular completely, larger dimensions than the outside of the cheek body of eg thermoplastic material. It is particularly advantageous if the elastomeric segment of the cheek body on the opposite longitudinal sides over the edge of the outside material, in particular thermoplastic material, protruding from the cheeks body. In this way, the degree of tightness, especially in frequent reversible operation, increased again.

In a further preferred embodiment, the entire cheek body is returned to an elastomeric material. In this case, only the elastic element determines the resilience of the coupling closure according to the invention. Here, e.g. be provided that the elastomeric cheek body over opposing thermoplastic bearing elements and optionally retainers for the elastic element, provided that they are not present in the bearing elements, has. Such a component may e.g. be obtained by 2K injection molding. In general, however, it has proven to be practicable to manufacture the outside of the cheek body, that is to say its outer segment, from a thermoplastic material which itself has a certain flexural rigidity. At this outer segment are then preferably the opposite bearing elements and optionally brackets mounted or made in one piece with the outer segment.

Of course, you can attach the flexurally elastic element and also the stretch-elastic element not only on the outside of the cheek body. Rather, it may also be provided to integrate these elements in the cheek body in a suitable manner. Such a cheek body could e.g. forming a multi-layer structure comprising, for example, an elastomeric inner segment, at least one flexurally elastic element and then a thermoplastic or metallic outer segment.

According to a further aspect, particularly preferred coupling closures are accordingly distinguished by the fact that the bearing elements and / or outer sides of the cheeks of the first and / or second closure strip at least in sections, in particular along the rounded outer surfaces, thermoplastic polymers, especially polyoxyalkylenes, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM), Polyolefins, for example polyethylene and polypropylene, polystyrene, styrene copolymers, for example ABS, SAN, ASA and AES, polyamides, polyesters, for example polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate, poly (meth) acrylates, for example polymethyl methacrylate, PVC and / or polyketones, preferably alternating carbon monoxide / Ethylene copolymers, included. In particular, polyoxyalkylenes such as polyoxymethylene (POM) and aliphatic, alternating polyketones are characterized by low abrasion and very good Gleitreibeigenschaften.

Coupling closures according to the invention can furthermore comprise at least one separate and / or integrated locking unit for, at least temporarily, fixing the position of the first and / or second closure strip or its cheek body and / or at least one separate or integrated covering unit for at least partially, in particular environmentally-sound, covering at least a side or surface of the coupling closure provided for docking. Of course, locking unit and cover unit can also be embodied in one component. Suitable locking and / or covering units may also be used as transport aids, e.g. be designed as a transport clip, and a unproblematic transport or a problematic storage of e.g. Ensure containers and sacks, without any fear that the content during transport or storage contaminates the environment. With the locking and covering units are thus suitable means available to secure a coupling closure before and after use against unintentional opening or closing and to protect the docking surfaces from contamination. Conveniently, the closure strips or cheeks have on their respective outer sides at least one locking element, e.g. a locking groove into which the locking and capping units are provided via corresponding means, e.g. Rails, can be introduced.

The object underlying the invention in relation to a coupling closure is also achieved by such a coupling closure for environmentally-insulated transfer, filling and / or emptying containers, comprising at least a first closure strip, comprising at least one at least partially elastic cheek body with an inside and an outside; at least one second closure strip, comprising at least one at least partially elastic cheek body with an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner sides of the cheek body of first and second closure strip at least partially sealingly against each other can be applied and reversible under force to form a through hole can be opened; and at least one first bending and / or stretch-elastic element, which can be applied to the outside of the cheek body of the first closure strip or rests or connectable or connected to the cheek body of the first closure strip, and / or at least one second bending and / or stretch-elastic element , which can be applied to the outside of the cheek body of the second closure strip or rests or which is connectable or connected to the cheek body of the second closure strip.

The object underlying the invention with respect to a metering device or a Dosierbehältnis is further solved by a container, in particular Feindosierbehälter, for bulk material, comprising an at least partially flexible container body and at least one associated with this container body, at least partially flexible conveyor, containing at least one first opening end, wherein bulk material is transferable via the container body in the conveying means in the direction of the first opening end, and at least one first and at least one second coupling closure according to the invention, wherein the first opening end of the conveying means with the first coupling closure in particular environmentally sealed, connected or connectable and wherein the Inner sides of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip of the second coupling closure in the manner applied to the funding or applied and / or verbund with the funding or connectable, that a reversibly closable passage for bulk material from the container body via the second coupling closure to the conveying means in the direction of the first opening end is feasible.

A preferred embodiment provides a container with an at least partially flexible container body, comprising at least one first outlet, at least one at least partially flexible conveyor, containing at least a first and at least a second opening end, and at least a first and at least one second coupling closure according to the invention, wherein the first outlet of the container body, in particular environmentally sealed, is connected to the second coupling closure or connectable and wherein the second opening end of the conveying means connected to the second coupling closure in such a way or connectable that a reversibly closable passage from the container body via the second coupling closure to the conveying means can be realized, and wherein the first opening end of the conveying means with the first coupling closure, in particular environmentally sealed, connected or connectable.

With the metering device according to the invention, small containers, e.g. for quantities in the range of 200 to 1000 g, reproducibly exact and absolutely environmentally sealed filling, regardless of the particle size of the bulk material.

Basically, any container come into question. Suitable containers should, at least in the region of the transition to the conveying means, ie at the point at which the second inventive Coupling closure is present, be at least so flexible that a passage opening for the passage of bulk material is reversible realized by operating the coupling closure. Usually, flexible plastic containers or bags are used for this purpose. In these containers, the container body is usually larger or has a larger diameter than the conveyor. However, this is not an essential requirement. Rather, the container body can also have essentially the same diameter or the same size or dimensioning as the conveying means. For the purposes of the present invention is distinguished conceptually for ease of depiction of the container according to the invention between a unit which is present on this side of the second coupling closure, the container body, and a unit which is mounted beyond the second coupling closure, the conveyor. A suitable conveying means is, for example, a hose or even a tube, which is flexible at its opposite end portions. The conveying means may, for example, taper from the second coupling closure towards its first opening end, but may also have a constant diameter. A first outlet of the container body in the sense of the present invention is to be understood as that region of the container which extends from the second coupling closure in the direction of the container body. As a rule, the container body tapers in this area in the direction of the conveying means or of the second coupling closure.

According to an alternative embodiment, the container body may also have at least one first inlet. A first inlet in the sense of the present invention represents an opening through which the container can be filled continuously or discontinuously. Of course, such a first inlet to be connected to a coupling closure according to the invention, so that a docking to a corresponding erfmdungsgemäßen coupling closure to form a docking device according to the invention is possible.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container body and the conveying means are integrally formed. It can be provided that the container body and the conveying means are formed continuously in the region of the second coupling closure. The second coupling closure encloses the conveyor in this variant and is preferably, in particular via the insides of its cheeks, connected to the wall of the conveyor or attached thereto.

Particularly advantageous is an embodiment has been found in which the container body and / or the conveying means in the region of the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip of the second coupling closure has at least one first and / or second recess or opening or have, so that the cheek body of the first closure strip of the second coupling closure to the inner wall of the container body and / or the conveying means and / or on the cheek body of the second closure strip of the second coupling closure is substantially sealingly applied. The same can, of course, also apply to the cheek body of the second closure strip.

In this case, it is particularly preferred that the first recess is dimensioned smaller than the cheek body of the first closure strip of the second coupling closure, so that this cheek body, the first recess substantially completely, in particular environmentally sealed, covering, and / or that the second recess is smaller than the cheek body the second closure strip of the second coupling closure, so that this cheek body substantially completely, in particular environmentally sealed, covers the second recess.

It can preferably be provided that the respective peripheral edge of the first and / or second recess substantially environmentally sealed with the first and / or second closure strip or with the cheek body of the first and / or second closure strip of the second coupling closure, in particular environmentally sealed, connected or connectable is.

The object underlying the invention in relation to a metering device is further achieved by a container, in particular Feindosierbehälter, for bulk material comprising at least partially flexible container body, at least one at least partially flexible conveyor, containing at least a first opening end, wherein bulk material on the container body in the conveying means is transferable in the direction of the first opening end, at least one first coupling closure according to the invention and at least one metering device present in the conveying means, in particular sealingly adapted, with at least one opening under variable pressure and expanding variably Outlet, wherein the first opening end of the conveying means with the first coupling closure, in particular environmentally sealed, connected or connectable. With regard to the container or the container body and the conveying means, the preceding statements apply correspondingly to this further, preferred embodiment. For example, the container body and conveying means may also have approximately the same diameter, wherein the conveying means then characterizes that region of the container according to the invention, which has internal areas of the dosing device and an opening end. In general, also in this embodiment, the container body has a larger diameter than the conveyor.

A suitable metering device with at least one opening which opens under lateral pressure and which widens in a variable manner may comprise, for example, a disc of flexurally elastic material let into or fitted into the conveying means. The circumference of these discs then preferably corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the conveyor transversely to the passage direction. In an alternative embodiment, the metering device can have a storage space extending in the direction of the container body, in particular at least partially present in the conveying means. The metering device can be configured in this variant, for example in the form of a cup.

It can be provided according to another embodiment of the invention that the metering on the inside at least partially, in particular full-circumference, flush with the conveyor, e.g. the inner wall, rests and / or is connected to this conveyor or the inner wall. Furthermore, conveying means and metering device can also be formed substantially in one piece.

The metering device is accordingly preferably dimensioned so that you can insert it in register in the funding. In this way, a tight seal with the inner wall of the conveyor can be achieved, so that bulk material can be transferred only through the outlet of the metering device in the direction of the first opening end of the conveyor.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet of the metering device is designed slot-shaped. This can be effected, on the one hand, by the surface of the metering device having the outlet being cut or notched at least once over its entire diameter or preferably only partially. In particular, with larger-sized metering devices, it has proven to be advantageous to realize the opening slot by two overlapping sections of elastic material biegelastischem. By laterally compressing or squeezing the metering device of the alternative embodiment of a metering container according to the invention, the longitudinal sides of the material outlet are forced apart from one another. With increasing pressure, the outlet opening increases. The lateral pressure can be generated manually or by machine.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a docking device for environmentally-insulated transfer, filling and / or emptying of bulk material and / or fluids comprising at least two together, in particular flush, engageable and / or dockable coupling closures according to the invention. In this case, the underside of the first coupling closure, in particular the underside and / or lower edge of the cheek body of first and second closure strip, with the top of the second coupling closure, in particular the top and / or edge of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip, regularly comes to rest. The coupling closures used for the docking device according to the invention are preferably matched in shape and size to each other, that when opposing first and second joint body and / or first and second coupling closures are pressurized, the cheek body of the first and second coupling closure, in particular uniformly, bend apart ie open and close at the same time. The movement of adjoining cheek body of the first and second coupling closure can be particularly effective for example via intermeshing coupling devices, such as tongue and groove, make sure. In this case, for example, on the underside or edge of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip of the first coupling closure each have a spring which are matched in shape and size to a groove which on the top or edge of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip of second coupling closure are provided. In this way, it is possible to keep a bulk material container via a first coupling closure attached to this first sealed until environmentally sealed and also absolutely environmentally sealed to couple a second coupling closure to form a docking device according to the invention. Furthermore, also the transfer process be made absolutely environmentally sealed, since the first and second coupling closures of the docking device are coupled in their opening and closing movement together.

The object underlying the invention with respect to a docking device is further solved by such a docking device, in which an inventive coupling closure, in particular flush, is applied or docked to the first coupling closure of a container according to the invention.

In a further embodiment of the docking device according to the invention it is provided that at least one coupling closure, in particular environmentally isolated, with a, in particular in the edge region of the opening, flexible container is connectable or connected.

It can be inventively provided that at least one coupling closure with a, in particular in the edge region, flexible tubular shaped body, in particular environmentally isolated, connectable or connected.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a holding device for actuating coupling closures according to the invention and / or docking devices according to the invention, comprising a first receiving and / or locking unit for, in particular flush, receiving and / or locking the first joint body and / or the first Joint cap of a coupling closure or a docking device; a second receiving and / or locking unit for, in particular flush, receiving and / or locking of the second joint body opposite the first joint body and / or the second joint cap of the coupling closure or the docking device; and an adjusting mechanism configured to move the first receiving and / or locking unit and the second receiving and / or locking unit toward and away from each other by opening and closing the coupling closure or docking device.

The holding device according to the invention preferably has at least one hinge axis for receiving a first and / or second bearing element of the first and / or second Closure strip, in particular of the first and / or second joint body. The first and / or second receiving and / or locking unit may have a lower and / or upper, in particular rotatable or displaceable, locking mechanism. Also, the travel of the first and second receiving unit may be limited to each other and / or away from each other. The holding device can be manually, semiautomatically and fully automatically operated and used for unlocking, locking, opening and closing of a coupling closure or a docking device. The adjusting mechanism can, for example, use a rotary joint or an actuator with or without swivel joints. The holding device may also contain at least one pneumatic, hydraulic or electric motor operated, in particular semi or fully automatic, adjusting mechanism. For example, a pneumatically operated holding device again increases the reliability when filling, transferring or emptying bulk material. In addition, with such a device, the opening and closing of docking devices according to the invention always optimally, regardless of their size and / or elastic properties. In addition, the holding device can have at least one suction device, which can be brought into operative connection with the first and / or second holding device and / or the first and / or second joint cap and / or first and / or second joint body of the first and / or second coupling closure or stands. By combining the holding device with a suction device, after the transferring and closing of the docking device and before the first and second coupling closures of the docking device are decoupled, it is possible, for example, to suck off residues of bulk material which have remained in the area of the joint bodies. This further reduces the risk of residual contamination when decoupling the docking device.

The present invention is therefore based on the finding that the inventive design of a coupling closure and a docking device for filling or emptying of at least partially substantially flexible containers an effective contamination-free loading or decanting of bulk material and / or fluids is guaranteed. Furthermore, the coupling fasteners and docking devices according to the invention have an effective structural design with a very small number of individual components and offer a high degree of reliability and safety even in continuous operation and sustained stress. Technical defects and signs of wear, even under continuous load, can almost be ruled out. Of particular advantage is further that the coupling closures and docking devices according to the invention can be maintained in an open state for longer periods of time, without this affecting the subsequent closing operation and a reliable, dense concerns of the inner sides of the cheeks body. In addition, the coupling closures and docking devices according to the invention are inexpensive to manufacture. In a very advantageous embodiment, a coupling closure may even comprise two identical first and second closure strips. In the same way, it is now possible to provide a docking device comprising four identical sealing strips, which makes production and handling even easier. Lost items can be easily replaced. In addition, the full cross-section of the passage opening of a coupling closure according to the invention or a docking device can be used, whereas according to the known double-cap technique, the double-cap inserts reduce the cross-section.

Finally, it is also advantageous that the entire coupling closure, including bending or stretch-elastic element, can be made of plastic materials and thus an unproblematic disposal is accessible.

The docking devices according to the invention as well as coupling closures are suitable for the particularly environmentally insulated filling of flexible containers directly from filling or production plants. These docking devices and coupling closures can also be used easily and reliably in order to be able to fill or empty, for example, sacks, production plants, formulation systems, extruders and injection molding and blow molding machines without contamination. In particular, when it has to be ensured that only the materials intended for production are used, for example in the introduction of educt material in the synthesis of pharmaceutical products or of pharmaceutical intermediate or end products, including formulated products, the docking device according to the invention or have the Coupling closures according to the invention proved to be extremely advantageous. Also, for example, high-purity plastics can be obtained in a reliable manner that granules are filled via the docking device according to the invention directly into a plastic processing plant, such as an extruder, in a preferred embodiment, the coupling closures, docking facilities and / or containers can be made of the same material the substance to be transfused.

With the docking device according to the invention, filling or emptying stations in production plants can be made much simpler and more cost-effective without having to accept any losses with regard to contamination-free work. The coupling closures and docking devices according to the invention both ensure that the environment is not burdened with bulk material residues, as well as that the bulk material to be transferred is not contaminated by substances and particles from the environment. Surprisingly, it has also been found in this context that residual contamination can be completely avoided by adapting the material or coating material used for the docking devices and coupling closures according to the invention to the bulk material material to be replicated. In these cases, even the abrasion occurring during transfer at the coupling closures does not result in contamination of the bulk material, e.g. in the case of polymer granules. The coupling closures or docking devices according to the invention thus contribute to both environmental and product protection.

Figur 1

eine Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Verschlußleiste in perspektivischer Seitenansicht;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kupplungsverschlusses;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht zweier erfindungsgemäßer Kupplungsverschlüsse vor dem Andocken unter Ausbildung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kupplungsverschlusses;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Haltevorrichtung enthaltend eine erfindungsgemäße Andockeinrichtung im geöffneten Zustand;

Figur 5a

eine Draufsicht auf ein erfindungsgemäßes Behältnis zur Feindosierung von pulverförmigem Schüttgut;

Figur 5b

eine Draufsicht auf eine Zwischenfertigungsstufe des Dosierbehältnisses gemäß Figur 5a; und

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht auf eine alternative Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, are explained in the embodiments of coupling closures and docking devices according to the invention with reference to schematic drawings. Showing:

FIG. 1

an illustration of a closure strip according to the invention in a perspective side view;

FIG. 2

a perspective view of a coupling closure according to the invention;

FIG. 3

a perspective view of two inventive coupling closures before docking to form a coupling closure according to the invention;

FIG. 4

a perspective view of a holding device according to the invention containing a docking device according to the invention in the open state;

FIG. 5a

a plan view of an inventive container for fine metering of powdery bulk material;

FIG. 5b

a plan view of an intermediate production stage of the dosing according to FIG. 5a ; and

FIG. 6

a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a container according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 is a first closure strip 2 of a coupling closure 1 according to the invention shown in a schematic side elevational view. The first closure strip 2 has an elongated cheek body 6 and a first bearing element 18 at the first end of the cheek body 6 and a second bearing element 20 at the second end opposite the first end of the cheek body 6. The cheek body 6 comprises an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 10. The cheek body 6 further includes an upper or front edge 13 and opposite a lower or trailing edge (not shown). On the inner wall 10 of the cheek body 6, two additional Ausbuchtungsstege along the longitudinal orientation of the cheek body 6 can be placed or an integral part of the same (not shown). These bulges are part of a particularly preferred embodiment of a coupling closure according to the invention. Of course, the coupling closure 1 of the invention also includes such embodiments in which Ausbuchtungsstege not present. The cheek body 6 can be further subdivided into an outer segment 21 of, for example, only moderately elastic, for example, thermoplastic material and an inner segment 23 of an elastic material. Such material combinations can be obtained, for example, by coextrusion or multi-component injection molding in one operation and are also known as so-called 2K components. The first bearing element 18 is mounted in the region of the first end 44 of the cheek body 6 with a projection 26 on the outer side 14 of the cheek body 6. In a corresponding manner, the second bearing element 20 is executed at the second end 66 of the cheek body 6 with a projection 28. The first and second bearing elements 18 and 20 are in sectional view substantially similar to the shape of circular rings, ie the webs or web arms are not closed to a complete circle. The first bearing element 18 comprises according to Fig. 1 two spaced web arms 34 and 36. The distance between these web arms is chosen such that that a web arm 38 'of a second closure strip 4 can be received therein (not shown). The web arms 34 and 36 and the first bearing element 18 at least partially enclose a space 48 into which the first end 44 of the cheek body 6 protrudes. Preferably, this first end 44 is located approximately in the center of the space 48 indicated by the circular-shaped web arms 34 and 36, respectively. Preferably, both the outer and the inner surfaces of the web arms 34 and 36 are designed as cylinder segments. The second bearing member 20 includes a lug 28 which is continued by the web arm 38. Also, the second end 66 of the cheek body 6 is preferably placed approximately in the center of the direction indicated by the web arm 38 interior 50.

On the outside 14 of the cheek body 6 is a flexurally elastic element 200 in the form of a bar, which extends between the first and second bearing element 18 and 20. The second end 204 of the ledge 200 has two protrusions 206, 208 which are inserted into corresponding omissions 212 and 214 (not shown). The omissions 212 and 214 form the first holder 210 (not shown), which in the present case is part of the bearing element 20. At the first end 202 of the bar 200 there is a protrusion 216 which is inserted in a corresponding omission 218. The omission 218 correspondingly forms the second holder 220 and is part of the first bearing element 18. The flexurally elastic element 200 of e.g. Fiberglass composite is preferably bent in the ground state. As soon as it is held in the brackets 210 and 220, the outer side 14 accordingly experiences a force, so that in the coupling closure according to the invention the inner sides of the two closure strips are pressed against one another. The length of the flexurally elastic strip 200 is dimensioned so that the bar in the installed state extends substantially over the entire length between the first and second bearing element. The projections 206, 208 and 216 are sized so that, even if the closure strip is strongly curved outwards, i. in the open state of the coupling closure, the projections still remain in the brackets 210 and 220.

The coupling closure 1 according to the invention can, as in FIG. 2 shown obtained by a first closure strip 2 with a second closure strip 4, which may be identical to the closure strip 2 substantially along the inner sides of their cheeks body 6 and 8 are placed together. In this case, the first end 44 of the cheek body 6 of the first closure strip 2 comes with the second end of the cheek body of the second closure strip 4 and the second end of the cheek body of the first closure strip 2 with the first end of the cheek body of the second closure strip 4 to the system, and the Stegarm 38 of the first closure strip 2, covered by the joint cap 56, engages in a first bearing element 22 of the second closure strip 4, containing spaced web arms 34 'and 36', obscured by the hinge cap 56, and a web arm 38 'of the second closure strip 4 engages, covered by the hinge cap 56', in the first bearing element 18, containing the web arms 34 and 36, covered by the joint cap 56 ', forming hinge bodies 25 and 25'. Here, the inner walls 10 and 12 of the cheek body 6 and 8 of the first and second closure strips 2 and 4 come to rest. Assigning the interlocking first and second bearing elements 18, 20, 22, 24 of the first and second closure strip 2, 4 each flush to form first and second joint body 25, 25 'on top of each other, this leads due to the elastic properties of the cheeks 6 and 8 and the rounded configuration of the inner walls 10 and 12 to a slightly rounded outer curvature of the outer walls 14, 16 of the cheek body 6 and 8 in the assembled coupling closure 1. On the outside of the closure strip 2 can be seen again in the brackets 210 and 220 present flexurally elastic strip 200th

The elastic strip 200 snugly fits snugly against the outside of the closure strip 2. The attachments 206 and 208 engage the openings 212 and 214 of the bearing member 20. Similarly, the projection 216 is in the omission 218 of the holder 220. Now, if the joint body 25 and 25 'pressed against each other, the cheeks body of the first and second closure strip 2 and 4 bend outward. This movement is counteracted by the elastic element 200. By the projections in the omissions have little play, when deflection of the cheeks body outward, the bending stiffness of the bar 200 counteracting this deflection can act directly on the outer sides of the cheeks body.

FIG. 3 shows two inventive coupling fasteners 1 and 1 'in a side view. The first and second bearing elements of the first and second closure strip are respectively surrounded by first and second joint cap half 60 and 70 to form the joint cap 56. The inner walls 10 and 12 of the cheek body of the first and second closure strip are pressed in the ground state against each other, so that the bag 90 is present completely closed. On the one hand, the inner walls of the cheeks, which are curved in the ground state, contribute to this 6 and 8, which arrive at the fixing of adjacent bearing elements in the joint caps 56, 56 'at the two ends of the sealing strips to form a substantially rectilinear locking slot for mutual contact. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge portions of the flexible bag 90 in the region of the inner walls 10 and 12 of the cheeks 6 and 8 are fixed, it has been found to be particularly advantageous to extend this attachment until each of the opposite first and second ends of the cheek body so that the point at which the bag edge reverses its direction substantially coincides with the pivot point of the cheeks in opening and closing the closure strips. In this way, the bag is not or least stressed when opening and closing the coupling closure, whereby material fatigue or cracks, which could lead to contamination of the environment, be avoided. The edge of the flexible bag 90 is preferably in the region of the lower edges of the cheeks 6 and 8, that is mounted in the transition region from the inner wall to the outer wall. This can be done for example by gluing. This type of attachment has the advantage that the bag wall bears against the outer edge of the inner wall or on the bulge webs, however. Because adhesive material is not used in all other inner wall areas, the elastic properties of the inner wall are permanently retained. Accordingly, secure closure is ensured by means of the inner walls or bulge webs which have come into contact with each other in the coupling closures 1 and 1 'according to the invention. As in particular the coupling closure 1 'in FIG. 3 can be seen, is given by the opening angle 58 of the joint cap 56 'of the range of motion of the first and second closure strip. If the opposing joint caps of a coupling closure pressed against each other, the first and second closure strips move under opening of the bag away from each other. In order to avoid overuse of the coupling closure from the outset, the maximum spread of the closure strips is defined by the opening angle 58 of the joint caps 56 and 56 '. For, as soon as the outer sides of the first and second closure strips of a coupling closure abut the edges of the joint cap defining the opening angle 58, a further opening is no longer possible without destruction. To limit the opening angle can also contribute to a system of locking pin and locking hole and a system of indentation and locking pin.

In the same way as in the coupling closure 1, a flexible bag 90 is attached, for example, another flexible bag or a flexible Umfüllschlauch 94 can be attached to the coupling closure 1 '. The coupling closures 1 and 1 'are dimensioned substantially identically and form a docking device 96 according to the invention in the mutually coupled state. An environmentally insulated docking can be achieved in a preferred embodiment in that along the upper edge courses 98a and 98b and on the tops 13, 15 of the cheek body 6, 8 of the first and second closure strip 2 and 4 of the second coupling closure 1 'grooves 92a, 92b attached or incorporated, which, preferably in register, in corresponding in the undersides of the cheek body 6, 8 of the first and second closure strip 2 and 4 of the coupling closure 1 present spring elements 114a, 114b are inserted. On the outsides of the cheeks body, as already in the FIGS. 1 and 2 described, elastic strips movable in the holders of the bearing elements.

FIG. 4 shows a holding device 100 according to the invention with a first receiving unit 102 and a second receiving unit 104 and lever arms 106 and 108. The receiving units 102 and 104 are designed such that they can accommodate the joint caps 56, 56 of the coupling fasteners 1 and 1 'at least partially flush. Preferably, at least portions of the receiving unit and joint cap behave as negative and positive fits. The coupling closure 1 'is already inserted into the holding device 100, wherein the Umfüllschlauch 94 is connected to a container 116 which is to be filled. The coupling closure 1 has, as already to FIG. 3 described on the top of the closure strips or cheek body via spring elements 114a and 114b (not shown). Accordingly, the coupling closure 1 on the undersides of the closure strips or cheek body grooves 92a and 92b (not shown) for receiving the spring elements of the coupling closure 1 'on. The coupling closure 1 'is held on its underside via bottom plates 110 in the receiving units 102 and 104. After introduction of the coupling closure 1 in the holding device 100 can, as in FIG. 4 shown, the upper holding plates 112 are guided over the upper sides of the joint caps 56 and 56 'of the coupling closure 1 and, for example by means of screws, attached. Advantageously, the receiving units 102 and 104 are dimensioned such that by fastening or screwing the upper holding plate 112, the springs 114a, 114b and grooves 92a, 92b are each driven to the stop into one another. In this way, an absolutely environmentally insulated docking device 96 is obtained, with which any bulk goods, as in FIG. 4 represented in fixed or transportable containers 116 can be transferred. For this purpose, the lever arms 106 and 108 are actuated in such a manner that the first and second receiving units 102 and 104 are moved towards each other. As a result, move the first and second closure strips of the first and second coupling closure 1 and 1 'uniformly away from each other under opening of both the flexible bag 90 and the flexible Umfüllschlauches 94. On the outsides of the cheek body of the closure strips turn turn elastic strips 200 and 200' before , which are held with their opposite ends in brackets, which are part of the bearing elements. By bringing, for example, the flexible bag 90 as well as the flexible Umfüllschlauch 94 each up to the outer edge of the cheek body or closure strips, these edges abut when coupling the coupling closures to a docking together, so that when transferring bulk no single component of the docking device according to the invention comes in contact with this bulk material. After removing the bags and attaching new bags, the docking device according to the invention can continue to be used without contamination, without the need for additional cleaning steps. The removal of the docking device according to the invention from the holding device 100 is as simple as their installation. After removing the upper retaining plate 112, the coupling closures 1 and 1 'can be easily separated from each other, in each case closed, so that even after loading or refilling a contamination of the environment as well as the transfilled products is not to be feared ,

FIG. 5a shows a container 300 according to the invention for the fine metering of particular powdered or granular bulk material. This flexible container 300 comprises a container body 302 and a tapered to the outlet portion 304. This section 304 follows, interrupted by the second coupling closure 312 of the conveyor 310, at the opening end 306 environmentally sealed a first inventive coupling closure 308 is attached. To the container body 302 is thus followed by a hose-like conveyor 310, which is regularly narrower than the bag body 302. The bag body can be placed headfirst on Dosierbacken 314, for example, in such a configuration for finely dosed emptying through which the conveyor 310 protrudes. In the transition between the tapered container body 302 and the conveyor 310, a second coupling device 312 according to the invention is attached to the fine metering of the bulk material to be filled. In an embodiment, this coupling closure can simply be put on or pulled onto the conveying means 310 from the outside, so that it is the same encloses. Preferably, the closure strips or the cheek body of this second coupling closure 312 are adhesively bonded to the outer wall of the conveying means, for example, when conveying means 310 and container body 302 are present in one piece. Of course, it is also possible to connect container body 302 and conveyor 310 as separate components to the second coupling closure 312. In this case, the opening edge 310 of the container body 302 is preferably with the upper portion of the closure strips, in particular the inner sides of the cheek body, and the first opening 318 of the conveyor 310, in particular circumferentially, with the lower portion of the closure strips of the second coupling closure 312, in particular the inner sides the cheek body of first and second closure strips, in particular environmentally sealed connected. In this type of embodiment, portions of the inner sides of opposing cheek bodies of the second coupling closure 312 can come into direct contact with each other. It has been found that if such a direct contact of the inner sides of the elastic cheeks body of the second coupling closure 312 is allowed, a particularly effective fine metering of very finely divided bulk material succeeds.

FIG. 5b shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a one-piece container 300 in an intermediate manufacturing step. In the transition of the container body 302 and conveyor 310 each recesses 320 and 322 are provided on the front and the back of the container, which are each dimensioned smaller than the cheek body of the first and second closure strip of the second coupling closure 312. In general, it is sufficient in The edge regions of conveyor 310 and container body 302 to leave very narrow edge strips 324 and 326. In the area indicated by dashed lines then the cheeks body of the coupling closure come to rest or are environmentally sealed with the edge 328 surrounding the recess.

Hereinafter, the operation of the metering container 300 will be described in detail. The container to be filled (not shown) in turn has a coupling closure according to the invention, which can be coupled with the first coupling closure 308 of the container 300 to form an environmentally sealed docking device according to the invention. This docking operation is preferably carried out after the controlled to be emptied container 300 has been brought into a suitable emptying position, for example by means of suitable metering jaws 314. As long as the first coupling closure 308 of the container 300th the second coupling closure 312 preferably remains closed, ie the insides of the cheek bodies of the first and second closure strips lie directly or indirectly, ie separated by the bag walls, sealingly against one another. In this case, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the inner elastic segments of the cheek body, in particular on their opposite longitudinal sides, protrude beyond the outer thermoplastic segment of the cheek body. By pressurizing the trained docking device is opened, so that the container is available for filling. Subsequently, the second coupling closure 312 is also pressurized, preferably by a pneumatic and in particular electric drive device, so that bulk material can pass from the container body 302 gravity driven into the container to be filled. Of course, the filling process can be assisted by suitable devices, such as vibrators or activators. Depending on the application of force, ie the effective passage area, which is spanned by the spaced cheek body, the filling speed can be varied. In most cases, a gap of only 1 to 2 mm is sufficient to make a fine dosage. The accuracy of the dosing can be increased again, especially with very finely divided bulk materials by using a vibrator.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a metering container 400 according to the invention, comprising a container body 402 and a conveyor 410. At the first opening end 406 of the conveyor in turn there is a coupling closure 408 according to the invention. Instead, as in FIG. 5a shown to use a second coupling closure according to the invention for the fine metering of particular powdery bulk material is in the embodiment according to FIG. 6 to a metering device 412 with at least one under lateral pressure opening and variable expanding outlet 414 used in the form of a slot. This metering device 412 is mounted inside the conveyor 410 or in the transition of the container body 402 and conveyor 410 inside. By connecting this metering device 412 fully environmentally sealed with the conveyor 410 and its inner wall (in Fig. 6 If, for purposes of illustration, a full, but not full-surface connection between the inner wall of the conveyor and the outside of the metering reproduced), for example with an adhesive or by welding, it is ensured that bulk material only through the outlet 414 of this metering device 412 by the conveyor 410 in the direction of the first Coupling closure 408 can get. It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the metering device 412 not only has a biegeostische disc 416 separating the passage of the conveying means 410, but also wall elements 418 extending away from this disc, in particular in the direction of the container body 402, which are connected to the inner wall of the conveying means 410 can be connected. This preferably circumferential wall 418 then forms a kind of storage space together with the substantially disc-shaped partition 416. Of course, it is also possible that this wall extends from the elastic disc 416 towards the first opening end 406 of the conveyor 410 or both in the direction of the opening end 406 and in the direction of the container body 402.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, the drawings and the claims may be essential both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 '

coupling seal

2

first closure strip

4

second closure strip

6

Cheek body of the first closure strip

8th

Cheek body of the second closure strip

10

Inside of the cheek body of the first closure strip

12

Inside the cheek body of the second closure strip

13

Top of the cheek body of the first closure strip

14

Outside of the cheek body of the first closure strip

15

Upper edge of the cheek body of the first closure strip

16

Outside of the cheek body of the second closure strip

17

Bottom of the cheek body of the first closure strip

18

first bearing element of the first closure strip

19

Lower edge of the cheek body of the first closure strip

20

second bearing element of the first closure strip

21

Outer segment of the closure strip or cheek body

22

first bearing element of the second closure strip

23

Inner segment of the closure strip or the cheek body

24

second bearing element of the second closure strip

25

first joint body

25 '

second joint body

26

Approach of the first bearing element of the first closure strip

28

Approach of the second bearing element of the first closure strip

30

Approach of the first bearing element of the second closure strip

32

Approach of the second bearing element of the second closure strip

34

Stegarm of first bearing element 18th

36

Stegarm of first bearing element 18th

38, 38 '

Stegarm of second bearing element 20

40

elastic component of the cheek body

44

first end of the cheek body 6

46

second end of the cheek body 6

48

first interior

50

second interior

56

first joint cap

56 '

second joint cap

58

Opening angle of the joint cap

66

second end of the cheek body 6

68

Receiving space of the joint cap half 60

90

bag

92a, 92b

groove

94

Umfüllschlauch

96

docking

98a, 98b

Oberkantenverläufe of first and second closure strip 2 and 4

100

holder

102

first recording unit

104

second recording unit

106

first lever arm

108

second lever arm

110

baseplate

112

upper retaining plate

114a, 114b

spring elements

116

container

120

protruding bridge

122

indentation

124

indentation

126

Side edge region

128

Side edge region

130

pneumatic actuator

132

pneumatic cylinder

134

pneumatic cylinder

136

clutch

138

locking pin

200, 200 '

elastic element

202

first end of the elastic element

204

second, opposite end of the elastic element

206

Projection, tongue of the elastic element

208

Projection, tongue of the elastic element

210

bracket

212

omission

214

omission

216

Projection, tongue of the elastic element

218

omission

220

bracket

300

dosing

302

container body

304

tapered portion of the container body

306

Opening end of the conveyor

308

first coupling closure

310

funding

312

second coupling closure

314

Dosierbacken

316

outlet

318

second opening end

320

recess

322

recess

324

edge strips

326

edge strips

328

Recess circumferential edge

400

dosing

402

container body

406

first opening end

408

coupling seal

410

funding

412

metering

414

slit-shaped outlet

416

flexurally elastic disk of the metering device

418

Wall of the metering device

Claims (46)

1. Coupling seal (1) for environmentally isolated decanting, filling and/or emptying of containers, comprising
   at least one first sealing strip (2) including at least one at least partially elastic cheek (6) having an inner side (10), an outer side (14), an upper side and/or edge (13, 15) and/or a lower side and/or edge (17, 19), at least one first bearing element (18) on the first end of the cheek (6), particularly with a rounded, more particularly radial, outer periphery or outer peripheral section and/or at least one first inner chamber (48) for accommodating a joint axis and/or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element (20) at the second end of the cheek (6) opposing the first end, particularly with a rounded, more particularly radial, outer periphery or outer peripheral section and/or at least one second inner chamber (50) for accommodating a joint axis and/or in the form of a second hinge element; at least one second sealing strip (4) including at least one at least partially elastic cheek (8) comprising an inner side (12), an outer side (16), an upper side and/or edge and/or a lower side and/or edge, at least one first bearing element (22) at the first end of the cheek (8), particularly with a rounded, more particularly radial, outer periphery or outer peripheral section and/or at least one inner chamber for accommodating a joint axis and/or in the form of a first hinge element, and at least one second bearing element (24) at the second end of the cheek (8) opposing the first end, particularly with a rounded, more particularly radial, outer periphery or outer peripheral section and/or at least one inner chamber for accommodating a joint axis and/or in the form of a first hinge element;
   wherein the inner sides (10, 12) of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4) can be brought at least partially into mutually sealing contact, wherein the first bearing element (18) of the first sealing strip (2) can be arranged adjacent to the second bearing element (24) of the second sealing strip (4) and the second bearing element (20) of the first sealing strip (2) can be arranged adjacent to the first bearing element (22) of the second sealing strip (4) with, in each case, at least partial mutual contact of the inner sides (10, 12) of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and second sealing strips (2, 4), forming first and second joint bodies (25, 25'), particularly comprising common outer surface regions, more particularly cylindrical surface regions; and at least one bendingly and/or stretchingly elastic element (200, 200') having opposing first and second ends (202, 204), which extends within these first and second ends at least between a first holder (210), particularly at or adjacent to the first end, of the cheek of the first sealing strip and a second holder (220), particularly at or adjacent to the second end, of the cheek of the first sealing strip, and/or at least one second bendingly and/or stretchingly elastic element having opposing first and second ends, which extends within these first and second ends at least between a first holder, particularly at or adjacent to the first end, of the cheek of the second sealing strip and a second holder, particularly at or adjacent to the second end, of the cheek of the second sealing strip.
2. Coupling seal (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and/or second holder (210, 220) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) is arranged at or on the outer side (14) of the cheek (6, 8) of the first or second sealing strip.
3. Coupling seal (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first and/or second bearing element (18, 20) of the first and/or second sealing strip encompasses the first and/or second holder (210, 220) of the first or second sealing strip.
4. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bendingly elastic element (200, 200') comprises a component, particularly a strut, a rod or a strip made from metal and/or a composite material, particularly a carbon, aramide and/or glass fibre composite material.
5. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second end (202, 204) of the first and/or second bendingly elastic element (200, 200') is at least partially movably insertable into the first and/or second holder (210, 220) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4).
6. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second bendingly elastic element (200, 200') has/have a pre-stress in the installed condition.
7. Coupling seal (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first and/or second end of the first and/or second stretchingly elastic element of the first or second sealing strip is connected to the first and/or second holder of the first or second sealing strip.
8. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, also characterised by at least one first joint cap (56) which can be arranged at least partially over and/or round a first joint body (25), particularly mutually adjacent first and second bearing elements (18, 24) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4), forming a pivot bearing, and/or at least one second joint cap (56') which can be arranged at least partially over and/or round a second joint body (25'), particularly mutually adjacent second and first bearing elements (20, 22) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), forming a pivot bearing; and/or
   at least one first joint axis for accommodation in the first inner chamber (48) for pivotable mounting of the first joint body (25), particularly of the first and second bearing element (18, 24) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), and/or at least one second joint axis for accommodation in the second inner chamber (50) for pivotable mounting of the second joint body (25'), particularly of the second and first bearing element (20, 22) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4).
9. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first hinge element of the first sealing strip and the second hinge element of the second sealing strip form a first hinge, particularly a film hinge, and/or that the second hinge elements of the first sealing strip and the first hinge element of the second sealing strip form a second hinge, particularly a film hinge.
10. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second bearing element (18, 20, 22, 24) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) at least partially has/have the form of a circular ring (34, 36, 38) and particularly represent web arms.
11. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second bearing element (18, 20, 22, 24) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) is/are, or can be, mounted on the outer side (14, 16) of the first and/or second end of the cheek (6, 8) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4).
12. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the, particularly circular ring-shaped, first and/or second bearing element (18, 20, 22, 24) does/do not extend as far as the inner side (10, 12) of the cheek (6, 8) of the first or second sealing strip (2, 4) and, particularly, has/have a central angle in the range of 90° to 240°.
13. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second joint cap (56, 56') has/have inner dimensions which essentially correspond to the outer dimensions of adjacent first and/or second bearing elements (18, 24; 20, 22), so that with the inner sides (10, 12) of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and second sealing strips (2, 4) in mutual contact, the first joint cap (56) encloses, at least partially flush, the first and second bearing element (18, 24) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) and the second joint cap (56') encloses, at least partially flush, the second and first bearing element (20, 22) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), forming a pivot bearing.
14. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second joint cap (56, 56') comprises a joint cap cover (66) with a joint axis, particularly in the form of a hollow cylindrical segment which can be introduced into the first inner chamber (48) formed from the first and second bearing element (18, 24) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4) or into the second inner chamber (50) formed from the second and first bearing element (20, 22) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4).
15. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the joint cap (56) comprises a first and second joint cap half (60, 70).
16. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first end (44), particularly of the inner side (10) of the cheek (6) of the first sealing element (2) and/or the second end, particularly of the inner side (12) of the cheek (8) of the second sealing element (4) extends or extend into the first inner chamber (48), particularly as far as approximately to the mid-point of the inner chamber and/or that the second end (46), particularly that of the inner side (10) of the cheek (6) of the first sealing strip (2) and the first end, particularly of the inner side (12) of the cheek (8) of the second sealing strip (4) extends into the second inner chamber (50), particularly as far as approximately to the mid-point of the inner chamber.
17. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first bearing element (18, 22) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) at least partially comprises at least one circular ring-shaped body and that the second bearing element (20, 24) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) comprises at least two circular ring-shaped bodies spaced apart from one another, wherein the circular ring-shaped body of the first bearing element (18, 22) can be fitted between two circular ring-shaped bodies of the second bearing element (20, 24) which are spaced apart from one another, particularly flush, forming a first joint body (25) and/or wherein the circular ring-shaped body of the second bearing element (20, 24) can be fitted between two circular ring-shaped bodies of the first bearing element (18, 22) which are spaced apart from one another, particularly flush, forming a second joint body (25'), forming, in each case, an inner chamber for accommodating at least one joint axis.
18. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one inner wall (10, 12) and preferably both inner walls of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and second sealing strip (2, 4) comprises at least one, particularly central, convexity web (120) and at least one concavity groove (122, 124) between the convexity web (120) and the upper longitudinal edge (126, 128) and at least one concavity groove (122, 124) between the convexity web (120) and the lower longitudinal edge (126, 128) of the inner wall (10, 12).
19. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a flexible container (90) or a flexible hose (94) which can be attached or is provided, particularly along the edge regions (98a, 98b) or the longitudinal edges (126, 128), at the inner side (10, 12), the outer side (14, 16), the upper edge and/or the lower edge of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), particularly along the whole length of the cheeks (6, 8).
20. Coupling seal (1) according to claim 19, characterised in that the container (90) or hose (94) covers the whole inner side of the cheeks (6, 8) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), particularly the edge of the container or of the hose approximately corresponds to the edge of the inner side of the cheeks of the first and/or second sealing strip and/or projects beyond said edge.
21. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) or the cheek (6, 8) thereof comprise(s) on the longitudinal-side upper side and/or lower side (98a, 98b), particularly respectively comprising the section between the inner side (10, 12) and the outer side (14, 16) of the cheek (6, 8) of the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4), at least one coupling device, particularly in the form of a groove (114a, 114b) and/or tongue (92a, 92b).
22. Coupling seal (1) according to claim 20, characterised in that the first and/or second sealing strip (2, 4) or the cheek (6, 8) thereof comprise(s), on the longitudinal-side upper side (98a), a groove (114a, 114b) or a tongue (92a, 92b) and, on the longitudinal-side lower side (98b), a tongue (92a, 92b) or a groove (114a, 114b).
23. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and the second sealing strip (2, 4) essentially match one another in shape and/or size.
24. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cheek of the first and/or second sealing strip comprises, at or on the inner side, particularly extending over the whole length of the inner side, at least one elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer segment.
25. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer side of the cheek of the first and/or second sealing strip at least partially comprises a thermoplastic material.
26. Coupling seal (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bearing elements and/or outer sides of the cheeks of the first and/or second sealing strip comprise at least partially, particularly along the rounded outer surfaces, thermoplastic polymers, particularly polyoxyalkylenes, preferably polyoxymethylenes (POM), polyolefins, polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyamides, poly(meth)acrylates, PVC and/or polyketones, preferably alternating carbon monoxide/ethylene copolymers.
27. Coupling seal (1) for environmentally isolated decanting, filling and/or emptying of containers, comprising at least one first sealing strip including at least one at least partially elastic cheek having an inner side and an outer side; at least one second sealing strip including at least one at least partially elastic cheek comprising an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner sides of the cheeks of the first and second sealing strip can be brought at least partially into mutually sealing contact and, with the application of force can be reversibly opened, forming a passageway; and
    at least one first bendingly and/or stretchingly elastic element which can be brought into, or is in, contact with the outer side of the cheek of the first sealing strip or is connectable or connected to the cheek of the first sealing strip, and/or at least one second bendingly and/or stretchingly elastic element which can be brought into, or is in, contact with the outer side of the cheek of the second sealing strip or is connectable or connected to the cheek of the second sealing strip.
28. Container (300), particularly a fine dosing container, for loose goods comprising an at least partially flexible container body (302) and at least one at least partially flexible conveying means (310) connected to said container body and comprising at least one first aperture end (306), wherein loose goods are transferable via the container body (302) into the conveying means (310) in the direction of the first aperture end (306), and at least one first and at least one second coupling seal (308; 312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first aperture end (306) of the conveying means (310) is connectable or connected to the first coupling seal (308), particularly in environmentally isolated manner, and wherein the inner sides of the cheeks of the first and second sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312) are or can be placed in contact with the conveying means and/or are connectable or connected to the conveying means such that a reversibly closable passageway for loose goods from the container body (302) via the second coupling seal (312) to the conveying means (310) toward the first aperture end (306) thereof can be realised.
29. Container (300) according to claim 28, characterised in that the container body (302) comprises at least one first outlet (316) and the conveying means (310) comprises at least one first and at least one second aperture end (306; 318) wherein the first outlet (316) of the container body (302) is or can be connected to the second coupling seal (312), particularly in environmentally isolated manner, and wherein the second aperture end (318) of the conveying means (310) is connectable or connected to the second coupling seal (312).
30. Container (300) according to claim 28 or 29, characterised in that the container body (302) and the conveying means (310) are configured continuous in the region of the second coupling seal (312).
31. Container (300) according to one of the claims 28 to 30, characterised in that the container body (302) and/or the conveying means (310) comprise(s), in the region of the cheeks of the first and/or second sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312), at least one first and/or second recess (320; 322), so that the cheek of the first sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312) can be brought into contact in essentially sealing manner with the wall of the container body (302) and/or of the conveying means (310) and/or with the cheek of the second sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312).
32. Container (300) according to claim 31, characterised in that the first recess (320) is dimensioned smaller than the cheek of the first sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312) so that said cheek covers the first recess (320) essentially completely, particularly in environmentally isolated manner, and/or that the second recess (322) is smaller than the cheek of the second sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312) so that said cheek covers the second recess (322) essentially completely, particularly in environmentally isolated manner.
33. Container (300) according to claim 32, characterised in that the edge (328) encompassing the first and/or second recess (320; 322) is connectable or connected to the first and/or second sealing strip or to the cheek of the first and/or second sealing strip of the second coupling seal (312), particularly in environmentally isolated manner.
34. Container (400), particularly fine dosing container, for loose goods comprising an at least partially flexible container body (402), at least one at least partially flexible conveying means (410), comprising at least one first aperture end (406), wherein loose goods are transferable via the container body (402) into the conveying means (410) in the direction of the first aperture end (406), at least one first coupling seal (408) according to one of the claims 1 to 27 and at least one dosing device (412) provided in the conveying means (410) with at least one outlet which opens under lateral pressure and expands variably, wherein the first aperture end (406) of the conveying means (410) is or can be connected to the first coupling seal (408), particularly in environmentally isolated manner.
35. Container according to claim 34, characterised in that the outlet of the dosing device (412) is slit-shaped.
36. Container (400) according to claim 34 or 35, characterised in that the dosing device (412) comprises a supply chamber which extends in the direction of the container body (402), and is provided particularly at least partially in the conveying means.
37. Container (400) according to one of the claims 34 to 36, characterised in that the dosing device (412) makes contact internally at least partially, particularly over the whole periphery, flush with the conveying means (410) and/or is connected to said conveying means.
38. Container (300, 400) according to one of the claims 28 to 37, characterised in that the container body comprises at least one inlet.
39. Container (300, 400) according to one of the claims 28 to 38, characterised in that the container body (302, 402) and the conveying means (310, 410) are configured in one piece.
40. Container (300, 400) according to one of the claims 28 to 39, characterised in that the container body (302, 402) has a larger diameter than the conveying means (310, 410).
41. Docking device (96) for environmentally isolated decanting, filling and/or emptying of loose goods and/or fluids, comprising at least two coupling seals (1, 1') which can be brought into contact and/or docked with one another, particularly flush, according to one of the claims 1 to 27 or at least one coupling seal (1; 1') according to one of the claims 1 to 27 and at least one container (300, 400) according to one of the claims 28 to 40, wherein the coupling seal (1; 1') according to one of the claims 1 to 27 and the first coupling seal (308, 400) of the container (300, 400) can be brought into contact and/or docked with one another, particularly flush.
42. Docking device (96) according to claim 41, characterised in that at least one coupling seal (1, 1') is connectable or connected to a container (90) which is flexible, particularly at the edge region of the aperture, particularly in environmentally isolated manner.
43. Docking device (96) according to claim 41 or 42, characterised in that at least one coupling seal (1, 1') is connectable or connected to a hose-shaped moulded body (94) which is flexible, particularly at the edge region, particularly in environmentally isolated manner.
44. Holding device (100) for actuating coupling seals (1, 1') according to one of the claims 1 to 27 and/or docking devices (96) according to one of the claims 41 to 43, comprising a first receptacle unit and/or detent unit (102) for, particularly flush, accommodation and/or detent of the first joint body (25) and/or of the first joint cap (56) of a coupling seal (1) or of a docking device (96); a second receptacle and/or detent unit (104) for, particularly flush, accommodation and/or detent of the second joint body (25') opposing the first joint body and/or of the second joint cap (56') of the coupling seal (18), or of the docking device (96); and a positioning mechanism which is adjusted in order to move the first receptacle unit and/or detent unit (102) and the second receptacle unit and/or detent unit (104) toward and away from one another, causing opening and closing.
45. Holding device according to claim 44, characterised by at least one joint axis for accommodating a first and/or second bearing element of the first and/or second sealing strip, particularly of the first and/or second joint body.
46. Holding device according to claim 45, characterised in that the positioning mechanism can be driven electrically or pneumatically, particularly in regulable or controllable manner.

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