Method and apparatus for filling and/or emptying flexible containers

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling and/or emptying apparatus (1) and to methods for filling and/or emptying flexible containers (5), particularly sacks, with in particular hazardous, loose substances, preferably in powder form, comprising a filling and/or emptying neck (2) with an open end portion and at least one deformable disposable fastening ring (9), wherein the disposable fastening ring (9) is designed in relation to the internal diameter of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) such that once a container edge (7) is folded over around the fastening ring, preferably from radially inside to the outside, it is possible to insert, particularly to insert manually, the disposable fastening ring (9) in an end portion of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) so that the disposable fastening ring (9) is arranged substantially concentrically with the filling and/or emptying neck (2), and a radially outer fold-over portion (8) of the container edge (7) is arranged and/or clamped between an inner surface of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) and a radially outer surface. Furthermore, the disposable fastening ring (9) is designed in relation to the internal diameter of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) such that it is possible to press, particularly to press by mechanical means, the disposable fastening ring (9) into a sealing portion (15) of the filling and/or emptying neck (2), which is arranged after the end portion in the axial direction (A) and preferably has a smaller internal diameter than the end portion, wherein the disposable fastening ring (9) undergoes, preferably elastic deformation in the radial direction, so that the insertion and/or pressing into the interior of the filling and/or emptying neck (2) leads to a radial deformation and a counterposed pressure force, preferably an elastic return force, which presses the outer fold-over portion (8) of the container edge (7) against the inner surface of the filling and/or emptying neck (2), thereby sealing the container (5) against the filling and/or emptying neck (2).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.