Abstract: An apparatus for discharging contents of a bag which includes an enclosure having a pair of pans mounted for pivotable movement therein, a bag spike associated with each pan mounted for movement along the pivot axis of the pan between a position retracted from the pan to a position impaling a bag resting on the pans, an arrangement for cutting a bag resting on the pan and an arrangement for tilting each of the pans on their axes so as to dump the contents of a bag cut by the cutting arrangement into the bottom of the enclosure, which has an arrangement for removing the contents therefrom. An advantage of this device is that all opening of the bag occurs within the enclosure to minimize contact of the contents of the bag with the operator. To remove dust and air from the substantially empty bags, flattening weights are provided above each pan in the cover and are released to flatten the bag to expel dust and air from the empty bag.

Abstract: A device for emptying the contents of a bag into a hopper includes an arrangement for lifting the bag to a position higher than the top edge of the hopper, an arrangement for transporting the bag from an intermediate position in a frame to an unloading position including a retractable conveyor as the upper end of the bag is still engaged by the arrangement for lifting, an arrangement of cutters for cutting the lateral sides of the bag and the leading side of the bag to form a flap connected to the bag by the trailing side which flap will be opened by retracting the forward end of the retractable conveyor to allow the flap to open to discharge the contents as the bag is maintained by the arrangement for lifting over the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging the contents of bags containing flowable material includes a frame, with a pair of bag spikes mounted generally parallel to, and coplanar with, one another on the frame. A pair of bag pans is movably mounted on the frame so as to be engageable with the bag spikes. Each of the pans is selectively pivotable around a respective axis defined by each of the bag spikes. The bag pans are movable between a first, load/unload position wherein the bag pans are out of engagement with the spikes, and a second, engaged position wherein the bag pans are in engagement with the spikes. A knife assembly is provided that includes a knife arm having a first end pivotably mounted to the frame, and a second end upon which is disposed a knife member. The knife assembly is pivotable between a severing position wherein the knife member extends between the bag pans, and a rest position wherein the knife member is out of the plane defined by the bag pans.