Abstract: A toggle cam bolt is provided having a threaded shank having a slot at a second end. A cam lever is pivotably attached to the second end. A toggle actuating sleeve in which the shank extends is provided, and includes a collar at one end, a toggle insertion slot and diametrically oppositely located toggle actuating and a toggle clearance slots separated by an actuating web. A toggle is pivotably connected in the shank slot and has a cross arm and an actuator arm. The toggle is movable, from an installation position in which the cross arm is parallel to the bolt axis and the actuator arm extends into the toggle actuating slot, to a clamping position in which a portion of the cross arm extends through the toggle clearance slot due to contact by the actuator arm against the actuating web as the shank is moved in a first direction.

Abstract: A toggle cam bolt is provided including a shank, a cam lever, a recess, and a toggle. The shank includes a first end and a second end. The cam lever is rotatably attached to the first end by a first pivot pin. The cam lever includes a lever handle and a cam lobe that is eccentric relative to the first pivot pin. The recess is located at the second end of the shank. The toggle is attached to the recess so that it is rotatable about a second pivot pin. A method of clamping two or more parts together using a toggle cam bolt is also provided.

Abstract: A bulk bag conditioner assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a frame assembly defining a bulk bag conditioning area. The frame assembly includes a first carrier frame with a first ram, and a second carrier frame with a second ram. A first actuator assembly includes a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame. A second actuator assembly includes a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame. A control unit is configured to simultaneously drive the first ram and the second ram linearly towards each other to engage a bulk bag within the bulk bag conditioning area.

Abstract: A drag conveyor assembly is disclosed that allows for improved functionality and connectivity to form an endless loop. The assembly includes a traction element and a plurality of slugs fixedly attached to the traction element. When any one of the slugs is split, each split slug section of the slug remains fixedly attached to the traction element. In one embodiment, each slug of the plurality of slugs includes a cutting groove. A ferrule pair is provided to attach each slug to the traction element. The cutting grooves facilitate a cutting or slicing process to split the slug into split slug sections.

Abstract: A toggle cam bolt is provided including a shank, a cam lever, a recess, and a toggle. The shank includes a first end and a second end. The cam lever is rotatably attached to the first end by a first pivot pin. The cam lever includes a lever handle and a cam lobe that is eccentric relative to the first pivot pin. The recess is located at the second end of the shank. The toggle is attached to the recess so that it is rotatable about a second pivot pin. A method of clamping two or more parts together using a toggle cam bolt is also provided.

Abstract: A sprocket tip for a sprocket assembly is disclosed. The sprocket tip includes a body defining at least one circumferential end face forming an engagement face configured to drivingly engage a traction system. A void is defined on an internal face of the body defined on an underside of the at least one circumferential end face.

Abstract: A drag conveyor assembly is disclosed that allows for improved functionality and connectivity to form an endless loop. The assembly includes a traction element and a plurality of slugs fixedly attached to the traction element. When any one of the slugs is split, each split slug section of the slug remains fixedly attached to the traction element. In one embodiment, each slug of the plurality of slugs includes a cutting groove. A ferrule pair is provided to attach each slug to the traction element. The cutting grooves facilitate a cutting or slicing process to split the slug into split slug sections.

Abstract: An automated tensioning system is provided for a conveyor with an endless traction element that travels around an adjustably mounted pulley or sprocket. The tensioning system includes a spring housing with a lead screw/drive shaft assembly located therein that has a pushing face that extends out of one housing end. A spring compression plate is threadingly engaged with the lead screw. A plate indicator is located on the spring compression plate. A tensioner spring is located between the tensioner spring support provided by a first housing end and the spring compression plate. A sensor is located on the spring housing that is configured to detect a position of the plate indicator.

Abstract: An automated tensioning system is provided for a conveyor. The tensioning system includes a spring housing with a lead screw/drive shaft assembly located therein that has a pushing face that extends out of one housing end. A spring compression plate is threadingly engaged with the lead screw. A plate indicator is located on the spring compression plate. A tensioner spring is located between the tensioner spring support provided by a first housing end and the spring compression plate. A sensor is located on the spring housing that is configured to detect a position of the plate indicator. A driven wheel, rotationally engaged with the drive shaft and axially slideable thereon, is driven by a motor to drive the driven wheel and rotate the lead screw and advance or retract the face so that a desired tension is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning a bulk bag and a compacted product contained within the bag is provided to facilitate emptying the contents of the bag. A frame encloses a bulk bag receiving region including a support surface for receiving the bulk bag for conditioning. A plurality of conditioning plates, supported for horizontal and vertical displacement, is provided to break up the compacted product within the bag.

Abstract: A drag conveyor system having a tube and a traction element extending through tube is provided. A plurality of slugs are connected to the traction element, each of the slugs including a slug flange. A disk is removably attached to each of the slugs, with the disk including first and second disk parts that are adapted to be placed around the cable and are engagable with one another and/or the slug so that each of the disks is located on the respective one of the slugs. A snap clip is engaged to each of the slugs, with the snap clip including a flange located on an opposite side of the disk from the slug flange that, together with the slug flange, maintains the first and second disk parts together and engaged with the slug in a fixed position on the slug.

Abstract: A drag conveyor system having a tube and a traction element extending through tube is provided. A plurality of slugs are connected to the traction element, each of the slugs including a slug flange. A disk is removably attached to each of the slugs, with the disk including first and second disk parts that are adapted to be placed around the cable and are engagable with one another and/or the slug so that each of the disks is located on the respective one of the slugs. A snap clip is engaged to each of the slugs, with the snap clip including a flange located on an opposite side of the disk from the slug flange that, together with the slug flange, maintains the first and second disk parts together and engaged with the slug in a fixed position on the slug.

Abstract: A tie-off assembly for closing the neck of a bulk bag is provided and includes a motor located in a housing which drives a toothed drive wheel. A slot in the housing receives an end of a tie wrap which, upon insertion, is engaged by the toothed drive wheel to pull the tie wrap closed. At least one blade is mounted adjacent the slot, which is moveable from a first position, away from the slot, to a second, cutting position, adjacent the slot. In use, an end of a tie wrap located around the neck is inserted into the slot so that the tie wrap end is engaged by the toothed drive wheel, and operating the motor tightens the tie wrap about the neck of the bulk bag.

Abstract: A bulk bag filler is provided having a frame assembly, a bag filling head, rotatable hooks for engaging bag loops and latch assemblies to engage the rotatable hooks. Each of the latch assemblies include an actuatable latch pin to release the rotatable hook, and upon release, the latch assemblies are gravity driven to return to a latching position in which the rotatable hooks are re-engageable. A method for loading a bulk bag with a bulk material is also provided.

Abstract: A tie-off assembly for closing the neck of a bulk bag is provided and includes a motor located in a housing which drives a toothed drive wheel. A slot in the housing receives an end of a tie wrap which, upon insertion, is engaged by the toothed drive wheel to pull the tie wrap closed. At least one blade is mounted adjacent the slot, which is moveable from a first position, away from the slot, to a second, cutting position, adjacent the slot. In use, an end of a tie wrap located around the neck is inserted into the slot so that the tie wrap end is engaged by the toothed drive wheel, and operating the motor tightens the tie wrap about the neck of the bulk bag.

Abstract: A flow promotion device (FPD) for use in conjunction with a bulk bag discharger is provided. The FPD includes a center plate pivotably connected to the bulk bag discharger frame. Extension plates are pivotably attached to each end of the center plate. A connecting element is connected between a lever arm on each extension plate and the discharger frame, and an actuator is connected between the center plate and the frame. Upon activation of the actuator, the center plate is moved upwardly, and the extension plates are pivoted upwardly and inwardly by the connecting elements in order to press against the bag from three different directions using a single actuator. Two FPDs are preferably used on the bulk bag discharger.

Abstract: A bulk bag filler is provided having a frame assembly, a bag filling head, rotatable hooks for engaging bag loops and latch assemblies to engage the rotatable hooks. Each of the latch assemblies include an actuatable latch pin to release the rotatable hook, and upon release, the latch assemblies are gravity driven to return to a latching position in which the rotatable hooks are re-engageable. A method for loading a bulk bag with a bulk material is also provided.

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A bulk bag filler for filling bulk bags having bag hanging loops and a fill spout is provided. The filler includes a bag filling head having at least a moveable portion that can be moved from a filling position, in which the hanging loops are suspended from hanging loop supports in a position to allow the bulk bag to be filled, to a bag attaching position, in which at least some of the hanging loop supports for attachment of a bulk bag to be filled and a bag spout connection are positioned in proximity to a side of the bag filler. A method for loading a bulk bag is also provided.

Abstract: A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source is provided. The filling system includes a bag filler having a movable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube being adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.