Abstract: A bulk bag support for filling wherein the bulk bag has plural handles spaced around a top perimeter thereof. The support includes a frame and an elevatable mounting platform mounted on the frame. A plurality of spaced, openable and closeable support hooks are provided on the mounting platform and are selectively activatable for movement between opened and closed positions for selectively gripping and releasing the aforesaid handles. The support hooks, when in the closed position, releasably grip the handles thereby causing the bulk bag to be suspended from the support hooks and, when lifted, above a base member of the frame and to facilitate is filling of the bulk bag. When the support hooks are in the opened position, the handles on the bulk bag are thereby released causing the bulk bag to rest on the aforesaid base member. A yieldable biassing spring is provided for continually urging the support hooks toward the closed position.

Abstract: A massager system for facilitating the rapid unloading of bulk material stored in a semi-rigid bag. The system includes a frame from which the bag is suspended. The bag has a discharge spout in the bottom end thereof that is secured to a complementary hopper. The system includes two massager paddles that are seated against the bottom end of the bag on opposed sides of the hopper. The massager paddles are secured to the frame so as to be able to pivot upwardly. A single actuator, such as a pneumatic drive cylinder, is suspended directly from the massage paddles. The actuation of the drive cylinder causes the simultaneous upward movement of the paddles so that the paddles enhance the movement of the contents of the bag out through the bag discharge spout.

Abstract: A hanger for facilitating the unloading of loose material stored in bulk form in semi-rigid containers. The hanger includes a frame that is positioned over the container. The container is attached to the frame along its outer perimeter by a number of pivoting arms. The arms are biased so that in the absence of a counteracting force, they pivot inwardly towards the center of the container. When a loaded container is initially attached to the hanger, the arms hold it in a fully expanded state. As the container is emptied from a bottom opening, the weight of the container drops, allowing the biasing members to pivot the arms inwardly and upwardly. The inward movement of the arms results in the arms moving the outer perimeter of the bag inwardly and upwardly. Consequently, the lower portion of the container takes on a conical profile to facilitate the emptying of the contents from the container.

Abstract: A tilter catch mechanism for a tipping device. The tipping device has a frame and a flat tiltable platform tiltably supported on the frame and for movement between a first horizontally aligned position and a second position inclined to the horizontal. An inflatable bladder device is provided for effecting a driving tilting movement of the platform between the first and second positions. The tilter catch mechanism includes a ratchet gearing device interposed between the frame and the tiltable platform, the ratchet gearing device including a toothed ratchet gear attached to either the frame or the tiltable platform and a pivotal pawl pivotally supported on the other one of the frame or tiltable platform. A spring continually urges the pawl toward the teeth on the ratchet gear. A pneumatic control is provided for controlling a flow of pressurized gas from a pressurized gas supply to and from the bladder to cause the tiltable table to be moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A dumper for use in dumping the contents of a container. The dumper includes a hollow receiving portion for receiving therein at least an upper end of the container and an outlet portion for guiding contents emanating from the container to a desired location. A mechanism for effecting a relative movement between the receiving portion and the upper end of the container and an orientation of the receiving portion onto the upper end of the container is provided. An inflatable bladder mechanism is mounted on an inwardly facing surface of the receiving portion and oriented to engage a peripheral side surface of the container, when inflated, with sufficient force to clamp and hold the container to the receiving portion. A tipping mechanism is also provided for tipping the receiving portion and the container in unison only when the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: A load supporting apparatus includes a base, and a platform adapted to support the load is pivotally supported on the base for movement between first and second positions, the platform becoming increasingly tilted as it moves from the first to the second position. A drive mechanism cooperable with the platform is provided for effecting pivotal movement thereof, and a control mechanism cooperable with the drive mechanism is provided for automatically actuating the drive mechanism to effect movement of the platform toward the second position in response to a shift in the distribution of the load thereon, thereby further tilting the platform and effecting a redistribution of the load. The control means is also responsive to the redistribution of the load caused by tilting of the platform for automatically deactuating the drive mechanism.