Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and conveying bulk material is provided. The apparatus comprises a hopper for receiving bulk material, at least one outlet configured to enable bulk material, received by the hopper, to exit the hopper, and an agitator arrangement. The agitator arrangement is configured to agitate the bulk material in the hopper in order to counteract cohesion of the bulk material, and configured to urge the bulk material in the hopper towards the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A tie 24 seals an outer bag 26 and an inner line bag 28 of a container. The inner liner bag 28 is fed into a tubular discharge chute 30 and the tubular end of the outer liner bag is passed over the outside of a chute 30 to extend over an inflatable seal 32. Then two opposed pinch bars 34 on either side of the container, just below the tie 24, are actuated by pneumatic cylinders 36 to move towards each other and to pinch the inner and outer bags 26 and 28 just below the tie. Then a seal 32 is inflated to urge the seal against the inner face of the outer bag. Then the tie 24 is removed and the pinch bars are retracted before moving the chute 30 downwardly by retracting pneumatic cylinders 38 to take the lower end of the outer bag downwardly.