Abstract: A container dumping apparatus for a conveyor system handling a large number of containers having preloaded articles or material which need to be transported to a station for unloading, and in which the container is securely grasped and tilted for dumping the articles or material out at the side of the conveyor and is returned to the conveyor where it continues on to clear the apparatus for the next container. The container dumping mechanism may be located at one or more stations, and each mechanism, while being the same at each station, includes suction cups which accommodate a range of variations in sizes of containers and differing conditions of the surface of same.