Abstract: Method and apparatus for off-loading incoherent material from a container towards a user unit positioned inferiorly to the container itself, wherein the phases are implemented of connecting an outlet of the container to a superior extremity of a conduit connected with its other extremity to the user unit, to the outlet being associated a valve element and to the conduit being associated a plurality of shut-off elements mutually distanced along the conduit itself and each able to vary the amplitude of the passage existing inside the conduit itself between a condition of closure of the passage and a condition of maximum opening; placing all shut-off elements in the closure condition; causing the opening of the valve element; and of causing the progressive disposition of the shut-off elements, starting from the highest one and proceeding downward, from the closure condition to the maximum opening condition.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for unloading fragile products from a storage container, comprising a step of transferring the products by gravity from a container to an unloading station below along a given, straight unloading path, a product interception device, with a given linear movement along the unloading path, intercepts the products and accompanies them at a first given speed to the unloading station, until a continuous column of products is formed, substantially extending between the container and the unloading station; then, during product unloading, the column is gradually shortened by raising the unloading station at a second given speed.