Abstract: A bulk bag-filling machine with a traversing strap latching and traversing filler spout mechanisms. The strap latch mechanisms and the filler spout may be moved independently or in unison forwardly towards the front or forward most edge of the filling station, thereby permitting the operator of the filling apparatus to easily and safely suspend the heavy bulk bag's strap loops on the four strap latches and make the filler neck connection to the filling spout prior to traversing the strap latches and filler neck to their rearmost position, thereby positioning the bag for filling. Boxes may also be utilized by the adaptation of transfer tables in which case the strap latches are not required.

Abstract: A transfer device designed to reposition and to move heavy filled bulk containers and bags ninety degrees from their original position without lifting the heavy filled bulk container or bag. The transfer device is designed with a moveable upper frame structure that contains a plurality of spaced apart groups of rollers providing a pair of elongated openings. The transfer device also has an inner fixed frame that contains a pair of transfer conveyors, in the preferred embodiment, exposed in the pair of elongated openings whenever the moveable upper frame structure drops downwardly. This permits the pair of transfer conveyors to transfer the container weight from the rollers and to carry the weight of the filled bulk container previously resting on the plurality of rollers. The pair of transfer conveyors then move the filled bulk container from the transfer device in a direction ninety degrees from the original direction that the container was traveling on the rollers of the upper frame.

Abstract: A lifting adapter for use in lifting and releasing large bulk bags. The adapter has a frame formed in an X-shaped configuration in the preferred embodiment. The X-shaped frame is formed from tubular arms that extend downwardly and outwardly at an angle ranging from 10 to 30 degrees. Each arm holds a bag loop retaining toggle lock in the preferred embodiment which is pneumatically operated to serve to release the bag loops from the arms at a predetermined time so that the bag loops of the filled bag will slide off of the retaining toggle lock by gravity to thereby release the filled bag from the lifting adapter.

Abstract: A bag filling machine with traversing latch mechanisms. The rear latch mechanisms are movable forwardly towards the front fixed latches to permit the operator of the machine to easily and safely hang the bag loops on the four latches. Thereafter the rear traversing latches are moved to the rear of the machine to open the bag thus allowing it to be filled and later released from the bag latches.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a pallet dispensing machine. A plurality of pallets are positioned in an upright movable frame positioned in a stationary frame in the pallet dispensing machine. The latch mechanism holds the stack of pallets as the movable frame is lowered and sets of the stack on a feeder conveyor. Further downward motion of the movable frame causes the latch mechanism to retract out of engagement by gravity. Thereafter the movable frame moves upwardly and the latch mechanism reengages the remainding pallets above the bottom pallet to lift the stack about an inch so that the feeder conveyor can feed the bottom pallet out of the machine.

Abstract: A palley dispensing machine with latch mechanism for the same machine. A plurality of pallets are positioned in an upright movable frame positioned in a stationary frame. The latch mechanism holds the stack of pallets as the movable frame is lowered and sets the stack on a feeder conveyor. Further downward motion of the movable frame causes the latch mechanism to retract out of engagement by gravity. Thereafter the movable frame moves upwardly and the latch mechanism reengages the remaining pallets above the bottom pallet to lift the stack about an inch so that the feeder conveyor can feed the bottom pallet out of the machine.

Abstract: A bulk bag discharge unit having a discharge hopper with an inner liner support. The inner liner support is used to retain, in the hopper, the inner liner discharge spout and a portion of the bulk bag inner liner as the bulk bag is emptied. A plurality of splitter fingers hold the inner support in the inside of the hopper and form openings which allow bulk product to pass out of the hopper but also prevent the liner spout and a portion of the liner from passing out of the hopper. A method of preventing the dropping out of the liner during discharge using the liner support is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bag filling machine for use in holding a larger empty bag by a plurality of bag loops, the bag being filled while being held by the machine and then being released from the machine to be transported to a remote location is disclosed.The machine comprises a plurality of downwardly and inwardly inclined members fixedly attached to the frame of the machine with the inclined members holding the empty bag by the plurality of bag loops usually used on an empty bag. A generally C-shaped hook is pivotably mounted on each inclined member and is moved from a holding position to a release position by a plurality of linkage rods connected to an activating mechanism. The inclined members and the C-shaped hooks co-act to permit the filled bag to release itself by gravity from the inclined members upon an activation of the C-shaped hooks by the activating mechanism. The activating mechanism may be a manual one such as a human being, a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder and an electric solenoid among other types.

Abstract: A bag filling apparatus has sealing facilities for forming an enclosed chamber around an unclamped portion of the open top of a bag surrounding a filling spout so that contaminates exiting through bulges in the unclamped portion of the top of the bag are prevented from escaping.

Abstract: An improved transition section for a bag filling device is disclosed for use with a bag filling machine. The device comprises a new and novel transition structure that may be utilized to effectively absorb the energy of the material passing through the filling machine and to effectively control the flow of the material in the transition section so that at least two flow paths are formed within the transition chute throat section with one flow path being utilized for downwardly flow of the material being filled in the bag filling machine and the other flow path being utilized for upwardly flow of dust and air resulting from the filling process. The dual flow paths are formed by a rigid divider member fixedly attached to the control device suspended in the transition chute with the divider member moving in a generally horizontal direction in an arcuate path.