Abstract: Flexible container discharge apparatus for a flexible bulk container as hereinbefore defined, comprises a base structure, a common movable container support element for supporting the flexible bulk container and hingably connected to the base structure for movement relative thereto, and a plurality of pivotable urging elements which project in a direction away from the common support element and which are directly or indirectly connected to the common support element. With a flexible bulk container positioned on the common support element, as flowable material within the container is discharged, the urging elements pivot towards each other, pressing the flowable material towards an outlet of the container. A method of discharging material from a flexible bulk container is also provided.

Abstract: The closure assembly comprises a first closure device in the form of a cone valve typically having a downwardly diverging upper surface and a second closure device in the form of a plug which is vertically slidable relative to the first closure device so that when in use the closure assembly is opened by a closure operating member acting on the plug, the plug will move upwardly from a closed to an open condition while the cone valve remains in a closed condition and subsequently the cone valve will move upwardly from its closed to an open condition. The cone valve comprises first and second parts, the first part being more flexible than the second part and being arranged to adopt a closed position relative to the store prior to the second part adopting a closed position relative to the store during a closing operation of the closure assembly.

Abstract: The closure assembly comprises a first closure device in the form of a cone valve typically having a downwardly diverging upper surface and a second closure device in the form of a plug which is vertically slidable relative to the first closure device so that when in use the closure assembly is opened by a closure operating member acting on the plug, the plug will move upwardly from a closed to an open condition while the cone valve remains in a closed condition and subsequently the plug will move upwardly from its closed to an open condition. The cone valve comprises first and second parts, the first part being more flexible than the second part and being arranged to adopt a closed position relative to the store prior to the second part adopting a closed position relative to the store during a closing operation of the closure assembly.

Abstract: A through-flow closure for a receptacle of flowable material, the closure includes a body part having a charging aperture and a closure operating member for opening the closure device of a container. There is an annular gap between the edge of the aperture and the closure operating device. A stretchable annular sealing member attached to the body part. The sealing member seals the gap between the body part and the closure operating member when the receptacle and container are separated and forms a seal between the body part and the container when the receptacle and the container are moved together and prior to the closure operating member opening the closure device of the container.

Abstract: A through-flow closure for a receptacle of flowable material, the closure comprising a body part having a charging aperture and a closure operating member for opening the closure device of a container. There is an annular gap between the edge of the aperture and the closure operating device. A stretchable annular sealing member attached to the body part. The sealing member seals the gap between the body part and the closure operating member when the receptacle and container are separated and forms a seal between the body part and the container when the receptacle and the container are moved together and prior to the closure operating member opening the closure device of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating a closure for an aperture of a material storage container has a device to regulate the position of the closure relative to the aperture, so that an annular gap through which material is discharged is adjustable to prevent crushing of material which might be “bridged” in the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus (1) for handling flow of particulate material from one location such as a first station such as a filling head (2) attached to an IBC (3) and a chamber (4) which is in association with the filling head (2) by being slidably mounted round an outlet (8) thereof, the chamber (4) having an orifice (6) through which the another station such as an IBC (7) and the one station (23) are operatively connected to provide a transfer system for the material (8). The chamber (4) has a device (9) which is operable to remove a closure element (10) of the IBC (7). The chamber (4) also has means (11, 12) to extract material from the chamber (4) so that the exterior of the filling head (2) and IBC (7) remains in use free of any potentially contaminating material, such as specks of material.

Abstract: The material handling apparatus is in the form of apparatus for controlling the discharge of flowable material from a store thereof and comprises a hollow support member, a through-flow device slidable within the hollow support member, a closure operating member movable upwardly together with the through-flow device for opening a closure device to allow material to flow from the store into the through-flow device and actuator means between the hollow support member and the through-flow device for moving the through-flow device and the closure operating member relative to the hollow support member.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling flowable material, particularly particulate material, which is held in a discharge container such as an IBC having an opening normally covered by a transport cap, comprises a device which is adapted to engage and remove the transport cap and a device to cover at least a rim of the cap during such removal. The problem of contamination is overcome using the apparatus which is in the form of an annular metal (in the embodiment) cowl which has two peripheral spaced apart upstanding walls, the inner wall rising from an internal base in the embodiment and from which also rises the engaging and removing device, which in the embodiment shown comprises a pneumatic piston and cylinder arrangement. The piston carries an extractor in the form of an annular disc or spider having a depending peripheral wall which carries an inflatable ring or tire. The external surface of the inner wall carries at its rim a lip seal which is mounted over an inflatable ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging flowable material, particularly a powder or other particulate material, is provided with a hopper, bin, silo or the like having a discharge outlet with a closure, also known as an .alpha.-flange, and spaced therefrom a device, such as a cone, for obturating flow of material from the outlet, and a mechanism which is connectible with the obturating device and is operative to open the closure and obturating device in sequence. The mechanism also closes the obturating device and closure in reverse sequence.

Abstract: An outlet closure element in the embodiment is a metal or other material, e.g., plastic, plate which is circular in plan, formed in one piece and which has a substantially central frusto-conical upwardly directly (as considered in use) inset or profile. The periphery of the rim element has a plurality of projecting interengaging portions, in the embodiment four, equiangularly spaced, bayonet shaped locators or slots for releasable interengaging cooperation with members in the form of four bayonet kind of lugs located on the periphery of the outlet of the container.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus shown is a pallet made in one piece from plastic material, having a surface in the form of a ring for supporting a container (not shown), the pallet is arranged in use to provide for discharge of material from a container of flowable (particulate) material, and for stacking and nesting with another similar pallet. The ring is a clamp ring which receives a similar ring of a container which rings can be clamped together by a suitable device to provide a unitary arrangement so that the pallet, or base, and the container can be filled and transported in one location, and discharged at a discharge station. The pallet thus includes the discharge means comprising a conical discharge outlet with a cone valve which can be operated with total containment at a discharge station by use of suitable valves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping mechanism for clamping together a closure and a body mounting same, comprising a first member mounting a plurality of clamping devices, and a second member having an over-center part. The first and second members are in engagement, the arrangement being such that when the body engages the first member, the first and second members move over-center and the clamping devices and the second member engage the closure to clamp the closure in the body.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for transferring material from one container to another, comprising an extensible conduit, a mechanism to extend the conduit, and respective mechanism to open and close an inlet and outlet of the conduit, the arrangement being such that in use the conduit is extended for transfer of material, and the inlet and outlet are opened sequentially to pass material to the conduit from the owe container and then from the conduit to another container.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus comprising a container, such as a silo or hopper for storing and distributing flowable material, to receptacle such as an I.B.C. via an outlet, there being a device adapted for removing and replacing a closure of the receptacle, particularly on passage of material into the receptacle.In a preferred arrangement, outlet of the silo is normally obturated by a conical (or frusto-conical) closure device which is raised and lowered by pneumatic devices in the form of an air bellows mounted in the silo on a frame. The bellows is within a cone, and there is also a device for oscillating the cone, such as a vibrator, in order to obviate bridging or rat-holing of material during discharge. The bellows is housed within a hygienic cover for cleanliness. The cone is connected with the bellows via a connector which may be in the form of a telescopic tube. The tube passes through the apex of the cone and is secured thereat as by a nut and bolt arrangement.

Abstract: An intermediate bulk container (I.B.C.) system for handling a flowable material such as a pharmaceutical powder comprises, a discharge station, a transportable station for holding and transporting the powder, and a seal arrangement of the two stations, the seal arrangement being such that seals thereof cooperate one with the other and with the stations, whereby exposure of external surfaces of the system to the powder is obviated during discharge at the discharge station and during transport, so that no powder can escape from the interior to the exterior in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling discharge from a silo, comprising a device mounted internally of a discharge opening for flowable material and forming with that opening a flow path for material through the opening. A bellows actuator associated with the device moves the device relative to the discharge opening to close the opening or to open it to a desired extent. A vibrator carried by the device vibrates the device to assist flow of material through the discharge opening when it is open.