Abstract: A tie-off assembly for closing the neck of a bulk bag is provided and includes a motor located in a housing which drives a toothed drive wheel. A slot in the housing receives an end of a tie wrap which, upon insertion, is engaged by the toothed drive wheel to pull the tie wrap closed. At least one blade is mounted adjacent the slot, which is moveable from a first position, away from the slot, to a second, cutting position, adjacent the slot. In use, an end of a tie wrap located around the neck is inserted into the slot so that the tie wrap end is engaged by the toothed drive wheel, and operating the motor tightens the tie wrap about the neck of the bulk bag.

Abstract: A bulk bag filler is provided having a frame assembly, a bag filling head, rotatable hooks for engaging bag loops and latch assemblies to engage the rotatable hooks. Each of the latch assemblies include an actuatable latch pin to release the rotatable hook, and upon release, the latch assemblies are gravity driven to return to a latching position in which the rotatable hooks are re-engageable. A method for loading a bulk bag with a bulk material is also provided.

Abstract: A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source is provided. The filling system includes a bag filler having a movable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube being adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.

Abstract: A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

Abstract: A hopper assembly comprising a hopper bin having a substantially trapezoidal discharge opening and a charging adapter having multiple walls, each of the walls having a vertical portion.