Discharge assembly

A discharge apparatus comprising:

• a flexible bulk container having a base and an outlet channel extending from the base and having an outlet at one end through which product is to be dispensed,
• a seat onto which the base of the bulk container is seated for a discharge operation, the seat including an outlet region through which the outlet channel of the bulk container extends when seated thereon, and
• a vibration unit for selectively vibrating the seat;
• wherein the seat includes a projection proximal yet spaced from said outlet region, which extends from an upper surface of the seat.

A discharge apparatus for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed, the discharge apparatus comprising:

• an inlet end,
• an outlet end, and
• a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end,
• wherein said inlet end is configured for receiving the lower end of a bulk container, said outlet end is configured for directing a flow of product from a bulk container received in the inlet end,
• wherein the apparatus is configured to allow relative movement between said inlet end and said outlet end to alter the distance between said inlet end and said outlet end,
• further wherein the wall between said inlet end and said outlet end is of flexible construction, to accommodate said relative movement;
• still further wherein the outlet end comprises a support plate for supporting the lower end of a bulk container and having an aperture which defines an outlet region through which the outlet of a bulk container can extend when supported on the support plate;
• wherein the support plate includes a projection proximal yet spaced from said outlet region, which extends from an upper surface of the support plate.