# US 2018/0022560 A1 · Bulk bag sealing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0022560 A1 - Document ID: US20180022560A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/659,348 - Filed: 2017-07-25 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25 - Assignees: Schenck Process LLC - Applicants: Schenck Process LLC - Inventors: Kent Carolan; Austin Petry; Tim Strathman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180022560A1 ## CPC - B65G 69/183: {with co-operating closure members on each of the parts of a separable transfer channel} - B65B 69/0075: {Emptying systems for flexible intermediate bulk containers [FIBC]} - B65B 69/0083: {using frames whereby the container is only suspended} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A sealing system for connecting a bulk bag to a material handling and processing system. The sealing system comprises a main housing and a discharge tube housed within the main housing. The discharge tube is configured to fluidly connect the bulk bag with the material handling and processing system. The sealing system additionally comprises a first seal configured to selectively seal the bulk bag with respect to the discharge tube, and a second seal configured to selectively seal an interior space of the main housing from the material handling and processing system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sealing system for connecting a bulk bag to a material handling and processing system, wherein said sealing system comprises: a main housing; a discharge tube housed within said main housing, wherein said discharge tube is configured to fluidly connect the bulk bag with the material handling and processing system; a first seal configured to selectively seal the bulk bag with respect to said discharge tube; and a second seal configured to selectively seal an interior space of said main housing from the material handling and processing system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sealing system of claim 1, wherein said first seal and said second seal comprise pneumatic seals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The sealing system of claim 2, wherein said first seal and said second seal are each formed as an annular ring of elastic material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sealing system of claim 3, wherein said first seal is connected to an exterior surface of an upper end of said discharge tube, and wherein said second seal is connected to an exterior surface of a lower end of said discharge tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The sealing system of claim 3, wherein said first seal and said second seal are both fluidly connected to a common pneumatic air source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The sealing system of claim 5, wherein said first seal and said second seal are configured to inflate simultaneously. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The sealing system of claim 5, wherein said sealing system further comprises a sealing plate, and wherein said first seal is configured to seal the bulk bag by compressing the bulk bag between said first seal and said sealing plate when said first seal is inflated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The sealing system of claim 7, wherein said sealing plate comprises a cylindrical section of material secured to an interior surface of said main housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The sealing system of claim 5, wherein said second seal is configured to engage with an interior surface of said main housing when said second seal is inflated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sealing system of claim 1, wherein said main housing includes one or more panels configured to open to provide access to the interior space of said main housing. ### Claim 11 A sealing system for connecting a bulk bag to a material handling and processing system, wherein said sealing system comprises: a discharge tube configured to fluidly connect the bulk bag with the material handling and processing system; a first pneumatic seal configured to selectively seal the bulk bag to said discharge tube; and a second pneumatic seal positioned below said first pneumatic seal between said first pneumatic seal and the material handling and processing system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said first seal and said second seal are each formed as an annular ring of elastic material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said first seal is connected to an exterior surface of an upper end of said discharge tube, and wherein said second seal is connected to an exterior surface of a lower end of said discharge tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said first seal and said second seal are both fluidly connected to a common pneumatic air source. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said first seal and said second seal are configured to inflate simultaneously. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said sealing system further comprises a sealing plate, and wherein said first seal is configured to seal the bulk bag by compressing the bulk bag between said first seal and said sealing plate when said first seal is inflated. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The sealing system of claim 11, wherein said sealing system further comprises a main housing that houses at least a portion of said discharge tube, and wherein said second seal is configured to engage with an interior surface of said main housing when said second seal is inflated. ### Claim 18 A method of connecting a bulk bag to a material handling and processing system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) sealing, via a first seal, a bulk bag to a sealing system associated with the material handling and processing system; (b) sealing, via a second seal, an interior space of the sealing system from the material handling and processing system, wherein said sealing of step (b) is performed simultaneously with said sealing of step (a); and (c) causing material within the bulk bag to be emptied into the material handling and processing system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the first seal and the second seal comprise pneumatic seals. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: (d) unsealing, via the first seal, the bulk bag from the sealing system; (e) unsealing, via the second seal, the interior space of the sealing system from the material handling and processing system, wherein said unsealing of step (d) is performed simultaneously with said unsealing of step (e).