Method and apparatus for processing plastic liner bags
AssigneePowder Projects Limited
InventorsRichard John MILES, Jeffrey Robert DANCE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for opening of a plastic bag containing a food product in the form of powder or similar fine particulate material is disclosed. The bag is positioned atop a plate with a plurality of slots, with at least one slot transverse to the others. Beneath the plate, a bag opener is provided that includes a plurality of blades, with at least one blade transverse to the others. The plastic bag is penetrated with aeration spears and pressurized. The bag opener is moved relative to the plate such that the blades pass through the slots and open the bag. The plate is then allowed to pivot downwards, allowing its contents to be emptied into a hopper beneath the plate.
Claims27
A method of processing a plastic liner bag filled with contents, the method comprising:
- positioning a lower surface of the plastic liner bag on a plate configured with at least two slots, wherein the at least two slots are substantially perpendicular to each other;
- penetrating a surface of the plastic liner bag with one or more aeration spears;
- inflating the plastic liner bag with a gas delivered from the one or more aeration spears, thereby fluidizing the contents;
- and
- cutting the lower surface of the inflated plastic liner bag with a bag opener, wherein
- the bag opener is configured with at least two blades, and
- the at least two blades are substantially perpendicular to each other and pass through the slots of the plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.