US 5,277,014 A · Bag discharge station

Abstract

An apparatus for discharging the contents of bags containing flowable material includes a frame, with a pair of bag spikes mounted generally parallel to, and coplanar with, one another on the frame. A pair of bag pans is movably mounted on the frame so as to be engageable with the bag spikes. Each of the pans is selectively pivotable around a respective axis defined by each of the bag spikes. The bag pans are movable between a first, load/unload position wherein the bag pans are out of engagement with the spikes, and a second, engaged position wherein the bag pans are in engagement with the spikes. A knife assembly is provided that includes a knife arm having a first end pivotably mounted to the frame, and a second end upon which is disposed a knife member. The knife assembly is pivotable between a severing position wherein the knife member extends between the bag pans, and a rest position wherein the knife member is out of the plane defined by the bag pans. A bag pan drive mechanism is mounted on the frame, and is adapted to move the bag pans between their load/unload and engaged positions. A knife actuator mechanism is also mounted on the frame. The knife actuator mechanism is adapted to move the knife assembly between the severing position and the rest position. A bag pan pivot mechanism is also mounted on the frame, and is adapted to selectively pivot the bag pans about the axes defined by the bag spikes.

Claims14

Dependent claims

An apparatus for discharging contents of a bag, said apparatus comprising:

bag engaging means including
first and second horizontally directed spikes and means for mounting said spikes in fixed, stationary positions;
first and second bag pans and means for moving said bag pans horizontally relative to said first and second horizontally directed spikes between a bag loading position and an engaged position, said bag pans lying below respective ones of said first and second horizontally directed spikes when in said engaged position so that horizontal movement of said first and second bag pans with a bag positioned thereon to said engaged position causes the bag to be impaled on said first and second horizontally directed spikes;
cutting means for severing the bag into two bag sections, said cutting means including
a knife blade,
a lever on which said knife blade is mounted,
means for moving said lever to a position placing said knife blade between said first and second bag pans from below so that a bag lying on said bag pans is cut open;
and
pivot means for pivoting said bag pans about said spikes from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation to discharge the contents of the bag from a cut made by said knife blade.

6 more elements

An apparatus for discharging the contents of a bag, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;
a pair of bag spikes and means for mounting said spikes generally parallel to, and coplanar with, one another on said frame in fixed, stationary positions;
a pair of bag pans horizontally movably mounted on said frame so as to be engageable with said bag spikes, each of said pans being selectively pivotable about a respective axis defined by said bag spikes, means for moving said bag pans between a first, bag load/unload position wherein said bag pans are out of engagement with said spikes and a second, engaged position wherein said bag pans are in engagement with said spikes and said spikes penetrate a bag positioned on said bag pans;
a knife assembly including a knife arm having a first end pivotably mounted to said frame and a second end upon which is disposed a knife member, said knife assembly being pivotable between a severing position wherein said knife member extends between said bag pans, and a rest position wherein said knife member is out of a space defined between said bag pans;
a bag pan drive mechanism mounted on said frame, said bag pan drive mechanism being adapted to move said bag pans between said load/unload and engaged positions;
a knife actuator mechanism mounted on said frame, said knife actuator mechanism being adapted to move said knife assembly between said severing position and said rest position;
and
a bag pan pivot mechanism mounted on said frame, said bag pan pivot mechanism being adapted to selectively pivot said bag pans about said axes defined by said bag spikes.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bag discharge station

Life of this patent

Bag discharge station

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14