# US 9,714,122 B2 · Discharge apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,714,122 B2 - Document ID: US9714122B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/360,167 - Filed: 2012-11-21 - Published: 2014-11-06 - Granted: 2017-07-25 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-22 - Assignees: Process Link Limited - Applicants: Process Link Limited - Inventors: George William Snape - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9714122B2 ## CPC - B65D 47/063: {with flexible parts} - B65B 37/04: by vibratory feeders - B65B 69/0083: {using frames whereby the container is only suspended} - B65D 61/00: External frames or supports adapted to be assembled around, or applied to, articles - B65D 88/1681: {Flexible, e.g. loops, or reinforcements therefor} - B65D 88/66: using vibrating or knocking devices - B65D 90/205: {for flexible containers, i.e. the flexible container being permanently connected to the frame (B65D77/061, B65D88/1612, B65D90/046 take precedence; unpacking of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC] B65B69/0075; crane hooks for frames for FIBC B66C1/226)} - B65B 57/145: {for fluent material} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - 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 discharge device for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed. The device has an inlet end, an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end. The device is configured for directing a flow of product from an outlet of a bulk container, and is further configured to permit relative movement between said inlet end and said outlet end between a retracted position and an extended position. The outlet end may take the form of a plate for supporting the lower end of the bulk container. The plate may be vibrated for assisting discharge of product from the bulk container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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 the 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, wherein the wall between said inlet end and said outlet end is of flexible construction, to accommodate said relative movement, and wherein the apparatus is configured to be selectively positioned between a first state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a first spacing, and a second state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a second spacing, greater than said first spacing, and wherein the wall defines a cone in the second state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes an arrangement for moving the inlet end away from the outlet end. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The discharge apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said arrangement is configured to raise the position of the inlet end relative to said outlet end. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The discharge assembly according to claim 3, comprising one or more cylinders for driving the inlet end away from the outlet end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A discharge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of cylinders for lifting the inlet end relative to the outlet end, and the apparatus further includes a guide mechanism for guiding extension of the cylinders, so that the cylinders stay nominally in line during lifting movement of the inlet end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The discharge apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a support plate for supporting the lower end of a bulk container, and a vibration unit for vibrating said support plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The discharge apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said outlet end comprises the support plate, and wherein the support plate is a flat plate having an aperture which defines an outlet region through which the outlet of a bulk container can extend when supported on the support plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The discharge apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a detector for detecting product flow, and an actuator for selectively actuating the vibration unit in response to a signal from the detector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The discharge apparatus according to claim 1, including a valve for communication with the outlet of a bulk container and operable between open and closed states for selectively discharging product from the bulk container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The discharge apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the valve is arranged beneath said outlet end, and the apparatus is configured to permit relative movement between said outlet end and the valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The discharge apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a container wall arranged supporting an outer or side wall of a bulk container arranged in communication with the outlet end of the apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A discharge apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a frame to which the upper end of a bulk container may be attached, wherein the apparatus is configured for raising the upper end of the container relative to the outlet end of the discharge apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A discharge apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the frame includes an upper part to which the upper end of a bulk container may be attached, and a discharge part on which the outlet end is supported, wherein the upper part is movable relative to the discharge part, for lifting the upper end of the bulk container away from the outlet end of the discharge apparatus. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A discharge apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the apparatus includes cylinders for driving the upper part away from the discharge part. ### Claim 15 A discharge device for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed, the discharge device comprising: an inlet end and an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end, a support plate for supporting a bulk container, the support plate including an outlet region through which the outlet of a bulk container may extend when supported on the support plate; and a vibration unit for selectively vibrating said support plate, wherein the discharge device is configured to be selectively positioned between a first state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a first spacing, and a second state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a second spacing, greater than said first spacing, and wherein the wall defines a cone in the second state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A discharge assembly comprising a discharge device in accordance with claim 15 and further comprising a frame for supporting the support plate and for supporting a bulk container in communication with the discharge device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The discharge assembly according to claim 16 wherein the upper end of a bulk container may be attached to the frame, and the frame is configured for raising the upper end of the container relative to the support plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The discharge assembly according to claim 17 wherein the frame comprises two parts: an upper part for connection of the upper end of a bulk container and a discharge part which includes the discharge device, and wherein the upper part is movable relative to the discharge part, for lifting the upper end of the bulk container away from the support plate. ### Claim 19 A discharge assembly comprising: a bulk container having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed; a discharge device having an inlet end and an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet and said outlet end, wherein the discharge device defines a passageway or conduit for directing a flow of product from the bulk container, and the assembly includes an arrangement for moving the inlet end of the discharge device against the bulk container, wherein the discharge device is configured to be selectively positioned between a first state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a first spacing, and a second state in which the inlet and outlet ends are arranged at a second spacing, greater than said first spacing, and wherein the wall defines a cone in the second state.