Bag filling apparatus

Abstract

Bag filling apparatus includes forward and rearward FIBC loop rigging members and a pair of generally parallel arms located one on each side of the filling head so as to extend fore and aft relative to a platform for occupation by an operator during rigging of the bag to the support structure and the filling head, the forward rigging members being slidable along said arms towards and away from the rearward rigging members to facilitate rigging of the bag by the operator.

1 . Bag filling apparatus of the kind comprising a filling head, structure for suspending a bag in registry with the filling head and a table located beneath the filling head for contact with the underside of a bag suspended from said structure, the support structure including forward and rearward FIBC loop rigging members and a pair of generally parallel arms located one on each side of the filling head so as to extend fore and aft relative to a platform for occupation by an operator during rigging of the bag to the support structure and the filling head, the forward rigging members being slidable along said arms towards and away from the rearward rigging members.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the rear rigging members are fixed axially relative to the arms.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the forward and/or the rearward rigging members are coupled for angular movement relative to the arms.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which each rigging member is located beneath the respective support arm in underlying relation with a surface of the support arm or an extension thereof so as to limit the extent to which the loops may lift when the bag is displaced upwardly.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the rigging members are inclined upwardly in the forward direction.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the upper surfaces of rigging members are convexly curvilinear.