Bulk bag discharging system assembly

Abstract

A material container discharge assembly including a main frame assembly; a spout access chamber engaging the main frame assembly; at least two independently movable material container impactors engaged to the main frame assembly and adapted to engage a material container when the material container is positioned within the main frame assembly and above the spout access chamber; and wherein the material container impactors include a conditioning frame.

1 . A material container discharge assembly comprising: 
 a main frame assembly;    a spout access chamber engaging the main frame assembly;    at least two independently movable material container impactors engaged to the main frame assembly and adapted to engage a material container when the material container is positioned within the main frame assembly and above the spout access chamber; and    wherein the material container impactors comprise a conditioning frame.    
   
   
       2 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the material container impactors provide from about 1,000 to about 25,000 lbs. of force.  
   
   
       3 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the material container impactors provide about 16,000 lbs. of force.  
   
   
       4 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each conditioning frame is curved.  
   
   
       5 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the conditioning frames are from about seven to about 12 square feet.  
   
   
       6 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the material container impactors further comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder.  
   
   
       7 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the material container impactors comprise two or more pneumatic cylinders.  
   
   
       8 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the material container impactors further comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       9 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the material container impactors comprise two or more hydraulic cylinders.  
   
   
       10 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a discharge receiving gate engaged to the main frame assembly comprising a material container receiving aperture and first, second, and third moveable plates, wherein the first and third plates are movable between an open and closed position and further define a second plate receiving area for receiving the opposed second plate when the second plate and the first and third plates are in the closed position.  
   
   
       11 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the spout access chamber is substantially circular and spaced below the material container receiving aperture and around a material receiving spout.  
   
   
       12 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the spout access chamber comprises at least two access doors on substantially opposite sides of the chamber that operate to create a substantially air tight seal when closed.  
   
   
       13 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a hoist moveably engaged with the main frame assembly and a material container transport component engaged to the hoist and adapted to engage the material container.  
   
   
       14 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the material transport component comprises a central portion, a plurality of container support members extending outwardly from the central portion and wherein the container support members each comprise: 
 a first portion, wherein each of the first portions are in substantially the same horizontal plane;    a second portion, upwardly extending from the first portion; and    a third portion, wherein each of the third portions are in substantially the same plane, which is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the first portions.    
   
   
       15 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the second portions extend upwardly from the first portions at about a ninety degree angle.  
   
   
       16 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the third portions of the container support members comprise at least one outwardly extending substantially L-shaped bag loop retention member.  
   
   
       17 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the third portions of the container support members each further comprise an inwardly extending substantially L-shaped bag loop retention member.  
   
   
       18 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 14  further comprising a basket engaged with the material transfer component.  
   
   
       19 . The material container discharge assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the basket is integrated with the container support members.  
   
   
       20 . A method for conditioning a material container comprising the steps of: 
 providing a material container discharge assembly that comprises a main frame assembly, a spout access chamber engaged with the main frame assembly, at least two independently moveable material container impactors comprising a conditioning frame and engaged with the main frame assembly and further providing a material container;    positioning the material container within the main frame assembly and above the spout access chamber;    actuating the conditioning frame of at least one of the material container impactors in a direction towards the material container; and    applying force from the conditioning frames to opposite sides of the material container.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the material container is positioned within the main frame assembly using a hoist.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein at least two of the independently moveable material container impactors apply force to opposite sides of the material container at substantially the same time.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein at least two of the independently moveable material container impactors apply force to opposite sides of the material container at substantially the same time.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the conditioning frames of the material container impactors each apply from about 1,000 lbs. of force to about 16,000 lbs. of force to the material container.