Flexible transfer tube assembly for a bag filling system

Abstract

A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source is provided. The filling system includes a bag filler having a movable head and a flexible transfer tube assembly. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube being adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube being connected to the movable head. The flexible transfer tube assembly includes a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.

1 . A bag filling system for connection to a bulk material source, the filling system comprising: 
 a bag filler including a movable head; and    a flexible transfer tube assembly comprising: 
 an extendable tube, a first end of the extendable tube adapted to connect to a discharge opening of the bulk material source, and a second end of the extendable tube connected to the movable head; and  
 a plurality of guide members positioned external to the extendable tube, each guide member having a first end connected to the first end of the extendable tube and a second end connected to the second end of the extendable tube or the moveable head in a region of the second end of the extendable tube so that the guide members hold the extendable tube in a generally linear arrangement as the moveable head is raised or lowered.  
   
   
   
       2 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the bag filler further comprising a fill tube connected to the movable head in communication with the second end of the extendable tube for receiving material therefrom.  
   
   
       3 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the bag filler further comprising a spout guide head connected to the first end of the extendable tube and the first end of the guide members, the spout guide head including an inlet tube for connection to the material source.  
   
   
       4 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the bag filler further comprising: 
 a base;    at least one vertically extending post connected to the base;    a top frame adjustably connected to the at least one post spaced from the base; and    the movable head is slideably connected to the at least one post between the top frame and the base, and the first end of the extendable tube and the first end of the guide members are connected to the top frame.    
   
   
       5 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the extendable tube comprising accordion-type bellows capable of expanding and retracting with raising and lowering of the movable head.  
   
   
       6 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the flexible transfer tube assembly further comprising a flange connected to the first end of the extendable tube for connection to the discharge opening of the material source, and each of the guide members is connected to the flange at the first ends of the guide members.  
   
   
       7 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , the bag filler further comprising a material control valve having an input end connected to the second end of the flexible transfer tube assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of guide members comprise at least three spooled-type constant force springs.  
   
   
       9 . The bag filling system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent connected to the flexible transfer tube assembly for releasing air trapped in the expandable tube.  
   
   
       10 . The bag filling system of  claim 9 , further comprising a filter connected to the vent.  
   
   
       11 . A flexible transfer tube assembly comprising: 
 an extendable tube; and    a plurality of extendable guide members, a first end of each of the guide members being connected to a first end of the extendable tube, and a second end of each of the guide members being connected to a second end of the extendable tube.    
   
   
       12 . The flexible transfer tube assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a first connector connected to a first end of the extendable tube and a second connector connected to the second end of the extendable tube, wherein the first end of each of the guide members is attached to the first connector, and the second end of each of the guide members is attached to the second connector.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible transfer tube assembly of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second connectors is a flange.  
   
   
       14 . A bag filling system comprising: 
 a frame with at least one vertically extending post;    a fill head slideably connected to the at least one vertically extending post;    a spout guide head, adapted to connect to a discharge opening of a material source, connected to the at least one vertically extending post;    an extendable tube connected to the spout guide head at a first end of the extendable tube, and connected to the fill head at a second end of the extendable tube; and    a plurality of guide members positioned outside of the extendable tube, a first end of each of the plurality of guide members connected to the spout guide head, and a second end of each of the plurality of guide members connected to the fill head.    
   
   
       15 . The bag filling system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of guide members include a plurality of springs.  
   
   
       16 . The bag filling system of  claim 14 , further comprising a filtered vent in communication with the extendable tube connected to the spout guide head.  
   
   
       17 . The bag filling system of  claim 14 , wherein the spout guide head is at least vertically adjustable relative to the at least one vertically extending post.  
   
   
       18 . A method for filling a bag, the method comprising: 
 providing a bag filling system with a movable fill head and a flexible transfer tube assembly including an extendable tube and a plurality of guide members;    providing a bag;    positioning the fill head in a first position for connecting the bag to the fill head;    connecting the bag to the fill head;    positioning the fill head in a second position for transferring material to the bag;    transferring material from a material discharge opening above the fill head, through a path defined by the extendable tube, through the fill head, and into the bag; and    constraining the path of the extendable tube using the plurality of guide members arranged outside of the extendable tube.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising venting the extendable tube using a filtered vent in communication with the extendable tube.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the positioning of the fill head in the first and second positions comprises at least one of extending and retracting the extendable tube and at least one of extending and retracting the plurality of guide members.