초록 ▼

A multi-station filling apparatus and process for filling bulk containers while simultaneously enabling the deployment and staging of at least one empty container while at least one other container is being filled. The apparatus includes a container filling station operably positioned adjacent a sub

A multi-station filling apparatus and process for filling bulk containers while simultaneously enabling the deployment and staging of at least one empty container while at least one other container is being filled. The apparatus includes a container filling station operably positioned adjacent a substantially elevated filling chute, a container deployment station, a rotatable carriage and an automatic apparatus controller. The container deployment station is spaced apart from the container filling station so that an operator can attach an empty container thereat either prior to, or during, filling of another container at the container filling station－while avoiding physical exposure to any mechanisms, such as conveyors, associated with the container filling station. The rotatable carriage, which automatically rotates an empty container from the container deployment station toward and into the empty container filling station, includes an outer frame member and displaceable inner frame members. The inner frame members are displaceable from the outer frame members at the container filling station toward operable cooperation with the elevated filling chute, as well as for transferring of the weight of the inner frame member and attached container onto an elevated weight scale mechanism.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for filling, conveying and transporting relatively large material containers, on a multi-station filling apparatus, such as flexible intermediate bulk containers of the type having suspension means for releasable attachment of one or more containers to such a multi-station filling apparatu

A process for filling, conveying and transporting relatively large material containers, on a multi-station filling apparatus, such as flexible intermediate bulk containers of the type having suspension means for releasable attachment of one or more containers to such a multi-station filling apparatus, the process comprising the steps of: attaching a first container to releasable attachment members of a movable carriage assembly at one or more container deployment stations; rotating the movable carriage assembly, and, in turn, the releasably attached first container from said one or more container deployment stations toward and into operable alignment with a substantially stationary elevated filling chute at one or more container filling stations, said substantially stationary elevated filling chute being operably positioned at one of said one or more container filling stations so as to be capable of discharging said material therefrom; discharging the material from the substantially stationary elevated filling chute toward said first container; filling the first container with the material discharging from the substantially stationary elevated filling chute; releasably attaching a second container to additional releasable attachment members suspended from said movable carriage assembly at said one or more container deployment stations, simultaneously with the filling of the first container operably positioned at one of said one or more container filling stations; terminating the discharge of the material from the substantially stationary elevated filling chute after the first container has been filled with a desired amount of the material; releasing the filled first container from the releasable attachment members at one of said one or more filling stations into operable cooperation with a conveyor positioned at said first filling station; conveying the filled first container to a take-off area; rotating the carriage assembly to reposition the attached second container from one of said one or more container deployment stations into operable alignment with the substantially stationary elevated filling chute at one of said one or more container filling stations toward subsequent filling with the material; and removing for further material handling the filled first container from the take-off area.