DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR RETURNABLE BULK CONTAINERS

• Main Author: GREGSON, KENNETH ROBERT, JR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 03.05.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CONVEYING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL; MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGINGARTICLES OR MATERIALS; PACKING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS; SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS; STORING; TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING ORTIPPING; TRANSPORTING; UNPACKING

A dispensing system for returnable bulk shipping containers and more particularly to a apparatus and method for selectively emptying the contents of bulk containers which, when emptied, can be returned to the supplier for refillin g. The apparatus comprises a hoist having vertical lift capability. A rotator provided on the hoist provides horizontal rotation capability to a container press. A funnel cap is provided with the container press which is configured to replace the cove r of the container, thereby retaining any structural integrity afforded by the cover. The funnel cap includes a selectively operable valve. The funnel cap operate s in conjunction with a platen which is used to initially support the container i n its upright position. The funnel cap and platen are movable away from one anothe r to enable containers to be inserted or removed therefrom. The funnel cap and platen are movable toward one another to enable a container to be engaged an d retained therein. The funnel cap and platen exert sufficient force on the container such that during lift and rotation of the container, it will not fall out. Once inverted, the contents of the container will have been gravitationally fed into the funnel. The valve in the funnel may then be selectively operated to dispense discreet quantities of flowable material.