David W Gill

US Patent:

6340100, Jan 22, 2002

Filed:

Jun 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/589578

Inventors:

David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ
Dennis E. Graham - Bethlehem PA

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Phillipsburg NJ

International Classification:

B65D 3556

US Classification:

222105, 2221812, 2221851, 141315

Abstract:

A bulk bag unloading station wherein a bulk bag is suspended above a discharge receptacle. An assembly is provided for securing a spout extending from the bag to a discharge tube. The assembly comprises a clamp ring which defines a channel configured to receive the free edge of the tube therein. An actuator assembly is moveable between a first position where the clamp ring is spaced from the free edge and a second position where it overlies the tube free edge.

US Patent:

6892510, May 17, 2005

Filed:

Jan 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/337484

Inventors:

Keith W. Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US
Dennis E. Graham - Bethlehem PA, US
David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

B65B007/00
B65B051/00

US Classification:

533706, 531383, 531387, 53370

Abstract:

A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

US Patent:

7004212, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Apr 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/098277

Inventors:

David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US
Keith W. Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141316, 141 10, 141 83, 141166, 141314

Abstract:

A bulk bag filler for filling bulk bags having bag hanging loops and a fill spout is provided. The filler includes a bag filling head having at least a moveable portion that can be moved from a filling position, in which the hanging loops are suspended from hanging loop supports in a position to allow the bulk bag to be filled, to a bag attaching position, in which at least some of the hanging loop supports for attachment of a bulk bag to be filled and a bag spout connection are positioned in proximity to a side of the bag filler. A method for loading a bulk bag is also provided.

US Patent:

7032875, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

May 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/129429

Inventors:

Keith W. Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US
Dennis E. Graham - Bethlehem PA, US
David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

F16K 7/04

US Classification:

251 5, 251 7, 251 9

Abstract:

A bag closing apparatus including a frame structure, a cinching assembly and an actuator assembly. The cinching assembly includes at least three pivot arms, each pivot arm including an arcuate portion and pivotably connected to the frame structure. The pivot arms are located relative to each to define a confined closure area. The actuator assembly includes a plurality of actuators for moving the pivot arms between spread positions and closed positions wherein the closure area has a smaller area.

US Patent:

7159744, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Apr 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/826514

Inventors:

Keith W. Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US
David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

A45D 24/22
B65B 37/00
B65B 37/04

US Classification:

222202, 222196, 222214, 414415

Abstract:

A flow promotion device (FPD) for use in conjunction with a bulk bag discharger is provided. The FPD includes a center plate pivotably connected to the bulk bag discharger frame. Extension plates are pivotably attached to each end of the center plate. A connecting element is connected between a lever arm on each extension plate and the discharger frame, and an actuator is connected between the center plate and the frame. Upon activation of the actuator, the center plate is moved upwardly, and the extension plates are pivoted upwardly and inwardly by the connecting elements in order to press against the bag from three different directions using a single actuator. Two FPDs are preferably used on the bulk bag discharger.

US Patent:

7353851, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Feb 7, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/349467

Inventors:

Keith W. Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US
David R. Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141316, 141 10, 141114, 141166, 141314

Abstract:

A bulk bag filler is provided having a frame assembly, a bag filling head, rotatable hooks for engaging bag loops and latch assemblies to engage the rotatable hooks. Each of the latch assemblies include an actuatable latch pin to release the rotatable hook, and upon release, the latch assemblies are gravity driven to return to a latching position in which the rotatable hooks are re-engageable. A method for loading a bulk bag with a bulk material is also provided.

US Patent:

20030006248, Jan 9, 2003

Filed:

May 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/141727

Inventors:

David Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US
Keith Sterner - Nazareth PA, US
John Simonof - Easton PA, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

B65D035/56

US Classification:

222/095000, 222/105000, 222/181200, 414/403000

Abstract:

An apparatus and system for removing material from a bulk bag with reduced atmospheric contamination. The invention provides for engaging the bulk bag in a substantially airtight arrange with a reservoir that receives the material being unloaded and airflow discharge system that filters the airflow prior to it entering the surrounding atmosphere. The apparatus is specifically intended for removing residual material from the bulk bag and collapsing the bag through vacuum pressure. This simplifies bag removal and folding while reducing atmospheric contamination from uncontrolled residual material.

US Patent:

20060032551, Feb 16, 2006

Filed:

Aug 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/201697

Inventors:

Keith Sterner - Bethlehem PA, US
John Simonof - Easton PA, US
David Gill - Stewartsville NJ, US

Assignee:

Flexicon Corporation - Bethlehem PA

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141314000

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.