Apparatus and system for atmospherically controlling the removal of a bulk bag from an unloader

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A material handling bulk bag evacuation system for reducing atmospheric contamination caused by the release of residual material from the bag, the system comprising: 
 a reservoir connected to the bag in a generally airtight connection for receiving material discharged from the bulk bag;    a conduit establishing an airflow path between the reservoir and a vacuum source and having first and second ends with one end thereof in a generally airtight connection to the reservoir and the other in a generally airtight connection to the vacuum source; and    the vacuum source draws sufficient vacuum to draw the bulk bag in upon itself.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a filter array is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         5 . The system of claim  1 wherein the vacuum source is operated after the bulk bag has been emptied into the reservoir.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein a filter array is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for reducing atmospheric contamination caused by the release of a material from a bulk bag when the bulk bag is removed from a bulk bag unloader that transfers the material from the bulk bag to a reservoir, the apparatus comprising: 
 a conduit for establishing an airflow path between the reservoir and a vacuum source;    the conduit having first and second ends with one end thereof in a generally airtight connection to the reservoir and the other in a generally airtight connection to the vacuum source; and    the vacuum source draws sufficient vacuum to draw the bulk bag in upon itself.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein a filter array is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the vacuum source is operated after the bulk bag has been unloaded into the reservoir.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein a filter array is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         15 . A system for reducing atmospheric contamination caused by the release of residual material from a material handling bulk bag have means for holding the bag at a predetermined location and a spout for emptying the bag at a second location , the system comprising: 
 a frame for suspending the bag above a material receiving reservoir with the bag spout disposed toward and in a generally airtight connection with the reservoir;    a conduit establishing an airflow path between the reservoir and a vacuum source and having first and second ends with one end thereof in a generally airtight connection to the reservoir and the other in a generally airtight connection to the vacuum source; and    the vacuum source draws sufficient vacuum to draw the bulk bag in upon itself.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the vacuum is sufficient to remove residual material from the bag.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a filter array is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the frame is movable vertically.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the a filter is disposed between the reservoir and the vacuum source.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the vacuum source provides an air flow of about four hundred (400) cubic feet per minute at about three (3) inches of standing water pressure.