Patent ID: 6595736
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
A retainer arm assembly for use in a container unloading assembly for unloading containers of various sizes comprising:a first pivot post attached to one side of a fixture into which containers to be unloaded are set, the fixture being rotatable from a container upright position to a substantially inverted position at which the contents of the container are dumped; a plurality of retaining arms mounted on the first pivot post for contacting the container and holding it in place in the fixture; a second divot post attached to an opposite side of the fixture; a plurality of retaining arms mounted on said second pivot post for also contacting the container and holding it in place; the retaining arms mounted on each post being in a spaced relationship with each other with the spacing of the arms allowing the assembly to be used with containers of different sizes; and, motive means for rotating the first and second posts from a first position to a second position after the container is placed in the fixture, the retaining arms being positioned above an open end of the container as the pivot post rotates to its second position to retain the container in the fixture as it is inverted.