Patent ID: 8777060

Claim:
A bag spout retainer apparatus for a bulk bag discharger of the type wherein a frame suspends a flexible bulk bag in an inverted condition with a bottom-emptying side-secured discharge spout, and further wherein the spout is held in a closed position against the bag by a releasable tie, comprising: (a) a bag-engaging member mounted on the frame in a position laterally-displaced from a lower end of the bag above the discharge spout; (b) a single bracket carried by the frame; (c) a single paddle mounted on the bracket; and (d) a reciprocating driver attached to the bag-engaging member adapted for and moving the bag-engaging member between an extended, stationary bag engaging position for engaging and temporarily holding the bag spout in a closed position asymmetrically against the side of the bag after release of the tie and prior to release of the spout from the side of the bag, and upon release of the tie, moving to a retracted position out of engagement with the lower end of the inverted bag to permit contents to flow from the bag.