Patent ID: 8181568

Claim:
A bulk bag conditioning system comprising: a frame extending about and defining a bulk bag receiving region configured to receive a bulk bag, the bulk bag receiving region being proximate a base of the frame and including a bulk bag receiving member; a first bulk bag pivoting conditioning assembly positioned on a first side of the bulk bag receiving region, comprising: a first conditioner arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end is pivotably connected to a top portion of the frame, the top portion is spaced apart from and directly above the base of the frame and above the bulk bag receiving region, with the first conditioner arm downwardly depending therefrom toward the distal end thereof; a bag engagement structure is located proximate the distal end of the conditioner arm and configured for engagement with a bulk bag; and a first actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first actuator pivotably connected to the frame in a spaced apart orientation from the proximal end of the first conditioner arm, the second end of the first actuator pivotably connected to the first conditioner arm at the distal end thereof, or between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein pivoting of the first conditioner arm by the first actuator moves the bag engagement structure relative to the frame to selectively extend into the bulk bag receiving region so as to engage a bulk bag positioned thereon, and, to, in turn, apply a force against a bulk bag positioned thereon.