Patent ID: 8167526

Claim:
An apparatus for automatically unloading material from an elongate storage bag, the apparatus comprising: a collection mechanism that removes e material from the bag; a drive mechanism that advances the apparatus along the direction of the bag; and an actuation assembly that automatically controls the drive mechanism responsive to the degree of resistance to advancement experienced by the apparatus due to the presence of material within the bag, wherein the actuation assembly itself comprises: an actuator member that is spring-biased; and a switch that actuates the drive mechanism and is operatively manipulated by the actuator member; wherein resistance encountered the actuator member, due to the presence of material within the bag and advancement of the apparatus in the direction of the bag, moves the actuator member against its bias which, in turn, causes the switch to deactivate the drive mechanism in order to cease advancement of the apparatus; and wherein subsequent spring-driven return movement of the actuator member causes the switch to activate the drive mechanism in order to resume advancement of the apparatus.