Bulk Bag Regulator

Abstract

A bulk bag conditioner assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a frame assembly defining a bulk bag conditioning area. The frame assembly includes a first carrier frame having a first ram and a second carrier frame having a second ram. The first actuator assembly includes a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame. The second actuator assembly includes a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame. The control unit is configured to simultaneously drive the first ram and the second ram linearly toward each other to engage the bulk bag within the bulk bag conditioning area.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to bulk bag handling and processing, and more particularly to bulk bag regulators. [Background technology]

[0002] U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 201,642, filed March 15, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Bulk bags can be used for transporting or storing materials. The top of the bag can include an inlet and the bottom of the bag can include a closed end configured to hold the material until the contents of the bulk bag are removed. Depending on the material in the bulk bag, adhesions between particles or clumping can occur for various reasons. Thus, when the bottom of the bulk bag is later opened (e.g., by forming a spout or cutting the bag), the bulk material does not flow and exit the bag.

[0004] Breaking up the particulate matter (dispersion) is known to address these issues. Bulk bag conditioners are generally known to disperse particulate material in a bulk bag to ensure proper material flow. One such configuration is shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0360431, commonly owned by the applicant and incorporated herein by reference.

[0005] One known bulk bag conditioner includes an external frame or cage to which a pair of independently driven rams are attached. The bulk bag is placed on a vertical lifting assembly or scissor lift, which drives the bulk bag up and down to allow the rams to engage various areas of the bulk bag. The cage of these known bulk bag conditioners is required to completely enclose the bulk bag. Additionally, the cage includes cross members or connecting members configured to ensure that opposing sides of the cage remain connected to one another when a conditioning or crushing force is applied via the rams. In such a configuration, all reaction forces squeezing or engaging the bag are transmitted through the external frame or cage.

[0006] These configurations suffer from several drawbacks. The peripheral support members are subject to high loads during adjustment. A large downward force is also exerted on the scissor lift due to the extension of the bulk bag when engaged by the vertically fixed rams. In addition, the bulk bag must be centered between the relatively opposed rams as it will move off-center or tilt during application of the adjustment force.

[0007] Therefore, a need exists for a more dynamic and durable bulk bag regulator. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Disclosed herein is a bulk bag regulator assembly. The bulk bag regulator assembly includes a frame assembly defining a bulk bag conditioning region. The frame assembly includes a first carrier frame including a first ram, a second carrier frame including a second ram, a first actuator assembly including a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame, and a second actuator assembly including a first end fixed to the first carrier frame and a second end fixed to the second carrier frame. A control unit is configured to simultaneously drive the first ram and the second ram linearly toward each other to engage a bulk bag within the bulk bag conditioning region.

[0009] In one embodiment, the frame assembly includes a perimeter frame having a continuous and closed perimeter dimensioned to define a bulk bag accommodation area.

[0010] In order to minimise the length of the hydraulic hoses, preferably the control unit is mounted directly to either the first carrier frame or the second carrier frame.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first and second carrier frames each have rolling or bearing elements to enable the carrier frames to be linearly driven towards each other to engage the bulk bag.

[0012] In one embodiment, the perimeter frame includes a first support rail, a second support rail, and a pair of guide rails connecting the first support rail and the second support rail, each of the pair of guide rails can define a roller track configured to define a path for a plurality of rollers of the first carrier frame and the second carrier frame.

[0013] A vertical lift assembly may be provided that is configured to raise and lower the frame assembly relative to the bulk bag. In another embodiment, the bulk bag may be raised and lowered while the perimeter frame remains stationary.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first actuator assembly is disposed on a first side of the frame assembly and the second actuator assembly is disposed on a second side of the frame assembly, the second side being opposite the first side.

[0015] In one embodiment, each of the carrier frames has an H-shape including a pair of legs and a frame body extending therebetween, and each of the pair of legs includes a plurality of rollers.

[0016] A support base configured to support the bulk bag within the frame assembly may be provided. A vertical lift assembly configured to raise and lower the frame assembly may also be provided.

[0017] The present specification also discloses a method of conditioning a bulk bag. The method includes providing a bulk bag regulator assembly including a frame assembly including a perimeter frame having a closed perimeter. The frame assembly includes a first ram, a second ram, and an actuator assembly commonly coupled to both the first ram and the second ram. A vertical lifting assembly is provided and configured to raise and lower the bulk bag regulator assembly. The method includes positioning a bulk bag above or below the bulk bag regulator assembly. The method also includes raising and lowering the bulk bag regulator via the vertical lifting assembly such that the first ram and the second ram oppose at least a portion of the bulk bag. The method includes actuating the actuator assembly to simultaneously drive the first ram and the second ram linearly toward each other to engage the bulk bag and condition the bulk bag.

[0018] Additional embodiments are described herein.The foregoing summary and the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a top view of a bulk bag regulator assembly according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the bulk bag regulator assembly of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bulk bag regulator assembly. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one carrier frame of the bulk bag regulator assembly. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the bulk bag regulator assembly. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame assembly, carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinder of the bulk bag regulator assembly in an initial state. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame assembly, carrier frame, and hydraulic cylinder of the bulk bag regulator assembly in a partially compressed state. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier frame and hydraulic cylinder of the bulk bag regulator assembly. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier frame of the bulk bag regulator assembly. [Figure 10A] 1A-1D are top views of the bulk bag regulator assembly in various states. [Figure 10B] 1A-1D are top views of the bulk bag regulator assembly in various states. [Figure 10C] 1A-1D are top views of the bulk bag regulator assembly in various states. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a force diagram illustrating the compressive forces generated by a bulk bag regulator assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In the following description, certain terminology is used for convenience only and not as a limitation. The words "right," "left," "lower," and "upper" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes those specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the terms "a" and "1" are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless otherwise noted.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1-10C, a bulk bag regulator assembly 10 is disclosed. The bulk bag regulator assembly 10 generally includes a frame assembly 12, a first actuator assembly 40, and a second actuator assembly 50. The first actuator assembly 40 and the second actuator assembly 50 are generally configured to drive the rams 24, 34 toward one another, as will be described in more detail herein. The term actuator assembly is used to refer to any type of actuation unit capable of imparting motion. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly is a hydraulic cylinder assembly. In another embodiment, the actuator assembly is a ball screw actuator. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of actuators may also be used. The actuator assembly is interchangeably referred to herein as a hydraulic cylinder assembly.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly 50 are coupled to one another and configured such that the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 simultaneously drive the first ram 24 and the second ram 34 linearly toward one another to engage the bulk bag 5. The first hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly 50 are both configured to be driven by a common control unit or hydraulic power unit 70, which is described in more detail herein.

[0023] Although two hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are illustrated in the drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that three or more hydraulic cylinder assemblies may be used.

[0024] The frame assembly 12 includes a perimeter frame including a first support rail 14, a second support rail 16, and a pair of guide rails 18a, 18b connecting the first support rail 14 and the second support rail 16. In one embodiment, the frame assembly 12 includes a plurality of rolling or bearing elements. Each of the guide rails 18a, 18b defines a roller track 19, as described in more detail herein, which defines a path configured to allow the rollers 26a-26d, 36a-36d to slide therealong. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the guide rails 18a, 18b can define a connection region 18c configured to engage a cable, chain, wire, or other hoisting element, as described in more detail herein.

[0025] The track 19 is dimensioned to laterally hold the rollers 26a-26d, 36a-36d. At the same time, the track 19 allows the rollers 26a-26d, 36a-36d to roll longitudinally along the track 19. The rollers 26a-26d, 36a-36d may include wheel components, bearings, or any other rolling configuration. In one embodiment, the rollers may be substituted with sliding bearing blocks in grooved channels. In another embodiment, the rollers may be substituted with linear bearings or guide shafts. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any type of guide interface, rolling interface, or bearing interface may be provided to allow longitudinal movement.

[0026] A first carrier frame 20 and a second carrier frame 30 are provided which generally support the rams 24, 34, respectively. Each of the carrier frames 20, 30 has a generally H-shape and are also referred to herein as H-frame carriers.

[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the first carrier frame 20 in isolation. Although not specifically illustrated similarly, the second carrier frame 30 includes the same features as the first carrier frame 20. The carrier frames 20, 30 are configured to be driven toward one another via a first hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 and a second hydraulic cylinder assembly 50. In one embodiment, the carrier frames 20, 30 are driven toward one another in a linear direction and in a common horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the carrier frames 20, 30, and therefore the rams 24, 34, provide the most efficient application of compressive force to the bulk bags 5 without undergoing any pivot motion. All of the force from the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 is driven linearly from the rams 24, 34 to the bulk bags 5.

[0028] The first carrier frame 20 includes a pair of legs 22a, 22b and a first frame body 22c extending therebetween. The first frame body 22c is fixed to the pair of legs 22a, 22b. The first frame body 22c includes a first ram 24, preferably in a central region of the first frame body 22c. The first carrier frame 20 is configured to be guided along the pair of guide rails 18a, 18b via a plurality of rollers 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d that slide along the tracks 19 of the guide rails 18a, 18b.

[0029] The second carrier frame 30 includes a pair of legs 32a, 32b and a second frame body 32c extending therebetween. The second frame body 32c includes a second ram 34, preferably in a central region of the second frame body 32c. The second carrier frame 30 is configured to be guided along the pair of guide rails 18a, 18b via a number of rollers 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d that slide along the tracks 19 of the guide rails 18a, 18b. As previously mentioned, the carrier frames 20, 30 may include alternative rolling, bearing, or rolling elements as an alternative to rollers.

[0030] The first hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 includes a first end 42a fixed to the first frame body 22c and a second end 42b fixed to the second frame body 32c. The first hydraulic cylinder assembly 40 generally includes, among other components, a rod 44b and a cylinder 44a. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 disclosed herein can be extended or retracted using a pressurized hydraulic fluid, such as oil. Although hydraulic cylinders are described herein, one skilled in the art will recognize from this disclosure that other types of mechanical or electromechanical actuators may be used. The second hydraulic cylinder assembly 50 includes a first end 52a fixed to the first frame body 22c and a second end 52b fixed to the second frame body 32c. The second hydraulic cylinder assembly 50 also includes, among other components, a rod 54b and a cylinder 54a. In one embodiment, ends 42a, 42b, 52a, 52b of hydraulic assemblies 40, 50 may be fixed relative to the respective carrier frames 20, 30 via pivot connections.

[0031] In one aspect, the actuator assemblies or hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are mounted on opposite sides of the bulk bag or bulk bag receiving area. In one embodiment, the actuator assemblies or hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are mounted on the same side of the bulk bag or bulk bag receiving area. The exact relative positioning of the actuator assemblies or hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 can vary.

[0032] In one embodiment, the control unit or hydraulic power unit 70 is mounted directly to the carrier frame 20, 30 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 9, and 10A-10C. In some figures, the control unit 70 is not specifically shown on the frame assembly 12 for simplicity and for purposes of illustrating other embodiments of the assembly only. The control unit 70 can be mounted directly to the first frame body 22c or the second frame body 32c. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control unit 70 can be mounted anywhere on the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. The control unit 70 is generally configured to control the extension and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 and is operably connected to the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 70 is mounted on a side of the assembly closer to or adjacent to the cylinders 44b, 54b of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 than the rods 44b, 54b.

[0033] The bulk bag conditioner assembly 10 may further include a bulk bag support base 80. The support base 80 may be configured to rotate. In one embodiment, the support base 80 is fixed vertically. In one embodiment, the bulk bags 5 are loaded onto a pallet and then a forklift or other lifting means loads the pallet and bulk bags 5 onto the support base 80.

[0034] A vertical lifting assembly 90 is also provided for raising and lowering the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. The vertical lifting assembly 90 may be secured above the bulk bag conditioning or receiving area 4 and may be secured to a support frame 8. The frame 8 is configured only to support the vertical lifting assembly 90 and does not otherwise provide structural or support functions for the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. The vertical lifting assembly 90 may include a cable, chain, wire, or other hoisting element, illustrated as element 92 in FIG. 2. The vertical lifting assembly 90 may be remotely controlled by personnel to raise and lower the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. In one embodiment, a control unit 70 may be operatively connected to the vertical lifting assembly 90 to control the operation of the vertical lifting assembly 90. Based on this configuration, the bulk bag 5 may be vertically stationary and the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 may be raised and lowered to engage a particular area of ​​the bulk bag 5. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the vertical lift assembly 90 may be operated via a separate control unit, such as a control unit mounted on the stationary frame.

[0035] Although the bulk bag 5 normally experiences stretch during conditioning, this configuration allows the upward stretch to occur freely - in other words, no downward forces and stresses are imparted to the frame assembly 12 and rams 24, 34. The bulk bag regulator assembly 10 is only supported vertically via the vertical lift assembly 90 and is otherwise free floating and unsupported.

[0036] Initially, the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 is in a raised position and there are no obstacles in the bag receiving area or bag conditioning area 4. Next, the bulk bag 5 is placed on the support base 80. Once the bulk bag 5 is placed on the support base 80, the vertical lift assembly 90 can lower the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 so that the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 surrounds the bulk bag 5. In another embodiment, the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 can be placed on the ground before the bulk bag 5 is placed on the support base 80. Once the bulk bag 5 is placed on the support base 80, the vertical lift assembly 90 can raise the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 until it surrounds the bulk bag 5.

[0037] The configuration of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 creates an adjustment or compression force on both sides of the bulk bag 5. The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are contracted to draw the H-frame carriers 20, 30 toward each other, thereby applying a compression force to the bulk bag 5 via the rams 24, 34. In other words, the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are pulled or contracted inwardly against the bulk bag 5 using the rods 44b, 54b sides of the assemblies 40, 50. This configuration mitigates hydraulic cylinder rod buckling that occurs in known bulk bag adjustment arrangements. In one embodiment, the H-frame carriers 20, 30, the rams 24, 34, and the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 are all disposed in a common horizontal plane. In other words, a single horizontal plane (i.e., a plane generally parallel to the ground) extends through each of these components.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6, 7 and 10A-10C, during a crush or adjustment cycle, the rams 24, 34 are driven toward each other until the first one of the rams (i.e., ram 34 in Figure 10B) engages the bulk bag 5. This configuration allows for the bulk bag 5 to not be correctly or completely centered with respect to the rams 24, 34 because the rams 24, 34 are commonly driven or coordinated via hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50. This is beneficial to personnel as it reduces the time and effort required to perform a bulk bag adjustment since the bulk bag does not need to be repositioned until it is relatively centered within the ram, as required by known bulk bag adjustment arrangements. As shown for ram 24 between Figures 10B and 10C, when the first one of the rams 24, 34 engages the bulk bag 5 and encounters resistance, the opposing ram 24, 34 continues to move inward until the other ram 24, 34 also engages the bulk bag 5. Once both rams 24, 34 are securely engaged against the bulk bag 5, crushing or conditioning of the bulk bag 5 begins fully.

[0039] Instead of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 being pushed out of a surrounding frame or external cage, a reaction force from opposing hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 is applied to the bulk bag 5. This results in a 2:1 load (as shown in FIG. 11) on the bulk bag 5, allowing for greater forces to be applied. Alternatively, a relatively small and inexpensive hydraulic cylinder assembly can be used compared to known bulk bag adjustment arrangements.

[0040] The present configuration lacks a surrounding external cage or frame for the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. The assembly 10 is essentially freestanding, with the exception of vertical supports (such as a lifting assembly for raising and lowering the assembly 10). In part, this configuration is made possible by the closed perimeter provided by the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. The perimeter frame (i.e., the first support rail 14, the second support rail 16, and the pair of guide rails 18a, 18b connecting the first support rail 14 and the second support rail 16) have a continuous and closed perimeter having dimensions that define the bulk bag receiving or conditioning area 4. In other words, the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 completely encloses the bulk bag 5, thereby preventing the bag 5 from tipping and falling, and providing an enhanced safety measure for personnel operating the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. There is also no requirement for an external or surrounding cage structure, since the hydraulic assemblies 40, 50 retract and do not extend outside of any outer or supporting structure.

[0041] The rams 24, 34 are free floating due to the configuration of the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. Due to this configuration, the rams 24, 34 are self-centering with respect to the bulk bag 5 during crushing or conditioning. Additionally, when the bulk bag 5 is pulled upwardly via a vertical lift assembly or driven upwardly via a one-way lift device, the stretching of the bulk bag 5 that occurs during conditioning is allowed to occur without constraint or resistance in the upward direction.

[0042] The hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 act to drive the rams 24, 34 towards each other. This arrangement separates the forces involved for the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50. Because the rams 24, 34 are coupled or connected via the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50, the force input into the bulk bag 5 is at least doubled compared to known arrangements.

[0043] 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the forces applied by the rams 24, 34 via the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50. In this illustration, the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 each apply a force of 500 pounds and the rams 24, 34 each apply a force of 1,000 pounds to the side of the bulk bag.

[0044] Also disclosed herein is a method of conditioning a bulk bag. The method includes providing a bulk bag regulator assembly 10 including a frame assembly 12 including a peripheral frame having a closed perimeter. The frame assembly 12 includes a first ram 24, a second ram 34, and a hydraulic cylinder assembly 40, 50 commonly coupled to both the first ram 24 and the second ram 34. A vertical lift assembly 90 is configured to raise and lower the bulk bag regulator assembly 10.

[0045] The method includes placing the bulk bag 5 above or below the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. This step depends on the initial position of the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. If the initial position of the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 is in the raised position, the bulk bag 5 is placed below the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. Alternatively, if the initial position of the bulk bag regulator assembly 10 is at the ground surface, the bulk bag 5 is placed above the bulk bag regulator assembly 10. In either situation, the bulk bag 5 can be loaded onto the support base 80.

[0046] The method then includes either raising or lowering the bulk bag conditioner 10 with the vertical lift assembly 90 so that the first ram 24 and the second ram 34 face at least a portion of the bulk bag 5. The exact locations of the rams 24, 34 relative to the bulk bag 5 can vary and can depend on what area of ​​the bulk bag 5 needs to be conditioned.

[0047] The method includes actuating the hydraulic cylinder assemblies 40, 50 to simultaneously drive the first ram 24 and the second ram 34 linearly toward each other to engage the bulk bag 5 and condition the bulk bag 5.

[0048] The method may further include rotating the support base 80 to rotate the bulk bag 5 such that the first ram 24 and the second ram 34 engage all sides and corners of the bulk bag 5. The method may further include providing one or more of any of the other components described herein.

[0049] It is also understood that the various parts of the invention can be used alone or in combination, and that not all of the components are essential to a particular application. It is therefore understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A frame assembly including a perimeter frame having a continuous and closed perimeter that defines a bulk bag adjustment area, the frame assembly including a first carrier frame including a first ram, and a second carrier frame including a second ram; a first actuator assembly including a first end secured to a first carrier frame and a second end secured to a second carrier frame; a second actuator assembly including a first end secured to the first carrier frame and a second end secured to the second carrier frame; Including, the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly are mounted on opposite sides of the bulk bag receiving area; A bulk bag regulator assembly, characterized in that a first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly simultaneously drive a first ram and a second ram linearly toward each other to engage a bulk bag within a bulk bag preparation area.

2. A bulk bag regulator assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first carrier frame and the second carrier frame are driven toward each other in a linear direction and within a common horizontal plane, and the frame assembly includes a peripheral frame having dimensions defining a bulk bag adjustment area and having a continuous, closed perimeter.

3. 10. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to drive the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly, the control unit being mounted directly to one of the first carrier frame or the second carrier frame.

4. 2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first carrier frame and the second carrier frame includes a plurality of rolling or bearing elements.

5. 5. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 4, wherein the frame assembly further includes a perimeter frame including a first support rail, a second support rail, and a pair of guide rails connecting the first support rail and the second support rail, each of the pair of guide rails defining a roller track configured to define a rolling path for a plurality of rollers of the first carrier frame and the second carrier frame.

6. 2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a vertical lift assembly configured to raise and lower the frame assembly, the frame assembly being supported only vertically and free-floating, and the first and second rams self-centering with respect to the bulk bag 5 during crushing or adjustment.

7. 2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein a first actuator assembly is disposed on a first side of a frame assembly and a second actuator assembly is disposed on a second side of the frame assembly, the second side being opposite the first side.

8. the first carrier frame has an H-shape including a first pair of legs and a first frame body extending therebetween, the first pair of legs each including a first plurality of rollers; The second carrier frame has an H-shape including a second pair of legs and a second frame body extending therebetween, the second pair of legs each including a second plurality of rollers.

2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1.

9. 9. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second plurality of rollers are provided at one end of a first and second pair of legs of a first and second carrier frame, respectively.

10. 10. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, further comprising a support base configured to support a bulk bag disposed within the frame assembly, and a vertical lifting assembly configured to raise and lower the frame assembly, the support base configured to rotate and vertically fixed.

11. 10. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein the bulk bag regulator assembly is suspended on a vertical lift assembly and is otherwise unsupported.

12. 2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first carrier frame, the second carrier frame, the first ram, the second ram, the first actuator assembly, and the second actuator assembly are disposed within a common horizontal plane.

13. 2. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 1, wherein the first actuator assembly and the second actuator assembly are hydraulic cylinder actuators.

14. a vertically adjustable frame assembly including a perimeter frame defining a bulk bag adjustment area having a closed perimeter, the frame assembly including a first ram and a second ram; an actuator assembly coupled to both the first ram and the second ram and configured to drive the first ram and the second ram simultaneously linearly and in a common horizontal plane toward one another to engage a bulk bag within the bulk bag adjustment area; 1. A bulk bag regulator assembly comprising:

15. The peripheral frame includes a first support rail, a second support rail, and a pair of guide rails connecting the first support rail and the second support rail; The first ram is connected to the first carrier frame and the second ram is attached to the second carrier frame; Each of the pair of guide rails defines a roller track configured to define a path for a plurality of rollers coupled to the first and second carrier frames.

15. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 14.

16. 15. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 14, further comprising a support base configured to support a bulk bag disposed within the frame assembly and a vertical lift assembly configured to raise and lower the frame assembly relative to the bulk bag, the support base configured to rotate and vertically fixed.

17. 15. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 14, further comprising a control unit configured to drive the first ram and the second ram to engage the bulk bag, said control unit being mounted directly to the frame assembly.

18. 15. The bulk bag regulator assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the actuator assembly, the first ram, and the second ram are disposed in a common horizontal plane.

19. 1. A method of conditioning a bulk bag, the method comprising: Providing a bulk bag regulator assembly, the bulk bag regulator assembly comprising: a frame assembly including a perimeter frame having a closed perimeter defining a bulk bag adjustment area and including a first ram, a second ram, and an actuator assembly commonly coupled to both the first ram and the second ram, the frame assembly being disposed in a common horizontal plane; a vertical lift assembly configured to lift and lower the bulk bag regulator assembly; and placing a bulk bag above or below a bulk bag regulator assembly; lifting and lowering the bulk bag regulator with a vertical lift assembly, the bulk bag being within the closed perimeter and the first ram and the second ram opposing at least a portion of the bulk bag; actuating the actuator assembly to simultaneously drive the first ram and the second ram toward each other linearly and in a common horizontal plane to engage the bulk bag and condition the bulk bag; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

20. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of providing a support base, positioning the bulk bag on the support base, and rotating the bulk bag with the support base.

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