Packaging & Bagging

Bulk bag filling

Bulk bags, also known as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), are handy for transporting bulk materials.

Bulk bag filling systems, or bulk bag loading systems, are engineered for bulk material processing and bulk material packaging applications that require a high-performance operation. Where reliable and repeatable duty cycles, rates, accuracy, and equipment effectiveness are essential.

The bulk bag filling structure securely holds the bulk bag during the filling phase without the dispersion of powders into the environment.

Loading bulk bags can be a challenging task. Filling them by hand is difficult and can lead to spills. Therefore specialized automated filling machines often become necessary to get the work done quickly, effectively, and efficiently.

Different bulk bag loading systems include:

• Stand-Alone Fillers
• Conveyor Fillers
• Pneumatic Systems
• And more

Bulk bag unloading

A bulk bag unloader is a system that is engineered to safely and effectively unload large bags. Bulk bag unloaders are also commonly known as bulk bag dischargers, big bag dump stations, big bag discharge stations, or FIBC dischargers. A bulk bag unloader is a stand-alone system that provides a convenient, safe, and dust-free method for handling and discharging bulk bags.

A typical bulk bag unloader could be divided into six parts, namely:

• support frame
• bag lifting mechanism
• flow aid device
• bulk bag spout interface
• downstream process system
• electric controls

How does emptying a bulk bag work?

The simplest method of discharging bulk bags is to let gravity do the work by lifting the bag up over the desired discharge area, opening the discharge spout, and letting in the flow. While this is a simple and inexpensive method, it is difficult to control the flow of product from the bag.

Intermediate bulk container (IBC) handling equipment

Intermediate bulk containers, also known as IBC tank, IBC tote, or pallet tanks, are industrial-grade containers engineered for the mass handling, transport, and storage of liquids, solids, and more. IBC tanks can be divided into two main categories, namely, flexible IBCs and rigid IBC’s.

IBC containers are usually made of plastic, steel, or stainless steel and feature cages or bases designed for easy use with material handling vehicles. Many intermediate bulk container designs allow the container to be collapsed and folded for compact storage.

Flexible IBCs

Flexible IBCs are most often made of thick woven strands of oriented polypropylene, either coated or uncoated, and normally measure around 45–48 inches in diameter and vary in height.

Rigid IBCs

Rigid IBCs are stackable, reusable containers with an integrated pallet base mount that provides forklift and pallet jack maneuverability. These containers can be made from metal, plastic, or composite construction of the two materials.

Dry powder filling

Powder filling is a process used in different types of industries to fill up the containers such as vials and bottles with powder particles. Dry powder filling bunging machines are used for this process because it is difficult to fill these containers using bare hands or old technology. The role of this powder filler is to accurately fill up the receptacle without wasting any powder substance. Most of the industries like pharmaceuticals, and food industries use it when it comes to cover the powder filling procedure in production.

Powder filling machines are essential in filling a wide variety of both free-flowing and non-free-flowing powdered or granulated products.

Powder fillers help various industrial sectors in different ways depending on what application is attached to them. Essentially, powder fillers can be used for filling any type of powder product.
Some of the common industries include:

• Chemical Industry
• Cosmetics Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Food and Beverage Industry

This Technology Zone offers an insight into the latest innovations in packaging and bagging system design.