Bulk Bag Discharging Porthole Style Bulk Bags

Ingredients Handled
Coffee Powder

Control and Metering's Customer

Large US Coffee Producer in an Instant Coffee Plant.

Customer's Reason For Using Bulk Bags

There was a threefold advantage in this case for switching to Bulk Bags. First was the immediate reduction in package cost form the South American supplier. They offer a better price for supplying the coffee in Bulk Bags over Gaylords. The type of Bulk Bag to be used however had already been selected and the discharging equipment would have to suit the requirements of handling "porthole" style bags. Secondly, handling costs would also be reduced since the more cumbersome Gaylord Box needed to be folded and stacked. Thirdly, it was hoped that material waste would also be reduced. The Gaylord Box tended to trap material in the liner, where as a Bulk Bag if handled properly would completely discharge and significantly reduce powder.

Control and Metering Application Solution

Two Flo-Clean Dischargers were installed with the same style rotary feeder at the discharge outlet to feed the pneumatic conveying system. The monorail style hoist was used for greater handling efficiency since the Bulk Bags could be staged by forklift and then raised into position with the integral hoist. The monorail style is also advantageous when handling bags of various sizes since the bag support height does not need adjustment.

Application Challenges and Their Solution

Porthole bags require special equipment because instead of having a bag spout with a drawstring to untie, the bag will typically have a 16" diameter hole protected by a full size bottom flap and sealed by a liner inside the bag. The liner must be pierced without producing any polyethylene cuttings and also controlling dust from escaping into the environment.

The Flo-Clean Discharger utilizes an X-shaped knife to cut a hole in the bag liner as it is lowered into the discharger hopper. Very little operator intervention is required since there is no bag spout to untie. A gum rubber dust membrane between the bag and the discharger hopper controls dust from escaping. Minimal airflow is needed to keep the environment clean.

A test was carried out at the Control and Metering facility and witnessed by the customer and the consultant. Since the coffee manufacturer didn't have any product in Bulk Bags yet, empty bags were supplied by Control and Metering . Two Bulk Bags were filled from the Gaylords provided. The test was successful in verifying dust control, complete discharge, with very little waste. The key to minimizing the waste was the patented liner tensioner, which retracts the liner as the ingredient is discharged to ensure that liner doesn't collapse and form pockets.

Why The Customer Chose Control and Metering

Control and Metering demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience handling the porthole bags, offered a test to prove the efficiency and dust control, and gave advice on how to minimize product waste. The frame of the Monorail Discharger is very robust with its 6" HSS vertical members. The shape of the discharger hopper, together with the patented liner tensioner, worked well to ensure complete product discharge.

For further information on Working With Porthole Style Bags contact contact us at info@spiroflow.com or call 1-704-246-0900.