Questions and answers on big bag handling

The big bag, also called FIBC (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers), is used in many sectors of industry thanks to its versatility of use and its ability to transport loads heavier than its own weight (up to 2,500 kg). / big bag). In order to handle it safely during the big bag filling, big bag unloading, big bag transport and big bag storage phases, our big bag handling experts can provide you with advice on frequently asked questions such as: how to use a big bag, what to do with big bags, how to hold a big bag, how to move a big bag, etc.

Both resistant and flexible, big bags represent an effective solution for handling dry bulk products, powders, granules, rubble as well as for waste disposal. They can be used to transport materials or to store them.

The big bag constitutes an effective alternative to the industrial bag during the weighing operation, which can generate pain for production operators with excessively large load ports. Find out in our dedicated article: why switch to a big bag?

There are several kinds of big bags / IBCs. They can be distinguished according to the accumulation of static electricity that they generate (type A big bags, type B big bags, type C big bags, type D big bags) but also according to their shape and their main functionality. (U-shaped big bag, cubic big bag, circular big bag, etc.).

Many characteristics must be taken into account when choosing a big bag: type of straps, types of linings and coverings, filling and closing skirt, total opening, filling chute, closed flat bottom, emptying chute, open bottom, multiple use or single use…

To find out more, see our dedicated article: How do I choose the type of big bag suited to my process?

The volume of a big bag depends on the material inside. Generally, a big bag can contain up to 1m³, although smaller capacities like 0.25 or 0.5m³ exist for industries like the pharmaceutical industry.

It is possible to find tailor-made dimensions for certain big bags intended for very specific applications.

Before any big bag filling operation, make sure you have a big bag support, or place the big bag on a stable surface. The width / diameter ratio should not exceed 2:1. A vibration device can complete the bulk bag filling process to improve its stability.

It is possible to place the big bags directly on the ground or on a pallet. Do not fill a big bag unevenly.

Palamatic Process has a wide range of big bag filling stations for handling your powders and bulk solids. Find out how to choose your big bag filling system.

In order to ensure the deconditioning of a big bag, several loading modes are possible: electric hoist, forklift and low structure via the use of a crane. A Palamatic bulk bag handling cross can be coupled with this equipment to provide safe handling and easy positioning of the big bag.

Bulk bags can be unloaded by a suction device or by gravity. A discharge chute can be used to control the unloading process. In other cases, for big bags with a flat bottom, cutting the bottom of the bag that will allow it to be emptied.

In order to facilitate the flow of the product during the bulk bag emptying operation, a vibrating motor or a pneumatic massage system can be set up.

Before lifting a big bag, it is imperative to make sure that all the loops are vertical without being twisted. The fork must not have a sharp edge that could potentially damage the big bag or cut the loop.

A big bag lifter is ideal for lifting and transporting big bags. It allows fast hooking and unhooking of big bags. The construction of the lifting beams, in painted steel or stainless steel, minimizes their weight and makes them more robust.

A big bag is more or less easy to move depending on the number of lifting points it has (1 lifting point, 2 lifting points or 4 lifting points).

Pallet truck (ground handling and transport of big bags on pallets), forklift, truck and crane truck (for a large transport capacity ranging from 7 to 8 bulk bags) are all suitable tools for big bag handling.

Several safety measures should be taken into consideration when transporting a big bag:

• Do not stay under a hanging big bag.
• Do not abruptly interrupt the lifting and transport phases of the big bag 
• Do not move a big bag with a handling device with not enough lifting capacity (respect the maximum load indicated)

When a filled big bag is transported by forklift, be sure to leave it close to the ground to ensure the stability of the device.

Find out which type of big bag is suitable for storing and transporting your bulk products.

In order to protect and extend the lift of your big bag / FIBC, whether empty or full, storage away from heat sources, in a dry and clean place is recommended. Frequent temperature variations should also be avoided.

There are several types of storage of big bags depending on the nature of the powder stored: storage on the ground, storage on shelves (with or without pallets), stacking of big bags (asking beforehand to study their stability).
Once empty and folded, big bags take up very little space.

To keep the big bag open during the filling and storage stages, a big bag holder can be used. This support can be adapted to the dimensions of big bags, can be fitted with a retention tank and has different types of possible hooks (fixed or adjustable tension).

The transport of the big bag support can be done using a forklift or a crane, and in some cases the big bag support can have wheels, thus facilitating its movement. Removable support frames for big bags can also be used and allow easy flow of materials.

There are several ways to open a big bag. Depending on the type of loading and / or unloading desired, the selection of the big bag opening system will not be the same.

For big bag packaging, you will have the choice between the total opening, the skirt, the filler neck or the flap option.

For emptying your big bags, you will have to decide between the total opening, the emptying chute or the flat bottom, depending on your industry and the technical specificities of the material handled.

Find out more about the different big bag opening systems.

To protect the contents of the big bag from its external environment (high temperature, humidity, etc.), some big bags with a flat bottom and / or discharge chute have a closing skirt (example of circular big bags which are re-sealable).

For a tight seal of the big bag, an internal bag sealer can be added to the big bag filling station.

During the big bag emptying phase, the big bags with a flat bottom will be cut. The solution offered by Palamatic is the big bag piercing tip. Two variants exist for this option:

• U-shaped bag breaker tip: particularly used when using a big bag with a cuff, this tip allows the big bag to be opened without direct intervention by the operator. It cuts open the bulk bag up to her cuff.
   
• V-shaped bag breaker tip: particularly used for full-bleed big bags, this tip also does not require direct action from the production operator. This tip is used to cut open the bottom of the big bag.

                                     Vibration tray                                                     Handling cross                                          Big bag punching tip

Big bags can be recycled and repackaged. The big bag recycling step requires:

• That the big bags are empty and have no more staples
• Folding big bags in three
• The construction of stacks of big bags
• Storage of big bags in an airtight place before taking them to a dedicated collection point.

Palamatic Process offers a big bag compactor to help you reduce the volume of your waste.