What Is a Flexible Container Bag?
A flexible container bag is a large-capacity, sturdy bag used to transport a single batch of powder, waste, or agricultural products.
The official name is flexible container bag, but it is sometimes called “flexible container” or “ton bag” for short.
Flexible container bags come in a variety of dimensions, with the most commonly used being 1,100 mm (diameter) x 1,100 mm (height) / 1,000 L capacity / 1,000 kg load capacity. Some are as small as 500 mm (diameter) x 500 mm (height) / 100 L (capacity) / 100 kg (load capacity), making them useful for putting away small equipment and parts.
Uses of Flexible Container Bags
The primary uses of flexible container bags are transportation and storage. They are used in various industries, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, waste disposal, construction and civil engineering projects, and manufacturing. Specifically, flexible container bags are used when it is difficult to transport the following items individually.
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Rice, soybeans, potatoes, flour, feed, compost, rice husks, pruning scraps, etc. - Waste Disposal and Treatment Industry
Sludge, waste, etc. - Construction and Civil Engineering Business
Soil, cement, sandbags, construction waste, etc. - Manufacturing Industry
Products, intermediate products, raw materials for chemical resins, sake lees, etc.
As mentioned above, they are used as carrying bags for all kinds of items, as well as for refilling carrying containers. They are also used as storage bags, but mold may occur if food items are stored for long periods of time.
Features of Flexible Container Bags
Advantages
Flexible container bags are not only easy to transport with forklifts, etc., but can also be stacked on pallets or in tiers. Compared to manually carrying paper bags, jute bags, etc., the time and workload required for transport and storage can be greatly reduced, leading to increased efficiency.
Another advantage of flexible container bags is that they are lightweight and easy to handle because they are made of woven synthetic fiber material. They can be folded when not in use, which has the advantage of taking up less space in a warehouse.
Disadvantages
Polypropylene, the material used for flexible container bags, has low weather resistance, and leaving it outdoors for a month or so will cause UV degradation and damage. For use in places exposed to ultraviolet rays, such as rivers and construction sites, or for long-term use, products with a weather resistance of approximately 1 to 5 years that contain UV weathering agents are suitable.
In addition, since flexible container bags cannot be carried by hand, lifting equipment such as a forklift truck is essential.
Types of Flexible Container Bag
Flexible container bags are mostly made of soft polypropylene or polyethylene and weigh only about 2 kg. They have a very simple structure, and the bags are available in round or square shapes.
The following is a list of typical types of discharge ports and their main applications.
- No Outlet
Soil, compost, waste, etc. - Exhaust Outlet Small Mouth
Rice husks, root vegetables, feed, fertilizer, chemical resin materials, etc. - Exhaust Outlet Fully Open
Feed, fertilizer, chemical resin raw materials, etc. - With an Inside Bag
Sludge, powder, hazardous materials such as asbestos, watery materials, and moisture-sensitive materials
How to Select Flexible Container Bags
Flexible container bags are sold in a variety of capacities, from small types with a capacity of approximately 500 L to large types with a capacity of over 2,000 L. It is easier to work with flexible container bags if you choose the right product for the contents. If food-related materials are to be placed in flexible container bags, it is important to choose products that are food compatible.
In addition, regardless of the contents, if degassing or moisture proofing is required, it is important to choose flexible container bags with functional features such as aluminum inner bags or laminated inner bags.
How to Use Flexible Container Bags
Flexible container bags are constructed with a suspension belt or rope on the outside, which allows them to be easily lifted and transported with a forklift, crane hook, or bar. The method of discharging the contents differs depending on the shape and type.
There are types that discharge from the bottom by untying the string at the outlet, fully open types with an inverted belt, and others. If the flexible container bag is filled with powder or granular materials, it is convenient to use a “suction-extraction type device” together with the bag, which allows removal from the top.