What Is a Flexible Container?
A flexible container is primarily used for transporting bulk powders and granules. It is a bag-shaped packing material that is both soft and durable, featuring handles like a bag, which makes it very convenient to carry. Additionally, it includes an outlet at the bottom that can be accessed by lifting the handle.
Uses of Flexible Containers
Flexible containers find applications across a wide range of industries due to their straightforward design. They are primarily utilized for storing powder and granular materials.
Common applications include containing granular plastics, soybeans, chemicals, rice, flour, and more. They can also be filled with soil and used as sandbags, especially the larger, weather-resistant flexible containers designed for this purpose.
Typically, round bags are used, but in some cases, square bags are preferred for added stability when stacking. To prevent spills, some container bags come with inner bags.
Principles of Flexible Containers
The material used for flexible containers is woven synthetic fibers such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The use of weather-resistant synthetic fibers makes them durable and lightweight. They are also foldable when not in use, which helps save space. These containers can have a load capacity of up to 1 ton, and the materials used, polypropylene and polyethylene, do not emit toxic substances when burned.
However, one drawback is that they are susceptible to heat due to their material composition. They are also vulnerable to degradation from ultraviolet rays. To address this, flexible containers are typically mixed with a small amount of UV-resistant agent to prevent deterioration. For additional protection, a UV-cut cover should be placed over the top.
To use a container bag, lift it using a forklift or a lifting belt, untie the string at the extraction port, and release the contents from the bottom. Many companies offer equipment that can remove flexible containers via suction from the top, often based on vacuum suction technology.