BETHLEHEM, PA — The first bulk bag filler to receive USDA acceptance is a TWIN-CENTERPOST™ unit developed by Flexicon Corporation, it was announced by Keith Sterner, R&D/Special Projects Engineering Manager.

Evaluation of the filler was performed by the USDA's Dairy Grading Branch of the USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs Department.

Although a 3-A category for bulk bag fillers does not currently exist according to Sterner, the filler's product contact surfaces are constructed and finished compliant with 3-A standards.

The patented TWIN-CENTERPOST™ design is said to maximize strength and improve accessibility to bag hooks while simplifying construction and reducing cost.

It is available with primary bag filling components for low cost, low volume filling, and with performance enhancements including a material delivery system for high volume filling applications.

The filler is constructed of #304 stainless steel, and is equipped as standard with: manual fill head height adjustment to accommodate all popular bag sizes; pneumatically retractable bag hooks; inflatable cuff to seal the bag inlet spout; and feed chute outlet port for dust-free air displacement during filling.

Performance can be enhanced by adding: powered fill head height adjustment; port for inflating the bag prior to filling; automated vibratory densification/deareation system to maximize bag capacity and stability during storage and shipment; and powered or gravity roller conveyor.

The unit is offered with Flexicon's own flexible screw conveyor delivery system —available constructed and finished to 3-A compliance—integrated with the user's upstream process equipment or other material source. The conveyor reportedly delivers a full range of free-flowing and non-free-flowing materials and blended products with the consistency and capacity needed for rapid bag filling, and the steady dribble-feed rates required for accurate weighments.

Two configurations are offered: with filler mounted on load cells to measure weight gain of the entire bulk bag filler; and with weigh hoppers suspended above the filler, allowing higher filling rates through simultaneous recharging of the hopper and replacement of the bag.