Bulk Bag Unloaders

Each bulk bag unloader is equipped with the features you need to maximize your bag handling process – from a cantilevered I-beam to an electric hoist and trolley for loading and unloading of bulk bags without the use of a forklift. Other bulk bag unloader designs include frames for forklift loading, and low-profile units for use in low ceiling areas where lack of overhead room would impede the full extension of the forklift.

Also available are bulk bag unloader half-frames that can be used with existing hoist and monorail systems, a loss-in-weight option for uninterrupted feeding directly from bulk bags in batching operations, and other engineered designs for specialized requirements.

The bulk bag unloader operation is engineered for labor optimization and maximum product output. Two different types of this structural piece of bulk material handling equipment are available from Hapman.

Forklift Style

The operation of the forklift-style bulk bag unloader begins with the forklift driver lifting the bag transporter off of the unloader frame using the integral lift pockets. The transporter has four safety hooks that will securely hold the bag during the bulk bag discharge process. The fork truck raises the transporter and bag, placing it on the unloader frame.

Once the stops are reached, the fork truck driver knows the transporter is securely in place. The operator will then open the valve (typically an Iris or Pinch type), pull the spout of the bag into the untie box/access chamber, close the valve, and untie the spout. The bag is now staged and ready to begin the bulk bag discharge process.

Hoist and Trolley Style

The operation of the Hoist and Trolley-style bulk bag unloader begins with a single operator lowering the hoist to ground level with a four-button pendant control and securing the bag adaptor to the loops on the bag. The operator then raises the bag with the hoist, moves the bag into the frame on the cantileavered I-beam, and places the bag spout over the valve.

The operator will then open the valve (typically an Iris or Pinch type), pull the spout of the bag into the untie box/access chamber, close the valve, and then untie the bag. The bag is now staged and ready to begin the bulk bag discharge process.

• Long-lasting robust frame designed for your specific bag size and application.
• Custom-designed frame fits tight spaces when you need to work around or straddle another piece of equipment or obstruction, or have restricted headroom.
• Integral bag dump station for manually dumping smaller bags/minor ingredients.
• Pneumatic bag and side puncher bag agitation
• Pinch valve for retying bags
• Untie boxes designed for your particular application
• Integral dust handling (see images below)
• Manual iris valves (see images below)

Integral Dust Collection

Iris Valve Options

Iris Valve Details

Images courtesy of Vortex Valves.

• Choose a hoist and trolley style or forklift style frame, which offers adjustable heights, to suit your application.
• Hoists are available for a variety of electrical classifications, as well as chain or wire rope configurations.
• Pneumatic bag agitator improves the flow of compacted or difficult-to-dispense materials.
• Pneumatically activated pinch valve allows the operator to retie bags when necessary.
• Pan utilizing rubber vibration dampers and an ATEX-rated electric vibrator improves material discharge.
• Batch weigh systems for loss-in weight allow batching operations that are accurate to one pound or less.
• Self-contained dust control collection system maximizes dust protection and minimizes lost product. These units require half the space and cost less than stand-alone units.
• Create a dust-tight spout-to-hopper connection with optional Flex-Connect™ flexible spout connector.

Flex Connect

Integral Bulk Bag Unloading and Conditioning

Integrated hydraulic conditioners for the Bulk Bag Unloader allow for effective processing and improved material flow of bulk bags or FIBCs. The hydraulic conditioners are engineered for the break-up of very hard agglomerations. The system uses engineered steel compression plates designed to push on the bag at staged intervals, breaking up hard agglomerations. Bag conditioners can be incorporated into a Bulk Bag Unloader or designed as a separate stand-alone unit. Watch the video for more information.

Pneumatic agitator paddles can be used in conjunction with hydraulic bag conditioners or as a stand-alone option. Also integral to the Bulk Bag Unloader, the pneumatic agitator paddles massage the bag while the material is discharging. The massaging action reduces bridging and provides a continuous and positive material flow.

See the integral hydraulic conditioning paddles in live action. Watch our video below.

Low Profile Bulk Bag Unloader

Bulk Bag Unloader with Dual Helix^® Flexible Screw Conveyor Sanitary Components

• Efficiently processes bulk powders for sanitary applications
• Quickly and completely discharges material into a Series 500 Helix® Flexible Screw Conveyor
• Material is fed through a sifter and transferred by a second Helix®
• FDA and USDA complaint
• Dairy-grade quick release discharge assembly and casing meets all sanitary conditions

Portable Bulk Bag Unloader with Helix^® Flexible Screw Conveyor

• Portable base
• 2-stage agitation allows agglomerated material to flow freely
• Material transfer system can be moved to different locations
• Big tie box allows for flow to be stopped and the bag sealed for dust control
• Utilized for bulk bag unloading and conveying
• Ideal for batch processing

Detailed Features

Our Bulk Bag Unloader is often used in conjunction with other material handling equipment. Here are just a few examples of how our bulk bag discharge equipment has helped facilities in all material handling applications maximize their bulk purchases by optimizing how the bags are unloaded.

Dry Granulated Material – This customer had a challenging material handling issue. The product they purchased in bulk bags was of various size granules. Their process could only handle smaller-sized particles. To effectively handle the bulk bags and optimize larger-quantity material purchases, we helped this customer by designing a complete unloading and pre-processing system. This picture shows the bulk bag unloader with a hoist and trolley assembly, iris valve at the bag discharge with the spout untie box and hopper. Our Vacuum Conveyor lifts the material into a screener, which separates the larger particles out of the process and delivers the small particles directly to the assembly line.

Fine Powder – In this application, our customer used a hoist and trolley-style unloader to empty the large bags of protein powder. The discharge valve is a pinch valve, which allows the operator to close prior to the release of material, thus preventing a large instantaneous load on the system. This unit includes an untie box and a hopper. Our Helix® Flexible Screw Conveyor is mounted off of the hopper, elevating the powder into the mixer.

Product Brochures
Product Brochure: Bulk Bag Unloaders

Application Reviews
Application Review: Overcoming the Challenges of Handling Salt in Bulk
Application Review: Hapman Maintains EPA Standards by Meter Feeding Enviroblend into a Dust Collection System
Application Review: Portable Bulk Bag Unloading – Chemical Company Charging Hoppers with Limestone Combining with Helix^® Flexible Screw Conveyor

Case Studies
Case Study: Bulk Bag Unloader and Vacuum Conveyor System Automates Material Handling and Adds Cost Savings
Case Study: Custom Bulk Bag Unloading System Helps the Village of Gilberts to Maintain EPA Standards for Wastewater Treatment
Case Study: Basic American Foods Expands Plant Capacity in Record Time, Ensures Reliability with Pneumatic Vacuum Conveyors

Tech Briefs
Tech Brief: How Does an Iris Valve Work
Tech Brief: Top Equipment Design Considerations for Handling Bulk Chemical Powders
Tech Brief: Mitigating the Risk of Dust from Bulk Bag Discharge

White Papers
White Paper: Mixing Solutions and Slurries – Effectively, Economically and Safely