Big bag user manual

User manual for soft bulk containers. This Manual contains the main rules and recommendations related to the use of soft containers of the “RiaPlast” LLC.

General information

The main types of soft containers produced by the “RiaPlast” LLC are designed for transportation and temporary storage of bulk and piece cargo at temperatures from -40°C to +60°C.

Standard soft containers can hold from 300 to 2000 liters with a load capacity of from 500 to 2000 kg, (strength margin is 5:1, 6:1). Soft containers are certified in the GOST R system (Russian National Standard), as well as they are certified for compliance with international regulations on the transportation of dangerous goods.

Standard soft containers cannot be used as containers for the following materials:

  • liquids (special containers are used for them);
  • substances containing concentrated corrosive acids and alkalies;
  • substances of hazard class I (explosive, strong poisons);
  • radioactive materials;
  • materials with temperatures above 120°C;
  • lump and piece materials with the size more than 250 mm with sharp edges.
  • The use of soft containers allows to reduce labor costs providing that the enterprise has the following:
  • devices for loading (unloading) of containers;
  • loading devices for feeding containers for loading (unloading) and transportation means;
  • temporary storage sites and warehouses for filled containers.

All the advantages of soft containers can be used provided that the container is properly selected according to the type of cargo and the rules of handling are observed. When choosing soft containers, many factors are considered, depending on the properties of transported cargo, logistical chain, Customer's requirements, so when choosing the type of soft container, it is recommended to consult technical services of the manufacturer.

Preparation and filling (stuffing) of soft containers.

Unfilled soft containers and inserts should be stored in dry sheltered storage facilities and protected from mechanical damage, heat sources and direct sunlight. In the case of transportation and storage of soft containers and inserts at a temperature below -25°C, they must be kept at a temperature of at least +10°C for at least 12 hours before package filling.

Before use containers should be visually inspected in order to avoid the use of damaged containers, the presence of moisture inside the container, loose products residues, or other foreign objects. Before loading, the inner liner must be inflated or spread out manually over the entire cover of the soft container. In case of presence of bottom unloading elements of the soft container, they must be properly stacked and tied.

Contact of the soft container with objects with sharp edges and corrosive chemical substances is not allowable.

Container slings and neck of the insert must be fixed to the loading device, and the angles of spreading (folding) of slings must be observed.

For the purpose of more complete use of the container capacity and improvement of its steady position, it is recommended to vibrate the soft container during its loading with the product. Suggested characteristics of a standard vibration device: amplitude is 1,2-2,0 mm; frequency is 10-50 Hz; vibration time - 1,5-2,0 min.

Rapid filling the container, overloading above its capacity are prohibited.

After loading and removing the container, it is necessary to seal the liner. This is done as follows: the neck of the insert is twisted, after which it is tied with a cord (sticky tape) in the lower part, the end of the liner is bent, both parts of the neck are band together, sealed and fixed inside the container. When loading a soft container with aerated product, the liner should be sealed after compaction (settling) of the product, otherwise the liner may break when placement a soft container of the next tier.

Slings of a two-sling container are tied together and all further operations are performed the same way as with a one-sling container. The accompanying documents are placed inside the document pocket.

Handling and temporary storage of filled soft containers.

Before start loading or unloading containers, it is necessary to make sure that cargo elements and load lifting mechanisms of soft container are in good working order.

  • Hooks, pallet forks should not have sharp edges, if necessary, they should be rounded or wrapped with a soft material.
  • Standing under the suspended soft container is prohibited!
  • Lifting of soft container having through damages of load-bearing cover or one of the slings is prohibited!

Slinging of soft container should be carried out vertically, by all lifting slings. One-sling and two-sling containers should be slung on one hook (forks), four-sling – on 4 hooks (2 forks). Tipped on its side soft container is lifted by all lifting elements. Simultaneous loading/unloading of several soft containers is allowed only with the use of a special device (traverse) which provides vertical suspension of each container.

Lifting and lowering of soft containers should be carried out at a speed of no more than 0,2 m/s without jerks and sudden stops in order to avoid their strong swinging and falling.

  • Transport on a forklift at the minimum fork lift height.
  • Place soft container on the fork near the lifting beam, slightly bending the beam back.
  • Carry out lifting/lowering of soft container only on fully stopped forklift.
  • Moving containers by dragging is prohibited.

When loading (unloading) of wagons it is necessary to:

  • inspect wagon’s condition, detect, isolate or remove extending sharp parts prior to loading (unloading); 
  • cover the bottom and sides of the wagon, container with fiberboard, pressboard or other material (for open-top wagons it is not recommended to use cardboard, because the cardboard is destroyed when wet);
  • prevent from friction and impact of soft container with the side walls of the wagon;
  • start loading soft container along the walls of the wagon;
  • start unloading soft container from the middle, then along the walls, moving the container away from the walls to the center;
  • take care and not allow the presence of people near or under the raised containers.

For short-term storage, loaded soft containers are placed both in warehouses and in open areas.

Open areas should have a hard surface with water runoff (it is not allowed to store a soft container in puddles) and provide the possibility of working of cargo mechanisms for loading (unloading) filled containers into mobile vehicles of road, railway or other transport.

When storing containers in an open area, it should be taken into account that the container cover is not resistant to prolonged exposure of ultraviolet and visible light, although UV stabilizers are added into the fabric during manufacture.

Thereupon, if it is impossible to organize storage under the roof, we recommend covering soft container with a tarpaulin or black polyethylene film.

When storing loaded containers in open areas, the bottom row must be placed on pallets or timber deck. At subzero temperatures do not place containers directly on the ground or on the floor of the vehicle, as freezing on and breaking of slings when lifting are possible.

Stacking of containers should be carried out in dense rows strictly vertically, ensuring stability. From the second tier inclusive, containers are placed with steps of half their diameter around the entire perimeter of the stack. The stacking height of loaded containers depends on their type: containers with a volume of up to 1 m3 are stacked in 4 tiers, with a volume of up to 1,5 m3 – up to 3 tiers; with a volume of 2,0-3,0 m3 – in two tiers.

Stacks of loaded containers should be placed at a distance from each other, which is necessary for the pass of intra-factory transportation facilities. The unstacking of containers is made in the reverse order of its formation.

In heated rooms, the containers should be placed at a distance of at least 1 m from the heating devices.

Unloading (unstuffing) of soft container.

Unloading of containers can be carried out by gravity technic or pneumatic transport.

When unloading containers, it is necessary to take out the accompanying documents from a special pocket, fix the insert to prevent it from falling together with the contents of the container into the hopper, secure slings of the container by the cargo elements, lift and bring the container to the place of unloading.

When unloading by cutting the bottom, it is necessary to use special devices — a knife permanently mounted on the hopper or a knife mounted on a rod, excluding the presence of the worker's hands under the container.

Unloading by untying the lower hatch should only be carried out when the container is fixed on the support frame.

When unloading products from containers to receiving bins, service personnel should be located windward and use the personal protective equipment provided by the regulations.

Your questions are accepted by email at info@riaplast.ru or by phone 8-800-250-12-75, our specialists will provide hand-on assistance in solving them.