Flexicon
Dump station eliminates dust escape when handling solids
The Flexicon Bag Dump Station (photo) with NEMA 7/9 explosion-proof electrical system is designed to contain dust emitted from manual dumping stations, and help operators handle the empty bags (by compacting and consolidating them) and convey the materials to an elevated destination. Bags are staged on the tray and transferred into a hooded glove box and onto a grate, which supports the grate and prevents unintended operator contact with moving parts. The hood has a polycarbonate skylight that illuminates the interior of the enclosure for improved bag slitting, dumping and disposal. A bag infeed chute through the sidewall of the glove box permits the operator to pass empty bags directly into the integral bag compactor, helping any dust to be directed into the system’s two filter cartridges. Useable product that builds up on the filter surfaces is periodically returned to the hopper, using timer-activated solenoid valves to release short blasts of compressed air inside the cartridges. The hopper discharges into an enclosed flexible screw conveyor for dust-free transfer of free-flowing and non-free-flowing materials to an elevated destination. — Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, Pa.