Effective method for closing large steel bins

Hello all,

We have an issue at our site. we are a producer of seed and kernel product for the bakery industry.

During production we use large steel bins, see the pictures for the bins, we store the seeds in here while they await their next processtep. the product can stay in these bins for several weeks.

The problem with these bins is that they can not be closed, so there is a chance dust and insects can get in the product. Now we are looking for an effective way to close the top but we can not find a good way.

We have thought of several things

- Hard plastic covers: The problem then is that these can break when we stack the bins, plus storage of the huge 2 by 2 meter covers can be a hassle

- Hard metal covers:  these wont break but will be heavy and again the storage will be a problem

- Reuseable plastic flexible covers: these can become real dirty and we do not have a facility to wet clean them. (we only have dry cleaning in our facility)

- Sort of large hairnet that covers the whole bin and is only used ones: this will become very costly 

Can someone relate to my problem and knows a way to tackle this?

Dear Dongilles,

It requires some creativity to resolve this issue. Looking to the pictures and taking into consideration your remarks, I would suggest:

• 2 thin rectangular metal parts of 1 m x 2 m, which are fixed on bins by means of hinges, so that you don't need to stock them separately. So it will be like 2 doors. You can weld metallic handles on the outside, to easy open these doors.
• In the middle you will need an overlap of the two parts, so that nothing can fall in between.
• Construct the doors in such a way, that stacking can still be possible, but whitout dirtiness falling in or remaining on the cover. This requires some design work.
• Please pay attention to the hygienic design.
• A note, while not knowing the context and the characteristics of your product -- In case of a total closure, you will need to assess the risk of condensation problems, because of the breathing of the seeds. It may be necessary to create an airhole in the cover, but also taking the insect risk into account (allowing air and humidity to pass, but no insects).
• Last but not least: When you have the design in mind and are ready to adapt the bins, first adapt bin 1 only. Take a certain time to test and ask the collegues (such as the daily users, quality department, the Food Safety team) and even your auditor for feedback, to eliminate the errors. That allows you to create a good working solution.

I hope to have informed you sufficiently. Good luck with this challenge.

Kind regards,

Gerard Heerkens

This may be a great idea actually! thanks for the inspiration.

Dear Dongilles, You're welcome! I am happy hearing that. Kind regards, Gerard H.

Another solution could be just to get some large plastic "hoods".  We use them to cover pallets of bagged product to protect it in storage and shipping.  You can get them that are short and the size of the bulk bags next to one of the bins on a picture.

Martha