All-in-one silo, hopper, and machine feed system

A hopper/mini silo system fabricated from HDPE that not only functions as a dry-bulk hopper and storage silo but also as a machine feed hopper that does not require constant operator attention, is "intended to replace the cardboard gaylord and wooden pallets that have been used in the plastic processing industry for years," according to its developer, David Wheatley.

The units can be stacked up to three high for storage. Each one has a slide gate on the bottom to allow resin to pass through into the hopper below. A vacuum line coming out of the hopper on the very bottom conveys resin to the processing equipment, and the slanted bottoms ensure total discharge of all of the hoppers without operator attention. Each unit can hold 800 lb of material—for a total of 2400 lb when stacked three high. (Based on 25 lb/ft³. Hopper capacity is 31 ft³). The hopper/silos are designed to be moved by forklift or a pallet jack. The units are translucent so the operator can see when one is empty and needs to be replaced with a full one long before the line runs out of material.

Wheatley's DW Global Group is marketing the sturdy, reusable bulk hopper system as a green replacement for fiber drums, cardboard boxes, wood pallets, and Super Sacks. The investment for a multipurpose dry-bulk hopper system can be as little as $5000-$10,000 for a two-to-four line system. Complete conversion costs (ROI) can be recovered in less than 18 months according to Wheatley. —[email protected]