Your application is a classic example of “looking at the entire picture” of what is involved in the handling of your ground-processed tobacco.

This is a Class 5 material, which has some unique handling properties, one of which is its ability to physically interlock or mat. The net result is that it will not be easily ‘poured’ out of the ‘cardboard carton’ that it is received in. So in order to get the tobacco out of the carton, you will most likely have to lift and invert the 12.5 - 13 cubic feet of tobacco carton, dumping the entire contents into a holding or supply hopper. This can be accomplished via ‘skip hoists’, drum or carton dumper [which are commercially available].

Class 5 materials will also resist flow due to consolidation head pressures, moisture absorption, and other externally applied factors so you want to empty the material as quickly or as soon as possible. If extended storage times are part of the system, a recycle system may be necessary in order to reduce potential flow problems due to head load consolidation.

We would recommend a specifically designed live bottom bin or PosiBin, for holding this material. The PosiBin will provide controlled discharge, on demand, to the rate-controlling device located below it.

For cursory rate control a ‘screw type’ of feeder is preferred although others concepts may also work with somewhat less efficiency. The screw feeder must be carefully designed and integrated with the PosiBin unit above to ensure a well-performing package.