Hoppers are used for the temporary storage of materials. They are designed so that stored material can be dumped or fed to a process easily.

Types of Hoppers

There are many different types of hoppers, dumpers, and tippers. Examples include: bottom hoppers, live hoppers, cropper hoppers, cullet hoppers, and sludge hoppers; dump boxes, chip boxes, trash boxes, and scrap boxes; and various types of refuse equipment.

• Bottom hoppers are designed so that stored materials can be dumped from the bottom of the hopper. Dumpers and self-dumping hoppers are included in this category.
• Live hoppers or live-bottom hoppers use hydraulically or mechanically actuated augers or screws to help discharge viscous materials.
• Some hoppers have a base that allows them to be lifted by forklift for dumping.
• Others have a positive locking-latch mechanism to prevent accidental dumping.
• Tilt hoppers, dewatering boxes, and rotating or rotator boxes may also provide special features.

Specifications

Hopper specifications include volume capacity, weight capacity, depth or length, width or diameter, height, and materials of construction.

• Volume capacity is the maximum volume that hoppers are designed to hold. Units of measure include gallons, liters, pints, quarts, and cubic inches.
• Weight capacity is the maximum weight that a hopper, dumper, or tipper can hold. Units of measure include pounds, grams, ounces and kilograms.
• Depth or length is the distance from the front opening of the container to the back.
• Width or diameter and height are also important parameters to consider when selecting hoppers.

Materials

Most hoppers are made of plastic, metal, or composite materials.

• Plastic hoppers are made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylics, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Metal hoppers are usually made of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or steel wire.
• Hoppers, dumpers and tippers that are made of fabric, foam, glass, paper, or cardboard are also available from some hopper manufactures.

Applications

Hoppers differ in terms of applications. Some hoppers are designed for chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing, or material handling applications. Others are suitable for processing, recycling, or handling hazardous materials. General-purpose hoppers and containers that meet U.S. military specifications (MIL-SPEC) are also available.

Features

In terms of features, hoppers may be specified as heavy-duty, insulated, moisture-resistant, outdoor-suitable, temperature-controlled, or trailer-mounted. Hoppers with wheels or rollers provide portability. Specialty hoppers such as an off all box, tippy box, collection box, broke box, or screen hopper may provide additional options.

Standards

BS EN 617 - Safety and EMC requirements for the equipment for the storage of bulk materials in silos, bunkers, bins, and hoppers

BS 1703 - Refuse chutes and hoppers

Image Credit:

DME Company | Metalfab, Inc. | National Bulk Equipment, Inc.