Method and apparatus for filling a radially flexible container

摘要

A diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container (12) as the container is filled. The system includes a stretching device (24) to stretch the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The stretching device can release a stretched portion (22) of the container substantially at the fill level as the fill level rises. The container can be a flexible, elastic bag. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles to enhance the structural integrity of the filled container and to reduce the likelihood that particles will be damaged during movement of the filled container.