Thiele Bag Filling
At Thiele, we offer a comprehensive range of bag filling equipment designed to meet the diverse needs of various industries. Our machines are engineered for versatility and broad application, capable of efficiently handling a wide array of products, from free-flowing to semi-free flowing materials.
“All the recommendations that they made were spot on: from an efficiency perspective, a safety perspective, and being able to hit the number of bags per minute that we needed to.”Stuart Harness | The Honest Kitchen
About Thiele Bag Filling
Thiele's History
In 2018, Thiele (formerly Thiele Technologies) and its associated brands became part of BW Flexible Systems and BW Integrated Systems.
Thiele traces its history back to 1931 when the first DeltaSeal bag sealing machine was completed and sold by a special branch of the Bemis Company that would later become Bemis Packaging Machinery Company (BPMC). In the late 1940's that branch was established as a separate business unit of the Bemis Company and was moved into the building at its current location in northeast Minneapolis.
At about that same time—1949—Thiele Engineering Company was established by Ed Thiele. A short time later, from a facility in Hopkins, MN the company manufactured its first reciprocating placer for promotional coupons.
During the decades that followed, both companies grew and flourished, expanding their product lines through acquisitions and development. Thiele Engineering eventually moved to Minneapolis and in 1995 the firm was acquired by Barry-Wehmiller. Later in 1995, Barry-Wehmiller also acquired Frontier Equipment of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, combining the two companies into a single entity but retaining both locations and manufacturing operations. The Bemis Packaging Machinery Company was acquired by Barry-Wehmiller in 1997.
Free Flowing vs Semi Free Flowing: What's the Difference?
Overview: Free Flowing vs Semi-Free Flowing
The difference between Free Flowing and Semi-Free Flowing products primarily relates to their ability to move or discharge from hoppers or feeders without assistance.
Free Flowing Products
- These materials have minimal resistance to flow and easily move under the influence of gravity.
- They have low cohesion and minimal inter-particle friction, meaning the particles do not stick together.
- They do not require external assistance (e.g., mechanical agitation or vibration) to feed into a bag.
- Examples: Sugar, grains, salt, sand, and some plastic pellets.
Semi-Free Flowing Products
- These materials have some level of cohesion or friction, causing slight resistance to movement.
- They may need vibration, aeration, or mechanical assistance to ensure smooth product feeding.
- While they still flow, they can form bridges or tunnels (sometimes called "ratholes"), requiring intervention to keep the product moving.
- Examples: Flour, fine powders, damp sand, and some fertilizers.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Free Flowing | Semi-Free Flowing |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Behavior | Moves easily under gravity | Typically requires assistance to flow |
| Cohesion | Low to none | Moderate, slight sticking |
| Resistance to Flow | Minimal | Some resistance (bridging, tunneling possible) |
| Examples | Sugar, rice, salt, plastic pellets | Flour, animal feed, some fertilizers |
Free flowing products easily separate and move independently, readily pouring out of a container with minimal effort. Whereas, semi-free flowing products may clump or stick together slightly, requiring some agitation or specialized equipment to ensure consistent flow.
