A hopper bottom a grain bin above a foundation includes a conical wall tapering inwardly to a bottom discharge opening. An outer cylindrical wall is joined to the top peripheral edge of the conical wall. Upright support legs are connected to the outer wall for supporting the cylindrical grain bin walls thereabove. A bottom wall is connected radially between the outer wall and the conical wall so as to define a manifold passage bounded by the conical wall, the outer wall and the bottom wall which is generally annular in shape and which is located externally of the conical wall. Vent openings are formed in the conical wall to receive aeration air from a blower connected to the manifold passage. A cover member is supported above the vent openings in the conical wall in connection with the outer wall above the conical wall to prevent material entering the vent openings.

A container includes a multilayered composite film combination forming a bag defining a product fill opening. The multilayered composite film combination includes first and second polymer film inner and outer layers each having vacuum holding properties, and a third polymer film disposed between the first and second polymer films. The third polymer film has oxygen barrier properties. Product is packed into the container by coupling a fill spout of the container with a fill tube of a product filling apparatus, and oxygen is drawn from an inner cavity of the container. Fluidized product entrained in nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide gas is flowed through the fill spout of the container, and nitrogen is added into the inner cavity through the fill spout of the container. The fill spout of the container is sealed while a negative pressure is drawn within the inner cavity thereby immobilizing the product within the container.

A container includes a multilayered composite film combination forming a bag defining a product fill opening. The multilayered composite film combination includes first and second polymer film inner and outer layers each having vacuum holding properties, and a third polymer film disposed between the first and second polymer films. The third polymer film has oxygen barrier properties. Product is packed into the container by coupling a fill spout of the container with a fill tube of a product filling apparatus, and oxygen is drawn from an inner cavity of the container. Fluidized product entrained in nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide gas is flowed through the fill spout of the container, and nitrogen is added into the inner cavity through the fill spout of the container. The fill spout of the container is sealed while a negative pressure is drawn within the inner cavity thereby immobilizing the product within the container.

A vertical fluid storage tank including a body extending from a first end to a second end and including a substantially oval-shaped cross-section, a top wall connected to the first end of the body, a bottom wall connected to the second end of the body, at least one access opening positioned on the top wall configured for access to an interior cavity of the body, and at least one discharge valve connected to the body. The storage tank is configured to be arranged in at least two positions. The at least two positions include a first position in which the storage tank is arranged parallel to a surface, and a second position in which the storage tank is arranged perpendicular to the surface. A walkway may be positioned in the interior cavity of the body.

A vertical fluid storage tank including a body extending from a first end to a second end and including a substantially oval-shaped cross-section, a top wall connected to the first end of the body, a bottom wall connected to the second end of the body, at least one access opening positioned on the top wall configured for access to an interior cavity of the body, and at least one discharge valve connected to the body. The storage tank is configured to be arranged in at least two positions. The at least two positions include a first position in which the storage tank is arranged parallel to a surface, and a second position in which the storage tank is arranged perpendicular to the surface. A walkway may be positioned in the interior cavity of the body.

A flexible liner system for a silo receiving and storing granular materials, in which the flexible liner system includes a first flexible inflate liner and a second flexible inflate liner placed in the silo and aligned respectively against a silo wall and a silo floor. The first inflate liner and the second inflate liner are separated from each other by a central trough that extends completely across or substantially completely across the silo floor. The flexible liner system includes a conveyor assembly that inflates each inflate liner to push the granular material toward the central trough and aerates the granular material stored in the silo. The flexible liner system further includes a liner return system that allows each inflate liner to be brought back against the wall and the floor of the silo during deflation.

A flexible liner system for a silo receiving and storing granular materials, in which the flexible liner system includes a first flexible inflate liner and a second flexible inflate liner placed in the silo and aligned respectively against a silo wall and a silo floor. The first inflate liner and the second inflate liner are separated from each other by a central trough that extends completely across or substantially completely across the silo floor. The flexible liner system includes a conveyor assembly that inflates each inflate liner to push the granular material toward the central trough and aerates the granular material stored in the silo. The flexible liner system further includes a liner return system that allows each inflate liner to be brought back against the wall and the floor of the silo during deflation.

A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin includes a hopper wall having an inverted cone shape supported on upright support legs. A manifold duct is supported above the hopper wall to define a manifold passage therein extending circumferentially adjacent to the peripheral edge of the hopper wall. A plurality of outlet openings formed in the manifold duct in communication from the manifold passage to an interior of the hopper wall for open communication with the grain bin thereabove. An inlet opening extending through the hopper wall in alignment with the manifold duct receives ventilation air from a blower to direct the flow through the manifold duct and into the grain bin through the outlet openings of the manifold duct.

A hopper bottom for supporting a cylindrical side wall of a grain bin includes a hopper wall having an inverted cone shape supported on upright support legs. A manifold duct is supported above the hopper wall to define a manifold passage therein extending circumferentially adjacent to the peripheral edge of the hopper wall. A plurality of outlet openings formed in the manifold duct in communication from the manifold passage to an interior of the hopper wall for open communication with the grain bin thereabove. An inlet opening extending through the hopper wall in alignment with the manifold duct receives ventilation air from a blower to direct the flow through the manifold duct and into the grain bin through the outlet openings of the manifold duct.

This gas distributor comprises at least one elongate crosspiece including two side walls, inclined on their upper parts, connected to one another in their respective upper parts and defining a gas circulation housing between them emerging downward. The gas distributor includes at least one reinforcing member arranged in the housing defined in the elongate crosspiece, the reinforcing member (34) including a central vertical plate that extends longitudinally in said housing and at least one bracket fastened transversely between the central vertical plate and the side wall of the elongate crosspiece.