Bin Activator Silo Seals & UType Flexible Sleeves

What Are Bin Activator Silo Seals?

Bin activator silo seals (Beaded edge) are critical components used with bin activators to ensure the efficient, controlled discharge of bulk materials from storage silos and hoppers.

A bin activator is mounted to the outlet of a silo and uses vibration to promote material flow. The flexible seal fitted between the silo and the bin activator plays a vital role in:

• Maintaining a dust-tight and airtight connection

• Absorbing vibration and movement

• Preventing material leakage

• Protecting surrounding equipment and structures

These seals are essential for maintaining system integrity, hygiene, and operational efficiency in bulk handling applications.

Beaded Edge Bin Activator Silo Flexibles

Our beaded-edge silo flexibles are a proven solution for applications requiring robust vibration isolation and reliable sealing.

Key Features:

• Flexible construction to accommodate constant movement

• Secure beaded edges for reliable clamping

• Suitable for abrasive and demanding environments

• Available in a range of materials and wall thicknesses

These seals are commonly used in industries that handle powders, granules, and bulk solids, where durability and longevity are critical.

NEW: UType Seal – Flexible Bin Activator Seals

Firstly, we are pleased to introduce our UType Seal, now manufactured in-house by Silo Flexibles.
Unlike traditional flat or beaded-edge sleeves, this sealing solution is designed to sit directly over the mating flanges between the silo and the bin activator. As a result, it forms a highly secure, leak-proof connection while still allowing for vibration and movement during operation.

In addition, the UType Seal helps reduce dust emissions and product loss. Consequently, this improves both hygiene and overall plant safety.

Material

Specifically, the UType Seal is manufactured from white FDA-approved EPDM, making it suitable for food-contact and hygienic applications.
Furthermore, this material provides excellent resistance to alkalis, moisture, and temperature variation. Therefore, it performs reliably in demanding industrial environments.

Key Features of the UType Seal

✔ U-Profile Design
Rather than relying solely on flat clamping, the U-profile geometry provides a snug and stable fit over silo and bin activator flanges. As a consequence, the risk of dust escape or material leakage is significantly reduced.

✔ Flexible & Durable Construction
From a performance perspective, the UType Seal is engineered to withstand constant vibration. Over time, this prevents cracking, fatigue, and loss of sealing effectiveness.

✔ Abrasion & Chemical Resistance
In many industrial applications, abrasive powders and aggressive materials are unavoidable. For this reason, the UType Seal is designed to resist wear and chemical attack, ensuring a long service life.

✔ Wide Temperature Operating Range
Whether operating in ambient, cold, or elevated temperatures, the UType Seal maintains reliable sealing performance. As such, it can be used across a wide range of processing conditions.

✔ Easy Installation & Replacement
From a maintenance standpoint, the UType Seal is designed for quick fitting and removal. In turn, this minimises downtime and reduces overall maintenance costs.

Applications of the UType Seal

In practice, the UType Seal is suitable for a wide range of bulk handling applications.
For example, in the food and beverage industry, it enables hygienic, dust-free transfer of ingredients such as flour, sugar, and grains.

Similarly, pharmaceutical manufacturers benefit from clean and controlled powder handling in regulated environments.
Meanwhile, chemical and plastics processors rely on the UType Seal to safely contain fine powders and granulated materials.

In more demanding sectors, such as cement and construction, the robust EPDM construction withstands highly abrasive products.
Finally, in agriculture and animal feed applications, the seal helps prevent contamination while supporting consistent material discharge.

Benefits

✔ Overall, prevents blockages and promotes smooth material flow
✔ Additionally, creates a dust-tight and leak-proof connection
✔ As a result, reduces maintenance requirements and downtime
✔ Consequently, improves hygiene, safety, and environmental compliance
✔ Ultimately, it can be customised to suit a wide range of silo and bin activator sizes

Design & Engineering Considerations

Design

• Flexible yet robust construction to accommodate vibration

• Secure U-profile geometry for reliable sealing

• Maintains sealing effectiveness under constant movement

Performance

• High resilience and long service life

• Resistance to chemical attack and material abrasion

• Stable sealing performance in varying operating conditions

Benefits

✔ Prevents blockages and improves material flow
✔ Dust-tight and leak-proof operation
✔ Reduces maintenance and downtime
✔ Improves hygiene and environmental compliance
✔ Customisable to suit a wide range of silo and bin activator sizes

Stock & Customisation

• UType Seals are manufactured from white FDA-approved EPDM

• Available in standard and custom diameters

• Manufactured to suit the customer’s flange dimensions

• Compatible with stainless steel clamping systems

• Bespoke designs available on request

Conclusion

Bin activator silo seals, including beaded edge silo flexibles and the UType Seal, are essential components for reliable, leak-free bulk material handling.

Our FDA-approved EPDM UType Seal provides a hygienic, durable solution for food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications, delivering excellent sealing performance while accommodating vibration and movement. Combined with our in-house manufacturing expertise, Silo Flexibles offers dependable solutions tailored to your process requirements.