According to the International Organization for Standardization (IOS), totes are classified into two categories. Let us take a closer look: 

First, there are intermediate bulk container (IBC) totes that are described as rigid. These are often made from metal, wood, or fiberboard. They are designed as a single unit and do not call for additional support when they are filled up. 

Then there is the composite kind. These are made up of a cage that supports and protects the inner lining when weight is added. As a result, the lining and the cage work in tandem as one unit. 

 

In this read, we are going to dive into the gist of things and explore practices that you should implement when it comes to using your 330 reconditioned IBC totes. Keep in mind that these are general requirements and you should seek specific advice from your supplier as your needs may be different. 

-If you intend to store products meant for human use, ensure the totes are food grade. This helps ascertain harmful interactions or reactions do not happen during transportation or storage. 

-When handling items with extremely low flashpoints, store them in totes that are explosion-proof. Some materials, however, will need permeation barriers to prevent them from diffusing through the lining. 

-In regards to hazmat transit, the container’s material as well as filling material compatibility should undergo thorough testing. These tests, however, can differ between European and American regions. They are put into place to determine the best material to use for your situation and so, is imperative to allocate enough time for comprehensive testing. 

 

The Best Practices for Filling & Handling/Shipping IBC Totes

 

1. Filling

In order to fill a tote, the following three things should be done: 

-Close the outlet valve

-During filling, the process should be performed at atmospheric pressure, and shouldn’t go beyond 70ºC/158ºF. Therefore, the tote should not be pressurized. 

-During the cooling stage, the receptacle should be vented. This is to prevent vacuum deformation from occurring. Once this is done, ensure the cap is screwed in tightly. 

 

2. Handling or Shipping

-The totes should be well-secured to make sure no damage occurs during transit

-Never use tie ropes on the totes with the intention of moving them this way. 

-If you are using a pallet jack or a forklift to handle the IBC totes, the forks should reach the pallets’ entire length. 

 

3. Storage or Stacking

-Prior to stacking, it is imperative to identify the plate for stack testing. This helps determine whether the IBC totes are stackable. 

-Always put nesting into consideration. It means arranging the totes in a way that they fit closely together. An effective way to do this is by using a two on two configuration. 

-During transportation, the stack should not go beyond two layers

 

4. Emptying

-When emptying a tote, only do it through the lower outlet valve. 

-Open the top before emptying to avoid a vacuum collapse

-If you are emptying through a pipe or a pump, make sure that it is supported and does not rely on the cage. If you use the cage to support the pump or pipe, the vibrations are likely to cause damage to the cage. 

 

The Takeaway

These are some of the general practices when handling composite IBC totes. It is also important to note that these practices are just the tip of the iceberg. As such, we recommend forming a relationship with a supplier that has been in the field for years to ensure that you always make informed decisions.

The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint against Activision Blizzard on Monday in the District of Columbia, accusing the company of underpaying esports athletes, a claim that has apparently already been resolved.

Activision Blizzard was accused by the Justice Department of enacting a “competitive balance tax” in order to reduce competition for professional Call of Duty and Overwatch players in esports leagues. This would act as a salary cap by penalizing a team if player compensations went over a certain limit (established by Activision Blizzard).

Activision Blizzard’s representative issued the following in a statement: “We have always held the opinion that the Competitive Balance Tax was legitimate and had no negative effects on player pay. We still hold this opinion today. The leagues voluntarily removed the tax from our rules in 2021 because it was never imposed.”

Activision Blizzard has reiterated its commitment to “leading the esports industry and fostering opportunities for players to earn fair pay and benefits,” as well as to refrain from enacting the competitive balance tax or any other kind of ceilings or restrictions on the pay of esports players in the future.

In other Activision Blizzard news, UK authorities no longer worry that the ongoing acquisition narrative would have a significant influence on console competition, so it appears to be nearing to some sort of conclusion.

The RPG The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition was recently published on the PS5, but even in its specialized performance mode, it performs poorly. As a result, several players have already requested refunds in threads on the game’s subreddit.

Even though problems probably aren’t to blame for the game’s performance issues, customer service has told affected players (who appear to all be PS5 users) to report bugs to the publisher, Private Division, which is having trouble.

The parent company of Private Division, Take-Two Interactive, announced layoffs on Monday, citing the need for “another long period of success” as the reason. The Twitter account for The Outer Worlds sent players looking for information to the troubled publisher, Obsidian Entertainment, which is now owned by Microsoft.

We're sorry to hear that The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition is having performance issues. We recommend submitting a bug report to Private Division. https://t.co/J4NhnR4iac

Thanks, and sorry for the frustration that this issue has caused!

— The Outer Worlds (@OuterWorlds) March 8, 2023

It is unknown if Sony or Private Division will offer refunds. It’s true that it’s not the complete disaster that Cyberpunk 2077 was at first, but we’ll monitor the situation as it changes. The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition on the PS5 bothered you?