Method and apparatus for cleaning flexible containers

Apparatus for dry cleaning a flexible bulk container, comprising:

• a waste disposal container;
• a dust collector having an exhaust blower for connection in a dust tight relationship to a flexible container through a pressure hose for inflating the flexible container to dislodge particulate material in the container;
• an evacuation means having a negative pressure chamber connected in a dust tight relationship to the flexible container through a vacuum hose for evacuating the container to remove the dislodged particulate material;
• means connecting the evacuation means to the waste disposal container for depositing in the waste disposal container the particulate material removed from the flexible container;
• means for alternating the inflation and evacuation of the container a number of times to remove particulate material for dry cleaning of the container;
• and
• a third hose connected to the negative pressure chamber of the evacuation means for vacuuming the exterior of the container with the distal end of the third hose.