a method for filling a flexible container with a flowable material is provided , including the steps of filling the flexible container , suspending the flexible container , transferring the weight of the flexible container from being suspended to being supported by a support surface , and applying a hoop force to the flexible container to substantially maintain a configuration of the flexible container . the flexible container can be a bag - type container for containing flowable material such as chemicals , food products , agricultural products , and plastic pellets . as the container is lowered from the suspended position to a bottom - supported position , the hoop force is applied around the perimeter as the perimeter changes during transfer of the flexible container from being suspend to being bottom - supported . the hoop force can be applied by stretch wrap . alternatively , the first flexible container can be lowered into a second flexible container . the second flexible container can be formed from a heat shrinkable material and the second flexible container can be shrunk at the perimeter as the perimeter changes . alternatively , the second flexible container can be a stretchable bag . a stretched portion of the stretchable bag can be released substantially at the perimeter to generate the hoop force .