Context

The customer needed to replace an existing bag emptying hopper. The equipment on site was not vibrating, which was causing product flow difficulties.

It is possible to connect a big bag on this bag emptying hopper thanks to a Clean Connect installed on the top.

The product handled is baby milk powder. Hygiene is an absolute priority in this case. That’s why, it’s necessary to design an installation easily dismantled, moved, and cleaned in a washing station.

Constraints of the project

The difficulties encountered in the realization of this project are multiple.

The first challenge of this case concerns the nature of the product to emptying. Indeed, baby milk powder is a very sensitive product, and any risk of contamination must be excluded. The design of the bag emptying hopper must respect the rules for “high hygiene” zones imposed by the sector. The equipment must be very easy to clean.

The second challenge is the space requirement on the site. The available place for the installation is limited. The equipment must be able to fit in the place of the existing hopper.

Finally, this hopper is regularly moved between the production area and the washing area. In the production area, the hopper is placed at height. Therefore, it is mounted on a steel frame by a column elevator. The hopper could not be larger than this elevator.

The proposed solution

The high hygiene design requires that all the elements are gathered for the equipment to be easily cleaned.

So:

  • None of the inside faces of the hopper are straight. All sides are inclined to allow water to flow to the outlet during cleaning operations.
  • All inner edges are smooth, and polished, and have a radius in a way to avoid sharp edges. So, there are no retention areas. The water can then reach all corners for cleaning.
  • To limit the risks of contamination: all “hollow bodies” are closed.
  • Installation of captive screws at the interior grid. A system that prevents the screws from falling into the process.
  • The surface treatment applied inside the hopper is polishing and bead blasting. On the outside, it is a SUBLIMOTION-process® treatment.

The client’s request was also focused on the ease of dismantling the installation and its mobility.

To do this:

  • The hopper is mounted on four wheels, two of which swivel.
  • It is easily removable with a single size of key.
  • BFM links and clamp connections are installed to simplify cleaning and disassembly.
  • The motorized part of the hopper can be dismantled by means of clamps. This makes it easy to unhook the vibrating motor and bring the hopper alone to the specific washing area.

The elements in contact with the food powder are certified according to the food standards.

Bulk information

  • Industry: Food industry
  • Product : Baby milk powder
  • Conditioning: bags (25 kg) and big bags (1700mm to 2000mm in height and 750kg maximum)
  • Product density: 400 to 550g/l – 25kg