Mobile hopper to reduce risk of product contamination and operator injuries
Mounted with either two fixed and two swivel/lockable castors or four swivel lockable castors, the equipment is designed to move easily between conveyors and plant equipment.
"The mobile hopper loader enables the operator to refill elevated hoppers including dusting and topping coaters from the floor without climbing stairs and standing on small access platforms while carrying bags of product," said the Australian firm, a division of Fresco NZ.
In addition to lowering any potential risks to the operator, the company claims increasing hopper capacity will also allow for extended running times and potential time savings, cutting the need for the operator to continually refill the hopper and therefore "interrupt their regular work."
Through-put rates are up to 7.5 m3/hr, enabling the hopper - a stainless steel construction with "ultra high" molecular weight polyethylene contact parts - to "keep up with most production lines".
How the mobile hopper works
According to Fresco Systems, the mobile hopper loader, that can handle products such as blends, granules, fine or coarse powders, is moved and, then locked into position, by a single operator.
In terms of bespoke offerings, the hopper, screw and interface can be sized to suit each application, claims the company.
Fresco added that tackling food contamination issues, the "secure" hopper lid prevents dust escaping to the atmosphere and product contamination from foreign objects.
The screw consists of only one moving part - the screw - driven from the bottom by an electric geared motor. The bottom mounted "clean-out cap" is fitted with a safety switch, which allows for "fast cleaning expediting product changes".
One unit, said the firm, can be used for "numerous applications", including allergen and non-allergen products with the conveyor dismantled quickly for wet washing and full inspection.
With respect to different application and product requirements, Fresco claims their mobile hopper can be fitted with flow promotion devices "including agitation, vibration and fluidisation".
