Sealed edge belting technology

The UK division of Chiorino, the Italian-based international conveyor belt manufacturer, has launched its new sealed edge conveyor belt, the C.L. Edge.

The new belt tackles the issue of food contamination caused by frayed conveyor belting. The manufacturer claims that the C.L.Edge's' 'interlocking' design could save the food manufacturing industry substantial sums by extending belt life, reducing conveyor downtime and maintenance costs, and avoiding costly penalties from retailers.

Unlike conventional sealed edge belting, which is manufactured by cutting away several layers from the existing belt in order for the polyurethane to be welded on top, 'the belt has been designed to 'interlock the two elements before welding. This is said to create a stronger bond but it means that it is not restricted to 'heavier' belts, enabling it to even be used on one ply belting.

Other advantages include the fact that 'C.L.Edge' can be manufactured to any width, can be fitted to any type of belt, including dough release cotton surfaces, and can be produced in a variety of colour combinations.

Managing director of Chiorino UK, Keith Smith said: "Although conventional sealed edge belting went some way to controlling food contamination, its tendency to fracture, combined with its lack of versatility, meant that it did not provide the perfect solution,"​

"Like all good inventions it is often the simple ideas that are the best,"​ he continued. "It makes sense that a welded interlocking device will be much stronger than something that is just welded on the extreme edge of the fabric substrate, so all we needed was the technology to make it happen. This was made possible by Chiorino's recent investment in the latest state-of-the-art cutting machinery."​

"We have supplied C.L.Edge to a number of leading food manufacturers on a trial basis and, following extensive use, the feedback we have received has been extremely positive."​