Demands on conveyors and machinery in the food industry are constantly increasing. The focus is aimed more and more at hygiene and the ability to clean equipment rapidly using harshchemicals.
Denmark-based Uni-Chains said its conveyor belt is made from plastic approved for food contact. The belt is also approved in the US and has been issued with a US Department of Agriculture equipmentacceptance certificate for meeting the NSF-3A-14159-003 hygiene requirements standard in meat and poultry processing.
The M-PNB plastic modular belt has no pins, a design that improves conveyor performance and reduces operating costs, the company stated.
The new open hinge belt design has modules that click together for easy assembly and disassembly. The modules require no tools or specialist skills for belt mounting, dismounting and repair.
Downtime is kept to a minimum and conveyor operating efficiency is improved, the company stated.
The belt has a 12.7mm pitch and is designed for ease of cleaning. It can be used for cooling lines, de-watering lines, breading lines and enrobing lines. It is available in standard belt widthsfrom 2" (51 mm) to 120" (3045 mm) in increments of 2".
Another belt product, the S-MPB Single Link, has a 2.5cm (1 in.) pitch to allow tight transfer of materials. The S-MPB Single Link belting is designed to reduce bacteria growth.
The S-MPB was developed in cooperation with several equipment manufacturers in the food industry. The uni-chain is designed with all the benefits of the two in. pitch design.
The directional joints, where bacteria can grow, are eliminated throughout the belt width. The surface is stiffer and the impact resistance is improved.
A tighter transfer is possible due to the small pitch, the company claims.