‘Transport lane designed from a hygienic point of view’

Van Leeuwen Techniek

What does a producer of quality snacks do when a new link in the production logistics process is needed? Elite approached Van Leeuwen Techniek for this purpose.

Elite’s snacks are known for their quality and artisanal preparation methods. What comes with that, of course, is a high standard of hygiene. And then Van Leeuwen Techniek is the ideal partner. What assignment the technical designers from Barneveld received? “Elite needed a piece of vertical transport. The new conveyor had to transport bami slices from the spiral freezer to buffer tables, and because of the difference in height of both parts, we designed a so-called descent conveyor for that,” says Van Leeuwen Techniek.

Hygienic cleaning with CIP

 

The custom machine builder designs machines primarily for the food industry, and therefore providing hygienic solutions is high on the agenda. “Think about choosing materials that you can easily clean thoroughly, such as stainless steel, but also, for example, built-in cleaning systems.” In terms of hygiene, Elite had specific requirements. “For example, they chose a frame from one piece. An ideal solution to prevent dirt accumulation at the coupling points. Furthermore, we design all our conveyors with an open structure and as few interfaces as possible, all from a hygiene point of view.” For quick, easy cleaning, Van Leeuwen Techniek is also working with a Clean-In-Place system in this project. “We placed the automatic CIP system at both the drive and move-in side. At the push of a button, cleaning of the conveyor belt is initiated.”

Sample

 

How the track is driven? “The lowering conveyor has a pushing stainless steel drive, with components developed specifically for the food industry. The drive is placed at the top of the belt, next to the transport track and not above it. Another way to prevent possible bacteria transfer.” The conveyor is now in use and the very tastiest bami slices roll off it. “We are, of course, going to taste those extensively, you understand.”

 

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Van Leeuwen Techniek also supplies custom machine construction.