An Integrated System for Loading and Unloading Bins and/or Process or Packaging machines in the Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Industries.

During the latest edition of the Achema exhibition recently held in Frankfurt, CO.RA.^® presented a revolutionary System for Loading and Unloading Bins and/or Process or Packaging machines within  Pharmaceutical and fine Chemical Industries and possible applications in other industries such as the Food, and Cosmetic industries where norms are becoming more and more stringent in terms of OEL levels and powder containment.

CO.RA.’s philosophy is not simply to sell equipment, but to Guarantee the requirements of the Industry with particular attention to Safety to the Operators, avoiding cross-contamination and baring in mind a very important issue which is the return on investment for the Companies.

In view of the above aspects, CO.RA. ^® has developed an unparalleled system named the TIP SYSTEM^® which is a high containment Feeding and Emptying system designed to transfer product between two machines or between a bin and a machine, allowing the operator to work avoiding direct contact with the product guaranteeing a level of containment inferior to (OEL) 1ug/m3.

There are no parts to couple manually as everything is magnetic, aseptic and completely cleanable thanks to the CIP System (Cleaning in Place):or WIP (washing in Place), it is built in such a way that every component is washed, cleaned and dried.

The Tip System fully complies to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and an ATEX version also available where necessary.

Adjacent to the Tip System, we exhibited an inverted type Y shaped Pipe named Sani-Flow^® which simulated the feeding of two different machine hoppers or Drums to be filled.

At the inlet of the Pipe we applied our Rotary Valve^® which was fed by means of a Pneumatic Transfer system. The right part of the pipe had our VR8V^® aspetic valve, built in accordance to GMP,  designed to dose the flow of Powder and granules during the discharge in pressure or vacuum conditions.

The system is composed of a body and rotor totally in AISI 316L and certification (or FDA compliance certificate for plastic material on request); the gasket is in silicone which complies to FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 norm; a metal-to-metal version is also possible.

The rotor has 8 pockets and operates with an adjustable speed – clockwise and anti-clockwise – based on the specified application and this allows the introduction of a uniform quantity of product during the continuous feeding between machine A and machine B, without obstructing the flow and with a high level of precision. The VR8V has no need for lubricants, and can be sterilised in autoclave

The VR8V can be used where regular and controlled flow of product is required (Powder and granules)  particularly for feeding mills, tablet press machines, capsule filling machines, micro-dosing machines and sieving machines.

An ATEX Ex 94/09 version is also available. Actuator with brushless motor, with or without encoder and brake and complete with stainless steel carter.  On request an electronic or pneumatic motor for interface with PLC can be supplied.

On the left side of the Y-shaped pipe, we applied a DOUBLE VALVE^®, designed to control, dose, regulate and mixing needs during the process of filling product.  It is a butterfly valve that has a central rotor inside and it can be clamped under the discharge outlet of the machine to be discharged. The valve discharges 95% of the weight automatically opening the vane by means of a pneumatic actuator; Once the underlying Drum and or Bin reaches system interface reaches the set weight, the system closes the butterfly automatically and the rotor begins to move driven by the pneumatic actuator which fills the drum to the desired weight. 

The valve is totally in stainless steel AISI 316L, the gasket is in silicone in conformity to FDA 177.2600 norms.  Available sizes  with butterfly diameters 150mm, 200mm and 250mm and rotor diameters 80mm and 100mm.  Actuation: double acting 180° pneumatic actuator in anodized aluminium, control panel in plastic or stainless steel.  Satin valve body finish, mirror polished vane and rotor. The maximum dosage precision obtainable is +/-50 gr.

Published on n°6 2009 Bulk Solids Handling