Zanchetta Solves Product Transfer Puzzle

Zanchetta has devised an innovative solution to three of the most intractable problems occurring during the transfer of powders or tablets from intermediate storage to packaging machines. Called "Shuttle," the patented technology can be applied wherever gravity feeding of product from upper to lower floors is involved. Remarkable by virtue of its simplicity, Shuttle represents an extremely cost-effective option, offering the following key benefits:

• Feed pipes connecting IBC's with the hopper of the packaging machine, which can be as much as several meters in length, will no longer need to be cleaned and inspected for cGMP compliance at every product change.
• The potential for atmospheric contamination is completely eliminated--product and environment remain entirely separate throughout transfer, thanks to Shuttle's hermetic sealing system.

De-mixing of powders is eliminated: Although the vertical drop from IBC to packaging machine may be two meters or more, product descent is slow and controlled.

The Shuttle consists of a cartridge containing a rolled disposable antistatic polyethylene (PE) sleeve. This is installed over the butterfly feed valve at the base of the IBC and prevents contact with the environment. In use, the Shuttle unrolls the sleeve inside the feed pipe between bin and machine.

Once the bin is located in the docking station, the cartridge automatically connects to the feed pipe. The Shuttle slowly unrolls the PE sleeve until it reaches the hopper of the packaging machine on the lower level. While the sleeve is being unrolled, the bin valve is opened, allowing product to enter the sleeve. Product flow is governed by the rate at which the sleeve unrolls, thus avoiding de-mixing.

Once discharge is complete, the sleeve is sealed and cut close to the packaging machine before being rolled back up the feed pipe and retrieved for disposal.

By Angelo DePalma