Loading of a mixer by elevator conveyor
Mixing and packaging line for dried fruits
The dried fruit recipe preparation line allows to :
- loading a paddle blender with ingredients packaged in cartons
- mix the different raw materials composing the recipe
- transfer the fruit mixture via an elevator conveyor to a big bag handling cage
The use of a belt conveyor allows the transfer and the elevation of the dried fruits towards their unloading point, the big bag. This type of conveying is a "soft" conveying, not aggressive, which respects the characteristics of the handled products.
The dried fruits are stored in 20 kg boxes. They are introduced manually by the operator into the mixer via a lateral feeding hatch.
The paddle mixer (smooth blades) with a useful volume of 1400 liters is made of stainless steel 304L.
3 dispersers are installed in the mixing tank in order to crush the dried fruits which could be stuck together. The mixer is positioned on a structure with a step to facilitate the access to the operator.
The discharge valve positioned under the mixer is manually operated by the operator and thus allows a progressive opening to control the product flow.
Vibrating feed equipment helps facilitate the extraction of dried fruits from the mixer and is made of 304L stainless steel. The vibrating feeder is integrated at the outlet of the mixer to provide metered material flow control into the belt conveyor.
This helps prevent product overflow due to overfeeding, or, accumulation at the conveyor inlet. The belt conveyor is installed on wheels and allows the bulk bags to be fed at a rate of 3 tons/hour. The belt is made of food-grade PU and includes sidewalls to prevent product loss and spillage.
The bulk bag handling cage includes an opening for docking the infeed conveyor, as well as a flexible sleeve made in food-grade EPDM.
The handling cages are made of steel:
- Bulk bags are attached from above via the handling straps. The movement of the cage is conducted by fork tracks (trolley or pallet truck).
- The installation of the cage is facilitated by centralizers.
- The cages can be stacked in 3’s.
An electrical control box provides the operation of the entire installation.