3 replies to this topic

[DavidB]

In our process Grains ingredients are normally packed in either plastic lined or unlined woven polyester bags closed by synthetic thread or plastic lined kraft paper bags. For the bags sown closed with thread, there is a risk of cotton thread falling into the loading hopper and through the metal screen along with grains, thus contaminatinf batch mix. Each batch takes around 40 x 25kg bags of whole grains loaded through a 10mm aperture stainless steel screened hopper.

Paper bags are quite expensive and add to raw materials costs - there is of course the risk of paper contamination too.

Vendors have all implemented the use of brightly coloured thread which helps with visual detection, and Operator training and awareness has assisted in reducing the risk, but it remains an issue.

We have also put in a machanical lid to the hopper to ensure the hopper is protected while the bag is being opened.

Would anyone have advice on strategies to eliminate this type of risk and more importantly , on whether there is a metal detectable synthetic or cotton type thread available?

Finished packages which may be contaminated with Metal detectable thread would be eliminated when passed through packaging inductive metal and Xray detectors.

looking forward to some help on solving this!

David

[Simon]

I think you are looking for perfection David, but of course it's a worthwhile goal. Can anyone assist David on this with similar process or ideas?

One silly idea can the bags be cut from the bottom or middle?

Regards,
Simon

[DavidB]

Simon

Thanks for the suggestion:

We have considered cutting the bags open - problem with this is fragments of plastic from the bag itself could potentially be introduced into the mix.

There are of course other solutions which dont involve bags at all - bulk grain handling - but this is of course a major capital project.

regards

David

[Brotherhood]

Hi David

What kind of your products is?
Yes, there is the risk of thread contamination, and what is your acceptable levels for the foreign body? Do you determine it?