In addition to standard manufacturing dilemmas, such as how to get more products finished in less time or how to lessen manufacturing costs, food processors face the responsibility of keeping their food products contamination-free. After all, the health of the public depends upon their success. One supplier of conveyors for the food processing industry is making it a little easier for its customers to win the fight against contaminants.
Shuttleworth Inc. has developed Easy Clean conveyors, which incorporate thermoplastic rollers with a custom compounded antimicrobial additive for food processors. The antimicrobial additive is silver, and it is supplied by AgION Technologies and molded into the conveyor components. Why silver? Because it inhibits bacterial growth.
The silver in the rollers is combined with both PFTE and silicone to make an acetal co-polymer. The work is done by RTP Company and the resulting compound is designated the RTP 800 Series.
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Easy Clean conveyors incorporate thermoplastic rollers that feature a custom compounded antimicrobial additive.
Initially, the antimicrobial was formulated into an HDPE resin. However, sink marks were prevalent and dimensional control was insufficient for the tight tolerances of the roller. Shuttleworth and RTP engineers worked together to find the optimum resin system and additive combination. A study performed at Purdue University made clear to both companies that RTP 800 was the right choice. The study acknowledged that, when properly cleaned, "the Easy Clean conveyor would not be a source of contamination to food products." The study also showed that the conveyor was able to "reduce cleaning costs and provide increased resistance to bacteria, fungi, and mold propagation."
Says Klaus Daenser, senior plastics engineer at Shuttleworth: "We found an effective and proven antimicrobial that provides our customers with additional security, lower sanitation costs, and maintains the lowest line drive pressure in the industry."
More information on the RTP 800 Series is available by contacting RTP Company, 580 E. Front St., Winona, MN 55987, calling 507-454-6900, visiting www.rtpcompany.com, writing in 315 on our reader service card, or replying online at www.pddnet.com.
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