Flexicon fits a trough hopper to its flexible screw conveyor for wide-discharge equipment
Flexicon Corporation has introduced a flexible screw conveyor fitted with a trough hopper, designed to receive material from multiple outlets of feeders, grinders, blenders, bulk bag dischargers, or any process equipment with a wide-style discharge. For food scientists and processing engineers managing bulk ingredient transfer, the design addresses a common bottleneck: collecting material from broad or irregular discharge points without loss of containment or flow consistency.
Low profile, wide intake
The hopper measures 108 in. (275 cm) in length, with a low 36 in. (92 cm) profile that allows it to sit beneath the discharge point of most vessels. Its bottom incorporates a U-shaped channel that exposes the flexible screw along the entire length of the vessel, so material entering the hopper at any point along that length can charge the conveyor. A stainless-steel grate covers the hopper, protecting workers and screening out oversized particles before they reach the screw.
Level monitoring built in
The hopper walls include ports for the optional fitting of level sensors. These provide real-time monitoring of material levels within the hopper and signal issues such as overflow or conveyor starvation, supporting continuous operation without manual checks.
Screw design for difficult materials
The flexible screw is the only component in contact with material and is available in multiple configurations to suit both free-flowing and non-free-flowing products, including those prone to packing, caking or smearing, without separating blended ingredients. During rotation, the screw self-centres within the tube, maintaining clearance between screw and tube wall to reduce wear. Material discharges below the drive point, keeping it clear of bearings and seals.
Designed for changeovers
Quick-disconnect clamps near the drive point, together with a cleanout cap at the opposite end of the conveyor, allow the screw to be removed and cleaned quickly during product changeovers, a relevant feature for facilities running multiple formulations or allergen-sensitive lines.
The unit is aimed at food, ingredient and bulk material processors seeking a single conveyor capable of drawing from several upstream sources while limiting degradation and cross-contamination risk during material transfer.
- For more information, visit: flexicon.com
