Containment Tool Box The potency of APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) in OSD (Oral Solids Dosage) formulations has been increasing for years and the number of...
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Anti – Segregation
How It Works
Historically, production processes that involve blended or fragile products going through a vertical drop have required special care, yet problems have continued to vex manufacturers and suppliers alike – until now.
The Custom Powder Systems EZ-Down system provides gentle and controlled mass flow during gravity material transfers without damage, degradation, or segregation of the product. It can also be used to start and stop product flow intermittently by inflating and deflating the bladder during the discharge process, which is key to the system’s success.
When used with blended powders, the flow control capability of this system eliminates free-fall-induced product segregation that is commonly encountered in all types of facilities that deal with dry material handling. When used with friable whole products, such as uncoated tablets, the system eliminates chipping or other typical handling damages caused by vertical drops.
This system greatly reduces product loss and maintains the blend of a product from the first package filled to the last, saving production time and costs while improving productivity and profitability.
During operation, compressed air inflates the bladder that pinches the lay-flat tubing, preventing product flow. With the assistance of a vacuum pump, a blower then draws pressurized air from the bladder at a slow, controlled rate, moving the product down to the discharge point. Finally, re-inflating the bladder stops the product flow by gently closing the lay-flat discharge tubing.
Components Include:
- Bladder Assembly: Consists of an 8” diameter clear polycarbonate tube construction with an external stainless steel wire protective cage. The inside of the shell is wrapped with a FDA approved inflating bladder. The mounting flange is located at the upper extremity of the Bladder to allow the unit to be supported from a thru-floor seal assembly. A 304 stainless steel clamp with a rubber compression sleeve is provided to seal the bladder to the outer shell.
- Product Tubing Kit: Includes one roll of disposable, static conductive “lay-flat” FDA-approved clear polyethylene tubing. Lay-flat tubing is the product contact membrane placed inside the pressure shell that is compressed by the bladder during product letdown. The lay-flat is connected to the discharge of the docking station above and the inlet of the tablet press below. Lay-flat tubing is consumable and must be replaced periodically during cleaning or product changeover. The kit also contains two quick release band clamps with o-rings to attach to the lay-flat tubing; the o-ring is first placed over the tubing then the band clamp is secured over the o-ring to uniformly seal the lay-flat tubing to the system inlet and outlet connections.
- Controls: Generally consist of a PLC (Programmable Logic Control) to govern the entire system operation. Operator interface is made through a color touch screen. The entire EZ-Down system is controlled through this HMI (Human Machine Interface) panel. An auxiliary control panel can be shipped loose for mounting in the tablet press or other process room downstairs. The auxiliary panel incorporates push buttons to start, pause, and end the IBC discharge cycle.
- Pneumatic System: Composed of a stainless steel enclosure plumbed to a common air line connection point. It includes a filter/regulator, an OSHA lockable disconnect, electrically powered solenoid valves, and other associated pneumatic components.
Anti-Segregation Options
Video Gallery
The reason behind the name “Custom” Powder.