The external, interlocking flange configuration of the screen frame fully envelops the support ring of the screen, allowing the screen's wire mesh to extend to the interior walls of the frame, eliminating the gap between the screen ring and frame wall.

A new Vibroscreen^® Ultra-Sanitary Screener from Kason Corporation meets cGMP, 3-A, USDA and FDA standards. It features gap-free screen frames, quick release"U" clamps, radius corners, a domed lid, an Air-Lift device to raise the frames, continuous ground and polished welds, a gap-free and crevice-free interior finished to sanitary standards, and a washable underside.

The external, interlocking flange configuration of the screen frame fully envelops the support ring of the screen, allowing the screen's wire mesh to extend to the interior walls of the frame. The design eliminates the gap between the screen ring and frame wall of conventional screeners, eliminating areas where material would otherwise collect.

"The new screener dramatically reduces the possibility of contamination due to bacterial growth, while improving sanitizing efficiency, making it suitable for pharmaceutical, food and dairy applications as well as chemical applications where cross-contamination is a concern," says Henry Alamzad, Kason president.

Screens are mounted to support rings using FDA-approved epoxy, and sealed using FDA-approved gasket material, and can be provided with a mesh tolerance certificate.

The wire mesh screening material is offered in 304, 316 and "magnetic" 400-series stainless steel that, if broken, can be captured by a downstream magnet.

Adding to the unit's cleanliness are a domed lid, discharge spouts with radius corners, continuous weld seams and material contact surfaces polished to a sanitary finish, and a 4-post, open base with stainless steel motor enclosure allowing thorough wash down of the unit's underside and plant floor.

The screener can be equipped with a Clean-In-Place (CIP) spray wash system, and designed to operate under a nitrogen purge.

The explosion-proof, imbalanced-weight gyratory motor is equipped with Kason's "E-Z slide, quick-force" tool-free, weight adjustment system, and is fitted with an optional "Auto Lube" automatic lubrication system that minimizes bearing failure by introducing fresh lubricant onto the bearing race while flushing it of wear materials, broken-down lubricant and contaminants.

The screener is also equipped with the company's "Air-Lift" system, allowing rapid access to the interior of the unit for cleaning, inspection and/or screen changes. Six lockable U-shaped quick disconnect vertical clamps allow disengagement of screen frame sections significantly faster than with conventional band clamps, after which the upper frame can be raised pneumatically and locked in place, reducing downtime and allowing one operator to perform what was previously a two person task, depending on screen diameter.

The controls are housed in a lockable panel and can interface with existing PLCs for remote control.