Mepaco Blog

Video: Top 10 Dumper Safety Innovations

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:17:40 GMT

In the interest of food safety and personnel safety goals across food processing customers, Mepaco has innovated options to solve these goals. Dumpers are a part of nearly every system and can be the first process in an automated solution. With automation comes food safety and personnel safety issues that these options and features on dumpers, can address. Here are Mepaco’s Top 10 Dumper Safety Innovations:

1. PRS (Pallet Retention System)

The PRS design limits the potential of foreign material entering the product stream, by separating the combo from the pallet in the dump cycle. Upon completion of the dump cycle, the dumper and frame are reunited, and the carriage assembly returns to the start-load position. PRS is available on the DP3000 Pivot Dumper and the HD 3000 High Lift Dumper models.

2. LRS (Pneumatic Liner Retention System)

The LRS controls a device that prevents the liner from separating from the combo and falling into the hopper and food stream. The liner hold-down prevents operators from having to reach and try to control the liner by hand. LRS is available on the DP3000 Pivot Dumper and the HD3000 High Lift Dumper models.

3. Elevated Load Height

Elevated load heights are specified in layouts that may have limited ceiling height available. Whether it benefits production or personnel maneuverability, elevated load heights can be customized into the dumping equipment solution. Elevated load heights are commonly added to DP3000 Dumper models.

4. Stainless Cylinders

Upgrading cylinders to stainless will provide sanitation performance and longevity. Depending on the sanitation protocols, it may extend the cylinder replacement parts rotation.

5. Counterbalance Valve

Counterbalance Valves are engineered for cylinders to safely hold a dumper carriage with load. The counterbalance valve uses back pressure from the power unit to open and bring the carriage down. In the event of a hydraulic line rupture, the carriage will hold in position.

6. Electropolished Chute

Electropolished food contact surfaces help with high food safety standards in a processing environment. An electropolished chute will support efficient sanitation that is cleanable to a microbiological level.

7. Beacon Light

Adding a signaling light alerts faults in applications where safety is an issue. There are several options for Beacon Lights, this video shows a model with a horn.

8. Safety Guarding

Personnel guarding can also be designed for the entire dump-zone footprint. Guarding is engineered for the plant requirements. Another configuration is a pocket door design that allows for safe fork truck access for loading and unloading.

9. Automation & Controls

With a full safety enclosure and controlled dumper system, the load set point, detraction, and down control can be integrated into the HMI (Human Machine Interface). The dump function can also be automatically timed to feed downstream equipment using loss-in-weight or level sensor technology. The safety enclosure can also be designed and controlled to open automatically for loading and pallet removal.

10. Safety Training

If you have operators who are unfamiliar with dumper operation, please inquire with field services and parts. When followed, Mepaco’s manuals, media resources and even a training program if required, will help with the safe operation of your dumper equipment.

Learn more about the Mepaco Dumper line of equipment, on our web page.

10 Ways Dumpers Can Impact Safety

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:44:09 GMT

Mepaco offers equipment products that are engineered specifically for the application required for processing, material handling, or an integrated system. Due to the food safety and personnel safety goals across food processors, Mepaco has innovated options to solve for these goals. Here are 10 modifications to Dumper designs that can impact safety goals starting at the beginning of the processing line.

1. PRS (Pallet Retention System)

The PRS design feature allows the combo to complete the dump cycle while separating from the pallet, limiting the potential for contamination in the food stream. Upon completion of the dump cycle, the dumper and frame are reunited, and the carriage assembly returns to the start-load position.

2. LRS (Pneumatic Liner Retention System)

3. Elevated Load Height

Whether it benefits production or personnel maneuverability, elevated load heights can be customized into the dumping equipment solution.

4. Stainless Cylinders

Upgrading cylinders to stainless will provide sanitation performance and longevity.

5. Stainless Steel pivot bearings

Stainless pivot bearings are another critical component option that are often used in harsh food processing and sanitation environments.

6. Electropolished Chute

Another option is an electropolished chute which promote food safety with efficient sanitation that is cleanable to a microbiological level.

7. Beacon Light

Adding a signaling light alerts faults in applications where safety is an issue.

8. Safety Side Shields

Safety shields are designed to protect personnel from moving components and pinch points.

9. Enclosed Guarding

Personnel guarding can also be designed for the entire dump-zone footprint, optional pocket door designs allow for safe fork truck access for loading and unloading.

10. Automation & Controls

Mepaco offers dumpers with a range of versatility from 48” to 175” dump heights. We also manufacture accessories including lifts, vats, tubs, and buggies for your material handling needs. The tote dumpers (DP3000, HD3000 and LD3000) have a working capacity of 3,000 lbs. (1,361 Kg) and a 45-degree dump angle.

Visit Mepaco’s Dumping Equipment for more information.

Infographic PDF

Animation Highlights Dumper Features that Solve for Food Safety

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:01:28 GMT

Mepaco’s Food Processing customers often opt for custom and modifiable dumping equipment features that provide the highest level of personnel and food safety, highlighted in this animation.

Locking Mechanism: Pallet Retention cylinders secure the pallet on both sides to retain its position during the dump cycle. The locking mechanism is part of the PRS (Pallet Retention System).

Personnel Guarding: In the animation, personnel guarding is demonstrated for the entire dump-zone footprint and includes safety relays that control the e-stop position.

Elevated Load Height: Whether it benefits production or personnel maneuverability, elevated load heights can be customized into the dumping equipment solution.

Pneumatic LRS (Liner Hold Down): A liner hold-down is controlled to enter the tote to prevent the liner from separating from the combo and falling into the hopper. The liner hold-down prevents operators from having to reach and try to control the liner by hand.

PRS (Pallet Retention System): The PRS design feature allows the combo to complete the dump cycle while separating from the pallet, limiting the potential for contamination in the food stream. Upon completion of the dump cycle, the dumper and frame are reunited, and the carriage assembly returns to the start-load position.

The Pallet Retention System (PRS) and the Liner Retention System (LRS) are both available on the DP3000 Pivot Dumper (shown in the animation) and the HD3000 High Lift Dumper models.

Other food and personnel safety options include:

Upgrading from standard cylinders to stainless cylinders
Stainless Steel pivot bearings
Electropolished chute
Safety side shields or other safety cage customization
Beacon light

Visit Mepaco’s Dumping Equipment for more information.