Conveyor Wraps Up Dilemma

When Delimex (San Diego, CA) relocated to a new $10 million, 92,000-sqft facility in July 1997, it was riding on a high— a 20 percent annual growth rate nearly doubled its operation in the past two years. Its Taquito product line, a wrapped flour or corn taco with chicken, beef or cheese filling, is flying off club and retail shelves. Other products include several varieties of tamales and Oriental rice bowls.

But Delimex had one problem in its new facility. "We [had] to transport 8,000 lb./hr. of fragile Taquitos from six fryers, located at floor level, to two spiral freezers, 15 feet up the wall while maintaining sanitary conditions," says Mike Salek, engineering and maintenance manager. "Minimal floor space negated incline conveyors and bucket lifters would damage the freshly fried Taquito shell."

Kamflex Corp. stepped in to resolve this deli dilemma and supplied a sanitary conveyor system with an Intralox Series 800 perforated flat top belt having three-inch scoop flights. "We knew we needed an easily cleanable line, which could be "shoe-horned" into the tight space available. They came back with a line that fit our criteria perfectly."

Conveyor construction includes polished 304 stainless steel with clean-out ports on each side for sanitizing the backside of the belt. Delimex may add CIP (clean in place) systems to the drive and idler shaft at a later date. Stainless steel bearing housings and inserts withstand high-pressure washdowns. One-inch stand-offs between legs and frame eliminate metal to metal crevices that also ease sanitation.

"Our 24-inch-wide belt's and 3-inch-high scooped flights gently handle about 12 Taquitos per flight, lifting them almost vertically to a transfer belt system feeding our two freezer," adds Salek. "Four fry lines converge and feed one freezer while two fryers feed the second."

"The whole process worked so well that we literally installed the line and forgot about it. That is the way all equipment purchases should be."

Kamflex Corporation, 555 Kimberly Dr., Carol Stream, IL 60188. Tel: 630-682-1555.