Overhead conveyor systems support fresh produce companies in decreasing material handling costs. “Some people call them ‘monorails’ or chain conveyors, but these are the type of conveyors that are installed above the operators,” says Karl Scholz with PACLINE. The conveyors are attached to the ceiling of the building, leaving room for operators to walk under the conveyors. The conveyors with standard or custom carriers deliver shipping cartons to the sorter chutes and operators can remove them from the conveyor when required. “It results in a cleaner, safer and more efficient work space,” added Scholz.
PACLINE’s best application is in delivering empty cartons to the packing areas of the facility. The sortation machinery is capable of delivering a high volume of fruit or vegetables to many packing desks located along both sides of the sorter, but there is not enough room to bring in knocked cartons for assembly due to lack of time and lack of space.
The conveyors serve a basic function- they carry cartons from point A to point B. It is ideal to assemble the shipping cartons in an area that is removed from the high activity of the grading sorter chutes. That way, there are no wooden pallets, packing materials, and forklifts working around people in the congested area of the sorter.
High-volume operations
“We have been most successful in fruit packing operations, where apples, cherries, peaches and citrus are handled,” declared Scholz. “We have also had success in the vegetable packing side, but the greatest efficiencies can be made in high-speed operations that handle high volume. Our product is very beneficial to packing house operations that take a close look at the cost of material handling in their facilities.“
Cost reduction
PACLINE’s overhead conveyor system has several benefits, including:
- Reduction in congestion at the sorter chutes.
- Efficiency gains through reduced material handling and concentration of work functions.
- Safety of workers.
In addition, the system allows for a cleaner working environment. Not having wood pallets in the packing area decreases the chance of possible contamination by mice or bugs.
Global exports
PACLINE manufactures their conveyor systems at its plant in Toronto, Canada, but the equipment is being exported all around the world. The company’s main markets for produce packing applications are the US, specifically California and Washington, as well as South America. PACLINE can make a ‘kit’ of parts with installation instructions or can take care of everything including installation anywhere in the world.
For more information:
Karl Scholz
PACLINE Overhead Conveyors
Tel: (+1) 800-955-8860
(+1) 800-955-8860 FREE
(+1) 800-955-8860 FREE