Inspecting the product inside your machinery - especially during operation - can be challenging.
If you have traditional inspection hatches or ports, they need to be opened (risking product spillage and/or contamination) and then replaced to see the product inside your equipment. This takes time and can be difficult depending on the mechanism to seal them closed again. Rubber or silicon 'bungs' commonly used on sifters etc. can also 'pop' off if not replaced correctly or if there is any sudden increase in pressure.
A solution being used increasingly by manufacturers around the world is the BFM® Blanking Cap.
The transparent solution that seals 100%
The BFM® Blanking cap is transparent, so you can easily look inside and see your product flow without having to remove and replace it. It also uses the patented BFM® blue-band snap-fit sealing solution where the shaped cuff sits inside the corresponding BFM® Spigot, providing a 100% seal.
Our Blanking Caps are made from BFM®'s signature Seeflex 040E, an extremely strong urethane. Because BFM® fitting system products seal from the 'inside' of the port, any increase in pressure is easily handled as it simply pushes the cap cuff outwards into the steel spigot, improving the seal.
The ideal alternative to inspection hatches that you need to open to see inside (above left) as you can have constant visibility with a transparent BFM® Blanking Cap (above right).
You can comfortably leave the Blanking Cap in place during operations for most equipment, so they're ideal for use on sifters, and can handle both pressure and vacuum. They can also be snapped in and out as required in an instant if you do need to open the inspection port for any reason (such as product sampling). BFM® Blanking Caps can be installed virtually anywhere in your process you need product visibility or fast, easy access.
Ideal sealing solution for CIP and unused lines
What if you have pipes and inlets to your equipment that you aren't currently using and don't want contaminants getting into your lines? Or if you're about to run a CIP through your equipment but need to keep your final packing area clean & dry?
Both the old 'plastic & tape' method and bolted-on cover are time-consuming to install and to remove when getting production up & running again.
The smart alternative is to install a BFM® fitting Blanking Cap that is simply snapped in and out of a BFM® spigot in a matter of seconds. Our blanking caps are very strong and capable of withstanding a substantial amount of pressure.
They're regularly used on silos, sifters and dryers amongst other things - and will keep both your equipment and your environment clean & dry.
Blanking Caps as bulk container lids
Another popular use for BFM® fitting Blanking Caps is as bulk container lids.
By putting a BFM® spigot on the inlet of the container (like the ones shown adjacent), a BFM® fitting connector can be used during filling, keeping the area and container hygienic, preventing any spillage or contamination.
Then when filling is complete, a BFM® fitting Blanking Cap can easily be snapped on, sealing the container perfectly. They can then be moved around the plant to the next process or stored until required with an easy-access, 100% sealed lid.
BFM® Blanking Bin: Ideal sifter 'overs' bin
The longer version of our Blanking Cap is known as a Blanking Bin (or bucket or sock!) and it's used by a wide variety of industries as a sifter 'overs' bin. It's important for plant operators to be able to see and inspect their overage coming off a sifter, and a clear bin like the BFM® Blanking Bin means you can easily monitor the contents.
Before BFM® (above left) a plastic bag attached with difficult-to-remove hose clips and prone to leakage/mess. After BFM® (above right) the easy snap-fit of the BFM® Blanking Sock/Bin into the spigot means emptying and replacing the bin is fast and simple.
The BFM® Blanking Bin can also be lined with a plastic bag before it's snapped in place...making removal and disposal of the contents even cleaner:
Find out more about the Blanking Cap/Sock and view specifications.
