Food Industry

Coffee

Wide Range of Coffee Processing Types

Coffee production from seed to cup is complex, and whether it's whole beans, ground, freeze-dried, granulated, or powdered, there are many different processes involved.

Then there are the varied packaging methods - it can be bagged, made into vacuum-packed bricks, put in jars or tins, made into coffee 'bags,' and of course, there are a huge variety of the massively popular 'pods' used in many home coffee machines.

BFM® fitting is used by some of the world's biggest coffee manufacturers throughout their production processes.

Advantages of BFM® fitting in the Coffee Industry

No crevices to collect product so no build-up or contamination risk. Superior seal means they're safe for use in CIP cleaning cycles.

A cleaner healthier factory, and safer, easier connector changeovers make for a better work environment for staff.

Have a wide range of products that conform to important global standards such as 3A, USDA, FDA, EC & ATEX.

Fewer clean-ups and replacements plus faster, easier changeovers mean more production up-time.

Coffee Bean Processing

BFM® fitting's Seeflex connectors are very strong and resist abrasion well, however, some products and processes, such as sifting coffee beans, can present a particularly challenging environment. Roasted coffee beans (shown left), for example, are passed through a sifter with a significant throw at high temperature.

To avoid any potential damage to the connector walls and to prolong the life of the connector, our recommendation for these type of applications is to install a 'flow correction' ring inside the inlet (top) spigot to help direct the flow of product away from the walls of the connector.

Find Out More About Flow Correction

Coffee Industry Applications

BFM® fittings outperform traditional hose-clamped systems in every processing application and condition. Did you know that we don't only produce Seeflex connectors? We have a wide range of connectors in a variety of materials that operate across a wide range of conditions meaning that we have solutions for many applications in the coffee industry.

The constant movement of sifters & sieves puts stress on flexible connections between equipment, and often causes problems like poor sealing, leaks and failures.

Metal Detector applications can be a challenging environment for traditional clamped connector systems because steel cannot be in near proximity to the detector.

Proper cleaning of your pipes and in-line fittings is important during CIP, and having a flexible connector that can handle the chemicals and won't leak is essential.

Processors often operate equipment under negative pressure to avoid leaking product out of machinery, but you need to ensure your connectors seal properly too.

If you operate under pressure, we know keeping your product inside your process brings all sorts of challenges, usually around dust control and connector failure.

Static dissipative connectors like the BFM® fitting range will help reduce the chance of spark discharges occurring that can potentially ignite combustible dust explosions.

Getting Started with BFM® fittings

Get in touch with one of our local Authorized BFM® fitting Distributors to help find the right solution for you. They will help work through what you want to achieve and how BFM® fitting can improve your plant.

Contact a Distributor

Examples of BFM® fitting Coffee Processing

Multiple Seeflex 020E connectors on a coffee mixer.

UNDER SPRAY-DRIER, SWITZERLAND, Coffee, BFM

WHOLE COFFEE BEANS PASSING THROUGH A BFM® SEEFLEX 040E CONNECTOR.

HIGH TEMPERATURE RESISTANT TEFLEX BFM® CONNECTORS USED IN COFFEE ROASTING (180 DEGREES C), GERMANY.

BREATHABLE LM4 CONNECTOR WITH A KEVLAR COVER CONNECTING AN AIR-HEATER FOR DRYING COFFEE WITH HOT AIR, SWITZERLAND.

TAPERED BFM® USED AT SPRAY-DRYING PLANT - ORIGINAL SYSTEM ON LEFT, BFM® ON RIGHT.

USING THE SNAP FIT BFM® FITTING CONNECTORS MEANS THEY'RE FAST & EASY TO REMOVE FOR CLEANING.

Note: Even though the connectors above are not installed 100% correctly, they still don't leak! (Only the bottom ridge of the connector is seated inside the spigot - both ridges should be inside the spigot).

Frequently Asked Questions

Have Seeflex connectors been successfully used with ground coffee and are there any effects of the coffee oils on the materials?

We have BFM^® fitting running with coffee in a number of plants around the world. There is no difference in terms of connector life than any other general application, it will depend on the conditions. There have been no problems with oils from coffee affecting the media.