Francis Ward Powder Handling
21 January 2005
Francis Ward, the rotational plastic manufacturer of reusable intermediate bulk containers, has over the years built up a range of IBC’s for solids, powders and granules. The company’s typical market has long been chemical and hazardous goods industries, but it was the inroads into other markets such as food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical that helped develop the IBC’s for the storing of dry goods.
Francis Ward offers plastic composite IBC’s and stainless steel IBC’s for dry goods handling. The Composite IBC range is branded as DGC’s. The conical outlets vary from 60, 90 and 120. This is to allow for different flow rates of powders. The DGC 60 has very steep sloping walls, helping those powders or granules that have difficulty flowing, whereas the DGC 120 has gentle slopes for easy following dry goods. The result is that the DGC range can offer a solution for all dry good storage.
The inner liner of the DGC range is made by rotational moulding plastic. This ensures the liner is seamless inside with no catchment areas for foodstuff or any product to get trapped. The smooth interior also allows for easy cleaning. The plastic itself due to the process of manufacture is extremely durable to cope with heavy-duty wear and tear.
The stainless steel IBC’s that Francis Ward supply are the TSIS and TSIS/O. Both are single unit stainless steel bodies that are complaint to UN II. With being stainless steel the IBC’s are very durable and easily cleanable, particularly important for contamination sensitive production areas.
The result is that Francis Ward’s range of IBC’s are used to contain goods for the food industry, cereals and sugar; through to the construction industry with cement and lime powder. It is ironic that the DGC’s are also employed to store the plastic powder that eventually makes up the inner liner.
Francis Ward believes that what sets it apart from the competition, is its willingness to listen to customers and adapt its standard range to suite the requirements of the customer. David Horn, the Sales Manager states ‘Francis Ward can potentially give the customer the exact product to fit their needs.’ A tea manufacture came to Francis Ward, wanting a solution to emptying the non-flow, very fine tealeaves for its existing containers. Francis Ward designed a steep sided, wide outlet with a vacuum take-off adapter to feed the leaves directly into the customers packaging solutions. With a confectionery manufacturer, Francis Ward simply widened the outlet of the DGC to prevent clogging by sticky hard-boiled sweets at the neck.
