CAREFULLY COORDINATED DESIGN DETAILS FOR THE BEST CLEANING EFFECT

The way it works is simple: the stainless steel trays with a maximum depth of 65 millimetres are installed at ground level. These trays contain gratings fitted with brush strips. When a vehicle or an employee crosses the cleaning field, the brushes move mechanically and without any electricity. This is due to the special design of the patented brush strips: they are pre-tensioned so that the bristles protrude a few millimetres above the grating. When loaded by wheels, rollers or soles, vibrations occur. This movement ensures that the dirt is brushed off and falls into the stainless steel tray. Another special feature is the bristles. It is angled so that the walking surfaces are reached as well as possible. The bristles are also of different lengths so that they can penetrate deep into the profiles. A comparison with a toothbrush for profiles comes to mind. But not only the bristles are well thought out, the shape of the brush body is also functional. The roof shape ensures that dirt particles can simply fall downwards. The brush bodies themselves are made of soft and hard PVC and ensure even tension even when temperatures fluctuate greatly.

THE INNOVATIVE CLEANING SYSTEM IN ACTION

Sustainability is part of the family company's philosophy. It is therefore a perfect fit that the ProfilGate® cleaning system works in a resource-saving manner - completely without electricity. The decision to use the "brush carpet" was made not only for reasons of sustainability, but also for process reliability. The cleaning system has been in use in front of the main gate of the loading hall at Bitburger since 2018 and cleans the tyres of the lorries and forklifts as they drive over them. And with tangible results.

"There has been significantly less dirt in the hall since then, we were amazed ourselves at the great yield!"

Axel ReesHead of Warehouse/Loading at Bitburger

"There has been significantly less dirt in the hall since then, we were amazed at the great yield ourselves," summarises Axel Rees, Head of Warehousing/Loading at Bitburger. "Our loading hall is 9600 square metres in size. From here, we load around 180 lorries to destinations all over Europe every day. We had two challenges in the logistics hall: firstly, the fine dust pollution from the lorries and forklift traffic was quite high and secondly, water was being carried inside from the outside via the tyres of the vehicles. The use of a modern ventilation system in conjunction with air purification devices and the switch to large electric forklift trucks made it possible to achieve considerable improvements here. By installing the tyre cleaning system, a way was found to significantly reduce the amount of dirt entering the hall."

A CUSTOMISED SOLUTION TO GET STARTED

The Bitburger brewery became aware of the ProfilGate® cleaning system through a report in the trade press. After a detailed on-site consultation, the decision was made to install a 7.8 m x 3.5 m field. Even the first cleaning zone was customised to the company's requirements: Eight trays were installed, each with a drain to allow the water carried in by the vehicles to run off. By installing the cleaning system, Bitburger can significantly reduce the amount of water carried in and, on top of that, the tyre abrasion from the vehicles is brushed off and collected in the recessed trays. This in turn leads to a further reduction in fine dust. By installing the innovative cleaning system, Bitburger can master two logistical challenges at once - without interrupting logistics operations.

CLEANING SYSTEMS ALSO FOR WET CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

The manufacturer of ProfilGate®, Maschinenfabrik HEUTE, is facing up to the constantly growing demands for cleanliness and is continuously developing the cleaning system. In addition to dry cleaning, HEUTE GmbH is expanding its solutions for wet cleaning and disinfection of tyres, rollers and soles. These models can be filled with water or disinfectant solution. As with the dry versions, there are different fine-mesh gratings and different tub heights. The fill level in the trays is regulated via an overflow nozzle and emptying takes place via an external drain. When driving over and walking over the brush strips are submerged - as in the dry version - and the cleaning fluid reaches the running surfaces of the rollers and soles via the capillary effect. The disinfectant is also fed in: a simple connection option via a medium feed ensures that the liquid enters the tray evenly and can take effect. The microbiological effectiveness of the Aqua series has been tested and confirmed by the Ibelin laboratory in collaboration with the University of Bonn. 
Numerous companies in the food and beverage industry have already found Profilgate® to be a suitable component for their hygiene concept in order to achieve BRC or IFS certification. The system can be easily and reliably integrated into existing operating processes and room concepts and is immediately accepted by employees thanks to its ease of use.