Maintaining your BFM® system

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From manual cleaning to scheduled Clean In Place (CIP) processes, regular maintenance of your BFM® flexible connector and spigot helps keep your factory free from contaminants and ensures that your process is performing at maximum efficiency.

Wiping Spigots

 

BFM® Is Easy To Clean

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Isoprop_cleaning connector 400x300BFM® fitting makes it easy to keep your factory clean - and keeping your BFM® connectors clean is simple too.

The BFM® fitting are resilient and will outlast many comparable media, although they will naturally wear with usage over time. Good regular maintenance will give you the best possible life.  

You can clean both non-breathable connectors (such as Seeflex 040E) and the breathable connectors (such as LM3) with some simple manual techniques

Important Note: if you are using BFM® connectors during CIP, it is still important to remove and wipe both the connector and spigot clean at the end of each cycle to ensure there is no residue of any chemical cleaning solutions.

Cleaning Guides

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  • Seeflex Connectors
  • Woven Connectors
  • FM1 Breather Bag
  • Clean in Place (CIP)
Seeflex Connectors

Seeflex Connectors

Isoprop_cleaning connector 400x300The best way to clean the BFM® Seeflex connectors is by simply wiping them down with Isopropyl alcohol and a microfibre cloth, which leaves the connectors clear as a window and has the added advantage of sanitizing the connectors.

You can also rinse or wash your BFM® connector using non-corrosive detergents in warm water. It is important that the BFM® connector is wiped clean and dry of any residual chemicals after washing, and the internal surfaces of the BFM® spigots are also wiped clean and dry.

Seeflex Range includes: Seeflex 020E, Seeflex 040E, Seeflex 040AS, Seeflex 060ES, Flexi-Connector, Flexi-Earthed and Flexi-Light.

NOTE: Over time, the chemicals used in CIP may cause a slight yellowing of the Seeflex material, but it will not affect the connector performance or integrity.

Woven Connectors

Woven Connectors

Breathable (or woven) connectors are cleaned slightly differently due to the material they are manufactured with. Woven fabrics such as PTFE and polyester are absorbent and permeable so they are likely to leak liquids, especially when under pressure so CIP is not generally recommended.

Follow the instructions below for best practices when cleaning woven connectors:

  1. Agitate connector in bath of warm water, mild detergent and disinfectants.
  2. If contaminant is milk powder or protein based, soak overnight in 0.5% enzyme based detergent.
  3. Rinse with low pressure hose or fresh water bath.
  4. If sanitation is required, you may need to immerse in a sanitation solution.
  5. Drain BFM® and air dry thoroughly.

Breathable Connectors include: LM3, LM4 and Teflex Woven.

FM1 Breather Bag

FM1 Breather Bag

The FM1 Breather Bag can be washed but it is not recommended.

  • The media has a dust release surface which helps keep it efficient and aids dust release and this will deteriorate making it less effective each time it is washed.
  • It is best to either blow an airgun through (in reverse and not too close), use a vacuum or shake/brush any dust from the breather bag.
Clean in Place (CIP)

Clean in Place (CIP)

BFM® fitting works very well in CIP installations. The tight seal, impervious media and ease of removal make cleaning and maintenance during CIP a breeze.

Our most popular connector, Seeflex 040E, has excellent abrasion and chemical resistance. 

The connector can be used during the CIP process and is very easy to remove for cleaning any residual chemicals. 

Wash Sleeve-white background-400x300pxMany companies like to have a separate connector, especially for the CIP process. BFM® can supply a product that is clearly marked 'Wash Sleeve' (shown adjacent) and the ease of change means this connector can be simply snapped in for the wash cycle only.

For more information, visit our CIP application page. 

Explore the BFM® Advantage by

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BFM® connectors installed on infeed pipes
Our 100% sealed system eliminates dust and product leakage and prevents product build-up meaning better hygiene as well as easy to flush through for cleaning.
Staff Members practicing safe manufacturing with ear muffs

There are no tools required to install BFM® connectors. Simply bend and position the cuff against the grooves of the spigot and release the tension!

BFM® connector being snapped into a spigot

The BFM® fitting flexible connector system provides so many advantages in terms of operational efficiency, it's an investment that pays for itself many times over.

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