Keep the freshness and crunch in bean sprouts

France's biggest producer of bean sprouts Heng Sieng has automated its packing operation with the installation of two Ishida multihead weighers that combine gentle and hygienic handling with fast and accurate weighing.

Heng Sieng imports mung bean seeds from Asia and germinates them to produce 7,200t of fresh bean sprouts a year.

The firm wanted to overcome the tendency of the sprouts to stick to contact surfaces and avoid damaging the delicate product whose appeal lies largely in its crunchy freshness.

The Ishida CCW-R-214-WS-50-WP features stainless steel, hex- embossed parts that discourage sticking while the double-opening hoppers ensure a decisive transfer of product from pool to weigh hopper and from weigh hopper to discharge chute, while protecting the sensitive shoots from crushing.

The weighers are mounted on gantries above vertical bagmakers, and fed by flighted elevators. Speeds are held in check by the performance of the bagmakers, but the resultant throughput is adequate for current needs.

Contact: Ishida Europe