SOSHH® SF-ClearFlex™ Transparent TPU Snap-In Flexible Connector
100% Visual Powder Inspection | Zero Force Scale Isolation | FDA & EC Certified
![SOSHH transparent food grade TPU snap-in flexible sleeve with blue cuffs]()
![SOSHH flexible connector isolating vibration on loss in weight feeder weigh scale]()
![80mm spigot installation gap and vertical alignment guide for weighing bellows]()
![SOSHH SF-ClearFlex transparent TPU flexible sleeve with stainless steel spigots exploded assembly view]()
🧩 3-Piece Tool-Free Modular System
The SOSHH® SF-ClearFlex™ system is engineered as a seamless 3-piece modular assembly designed for 100% tool-free installation and rapid CIP washdowns:
- Upper Stainless Steel Spigot (SS304 / SS316L): Welded to upstream hoppers or loss-in-weight feeders with a precision internal seating groove.
- SOSHH® SF-ClearFlex™ TPU Sleeve: Features flexible blue elastomeric end cuffs that snap directly into the internal spigot grooves within 3 seconds—no hose clamps, levers, or bolts required.
- Lower Stainless Steel Spigot (SS304 / SS316L): Welded to downstream extruders or receivers, maintaining vertical concentricity and zero-leak sealing.
📊 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Technical Specification |
|---|
| Material Body | 100% Ether-based Virgin TPU (0.9mm - 1.2mm wall) |
| End Seals | High-Elastic Blue Elastomer Snap-Fit Cuffs |
| Required Installation Gap (IG) | Exactly 80 mm (3 5/32") for stress-free flex |
| Temperature Range | -20°C to +80°C (-4°F to 176°F) continuous |
| Pressure Rating | Atmospheric to -10 KPa (Anti-vacuum option available) |
| Regulatory Compliance | FDA 21 CFR 177.1680, EC 1935/2004, EU 10/2011 |
| Target Media | Dry powders, milk powder, granules, food additives, pharma APIs |
🛠️ Key Engineering Features
1. Dual-Point Isolation for High-Precision Weighing
Vibration from upstream hoppers or downstream extruders creates signal noise on load cells, causing scale drift. SOSHH® SF-ClearFlex™ creates a stress-free mechanical barrier:
- Upper Inlet Isolation: Absorbs shock loads from bulk storage bins before reaching the load cell.
- Lower Outlet Isolation: Prevents back-pressure and lateral pipe vibration from interfering with scale tare values.
- Zero Spring Effect: Flexes naturally without exerting vertical or side forces on weighing sensors.
2. 100% Optical Clarity for Instant Flow Monitoring
Opaque rubber or fabric sleeves obscure internal material drops, forcing unnecessary line shutdowns to inspect blockages. Ether-based transparent TPU allows operators to visually verify powder flow and detect bridging instantly.
3. Dust-Tight Snap-In Sealing (Zero Powder Leakage)
Precision blue elastic end cuffs seat directly into internal spigot grooves. The snap-fit mechanical interlock forms a 100% dust-tight seal, eliminating fine powder clouds and maintaining cleanroom standards without requiring hose clamps.
4. High Tear & Abrasion Resistance
Delivers 3x to 5x higher tear strength than silicone or thin fabric sleeves, withstanding continuous orbital movement on vibrating sifters without cracking or shedding micro-particles into the product stream.
📐 Spigot Welding & Critical Installation Protocol
To guarantee optimum weighing accuracy and long sleeve life, proper spigot alignment on site is critical. Side-loads caused by misaligned pipework will corrupt load cell readings.
Plaintext
Upper Spigot
┌──────────┐
─────┴──────────┴─────
▲
│ Installation Gap (IG) = EXACTLY 80 mm (3 5/32")
│ (Use 80mm spacer block during tack-welding)
▼
─────┬──────────┬─────
└──────────┘
Lower Spigot
- Maintain the 80 mm Installation Gap (IG):Spigots must be installed with an exact 80 mm gap between the mounting rims. This allows the central bellows to sit in a neutral, stress-free state.
- Use an 80 mm Spacer Block During Welding:Clamp an 80 mm spacer block (min. length 180 mm / 7") between upper and lower spigots while welding. Leave the spacer clamped until welds cool completely to account for thermal metal shrinkage.
- Zero-Offset Vertical Alignment:Upper and lower spigots must be 100% vertically concentric and parallel. Any angular offset forces the connector into a twisted state, creating side loads that destroy weighing accuracy.
🏬 Typical Application Points
- Loss-in-Weight (LIW) Feeder Inlets & Outlets: Eliminates scale signal interference during micro-dosing (<5kg/h).
- Vibrating Sifters & Gyratory Screeners: Absorbs high-frequency vibration without flexing fatigue.
- IBC Tote Filling & Discharge Stations: Prevents dust escape during batch powder transfers.
- Twin-Screw Extruder Feed Throats: Isolates extruders from sensitive dosing equipment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the 80 mm installation gap (IG) critical for weighing connectors?
A: If the gap is less than 80 mm, the sleeve becomes compressed and pushes outward; if greater than 80 mm, it pulls tight. Both conditions create artificial tension on the load cell, corrupting batching accuracy. An exact 80 mm gap guarantees zero force transmission.
Q: Is SOSHH® SF-ClearFlex™ compatible with standard snap-in spigots?
A: Yes. The elastic blue snap cuffs are manufactured to precise international dimensions, fitting standard 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm internal groove spigots without special tools.
Q: Can this connector be customized for non-standard heights or diameters?
A: Yes. SOSHH® provides rapid custom fabrication for non-standard outer diameters, custom offset geometries, and high-temperature requirements with fast global dispatch.
🚀 Request Engineering Specs & Sample Kits
Upgrade your powder processing line with zero-leak, precision-weighing flexible engineering.
