Seals remove loading bay contamination risk
Dock sealing solutions are commonplace but one company is claiming a first with a solution that allows trucks to open doors into a fully sealed warehouse.
Esidock says it has revolutionised the drive-through loading process where high levels of security, sanitation and energy conservation are demanded.
Conventional loading bays tend to be designed in such a way that the operator must firstly open the truck doors and then reverse into the docked position. This process exposes the contents of the trailer to risks such as temperature changes, wildlife, theft or dust while waiting to be unloaded.
The truck rests on rubber bumpers integrated within the leveller assembly placed on the building face and doors generally close on top of the leveller.
The Esidock solution differs by allowing the truck to reverse up to rest on a bumper assembly. When docked, the system retracts the bumpers, engages the four sided seal and when the process is complete the door to the warehouse opens automatically or when an operator requests it to.
If the application requires it, a flexible four sided environmental seal engulfs the trailer prior to the warehouse doors being opened. Esidock has commissioned independent studies that demonstrate savings of up to £6,000 per bay per annum dependent on site positioning.
The Esidock closes the warehouse doors in front of a telescopic leveller with 1 metre extension to ensure a complete seal both physically and thermally.
Also claimed as an industry first, the doors of the docked vehicle can be opened into the loading bay by a wide variety of truck heights.
Esidock has two key offerings:
– Esidock Doors-in Solution.
– Esidock Environmental Seal. Adds to the Doors-in solution with energy saving and contamination protection.
The company anticipates its product will help tackle security, hygiene, temperature control and facility contamination during the loading and unloading processes for companies transporting food, chilled goods and pharma related products.
Esidock has patented the system in the UK and worldwide. The product has been used extensively by one of the food industry’s largest producers for almost two years and has been met with approval by staff and visiting audit teams, says Esidock. The company has also recently secured a major contract to install Esidock systems at a new blood plasma storage and distribution plant.
Esidock MD Andrew Stewart says: “We are the first to be able to dock a truck with doors closed, retract the bumpers away hydraulically and seal all four sides of the truck including the bottom by way of a retractable inflatable seal.
“This creates a temperature controlled environment so the truck doors can be opened into the warehouse. This all achieved automatically.”
The Doors-in Solution comes without the seals but is said to offer efficiency improvements in yard movements and security as the truck doesn’t need to stop short of the bumpers to open its doors. The load or driver are never exposed.
Andrew adds: “We believe the full seal solution can also remove the need for a marshalling area in a new warehouse design as there is no reason not to open straight to freezer. This is a cost saving consideration in any new build or renovation.”
Esidock is part of the MCR Group.
