Patented BECKER Quick Out® material lock further optimized

Fig. 1: Functionality of the BECKER QuickOut® lock

Fig. 2: Upper loading chamber with lock and interface

Fig. 3: Lower discharge chamber with 2 active photoelectric sensors for fill level indication

Greatly simple and simply great! This is how the market's response has been to the quick-load lock developed and patented by BECKER Cleanroom Technology, especially for GMP applications.

The material lock allows safe and quick unloading in just one step across multiple cleanroom classes (e.g., from B to D, or CNC).

The material is typically loaded through a lock process per class, meaning that until goods are transferred from outside to a GMP class "B," at least 3 steps must be overcome, during which they are unpacked, cleaned, and pre-commissioned.

Previously, unloading required going back through these 3 stages, which was time- and personnel-intensive, without adding value to the primarily packaged product. Direct unloading across multiple classes was not possible. The reason: the existing material lock technology could not prevent the risk of back-contamination from less clean areas. Not so with the BECKER QuickOut® lock: through an internal two-chamber principle with an integrated chute, there is no longer a risk of particles entering the clean area.

The goods are pushed through a flap in the upper, clean loading area and then slide by gravity into a lower unloading area. Afterwards, the flap and the clean door of the lock are electronically locked, and the lock is purged with sterile air. Only then can the goods be removed from the lower, unclean unloading area.

Now, BECKER Cleanroom Technology has also incorporated additional innovations:

An easily accessible interface allows simple programming and updating of the lock control, door locks, and the setting of rinsing times.

Another innovation: for the unloading area, optical photoelectric sensors can be used to provide variable fill level indicators. Depending on the product size and quantity, signals for emptying the lock can be individually reported to the customer. Only then does the employee from the unclean side come and empty the lock.

The BECKER QuickOut® lock has already been successfully used several times since the patent was granted. Currently, several of these locks are being installed in a §13 manufacturing operation.

The payback periods are very short due to time and cost savings, making them highly attractive for customers in new build projects as well as for retrofitting existing facilities.