Pumps, Sampling and Plastic Labware for Laboratory, Industry, and Science
Sampling for monitoring and analysis plays a large and important role in quality assurance in modern production processes. Very precise material analyses can be carried out using technical methods, but samples must first be taken carefully and professionally to avoid innacurate and hence worthless analytical results. The quality and purity of the materials used to manufacture samplers and similar devices is a crucial factor here in order to keep external sample contamination to an absolute bare minimum.
Disposable samplers minimise the risk of sample cross-transfer which may occur with reusable devices. The Bürkle range of disposable samplers are individually packaged and manufactured under cleanroom conditions, available also as sterilised versions. They do not have to be cleaned beforehand and can be safely disposed of immediately after use.
To maintain the highest standards with regard to purity and sterility, Bürkle has developed a single-use sampler product line. In particular, the disposable samplers from the LaboPlast™ and SteriPlast™ brands are manufactured and individually packed in a Class 7 cleanroom (10,000). The SteriPlast™ samplers are then sterilised by gamma irradiation. All products feature EU food approval and FDA approval status.
Bürkle disposable samplers – DispoSamplers – are used to take samples of liquids, viscous media, powders and granulates. Target point samples, multi-layer and cross-sectional samples, as well as small and large sample quantities can all be taken quickly and easily.
These scoops, spatulas, spoons, scrapers and forceps are not only coloured blue but also have a special additive in the material that makes them visible to metal detectors or X-rays. These products can therefore be rejected by standard systems for detection of foreign objects, even though they are made of plastic.
Bürkle SteriPlast™ products are high-quality, ergonomically shaped disposable products that are specially designed and optimised for sampling purposes. They are produced, assembled and individually packed in Bürkle’s own cleanroom and then sterilised by gamma irradiation.
LaboPlast™ is the Bürkle brand for the highest quality plastic products that have been specially designed and developed to optimally meet the demanding and specialised sampling requirements of laboratories, industry and other scientific environments. Here LaboPlast™ stands for the best quality, excellent craftsmanship and outstanding material properties.
With our new LaboPlast™ Bio and SteriPlast™ Bio product lines, we offer you products that feature all the properties necessary for high-quality sampling. With improved technical specifications, we can now offer these products in environmentally friendly bio-plastic. Also, LaboPlast™ bio-products are only manufactured from renewable raw materials. SteriPlast™ bioproducts are also sterilised by gamma irradiation.
The shade of blue plastic that is used in the manufacture of this sampler range does not occur in a natural form in foodstuffs. Therefore, these items can be quickly found and easily identified in a visual check if they are ever accidentally mixed into production. The use of blue tools such as this helps to meet the requirements of the HACCP hazard analysis and assessment in reference to foreign objects. This is an important criterion, especially in food processing and production and in the animal feed and pharmaceutical industries.
Dangerous liquids must never be dispensed by simply pouring them out from a bottle, barrel or other container. Even the use of a funnel does not provide the required degree of safety when bottling dangerous liquids. Inadequate liquid dispense procedures can lead to:
Bürkle offers a wide range of pumping devices for manually dispensing liquids from containers, canisters, drums and tanks.
So, safely dispensing dangerous liquids from a bottle or barrel must be the number one priority and investing in a suitable pump or similar device will be an important investment for you and your colleagues.
Apart from the size and type of the container, the required flow capacity and compatibility with the chemicals being pumped are important considerations when choosing the right pump for your application. Not only does the pump have to be chemically resistant to the liquids being transferred, but specific occupational safety and environmental protection regulations must also be taken into consideration.
Electric pumps are the first choice for dispensing large quantities of liquid at a fixed location. Their higher pumping capacity saves time and requires less manual effort. However, the purchase of an expensive electric barrel pump is not always practical or economical; for example, there may no on-site electrical supply, especially outdoors or in a materials storage facility. So, manual pumps are an interesting alternative to electric pumps for filling off small quantities due to their independence from a power supply, and also at a much reduced cost.
Pumps that work according to the excess pressure principle are suitable for dispensing required quantities from canisters and small drums up to a capacity of approximately 60 litres. Air is pumped into the container using a pumping ball or pumping piston. This creates excess pressure in the container and the liquid is forced out via the immersion tube.
Barrel pumps are suitable for larger barrels and open containers. They draw in the liquid and then eject it. This family of pumps is characterised by their robust construction, good pumping capacity and simple handling. Different immersion tube lengths mean that the pumps fit most commercially available containers. Low-mounted suction valves ensure that almost all the residual liquid is removed.
The most suitable pumps are robust industrial pumps made from top-quality materials such as polypropylene (PP) for acids and alkalis, or stainless steel V2A (1.4301) for flammable liquids. We always recommend the use of PTFE seals. Always check that the material is resistant to the liquids being pumped.
When sampling, a small, randomly selected amount is taken from a larger overall quantity. These samples often serve as the basis for the quality assurance protocols, and so the correct procedure for taking spot samples is a critical matter, because only with representative and authentic samples can reliable information about the quality, properties or composition of a particular material be assessed.
Bürkle offers a wide range of disposable and sterile sampling equipment for bulk goods, liquids, viscous substances, soil, ice and meat with comprehensive accessories and ancillary products.
Very precise material analyses can be carried out with the most up-to-date technology. However, the technology is rendered worthless if an error occurs when the sample is taken which persists through all phases of the analysis, leading to a final, erroneous quality check result.
Correct information about the properties of a material can only be acquired if the sample is taken properly in the first place. The key point is that the properties and composition of the sample quantity must represent the properties of the entire batch as a whole.
Choosing the right sampling equipment depends on many different selection criteria. These include the material properties of the sampler as well as on the type of sampling, the container or the site where the material under test is stored, and the frequency with which the sampling is carried out. In addition to individual requirements for sampling, all equipment should fulfil the basic principles outlined below:
All sampling devices must themselves be manufactured from inert materials which pose little or no risk of contamination or reaction with the material actually under test. Note that an 'inert' sampler is partially defined by the material it is destined to test! As a general rule, samplers made of stainless steel and high-quality plastic such as PTFE are the most suitable.
With traditional reusable samplers, it should be easy and quick to clean reusable sampling equipment and, under certain conditions, to sterilise it. As an alternative to reusable devices, especially for the food industry, Bürkle offer sterile-packed disposable samplers which can be disposed of after use.
Reusable samplers must not have any grooves or crevices where sample material can collect and cannot be easily removed by cleaning. This means that cross-contamination and memory effects cannot be ruled out.
If you choose to use reusable samplers it is critical that their surfaces are especially smooth, for example, electro-polished stainless steel or PTFE. This prevents material from being deposited and simplifies cleaning. If you use reusable sampling equipment, you must ensure that it is also finished properly on the inside. Equipment with only a smooth external surface will not meet any quality standards.
LaboPlast™ is the Bürkle brand for high-quality plastic products that have been specially designed and developed to optimally meet the demanding and specialised requirements of laboratories industry and science. So, LaboPlast™ stands for the best quality, excellent craftsmanship and outstanding material properties.
Try our products and get to know and appreciate our LaboPlast™ product lines!
Bürkle SteriPlast™ products are high-quality, ergonomically shaped disposable products that are specially designed and optimised for sampling purposes. They are produced, assembled and individually packed in Bürkle’s own cleanroom and then sterilised by gamma irradiation (min. 10 kGy).
Therefore, SteriPlast™ products meet all the requirements for absolutely sterile sampling with first class certification.
LaboPlast™ bio-products are only manufactured from renewable raw materials. To create a completely sustainable product, the individual packaging is also made of bio-PE. This is 100% recyclable and is manufactured without the use of fossil energy, contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
The perfect combination of high quality and environmental sustainability!
SteriPlast™ bio-products are only manufactured from renewable raw materials are then sterilised by gamma irradiation (min. 10 kGy). To create a completely sustainable product, the individual packaging is also made of bio-PE. This is 100 % recyclable and is manufactured also without the use of fossil energy, thus contributing to an overall reduction in CO2 emissions.
The perfect combination of high quality, sterility and environmental sustainability!
Pumps, samplers and laboratory equipment: Bürkle products make work in the pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries easier and safer. Our focus is on professional sampling and safe filling of aggressive liquids. Awarded several times by Fisher Scientific, including European Supply Chain Award and European Rising Supplier Star, we have also been certified as a climate-neutral company due to our sustainable actions. Highest possible quality and continuous innovations are the top priorities at Bürkle!