New Clamp Technology Minimizes Process Contamination in Visual Flow Indicator Design

Contact: Gail Morgan
P.O. Box 1116
Twinsburg, OH 44087
Phone: 330-405-304
Email: gmorgan@ljstar.com

Twinsburg, OH – March 10, 2020 – LJ Star announces an innovative new design concept to visual flow indicator assemblies that eliminates threads and gasket compression problems that lead to contamination.

Designed for hygienic/sterile applications in pharmaceutical, food/beverage, brewery and biotech industries, the new Clamp Type Sterile Visual Flow Indicator, or CT-SVFI, uses a patent-pending design to prevent the o-ring and gasket compression issues that lead to contamination associated with conventional screwed or threaded designs.

The CT-SVFI uses a mechanical stop design rather than screw threads to apply precisely controlled compression to gaskets and o-rings every time. This metal to metal stop provides equal axial force on the o-ring, eliminating a twisting or torsional movement of the seal.  This prevents stretching and bunching of the o-ring resulting in gaps and intrusion that can trap bacteria and contaminants.  Just as beneficial, the design better maintains alignment of the o-ring, glass and metal ID, allowing better drainability than any other inline sight glass on the market.  The CT-SVFI design actually gets to the root of contamination build-up, reducing cleaning issues and frequency.

Moreover, the new design concept offers easier assembly and disassembly than threaded-designed visual flow indicators. The clamp connection eliminates additional tools or specialized equipment for device installation.

The CT-SVFI also offers the largest possible viewing area consistent with mechanical integrity of the component. When compared to typical visual flow indicators, the CT-SVFI allows for a viewing area increase of up to 34 percent with the standard face-to-face dimensions.

The CT-SVFI maintains an EN10204 3.1 certification for steelwork, along with FDA and USP Class VI certified o-rings and is fully compliant with the requirements of the European Pressure Equipment Directive 97 / 23 / EC. L.J. Star’s CT-SVFI uses SF4 (15Ra EP) 316L stainless steel, with full material traceability. EPDM is the traditional o-ring material, with silicone and other options available in tube OD sizes from ½” to 4”. Glass material is high-quality borosilicate glass.

Full product specifications, further details and third-party documentation of standards compliance and product performance are available at www.ljstar.com, via email at info@ljstar.com or by calling 330-405-3040.

About LJ Star
LJ Star Incorporated provides an extensive line of process observation equipment – sight glasses, lights, sanitary fittings, and level gauge instrumentation. Product lines include METAGLAS® Safety Windows, Lumiglas® Explosion Proof Lights and Cameras, the MetaClamp® Sanitary Sight Window, Visual Flow Indicators, Sight Ports, Sanitary Clamps, Magnetic Level Gauges and Gauge Glass. METAGLAS® is the #1 selling fused sight glass, proven in thousands of installations around the world. Unlike some other sight glasses, it meets stringent DIN 7079 and DIN 7080 quality standards, and it is approved for USP Type I use.