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Fruit & Vegetable Conveyors

Fruit and vegetable processing puts glass, water and sticky product on the same line. Jars have to stay upright and unmarked through washing and filling, floors and frames get wet, and the product itself is sugary enough to find every gap it can. LVP Automation builds stainless steel conveyor systems for preserves and produce lines, usually tying new equipment into machinery that is already in place.

The build below was for Chivers, on their jam and marmalade line. If you are planning or reworking a line, see conveyor system design. For the equipment itself, see slat chain conveyors and plastic belt conveyors, and where new equipment has to work with existing machinery, PLC programming. We are based in Finglas, Dublin 11 and work with producers across Ireland.

On this page
Jam and Marmalade Jar Line, Chivers
Handling Glass on a Wet Line
Common Questions

Jam and Marmalade Jar Line, Chivers

Chivers, a major name in the preserves market, were putting in a new jar washer and filler on their jam and marmalade line and needed the conveying to match it. LVP Automation supplied and installed the system, working around a line that was still in production.

The conveyor is a stainless steel slat band, which suits glass: the slats give jars a flat, continuous surface so they travel upright with minimal jostling through washing and filling, and stainless takes the wet environment and the sugar. The new section was integrated with the machinery already in place rather than replacing it, and the whole installation was completed in two weeks.

What the Jar Line Delivers

  • Stainless Steel Slat Band Conveyor: A durable and food-safe option, ideal for conveying jars of jam and marmalade through washing and filling processes.
  • Smooth Product Movement: The slat chain conveyor design ensures that jars travel efficiently along the production line with minimal jostling or interruptions.
  • Total System Integration: The new conveyor system was fully integrated with the existing machinery, enhancing production without requiring significant changes.
  • Minimal Disruption to Operations: The project was completed with minimal disruption to Chivers' production line, ensuring continuous operations.
  • Quick Turnaround: LVP completed the entire installation within just 2 weeks, keeping downtime to a minimum.
  • Increased Productivity: The new system significantly improved production flow, helping Chivers meet market demand more efficiently.

Handling Glass on a Wet Line

Glass on a wet line behaves differently to almost anything else. A jar that tips is not just a lost unit, it is a stoppage and a clean-up, so the things that matter are the ones that keep it upright: a flat continuous carrying surface, guide rails set for the jar rather than the line, and control over how hard jars push against each other when the filler pauses.

The environment does the rest of the work on the specification. Water gets everywhere, sugar goes tacky as it dries, and both end up in whatever crevices the frame provides. That points at stainless, at slat band rather than anything with pockets to trap product, and at building the frame so it drains and can be cleaned rather than merely hosed.

Common Questions

Can you integrate with a new washer or filler? Yes, and it is a common reason people call. The Chivers line was built around a new jar washer and filler going into an existing production line, with the conveying tying the new equipment to what was already there.

Can it be installed without shutting the line down? Often, largely. The Chivers installation was completed in two weeks with minimal disruption to production. How far that is possible depends on where the tie-in points are and how much can be built off-line first.

Why slat band for jars rather than a belt? A slat band gives a flat, continuous surface with no give in it, which keeps glass upright and stops jars rocking as they move. On a line where product is being washed and filled, that stability matters more than almost anything else.

Does the wet, sugary environment change the build? Yes, and mostly in the frame rather than the conveyor. Sugar residue and constant water decide the material, how the frame drains, and whether there are enclosed sections where product can sit. It is worth being specific about the cleaning regime before anything is specified.

Do you work on lines you did not install? Yes. Much of our work ties new equipment into machinery from other suppliers.

Where do you cover? We are based in Finglas, Dublin 11 and work with customers across Ireland.

Let's Connect

Have a question about our conveyor systems or need a tailored automation solution for your business? Our team at LVP Automation is here to help. Fill out the form below with your details, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Whether you need a quote, technical support, or more information on our products, we’re ready to assist.

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