Gentle product handling
The sleeve closes around the media, helping reduce trapping, jamming and product damage.
Pinch Valves for Food & Beverage Processing
FOOD & BEVERAGE PROCESSING
Pinch valves built for demanding food processes
AKO pinch valves provide a simple, unobstructed flow path for powders, liquids, solids and delicate products. Flexible sleeve materials, stainless and hygienic connection options, and pneumatic automation make them a practical fit for ingredient handling, conveying, dosing and filling systems.
WHY PINCH VALVES
One flexible sleeve. No internal valve mechanism in the product stream.
Flow is controlled by compressing an elastomer sleeve. When the valve opens, the sleeve returns to an open flow path without a ball, disc or seat obstructing the media. That operating principle is especially useful for products that are abrasive, sticky, granular or easily damaged.
Powder-friendly flow path
Well suited to dry ingredients that can accumulate around conventional valve internals.
Simple maintenance
The elastomer sleeve is the primary wear component and can be replaced without replacing the complete valve.
Food-compatible materials
Food-compatible sleeve materials and stainless or hygienic product connections are available for suitable configurations.
Hygienic options
AKO's VMCE series is intended for demanding hygienic and aseptic applications, including CIP/SIP processes.
Automation ready
Solenoids, pressure regulation, feedback and vacuum accessories can be combined with air-operated valves.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
From ingredient handling to finished-product transfer
Flour, sugar, starch & saltGrains, cereal, malt & seedsSpices & seasoningsSauces & viscous products
Milk & dairy processesOils & products containing fatsBeer, wine & beveragesConfectionery & sweets
Pet food & animal feedPneumatic & vacuum conveyingIngredient dosing & transferFilling systems
AKO PRODUCT FAMILIES
Choose the valve style around the process
The best series depends on line size, connection, media, cleaning requirements, pressure or vacuum, available installation space and the level of automation required.
VERSATILE PNEUMATIC
VMC Series Air-Operated Pinch Valves
A strong general-purpose choice for automated conveying, ingredient transfer, filling and dosing. VMC configurations can be matched to the medium with different sleeve, body and connection materials.
HYGIENIC / ASEPTIC
VMCE Hygienic Pinch Valves
For processes where hygienic design and cleanability are the primary concern. VMCE is AKO's dedicated hygienic/aseptic series with sanitary connection options and designs intended for CIP/SIP processes.
COMPACT / OEM
VMP & VMPX Pinch Valves
Compact air-operated designs for OEM machinery, filling equipment, dosing systems and smaller process lines where installation space is limited.
MANUAL / CONTROL
Mechanical Pinch Valves
Manual or actuated mechanical pinch valves for isolation and control where a permanently supplied air-operated valve is not required.
SLEEVE SELECTION
“Food grade” is only one part of the material decision.
Product composition, oils and fats, temperature, cleaning chemicals, operating pressure, abrasion and required food-contact certification should all be considered when choosing a sleeve. Send us your medium and operating conditions and we can help identify the appropriate configuration.
Get sleeve and valve selection help →VACUUM APPLICATIONS
Using a pinch valve under vacuum?
Strong vacuum inside a process line can affect an elastomer sleeve. AKO's AKOVAC systems are designed specifically to support air-operated pinch valves in vacuum applications. The correct arrangement depends on the valve and process conditions.
View AKO pinch valve accessories →APPLICATION EXAMPLES
Food & beverage case studies
VACUUM CONVEYING
Confectionery production: puffed rice & sweets
A confectionery manufacturer replaced troublesome ball valves in a vacuum conveying system handling sugar- and syrup-coated puffed rice. An AKO DN80 VMC with a food-grade natural-rubber sleeve, stainless product connections and AKOVAC vacuum support provided a more suitable solution for the product and vacuum conditions.
- Medium
- Sugar- and syrup-coated puffed rice
- Valve
- VMC Series, DN80
- Accessory
- AKOVAC vacuum unit
BEVERAGE FILLING
Beer barrel filling
AKO pinch valves have been used to regulate beer during barrel filling in a high-cycle production environment. The application demonstrates the combination of frequent cycling, food-compatible materials and regular cleaning within a beverage process.
- Process
- Barrel filling
- Industry
- Beverage production
- Focus
- High-cycle product control
APPLICATION SUPPORT
Need help selecting a food-processing pinch valve?
Send us the product being handled, line size, pressure or vacuum, temperature, connection type, cleaning procedure and any required food-contact or hygienic certification. Basecamp Process Components provides U.S. and Canadian sales and application support for AKO pinch valves.