Conveying & accumulation

A reusable case for automation

New equipment at Herr Foods is among the first that erects, packs and seals tough-to-handle corrugated cases that are reused up to five times.

August 31, 1996

Bagging & Pouching: Page 95

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Now beverage cans will open wide-- really, really wide

Suddenly, it seems, U.S. brewers are looking to change one of the most popular and endearing features of their cans--the easy-opening features. Last month (See PW, August '96, page 8), we reported on the conversion by Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI, from its standard, easy-opening stay-on tab (SOT) end to a large opening end (LOE) developed for Miller by Reynolds Metals Co.

August 31, 1996

Flexible packaging

Frozen--and functional--Paradise

Frozen Paradise Drinks(TM), Seagram Beverage Co.'s late entry to the successful premixed, shelf-stable frozen drink category, may prove that good things happen to those who wait.

August 31, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

New press focuses on flexibility

Converter Graphic Packaging's Franklin, OH, plant is the first in the U.S. to use a new press that can print flexible packaging by gravure and flexography, and dry-bond laminate and apply cold-seal or hot melt wax-coat in-line. Kroger's coffee bags represent the first commercial application.

July 31, 1996

Flexible packaging

Auger filler

The Servo 3000 auger filler from Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery (Sturtevant, WI) uses a patent-pending "sliding key" auger adapter shaft to remove auger screws for changeovers without tools.

June 30, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Anti-stat conveyor for f/f/s

Easy-to-operate vertical form/ fill/seal machines from KEY-PAK Machines (Lebanon, NJ) have anti-static exit conveyors to permit the passage and safe grounding of static electrical charges created by sliding surfaces in the packaging of foods and beverages in metallized plastic film.

June 30, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Coffee packer finds Virtues in thin film

By downgauging the film by half for foodservice coffee packs, Virtues of Coffee reduces material, energy consumption and labor costs. Structure improves machinability and even puncture-resistance, while maintaining shelf life.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Thermal-transfer goes four-color process

Scimed Life Systems uses up its $250ꯠ preprinted label stock inventory in favor of on-demand high-quality four-color process thermal-transfer printing. Label stock changeover drops from 20 per shift to just over one.

June 30, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Film pack launches sub sandwich in Canada

Printed film replaces a manually applied label for Burns Meats' EZee Sub sandwich meat packs, saving 50% in combined material and labor costs.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

From aseptic pouch to aseptic carton

A 500-mL aseptic brick-pack for foodservice customers is helping Tetley® USA, Shelton, CT, cash in on the explosive growth of fruit-flavored iced teas.

June 30, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Roll-feed dispensers

The RF375 Series of roll-feed dispensers from Longford Equipment (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) is suited for large runs requiring coupon insertion on vertical f/f/s machines and vertical or horizontal bag-in-box lines.

May 31, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Vertical f/f/s machine for food and nonfood applications

The Butler(TM) 3 is a new vertical form/fill/seal machine from UVA-Butler (Richmond, VA) suited for frozen foods, cereal, pasta, pet food, powders and granulates.

May 31, 1996

Flow wrapping

Flowrapper

Ilapak's (Newtown, PA) Carrera® 3000 horizontal flowrapper uses three individually controlled servo motors for infeed, rollers and jaws. Reaches speeds to 150 products/min using a single-head; multiple-head systems are also available.

May 31, 1996