Containers

Automated multipacking

Primary packaging of Bifi snacks isn’t the only operation that has been upgraded through automation at Unilever’s Ansbach plant. Multipacking of unit packs into multipacks also took a step forward about a year ago when a Model CP5.14.14/S vertical form/fill/seal system from Hastamat (www.hastamat.com) was installed.

April 4, 2007

Bakery/Snack: Page 50

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Mueller plant brimming with technology

From laser scanning of cheese blocks to multi-axis servo-controlled case and tray packers, this dairy plant makes automated packaging systems a top priority.

April 4, 2007

Containers

Martin's makes ink and coding concerns disappear

Thermal-transfer printers on baggers at Martin’s snacks improve legibility and accuracy, lower labor costs, and provide coding flexibility.

April 4, 2007

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

High-visibility packaging demand climbing

U.S. demand for high-visibility packaging, including clamshell, blister and other types, is expected to increase 5.1% annually to $8.5 billion in 2010.

April 3, 2007

Flexibles

Design firm bags new Pringles Select packaging

Say the word “Pringles,” and the image of a saddle-shape chip in a cylindrical container comes to mind. But when LPK (www.lpk.com), the design agency for Procter & Gamble’s Pringles’ brand, came up with a design for the company’s new Pringles Select gourmet potato chips, the firm dropped the cylindrical can in favor of a block-bottom pouch.

April 3, 2007

Flexibles

Salmon jerky pack serves Iraq and Afghanistan

Fledgling wild salmon product manufacturing company Alaska Spirit LLC, Kodiak, AK, with assistance from the University of Alaska Fisheries Industrial Technology Center pilot plant, has developed Kodiak SOLSTIX™ wild salmon jerky, vacuum-packed in multi-layer film. Designed as “pocket protein” for hikers, climbers, other sports enthusiasts, and vending machine sales, the product currently is being marketed to several small regional retail outlets. It’s packaged in 0.7-oz (2” x 6” package dimensions), three-count jerky stick packs. Average retail price is $1.99 per package.

April 3, 2007

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Proposed rules on gluten finish the thought on food allergens law

Under its proposed rule, FDA defines ‘gluten’ as proteins that occur naturally in a ‘prohibited grain’ and that may cause adverse health effects in those with celiac disease.”

April 3, 2007

Labels

Food Fight

Some in Congress want a new agency for food safety as well as new standards for safeguarding the nation’s food supply.

April 3, 2007

Flexibles

Design firm bags new Pringles Select packaging

Gourmet version in four flavors drops the composite can in favor of a block-bottom pouch.

March 20, 2007

Bakery/Snack

Robotic packing capabilities video

New clip from Langen showcases robotic placing and packing capabilities including flexible product handling, innovative and reliable infeeds, and techniques to maximize OEE. Ideal for product placing, case packing, and palletizing.

March 16, 2007

Flexibles

Salmon jerky packs served here and over there

Alaska Spirit supplies the packs to hikers and climbers as well as to American troops serving overseas.

March 16, 2007

Secondary Packaging

Data acquisition tool to be described at PAF 2007

"There's nothing new about bottleneck analysis, but this is a much better tool for doing it."

March 14, 2007

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Label applicator is a perfect fit

Sea Breeze deploys low-volume printing solution.

March 9, 2007