Confection/Candy

Robots sweeten case packing efficiency

On two lines, Gray & Co. uses a robotic case loader positioned between an automatic case former and an automatic sealer to pack cartons into cases at rates up to 90 cartons/min.See in-plant video

November 30, 2002

Confection/Candy: Page 31

Closures

Super-sized cookie can

Buffalo, New York-based KK Baking decided to stack its super-sized Keith’s Kookies-brand cookies in a new composite can that emulates a cookie jar topped with a polyethylene overcap to lock in freshness after opening.

November 30, 2002

Confection/Candy

Gray & Company: Robots hit savings sweet spot for cherry cordial packaging

Gray & Co., Hart, MI, operates 24 robotic arms on two ‘counterflow’ production lines. Each of the arms picks and places Queen Anne brand chocolate-covered cordials at an amazing rate of 1.5 cordials/sec into six-count plastic trays. Robotic system includes infrared scanners, PLCs, and proprietary software.

October 31, 2002

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

'Cordial' robots hit savings sweet spot

Twenty-four robotic arms place Queen Anne brand cordials at rate of 90/min/arm into six-count plastic trays.See in-plant video

October 31, 2002

Confection/Candy

Supply chain experts see change a comin' (sidebar)

In the warehouse

October 31, 2002

Flexibles

Low-temp shrink film

Syfan USA (Cooper City, FL) has introduced Sytec® MVP, a cross-linked polyolefin shrink film engineered to shrink quickly and gently at low temperatures.

September 30, 2002

Labels

Marketing milk in aluminum cans

From now through early next year, consumers in selected Florida test markets will be able to purchase shelf-stable chocolate milk in a two-piece aluminum can.

September 30, 2002

Additives, coatings & inks

Q&A: The man with X-ray vision

Wayne Knigge is a consultant who retired in June 2001 after 36 years as senior staff engineer with General Mills. He spent the last 20 years on quality/productivity improvements in packaging, the last three focusing on X-ray inspection.

September 30, 2002

Confection/Candy

How the recession affected packaging

Did the recession affect packaging operations? The answer appears to be both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ according to a survey conducted on Packworld.com.

September 30, 2002

Beverage

Networks progress amid obstacles (sidebar)

Packagers intrigued by equipment monitoring

August 31, 2002

Confection/Candy

V-belts mean victory over downtime

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates found its conveyors needed too much attention. New conveyors hardly ever require belt replacement.

August 31, 2002

Flexible packaging

Chewing gum multipack lines turn over a new leaf

RBV Leaf BV, Europe’s second largest producer of sugar confectionery, has brought the packaging of its popular Sportlife chewing gum in-house, with two new, flexible, multipack packaging lines from SIG Pack Systems.

August 31, 2002

Secondary Packaging

When robots take over: A worker's tale

Bonnie Dean works in the packaging operations at Gray and Co., Hart, MI, makers of Queen Anne chocolate-covered cherries. She was one of 10 employees whose duties changed dramatically in early 2001 when the company installed robotic case packers.

July 31, 2002