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Instant changeover with Del Monte's labeling duo

A pair of interconnected applicators yields automatic label roll changes using labels printed offline just-in-time. See in-plant video

The upstream unit of the two-labeler setup is applying the label (above) to the top of the multipack of canned fruit or vegetabl
The upstream unit of the two-labeler setup is applying the label (above) to the top of the multipack of canned fruit or vegetabl

When does one plus one equal zero? For label roll switch-overs at the Del Monte Foods Company, a pair of interconnected label applicators adds up to zero downtime, which equals high efficiency for this San Francisco-based food producer and distributor.

The math-defying labeler tandem was operational in early 2001 at Del Monte’s Central States Distribution Center in Rochelle, IL, a 440ꯠ sq’ facility that services 19 states. Unlabeled cans of fruits or vegetables destined for club store markets are depalletized, labeled, and then collated and packed into a colorful paperboard carrier by a three-year-old multipacker.

For packs done for Costco club stores, a small identification label is applied to the top of six- or eight-count multipacks by one of two Universal Labeling (St. Petersburg, FL) labelers. When one labeler’s supply of rollstock reaches a preset minimum, the other will automatically take over (see schematic). This eliminates any downtime for a roll change.

Positioned about five feet apart just downstream of the multipacker, the labelers are linked through a programmable logic controller. Packaging World is told that though the Model SL 2000 High-Speed Stepper Driven Label applicators are stock units, the integration at Del Monte was custom.

“The system doesn’t miss a beat,” emphasizes Dale Rand, special packaging shift supervisor. “Zero downtime is a very nice benefit.”

Labels are applied at speeds of 150/min for six packs and 125/min for eight packs. After the sticker is applied, the packs continue around a U-bend section and travel on an overhead conveyor for palletizing.

The labeling setup was specified, distributed, and installed by Illinois Marking & Sealing (Elk Grove Village, IL), now part of the Glennon Group. IMS had also provided the label stock and a Sato (Sunnyvale, CA) printer used offline to print the labels shortly ahead of the production run. The printer is mounted atop a wheeled cabinet positioned near the labelers.

Videos from Universal Labeling Systems, Inc.
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