Sustainable Packaging

Packaging: A convenient truth

All too often it seems that packaging is portrayed as an environmental villain by the media.

April 4, 2007

Consumer packaged goods: Page 97

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

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Carbon footprints, carbon labeling--how warm should we be about these initiatives?

Scarcely a day goes by without a picture in the European news media showing a polar bear, victimized by the onslaught of global warming, clinging forlornly to a fast-melting ice floe. Joining the polar bears in media coverage are the chief executives of Europe’s major international retailers, who seem to be vying for the mantle of greatest green-ness. Consider:

April 3, 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

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

Containers

Ecolab's bottle is better, faster by design

Modeling studies cut eight months out of the package development process for its ProForce cleaning solution bottle sold at Sam's Club.

April 3, 2007

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Retro Chic--Harnessing the power of the past

Drawing inspiration from brands of yesteryear is now the future

April 2, 2007

Beverage

Frito Lay, Miller Brewing and P&G Gillette speak out

At PMMI’s MarketTrends conference, a user panel communicated requirements and trends in “What Do Customers Want From Packaging Machinery Manufacturers?”

March 27, 2007

Secondary Packaging

ARC report praises modular servo concept

Analyst report urges OEMs to adopt new intelligent servo module technology ‘without delay to gain first-mover advantage.’

March 11, 2007

Controls & Machine Components

THK America, Inc: THK America, Inc: High-efficiency actuator

THK’s new Type VLA Actuator has fewer components and a low overall cost, by using a TLK LM guide for its base.

March 9, 2007

Conveying & accumulation

Data flows from ERP to packaging machines

Just five operators run two lines that span three floors and churn out 600 bottles/min. An automated order system plays a pivotal role in streamlining changeover.

March 9, 2007

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

CAN-based concepts run food slicing machine

A CAN network links I/O, a checkweigher, and an optical weigher over a distance of 164’.

March 9, 2007