Flexible packaging

Migros 'MAPS' out a meat strategy

The Migros chain of supermarkets in Switzerland relies on barrier materials and centralized, modified-atmosphere packaging for its case-ready fresh ground beef.

June 30, 1999

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags): Page 77

Flexible packaging

Pouch is economical, ecological

The formed hamburger patties produced at Micarna require a thermoformed tray for a package because their shape must be protected through distribution. Unformed ground beef, however, needs no such protection, so Micarna relies on a simpler, less expensive and "greener" alternative: modified-atmosphere pouches produced on a vertical form/fill/seal machine.

June 30, 1999

Flexible packaging

Sigpack Systems Div., a Bosch Packaging Technology Co.: Sigpack Systems Div., a Bosch Packaging Technology Co.: Vf/f/s machine

The improved Eagle Phaser vf/f/s machine from SIG Pack Eagle (Oakland, CA) now features a Koyo PLC that allows for the inclusion of features such as memory for 20 different set-ups and a single point of control for auger and bagger.

June 30, 1999

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

French dogs taste 'fresh' cuisine

Thanks to the first installation of a newly developed form/fill/seal machine, French dogs and their owners are receiving first-class treatment. Effems, a European company of M&M Mars, is now packaging its Frolic™ dog food in a stand-up bag with edge seals that features easy opening and a Trans-Zip™ zipper for reclosure.

June 30, 1999

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

New look and shape for aseptic packs

"We think it's a revolutionary packaging development."That's what Jim Montealegre, vice president of procurement, product development, graphics and legal services at Golden Valley Foods, has to say about the Prisma package from Tetra Pak (Chicago, IL).

May 31, 1999

Flow wrapping

Valuable relationship shaves time

By having one dedicated flexible packaging vendor, American Safety Razor has slashed order lead times and improved quality.

May 31, 1999

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

Hayssen, Inc A Division of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc: Vertical form/fill/seal

The Servo II vf/f/s machine from Hayssen (Duncan, SC) uses servo motors that withstand washdowns. Operates at speeds to 110 bags/min. An Allen-Bradley 5/04 control system and PanelView 900 touchscreen operator interface allow storage of up to 100 user-defined programs.

May 31, 1999

Flexible packaging

Standing up to the competition

By early this summer, Elmhurst, IL-based Keebler expects to complete its nationwide rollout of Cheez-It® baked snack mixes in three varieties.

April 30, 1999

Flexible packaging

New market means new packaging

Sundried tomatoes are a $20 million category, according to marketing vice president Howard Nager of Sunsweet Growers. To break into this hot market, Pleasanton, CA-based Sunsweet decided to use packaging color and design aimed at appealing to a wider market than it aims for with its well-known prune products.

April 30, 1999

Cartoning

Glaxo 'Wellcomes' quick-change software

As Glaxo Wellcome's Zebulon, NC, facility packs a wider variety of pharmaceuticals, quick-changeover equipment becomes top priority. Software developed in-house helps the plant reduce changeover times on its solid-dose packaging lines.

April 30, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

Fire gives snack baker a clean slate

Fire claimed Pretzels, Inc.'s Indiana headquarters plant on Christmas Eve '97. By the following August, a new plant with a streamlined packaging room had risen from the ashes.

April 30, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

Robotic tray loaders speed cookie loading

A state-of-the-art line at Voortman Cookies in Canada uses 10 vision-guided robots to simultaneously pack cookies into five trays at 1걄 cookies/min. Saves C$450ꯠ/yr in labor costs and provides 10-minute tool-less changeover.

April 30, 1999

Flexible packaging

Salons sample new pack

Regis salons give away an unusual sample pack printed with a $1-off coupon to entice customers to purchase regular-sized hair-care products.

April 30, 1999