Secondary Packaging

Box 'Aces' apple maker's test

This year, the Ace Apple Co. ordered 30ꯠ interlocking, “shelf-ready” corrugated cases to pack its apples, tripling last year’s order. The apple grower reports the increased use of the box, as an alternative to a more traditional corrugated case, stems from the enthusiasm of retailers, primarily supermarkets.

October 31, 2000

Case/tray packing: Page 98

Conveying & accumulation

Suppliers recognize packagers' training needs

In describing their own programs, suppliers acknowledge shortcomings and reflect the criticisms made by their customers. Time allocated for training remains the most pressing need, they agree.

October 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Dueling technologies spell success

At Japan’s Daiwa Can, one aseptic PET line uses in-line mold/blow/fill. Right beside it, another line blows bottles and sterilizes them in a second operation just before filling.

October 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Quintuplets!

New automated labeling system delivers five labels onto each glass bottle of Labrot & Graham’s premium bourbon whiskey, boosting output, reducing labor costs and improving placement accuracy.

October 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Radius applies labeler to Fisher-Price application

Unusual new labeler at Radius Corp. closes a plastic case around a Fisher-Price toothbrush, then applies a TE label that wraps around three sides of the case.

October 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Depends how you slice it

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s packaging equipment certification proposal could raise costs for machinery buyers.

September 30, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Sapporo turns heads with 'Shot Bottle'

It’s part can and part bottle, and marketers at Sapporo Breweries believe this reclosable aluminum bottle will bring new excitement to a premium brand of beer.

September 30, 2000

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Ocean Spray rides a new bus

On a new Craisins line at Ocean Spray, point-to-point wiring between machine devices and their master PLC has been replaced on some machines by an open fieldbus called AS-i. Installation time is slashed, while in-plant flexibility is maximized.

September 30, 2000

Case erect/seal

PEF Hall of Fame inductees

Announced in mid-August, three career professionals will be inducted into the PEF Hall of Fame on November 11: Robert S. Forsyth; William C. Heller, Jr; and John M. Johnston.

July 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Capsule-counting tech comes to NAI

New equipment at this California contract packager includes a tablet/capsule line with the latest in tablet-counting technology. On-line thermal-transfer coding shines, too.

July 31, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Foam, glorious foam!

Molded foam end caps with a living hinge improve protection, increase warehouse space and reduce shipping costs for Hughes, a telecommunications satellite equipment manufacturer.

July 31, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Government funds casing upgrade at Boyd Coffee (sidebar)

Ergonomics: Oregon’s hands-on, proactive approach

July 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Government funds casing upgrade at Boyd Coffee

With R&D funding from Oregon’s OSHA, Boyd Coffee develops a custom case packer that addresses repetitive motion injuries attributable to manual packing. Machine also reduces giveaway.

July 31, 2000