Case taping is not usually at the top of the list when it comes to exciting new packaging machinery technologies, but United Distillers couldn't be more thrilled with a customized taping machine from Malow (Mt. Prospect, IL). Malow considers itself primarily a distributor of products from 3M (St. Paul, MN). It does, though, make customized equipment. Such is the case with United. What makes this particular machine so unusual is its 55 to 60 case/min speed, and a two-head taping system that permits on-the-fly continuous splicing. As filled cases proceed toward the taper (shown), they are conveyed on two conveyors whose speeds are timed to deliver boxes to the taping area at 8" to 12" intervals. The spacing gives the taping mechanism time to reset after applying 3M's pressure-sensitive tape. The tape is applied several inches down the leading side of the case, completely over the top, and then back down several inches along the trailing side. The new H-Bliss-style case (which replaced the former RSC-style reshipper) has no minor flaps, which is a major advantage. "We used hot melt glue for the previous cases, but when we switched to this case without minor flaps, there was no way to glue them," says plant manager Mark Fahey. "We no longer have problems associated with flaps not closing, as we did when we glued cases shut, because the Malow machine compresses the case tightly before taping," he notes. "It's been a real blessing for the line because of its speed and efficiency. It averages about 55 cases per minute, compared to the former machine which did 40 to 45 per minute, tops."
