Secondary Packaging

Case erector/bottom sealer

Marq Packaging (Yakima, WA) has redesigned the drive system of its Model 2000 case erector bottom sealer to use top and bottom flight lugs for transferring cases through the machine instead of a case pusher.

March 31, 1996

Machinery: Page 1213

Controls & Machine Components

Printer/applicator

The Vision 3500 printer/applicator from I.D. Images (Strongsville, OH) integrates a tabletop thermal-transfer printer with a microprocessor-controlled tamp- or blow-on applicator to provide an economical next-out print-and-apply system.

March 31, 1996

Converting equipment

Five reasons to work with container 'resourcers'

"Fast. Flexible. Focused. Resourceful." Those are the hallmarks of today's successful packaging operations and packaging managers. But, as growth in the U.S.

March 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Logic makes paint flow freely

Valspar Corp. used advance logic technology to "smarten up" its new 1-gal paint canning line in Statesville, NC. The line is able to automatically react to trouble spots by slowing or stopping parts of the line or rerouting product flow around hot spots.

March 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Supplier news: Domestic acquisitions, agreements

Hoppmann Corp. (Chantilly, VA) signed on with Flex-Link (Bethlehem, PA) to build Flex-Link conveyors and automation components.

March 31, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Food fight!

The FDA wants to make it easier for food packs to carry health and nutrition statements. Meanwhile, industry continues to press for even greater latitude for claims.

March 31, 1996

Converting equipment

Supplier news: Relocations, expansions

Robb Container (Naperville, IL) has completed the installation of a Uniloy MSCK/D continuous extrusion, multi-layer blow molder in its Peru, IL, plant.

March 31, 1996

Secondary Packaging

Side belt case sealer

3M Masking and Packaging Systems Div. (St. Paul, MN) has introduced the 3M-Matic(TM) 800asb side belt drive adjustable case sealer. It's capable of sealing RSCs from 6" L x 3.9" W x 2.75" H to an unlimited length x 21.5" W x 24.5" H at a rate of 30/min.

March 31, 1996

Converting equipment

Cap and liner top Tree Top's switch to PET

Changing from glass to heat-set PET boosts sales of apple juice and cider by 60% on 1-gal bottles. PP closure and EVA liner provide tamper-evidence and eliminate labor-intensive cap inspection.

March 31, 1996

Cartoning

'Floating pocket' cartoner speeds ice cream novelty output

Ice cream novelty processing/packaging line helps Ingman Foods expand its product offerings in Finland.

March 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Fresh seafood takes MAP tack in Sweden

Swedish producer SmgenFisk packs fresh seafood under a modified atmosphere, providing consumers with an alternative to frozen and smoked varieties.

March 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Aseptic system drives gabletop coffee creamer

Norwegian dairy stlandsmeieriet Hedmark Trrmelk is first to use aseptic system to produce 1/4-L gabletops of coffee creamer. New system lengthens shelf life by 50% and triples output of prior extended shelf life equipment.

March 31, 1996

Conveying & accumulation

Coding solution does double duty

Valspar Corp.'s ink-jet coding and scanning system provides automatic batch code verification and real-time production monitoring.

March 31, 1996