Conveying & accumulation

Hot dog!

USDA’s new rule on Listeria aims to improve operations for meat and poultry packagers.

August 31, 2003

Machinery: Page 845

Flexible packaging

Packaging technology on display

Once again the DuPont Awards competition attracted the best and the brightest where advancements in plastic packaging technology are concerned.

August 31, 2003

Coding, Printing & Labeling

RFID: At Wal-Mart, distribution packaging only

Although some consumer groups claimed credit, Wal-Mart says it had never agreed to work with Gillette on in-store test of RFID tags.

August 31, 2003

Controls & Machine Components

Large-character, medium resolution printer

Videojet released its Marsh® 320 large-character ink-jet printer. This modular large-character ink-jet printing system uses micro-valve technology to deliver quality print up to 1” in height.

August 31, 2003

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

Snyder of Berlin: Weighing of potato chip snacks

On the two potato chip lines, the vf/f/s machines are topped with 14-head Ishida scales from Heat and Control.. Product giveaway has been reduced on several vertical form/fill/seal lines at Snyder of Berlin thanks to greater accuracy of 14-head scales, such as the one shown here. A combination of buckets is selected to dump the amount of snacks that best meet a bag’s target weight.

July 31, 2003

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

Snyder of Berlin: Vertical form/fill/seal, bag discharging for cheese curl and corn puff snack

These continuous-motion vertical form/fill/seal Robag 2Ci machine are from TNA North America. To meet growing sales of its potato chips, Snyder installed two 2Ci machines, and then later a third. The new vertical form/fill/seal machines replace outdated equipment at Snyder of Berlin.

July 31, 2003

Flexible packaging

Packaging technology on display, Part Two

Once again the DuPont Awards competition attracted the best and the brightest where advancements in plastic packaging technology are concerned.

July 31, 2003

Secondary Packaging

Floor-level palletizer

The Model FL10, priced at under $50ꯠ, is the latest in Columbia’s series of floor level palletizers. The FL10 is ideal for slow-speed lines, utilizes less than 60 sq’ of floor space, and is preprogrammed with common stacking patterns.

July 31, 2003

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Label foods for choking risks

The Food Choking Prevention Act introduced by Reps. Mike Honda (D-CA) and Mike Ferguson (R-NJ) encourages FDA to develop food-labeling regulations for products that pose a choking hazard for young children.

July 31, 2003

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

Big automation news at PACK EXPO

Significant product launches are slated for PACK EXPO Las Vegas. One breaking story is the introduction of next generation packaging automation.

July 31, 2003

Controls & machine components

Cognex donates machine vision system

Cognex has donated a machine vision sensor to Michigan State University as part of the “Cognex on Campus” grant program. The University’s School of Packaging will use the equipment in its packaging curriculum.

July 31, 2003

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Rotary blister sealer

The SRS Series semi automatic rotary type heat sealers from Serpone Packaging Systems are designed for medium- to higher-volume production requirements.

July 31, 2003

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

High-speed poly bagger

The Advantage CM (speeds to 140/min) vf/f/s bagger from Triangle is ideal for IQF products, including poultry, meat, vegetables, fish, French fries, and more.

July 31, 2003