Conveying & accumulation

Pressureless conveyor

The Accuzone™ conveyor from Alvey (St. Louis, MO) achieves zero back pressure through its zone design. Rollers are grouped into zones, each separately powered by 24-vDC motors.

October 31, 2000

Machinery: Page 946

Controls & Machine Components

Rapistan Systems: Customer service brochure

Rapistan Systems (Grand Rapids, MI) offers an updated, 12-page brochure including information on customer service. Covered are replacement and component parts, modernization and enhancements, a variety of maintenance contacts, 24-hour service support, technical documentation, system audit services, repairs and training capabilities.

October 31, 2000

Secondary Packaging

Gantry-style palletizer

The Impact palletizer is a robotic, gantry-style pick-and-place system from Comman (Waalwijk, The Netherlands). Loading trays and boxes at speeds to 12 products/min, the machine stacks products in the pattern selected via touchscreen.

October 31, 2000

Converting equipment

Appointments, promotions

Alloyd Co., Inc. (DeKalb, IL): Edwin W. Parkinson, president, CEO. —The New Resina® Corp. (Brooklyn, NY): Andrew May, president.

October 31, 2000

Converting equipment

Relocations, expansions

The Kennedy Group (Willoughby, OH) has moved into a new 80ꯠ sq’ facility, located on a 26-acre campus at 38601 Kennedy Parkway, Willoughby, OH 44094; phone: 440/951-7660, fax: 440/951-3253.

October 31, 2000

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Recall boosts biotech opponents

The discovery of genetically engineered corn not approved for human consumption in Taco Bell taco shells has given new fodder to opponents of biotech foods.

October 31, 2000

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

High-slip film improves operations

It’s been nearly seven years since Fritz-Pak Corp. began using water-soluble film for its bags of powdered concrete retarder. Concrete truck operators toss the bags into the mixer to keep the concrete from setting too fast.

October 31, 2000

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

Coding, Printing & Labeling

UK firms are out to shorten time to market

Sainsbury’s will soon implement a sophisticated RFID tag system to better manage its chilled foods distribution, while ICI Paints evaluates digital asset management.

October 31, 2000

Conveying & accumulation

Tums packages sealed with a twist

SmithKline Beecham breaks new ground with an oval-shaped, induction-sealed foil membrane beneath a twist-off cap. Benefits include reduced downtime and less scrap.

October 31, 2000

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

Cartoning

Filler meets tough standards at Stonyfield (sidebar)

Cartoner delivers downstream

October 31, 2000

Cartoning

Filler meets tough standards at Stonyfield

Stonyfield Farm is so confident about the potential sales of its Yo Squeeze organic yogurt for kids that it’s purchased a second vf/f/s machine. Each machine produces 200 tubes/min, with an unusual ‘butt seal.’

October 31, 2000