Conveying & accumulation

Robotic tray loaders speed cookie loading

A state-of-the-art line at Voortman Cookies in Canada uses 10 vision-guided robots to simultaneously pack cookies into five trays at 1걄 cookies/min. Saves C$450ꯠ/yr in labor costs and provides 10-minute tool-less changeover.

April 30, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials: Page 98

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

Film's flexibility fits ice packs

Puncture-resistant film protects Forever Ice's 'reusable' ice to withstand repeated freezing and thawing. A custom tf/f/s machine improves efficiency.

April 30, 1999

Flexibles

Jays chips in holographic lidding

Jays Foods hopes consumers "can't stop eating" its new tray-packed E-Z Dippin's(TM) single-serve chip and dip snacks. Last month, five varieties of the shelf-stable snacks were rolled out in Chicago supermarkets, convenience stores and other outlets.

March 31, 1999

Flexibles

Oscar Mayer extends Carving Board line with MAP pack

Fully cooked, refrigerated, ready-to-eat chicken breast strips have been added to the Louis Rich Carving Board line from Oscar Mayer Foods. When asked about packaging materials and suppliers, about all the Madison, WI, firm would say is that modified-atmosphere packaging is used.

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Carton coder

A new series of portable automatic coders from Open Date (London, England) offers overprinting on a variety of cartons, blister cards, sleeves and film.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Polaroid pictures a perfect pack

Polaroid prepares for the launch of a global product in a global package. The I-Zone instant pocket camera will also test the company's new regional packaging strategy.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Packaging for a global marketplace

As today's marketplace becomes increasingly global, how does that affect the way products are packaged? The strategies adopted by these firms provide some useful clues.

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

SmithKline speeds package development

Packaging plays a key role in SmithKline Beecham's efforts to launch new drugs globally versus market-by-market. Material standardization may also help reduce time-to-market by nearly half.

March 31, 1999

Sustainability

Packaging glossary a full load

How does one set out to assemble the definitive glossary of packaging terms?

March 31, 1999

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

Packaging for a global marketplace (sidebar)

How does a $13 billion multinational food and beverage company keep Mexico apprised of packaging developments in Morocco?

March 31, 1999

Blisters/clamshells/thermoforming materials

Supplier news: Relocations, expansions

MAAC Machinery Corp. (Itasca, IL) has broken ground on a new facility in Carol Stream, IL, with completion targeted for August 1999. The new thermoforming machinery mfg.

February 28, 1999

Conveying & accumulation

Shrink bags add spice to enchilada packaging

Enchilada maker Bueno Foods uses a shrink-bag over a tray to pack and merchandise frozen enchiladas. Customers like the microwavability, Bueno likes the ease of use and strong graphics.

February 28, 1999

Flexible packaging

Flexible materials earn Green Globe Award

Heath Manufacturing wins a Green Globe Award from the Flexible Packaging Assn. for a bird suet cake package that uses less material than its predecessor. New equipment increases productivity while saving labor costs.

February 28, 1999