View news and innovations from PACK EXPO 2024
View all the latest news and innovations from PACK EXPO International 2024

Improving product throughput and shelf life

Cannoli manufacturer reaps sweet rewards by installing horizontal flowwrapping and bag-sealing equipment to replace manual operations.

PROTECTIVE PACKAGING. The servo-driven wrapper (above) surrounds each 6-count cannoli shell tray with extrusion-laminated COPP f
PROTECTIVE PACKAGING. The servo-driven wrapper (above) surrounds each 6-count cannoli shell tray with extrusion-laminated COPP f

Major wholesale Italian pastry supplier Vaccaro's Desserts, Silver Spring, MD, produces cannoli shells and cannoli fillings, as well as tiramisu and a range of other Italian pastries, for distribution to restaurant operations in 17 states throughout the United States.

The company delivers its cannoli products to restaurant distributors in two parts—the cannoli shells in one package, and the cannoli fillings in another package. This delivery system enables the restaurants to prepare cannoli fresh for their clientele. When demand for the cannoli products began escalating, Vaccaro's Desserts decided that it was time to reassess its manual and semi-automatic cannoli shell and cannoli cream packaging operations.

Old school way

The previous manual packaging procedure required an operator to hand-stack unwrapped trays of cannoli shells into cardboard boxes, with only a layer of coated chipboard dividing the trays. This open-packaging approach exposed the shells to air, moisture, and other potentially product-degrading elements that could impede product quality, flavor, and freshness during long-distance shipments.

The previous packaging procedure for the cannoli cream fillings involved manual pressure-tube-feeding of the cream into a bag, and then manual application of the heat bar to seal the bag. The operator then had to wait for a light or audio indicator from the heat sealer before releasing the heat bar. Says Vaccaro's Desserts president Nick Vaccaro, “This process was a bottleneck to the rest of the line, and it required an experienced operator.”

In addition, quality assurance checks were absolutely essential to ensuring that the bags were properly sealed.

New school

New e-book on Multipacking and Case Packing
Read how to extend the life of your case packing equipment and best practices for efficient shrink bundling operation. Plus, learn the differences between wraparound & regular slotted containers.
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New e-book on Multipacking and Case Packing