Flexible packaging

Pouch is economical, ecological

The formed hamburger patties produced at Micarna require a thermoformed tray for a package because their shape must be protected through distribution. Unformed ground beef, however, needs no such protection, so Micarna relies on a simpler, less expensive and "greener" alternative: modified-atmosphere pouches produced on a vertical form/fill/seal machine.

June 30, 1999

Materials: Page 743

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Label helps curb product diversion

A holographic labeling program instituted by hair-care manufacturer Sebastian Intl. helps to identify distributors and salons that sell or resell products to unauthorized retailers.

June 30, 1999

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Combining machinery functions while we broaden options

The big show at Dsseldorf, interpack 99, proved to be another education in the worldwide scope of packaging. Coming just seven months after Pack Expo 98, there are some parallels between the shows, though there's also a whole host of differences.

June 30, 1999

Controls & Machine Components

Exair Corporation: Cabinet cooler

Exair's (Cincinnati, OH) new micro NEMA 4/4X Cabinet Cooler purges and cools overheated electrical control panels. Its 5" height allows it to be mounted in small enclosures and confined areas.

June 30, 1999

Flexibles

Capsule reviews

Weatherchem's (Twinsburg, OH) site at www.weatherchem.com provides information on products such as its Top-Squeeze one-piece squeeze-and-turn child-resistant closure, which recently passed the revised Consumer Product Safety Commission protocol tests.

June 30, 1999

Controls & Machine Components

Parker Hannifin Cylinder Div.: Pneumatic cylinder

Parker Hannifin's Cylinder Div. (Des Plaines, IL) introduces the P1M series pneumatic cylinders, which feature bolted construction, transfer tubes, customized stroking and integral sensors.

June 30, 1999

Flexibles

Filler/sealer

The Seal, Fill, Application machine from Innovative Packaging Netherlands (Heemstede, the Netherlands) fills various flexible packages like stand-up and pillow pouches with liquid and viscous products at speeds to 80 packs/min.

June 30, 1999

Flexible packaging

Sigpack Systems Div., a Bosch Packaging Technology Co.: Sigpack Systems Div., a Bosch Packaging Technology Co.: Vf/f/s machine

The improved Eagle Phaser vf/f/s machine from SIG Pack Eagle (Oakland, CA) now features a Koyo PLC that allows for the inclusion of features such as memory for 20 different set-ups and a single point of control for auger and bagger.

June 30, 1999

Secondary Packaging

Easy-opening tape

The Zipper, made by Soco System (Waukesha, WI), is a small triangular piece of paper applied by a special unit on a carton sealer to the trailing end of the tape.

June 30, 1999

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

French dogs taste 'fresh' cuisine

Thanks to the first installation of a newly developed form/fill/seal machine, French dogs and their owners are receiving first-class treatment. Effems, a European company of M&M Mars, is now packaging its Frolic™ dog food in a stand-up bag with edge seals that features easy opening and a Trans-Zip™ zipper for reclosure.

June 30, 1999

Tamper-evident machinery

Mouthwash closure does it all

“It’s the first time we’ve been able to offer a closure that combines child-resistance, tamper-evidence and a dosing feature.”That’s how packaging buyer Colyn Kemp of The Boots Co., Nottingham, England, describes the closure on the new package launched in May for advance total care mouthwash with Plaque– guard™.

June 30, 1999

Converting equipment

Square PET jar in a round hole

AC Humko has successfully fit a square peg in what ordinarily is a round hole on the store shelf. The Memphis-based firm's new plastic jar for non-dairy creamer is square while just about everyone else's is round.

May 31, 1999

Converting equipment

French brewer pioneers new barrier technology

Among the highlights of interpack 99, May 6-12 in Dsseldorf, Germany, was the ACTIS high-barrier bottle coating developed by Sidel (Norcross, GA).

May 31, 1999