Conveying & accumulation

Anti-stat conveyor for f/f/s

Easy-to-operate vertical form/ fill/seal machines from KEY-PAK Machines (Lebanon, NJ) have anti-static exit conveyors to permit the passage and safe grounding of static electrical charges created by sliding surfaces in the packaging of foods and beverages in metallized plastic film.

June 30, 1996

Materials: Page 830

Protective/transport packaging

Corporate overview

Astro Valcour, Inc. (Glen Falls, NY) offers a complete overview of its protective packaging capabilities in its new color brochure. The brochure highlights AVI divisions that produce products such as protective foams, cushioning, shipping mailers and packaging systems for industrial packaging distributors.

June 30, 1996

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Vend packs turn to new materials for new markets

Designed initially for vending sales, a new material blend permits skin-packed frozen Mini Meals for microwave heating to expand into diverse outlets.

June 30, 1996

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

Coffee packer finds Virtues in thin film

By downgauging the film by half for foodservice coffee packs, Virtues of Coffee reduces material, energy consumption and labor costs. Structure improves machinability and even puncture-resistance, while maintaining shelf life.

June 30, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

NutraSweet drum labeler keeps on ticking

Pity the printer/applicator that must withstand NutraSweet Kelco's Augusta, GA, aspartame plant. The artificial sweetener used in diet soft drinks is a granular substance that creates a harsh, dusty environment that's brutal on packaging equipment.

June 30, 1996

Labels

Gatorade shrink label satisfies the need for speed

Roll-fed labeler combines adhesive and shrink application to provide the look of a shrink label, the tamper-evidence of a neck band, and the speed of a wraparound.

June 30, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Chernin's uses labels of another color

Color on-demand labeling does not necessarily have to mean dedicated color printing hardware or costly color ribbon media. Chicago-based shoe retailer Chernin's Shoes has been producing color thermal labels since January with nothing more than a standard direct-thermal label printer.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Preventive medicine for pharmaceutical producer

CPSC regulations caused pharmaceutical manufacturer Chattem, Inc., to update packaging for its menstrual pain relief products. Line changes included a rebuild-instead of a purchase-of a cartoner to help expedite the switch.

June 30, 1996

Flexibles

Sterilization indicators

Custom Printing Inks (San Diego, CA) has introduced three new steam sterilization indicators for flexographic applications. Color changes indicate the completion of a sterilization cycle.

June 30, 1996

Converting equipment

Salsa jar sealed 'first class'

Polypropylene replaces glass jar for hot-filled salsa served on Reno Air flights. Special linerless cap holds vacuum, yielding 90-day shelf life.

June 30, 1996

Flexibles

Bowling them over in the produce aisle

The latest innovation from Tanimura & Antle is a line of single-serve fresh-cut salads packed in a thermoformed bowl. Refrigerated shelf life is two weeks.

June 30, 1996

Sustainability

Bottles fuel use of recycled resin

Chevron incorporates recycled-content resin in its bottles for fuel additives, taking a proactive approach to potential legislative container requirements.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Thermal-transfer goes four-color process

Scimed Life Systems uses up its $250ꯠ preprinted label stock inventory in favor of on-demand high-quality four-color process thermal-transfer printing. Label stock changeover drops from 20 per shift to just over one.

June 30, 1996