Containers

Off The Shelf: Clear plastic can for sardines

From Brivais Vilnis of Latvia comes a replacement for the metal tin: an injection-molded PP retortable container with barrier delivered via in-mold labels.

July 15, 2014

Leaders (UNIVERSAL TAXONOMY PW): Page 799

Secondary Packaging

Robots continue to penetrate the plant floor

Advances in technology make robots more appealing to CPGs looking for greater packaging line speeds, reduced labor costs, and increased accuracy and efficiency.

July 15, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

AutomationDirect: Powerline filters/surge protectors

With multiple levels of surge protection, AutomationDirect’s AEGIS powerline filters/surge protectors protect single-phase electrical and electronic equipment from the full spectrum of transient disturbances, including surges and line noise, that can cause misoperation and damage.

July 15, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Will Google glasses play a role in packaging?

Keith Campbell, a Packaging World Contributing Editor and On the Edge blogger, took in the sights and sounds of Dusseldorf this past May to bring us a series of reports on new developments in the packaging controls and automation space being shown at interpack 2014. In case you missed his written, blogged, or podcast contributions, here are a few highlights.

July 15, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Festo: Pneumatic actuator control valve saves space, money, time

Designed to adjust or stop cylinder movement and de-energizing, the new Festo VFOF model LE-BAH adds control functionality by providing one-way speed control, manual override, and emergency stop functionality – holding a piston’s position even in the vertical position – in a single compact unit.

July 14, 2014

Operational Excellence

Congress should have mandated randomization

Congress should have mandated randomization of drug serial numbers, but they did not, so it is up to each manufacturer to recognize the importance it would bring to the protection of their brands and of the supply chain.

July 11, 2014

Sustainable Packaging

European researchers work to develop biodegradable dairy packaging

Spanish nonprofit research organization works with companies from five European countries to pioneer a biodgradable material for dairy that stands up to thermal requirements.

July 10, 2014

Plastics/resins

Suitability for use—the basis for plastic packaging standards

Trends such as the increased use of biologic and parenteral drugs in patient care and the expanded use of plastic packaging systems to hold and administer drug products are prompting manufacturers to understand the potential for plastic packaging systems to interact and impact product quality and safety.

July 9, 2014

Secondary Packaging

Video shows palletizers offering increased flexibility in case handling and pallet patterns

Entry-level palletizer to be shown at Pack Expo has many of the same features.

July 7, 2014

Contract Packaging

Contract Packagers increase presence to brands at PACK EXPO 2014

The Contract Packaging Association Sourcing Center will debut at the big expo this fall in Chicago

July 7, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

B&R: Compact controllers with integrated I/O

With real-time Ethernet onboard, B&R’s X20 system includes a new series of compact controllers with 32 built-in digital and analog I/O channels; additional I/O modules can be connected either locally or remotely using cables.

July 7, 2014

Controls & Machine Components

Clippard: Electronic high-flow poppet valves

Clippard's EGV Series valves are electronically piloted versions of the GV series valves, for large-flow, low-leak applications is available in 1/8-in. NPT ported and manifold mount, utilize Clippard 10 mm or 15 mm valves, and offer numerous voltage and connection options.

July 7, 2014

Flexibles

New sustainable bread bag

Hovis Limited, a vertically integrated baking and flour milling business in the U.K., is the first to commercialize a polyethylene bread bag made primarily from renewable resources.

July 4, 2014