Conveying & accumulation

Robots cement bagging operations

Sometimes the best 'person' for the job is a robot, especially when the job is hefting 80-lb of cement.

April 4, 2009

Containers & Closures: Page 151

Conveying & accumulation

Video: robots for rainbow packs

To improve profits on variety packs, new robots automate the re-packing process.

March 19, 2009

Filling/capping, dry

Popcorn company upgrades filling operations

PLC controls and servo drives improve fill speeds and accuracies.

March 1, 2009

Labels

V-8 ventures into vending machines

Campbell Soup's entry into the vending machine market is via 12-oz hot-filled PET containers.

February 26, 2009

Sustainability

PLA-bottled beverages couple with compact, on-site compost unit

Naturally Iowa offers foodservice and institutional customers a composting solution for its PLA beverage bottles.

February 24, 2009

Closures

Eco-spirits' use industry-first 100% PCR PET content

360 Vodka paves the way for sustainable liquor packaging, with a 100% PCR PET bottle.

February 23, 2009

Secondary Packaging

Stretch-hood applicator uses single film tube, reducing plastic, pleasing pallet appearance

The Tensiontech F fully automated stretch-hood applicator from MSK Covertech uses a single, gusseted film tube, stretched vertically and horizontally, to secure pallet loads. An alternative to spiral stretch wrapping, the system uses the least amount of film required and provides a clean, smooth look to pallets.

February 6, 2009

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

220/min tube filling

The dual-head ProSys ProTrac 220 High-Speed Tube Filler for plastic, laminate, or aluminum squeeze tubes uses a racetrack configuration and servos to speed production for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and adhesive industries.

February 6, 2009

Labels

Sweet! Bee at heart of branding

Deluxe Honeydrop flavored water designed for high-end simplicity.

February 3, 2009

Secondary Packaging

Automation completes speedy cup-packaging line

Huhtamaki-America meets the challenge of its plant’s increased foodservice cup-forming capabilities by automating its case-packing and palletizing operations.

February 1, 2009

Sustainability

Prudence remains compulsory in packaging

As policy makers attempting to fix the nation’s economy seek a balance between big-time government intervention and America’s passionate belief in free markets, many economists are turning conventional wisdom on its head.

January 30, 2009

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Hot-melt adhesive dispensing system

Kobra Hot-Melt Adhesive Dispensing system from Valco Melton is designed to deliver productivity, uptime, and sustainability. Offers total flexibility, from the most complete operational PLC network to traditional analog control. Integrated auto feeder lets users pull adhesive into the hot-melt tank with no operator involvement required. Auto feeder also lets packagers buy hot-melt adhesive in bulk rather than in corrugated boxes that must be dumped into a hopper and then disposed of.

January 27, 2009

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

Vertical form/fill/seal machine

The Novus 250 vertical form/fill/seal machine from Hayssen Sandiacre is a continuous-motion bagger that can operate in intermittent motion. Uses Allen-Bradley controls. Reduces setup and threading time and offers simple changeovers of different-sized forming tubes.

January 24, 2009