Candy maker sweetens cartoning efficiencies

Installation of automatic carton erecting and closing equipment improves production rates and cuts costs.

FLAVOR-PACKED. Several different flavors of the coconut patties are cartoned using the new automated system.
FLAVOR-PACKED. Several different flavors of the coconut patties are cartoned using the new automated system.

One of the company’s most popular candies is chocolate-dipped coconut patties, available in six flavors—classic original coconut, almond, orange, key lime, mango, and pina colada. For its multi-count cartons of coconut bars, Anastasia had been manually erecting auto-bottom and end-tuck cartons and manually filling them with individually clear-film-wrapped patties. The clear film is made of .080 OPP (oriented polypropylene) supplied by various vendors.

Anastasia Confections wanted to increase production rates on the coconut bar packaging line to keep pace with growing product demand. After evaluating various carton erecting and closing options, the candy maker selected the Model ECT 625 Former and Vari-Right Closer from Kliklok-Woodman. Two of these cartoning systems were installed at the Orlando facility in February 2010.

The ECT machines are hot-melt, adhesive-style top-load carton and tray formers, featuring an innovative indexing turret concept for excellent carton control and high forming speeds. The Vari-Right carton closers are three-flap, right-angle closers, incorporating lugged carton control and random infeed timing in a full servo motor platform.

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