Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

Klockner Medipak: Robotic blister packager

Klöckner Medipak (Clearwater, FL) distributes the Fleximation Trialpack unit-dose blister packaging system with a robotic filling mechanism. The robot fills at speeds to 54 blisters/min using an integrated vision system and vacuum grippers.

May 31, 2000

Controls & Machine Components: Page 311

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

Omega Design Corp.: Bottle unscrambler

The Bauman ACO bottle unscrambler from Omega Design (Exton, PA) requires no tools for container changeover. Handling 500-mL to 5-L bottles at speeds from 150 to 600/min, automatic changeover is directed through a PLC.

May 31, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

CSPI wants limit on supplement claims

Allowing labels of untested dietary supplements to contain the same claims as labels of nonprescription drugs that have been tested and found safe and effective is “crazy,” says CSPI.

May 31, 2000

Filling/capping, liquid & viscous

Filler relies on networked PCs

At Catania-Spagna, a 12-head rotary liquid filler controlled by PCs linked via Arcnet and Ethernet communications protocols allows real-time data acquisition and analysis.

May 31, 2000

Feeding/inserting/unscrambling

New technology spurs Cremora launch in PET

An injection-molder occupies minimal floor space yet maximizes preform output, while a first-of-its-kind blow molder orients preforms in the mold.

May 31, 2000

Flexible packaging

Amboy breaks new ground in smaller aseptic pouches

F/f/s machine enlarges Amboy Specialty Foods’ reach to pouches as small as 3 oz. Products represent the most viscous application of the supplier’s technology in the world.

May 31, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Fischer & Krecke, Inc: Informative video

Fischer & Krecke (Fairfield, NJ) offers a new video called “Flexographic Printing in the Folding Carton Industry.” The video is available free of charge to qualified customers.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

API : Foil stamping guide

API Foils (Lawrence, KS) has introduced its Technical Guide to Quality Foil Stamping and Embossing, a 45-page comprehensive resource guide for foil stampers.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

MRM/Elgin Corp.: Rotary piston filler

A new color brochure is available from MRM/Elgin featuring the Model RPF Rotary Piston Filler. Brochure focuses on machine’s reliability and flexibility.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

StrandWare, Inc: Software upgrades

A new program from StrandWare (Eau Claire, WI) provides free upgrades for users of 2 of the company’s software packages. Under the “Upgrade 2000” program, users of BackTrack™ (version 4.0 or higher) and Label Matrix® (version 4.6 or higher) can download the latest versions of the programs free of charge from the StrandWare Web site until June 1, 2000.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Consolidated Label: PU mesh bag labels

Consolidated Label (Longwood, FL) has introduced labels that can be heat-bonded to PU mesh bags used for potatoes, citrus and other vegetables and fruits.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

Sentinel Polyolefins: Blown foam plank

SenFlex™-H from Sentinel Polyolefins (Hyannis, MA) is a blown foam available in continuous rolls or planks. Made of Dow’s Index® Interpolymers, a copolymerization of ethylene and styrene, the foam is said to exhibit superior shock attenuation characteristics and compression set properties 2/3 less than physically blown PE foams.

April 30, 2000

Controls & Machine Components

PSI: PSI: PSI: Aluminum safety end

Automated Container (Toledo, OH) has introduced the 300 Doublesafe® aluminum safety end. Able to withstand pressure up to 15 psi, the end has folds of metal on both the center panel and the rim to protect the user from cuts.

April 30, 2000