CAP LINER TECHNOLOGY

PolyOne, Cleveland, Ohio, highlighted its new aluminum cap liner technology, GLS Versaflex PKG 4190 thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

This advanced material meets the need for preserving taste and aroma of sensitive beverages, and requires lower processing temperatures than traditional TPEs to save energy and enhance manufacturing flexibility.

As an extension of GLS compression-molded cap liner technology, Versaflex PKG is formulated for aluminum caps used for sealing glass, PET or aluminum containers. The materials deliver excellent seal integrity even when processed under ambient or high-temperature pasteurized and hot-fill conditions.

The new Versaflex PKG material is compliant with EU 10/2011 and FDA 177.1210 food contact regulations, is available globally in white or translucent grades and allows for promotional laser coding on the cap liner.

PolyOne Corp.
866-765-9663
www.polyone.com

REUSABLE, RECYCLABLE DISTRIBUTION PALLETS

Buckhorn Inc., Milford, Ohio, launched a new 62x48-inch extended length bulk box, offering maximum trailer cube utilization and allowing more containers to fit in a 53-foot trailer. The extended length boxes boast a 2,000-pound capacity and are available in 34-, 44- and 50-inch heights. Ideal for hoses, pipes and other long, awkwardly shaped items, these boxes collapse flat in seconds and stack for storage and return shipment. Drop-doors and 4-way forklift entry improve ergonomics and handling efficiency. Plus, they’re 100% recyclable HDPE.

Meanwhile, the new and improved line of 21x15-inch attached lid containers are available with a solid or open textured bottom in 9- or 12-inch heights and stocked in light gray or green colors. AC2115 totes feature an improved recessed lid design and larger, more ergonomic handles, allowing them to maintain strength and hold a capacity up to 60 pounds. Ideal for applications in distribution, grocery and general manufacturing, these containers are 100% recyclable, injection-molded of HDPE and resist impact, moisture and most chemicals. 

Lastly, Buckthorn introduced a new 48x40-inch nestable distribution pallet, designed to optimize storage, shipping and handling for the grocery, retail and wholesale food distribution markets. The patent-pending pallet is an economical and sustainable alternative to wood and provides a high dynamic load capacity of 3,000 pounds. The feet feature a channeled design for added durability, and multiple feet options ensure compatibility with most nestable pallets. Its capture corners grip stretch wrap with ease, and offers a superior nest ratio of 1,260 empty pallets in a 53-foot trailer.

Buckhorn, Inc.
800-543-4454
www.buckhorninc.com

PALLETIZERS

Intelligrated, Mason, Ohio, introduced upgrades to the Alvey 890i and 891i Series palletizers, which include technological advancements that make the machines easier to operate and maintain, improve safety and offer options to increase capacity. The new models provide exceptional flexibility and versatility in a smaller footprint with the ability to handle a wider array of package types and intricate stacking patterns. Operators can create new load configurations through a 10-inch color touch-screen interface while capitalizing on standard features like automatic layer-centering compression dams and package stops that can be relocated or installed in minutes.The primary difference between the 890i and 891i models is palletizing capacity. The 891i features a level, non-pitched layer accumulation table as a buffering mechanism to enable a throughput rate in excess of 60 cases per minute, while the 890i achieves a nominal rate of up to 45 cases per minute. 

Covers and guards are easy to handle and remove for quick access to components that may require adjustment or replacement. The updated design also prioritizes safety with an automatic air dump to avoid trapped energy, standard high-voltage arc flash protection, remote power disconnect, interlocked access gates, taller safety fences and a muted light curtain system for pallet discharge.

Intelligrated
866-936-7300
www.intelligrated.com

WRAP-AROUND CARTONER, CARTON CLOSER, BAGMAKER

Kliklok-Woodman, Decatur, Ga., exhibited the new Certiwrap Elite wrap-around cartoner. The Certiwrap Elitecan wrap a wide variety of tubs, trays, cups and other rigid containers arranged singly or in multiples—even stacked—in a carton at speeds up to 200 cpm. The Elite features an all stainless-steel frame with “open access” design for easy maintenance, multiple modular infeed options, patented twin arm rotary feeder and the company’s Insight color touch screen HMI for ease of operation.

Also in the showcase is the TransFormertop load carton former that can form lock-style or glue-style cartons at speeds up to 120 cartons per minute with a single head. The TransFormer’s features include a unique ergonomic waist-level hopper for easy carton loading, the Insight color touch screen HMI for ease of operation, a servo carton feeding system and plunger and fast, tool-less changeovers (under 10 minutes).

The Vari-Right tri-seal topload carton closer features “infinitely variable” flight centers that combine the carton control benefits of a lugged closer with the advantages of an “untimed” random carton infeed. Repeatable changeover is made easy by a CheckPoint verification system. Digital indicators automatically change with each recipe, and indicate when dimensional changes have been properly made, ensuring consistent performance.

And, the Apache CMcontinuous motion universal bagmaker can produce up to 160 bags per minute for products such as nuts, cookies, powders and more with wide package size and format flexibility. The Apache CMis designed for ease of operator use and has a low-profile Flex-Mount machine frame, allowing direct mounting of filling systems such as weighers and volumetric cup fillers.

Kliklok-Woodman 
770-981-5200
www.kliklokwoodman.com

OPEN-MOUTH BAGGING SYSTEM

The OML^H1 BF SERIES open-mouth bagging system from Premier Tech Cronos, Canada, is specially designed for the hygienic bagging of powdery bulk materials such as milk powder, lactose powders and more. 

The patented bottom-up filling technology features high filling accuracies, an open or closed bag-top transport unit, quick and simple cleaning, fast changeover times and minimized dust emission.

After the bag placement, the filling spout moves the bag down the vertical filling screw during the filling cycle. A minimum distance between the filling point of the vertical filling screw and the product in the bag is maintained to significantly minimize the dust emission and reduce product aeration. The vertical screw is frequency, servo-control driven, allowing all powdery products to be filled hygienically, accurately and quickly. 

The OML^H1 BF SERIES is available in single and single with post dosing configurations with outputs up to 400 bags per hour. The series is equipped with gross weighing systems for precise filling results. Additional features include:

• High weighing accuracy (up to 10 grams)
• Field proven technology for high system availability
• Cables to integral control centers run at the rear of each machine module
• Customized system configurations
• Compact, sturdy design
• User-friendly touch control panel with integrated graphical user interface
• Large bag magazine for long production runs

Premier Tech Cronos
866-571-7354
www.ptccronos.com

BOOT SANITIZING PAN

Meritech, Golden, Colo., introduced a new boot sanitizing pan incorporated into the CleanTech 2000SB or 4000SB automated handwashing system. This innovation allows for the sanitizing of boots or street shoes with a consistent 800-1,000 PPM of sanitizing solution during the entirety of the hand wash cycle. This new system approach ensures that the two main vectors for pathogen transmission are fully cleaned and sanitized simultaneously before employees enter production areas.

At the completion of every hand wash cycle, the system replenishes the boot sanitizing pan with additional hard surface sanitizer to keep the PPM at a high consistent level. To compensate for the varieties of footwear, customers can specify the height of the rubber mat inside the sanitizing pan in order to control the solution/water depth.

The boot sanitizing pan disconnects from the CleanTech unit for easy cleaning, and boasts an integrated handle for draining the solution during facility cleaning shifts.

Meritech
800-932-7707
www.meritech.com

CONTINUOUS MOTION VERTICAL BAGGING MACHINE

Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., partnered with Triangle Package Machinery Co., Chicago, to unveil a new Triangle PrimaPak continuous motion vertical bagging machine for cheese, produce and more.

Model XYT15 features a patented PrimaPak system interface, producing what is said to be the industry’s first flexible, stackable, reclosable package developed to replace rigid cans, bottles, jars, trays and dysfunctional stand-up-pouches.

Designed for food and consumer packaged goods products, the Model XYT15 VFFS bagger performs at operating speeds up to 100 bags per minute, depending on the package size. It also delivers seven types of different opening and closing designs, depending on the application requirement.

Key features include:

• Quick and easy changeover of sealing jaws, forming tubes and backseal
• Runs multiple package styles on the same machine
• Intuitive operator controls
• Pivoting control box for easy access
• Ultra-sanitary design for quick and easy cleaning
• Rugged, durable machine design

This announcement comes on the heels of Clear Lam and Triangle Package Machinery forming a manufacturing licensing agreement for the PrimaPak program.

Clear Lam Packaging, Inc.
847-439-8570
www.clearlam.com

Triangle Package Machinery Co.
800-621-4170
www.trianglepackage.com

SPOUT INSERTION MACHINE

Atlanta-based Mondi North America introduced three new IPN Equipment B.V. spout insertion machines.

This flexible package production equipmentconsists of three spout insertion machines, a one-up, two-up and three-up that is equipped with a robotic case pack unit and a 100% in-line IR inspection system. In operation, the machines insert fitments into pre-made flexible pouches and then seal. The finished spouted pouches are then boxed or placed on rails, and shipped to consumer brands or co-packers for product filling at rates of 50-200 per minute.

Mondi North America
770-240-7200
www.mondigroup.com