‘LOK’ – ING UP CONSUMER CONVENIENCE
FLEXIBLE ROLLSTOCK REPLACES RIGID PACKAGES
THIN LUMLIFE MK61 METALLIZED FILM PERFORMS IN CHALLENGING APPLICATIONS
AUTOMATIC CART CARRIES PALLET FROM LINE
ECONOMICAL, UPGRADABLE ZIPPER RETROFIT SYSTEM OFFERS RESEALABILITY TO EVEN SMALL BRANDS
PALLETIZER COMBINES ROBOTICS WITH MECHANICS
PACTIV SLIDES PAST THE COMPETITION
SERVO POUCH MAKER DELIVERS FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY
SUCTION CUPS GET A GRIP ON HARD-TO-HANDLE BAGS
INTELLADYNE PREPARES FOR LIFTOFF
Anti-Counterfeiting conference
ANTI-COUNTERFEITING TECHNOLOGY: THE FUTURE'S ON THE PHONE!
At the “Enhancing Your Anti-Counterfeiting Arsenal” conference on Monday, Jim Colby, program manager for Global Packaging and Advanced Supply Chain Solutions at Hewlett Packard, revealed the future of Anti-Counterfeiting technology at the consumer level: an ordinary, web-enabled cell phone.If a consumer wants to check if a purchased product is a counterfeit, she can simply key in a serial number to be checked by an online database. She’ll get a message back telling whether or not the product is counterfeit.
While it is already possible for brand owners and distributors to check for counterfeits via web-enabled cell phone, we should see it available in the same way to the consumer in the next three to five years, Colby says.
Randy Hofbauer, Associate Editor, Food & Beverage Packaging
Zip-Pak
'LOK' - ING UP CONSUMER CONVENIENCE
Zip-Pak, Innoflex Inc., Hudson-SharpBooth #S-1910; 800-488-6973
For the venerable, and often vilified, stand-up pouch, that all-important attribute of consumer convenience has been nearly 15 years in the making.
Making its debut at Pack Expo 2008, Zip-Pak, InnoFlex Inc. and Hudson-Sharp have brought a systems approach to bear on a solution for “stay-open” dispensability and reclosablilty for stand-up pouches of nearly any size.
The Pour & Lok resealable pouch system delivers consumer convenience on multiple fronts--or in this case, in the side gussets of pouches. Using a patented “stay-open” feature, the pouch “pops” open and stays open, making for easy pouring or “hand-in” retrieval of product. The solutions-oriented system goes a step farther with the double-flanged press-to-close zipper that can be hinged in a linear fashion, or folded over on itself to retain the original shape of the pouch.
“Our charter was to make this the ultimate in consumer convenience,” says Zip-Pak’s Robert Hogan, who added that the double-flanged press-to-close zipper is intuitive for consumers to use and prevent “non-positive” reclosures common with multiple-use, single zipper technologies.
In the bigger trends picture, the Pour & Lok can be converted from pre-zippered rollstock or as form-fill-seal. That enables higher production speeds and low scrap rates, two early roadblocks in pouches’ past history. The side-gusset-style pouch addresses rigidity issues, a sticking point for retailers who often complained about shelf facings and lack of billboard area of “those floppy little bags.” And finally, the pop-open-stay-open feature of Pour & Lok makes it easy for hand-in snacking directly from the pouch.
The combination of production versatility, nearly unlimited finished pouch size availability and the consumer convenience attributes of dispensability and secure reclosability would seem to answer any lingering doubts that stand-up pouches are ready for primetime, specifically in the U.S. market, where consumers have been slower to warm to mainstream applications for pouched product than their European, South American and even Japanese counterparts.
David Luttenberger, CPP, Director, Packaging Strategies
FLEXIBLE ROLLSTOCK REPLACES RIGID PACKAGES
Clear Lam Packaging Inc.Booth #S-225; 847-439-8570
A new system of forming flexible rollstock produces packages that can replace cans, jars and other rigid containers.
PrimaPak, the newest addition to the EarthClear line from Clear Lam Packaging, uses stiff, thermoformed film with rigid tops (and, in some cases, bottoms) to make packaging that keeps its integrity while still remaining flexible. The resulting package can be stacked and otherwise treated like a rigid container.
PrimaPak is made from Clear Lam’s rollstock and filled on equipment fromRovema. This equipment, a variation on Rovema’s SBS flat-bottom filler, is a combination vertical and horizontal form-fill-seal machine. In most applications, the system will form and seal three sides of the package, attaching a rigid top/closure to one side through a die-cut opening. The package will stand on the closure when it passes under the filler, which fills it through the open bottom. The bottom is then sealed and, in some applications, a rigid panel or slab is attached to stabilize it. PrimaPaks can be made with polypropylene, laminated film or any other film with suitable stiffness and barrier properties.
The primary ecological advantage for PrimaPak is its light weight and low volume. The rollstock is easier to bring to the plant than empty rigid containers. The finished container has 10% or less of the weight of comparable rigid containers.
Pan Demetrakakes, Executive Editor, Food & Beverage Packaging
Toray Plastics (America) Inc.
THIN LUMLIFE MK61 METALLIZED FILM PERFORMS IN CHALLENGING APPLICATIONS
Toray Plastics (America) Inc.Booth #S-2941; 401-294-4511
Converter and industry innovator Toray Plastics introduced LumLife MK61, a thin, high-barrier metalized polyester (PET) manufactured with a proprietary metal adhesion process. The film excels in wet and caustic packaging applications. True to Toray’s “Innovation by Chemistry” mantra, the film’s improved bonding delivers a significant advantage over other films that might lose their metallization in challenging packaging environments, but remains a thin, lightweight, foil-free film--meaning substantial source reduction benefits.
Sayre Kos, Associate Editor, Flexible Packaging
AUTOMATIC CART CARRIES PALLET FROM LINE
Schneider Packaging Equipment Co.Booth #S-1501; 315-676-3035
A system that will pack cases, palletize them, then carry the pallet across the plant, is available from Schneider. The system comprises Schneider case packing and palletizing equipment in one unit. The pallet sits on a roller bed that forms part of a SmartCart automatic guided vehicle (AGV), supplied by Jervis B. Webb Co. The SmartCart carries the pallet to a stretch wrapper, warehouse or wherever it’s supposed to go, and unloads it from the roller bed. It can then pick up an empty pallet and return to the line. The SmartCart is guided by simple tape laid on the floor. Cutting a groove in the floor is not necessary, although it’s a good option in cases where the pallets’ destination won’t vary and the path is often crossed by forklifts or other traffic.
Pan Demetrakakes, Executive Editor, Food & Beverage Packaging
Zip-Pak
ECONOMICAL, UPGRADABLE ZIPPER RETROFIT SYSTEM OFFERS RESEALABILITY TO EVEN SMALL BRANDS
Zip-PakBooth #S-1910; 800-488-6973
Zip-Pak, a leader in the resealable packaging market, launched its TopZip Jr. retrofit system at Pack Expo. Aimed at companies around the globe looking to enter emerging markets and produce brand-differentiating resealable packaging, the machine is economical and has a smaller footprint than other standalone zipper applicators.
The unit was designed as a baseline version and does not require a significant capital investment, but is upgradable to run at higher speeds and produce a variety of pouch formats and profiles, allowing the smallest of brands to flourish in resealable packaging.
Sayre Kos, Associate Editor, Flexible Packaging
PALLETIZER COMBINES ROBOTICS WITH MECHANICS
FKI LogistexBooth #S-1582; 630-778-1718
PL-950 series palletizers use a robotic arm to assemble a layer of boxes, and a ram-style drop-down mechanism to deposit the layers onto the pallet. The PL-950 is intended to replace lane dividers and other mechanisms that orient cases so that they can be assembled into a row. Instead, the robot arm places and turns the cases on the roller conveyor so that they come together properly, and the drop-down mechanism places them on the pallet. This combination of robotics and mechanics makes the PL-950 series more flexible than purely mechanical systems, and faster than purely mechanical ones.
Pan Demetrakakes, Executive Editor, Food & Beverage Packaging
PACTIV SLIDES PAST THE COMPETITION
Pactiv Advanced Packaging SolutionsBooth #S-1159; 877-PACTIV-1
While Pactiv is listed in the south hall at this year’s Pack Expo, its ergonomic slider truly excels inTotani America’s booth (#N-7130), where the slider and matching Pactiv insertion equipment has partnered with Totani’s CT-60D pouch maker to create a stunning 150 bags per minute. That’s approximately 50% faster than Pactiv’s competition, according to Pactiv sales and marketing manager Steve Meli. (The ergonomic slider is also showcased atUVA Packaging’sbooth, #N-4464.)
Designed for hooded flexible packages requiring a low-profile slider, Pactiv’s ergonomic slider features a low profile, ergonomic design for easy gripping and sealing aided by a smooth, low drag force sliding action. Red ergonomic sliders are readily available, but other colors are available upon request.
Sayre Kos, Associate Editor, Flexible Packaging
Hudson-Sharp
SERVO POUCH MAKER DELIVERS FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY
Hudson-Sharp Machine Co.Booth #S-800; 920-494-4571
Created with maximum flexibility and production efficiency in mind, Hudson-Sharp’s latest offering, the 750 Servo Pouch Machine, produces two-up, zippered stand-up pouches from a single web. The unit features a versatile, modular design for flexibility and changeover, meaning the machine can produce small to extra-large pouches in either a single- or dual-lane configuration. In addition to options including side-gusset bottom-seal capability or the ability to use string or flanged zippers for resealable applications, the machine includes cutting-edge performance features like eye-to-mark print registration and an intuitive operator touchscreen control panel for retrieval of specific job parameters.
The 750 Servo Pouch Machine being demonstrated this year at Pack Expo has been sold to an unidentified customer.
Sayre Kos, Associate Editor, Flexible Packaging
PIAB
SUCTION CUPS GET A GRIP ON HARD-TO-HANDLE BAGS
PIABBooth #N-4357; 781-337-7309
To the relief of end users with complicated bags, PIAB introduced its BL40-5 and BL50-4 bag-handling suction cups on the show floor this week. The cups work with PIAB's P5010 vacuum pump, which features COAX cartridge technology designed for automated product handling applications. It offers the highest possible vacuum performance in relation to energy use, reducing carbon footprint. It can be equipped with an air-saving function, and a control unit with both on/off and blow-off activation valves helps with handling porous products.
Randy Hofbauer, Associate Editor, Food & Beverage Packaging
Pillar
INTELLADYNE PREPARES FOR LIFTOFF
Pillar TechnologiesBooth #S-2119; 888-PILLAR-6
To complement its popular P6000 line of corona treatment power supplies, Pillar is introducing its IntellaDyne product line of power supplies at Pack Expo. Although the product will begin beta testing within a month, IntellaDyne already builds on the user friendliness established by its predecessor by offering easy-to-navigate color displays in four languages: English, German, Spanish and French. The versatility seen in previous Pillar products will continue, as the IntellaDyne will come in models capable of 5 to 15 kilowatts (kW) and inputs between 380 and 515 (three-phase) VAC, eliminating the need for input transformers, no matter where on the globe an IntellaDyne might be installed. Advanced features, including station diagnostics and communications, are still in development.
Sayre Kos, Associate Editor, Flexible Packaging
