The Arpac Group’s versatile Arpac 108F stainless-steel shrink bundler is built to dairy standards. The compact, single-frame bundler has a right-angle infeed for the simple collation of a variety of product sizes and configurations. The Arpac 108F features an on-demand-powered film feed systems, product hold-down and Nema 4X electrical panels/controls. Double-driven film cradles or spindle film rack ensure quick film-roll changeovers.

The new OK Superpacker Pick & Place Machine collates and places products automatically into shipping cases or trays. The machine is quickly adjustable to different packing configurations and can perform up to 20 cycles per minute, depending on product and configuration. The OK Superpacker is equipped with Allan Bradley controls.

Dwyer Instruments’ new Series SAV-SS Angle Seat Valves can be fully configured for complete valve system accommodation. Constructed out of investment cast 316 stainless-steel and Teflon® seals, the Series SAV-SS can be used in most gas, liquid, steam and sanitary applications. An industry-leading line pressure range of 0 to 290 psig insures the valves will meet all process expectations.

Kwasny Co.’s SaniCrete is a heavy-duty polyurethane flooring system is designed for food and beverage processing plants to provide excellent resistance to impact, abrasion, chemical attack and thermal shock. The sanitary, non-slip, odor-free flooring system meets or exceeds all USDA, FDA and HACCP guidelines and allows for installations over damp or dry concrete without interruption of plant operations. The combination of SaniCrete’s one-step application and rapid cure time, enables most projects to be completed and back to normal operation within 24 hours.

Dry-disconnect couplings from Dixon Valve & Coupling Co. are specially designed for the clean, efficient transfer of chemicals, solvents, fuels and hazardous materials. The couplings, available in stainless steel, aluminum or brass in sizes from 1 to 4 inches, allow for easy connection and disconnection of hoses and pipelines, while eliminating accidental spillage and product loss. Engineered to be extremely user-friendly in its operation, each Dixon dry disconnect coupler features a built-in swivel that allows the operator to use simple “push and turn” action to connect and start the flow of product.

Focusing on optical character recognition (date codes, lot codes), the Omron F210 CF date verification vision sensor from Omron Electrics LLC monitors printed codes for readability and rejects packages with unreadable, incomplete or missing codes. At the same time, it alerts system operators of the defects so corrections can be made before large numbers of products are affected. The F210 CF enables complete inline inspection of codes. The system automatically updates codes daily without operator intervention and recognizes date formats, including “manufactured on” and “best before” configurations. Setup and changeover can be done through a handheld keypad rather than a PC. The F210 CF vision sensor is ideal for use in food and beverage packaging operations, where clear and accurate date codes are essential.

Fill the void between the larger industrial vacuum systems and the smaller shop vacuum units with the new Eliminator series made by Nilfisk Advance America. Introduced by Nelson-Jameson, these vacuums possess the same Nilfisk quality and HEPA filtration customers come to expect, but for the fraction of the cost. Both the Eliminator I and Eliminator II are safe and effective in the cleanup of dust and debris. The Eliminator I is ideal for dry cleaning, while the Eliminator II can be used for either wet or dry cleaning.

Douglas Machine Inc. received a patent for its pinless metering system that uses slip-sheet technology and servo drives to gently but quickly meter bottled, canned and cartoned products into their appropriate pack patterns. The pinless metering technology also eliminates product damage that can occur when using traditional metering concepts. Features include solid conveyors to stabilize product flow and minimal surge pressure that results in speeds 50 percent faster than traditional metering technology. Changeovers are accomplished with simple adjustments and intuitive steps through the control panel. Pinless metering is used on Douglas product lines including the new Axiom Servo Case/Tray Packers and Contour Shrink-Wrap systems.

The Niro Soavi NS2002H Twin Panda homogenizer is a tabletop model designed for the laboratory/pilot plant needs of companies processing food and dairy products. It is a unique unit with the ability to process small volumes of liquids and pumpable fluids. The Twin Panda is designed to homogenize samples at pressures up to 8,700 psi. The internal design has special features permitting the homogenizer to handle feeds at high viscosity up to 20,000 cP and temperatures up to 90 degrees C (194 degrees F) without a feeding pump.

The Applications Research and Technical Service Labs at SPI Polyols continue to grow and add equipment to meet the needs of its customers. The company has recently added food scientists with expertise in confectionary, baked goods, dairy products and beverages. These scientists work with industry and academia to keep abreast of the latest technologies and information. New equipment additions include a Microthermics UHT/HTST lab pasteurizer with an in-line homogenizer and chiller, and additional freezer capacity. Other new upgrades include a rotating rack oven, 3-roll refiner with hydraulics and new microscope system with hot/cold stage and camera. The technical service lab has the flexibility to support product development in many categories including analytical support in HPLC/GC, temperature/humidity changes, water activity, DSC, texture analysis and viscosity profiles. The Applications Research and Technical Service Group works with customers through presentations and product trials and encourages customers to visit and use the lab facilities in New Castle, Del.

The Imaje 4040 printer has been designed for manufacturers who need to personalize their packaging on the production line and who are looking for quality, reliability and flexibility. The Imaje 4040 Windows-based controller makes selecting texts, graphics, logos, bar codes and 2-D codes on porous surfaces effortless. The image quality is a true 180 dpi vertical by 200 dpi horizontal resolution with ANSI Grade readability that meets market requirements. Imaje 4040 prints any font and any alphabet, up to 71 millimeters with a single head. The printer can drive up to four print heads for very large messages or simultaneously print on both sides of the same packing case.

The Komatsu Forklift ASX-BSX high-performance series of electric models offers lifting capacities from 3,000 to 6,000 pounds and also includes a 2,500-pound turret truck. These ergonomically advanced lift trucks are built with the operator in mind and the power to move. The forklift series, with fully electronic power steering and dual-steer tires, provides easy navigation and maneuverability in narrow-aisles. The operator can simultaneously control travel direction, travel speed, lift, lower, tilt, side-shift and other hydraulic functions with one hand. The other hand controls the virtually effortless electronic tiller steering with Mosfet Drive Controller providing greater driving performance and maneuverability. The instrument panel has an easy-to-read digital display for immediate awareness of the forklift’s operational status. These units can also be programmed and password protected to be application specific while allowing service techs easy access to the diagnostic functions with time stamp service codes for rapid and pinpoint analysis.

FKI Logistex has upgraded its industry-leading line of horizontal carousels. The new software and hardware improvements offer increased flexibility in the design, specification and maintenance of FKI Logistex horizontal carousel systems and provide an enhanced set of operating controls. The carousels are typically used for product picking in warehouse and distribution center operations and buffering applications for manufacturing operations. Software improvements to the FKI Logistex horizontal carousel line include modifications to the FKI Logistex SpectrumPlus™ warehouse control system software designed to maximize and optimize carousel control. Streamlined reporting, improved processing speed and new inventory management functions now provide better control of the carousel induction process, carousel inventories and product replenishment. Hardware enhancements include a new standardized track design, which enables the use of different sized product shelves on the same carousel track. This innovative design change offers increased flexibility in the product mix that can be assigned to a single carousel.

Hytrol’s model Plezd is a heavy-duty plastic belt accumulation conveyor, offering a new approach to conveying and accumulating heavy unitized of palletized loads. It combines the technology of the patented EZLogic Accumulation System with the efficiency of the new EZDrive System. The Plezd uses the dependability of the plastic belt to convey loads considered nonconveyable, such as flexible plastic pallets and mis-oriented conventional wooden pallets.

Designed to accommodate customers’ requirements of flexibility combined with low cost, Dorell’s automatic SW30 shrink bundler provides limitless collation and changeover capabilities. Featuring a “no tool” changeover, this flexible system can handle non-supported and supported products, collating them in numerous configurations at up to 25 bundles per minute. The system is applicable for various product sizes, up to 14 inches high and 12 inches wide. A small-radius nosebar provides smooth transfer between the wrapper and the tunnel. Adjustable louvers improve airflow in the tunnel, minimizing film distortion and providing package attractiveness. A fully welded frame and heavy-duty construction ensure enhanced durability. An Allen-Bradley PLC and operator interface enable easy adjustments and operational messages. Safety features include Lexan doors with safety interlocks and safety guards. Air motor for emergency evacuation of temperature-sensitive products and CO2 flush for flammable products are optional.

Linker Equipment released the SL-Series of Systems for shrink sleeve labeling applications. These systems include a stainless-steel conveyor and tunnel, matched to a plc controlled and servo driven labeler. System speeds range from 150 to 300 ppm with the choice of steam or electric tunnels.

Combi Packaging Systems added two new models to the Combi 2-EZ case erector family. Combi’s new side-belt-drive case erectors form and bottom seal cases at speeds up to 20 cases per minute. The 2-EZ HS erects case sizes from 8 inch x 6 inch x 5 inch to 24 inch x 16 inch x 18 inch and features a standard 45-inch EX load, walk-in power case magazine and the Combi HS High Speed 2-inch tape head. The 2-EZ SB builds case sizes from 8 inch x 6 inch x 5 inch to 20 inch x 16 inch x 18 inch up to 15 cases per minute. This machine features the standard EZ load, walk-in case magazine and the 3M Accuglide II 2-inch tape head.

Douglas Machine Inc.’s new Douglas Contour SPS-75 Shrink Packer’s patent-pending tunnel uses advanced heat and airflow management technology to deliver wrapped packages for maximum package integrity and appearance. Contour SPS-75 features include the Smartrak Steady Stream Infeed System, which removes the gaps that compromise pack pattern accuracy and continuous product flow; pinless metering, which uses new technology and servo drives to gently meter bottled, cartoned, canned and jarred products; and a servo-driven wrapping wand that provides film control and accurate film placement at speeds to 75 cycles per minute.

A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp.’s Model 156 decaser/single filer is now equipped with an intelligent control package that automatically monitors container flow and adjusts the decasing speed to ensure a continuous fill rate. This new feature is designed to optimize line productivity by ensuring harmonious operation regardless of line speed variations. The Model 156 takes the place of three machines as it functions as a flap opener/positioner, uncaser and container single filer. Operating at speeds up to 50 cases per minute, it opens the case flaps, uncases and single files the containers and uprights the emptied cases for conveying to case packing. Flexibility is built in, as this machine runs a variety of bottle or container styles, including glass and plastic, and offers quick changeover requiring no change parts. To maintain container integrity, the Model 156 uncases containers with no drop, and single files with minimum bottle-to-bottle contact.

Package line engineers and maintenance and production personnel can realize a greater return on packaging equipment investments by enrolling in Multivac University. The school of packaging machinery education offers intensive “Multi-Skills” training courses that provide strategies for enhancing equipment functionality, streamlining production, increasing package aesthetics and troubleshooting. Developed by Multivac as an extension of after-sale support, these hands-on programs increase attendees’ proficiency in machine safety, operation and maintenance. For 2005, Multivac has added MR Labeler courses in addition to offering its Multi-Skills technical and advanced courses. For a full schedule, visit the company’s Web site. For more information regarding course schedules, availability and registration, contact Brian Key at (800) 800-8552 or bkey@multivac.com.

Kernco Instruments Co. Inc. offers four new digital refractometers with features not typically available on hand held varieties. This PDX series covers many different applications in beverage plants because of the various ranges offered. Features include brix, salinity and nD scales; push-button, menu-driven operations; and high accuracy, wide ranges.

Thermo Electron Corp. unveiled the Orion Star Series, a line of meters, accessories and solutions for electrochemistry measurement. Building upon Orion’s electrode technology, Thermo’s Water Analysis Instruments product portfolio offers multiple configurations and highly sensitive electrodes designed for applications in the beverage and food markets. Thermo has customized the meters, electrodes and solution packages to fit the specific needs of customers, rather than offering one standard equipment package. With seven benchtop models and eight portable models, the series is suitable for the general lab or for the specialized quality control lab.

Centrus International’s Soleris technology (formerly Biosys, also marketed as MicroFoss™) has been proven an effective indicator of the shelf life of pasteurized fluid milk, according to a study conducted by the Mississippi State University Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. When compared to test systems currently used by most dairies, Soleris’ sensitive technology was more than five times faster, providing rapid, accurate test results within 38 hours, as opposed to eight or nine days. This allows dairies to ensure the highest quality through the shelf life of their product, increasing overall customer satisfaction.

Hassia has introduced the SAS 20/30 Aseptic Stick-Pack Form/Fill/Seal Machine to provide a new standard in shelf stability for tubular, flexible convenient packaging of food products. The SAS 20/30 is the first multi-lane machine to aseptically package low-acid food products, increasing shelf life (to one year) without refrigeration. The machine meets all United States and international hygiene standards, including the FDA’s CFR-21.

Elfab has extended its Flo-Tel burst-detection range into the explosive vent market with the introduction of Panel Flo-Tel. Panel Flo-Tel is an ATEX-approved burst-detection device supplied as standard with Elfab’s existing range of ATEX-endorsed explosion vents. Suitable for the most arduous applications, Panel Flo-Tel is based on Elfab’s magnetically-actuated detection system that provides an open signal once the panel has operated. The system guarantees simple, fail-safe detection to minimize the risk of spurious alarms.