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Today’s Market Demands
Tomorrow’s Packaging Trends

Preface
With more than 1,900 exhibitors occupying 1.1 million square
feet of exhibit space, packaging and processing professionals
had plenty of innovaons to see in acon at PACK EXPO Interna-­‐
onal 2012 (McCormick Place, Chicago; Oct. 28–31).
Interviews with packaging managers in aendance revealed
them as:
Modestly posive about business in 2012 and cauously
opmisc about 2013;
Intrigued by technological advances demonstrated on site
— parcularly in flexible packaging technology;
Planning to expand, upgrade and/or streamline operaons;
and,
Pleasantly surprised by the crowds on hand (45,338
aendees) despite Hurricane Sandy, which blew through
the East Coast as the show got under way.
Among the crowd were seven packaging professionals commis-­sioned
by PMMI to cover developments of parcular interest to
food, beverage, confeconery, bakery and snack and pharma-­ceucal
manufacturers. This report comes to you courtesy of
PMMI and this group, the 2012 “Packaging Posse:”
Ben Miyares (BDM)
bmiyares@packmgmt.org
Packaging Management Instute
(President); PMMI (Vice President,
Industry Relaons, ret.)
Edward J. Bauer (EJB)
edwardbauer@prodigy.net
Packaging Technology Integrated
Soluons (Senior Associate);
“Pharmaceucal Packaging Hand-­book;”
(Author); Bausch & Lomb
(Global Packaging Director, ret.)
Robert C. Collins (RCC)
rcc2@gpopt.com
Global Packaging
Opmizaon, LLC (President)
Procter & Gamble/Gillee
(Associate Packaging
Director, ret.)
Hallie E. Forcinio (HEF),
editorhal@sbcglobal.net
Packaging Journalist
Barry A. Goldberg (BAG)
bgoldberg@tappagroup.com
TAPPA Group Int’l, LLC (President)
Rick T. Lingle (RTL),
ricktlingle@gmail.com
Packaging Journalist
James E. Sco (JES),
Jamesesco56@verizon.net
JES Packaging (Principal); Kodak
(Packaging Development Dir., ret.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ i
Trends ..................................................................................................................................................................................... iii
Automation .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Bakery/Snack ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Beverage ................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Food/Food Safety ................................................................................................................................................................. 11
Inspection ............................................................................................................................................................................. 19
Pharmaceutical ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Printing, Labeling & Retail-Ready Packaging ..............................................................................................................27
Secondary Packaging ........................................................................................................................................................ 31
Sustainability ...................................................................................................................................................................... 33
TODAY’S MARKET DEMANDS; TOMORROW’S PACKAGING TRENDS

i
PACK
EXPO Internaonal 2012 (McCormick Place, Chicago; Oct. 28–31) was the strongest
PACK EXPO seen in Chicago since 2006. That’s not just because it
need more than 1.1 million square feet, and hosted 1,966 exhibitors
and 45,338 aendees. The strength of the show rested on how it
helped aendees find soluons to their packaging and processing challenges.
Show Floor Features Led Attendees to Solutions
The 2012 version of PACK EXPO’s customer-centric approach included five exhibitor pavilions — The Pro-­cessing
Zone, The Pharmaceucal Pavilion, The Reusable Packaging Pavilion, The Confeconery Pavilion
and The Brand Zone — and featured targeted “vercal markets” expanded to spotlight the Beverage indus-­try
in addion to Baking–Snack, Confeconery and Pharmaceucal/Medical Devices.
Networking-oriented vercal lounges were gathering places that included “ask the expert” desks staffed by
partner trade associaons. These and other show floor features were among a host of taccs in support of
PACK EXPO’s primary goal: to serve our customers — the aendees. Other customer-centric show ele-­ments
included My PACK EXPO, the PACK EXPO app, keyword searches on Packexpo.com and the Pre-
Selects (printed lisngs of exhibitors in various categories).
It was OK to talk polics at PACK EXPO. For the second installment of the PACK EXPO lecture series, PMMI brought in polical
pundits James Carville and Dennis Miller to opine on the 2012 Presidenal Elecon, held just a week later. Chicago news anchor
Bob Siro moderated the discussion.
Customer-Centric Education
Partnerships with leading trade associaons and exhibitors contributed to keeping PACK EXPO on the customercentric
track by helping to idenfy their members’ and customers’ needs. Partners provided session content and
speakers for The Conference at PACK EXPO, sponsored by DuPont: the Alliance for Innovaon and Operaonal
Excellence (AIOE); Associaon for Automac Idenficaon and Mobility (AIM); the Instute of Packaging Profes-­sionals
(IoPP); the Great Lakes and Midwest chapters of ISPE; the Internaonal Society of Beverage Technolo-­gists
(ISBT); PMMI U; Reusable Packaging Associaon (RPA) and The Packaging Associaon — PAC.
Under the theme, "Educate, Innovate, Advance," sessions were organized in tracks that paralleled the other cus-­tomer-centric
features of the show: Beverage; Focus on the Future – Trends and Innovaons; Food Safety/
Product Security; Manufacturing Soluons; Pharmaceucal and Medical Device; Sustainability/Packaging Materials; Track and
Trace; and Transportaon and Logiscs.
On the Grand Concourse, 22 exhibitors presented free, 30-minute educaonal sessions at PACK EXPO’s Innovaon Stage Theater.
Meanwhile, The Brand Zone hosted market research giant Mintel and materials library Material ConneXion®. Both presented daily
schedules of presentaons of data ed to trends in segments including food, beverage, retail and cosmec/personal care . Materi-­al
ConneXion (exhibing within The Showcase of Packaging Innovaons, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company) brought a
sampling of the materials in its 6,500-item library — many of which are not commonly used in packaging — for hands-on assess-­ments
by visitors.
On their way to The Brand Zone, visitors got an eyeful from the student researchers at the “Clemson University Presents: The Pack-­aging
Test Track,” exhibit, which was sponsored by Esko. The booth, an outgrowth of Clemson's acvies at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
2011, examined the visual and cognive effects of packaging and their impacts on consumer purchases.
Bringing Up Students
INTRODUCTION
With the help of the PMMI Educaon and Training Foundaon, PMMI provided travel scholarships to 170 students and instructors
aending PACK EXPO. PACK EXPO exhibitors and PMMI volunteers and staff saw to it that the students were engaged, and led
tours of the show floor. The students also engaged in some healthy compeon. The PMMI Student Packaging Contest, sponsored
by B&R Industrial Automaon, and the Amazing Packaging Race, sponsored by ASCO Numacs, required them to engage with ex-­hibitors
to complete tasks and develop soluons.
PMMI’s new iniave to expose high school students to packaging and processing as potenal career choices came to the spotlight
when high school robocs teams from the 2012 FIRST Robocs compeon demonstrated the robots they conceived, designed
and built for the 2012 contest. Massman Automaon Designs LLC and Siemens sponsored the “Future Innovators — Robocs
Showcase.” Dorner Mfg., Flexicell, the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Consorum (Aagard, Douglas, ITW Heartland and
Massman) and Pearson Packaging Systems supported student teams travelling to the event from their local areas.
TODAY’S MARKET DEMANDS; TOMORROW’S PACKAGING TRENDS

ii
“I use this show for trend analysis, technology and latest capabilities on packaging and packaging
systems. The show provides a great platform for identifying business solutions, mainly on packaging, that
might fit our current and future strategy.”
— Nasson Mwakatage, External Innovation Scientist, Mars Petcare
PACK EXPO INTERNATIONAL 2012

iii
On
the show floor, The Packaging Posse members observed several trends among the thousands
of technologies and innovaons.
The Packaging Paradigm is Shifting
With the connuing growth in the number and variety of flexible packaging-related exhibits, the 2012
show clearly demonstrated a shi in the way packagers see packaging operaons. Lightweight flexible
packaging formats are gradually replacing the pracce of having converters produce and ship a limited
range of container shapes and sizes to their customers. Instead, the flexible formats are formed inline
with filling, sealing, labeling and packing operaons .
Evolution in the Digital Revolution
Mechanical systems are giving way to digital controls, brushless DC motors, servos and other modern
control equipment. Today’s machinery can accomplish tasks such as automacally troubleshoong, re-­seng
and/or repairing itself without human intervenon. It can (and does) record producon sengs for quicker, simpler, rela-­‐
vely-trouble free changeovers . Maintenance manuals and data are pre-loaded into the machine’s PLC or PC memory for use in
control and communicaons. And, to an increasing degree, machines are connecng with the original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) online for trouble shoong or to implement modificaons, reducing or eliminang the need for onsite technical service.
“Sustainability” Redefined
“Sustainable packaging” at PACK EXPO Internaonal 2012 predominantly revolved around using fewer resources. On the systems
side of the equaon, reducing ulity usage — energy, compressed air, reclaiming/reusing radiant heat — and the resulng cost
was a recurring theme. On the materials side, “sustainable” packages either used less material than their predecessors, were reus-­able
or were composed of recycled content. Biopolymer materials and packages were noceably less prevalent than in recent
years, possibly because of producon and funconal issues, costs in comparison to petrochemical materials, and the maturaon of
the technology.
Flexible Pouches Move Beyond Kids’ Drinks
Flexible pouches are making inroads into previously unexplored territories including paint and medical supplies and as replace-­ments
for more rigid packaging opons, such as paperboard cartons for cookies and confecons. Innovave pouch formats includ-­ed
single-serving cookie and snack packs, handles on larger pouches to make dispensing easier and new fitments for ease of use.
Pouches have evolved into a mainstream packaging opon and a viable alternave to cans, glass, or plasc boles. Secondary
products, such as mulpack equipment, plus the low-cost flexibility inherent in pouch design offer a wide range of soluons for
consumer convenience, making the pouch a viable choice for almost any product.
More Efficient, Easier to Maintain, Networked Equipment
Advances in equipment automaon improved producon speed, output quality, ulity and flexibility while reducing the need for
human labor. There was a connued focus on integrated machines, modular design and high level of operaonal flexibility with
more offerings of line simulaon and line control/monitoring soware. Also noted:
Increased use of touch screen controls with icons and images, rather than text, for ease of use without language barriers;
Simplificaon of equipment to reduce changeover me, maintenance and cleaning;
Conversion from mechanical/pneumac to all electric/electronic operaons.
Significant machine control programming to link with serializaon efforts.
Robotics on the Rise
TRENDS
Robots are increasingly used for a growing range of “fine motor skill” primary packaging applicaons. Robots in case packaging
operaons might use long arms to handle several producon lines simultaneously, or customized grippers that provide addional
flexibility. Robots can be converted fairly easily as well, as applicaons and needs change.
TODAY’S MARKET DEMANDS; TOMORROW’S PACKAGING TRENDS

iv
Pharmaceuticals Focus on Efficiency & Preventing Counterfeiting
The pharmaceucal world is embracing robots as well, moving away from tradional tablet handling systems such as slat fillers, to
pick-and-place robots that provide more accuracy and control in the placement of tablets and capsules.
Serializaon and an-counterfeing technologies for pharmaceucal producon had a clear presence at the show, largely because
of California’s 2015 serializaon deadline. Blister packaging lines are becoming smaller and more compact, reflecng a tendency
toward more specialized, smaller paent populaons for new prescripon medicaons.
Retail Ready Packaging
Retail-ready packaging (RRP) has become commonplace in just a few years. Today, creang RRP is a common capability among
manufacturers of case packers. Largely, that’s because US retailers demand case put ups that require fewer touches (by store
clerks) and can be replenished quickly.
“We picked up some really good, quality leads. The people we have met at this show have been people we
would not have met otherwise.” — Craig Saltz, Design/Sales, Salbro Bottle
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

The
mantra
“doing more with less” is a driver in many of today’s packaging operaons, but
even in the quest for maximum automaon, the packaging sector is a long
way from operang “dark factories.”
Controllers Merge with Operator Interface
Combined operator interface/controller components simplify programming and reduce wiring and cabi-­net
space requirements.
The Vision 1040 from Unitronics combines a programmable logic controller (PLC) with a 10.4-inch color
touch screen with nine programmable funcon keys. Snap-in modules provide up to 1,000 I/O points.
Communicaon opons include TCP/IP Ethernet, GSM/SMS (cellular), MODBUS and CANopen network-­ing
plus remote access for data acquision and program download. There’s also a USB programming
port. For smaller, less complex machines, Unitronics’ Jazz micro PLC offers an operator interface with a
two-line display and keypad, up to 40 I/Os and communicaon opons such as GSM/SMS, remote access
and MODBUS networking. Prices for a Jazz unit start at $140, making it an economical replacement for a
smart relay.
The P500 panel controller from Lenze Americas combines logic (PLC), moon and visualizaon in one device. Onboard features in-­clude
two 100MB Ethernet interfaces that combine the funconalies of an integrated switch, an EtherCAT interface (master) and
two USB connecons. A standard slot holds communicaon cards. Opons include 7-, 10.4- and 15-inch touch screens. – HEF
More informaon:
Unitronics — Holly Dillon, regional markeng manager: 866.666.6033, usa.sales@unitronics.com; www.unitronics.com
Lenze Americas — Susan Duval, markeng and communicaons manager: 508.278.9100; susan.duval@lenzeamericas.com or www.lenze.com
Blended Infrastructure Allows Multiple-Machine Communication
Serial Realme Communicaon System (Sercos ) is a leading digital interface for communi-­caon
between control systems, drives and decentralized peripheral devices, and Sercos
Internaonal e.V introduced the new Sercos III machine and device communicaon system
at PACK EXPO Internaonal 2012.
Sercos III integrates the open Ethernet protocol with high-speed data transfer at 100 MBits
Full-Duplex/second. It includes the physics and data link layers of Ethernet, perming TCP/
IP, CIP and Sercos Telegrams to coexist on the network in its unified communicaon channel
(UCC).
P500 panel controller from Lenze Americas
The innovaon improves network safety, and a redundant ring and/or line systems between
individual Sercos slaves allows for efficient networks with minimum cabling. The system
covers electric drives and controls, pneumac and hydraulic drives and controls, and general automaon devices such as distribut-­ed
I/Os, vision systems and encoders. – EJB
More informaon:
Ronald Larsen, managing director, North America: 800.573.7267, info@sercos.com
Peter Lutz, managing director, Sercos Internaonal e.V.: +49.7162.94.68.66 p.lutz@sercos.de.
New Automation Technology
Beckhoff Automaon Canada, Ltd., combines rotary motor and linear technology in its line-­ar
transport system, the XTS eXtended Transport System.
Motors are contained in the straight and curved modules, and movers travel on wheels
along the guiderail. The modules can be laid out in any combinaon, and can allow a wide
range of funcons and locaons on the guide rail for each mover. With tooling, movers can
adapt to many material handling and manipulaon funcons.
The movers contain magnec plates, and as they travel on wheels along the guide rail, an
industrial PC controls distance and speed. Modules in the coils passively generate propul-­sive
forces to eliminate any sliding. – RCC
More informaon:
Joe Oenhof, regional manager, Beckhoff Automaon Canada, Ltd.: 289.627.1888 or j.oenhof@beckhoff.com.
AUTOMATION
Beckhoff Automaon Canada’s XTS eXtended
1
AUTOMATION

2
Automation Line Control Uses No Supervisory PLC
The Organizaon for Machine Automaon and Control (OMAC) demonstrated a mini-operaonal line that controlled five different
machines from five different suppliers working in concert to complete a task. The line did not use an integraon PLC or PC. Rather,
the machine interfaces provided supervisory communicaon without the need for a separate PLC overseeing machine-to-machine
links. Nestlé, an OMAC member, provided the funding and general specificaons to the manufacturers who supplied the equip-­ment.
The suppliers came up with similar graphic user interfaces (GUIs) for all the machines and the protocols used to achieve the
result. Nestlé will give the enre system, including the specificaons for machine controls, to OMAC to become part of its PackML
standard. – EJB
More informaon
OMAC: 571.612.3197, info@omac.org.
Transport Module Replaces Conveyors
Schubert introduced the Transmodule as an intelligent means of transport that can replace conveyors and be programmed to
move in a connuous or indexed manner, each tooled and programmed separately. These are independent,
highly flexible, servo motor-driven modules with programmable pitch speed capabilies. When the unit reach-­es
the end of the producon frame, it flips to the underside of the frame and is returned to the starng point.
A Transmodule can accommodate any number of product and package assembly processes, and product pack-­ing,
when linked with robots programmed to change the Transmodule tooling during producon changes. –
RCC
Schubert Transmodule
More informaon:
Todd Shewmaker, sales manager, Schubert : 972.692.1764, tshewmaker@schubertpackaging.com.
Contract CT Scanning for Manufacturing
Industrial CT scanning technology allows for extremely precise measurements when developing and manufacturing products, but
the equipment needed is costly. JG & A Metrology Center uses its own equipment to provide contract CT scanning services for ap-­plicaons
in a variety of industries, such as aerospace and medical equipment. It introduced its services to the packaging market at
PACK EXPO. CT technology can be used to fine-tune prototype specificaons and in quality control for periodic checks during pro-­ducon
runs. – BAG
More informaon:
Spiro Spiliadis, markeng manager, JG & A Metrology Center: 519.962.5300, spiros@jgarantmc.com ; www.jgarantmc.com.
Robotic Erector/Packer Handles Cases, Trays
ADCO Manufacturing’s new case packer , EnCompass RCP-15 uses a small Fanuc roboc arm to erect the case, and can erect and
pack up to 15 cases/minute. The compact machine’s modular approach allows end users to switch the carton erecon module for a
tray erecng module with a very small footprint.
ADCO worked closely with Fanuc Robocs America, a leader in roboc factory automaon equipment, to incorporate a roboc arm
into this case packing machine. With the increasing demand for more retail-ready packages, this case packer is well suited for being
able to erect and pack a multude of case and tray types and sizes. Changeovers are also quite fast and easy to accomplish due to
the design of the machine. – BAG
More informaon:
Glen Long, chief operang officer: 559.875.5563, glong@adcomfg.com; www.adcomfg.com.
Customized Robotic Head Tools
Moon Controls Robocs designs custom, mul-funconal roboc heads, and is a Fanuc Robocs authorized in-­tegrator.
Among the developments at PACK EXPO was one they claimed to be unique to Moon Controls Ro-­bocs.
A series of roboc heads expand from the center point, pick up products coming down mulple staging
lanes, then contract to a ght paern for loading into shippers or transport trays. Another technology, demon-­strated
via video, used robocs to load a pallet. A mul-funconal robot head picks up a pallet and places it in a
loading posion. The robot head then posions a slip sheet for loading, and picks up a complete er of boles
and loads them on the sheet, repeang the process unl the pallet is full, with a slip sheet on top. – RCC
More informaon:
Earl Raynal, Jr., sales manager, 231.622.8600, earl.raynal@mcri-us.com.
Moon Controls
Robocs
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

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Robotic Automation Cell Delivers Versatility, Economy
Adept PAC, the packaging arm of Adept Technology, introduced a “Packaging Automaon Cell” that
dramacally reduces the cost and complexity of automaon with a fully integrated roboc soluon:
Hygienic plaorm
Adept Packaging Automaon
Cell (PAC)
Integrated USDA-accepted Quaro robot
Custom-molded SoPIC grippers/graspers
Patented vision system
Pre-defined programming recipes.
Many visitors to the Adept PAC booth appeared interested in the large variety of new quick-change, silicone SoPIC grippers and
graspers, which can pick up a wide variety of foods or packages.
The country’s largest grower, packer and shipper of organic produce, Earthbound Farm, uses Adept’s ClamPAC to case pack their
clamshells. – JES
More informaon:
Adept Technology, 925.245.3400
“I came to PACK EXPO to get a bigger perspective on the packaging industry and see what opportunities
are out there.” — Michelle Rademacher, Student, University of Wisconsin — Stout
AUTOMATION

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"As both a packager and processor of breads and rolls, we came to PACK EXPO looking for the latest in
food safety and it delivered. This show takes a total systems, holistic approach that we could not get from
just a bakery-focused show."
— Roger Henneberger. Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe
PACK EXPO INTERNATIONAL 2012

With
world populaon growth shis towards emerging markets such as the
Asia-Pacific region, manufacturers of baked goods and snacks stand to
see a 7 percent annual rise in global sales of snack foods.* PACK EXPO
spotlighted the innovaons and market knowledge brand owners need to capitalize on this
growth, increase output and gain a compeve edge.
*Source: Bakery and Snacks - Market Assessment 2012; August 2012; PMMI
New Zipper Applicator for Bags
Conce North America added a new zipper applicator for bags. The system forms and cuts the zipper,
inserts it into the bag and seals it in place — at speeds as high as 700 bags/hour. The introducon of a
zipper applicator reduces the cost of the bag as compared to bags with pre-applied zippers. The applica-­tor
is part of a form/fill/seal system that can produce bags holding 5 to 110 pounds of bulk product. – EJB
More informaon:
John Elegreet, packaging specialist, Reliable Packaging Machinery LLC: john@reliablepkg.com; 706.654.3000,
New Generation VFFS Sealing Technique
Sealstrip Corp. displayed its new FreshPak Cross Direcon technology at the show. While the FreshPak resealing technology for
horizontal form/fill/seal applicaons has been available for years, the new Cross Direcon technology is designed specifically for
vercal form/fill/seal applicaons. The reseal technology uses FDA-compliant pressure-sensive tape that has non-pressure sensi-­‐
ve areas for an easy-to-grip, easy-open feature ulizing a tear tape. The resealing technology maintains package barrier proper-­‐
es and can be used with a wide range of film materials. The FreshPak Cross Direcon pressure-sensive reseal material is availa-­ble
in long rolls for extended runs. — BAG
More Info:
Jo Anne Forman, CEO/director of product development, Sealstrip Corp.: 610.367.6282, jforman@sealstrip.com ; www.sealstrip.com
Hook-to-Hook Pouch Closure
Velcro’s new hook-to-hook style open/reclose feature for flexible pouches, PRESS-LOK, is available in three widths, ranging from
¼ inch to 3 / 8 inch wide. The company says all three are consumer-friendly and easier to align than zippers, and they are designed to
close around fines and parculates. PRESS-LOK is FDA-approved and heat-sealable to PE. Velcro says the closures can be adapted
to most packaging machinery and, in fact, another exhibitor was applying PRESS-LOK closures to the pouches it was producing at
the show. While they are not as airght as zipper devices, Velcro asserts the barrier is sufficient for aer-opening in-home storage
and use for most dry food applicaons. – JES
More informaon:
Christopher Lerra, senior business development manager, Velcro: 603.222.4802, www.velcro.com.
Flat-Bottom Bag Features New Hook & Loop Closure
Peel Plascs displayed its new EZ-Close® package at the show. This is a flat boom
pouch that uses Velcro® PRESS-LOK® closure technology. The Velcro material is ap-­plied
just like a press-to-close zipper is applied, and actually uses the same equip-­ment,
specifically a hook-and-loop Velcro material.
The first commercial applicaon of the Peel Plascs EZ-Close® package is a line of
Lundberg Family Farms rice products, which includes its Wild Blend brand. The line of
rice products in the new Velcro® reclosable pouch was launched in the US in the fall
of 2012. — BAG
More informaon:
Will Troost, customer service representave, Peel Plascs: 905.456.4041, will@peelplascs.com ;
www.peelplascs.com.
Efficient Flexible Cube Pack
Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., introduced its PrimaPak package, a stackable, reclosable
rectangular flexible package produced from printed rollstock on vercal form/fill/seal
Peel Plascs
EZ-Close®
BAKERY/SNACK
PRESS-LOK Velcro hook-to-hook
pouch closure
5
BAKERY/SNACK

6
equipment. The PrimaPak costs less and weighs less than rigid containers, such as metal or plasc cans and
jars. With six graphics panels, it also has more cube display area than stand-up pouches– JES
More informaon:
Clear Lam Packaging Customer Service: 847.439.8570, www.clear.com.
Zipbox by T.H.E.M.
T.H.E.M .Takes the Carton/Pouch Hybrid to New Applications
T.H.E.M., has delivered its commercial applicaon of Zipbox , the hybrid carton pouch (with U.S. Sugar), and is
now working on the next applicaon. The company believes its carton with a flexible film top would work very
well with applicaons such as upscale pet treats, breakfast meals (including frozen) and any snacks currently in
canisters and stand-up pouches. T.H.E.M. has also partnered with Hartness Internaonal to develop a Zipbox
filling line that runs at 100+ boxes/minute.
Also on display from T.H.E.M. was the “Chokoku Plast-Edge Stand” package, a flexible bag structure with an elevang rim around
its base. Made on Sanko equipment, the package has been successful in Japan, and the manufacturer reports several companies,
including a flexible packaging converter and “major” CPG prospects in the United States are considering the package.
T.H.E.M., which has a long history of partnership with Sanko is also represenng the other firm in the United States. Among the
latest Sanko machines, the FC-1000LP can fill sck pouches “of any viscosity” at up to 100 pouches/minute, and the Zero 1-V,
can fill up to 600 pouches/minute with no air entrapment. – JES
More informaon:
Neil Kozarsky, president, T.H.E.M.; 856.452.3516, www.them.com.
PrimaPak by Clear Lam
“PACK EXPO is an excellent place to see how technology is changing and explore many different options all
in one place.” — Doug Schaefer, Clorox Services
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

P
robably the fastest, most highly-automated packaging lines are those engineered for beverages.
When food packagers look for ways to accelerate their operaons, oen the look to
the drinks sector.
Double-Sided Induction Seal Keeps Decanter Airtight & Leak-Free
Double-sided
Inducon Seal
from Relco UK
The new Tropicana pitcher on sale in U.S. stores demonstrates an important in-­ducon-sealing
innovaon, provided by Relco UK, a UK-based supplier of direct
and cap-less inducon sealing equipment. The inducon foil seal membrane, a
die-cut circular ring inserted in the closure, is supplied by Aptar, the exclusive
North American licensee for Bapco Closures’ BAP® proprietary closure
technology.
The foil seal membrane is double-sided inducon sealed right aer the lid is ap-­plied
to the filled container. This essenally welds the lid and the top of the PET
container to the membrane, and ensures a hermec seal for the product —
which results in longer shelf life and prevents leaks. Consumers open the pitcher
by liing the hinged HDPE lid and pulling a plasc pull-tab incorporated into the
injecon molded lid. The lid is designed to not come off the pitcher, and consumers do not see the foil seal
membrane during normal use. – BAG
More informaon
Mark Gill, director, Relco: +44 (0) 1923.699.581, mark.gill@relco.co.uk; www.relco.co.uk.
Bapco Closures: www.bapcoclosures.com
Injection Molding Introduced for Valves, Re-invented for Labeling
Pano Cap Canada Limited exhibited two new injecon molding technologies.: A PP flip lid dispensing closure
with a TPE valve was co-injecon molded virtually simultaneously in the same mold — a departure from the
standard method of inserng valves aer the closures are injecon molded. Usually, silicone vales are slit, then
inserted into the dispensing closure. The new technology uses an injecon molding grade of TPE, which allows
the two parts to be injecon molded and welded together in the same mold and create the necessary slit in the
valve. This technology is currently being used for a boled water product in Germany. Pano also introduced a
new process for in-mold labeling of injecon molded plasc closures. In-mold labeling on closures eliminates
many prinng limitaons and opens up doors to more aracve graphics and even photographic artwork on top
of plasc closures. – BAG
More informaon
Kelly Goulding, key account manager, Pano Cap Canada: 905.875.2672; kgoulding@on.ca ; www.panocap.com.
FullyEnclosed FilmPack —
Printed, low-density
polyethylene film from CEISA
produced with Innopack
Kisters shrink bundling
equipment from KHS
Shrink Film/Wrapper Combo Eliminates Bull’s Eyes
Printed low-density polyethylene shrink film from CEISA and Innopack Kisters shrink bundling equip-­ment
from KHS produce full-wrap mulpacks without the side openings, or bulls eyes, seen on tradi-­‐
onal shrink bundles. Already adopted by Danish brewer Carlsberg, the FullyEnclosed FilmPack elim-­inates
the need for corrugated trays and associated weight and expense. KHS says the absence of
bulls-eyes enhances pack durability and prevents cans or boles from shiing during distribuon
and handling. Opons include applying a handle to simplify carrying and film perforaon for ease of
opening or condensaon prevenon. A retrofit equips any KHS shrink packer to produce the fully
enclosed mulpack. — HEF
More informaon
David Haig, key account manager, CEISA: +44.78.41.58.98.92; d.haig@ceisa-packaging.com;
www.ceisa-packaging.com
Mahias Hahn, KHS: 262.787.1676; www.khs.com
Pouches Gain Liquid Functionality
BEVERAGE
Features such as integrated die-cut handles and spouted fitments, make pouches designed to hold liquids more funconal.
Pano Cap Canada’s
PP Flip Lid
Dispensing closure
Star Packaging Corp.: One preformed pouch design from Star Packaging Corp. holds 1 quart of motor oil for Universal Oil Inc. The
reverse-printed polyester/nylon/ polyethylene sealant structure ensures seal integrity and is classified food-grade. Fitment opons
7
BEVERAGE

8
include spout diameters from 10 to 38 mm and tamper-evident closure designs. Fitments can
be posioned in a top corner or centered. Die-cut handle aids pouring.
Smart Bole, Inc.: A flat-boom squared design from Smart Bole, Inc., posions die-cut
handles on both ends to provide stability for pouring gallon-plus volumes. This new design
flexible package is a Silver Award Winner in the 24 th DuPont Awards and was recently quali-­fied
by Kra Foods for instuonal size salad dressings. The package’s dramacally reduced
size and weight make for easier shipping, storage and disposal: unfilled packages occupy
about 85 percent less space; filled, they take up about 40 percent less space.
Smart Bole says its patented technology produces a leak-free package that outperforms lightweight HDPE
boles in a four-foot drop test. Filling occurs on equipment from General Packaging Equipment Co. The fitmented pouches can
Printpack
Viscopack System
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
contain carbonated beverages and be sized from 0.5 to 5.28 gallons. A triangular shape is under development.
The design offers several fitment choices including diameters from 10 to 110mm, dispensing or sports spout, and
threaded or snap-on closure.
Printpack: Bulk liquids also are packaged on Printpack’s Viscopack System 3.0 form-fill-seal machine with high- or
medium-barrier PerformX® coextruded polyolefin film. Fill volumes range from 8 ounces to 2 gallons. The ma-­chine
forms, hot- or cold-fills, and seals pillow pouches at speeds up to 60 1-gallon fills/minute. Smaller volumes
and dry products run faster, 120 and 175 pouches/minute, respecvely. Servo drives and motors precisely control
all movements including film tracking, registraon, weighing, squeeze rollers and sealing jaws. However, the knife
remains pneumacally controlled. The connuous-moon machine can add funconal features such as easy-open
tear notches and switches to intermient moon to apply reclosable fitments. A model for retort pouches is under development. –
HEF/JES
More informaon
Steve Courchaine, vice president Technical Services, Star Packaging Corp.: 800.252.5414; soluons@starpackagingcorp.com; www.starpackagingcorp.com
Ken Wilkes, founder and president, Smart Bole Inc.: 828.348.0292; ken@smartboleinc.com; www.smartboleinc.com
Bob Kelly, president, General Packaging: 713.686.4331; rkelly@generalpackaging.com; www.generalpackaging.com
Ken Rogers, business development manager, Printpack: 952.893.4063; krogers@printpack.com; www.printpack.com/viscopack.
Particulate Piston Doser Engineered for Cold-Fill Aseptic Drinks
The asepc dual filling system featuring Piston Doser PX parculate filling technology from GEA Procomac S.p.A. is
engineered for asepc applicaons of cold-fill sll beverages. The system is capable of accurately delivering mate-­rials
that contain pulp, fiber, and pieces of fruit or cereal as large as 10 mm high by 10 mm wide by 10 mm thick
into PET boles. The system ‘s two-filler setup first draws the parculate poron in the set volume into the Piston
Doser’s fill cylinder using a cam-driven piston before it is delivered into the PET bole. The second filler delivers
the clear liquid poron to complete the asepc fill, which can range from 200 mL to 1.5 liters total volume. The
system’s capability is 48,000 boles/hr of 500-mL size. – RTL
More informaon:
Marco Meggiolaro, senior engineer, GEA Group: 39 (0) 422.172.9304; marco.meggiolaro@geagroup.com; www.promac.it
Gregory Thompson, product manager, Oystar-Group: 800.257.5622, greg.thompson@oystar-group.com; www.oystar-group.com/brands/oystar-holmac.html
2-D Laser System Inspects 1,200 Bottle Crowns Per Minute
filtec’s 2-D laser-based inspecon system for bole crown quality assurance checks the dome profile by measuring the area under
the crown dome to detect improperly sealed crowns at rates as high as 1,200 boles/min. The company says the system is an alter-­nave
to inspecon by convenonal sonic-based systems, because the accuracy of those systems can be affected by extraneous
noises such as bole jostling on the line or adjacent lines. One of the filtec lines is in operaon at a brewery in Canada, and a major
U.S. brewery is planning to test the system. – RTL
More informaon
Phil Wiles, senior sales engineer, filtec: 310.560.9981; wiles@filtec.com; www.filtec.com.
Shrink Label Material Makes Recycling PET Bottles Easier
ExxonMobil introduced Label-Lyte 50TD200, a new polyolefin-based material for bole shrink labels to aid in the recycling of PET
boles. The material has a density less than 1.0, allowing the label material to float to the surface and separate from the PET re-­grind,
which sinks during the recycling process. Most currently used shrink labels cannot be separated from PET boles during recy-­cling,
and the inks discolor the recycled materials, which renders it unusable for new boles. – RCC
More informaon
Kevin P. Frydryk, barrier commercializaon engineer, ExxonMobil: 630.922,6835, kevin.frydryk@exxonmobil.com.
Smart Bole, Inc.,
flat-boom
squared design
Star Packaging
Corp. preformed
pouch
Piston Doser PX
from GEA Procomac
S.p.A.

Pre-Made Stand-Up Pouch Developed for Liquids
ALLIEDFLEX Technologies, Inc., introduced a stand-up dispensing pouch for liquid products. The pouches are supplied fully formed
with the dispensing spout aached. The spout is near the boom of the pouch, and the gusseted boom allows dispensing of the
product while sing upright on a shelf or in the refrigerator. The pouches also incorporate a carrying handle.
They can be supplied without graphics to allow labeling of small quanes for test markeng products, and complete 2-side
graphics can be supplied for high volume established markets.
To fill the pouches, posion them flat in the filling machine, where part of the dispensing spout is removed, the pouch is filled and
the spout reinserted. The process introduces minimal air into the pouch, facilitang full dispensing of the product. ALLIEDFLEX cur-­rently
offers a single-head, hand-fed machine for small producon test markets, and can also supply automated machines able to
fill up to 40-48, 1 ½ liter packages automacally. – RCC
More informaon
Kevin Dobberfuhl, regional sales manager, ALLIEDFLEX Technologies, Inc.: 941.923.1181; kdobberfuhl@alliedflex.com.
Circular Container Prototype Turns Heads
Circular extrusion blowmolded polypropylene container developed by mold-building specialist R&D/
Leverage, contains 24 ounces of liquid in a single- or dual-chamber configuraon with 28mm neck finish.
Center of circular container can hold another pack to create a meal/snack kit, such as milk and cereal, or
juice and crackers. Sizes can be scaled up or down. – HEF
More informaon
Robert Schiavone, global markeng director, R&D/Leverage: 816.525.0353, ext. 6305; rschiavone@rdleverage.com; www.rdleverage.com
PET Drink Bottle Filler Cuts Waste, Ups Speed
Solbern engineered the new RLFF-60, PET bole filler for energy drinks, health drinks, nutrionals, flavored products, juice, tea and
water. The 60-staon rotary liquid funnel filler relies on Solbern’s unique system, which uses the bole as the measuring device to
consistently produce uniform fill levels.
A series of funnels move into the neck of the bole at the start of the process. Each contains a siphon tube, which removes any
excess product and transfers it to a recovery trough to be pumped back, uncontaminated, into the system. The company says the
amount of product recirculaon is less than 2 percent.
The filler produces higher yields than convenonal rotary fillers. The system is simple to operate and to maintain, and uses no pis-­tons,
screens or valves that require maintenance. – EJB
More informaon
Jorge Espino, sales manager, Solbern: 973.227.3030, sales@solbern.com.
Pyramid-Shaped Teabag Speeds Brewing, Enhances Taste
Pyramid teabag
by Tsubakimoto
Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Tsubakimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. introduced a 3-dimensional teabag fabricated out of a fine plasc mesh, in the
shape of pyramid. This unusual twist on an old product allows for more space in the bag to speed the brewing
process and improve infusion, flavor and aroma of the product.
The machinery for manufacturing the teabag along with accessory equipment on display at the show demon-­strated
the manufacturing capability of the product. The teabag folds flat and can be packed in convenonal car-­tons
for distribuon and sale. – EJB
More informaon
Suguru Hiramatsu, sales, Tsubakimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd. : +81.3.6718.0137, suguru.hiramatsu@tsubaki.co.jp.
R&D/Leverage circular
polypropylene container
9
BEVERAGE

10
All of our customers and targets are here. They can find what they want to see — solutions — at this
show." – Mark Williams, SEPKG
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

Food
packaging is becoming increasingly less rigid: PACK EXPO Internaonal 2012 illustrated
that what was once mostly a bole/jar/box/can market is becoming a
pouch/bag/cup field. Like the marketplace, the technology on display at
PACK EXPO focused on lightweight, material-conserving packaging formats and efficient sys-­tems
to enable marketers to make, fill and pack their own packages rather than packing premade
rigid containers.
Injection-Molded Cup Technologies Enhance Sealability
Nypro Packaging introduced several innovave injecon molded cup technologies. Each provides a uniform,
thin-walled sealing flange to improve efficacy during lid sealing:
Foil encapsulated PP/Foil/PP food cups with a shelf life up to 10 years: The outer PP layer is molded, a
preformed foil sheet with a flat boom and pleated sides is inserted into the formed boom, and the
inside PP layer (blue material in the picture) is injected, compleng the encapsulaon. There is a per-­fectly
smooth outside surface, and there would be no evidence of the foil with a colored outside.
Co-injected PP/EVOH/PP food cups. 32 x 32 cavity molds meet ultra high producon requirements
(greater than any to date), maintaining a .011-inch uniform wall thickness and molding in a 5-second cycle. Nypro indicated
addional advancements are in the works to provide all plasc, co-injected containers with even beer barrier properes.
Injecon molded PP cups for Philadelphia Cream Cheese with 360 o in-mold label: Fea-­tures
included 12 x 12 cavity molds (larger than any to date) and a 5-second cycle me
on a 16 oz. container. The tops for the containers are also in mold labeled to provide
graphics.
Injecon molded cups with a 360 o in-mold label on the sides, overlapping a boom label
for full external container coverage: Labels can be produced with an EVOH layer for 4–12
month shelf-life, or a thin foil layer for up to 4-year shelf-life, providing addional barrier
properes for the container.
A dispensing closure where the closure and flip top are molded simultaneously in a 32
cavity double cube system with in-mold assembly, eliminang the usual secondary as-­sembly
operaon. The system molds the two separate parts in different colors using cu-­be
molds, and assembles them as part of the total molding operaon. Ejecon of the
final parts happens independently from the molding cycle when the mold cubes rotate
90°. It runs an 8-second cycle and produces 100mm+ a year per system. The closures are
currently being used on the P&G Herbal Essence line of products. Benefits include low
unit cost through cycle reducon, WIP eliminaon, floor space reducon and capital cost
reducon. – RCC
More informaon
Aaron Dupont, barrier commercializaon engineer, Nypro: 978.368.4585, aaron.dupont@nypro.com.
Takigawa Corp. is the licensee for h’eat
it, the self-heang soup pouch from
ScaldoPack.
Self-Heating Soup Pouch Debuts
FOOD & FOOD
SAFETY
Clockwise from top le: Foil encapsulated
PP/Foil/PP food cups; In-mold labeled tops
and injecon molded PP cups; dispensing
closure. All from Nypro Packaging.
The self-heang soup pouch technology, “h’eat it,” from ScaldoPack is a “pouch-within-apouch”:
The inner pouch contains a nontoxic quicklime-based heang mechanism acvated by
a push buon on the pouch front. The outer pouch contains the consumable product. Accord-­ing
to the ScaldoPack website, a 220-mL pouch will heat to heated 35°C (about 100°F) in five
minutes aer acvaon.
Licensee Takigawa Corp. displayed the commercialized 220-mL pouch at its booth. The h’eat it
pouch for soup from Abramo, Zwevegem, Belgium, debuted on-shelf in Europe several months
ago and sells there for the equivalent of $3.99. The company also has a self-chilling form that
ulizes the same pouch-within-a-pouch structure, relying on salts for cooling. – RTL
More informaon
Steve Coulson, director, Takigawa Corp.: 416.399.1181; steve@takigawa-corp.com; www.takigawa-corp.com/takigawa-corp/eng/index.html
www.scaldopack.be
11
FOOD

12
Flat-Bottom, Squared Bag Cuts Packaging, Transit Costs
Flat-boom bags from Smartcube Packaging Systems LLC stack to form retail-ready displays of dry, flowable bulk products like kiy
lier. This lighter-weight alternave to pails and corrugated secondary packaging that holds for stand-up pouches features a spotwelded
inner ply that forms five chambers and squares off the circumference of the polyolefin laminate bag.
The squared shape cubes more efficiently, and frequently can be stacked higher than pails or corrugated cases. These characteris-­‐
cs generate savings in handling, storage and transportaon — one truckload of the bags is the equivalent of about 60 truckloads
of pails. Filling occurs manually, semi-automacally with band sealer sealing or automacally on equipment from JEM Internaon-­al.
Adding a rigid plasc lid imparts reclosability. – HEF
More informaon
Robert C. Bayliss, managing director, 914.574.2240; rbayliss@smartcubepackaging.com; www.smartcubepackaging.com
Flexible Capper Incorporates “Electronic Dynamic Cam”
AROL Closure Systems introduced the EQUATORQUE EVO new bole capping equipment with a virtually controlled “Electronic Dy-­namic
Cam” that allows simple programming changes to adjust to different bole and/or closure systems and eliminates mechani-­cal
cam track changeovers. The diameter of the guides that posion the boleneck finishes can also be adjusted electronically.
AROL can also incorporate a robot to perform the only mechanical changeover required — chucks required to hold the caps. The
only regular maintenance required is to lubricate the shas for each capping head. The net result is faster changeover and signifi-­cantly
reduced maintenance/cleaning.
Physically eliminang the piston cam track provides flexibility, higher applicaon accuracy, significant machine component reduc-­‐
on, and energy savings. The machines are available for a variety of filling condions, and a single capping head, or rotary ma-­chines
containing three-40 heads. – RCC
More informaon
Steven Locker, vice president, AROL: 678.318.1568, steve.locker@arol.com.
Multilayer Extrusion/Thermoformed PLA Cups Take Off
Grupo Phoenix is the only supplier of polylacc acid (PLA) thermoformed cups, tradionally used solely in form-fill-seal (FFS) appli-­caons.
Using its state-of-the-art mullayer extrusion and thermoforming equipment, Grupo Phoenix saw the opportunity to sup-­ply
PLA cups to companies that do not use FFS equipment. The Colombian company supplies PLA thermoformed cups for products
typically served on Avianca Airlines. At the end of each flight, the Colombian airline recovers the PLA packaging for recycling. – RCC
More informaon
Michael Kelly, strategic sales manager, 630.961.5362, mike.kelly@gruophoenix.com.
Economy is Appeal of Cup Filler/Sealer/Overcapper
Debung at the show and capable of 200 cups/minute, OYSTAR North America’s modular Holmac Op-
Fil® OF-4 filler/sealer/overcapper for plasc containers fills a void in the market and offers a compact
footprint and reduced costs (40 percent less, the company claims). Cost reducons come from the allmechanical,
no-servo design that targets mid-level producon speeds. It also offers stainless-steel 3A
design, CIP flow meters fillers (piston filler is available) and oponal modified atmosphere packaging
system for extended shelf life.
The 3A-approved stainless-steel system can accommodate applesauce, buer/margarine, condiments,
coage cheese ice cream, soups and other pumpable products into containers from 50mm – 125mm in
diameter or width. It is available in four- and six-lane versions. – RTL
More informaon
Gregory Thompson, product manager, OYSTAR North America: 800.257.5622; greg.thompson@oystar-group.com;
www.oystar-group.com/brands/oystar-holmac.html.
Robotic Duo Automates Bag Filling
The patent-pending PTR-1030 Series open-mouth bagger from Premier Tech Chronos consists of a roboc duo that can handle bags
11 to 24 inches wide, 18 to 40 inches long, and weighing up to 50 kg for free-flowing products.
Engineered for products such as pet food, grain or seed, the unit operates at speeds as fast as 18 bags/minute with the help of a
pair of FANUC Model LR Mate 200 iC robots. The first robot, the six-axis “Manny,” places the bag to the spout filler. Five-axis
“Andy” removes the filled bags to a takeaway conveyor. Manny can be configured with a camera to improve accuracy to pinpoint
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
OYSTAR North America’s
Holmac Op-Fil® OF–4

ag pickup, even if the bag is askew or has a flawed flap. The compact, low-headroom system
offers Rockwell Automaon Allen Bradley CompactLogix programming via an Allen Bradley
PanelView Plus 1000 touchscreen interface.
The PTR-1030 accommodates gusseted or pillow-style paper- or polymer-based bags. Bag size
changeovers are reported to be as fast as one minute. – RTL
More informaon
Chakim Belhari, markeng supervisor, Premier Tech Chronos: 418.867.8883; belc3@premiertech.com;
www.premiertech.com/global/en/products/packaging-and-material-handling.
PET, PS Sheet Eyes Tray, Lid Applications
The Curwood porolio of Encompass PR (Printed Rigid) semi-rigid and rigid polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS)
tray and lid packaging is expanding the product line, which currently comprises custom and stock soluons for processed and pre-­pared
food applicaons that include out-of-the box pizza packaging, CPET dual ovenable trays, and Eco-friendly Encompass Lite 1
Trays that provide up to 15 percent source reducon. Curwood is developing the capability to include premade polypropylene trays
and using 3D distoron prinng to account for image distoron that occurs when a printed sheet is thermoformed into trays or
other packaging. Curwood sees the technology as a source-reduced alternave to bag-in-box packaging for dry foods such as cere-­al,
by allowing prinng directly on the package to reduce materials. Similarly, prinng on the rigid forming film could replace label-­ing
rigid materials and potenally increase line speeds. Curwood has printed material up to 24 mils thick. — RTL
More Informaon
Jill Hanegraaf, market manager, specialty foods, Curwood, Inc., a Bemis Company: 920.527.7440; JLHanegraaf@bemis.com; www.curwood.com.
CO 2 -Reducing Polypropylene Trays
Coextruded Plasc Technologies, Inc. (CPT) developed and produces “Go-Green” polypropylene trays. Manufacturing the trays re-­portedly
uses 30 percent less energy and generates 20 percent fewer CO 2 emissions because of a “new and innovave proprietary
thermoforming process.” The trays are microwaveable, high-barrier or breathable, and the base polypropylene can also be made
into cups or containers. – JES
More informaon
Jeff Madrzak, naonal accounts manager, Coextruded Plasc Technologies, Inc.: 608.314.2020; www.gogreenpackaging.com
Pre-made pouch variety
ZipnVent is named for its flagship products -- pouches with “ZipnVent” Microwave Steam-­ing
Technology. The company claims its pouches offer: faster, more even cooking; more
heat; microwave steam cooking; a range of venng systems. from high to low pressure to
accommodate different foods; steam venng capability for a vacuum pouch; no punch
holes or laser perforaons. ZipnVent’s on-site demonstraons of specialized, pre-made
pouches included a flat, square boom pouch made with film that was “Paral Lamina-­‐
on, Paral Hologram and Paral Opaque.” – JES
More informaon
Belinda Tang, overseas business general manager, ZipnVent: 1 852.2411.3359; belinda@zipnvent.com
Premier Tech
Chronos PTR-
1030 Series
open-mouth
bagger
Film for ZipnVent’s
Pre-made, flat
square-boom
pouch was “Paral
Laminaon, Paral
Hologram & Paral
Opaque.”
13
HFFS Duo Debuts for Stand-Up Pouches
Schur Technology is introducing to the United States the Star 3030-C and the stainless steel Star 2040-C, two mid-range horizontal
fill/seal machines for stand-up pouches or novelty pouches aimed at the contract packager making test market-size runs for con-­sumer
packaged goods manufacturers. Schur supplies the pre-made pouches as a web that is fed connuously through the ma-­chine,
and filled and sealed normally. Both models offer extremely short changeover mes and very low waste levels. – JES
More informaon
Kevin Howard, vice president & general manager, Schur Technology: 847.558.5056; www.schur.com.
Explosion-Proof Linear Scale
Parsons-Eagle Packaging Systems added the 8-unit HEM Series Linear Scale to its line of scales designed specifically to prevent ex-­plosions
caused by the dust produced when filling sugar. It meets the Class 2, Div 1, Group G Hazardous Environment Specifica-­‐
ons, and has all Div 1 electrical components. The unit, which connuously vents sugar dust, is constructed with an intrinsic barrier
FOOD

14
that prevent sparks by reducing current loads. The HEM Series Linear Scale can also be used for other types of pellezed, granular
or powder products, and can be adapted to semi-automac or fully integrated high speed lines. It can handle fills from 8 oz. to 20
lbs., with less than .5 gm. average giveaway at 5 lbs. and 10–12 weighments/head/min. It features a color touch-screen interface
for PC or PLC control systems. – RCC
More informaon
Ruben Barajas, industry manager, 636.926.8415, barajasr@parsons-eagle.com.
Rotary Cup Filler/Sealer Runs Either Foil & Non-Foil Lidstock
The servo-driven NAP R-2x3 Rotary Filler/Sealer from NAP Engineering fills and seals preformed cups with foil,
laminate or poly lidstock, and was shown simultaneously running foil and micro-perfed poly lidding materials,
making it one of few machines that can do both without modificaon. Capable of handling cup diameters up to
89 mm, the machine runs six-up at 40 indexes/minute to achieve throughput of 240 cups/minute. The six heads
fill the same product or up to six flavors, and adding a second filling staon will make layered product possible. A
cup restocking system allows the operator to replenish cup stacks without stopping the machine. Priced at less
than $150,000, the compact machine requires only 50 x 50 inches of floor space (without conveyor). Enclosing
gears and ming belts and eliminang chains minimize me and expense related to lubricaon. – HEF
More informaon
Paul DeSocio, chairman and president, NAP Engineering: 727.235.5902; paul@napengineering.com www.napengineering.com
Lid/Label Provides Reclosability Without Membrane Seal
The rotary MR-35 Filler/Sealer from ORICS denests, fills, seals and overcaps cups/tubs at a maximum rate of 30/minute. Compa-­ble
with a variety of container diameters and volumes, the compact, 36 x 36-inch machine demonstrated at PACK EXPO combined
the sealing/overcapping funcon. The custom lid placer and seal head applies 1-Seal Lids, an integrated closure/seal technology
MR-35 Filler/
Sealer from ORICS
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
developed by Spartech Packaging Technologies. The one-piece, injecon-molded, polypropylene lid/label elimi-­nates
the need for separate, removable foil or film membranes and provides reclosability. Heat-tolerant, micro-­wavable,
freezer-to-microwave ready, the 1-Seal Lid is recyclable in programs that accept polypropylene. – HEF
More informaon
Ori Cohen, president, ORICS: 718.461.8613, ext. 103; ori_cohen@orics.com; www.orics.com
Jeffrey Best, director of Markeng – Packaging Technologies: 314.569.7466; jeffrey.best@spartech.com; www.spartech.com
Tabletop Cup Sealers Address Low-Volume Needs
At least two exhibitors demonstrated tabletop machines to address lower-volume cup sealing needs.
The dual-head SC-1350 lidding applicator, the latest SealMAX Sealer from Teinnovaons Inc.
features one-, two- or three-up sealing at speeds of 40 cups/minute. Programmable logic con-­trol
and a touch screen operator interface simplify operaon and help accomplish changeover
in three to four minutes. Container opons include crystallized polyethylene terephthalate
(CPET) cups/tubs with proprietary mullayer PET-based film lidstock for products desned for
high pressure pasteurizaon. Suitable for the home meal replacement market, machines can be
configured for modified atmosphere packaging with or without vacuum. Teinnovaons also
supplies high- and low-barrier lidding film compable with CPET, polypropylene, high-density
polyethylene, PET, paper or aluminum containers. Film combines seal strength with peelability
and can be printed rotogravure in up to eight colors.
The IPS system from Integrity Machine Services replaces tradional pick-and-place with an in-­verted
punch-and-seal operaon. Punching and sealing in one moon minimizes moving parts
and boosts maximum speed to 40 cups/minute. The model shown featured standard steel with a stainless steel coang, but ma-­chines
can be built of stainless steel. Model opons include manual, semiautomac and automac. – HEF
More informaon
Allison Becker, logiscs manager, Teinnovaons: 630.393.0012; info@sealfilm.com or www.sealfilm.com
Jason Manderbach, sales manager, Integrity Machine Services: 989.386.0216; jasonm@imsmachines.net; www.imsmachines.net.
Closures/Fitments Enhance SUP Functionality
NAP R-2x3 Rotary
Filler/Sealer from
N.A.P. Engineering
SC-1350 lidding applicator, the latest
SealMAX Sealer from Teinnovaons Inc.
(le); IPS system from Integrity Machine
Services (right)
The shape of the Clover Choke Proof Cap from IPN USA Corp. allows a pouch to rest on the closure and stand upright. Its tamperevident,
kid-friendly design is sized for easy gripping and is too big for a toddler to swallow. It’s also designed to be paired with the
Clean Spout 85R fitment spout., which has an 8.5 mm inner diameter to dispense viscous baby food and purees. IPN injecon

IPN USA Corp.’s Clean Valve fitment (le)
and Clover Choke-Proof Cap (right)
molds the caps and fitments in polypropylene for retort applicaons and polyethylene for
hot-fill applicaons.
For single-serving pouches of asepc liquids, a silicone valve inside a 5mm-diameter Clean
Valve fitment prevents leakage even if the pouch falls on its side or is squeezed. The first
applicaon comes from Dutch company Roosvicee, using it for asepc fruit juice in a 200-
milliliter stand-up pouch. A tamper-evident, easy-open cap keeps the spout clean, and ro-­tates
a knurled mechanism that acvates a piercing mechanism to provide access to the
product when inially opened. – HEF
More informaon
Luis De la Mora, president – Markeng & Sales, IPN USA Corp.:770.631.2626; L.delamora@ipnusa.com or www.ipn-group.com.
Pre-Formed Pouches Fill Faster on Multi-Lane Machine
The high-speed, mul-lane Dosomat filling machine from Waldner of Wangen, Germany (represented in the Americas by Packaging
Technologies and Inspecon, LLC,) fills and ultrasonically seals up to 1,200 preformed, stand-up pouches/minute. With pins holding
lanes of pouches vercally, rows index two at a me through denesng, inspecng, filling, gas flushing and ultrasonic sealing. The
system accommodates up to three filling heads (liquid, parculates, top-off) and two sealing heads, ultrasonic with oponal cos-­mec
heat sealing. Servo-driven system handles hot-fill or asepc fill volumes from 25 grams to #10 can equivalent. – HEF
More informaon
Jeffrey Crangle, general manager, PTI Packaging Systems: 914.337.2005; j.crangle@pusa.com; www.ppacktech.com.
Pulsed Light Sterilizers Run Cups, Bottle Closures
Fowler Products Co. showed two units that sterilize cups or bole closures. Both offer dry, online steriliza-­‐
on of cups or bole closures without using chemicals. Instead, the sterilizers use mulple high-intensity
pulsed light lamps that produce the whole spectrum of visible light to kill bacteria and mold. The Fraunho-­fer–Gesellscha
Instute (Berlin & Munich, Germany) conducted biological efficacy tests of the pulsed light
sterilizaon units.
The Lamps are water-cooled, and Fowler Products claims their efficacy is greater than a five-log reducon
for the cup unit and three-to-five log reducon or more for bacteria and mold in the bole closure unit.
Efficacy is based on the number of pulsed flashes and the number of lights in the unit. The company has
one bole-capping unit designed to sterilize 90,000 caps/hour. – EJB
More informaon
Tucker Scofield, machinery sales, Fowler Products Co.: 706.549.3300 Ext.. 197; tscofield@fowlerproducts.com.
Spouted & Handled Pouch Targets Pet Products
Printpack Inc. introduced a novel pouch for pet products, a patented design that is extremely convenient for handling and dispens-­ing.
The pouch ulizes a range of barrier materials designed to preserve pet food flavors and the aroma of
scented cat liers, while protecng the products from outside moisture and odors. The threaded fitment
closure makes it easy for the consumer to access the product, and it preserves product freshness aer open-­ing.
A handle fabricated into the pouch improves the ease of handling and dispensing and complements the
pour spout fitment. It offers greatly improved sustainability over rigid containers. — EJB
More informaon
Tom Seidel, director, Printpack Inc.: 404.460.7440, tseidel@printpack.com.
Pouch & Fitment Combo Makes Painting Easier
On the heels of its acquision of Nordenia USA, Mondi displayed a wide variety of pouches and fitments at
PACK EXPO, including a pouch/fitment combinaon for interior or exterior paint.
Together, the fitment and handle, which are both built into the pouch, make handling, dispensing and reclosing the paint container
less cumbersome. The fitment also keeps air out of the pouch. Company representaves called the package a big improvement
over the tradional paint can for ease of handling and dispensing. — EJB
More informaon
Chris Davis, markeng coordinator, Mondi Group: 573.331.7269; chris.davis@mondigroup.com
Robert M. Bodell, account manager, Mondi Group: 404.229.6345; bob.bodell@mondigroup.com.
Fowler Pulsed Light
Sterilizaon Unit for
Bole Caps
Printpack Inc. pouch
for pet products
15
FOOD

16
Induction Sealer Handles Capped and Capless Containers
Fords Packaging Systems, a UK-based supplier of inducon and conducon sealing equipment, displayed a new inducon sealing
system for glass containers. The versale system can seal foil-based coated lids to many sizes and shapes of glass containers.
The glass goblet of Dijon mustard, on sale commercially in France, is filled at the rate of 150/minute on an automac filling line.
The printed foil lids are inducon sealed at the same rate as the filling speed, 150 containers/minute, using a
Fords Packaging Systems inducon sealing line for glass. The inducon sealing technology can seal containers
with or without overcaps.
Inducon sealing
system from Fords
Packaging
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
The company was also promong a new conducon sealing system for plasc containers at the show. Conduc-­‐
on sealing equipment made by Fords Packaging Systems has been used for many years to seal printed foil lids
on tapered yogurt containers and other types of containers. The foil lids on these containers are conducon
sealed to the sides, not the top, of the containers.
The new machine allows the minimum overhang to be reduced from 5mm to 2mm, for cost savings and a sleeker
look. – BAG
More informaon
Jill Koch, US sales manager, Fords Packaging Systems: 847.867.0891; jkoch@fords-packsys.com; or www.fords-packsys.com.
Software Manages Compliance with Sanitation Protocols
Kleanz QA & Sanitaon Compliance Management Soware from Nexcor Technologies, Inc., helps plants comply
with sanitaon rules by unifying inspecon and correcve acon records and centralizing informaon like sanitaon intervals,
quality assurance requirements, employee training and chemical data for quick reference. Simplified recordkeeping and report
preparaon further support compliance. Mobile applicaons allow for paper-free data collecon, audits and correcve acon work
orders right at the packaging line. – HEF
More informaon
Sonia Daniel-Sewell, execuve vice president, Nexcor Technologies: 770.831.9191; sonia.sewell@nexcortech.com; www.nexcortech.com
Pallet Washes Clean & is X-Ray Sensitive
The reusable, 40-inch by 48-inch RackoCell structural foam pallet from Orbis Corp. withstands high-temperature washing. Its onepiece,
hygienic design prevents water retenon regardless of whether the washed pallet is stacked flat or on its side. Proprietary
high-density polyethylene or polypropylene material is X-ray sensive, so if any damage occurs, fragments are detectable. Rack
capacity is 2,200 pounds. The design offers four-way forkli and two-way pallet jack entry. – HEF
More informaon
Bob Klimko, director of Business Development, Orbis Corp.: 262.560.5301; bob.klimko@orbiscorporaon.com; www.orbiscorporaon.com
Conveyor Redesigns Improve Cleanability
Redesigned conveyors minimize cleaning me and effort, maximize sanitaon levels on food packaging
lines and support Hazard Analysis Crical Control Point (HACCP) programs.
The stainless steel Sanitary Level III conveyor from Nercon Eng. & Mfg., Inc., features all-welded, beadblasted,
sealed-tube construcon, endless polyurethane belng and a sprocket and gear drive without
hinge points. The system withstands washdown with highly causc cleaning agents, and can be config-­ured
for clean-in-place and clean-out-of-place regimens.
Another redesign upgrades conveyors for metal detectors and X-ray inspecon systems from S+S Inspecon Inc. Reposioning
bearings on standoffs, angling flat surfaces and quick, tool-less belt removal simplify cleaning. – HEF
More informaon:
Jessica Jacobson, markeng manager, Nercon: 920.233.3268, jjacobson@nercon.com; www.nercon.com
Doug Pedersen, sales manager, Inspecon Systems: 224.208.1900; doug.pedersen@sesotec.us; www.sesotec.us
Washdown-Compatible Components Support Food Safety
RackoCell pallet from Orbis
Food packaging machine components must withstand the cleaning regimens the equipment undergoes to ensure food safety and
product quality. To protect vulnerable electrical systems, several firms provide washdown-rated devices such as connectors, ca-­bling,
input/output blocks, switches and sensors.
One IP67-rated, stainless steel input/output (I/O) block from Molex withstands washdown condions. As a result, brand owners

and original equipment manufacturers can relocate I/O from remote locaons to the machine. The inial eight-port model may be
joined by other sizes.
The InoxSens System from Wenglor integrates IP69K-rated sensors, mounng and connecon technology for applicaons such as
light curtains, height measurement and clear object detecon. Laser-based units also overcome other challenges such as distance
measurement involving rotang black objects. – HEF
More informaon
Hugh Daly, director of Sales, Molex: 630.718.5222; hugh.daly@molex.com; www.molex.com
Tony Bargmann, regional account manager, Wenglor: 937.320.0011; tony.bargmann@wenglor.com; www.wenglor.com
17
“PACK EXPO is a great place to gather new ideas for equipment that can work in our operations. The
show has a huge range of solutions — everything from soup to nuts” — Craig Logan, Newly Weds’ Foods
FOOD

18
"While other shows have slowly died, PACK EXPO has remained a global force. The best thing about this
show is the level of attendees. They are decision makers."
— Bryan Baker, CCL Label
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

M
arket shis (to lighter weight containers, more demanding/knowledgeable consumers, etc.) has
boosted interest in technologies that help packagers assure themselves, their customers
and, ulmately, consumers, that the package in their hands will perform as specified.
Auto-Focus System Eyes Product Size Variety
Cognex Corp introduced the Insight 7000, the first auto-focus vision system with integrated auto-focus,
lighng, and IP67 Rang. The vision system can be used for inspecon, guidance, measurement, presence/
absence, code reading and OCR/OCV applicaons. It can automacally focus on variable package sizes to
significantly reduce set-up mes. It can inspect many aributes, including bar codes, date codes and expira-­‐
on dates. It is capable of acquision speeds of 500 frames/sec and resoluon of up to 5 megapixels. It
sends all data to a quality system that can be directly linked to systems collecng serializaon data. – RCC
More informaon
Keith Blodorn, principal product markeng manager, Cognex Corp.: 414.604.7033, keith.blodorn@cognex.com
Simulation Software Analyzes Packaging Line Design/Performance
Flexsim Soware Products, Inc., introduced Flexsim 3D simulaon soware which provides very detailed graphics for use in model-­ing,
visualizing, analyzing and opmizing packaging line layouts and staffing.
The soware can simulate any acvity performed on a producon line or the enre connuous process. It allows you to minimize
risks, simulate line speeds, prepare presentaons for management and complete me and moon studies of proposed packaging
lines. This is especially helpful in comparing scenarios for the best soluon prior to capital expenditures. It can also be used for
troubleshoong exisng lines. It provides a variety of reports and graphs to analyze the line including; throughput, content, ma-­chine
state, ulizaon and cost. The soware can be customized to meet the exact requirements of any customer. – RCC
More informaon
William Strong, Flexsim Soware Products, Inc.: bill.strong@flexsim.com; 801.224.6914
System Monitors Pharmaceutical/Nutraceutical Lines
Modular Packaging Systems, Inc., introduced the Central Monitoring System, a password-protected sys-­tem
to track events and system changes, on their pharmaceucal/nutraceucal solid dose (tablet) pack-­aging
lines. The basic system can monitor conveyor speeds and container counts at various staons
while tracking packages rejected during manufacturing. An upgrade allows it to be configured to docu-­ment
physical adjustments for the line and to provide touch recipe downloads to each line component.
Combined with event logs and counters, the system can create and validate a batch record system send-­ing
data to a FTP or ERP locaon. It also integrates with serializaon soware, and can store line level
data and aggregaons. Data generated allows users to analyze and improve the efficiency of the line. – RCC
More informaon
Erik Bronander, naonal sales manager, Modular Packaging Systems Inc.: erikb@modularpackaging.com; 973.970.9393
Loma Systems’ Quick
Ship Flex
Quick Ship Metal Detector
Loma Systems introduced the Quick Ship Flex adjustable metal detector. The Quick Ship Flex’s adjustable con-­veyor
belt is available in custom conveyor lengths to work with mulple line layouts. — RCC
More informaon
Laura Studwell, markeng manager, Loma Systems: laura.studwell@loma.com; 630.681.2055
Tool Determines Best Sealants
DuPont introduced an on-line modeling tool designed to help packaging engineers and designers idenfy the
most appropriate sealant and to research new ways to handle tough sealing challenges. In conjuncon with
DuPont’s Sealant Value Esmator, the tool pinpoints potenal sealant resin opons and then compares their value-in-use in terms
of reduced packaging failures and waste. Users can enter criteria and rank their importance, such as converng process aributes,
packaging form requirements, end use condions and other property needs. – JES
More informaon
Rebecca Olsen, accounts manager, DuPont: rebecca.l.olsen@dupont.com
INSPECTION
Central Monitoring System
from Modular Packaging
19
INSPECTION

20
Lantech Issues Recommendations for Shrink Wrapping
Many of the environmentally-friendly changes in packaging involve downgauging — and there’s been a corresponding increase in
shipping damage that could be minimized with improved shrink wrapping techniques. Lantech has developed a containment force
tool (CFT-5) to measure the forces exhibited by any shrink wrapped load and a 10-step process to adopt and use containment force
as a crical specificaon. The company also recommends containment forces for various product loads — JES:
Very Light Loads (paper towels, empty PET boles, etc.) – 2 - 5 lbs.
Stable Mid-Weight Loads (cartons, trays, etc.) – 5 - 7 lbs.
Heavy Unstable Loads (tall cartons, heavy beverages, etc.) – 7 - 12 lbs.
Very Unstable Loads (PET water boles, etc.) – 12 - 20 lbs.
More informaon
Derek Jones, senior markeng product manager, Lantech: 502.815.9095, www.lantech.com
Pattern-Metallized Film is “See-Thru” for Metal Detectors
Metallized film enhances package barrier properes and aesthecs, but creates challenges for metal detectors deployed on the
packaging line. The non-connuous metallized surface of paern-metallized MetDetect film from Vast Films, Ltd. , however, ren-­ders
it transparent to radio frequency (RF) waves, allowing detecon of metal contaminants as small as 0.8 millimeter. RF compa-­bility
also opens the door to locang tags for electronic arcle surveillance or RF idenficaon inside metallized packs. In-pack posi-­‐
oning prevents tag loss or removal and improves an-pilferage and product traceability capabilies. An-counterfeing qualies
of the difficult-to-duplicate film can be enhanced with custom paerns and security print as small as 1 point. MetDetect film runs
on form-fill-seal machines or can be laminated to paperboard for conversion into metallized folding cartons. – HEF
More informaon
Wolfgang Decker, general manager, Vast Films, Ltd.:724.827.8827; w.decker@vasilm.com; www.vasilm.com
Pressure Sensor Confirms Seal Integrity
The T4000-DSC-LP Leak Detector from Teledyne TapTone combines a low profile with a top-down load cell to check seal integrity of
membrane-sealed cups/tubs. The system gently squeezes each container, and sensors at the entry and exit measure and compare
resistance readings — a pressure change indicates a leak.
The T4000-DSC-LP Leak Detector can detect flaws as small as 0.15mm at rates up to 1,800 containers/minute. – HEF
More informaon
Sco Shepard, eastern regional sales representave, Teledyne: 508.524.1276; sco.shepard@teledyne.com; www.taptone.com
Linear Induction Motor Powers Bottle Reject System
Fowler Products Co. added a linear inducon motor to a high-speed bole rejecon unit to increase overall line speeds. Conven-­‐
onal gates and pneumac units top out at about 250 boles/minute, but with the linear motor, the rejecon unit can handle line
speeds of 900/minute in the same space. The unit features a Linmot rejecon system to detect defects and a mul-finger head to
push quesonable boles from the line. – EJB
Free Flow X-Ray for Mekitech’s
Meki line of metal detectors
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
More informaon
Tucker Scofield, machinery sales, Fowler Products Co.: 706.549.3300; tscofield@fowlerproducts.com
Free-flow X-Ray Unit Needs No Conveyor
Mekitec introduced a “Free Flow X-Ray” machine to its Meki line of metal detectors. It is the first
machine of its kind that does not need a conveyor. The unit is designed primarily for the inspecon of
raw materials and bulk products such as grains or sugar.
Uncontaminated product flows through the machine, while contaminated material is discharged
through the boom of the unit. This unit can process 20 tons/hour, with results monitored on the inte-­grated
screen display. The angle can be adjusted to change the flow rate of the product. – RCC
More informaon
Brian Zeltner, sales manager, Mekitec: 973.235.0363, brian.zeltner@mekitek.com.

P
ackaging touches on a range of day-to-day issues for pharmaceucal manufacturers: track-and-trace,
serializaon, markeng, product protecon. PACK EXPO’s Pharmaceucal Pavilion
and The Rx Lounge targeted pharmaceucal exhibitors and their customers, helping
them connect so they could go back to the office with new, innovave ideas.
Barrier Paper Lidstock Competes with Foil Blisterpacks
Winpak Ltd. designed the coangs that make its new push-through barrier paper blister lidstock as easy to
use, and 25 percent less expensive than, foil-based blisterpacks.
The paper lidstock provides oxygen and moisture protecon that is superior to an uncoated, monolayer PVC
sheet — sll the dominant blister material used in the United States. According to Winpak, its push-through
barrier paper-based material will offer sufficient barrier to replace blisters that currently use PVC or PP . (PP
blisters are coming into the mainstream in the United States, but are used more extensively in Europe.) For
blister packages that require Aclar® or PVDC coangs, however, Winpak’s barrier paper would probably not
provide sufficient barrier. The material is expected to debut commercially in the US within the next year. –
BAG
More informaon
Todd Swartz, senior account manager–Healthcare Packaging, Winpak Heat Seal Packaging Inc.: 616.536.2065; toddswartz@winpak.com ;
www.winpakhealthcare.com.
LA600-SP
high-speed
sck pack
line by
MediSeal
Pharma
Technology
Soluons
Stick Pack Line Fills Up to 1,000 per Minute
MediSeal Pharma Technology Soluons, a Korber Medipak company, recently introduced its new
LA600-SP high speed sck pack line, specifically designed for filling dry/powdered pharmaceucal
products into sck packs as fast as 1,000 sck packs/minute.
The machine can form, fill and seal up to 16 lanes of sck packs in widths from 15mm to 40mm and
lengths from 45mm to 160mm. The model on display was connected to MediSeal’s P1600 side-load
cartoner, which can put from five to 50 scks into each carton, filling up to 100 cartons/minute. The
pair of machines is designed to work in tandem. — BAG
More informaon
Ulf Leineke, business unit manager, R & D, MediSeal Pharma Technology Soluons:: +49(0) 5207.888.197; ulf.leineke@mediseal.de; www.mediseal.com
PharmaWorks Stages Machine Debuts in Pharma Pavilion
PharmaWorks debuted its FA1 Pick-and-Place Feeder System and TF1e Blister machine with
Integrated TC1 Cartoner at its booth in the Pharmaceucal Pavilion.
The FA1 pick-and-place feeder system is a simple feed system designed for low-to-medium
tablet count feeding applicaons on any blister machine. Gentle rotary flaps align product in
a feed track that aligns the tablet or capsule in the same orientaon it will be in the sealed
blister pack. A servo-actuated arm vacuum picks and moves the aligned product, and gently
places it in the blister cavity. The feeder is capable of 80 cycles/minute.
This simple system has cost-effecve tooling that can be adapted to any tablet arrangement.
It offers quick, easily repeatable changeover; is compact enough to fit on most any blister
thermoformers; and it requires fewer people than fillers with flood style-feeders. It can be mounted on a mobile cart for quick
docking with a PharmaWorks TF1 or TF1e blister machine.
The TF1e, a compact blister machine, provides quick changeover between products or batches, and a large blister format that can
produce single blisters 90mm x 165 mm in one forming cycle. The machine’s material shredder and vacuum reject system help
securely transfer good blisters staon to staon while posively rejecng faulty blisters. The machine is servo-driven at all staons
and has no line sha. A unique feature allows minor adjustments, including dynamic seal pressure adjustment to improve blister
seals, to each staon from outside the machine enclosure while the machine is running. This includes dynamic seal pressure adjust-­ment
to improve blister seals. The machine has a modular feed area for easily posioning different feeders at the filling staon. It
can handle single blister reject and mulple blister rejects. – EJB
More informaon
Walter Stewart, Regional Sales, 815.254.9000; walt.s@pharmaworks.com.
PHARMACEUTICAL
PharmaWorks FA1
pick & place
feeder
PharmaWorks
TF1e compact
blister machine &
TC1 cartoner
21
PHARMACEUTICAL

22
Blow-Fill-Seal Units Engineered for LVP Bottles
rommelag, USA, Inc. exhibited machines capable of forming, filling and sealing large volume parenteral (LVP) boles. The large vol-­ume
machines are a significant departure from the small volume drugs and ophthalmic packaged products typically associated with
blow-fill-seal machines.
The machines can handle a range of product from 0.1 ml to 2 liters. In the small volume setup, the mold can have as many as 40
cavies. The volume of filled product and the plasc used to form the package determine the machine’s hourly output in units pro-­duced,
ranging from 700 boles/hour to 4,000 units/hour. This is an asepc filling operaon, with liquid product sterilized outside
of the machine, then transported to the boelpack® machine in a closed system that has been sterilized. The finished package can
be monolayer or a coextruded barrier container. – EJB
More informaon
Tim Kram, general manager, +1 303-674-8333, Tim.Kram@rommelag.com; rommelag.com
Low-Cost, 4-Station Automatic Blister Sealer
Starview Packaging Machinery, Inc., added the FAB4-1012 blister sealer for single operator high-speed
producon runs to its card sealing line. Under the proper condions, these machines can run up to 22
cycles/minute.
The FAB Series automated rotary blister sealing machines are built with the capability to feed blisters,
blister cards and discharge finished packages when proper tooling is installed. Machines may be used for
convenonal carded blisters, full-face blisters, double card trapped blisters and half-clamshell styles. This
low cost alternave permits one operator to be loading and unloading the revolving 4-staon carousel
while each blister card is being sealed. – EJB
More informaon:
Eric Carlomusto, sales, Starview Packaging Machinery: 514.920.0100 ext. 224, eric@starview.net.
New OS Simplifies Handling
Uhlmann Packaging Systems introduced its SmartControl operang system, which employs user-friendly design, easily understand-­able
displays, and process-oriented navigaon to simplify handling of Uhlmann packaging machines and lines for operators any-­where
in the world.
The SmartControl panel is designed to be intuive, and process-oriented user guidance follows the packaging process step by step.
The system is web-based for easy integraon of machines and aggregate lines with equipment from other suppliers; Uhlmann apps
expand its funcons. Its intuive layout features a uniform PC-oriented structure, clear symbols and consistent color-coding. The
system is scalable and provides direct operaon at the machine or remotely, with mobile devices delivering coordinated access
authorizaon. – EJB
More informaon
Greg Kosoy, regional sales manager, Uhlmann Packaging Systems: 973.541.7305, gkosoy@ulhmann-usa.com.
Peeled pouch with
Rollprint’s new sealant
color indicator. Purple plus
white produces a blue seal.
Color-Changing Sealant Designed for Flexibles
Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc., introduced its color-changing Chameleon sealant technology for all
types of pouch heat seal applicaons. The coextrusion-coated sealant can be applied to any thermallystable
substrate, including polyester, nylon and polypropylene and mullayer barrier structures. This seal-­ant
allows a film of one color to transfer a peel indicator of another color; the change in color indicates a
package has been opened.
This technology enhances product security in a simple, cost-effecve manner, by making bogus product
easy for consumers to spot upon opening the package. It’s also a new vehicle for medical device and phar-­maceucal
manufacturers to communicate branding aributes or to color code pouched product.
The color applicaon is transparent so the contents are visible, and the color palee of the seal can be
extended through a variety of substrate and sealant combinaons. For example, a blue substrate, combined with a yellow coang,
will produce a green seal indicator when the pouch is opened. – EJB
More informaon
Dwane Hahn, vice president, Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc.: 512.869.6620, dhahn@rollprint.com.
FAB4–2012 Blister Sealer
from Starview Packaging
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

Insulated Containers Control In-Transit Temperatures
An efficient and customized container for transporng sensive refrigerated and frozen products was a prominent part of the
Sonoco Packaging display. The container, from Sonoco ThermoSafe combines unique and proprietary liquids that maintain spe-­cific
temperature ranges with eco-friendly sustainable packaging.
Puretemp® refrigerants and phase change materials keep temperature-crical packages at precise temperatures during transit.
They are biodegradable and can be recycled for mulple uses. Available in a broad selecon of styles
and a multude of sizes, they provide reliable temperature protecon that meets almost any product
specificaon. The liquids are color coded to provide the end user with a simple way to pick the correct
refrigerant temperature range.
Sonoco ThermoSafe
GreenBox and color-coded
phase change refrigerant
boles used in the sidewalls
The units are supplied in pouches or rigid square blow molded boles that fit into pockets built into the
side of the eco-friendly shipper. The company also offers lower cost expanded polystyrene foam (EPS)
and polyurethane (PUR) insulated shippers to meet less stringent requirements.
ThermoSafe also offers GreenBox, which it says is the industry’s first and only completely sustainable
and reusable thermal management system. GreenBox is created from 100 percent organic-based mate-­rials,
and the phase-change materials that allow it to maintain product temperatures are non-toxic, fully
biodegradable and suffer no thermal degradaon aer more than 20,000 uses. – EJB
More informaon
Prakash Mahesh, vice president, Sonoco: 847.632.9652; prakash.mahesh@sonoco.com.
Stymieing Counterfeiters
Even in the safest markets, counterfeing and diversion occur with alarming frequency, and brand owners are constantly on the
search for an-counterfeing tools. Trends we saw:
Containers: Laser etching molds with a surface paern results in a textured container that is difficult to copy and differenates the
brand. Mold maker R&D/Leverage developed this process, and offers custom designs and standard paerns.
Inkject Ink Markers: DNA Matrix security markers from DNA Technologies impart higher authencaon levels to connuous inkjet
printer ink. OnCode, a division of Gem Gravure, uses a camera to compare the DNA strands in visible or invisible codes. Opons
include ultraviolet and infrared fluorescent inks for porous surfaces. DNA strand-equipped security inks for nonporous surfaces are
under development.
E-Fingerprint technology from Systech Internaonal converts environmental “noise” of a package substrate to a sine wave and
links it to the package’s unique barcode. Users scan and authencate the digital fingerprint with a smartphone and compare it
against stored informaon.
Holographic security labels from New Zealand-based Asuraseal Ltd. combine tamper evidence with up to nine opcal ancounterfeing
levels, such as flip images and microtext. Holographic foil, fused into the seal area through hot-stamping or rolling
processes, bonds to most substrates, including materials with a UV varnish. – HEF
More informaon
Robert Schiavone, global markeng director, R&D/Leverage: 816.525.0353, ext. 6305; rschiavone@rdleverage.com; www.rdleverage.com
Ramona Krogman, markeng manager, OnCode: 781.763.0478; rkrogman@oncodeinc.com; www.oncodeink.com
Dave Harty, vice president, Product Development, Systech: 800.847.7123; markeng@systech-ps.com; www.systech-ps.com
John Darby, sales and markeng manager, Asuraseal Ltd: +64.21.622.661; info@asuraseal.com; www.asuraseal.com
Built-In Desiccants for Pharmaceuticals
Clariant Funconal Materials – formerly Sud-Chemie — displayed a pharmaceucal cap that combines
tamper-evident, child-resistant and twist-off funconalies with a built-in desiccant. The cap can use
tradional silica gel desiccants and newer polymeric absorbers incorporated in the closure to maintain a
low-moisture or low-oxygen environment . – EJB
More informaon
Mark A. Florez, markeng, Clariant Funconal Materials: 505.244.7066, mark.florez@clariant.com.
Monoblock Fills Bag-on-Valve Aerosols
Cap by Clariant Funconal
Materials includes desiccant
and safety features
Rotary RI36-509 sanitary bag-on-valve filler from MBC Aerosol replaces hydrogen-based propellants with compressed air. The dou-­ble-indexing
monoblock with 36-inch-diameter disc handles up to 50 containers/minute (cpm) via two under-the-cup gassers, six
through-the-valve product fillers and two stem cleaners. Higher speeds, up to 300 cpm, can be achieved with a larger disc. Cans
23
PHARMACEUTICAL

24
measure 1 3 / 8 inch diameter, with a 1-inch neck finish, and hold up to 20 ounces of personal-care products such as sunscreen. Its
monoblock design requires less floor space and eliminates conveyor transfers. – HEF
More informaon
Jim McBride, sales, MBC Aerosol : 847.214.8843; jmcbride@mbc-aerosol.com; www.mbc-aerosol.com
Tool-Free Changeover for Tube Filler
IMA introduced the CS Linear single nozzle tube filler, which can fill up to 100 metal, PE, laminate or polyfoil tubes/min for pharma-­ceucal,
cosmec, food and chemical products. An independent ergonomic or fully-robozed CR1 feeder can accomplish the tube
feeding. The CS Linear single-nozzle tube filler features tool-free changeovers, easy access for cleaning and maintenance and a cen-­tralized
lubricaon system. It also provides tube cleaning, print registraon, bar code reading and nitrogen flushing before and
aer filling. All parts in contact with product are manufactured of polished, AISI 316L stainless steel. Dosing accuracy is ± 0.5%. The
unit is designed to accomplish normal, double and saddle fold metal tube closing and thermo-sealing (hot air, hot jaws or high fre-­quency)
with custom paern or hang-hole cutouts. – RCC
More informaon
Andrea Do, product manager, IMA: 39.02.9989867, doa@comadis.ima.it.
Form-Fill-Seal Pouch Former Runs Up to 16 Products at Once
Wrapade Packaging Systems, LLC, introduced the V-600 Mul-Product Feed System to meet the special needs of the nutraceucal
industry, which requires greater flexibility, efficiency and reducon of changeover mes. With 16 independent hoppers, the ma-­chine
can accommodate as many products, supplying them to its vercal 4-lane form/fill/seal pouch former. It’s designed to handle
capsules, caplets, tablets and/or so gels in virtually any combinaon, and can supply up to eight different products per pouch.–
RCC
More informaon
Bill Beae, president, Wrapade Packaging Systems, LLC: 973.773.6150, bill.b@wrapade.com.
Anti-Counterfeiting Technologies for Induction Seals
Selig Sealing Products recently entered into a strategic alliance with Switzerland-based U-NICA, which has developed a technology
to make slight adjustments, undetectable to the human eye, to printed images.
U-NICA has also developed ScryptoTrace.code, a companion smart phone app for consumer products companies and retailers . The
app scans a printed surface to detect counterfeit products, and with Selig, U-NICA is developing the technology for printed induc-­‐
on foil seal liners. U-NICA has already used this technology for various applicaons such as on tape seals for boxes of higher-end
auto parts. Selig has worked with U-NICA to develop this technology for printed inducon foil seal liners. – BAG
More informaon
Bill Raddick, sales manager, Selig Sealing Products: 630.922.3158, sales@seligsealing.com ; www.seligsealing.com
Pump-Free Transfer for Viscous Products
M.O. Industries, Inc., developed a system for transferring viscous liquids without a pump. The system requires the use of Vispro’s
stainless steel drums, offered in 100 liter and 200 liter sizes. The system is FDA compliant and ideal for transferring small volume
batches of pastes and creams to packaging equipment in a clean environment. – EJB
More informaon
Alex Maier, president, M.O. Industries, Inc.: 973.386.9228, sales@MOIndustries.com.
In Motion Filler Eliminates Buffering
Represented by NJM Packaging, Dutch firm Cremer Counng and Filling Systems has
released the Cremer CF-622 — a single mainframe as many as 10 modules, depending
on user’s choice of counng modules. There are four different frame designs which
support up to four, six, eight or 10 modules. The “In Moon Filling System” ensures
controlled and stable bole handling with short, single track in-feed and out-feed belts
and negates the need of bole buffering. Its very small footprint adapts to most producon environments, and quick product and
bole changeovers with a minimum of change parts by a single operator .– JES
More informaon
NJM Customer Service: 800.432.2990, www.njmpackaging.com.
NJM Packaging
represents
Cremer Counng
& Filling Systems
and its CF-622.
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

BellatRx
MagnaCapper
Capper Applies Closures Up to 120mm wide
BellatRx introduced the Magna Capper for large threaded closures and boles. The unit can handle bole sizes
up to 8 inches in diameter and 16 inches tall, and apply closures from 22mm to 120mm. It will also run up to 60
boles/min in single lane machine, and 120 boles/min in a dual-lane setup.
The system indexes two containers per cycle, using a servo drive to apply closures and guarantee consistent
torque levels. It has operator-friendly touch screen controls and automacally keeps track of the applicaon
torque for every container. Snap-in-place change parts allow changeovers in 15 minutes.
BellatRx says the Magna Capper is ideally suited for products such as nutrional powders, personal care products, diagnosc chem-­icals,
adhesives, paints and foods. – RCC
More informaon
Alan Shuhaibar, president, BellatrX: 514.630.0939, ashuhaibar@bellatrx.com.
25
“This show provides great opportunities for meeting new suppliers and cultivating new ideas. We’ve
bought machinery as a result of the connections we’ve made at PACK EXPO in the past, and we plan to do
the same this year.” — Ed Lily, Mister Snacks
PHARMACEUTICAL

26
"I’m looking for innovative packaging that reduces material use, new product dispensers and for product
design firms. I’m particularly interested in finding out what is possible to achieve with current
technologies and PACK EXPO has been a constant source of inspiration."
— Javier Contreras, The Clorox Company
PACK EXPO INTERNATIONAL 2012

R
etailers
change, so must technologies for prinng on them. PACK EXPO
Internaonal opened end users’ eyes to them all.
are demanding more and more retail-ready packaging (RRP), and packagers can happily
oblige, choosing from an expanding array of opons that goes
beyond the corrugated tray. But as the packaging materials
Clog-Proof Printhead Doesn’t Require Cleaning
Leibinger introduced the Jet 3 inkjet printer, featuring a printhead the company says requires no cleaning
and is virtually clog-proof. A mechanical movement retracts the ink guer into the nozzle, creang an air-­‐
ght seal that keeps the ink wet within the system when not in use. This significantly reduces maintenance
and makes performance more reliable than convenonal heads, the company adds. – RCC
More informaon
Greg Jenkins, regional sales manager, Leibinger: 847.533.6442, gjenkins@leibingerusa.com.
HP Indigo 30000 (top) and
HP Indigo 20000
Digital Sheet-Fed Press Targets Short-Run Cartons
The HP Indigo 300000 incorporates Indigo’s unique ElectroInk technology, for 7-color quality indisn-­guishable
from offset, and prints on any substrate up to 24 pt., including off-the-shelf paperboard, met-­allized
board and plascs.
HP says this press offers the breakthrough offset-matching soluon that the packaging industry has
been seeking for years: zero setup, minimal waste and easy versioning capabilies. The company notes
that shorter, more frequent print runs that have challenged the economics and producvity of exisng
systems folding carton converter systems.
HP also showed examples of flexible packaging produced on its 30-inch digital web prinng press. Like
the 30000, this press uses ElectroInk technology, has no make-ready and minimum waste. As with the folding carton market, HP
sees the global flexible packaging market growing steadily, alongside higher demand for shorter run lengths, shorter lead mes,
and higher print quality. HP claims the press delivers the high print quality required by brand owners who set gravure as their col-­or
quality benchmark for flexible packaging. The 30-inch press can handle substrates from .4 to 10 pt., including film, paper, and
aluminum. – JES
More informaon
Chrisan Menegon, business development manager, Labels & Packaging, Indigo Digital Press Division, Graphics Soluons Business:
chrisan.menegon@hp.com; HP North America
Hewle-Packard North America customer service: 800.289.5986; www.hp.com/go/graphic-arts.
Revolutions in Bottle Printing
Hints of a coming deco-revoluon were evident at PACK EXPO 2012, parcularly at the booth of
Hartness Internaonal. Hartness showed a bole of New Belgium’s Lips of Faith beer, screen-printed
with UV Hartness Ink. The Hartness process runs faster and uses less energy than a tradional ap-­plied
ceramic labeling line. Company representaves said they see an imminent change coming in
glass decorang, and noted their soluons address brand owners’ challenges, including product
differenaon, sustainability and product quality. — BDM
More informaon
Sean Hartness, vice president of Innovaon, Hartness Internaonal: 864.297.1200; shartness@hartness.com.
Dan Schmidt, business development manager, 800.628.6787 Ext. 1520; dschmidt@itwmuller.com.
Corner-Wrap Labeler Swaps Compressed Air for Electric Fans
Weber Packaging’s Model 5300 All-Electric Corner-Wrap label printer-applicator saves energy by
eliminang the use of compressed air. The unit prints labels in a next-out mode, automacally re-­moves
them from the liner and then retains them by vacuum on an integrated swing arm-mounted
pad. Unlike most convenonal label printer-applicators, the new Model 5300 All-Electric system
uses electrically-operated fans, instead of external piped-in compressed air, to create that vacuum.
PRINTING, LABELING &
RETAIL-READY PACKAGING
Screen printed with UV ink from
Hartness
As a case approaches the system, the pad applies a label to the front panel and around its corner, wiping the remaining poron of
the label onto the adjacent side. The system handles labels up to 4 inches wide and 12 inches long, and prints and applies labels at
27
PRINTING-LABELING

28
a maximum of 15 cartons/minute. A wide selecon of thermal/thermal-transfer print engines is available to produce text, bar
codes and graphic images at 203, 300 or 600 dpi. – RTL
More informaon
Mike Soloway, labeling systems product manager, Weber Packaging: 847.364.8532; msoloway@weberpackaging.com; www.weberpackaging.com.
All-Electric Labeling Line Cuts Energy Costs Up to 50%
Diagraph, an ITW Co., introduced the PA/6000E patented labeler with a high-speed tamp (HST) applicaon module as part of its
line of all-electric, servo-motor driven labeling machines. Diagraph says the line reduces energy costs up to 50 percent over
pneumac systems, and is designed to print labels for the uneven surfaces of shrink wrapped loads. To do this, it applies the
label electrically instead of using air to blow it into place. The labeler can run up to 300 FPM on flat surfaces and 50-150 FPM on
contoured surfaces. – RCC
More informaon
Steve Dods, labeling products manager, Diagraph: 636.300.2093; sdods@diagraph.com.
Modular Labelers Maximize Flexibility
Weiler Labeling Systems returns to PACK EXPO for the first me in a decade with a ground-up redesign of its rotary and inline la-­belers
and pressure-sensive labeling head. The highly configurable, all-servo machines can be built in a le-to-right flow, then
reassembled right-to-le. Container control can be switched between feedscrew and trunnion, and removable rollers enable differ-­ent
size containers to be run on the same trunnion. The configurable, servo-based designs cut machine costs 20 percent and short-­en
delivery me to four months. Weiler’s RL-420 rotary labeler, with servo-driven push/pull label drive, air-actuated top hold and
patented plaorm rotaon, posions containers as needed to ensure precise label placement. Rotary models can achieve speeds
up to 500 labels/minute and label widths up to 4 inches or 8 inches. – HEF
More informaon
Ted Geiselman, president, Weiler Labeling Systems: 856.273.3377; tgeiselman@weilerls.com; www.weilerls.com
Hot Melt Extruder Handles Roll-Fed Labels
B&H Labeling introduced its PLC-driven GES (Glue Extrusion System), a patent-pending extrusion glue system for roll-fed labels. The
system is promoted as an improvement over glue wheels and spray systems that enhances glue applicaon, produces void-free
glue paerns and eliminates vacuum drum re-padding.
The fully automac, recipe-driven hot melt applicator, applies a precisely extruded film of hot melt adhesive to preprogrammed
locaons on a label through a vercal paern nozzle. The system categorizes the label size, shape, and posioning of glue in its
memory algorithms developed for each adhesive and label in use by the customer. It then adjusts the pressure and temperature
during applicaon of the adhesive to consistently produce the proper amount of adhesive for applicaon regardless of changes in
line speed. — EJB
More informaon
Bob Adamson, markeng, B&H Labeling: 209.537.5785; markeng@bhlabeling.com.
Print 4-Color Labels On Demand
Kiaro! High Speed Color Inkjet Label Printer from QuickLabelSystems prints four-color labels on-demand, eliminang order lead
me as well as costs for handling, inventory and potenal obsolescence associated with preprinted labels. The
highly automated system runs with minimal operator intervenon for setup and operaon and wastes no labels
between batches. With no tradeoff between speed and print quality, the unit prints 1,200 dpi at 8 inches/second,
and integrates easily on packaging lines. Full-bleed labels have a print area ranging from 1 inch by 0.118 inches to
4.17 inches by 15.63 inches and thicknesses from 5.7 to 10 mils .
Its four high-capacity 240-milliliter ink cartridges – cyan, magenta, yellow and black – last for approximately
100,000 impressions, and the “economy” print mode can cut the total cost/label approximately 15 percent. – HEF
More informaon
Eric Pizzu, vice president & general manager, QuickLabelSystems: 877.757.7978; www.QuickLabel.com.
Color Measurement Tool
Kiaro! from
QuickLabelSystem
Esko’s recent purchases of X-Rite and Pantone has led to new a state-of-the-art color measurement plaorm, “eXact,” and a color
process control soluon, “Color iQC Print.” The eXact plaorm is a series of densitometers and spectrophotometers designed to
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

enable printers and packaging converters to understand, control and manage color across their enre network. Color iQC Print is a
process control that incorporates the latest digital workflow technologies and standards for a complete color quality control solu-­‐
on. It ensures centralized control and management and easy access to color data for authorized users within the color network. –
JES
More informaon
Tim Zula, director, markeng communicaons, Esko Americas, 937.535.6060, www.esko.com
Case Taper/Labeler Debuts
Labeling Systems Inc. (LSI) showed off its new, versale taper combined with a labeling system, which combined a taper, for seal-­ing
corrugated containers, with a label applicator. The machine, developed in cooperaon with Pro Mach, is unique in that ad-­jusng
the taper to accommodate a new size or style of case causes the unit to adjust the print head posion, too. The machine
uses cranks to adjust to various size cases, making the changeover simple, fast and easy for the operator.
More informaon
Jack Roe, vice president/general manager, Labeling Systems Inc.: 973.723.1386, jr@labelingsystems.com.
Clear Pallet Trays for RRP
Innovave Plastech Inc. introduced full-, half- and quarter-size clear pallet trays specifical-­ly
for the club/warehouse market. These trays offer the advantage of maximum visibility
and stability. They are also moisture proof, unlike convenonal corrugated display car-­tons.
These trays also do away with the need to tear open cardboard cartons. These pallet
trays are made of recycled PET and are sturdy enough to be reused several mes. – JES
More informaon
Innovave Plastech Inc. Customer Service: 630.232.1808; www.inplas.com
Package Strip Developed for RRP
Do-It Corp. presented its Pocket Display Strip (licensed from the U.K.’s Lighthouse Display). Fully packed, Pocket Display Strip pack-­ages
can be hung in a variety of places — shelves, end-of-aisle and check-out lanes. Its patent involves the process used to make
and fold the pockets on the strips. The technology is very versale, and the size of the pockets can be custom designed for differ-­ent
products. Combat® Source Kill Max Ant Bait, which is sold in paperboard cartons, is using the concept commercially. — BAG
More informaon
John Deschaine, director of markeng, Do-It Corp.: 800.426.4822; John.Deschaine@do-it.com; www.hangtab.com.
Retail Ready & Roboticized
What do you get when you combine the über trends of RRP and roboc automaon? Perhaps a patent-pending, mul-axis robot
with vision for vercal retail ready packing into trays, cases or cartons.
Fallas Automaon’s D3-LV system offers a vision-guided ABB Flexpicker delta-style robot along with dual-lng chambers
(buckets) that rotate 90° to deliver the packaged goods into awaing cases. The robot can be filling one chamber while the other
chamber is dumping the contents into the case, carton or tray.
The system can accept unwrapped or wrapped product and is capable of handling lay-flat applicaons through a simple changeo-­ver.
Three D3-LV systems have been sold to two customers. – RTL
More informaon
Jacob Cox, control engineer, Fallas Automaon: 254.772.9524; jcox@fallasautomaon.com; www.fallasautomaon.com.
New Pallet Wrapper Application Adds Identity
ITW Muller introduced a “Branded Logo Banner Applicaon” for its Octopus B-series model stretch wrap-­per.
Its wrapping cycle adds a 360°, branded label while wrapping, helping idenfy the product from all
sides. Variable tension control throughout the wrapping cycle is a unique feature that minimizes film
usage. The OCTOMAX control system provides and records informaon to help dive down film costs,
opmize load containment, reduce unplanned maintenance and increase producvity through various
report formats. It can also send automac e-mail noficaons of changes in machine sengs and perfor-­mance
OCTOMAX can be ordered on all new machines and added to all Octopus machines. – RCC
More informaon
Dan Schmidt, business development manager, ITW Muller: 800.628.6787; dschmidt@itwmuller.com
29
Full-, half- and
quarter-size
clear pallet
trays from
Innovave
Plastech Inc.
ITW Muller’s “Branded Logo
Banner Applicaon
PRINTING-LABELING

30
"At this year's PACK EXPO, we've been having real discussions with customers and prospects about active
projects. We've rung the bell to celebrate a sale about 10 times so far." — Robert Reiser, Reiser
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

31
To
bolster the protecon the primary package affords the product, packaging managers turn to an
array of secondary and terary packaging approaches. Un-­‐
l recently, the secondary layer of defense was largely cor-­rugated.
Increasingly, however, corrugated is being sup-­planted
with cocoons of tough shrink wrap, and stretch film wound
around pallets of product.
Compact Machine Erects, Loads, Shrink Wraps Trays
The all-servo TP-35/T125-60 tray erector/loader/shrink wrapper from Tekkra glues corrugated trays, collates
product, loads trays, and shrink wraps full trays for the trip through an aached heat tunnel. The integrated
system requires about half as much floor space as separate machines would occupy. When collang 60 car-­tons/tray,
the equipment is rated at 30 trays/minute. The same plaorms can be customized to handle rigid
containers or flexible packaging. – HEF
More informaon
Chrisne Ridgway, office manager, Tekkra: 630.226.1550; chrisner@tekkra.com; www.tekkra.com
Stretch Wrapper Simplifies Operation, Maintenance
Semiautomac Flex S stretch wrapper from Orion Packaging Systems wraps at up to 12 revoluons/minute. High- (HPS) or lowprofile
(LPS) models handle loads up to 4,000 pounds. Other features include all-steel construcon, programmable logic controller,
touch screen operator interface and load height-detecng photoeye. InstaThread film carriage features dual-chain drive system,
automac film tensioning and 260 percent pre-stretch. Quick disconnects and troubleshoong lights minimize downme, and AC
motors and variable frequency drives reduce maintenance requirements. – HEF
More informaon
Peter Vilardi, director of markeng & communicaons, Orion Packaging Systems: 561.736.2180; pvilardi@orionpackaging.com; www.orionpackaging.com
Hartness Presents Solution for Variety Packs
At PACK EXPO, Hartness Internaonal introduced a new line to improve variety/rainbow pallet
pack producon. The new line offers roboc casing and uncasing with greater flexibility and a
smaller footprint than typically seen. Components include the following:
A robot to uncase or accept product from mulple lines for producing variety pallet packs;
A low backpressure accumulaon table for managing ultra lightweight glass and plasc
boles product through filling, labeling and case packing; and
A revamped case packer that gently handles packages, parcularly glass, allowing the use of ultra lightweight thin wall glass
boles.
The robot used for the product movement and posioning is extremely flexible and can handle a wide variety of packages simply
by changing the gripper at the end of the arm. The robot tools were part of Hartness’ Systems Integraon loop. – EJB
More informaon
Sco Smith, vice president, Hartness Internaonal: 864.297.1200; ssmith@hartness.com.
E3 Robox pallezer from
Schneider Packaging
Equipment Co.
Low cost robotic palletizer,
SECONDARY PACKAGING
Robots in the new casing/uncasing line
from Hartness are part of Hartness
Systems Integraon Loop.
Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. showed two unique technologies to complement its end-of-line
machinery lineup.
The company calls its very-low-cost E3 Robox pallezer easy to move and operate. The robot can run at
24 cycles/minute and produce loads up to 70 inches high, and its vacuum gripper can handle 50 kg pay-­loads.
The unit comes with a product track/trace opon to collect data as a load is stacked, transming
the data to the producer’s network when the pallet is removed from the cell.
Schneider’s Pro-Adjust SM system is an oponal automaon package that can bolt onto new and exisng
Schneider Packaging designs or retro fit to almost all other equipment. It’s a self-contained unit that
makes all adjustments on end-of-line machines when case size or shape changes — this quick changeo-­ver,
menu-driven system eliminates almost all manual adjustments. The system is modular and features
its own controller with an easy hand held interface that drives power modules to provide adjustment.
SECONDARY PACKAGING

32
Schneider touts it as low-cost and simple to install, setup and operate: The system has a simple interface for the operator, and pro-­vides
integrated drive, gear reducon and absolute posion feedback. Posion is always known, even aer power cycling. The ma-­chine
can be manually moved or jogged using a remote hand held teach pendant to integrate new posions into the controls. – EJB
More informaon
Terry Zarnowski, sales, Schneider Packaging Equipment: 315.676.3035; tzarnowski@schneiderequip.com.
System Protects Pallet Loads in a Single Layer
The Beumer Group, an internaonal manufacturer of intralogiscs soluons for the conveying, loading, pallezing, packaging,
sorng and distribuon technology segments, displayed a new pallet wrapping system using blown HDPE tube film that has no side
seam. Based on an established Beumer technology for pallezing paper-based mul-wall pasted-valve bags of cement, the new
system is modified to be suitable for food and beverage applicaons.
The system is completely automac and stretches the tube film prior to placing it over the pallet load being wrapped. The film is
brought down to, then sealed to, the wood or plasc skid; it’s then cut off and heat sealed on top to encase the pallet load is a sin-­gle
layer — unlike shrink and stretch wrap systems, which generally wrap mulple layers of film around a pallet load. There is an
add-on feature for the machine to place a layer of film on the boom of the skid so the products contained on the pallet are com-­pletely
covered in one layer of film — parcularly helpful if the loaded pallet is stored outdoors.
Because it only uses a single layer of film, the machine promises savings in materials costs. Its price tag can be around $155,000,
conngent on opons. — BAG
More informaon
Hano Behm, sales manager, The Beumer Group: 732.893.2854, Hano.Behm@beumer.com; www.beumergroup.com.
ISTA Protocol Frames Transport Packaging Practices
packaging system.
The Internaonal Safe Transport Associaon’s (ISTA) new Responsible Packaging by Design (RPbD)
guide is a step-by-step process management standard for the design, tesng and qualificaon of re-­sponsible
packaging that meets industry, consumer and regulatory expectaons. The process provides a
framework and guidance to evaluate two or more individual packages using the following criteria:
Provide appropriate packaging for protecng the product and perform all other funcons of a
Minimize product waste through the prevenon of damage or spoilage.
Opmize use of materials, energy, water in producon, distribuon and use.
Maximize recovery of materials and energy from used packaging.
The protocol’s procedure for analyzing packaging systems – from broad to narrow – is data-driven. Eight steps guide the packager
in a stage-gate process, with each stage accompanied by a template to help users gather data. The guide is available free to mem-­bers
of ISTA and for $750 for non-members. – EJB
More informaon
Edward Church, president, ISTA: 517.333.3437; ISTA@ISTA.org.
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012

S
ustainability in packaging operaons is oen in the eye of the beholder. At the end of the day, op-­eraonal
sustainability is the conservaon of resources, be they material, energy,
me, cost, ulies. Anything that lets your ops run more efficiently is part of the
sustainability tapestry.
New Induction Sealer Provides 20% more power
Enercon Industries Corp. introduced the Super Seal Max inducon sealer that provides up to 20 percent
more sealing power and integrated inspecon to assure cap liner is in place before entering the unit. It
features a new operang system, memory processor and touch screen controls, and the company says it
cuts set up mes from several hours down to 15-30 minutes. – RCC
More informaon
Ryan Schuelke, director of sales, Enercon: 262.255.6070; rschuelke@enerconmail.com.
Sustainable Advancement in EPS Molding
ACH Foam Technologies is incorporang 60 percent-recycled molding beads, supplied by EcoSix Recycled
Resins, into its EPS products, providing the same quality as components molded from virgin resin beads.
The EcoSix beads are reprocessed by RAPAC, the world’s largest EPS recycler, and can be supplied to exacng standards and col-­ored
to specificaon. While recycling of EPS packaging is sll in its early stages due to recovery limitaons, the EcoSix material can
be blended with virgin material to produce excellent quality components. EcoSix, manufactured from recycled material and 100
percent recyclable, is a true “cradle-to-cradle” material. – RCC
More informaon
Greg Aron, east regional sales manager, ACH Foam Technologies: 920.924.4050, garon@achfoam.com.
Collapsible Drum Improves Shipping Efficiency
Buckhorn, Inc., introduced a collapsible 60-gallon drum for foods, powders and liquids that is said to provide a
25 percent beer cube ulizaon than convenonal drums. Overall set-up size is 24 inches by 20 inches by 48
inches, allowing interlocking on a 40 inch by 40 inch pallet. Plasc liners contain the product inside the drum,
and parts have offset surfaces and interlocking flanges so no cracks exist in the joints, minimizing contaminaon
potenal. When collapsed, the plasc drums offer a 3:1 space saving return rao. – RCC
More informaon
Dave Devaney, eastern regional sales manager, Buckhorn, Inc.: 410.626.8619, ddevaney@buckhorninc.com.
Water-Soluble Film is Good Enough to Eat
Vivos food-grade, water-soluble film from MonoSol forms dissolvable pouches for single-serving mixes and food/beverage ingre-­dients,
eliminang the waste associated with tradional primary packaging made of paper, foil, film, laminates or coextrusions. The
taste- and odor-free film dissolves when exposed to hot or cold liquids, so it’s consumed along with the food,
and because they hold pre-measured quanes, the pouches minimize the waste and inconsistencies in the
finished product that oen come with dispensing ingredients from a bulk container. The material offers good
oxygen barrier and mechanical properes.
Food-grade
Vivos film
Vivos film extends the convenience of dissolvable film beyond cleaning agents and chemicals, yet performs
the same as its non-edible counterpart on dual-web form-fill-seal machines from Cloud Packaging Systems. On
the 2,000-pouch/minute (ppm) Hydroforma machine or the 1,000 ppm Hydroforma SP, the water-soluble film
rolls onto a forming drum where a vacuum holds it in place for thermoforming. Fills consist of a liquid, a powder or two powders in
pouches measuring up to 6 inches by 6 inches and weighing up to 40 grams. A water-based soluon bonds the two film layers.
Changeover between liquid and dry products necessitates a drum change, about an eight hour process. – HEF
For more informaon
Sumeet Kumar, senior manager, Technical Markeng, Monosol: 219.762.3165 ext. 411; skumar@monosol.com; www.monosol.com
Mike Werner, vice president - Sales & Markeng, Cloud Packaging Systems: 847.789.5264; mwerner@cloudps.com; www.cloudps.com
Faster Film Changes Cut Downtime
SUSTAINABILITY
Buckhorn’s
collapsible 60-
gallon drum
With four No-Thread® powered pre-stretch film carriages and a sophiscated indexing system, the Wave stretch wrapper from
Wulec/M.J. Maillis wraps connuously to produce up to 125 loads/hour. As soon as a film roll runs out, another film carriage
starts. In addion, separate zones for film-loading and wrapping make it possible to change rolls without stopping the wrapping
33
SUSTAINABILITY

34
process — and without jeopardizing operator safety. Other features include a Category 3 safety package. The machine’s highly
flexible control system/soware can program it for variables such as wrap paerns, roll sizes, film thicknesses, pre-stretch levels,
colors and logos. – HEF
More informaon
Colinda Lavallee, markeng manager, Wulec: 877.985.3832; colindal@wulec.com; www.wulec.com
Auto-Adjusting End-of-Arm Tooling Minimizes Downtime
The scissors mechanism in Adapve Roboc Tooling from Xpak USA, LLC, moves in the X and Y direcons to automacally adjust
to handle a different container size or count. By eliminang end-of-arm tooling changes, the mechanism also reduces downme
and enhances the flexibility of the packaging robot. The system relies on components from Festo Corp. – HEF
More informaon
Juan Orz, vice president Business Development, Xpak USA, LLC: 732.964.1600, ext. 403; orz@xpakusa.com; www.xpakusa.com
Waste & Downtime Cut with LinerLESS Labeler
Rotary or inline LinerLESS pressure-sensive labelers from WS Packaging Group, Inc., apply clear or white linerless labels that are
separated on the roll by micro-perforaons. Using a silicone release coang on facestock, WS Packaging Group’s 2-mil, biaxiallyoriented
polypropylene rollstock eliminates the liner and keeps the labels from adhering to each other. Benefits of doing away
with the liner include: up to 20 percent drop in total costs, twice as many labels per roll, reduced shipping and storage, less down-­‐
me to replenish the roll. No liner also means no waste to dispose of or recycle.
A higher-speed rotary labeler with proprietary Proper-LL1 head from Italian Labeling Technology Industry (ILTI) S.r.l. accommo-­dates
up to six cassees to simultaneously apply front and back labels to round or oval containers as quickly as 750 containers/
minute. Proper-LL1 head may be mounted on System RE and System RP labelers from ILTI or rotary label applicators from other
manufacturers. The inline labeler, equipped with the proprietary Herma 400 head from Herma GmbH, can also be configured for
front and back labeling, and hits maximum speeds of about 350 containers/minute. Both inline and rotary systems achieve label
placement accuracy ±1 mm. LinerLESS facestocks accept virtually any prinng/decorang technology, including metallic ink, foil
stamping and reverse prinng to eliminate the need for an over-laminate. – HEF
More informaon
John Giesfeldt, senior manager, Markeng, WS Packaging Group, Inc.: 920.969.4099; jgiesfeldt@wspackaging.com; www.wspackaging.com.
Robotic Case Erector with 2-Minute Changeover
The Gantry-robot-equipped, servo-controlled CE-TRS Transector case erector from AFA Systems adjusts automacally to reduce
changeover me to 2 minutes, about 15 mes faster than a convenonal case erector. Automac squaring and a vacuum gripper
cut make-ready me and waste, and minimize damage to corrugated surfaces. An integrated reader scans barcodes to idenfy the
blank and set up the machine. A flat stack magazine eliminates tabs and pins and related adjustments, and can be extended to
hold more than one case size. Rated at 18 cases/minute, the robot moves up and down and side to side to pick and erect a blank,
plow flaps closed and seal the case with glue or tape. Adding a second robot to plow and seal flaps while the first robot picks
blanks increases speeds to 33 cases/minute. Servo-controlled system relies on Allen-Bradley Kinex 300 EtherNet/IP indexing ser-­vo
drive and Allen-Bradley PanelView Plus 700 touch-screen operator interface, both from Rockwell Automaon. An Allen-Bradley
CompactLogix programmable automaon controller combines discrete and moon control on one plaorm. – HEF
More informaon
Eric Langen, sales and markeng manager, AFA Systems: 905.456.8700, ext. 244; eric.langen@afasystemsinc.com; www.afasystemsinc.com
Allpax Shakes Up Retort Design
Allpax’s new retort design is shaking things up. While most commercial retort designs rotate product
or hold it staonary, the “Shaka” retort shakes product in the sterilizaon cycle, cung sterilizaon
me by as much as 15 mes over convenonal retorts. This agitaon is especially effecve for prod-­ucts
that are typically packed and handled horizontally such as trays and pouches. Because heat trans-­fer
is very efficient, products are not subjected to long retort cycles. This improves flavor, taste, visual
appeal and texture of the final product. The unit is 1600 mm in diameter (approx. 63 inches) and is
rated to hold 2,000 pounds/load. The Allpax 2402 Mulmode R&D retort, 3802 Mulmode R&D retort
and the producon-sized 1300 Shaka Retort are all capable of running the Shaka process. – EJB
More informaon:
Adam Reichert, process engineer, Allpax: 985.893.9277; adamr@allpax.com
Richard Walden, director, Zinetec Ltd.: 44.0. 1367.240650; rwalden@shakaprocess.com.
PACK EXPO INT’L 2012
Allpax’s “Shaka”
design retorts
shake product
during sterilizaon.

35
Air Cushion Machine Makes Wide Bubble Wrap
FP Internaonal introduced an air cushion bubble wrap machine that inflates flat roll stock to widths of
24 inches. An oponal support arm kit enables the compact packaging machine to produce seven air
cushions for void fill, cushioning and wide wrapping applicaons. The MINI PAK’R air cushion machine is
touted as a low cost, compact system that creates seven different air cushions for protecng products
during shipping.
Quilt Pak Pillow Pak medium bubble roll stock is perforated every 6 inches and with a height of 7 / 8 inch-­es,
is thicker than most premade bubble wrap. That reduces the number of wraps needed to protect a
product. A single roll of the material makes the equivalent of a 1,000-square foot bundle. The uninflated
roll measures 29 inches wide and 640 feet long. – EJB
More informaon
Shawn Lance, markeng manager, FP Internaonal: 650.261.5325; shawn.lance@fpintl.com.
RIT Announces Sustainable Packaging Center
Over $2 million in gis from American Packaging Corp. and the Wegman Family Charitable Foundaon will fund “The Center for
Sustainable Packaging” at the Rochester Instute of Technology (RIT), according to an announcement RIT made at PACK EXPO.
The iniave will be an educaon and research center dedicated to the development and use of sustainable packaging.
More informaon
Daniel P. Johnson, professor and department chair, RIT: 585.475.5558; dpjeie@rit.edu.
Inflated (top) & uninflated
Quilt Pak Pillow Pak
“I always find what I’m looking for at PACK EXPO.” — Rick Coy, Transtar Autobody
SUSTAINABILITY

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