News front

1 November 2002



A roundup of developments in bag, sack and pouch converting


Unit costs reduced in sack line

Following trials of a prototype at Fiorini Industrial in Monterado, Italy, a line for the production of multiwall cement sacks is offered by Windmöller & Hölscher.

Comprising the AM 2185 tuber, the AD 2390 valve bottomer and the Arcomat 2 palletizing robot, the line features high reliability, ease of operation and low maintenance requirements, claims W&H. Increased productivity and product quality are said to translate into reduced production costs. And full utilization ensures improved sack production unit costs, thus enhancing competitiveness, according to the company.

Most striking advantage of the tuber is provided by a design featuring diameter variable perforation tools adds W&H. This concept allows for all cut-off lengths to be produced at a maximum output of 350 tubes/min.

With a maximum output of 300sacks/min, the valve bottomer is designed for the median size range and thus matches the tuber. Coming from the bottomer, the sack packets are fed into the new Arcomat 2 robot palletizer. Stacks produced have "absolutely straight edges," claims the company.

More information from: Eva Maria Repp, Windmöller & Hölscher - TEL: +49 5481 143355.

Addition to Vega range

Capable of converting laminates as well as barrier films into three side seal and two side seal pouches, the Vega 610 TSP introduced by Mamata can handle thicknesses of 50 - 200micron. And it can run in four, two or one up formats. Minimum pouch size it can produce is 75 x 150mm and the largest is 600 x 900mm.

With over 1,200 machines operating in more than 60 countries worldwide, Mamata Machinery claims to be India's largest manufacturer and exporter of servo driven plastics bag making and pouch making equipment.

More information from: Uday Shah, Mamata Machinery - TEL: +91 79 5832023. EMAIL: mmpl@ad1.vsnl.net.in / mamata@vsnl.com

Sliding success for cheese

In response to consumer requests for easier resealability, Kraft Foods has introduced new packaging which features a 'slider' zipper for its shredded cheese. The new feature represents one of the first applications of the Zip-Pak Slider applied in-line to packaging. The packaging provides a hermetic seal for freshness and packaging integrity, and an easy opening laser scored top.

"The category of shredded cheese has long been a pioneer when it comes to packaging solutions," says Robert Hogan, Zip-Pak's director of sales and marketing. "And in many ways, the category's success was really driven by the convenience that zippered packaging afforded. What good was a convenience product like shredded cheese – with a package that required a lot of work?"

Zip-Pak technology is said to enable flexible packages produced on automated and pre-formed pouch equipment to open and close easily . The company is a division of ITW.

More information from: Jan Willem Cornelisse, Zip Pak - TEL: +31-76-522.09.41. WEBSITE: info@zippak.com

Limited investment offers flexibility

A new generation of flat belt bag machine - the MS –1000 is claimed by Hudson-Sharp to be ideal for maximum plastics bag production with a limited investment. Specially designed attachments add to the MS-1000's flexibility to produce a diverse range of bag styles using many different film types and gauges with operating speeds up to 250 cycles/min. Sideweld, bottom seal, twin seal, fin seal and pouch seals can be handled.

The fin seal application maximizes the versatility of the MS-1000, adds the company. With it the equipment is capable of producing polyethylene or co-extruded bags in film gauges of 50 - 200 micron. The rotating gusset former allows the operator to change the position of the longitudinal seal in each new bag set-up. This system also uses Hudson-Sharp's independent longitudinal seal heads, individual coolers for fin seal, lateral knife and AC servo drives.

Both gusseted or non gusseted heavy duty bottom seal bags are said to be ideal for applications such as fertilizer, mulch soil or pet food.

Slider closure systems can also be integrated into the bag making equipment. Using its sideweld sealhead for bag orientation, the machine applies the zipper material to the film as it passes through the system using the company's longitudinal sealer.

Additional applications for the MS-1000 are reinforced merchandise bags and pouch and draw-tape style bags. In addition, high speed punching units are available for wicket punches, vent holes, shaped perforators, handle cut-out, as well as customized systems for multiple hole punching.

Hudson-Sharp's Wicketed Automatic Stack Processor (WASP) is now available with automation devices said to save costly labour hours and greatly reduce repetitive motion injuries.

Offered on two models of Hudson-Sharp wicketers the WASP, which can be retrofitted, employs a robotic transfer system to grasp a stack of bags, then lift and place it on to a preloaded backer board and wicket wire. A rotary stacking wheel replaces the stacking mechanism in the conventional stacking position. This is said to reduce maintenance and provide more secure pin alignment. The standard WASP accumulation conveyor provides pack-off access from both sides of the bag machine.

More information from: Mark A Smith, Hudson-Sharp - TEL: +1 920 494 4571. WEBSITE: www.hudsonsharp.com

Talk to suppliers, suggests Ahlstrom

For converters to meet market demands a close working relationship with suppliers is essential, says Ahlstrom. Working this way supports converters in their drive to produce more sophisticated bags, pouches and sacks that give added value through such items as translucent windows, new style closures or improved handling systems, while maintaining high quality standards. And by forming 'partnerships' with suppliers it is possible to tailor the supply of converting materials to specific needs. This has been a trend seen over recent years by Ahlstrom.

"Quite naturally converters are constantly looking to reduce costs and improve performance levels," says Laurent Metz, Ahlstrom's sales and marketing manager for one-side coated paper. "In the case of paper this has meant meeting the converter's requirements for lower weight papers that retain high mechanical strength, high crack resistance and excellent machine performance levels. And, of course, the papers must print well and work with the latest glues. By working closely with converters we are able to understand their exact needs and come up with solutions to meet them.

"Although our dialogue does not stop with the converter. We maintain close ties with end consumers in order that our papers satisfy their needs. The information gained here enables us to understand the market in depth and provide our converting customers with the best paper solution."

More information from: John Stapleton, Ahlstrom - Email: Tel: +44 2380 652 265. john.stapleton@ahlstrom.com

Savings to be made on materials switch

In a move to widen the opportunities for PE bags, Amplas has launched several variants of its side and bottom weld servo driven bag machines.

The self sealing plastics Valve Bag is one of the company's innovations. Designed to replace traditional paper products, it is claimed it will allow large savings to be made on handling and wastage caused by paper bag breakage. Valve bags are manufactured by a patented process using a bespoke heavy gauge polybag machine made by the company. Not limited to one type of film or size, the bag may be used for feed, cement, and cat litter, for example. It can be run with existing filling equipment.

Amplas has delivered the first of the M2K stand-up square bottom bag machines in the USA as a replacement solution for the paper bags used in fast food outlets. M2K machines can produce one million bags a day.

More information from: Richard Little, Jenton International - TEL: +44 (0)1264 738745. WEBSITE: www.jenton.co.uk

Cheese in packs with Zip-Pak zipper Cheese in packs with Zip-Pak zipper
Sacks produced on new W&H line Sacks produced on new W&H line
New Hudson-Sharp bag machine. New Hudson-Sharp bag machine.


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