Fancy Foods Packaging

Food & Drug Packaging, June, 1999 by Jim Plunkett

New candy weigher eliminates sticking and clumping problems

Speed: up to 120 more items per minute

Selectacom 612 computer weigher accommodates free-flowing treats as well as sticking, clumping gummy candies. The customized-for-candy scale combines counter-rotating "grater fingers," vibratory feed trays, multiple capacitive sensors, steeply angled double-door buckets and special surfaces to ensure difficult products are accurately weighed and discharged to the bag machine or cartoner. Computer control sets up and manages performance.

Triangle Packaging Machinery Co., (773) 889-0200, ext. 211

Item #340

New hot-stamp imprinter ensures consistently clear imprints

Speed: up to 25 cycles per minute

CodeRunner hot-stamp imprinter mounts readily on continuous-motion horizontal and vertical form-fill-seal lines, overwrappers and labelers to produce clear, high-quality, non-smearing imprints of lot numbers, sell-by dates, production codes, pricing, logos and other variable information. Ideal for candy packaging applications, CodeRunner imprints a 17/8-inch x 17/8-inch area at surface speeds to 1,500 inches per minute. Imprinter features a quick-change ribbon cassette and in-line adjustments for imprint registration and package cut-off lengths. The CodeRunner system, which accepts all common print signals to activate the print cycle, includes a controller with easy-to-read monitoring and quick keypad adjustments of all functions. Diagnostics are provided on a digital read-out on the LCD display.

Norwood Marking Systems, (800) 626-3464

Item #341

Tray denester copes with difficult confectionery applications

Speed: up to 100 trays per minute

Model ITD-100 denester accommodates delicate and hard-to-handle trays used for packaging fine chocolates and candies. Unit can be moved easily into the production line where trays are loaded into the magazine and then automatically fed and placed on a moving conveyer carrying them to the product-load station. Unit operates on a bottom/side tray feeding principle using vacuum with a pneumatic assist, making it ideal for handling trays with thin walls or insufficient denesting lugs and trays that standard denesters are unable to feed. For faster and more precise changeover, the ITD-100 can be equipped with a Kwik Klip[R] assembly, a low-cost alternative to the standard quick-change magazine.

MGS Machine Corp., (612) 425-8808

Item #342

Composite canister puts a new spin on candy packaging

Tall, easy-to-grip paperboard composite canisters created for German confectioner Haribo feature twistable rings that can be manipulated by children. The package is printed with colorful gold bear designs that can be puzzled into different combinations by twisting the rings. The foil-lined canisters provide moisture barriers to keep soft, chewable candy fresh. The plastic resealable lids, which also help to keep contents fresh, incorporate a patience game available in six different sports design, encouraging collecting and repeat purchases.

Sonoco, (843) 383-3333

Item #336

New display packer saves packaging space and materials

TP-4500 display packer for pillow bags collates two stacks of pouches and interleaves them with each other to form a space-saving package. System packs more bags in the same tray or regular-slotted containers for reduced consumption of corrugated board, lower transportation costs and reduced handling expenses. The efficient packing pattern promotes cost savings of up to 50%, reports the manufacturer.

R.A. Jones & Co., (606) 341-0400

Item #337

New flexible films run at high-speeds for greater efficiency

Propafilm[TM] FFF biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) flexible films are coated on one side with acrylic and on the other with a unique low temperature sealing coating. The low sealing temperature, thermal stability and mechanical stiffness permit the films to run at high speeds without the need for constant line supervision, providing a wide operating window for greater efficiency. Propafilm FFF range has excellent hot tack properties which, in conjunction with the low minimum sealing temperature and low-pressure seals, delivers a high degree of seal integrity over a range of machine settings.

UCB Films, (800) 822-3207

Item #338

New 1-gallon container shows off the quality of bulk candy or dried fruit

Clear 1-gallon polyethylene terephthalate (PET) round, wide-mouth container features a 110-400 finish and classical lines which enable it to adapt to all types of labels. The versatile, 128-ounce container is well suited for bulk candy or dried fruit.

GRAFCO PET Packaging Technologies Inc., (410) 850-4242

Item #339

Fold wrapping machine promotes flexibility in tablet and bar packaging

Speed: 240 wraps per minute

LTM-S automatic fold wrapping machine is ideal for packaging chocolate tablets and bars. Size parts and packaging materials can be changed over in minutes for optimum production flexibility. A two-stage machine for wrapping bars in hermetically sealed packages is also available.

Piepenbrock Enterprises, (937) 605-8442