Labelling system sets new standards for thermoformers, company

Additional benefits of the Xbelt machine, developed by the German company’s subsidiary MR Etikettiertechnik, include its ease of operation and ability to be integrated into high-speed thermoforming systems, said the firm, as it claimed the belt would become the “standard future solution”.​

Developed to keep up with advances in thermoforming lines, the system applies labels onto packages with flat surfaces. The labels are dispensed onto a transport belt running crosswise over the packaging machine. From there they are moved to a transfer belt in the desired pack arrangement. With the next film feed, all the labels for a complete format are applied to the packs in a single pass, a company spokeswoman told FoodProductionDaily.com.

Hygiene​

Built in design features ensure the machine meets all hygiene standards, added the company. Sloping surfaces mean water runs off the equipment, while hollow components are hermetically sealed and there are no corners where dirt may build up.

The Xbelt also eliminates the need for vacuum boxes, used in other systems to hold the labels by means of suction before they are finally applied. They also cause constant air movement and are difficult to clean.

Multivac said the elimination of vacuum boxes “set new standards in terms of hygiene” ​and​also made the belt very energy-efficient as it requires only 10 percent of the compressed air consumption of conventional cross web labelers.

The XBelt applies a complete label format in one pass, which means no shift movements are necessary and enhances safety as no larges masses have to be moved.

Speed​

Operating speeds and precision ensured thanks to the system’s use of servo motors. This feature allows the equipment to keep up with the cycle rates of modern packaging lines, said the firm. The company has ensured the belt is integrated into its own thermoform packaging line, as the speed of the transfer belt for automatically adapts to the speed of the film advance.

The belt is available in two models: the MR650 OP which applies labels to the top, while the MR660 UP applies labels the base.

The company also announced it would soon be launching a twin version which has two label dispensers. The innovation would mean “zero downtime”​ labelling as change-over from one to the other will be possible within one row of packs.