Event shows 700K sq. ft. of packaging and processing tech

By Jenni Spinner

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Pack expo Infrared

The Shuttleworth V-Clean conveyor is suitable for handling sensitive food products.
The Shuttleworth V-Clean conveyor is suitable for handling sensitive food products.
Organizers of PACK EXPO 2013 expect to feature more than 700,00 sq. ft. of exhibits, conferences and educational programming.

Scheduled September 23-25 in Las Vegas, PACK EXPO​ (presented by PMMI: the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies​) will feature a wide range of programming geared toward sharing information about emerging technologies.

The following products are some of the new equipment and materials on display from the nearly 1,800 suppliers exhibiting at the convention center.

Wipe-down conveyor

Shuttleworth​ (exhibiting in Booth C-2121) will be showing its V-Clean wipe-down conveyor. Part of the company’s Slip-Torque product line, the V-clean system is designed to work in wipe-down or mild wash-down food manufacturing environments.

The stainless-steel frame reportedly offers precise, continuous transport that increases throughput and keeps product damage to a minimum. Individually powered roller shafts covered with loose, segmented rollers respond to product weight to deliver driving force appropriate to the conveyed product.

The conveyor is said to minimize product vibration, contaminant transference, abrasion and impact to the product. Additionally, the conveying surface reportedly ensures gentle collating and accumulating, and facilitates precise product placement for wrapping.

Sustainable two-pack handle

Roberts PolyPro​ is showing a two-pack bottle or jar handle in Booth C-2414. The HDPE handles use 28% less material than previous versions, and they reportedly increase pallet utilization by as much as 22%.

The source reduction, in addition to decreasing materials cost, also is said to help cut down transportation costs. The manufacturer also reports that the new handles perform better than the older version.

In our packaging lab drop tests, we measured an 86% improvement in performance​,” said Chris Turner, sales director for Roberts PolyPro.

The extruded handles consume an average of 5% to 35% less resin, compared to injection-molded products, according to the company. Food and beverage companies can customize the handles with brand names, logos or other messaging.

In-line labeling

NJM Packaging​, exhibiting in Booth C-1714, is showing the 326 Autocolt IV in-line, pressure-sensitive labeler. The machine can apply labels on square, rectangular or round bottles, reportedly at speeds of up to 300 containers per minute.

Suited for food and beverage applications as well as pharmaceuticals and personal-care items, the labeler handles containers from 1 in. to 14 in. tall, and from 1 in. to 5 in. in diameter. Users can equip the unit with e-pedigree serialization, RFID tagging and other track-and-trace technology.

The Autocolt IV is geared toward flexible performance. It can be changed over quickly without tools, and it can work with a broad range of imaging technologies (including continuous and intermittent inkjet, thermal transfer and laser printers).

Laser-based sorting

TOMRA Sorting Solutions​, in Booth S-7017, will show its Nimbus laser sorter. The product uses multiple lasers and high-resolution camera technology to sort items by color, structure size and shape in free-fall.

The system can sort based on material type, using near infrared spectroscopy. The ejection system uses an optimal pitch for defect removal, and the machine can be equipped with front sorting or rear ejection.

According to the company, the Smart Sort module helps operators quickly and easily set parameters, analyzing incoming products and providing simplified program setup. Additionally, the digital Flex Sort capability avoids the need to select and change the optimal reference drum for each product, improving the contrast between good and defective items.

For more information about PACK EXPO exhibits or programming, or to register, visit the show site here​.

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