When an application calls for a roller conveyor in a demanding sanitary environment, look no further than the Sanitary Gravity Roller conveyor from Dorner Manufacturing Corp. Sanitary Gravity Roller conveyors are part of Dorner’s Engineering Specials Program (ESP), which gives extra attention to building conveyors with unique dimensions and characteristics. The conveyors feature an all-stainless-steel construction, meaning users can wash the machine down with water, soap and other cleaning agents without the worry or rust or corrosion to critical components. Also, there are no horizontal surfaces on the conveyor, eliminating potential collection points for food or other items. 1-800-397-8664. www.dorner.com
SpanTech LLC introduces its new WhisperTrax Wedge Conveyor. The dual-chain design allows users to incline or decline product in a small footprint, saving floor space. Configurable for a wide range of applications, the continuous gripping chain crimps product at the in-feed and transports it in a variable angle of incline or decline up to 90°. Models are manually adjustable for fixed positions or fully adjustable with a hand crank. Variable speed ranges are available, and elevation changes up to 30 ft. are possible. Two models are offered with options to fit almost any application. 1-270-651-9166. www.spantechllc.com
Dipix Technologies has a family of automated food inspection systems that provide customers with 2D, 3D and color measurements that show exactly what is happening to product continuously, accurately and reliably. Dipix has over 100 systems installed in a variety of bakeries, providing a wide range of capabilities and benefits such as automated 100% inspection systems with individual piece rejection, real-time process and product data for plant operators, more accurate and easier QA and lab procedures, automated QA and plant performance reports, integration of weight, moisture, and other data into production reporting, and trending and better control of product specifications and quality data. Dipix equipment can contribute to process and quality improvements in food manufacturing facilities in a positive way. 1-613-596-4942. www.dipix.com
Belt Storage Systems from Meyer Machine provide a complete, controllable process for the supply of product points downstream. Meyer Belt Storage Systems can be customized to meet special requirements, including capacities ranging from 500 to 70,000 pounds with sidewall construction of stainless or mild steel and any combination of feed and discharge options. This system works well with both free and non-free flowing products. 1-210-736-1811. www.meyer-industries.com
The latest model of O/K International’s T-PAKTM 550 system is equipped with a flat conveyor and a foam compression belt. The bag, containing product, travels down the conveyor to a foam compression belt, which removes air from the bag without harming the product. The bag then enters the OK Supersealer for that “perfect seal.” www.okcorp.com
Hinds-Bock provides stand alone and complete topping systems, which are ideal for applying cake or pie cream toppings in the form of rosettes or twisted stars. The systems also function well in the spreading of icings or frostings onto a wide variety of sweet goods. Inquire about Hinds-Bock’s new generation of servo-controlled depositors, which are ideal for spreading or layering batters or toppings into various sizes of sheet pans. 1-877-292-5715. www.hinds-bock.com
Just in time for customers who want to extend, repair or replace their Werner-Lahara or APV Recirc ovens — APV Baker announces the availability of its new EM Recirc oven modules — offering improved baking, sanitation and maintenance with modularity for faster installation. Improved ductwork design, higher airflow and enhanced controls ensure consistency and reduce baking time while retaining flexibility and the unique baking characteristics of the original Recirc oven. Safety improvements include eliminating the need for access ladders and handrails, removal of glass windows and insulation batts. Controls include touchscreen operator interface with full process visualization, intuitive operation, recipe control and advanced alarms. The system can be integrated with upstream and downstream equipment, along with higher-level systems like SCADA. 1-616-784-3111. www.apvbaker.com
Hinds-Bock single- or multiple-piston Servo Filler/Depositors are ideal for applications where product shape or spreading are important. Servo motor control of pistons gives operators infinite control of piston movement for a new flow. Hinds-Bock Filler/Depositors interface with check-weighers and are designed for automatic adjustment of depositor weights. 1-877-292-5715. www.hinds-bock.com
Rademaker U.S.A. Inc. is proud to introduce the next generation of ovens — the result of 100 years of oven-building experience by Rademaker Den Boer combined with worldwide product know-how. The Rademaker Multibake Line includes four oven types in a modular system. First is the Rademaker Multibake D, a variant that is based on direct heating. The oven employs modulating burners, producing heat from natural gas or propane. Second is the Rademaker Multibake I. The “I” stands for impingement. This means that the oven employs hot air transported at a high speed to both the top and bottom of the product. This method results in lower baking temperatures, reduced baking times and smaller, energy-saving ovens. Third is the Rademaker Multibake R, with “R” standing for radiant. This indirectly heated oven operates on the cyclotherm principle. It is fitted with modulating burners with a large regulating range and is suitable for natural gas, propane or oil. The fourth is the Rademaker Multibake H, a hybrid variant comprised of multiple oven types grouped in a single oven unit. 1-330-650-2345. www.rademakerusa.com
Overbag multiple bread loaves with the Formost Multi-Loaf Bagger from Formost Packaging Machines, Inc. Pre-bagged loaves feed directly from existing bread baggers. After the bags have passed through the closure unit, individual loaves are accumulated on the Multi-Loaf Bagger infeed conveyor. Specially designed paddles move the loaf into the bag with a gentle hand-like motion. Other benefits are product control, gentle product handling, dependability, continued parts and service support — ensuring product quality. 1-425-483-9090. www.formostpkg.com
Campbell Wrapper Corp. introduces two new innovations — Pioneer ServoFlo Horizontal Wrapper with AB controls and high-speed Legacy Electronic Horizontal Wrapper with Indramat drive and controls. The machines feature digital film feed servo drive, sanitary modular design, quick changeover, servo cutting head drive for accurate cutoff and touch-screen controls. 1-920-983-7100. www.campbellwrapper.com
Parsons-Eagle Packaging Systems introduces the newly developed Simplex High-Speed Bag Hanger. The system automatically picks, opens, fills and discharges pre-made, flat-bottom, side-gusseted bags. An innovative bag-handling design results in a 40% rate increase over conventional bag hangers. Additionally, the simplified bag opening mechanism reduces setup, changeover and maintenance time. 1-920-983-7100. www.parsons-eagle.com
Circle Packaging’s newV22S Dry/Solid Products pouching machine works at speeds up to 500 packages per minute. Circle incorporates Allen-Bradley drive and control systems to increase speed and efficiency on this full servo vertical machine. The control system minimizes operator changeover time and is available for many dry/solid product applications. 1-920-983-3420. www.circlepackaging.com
MIWE America LLC presents an air-control system for its roll-in rack oven. The volume of air is controlled through the variable opening of a louver between the baking chamber and the heat exchanger compartment. The robust louver offers several benefits — closing without delay, not blowing steam through the heat exchanger (saving 10% heat energy), less water is necessary and air speed in the bake chamber can be adjusted to suit the baking needs of each specific product in phases throughout the bake cycle. 1-908-904-0221. www.miwe.com
APV Baker announces its plan to offer custom die coatings in addition to its existing die coating formulations. In addition to stock coating options and technology, APV Baker manufactures its own equipment dies as well as dies for competitors in order to help bakers maximize productivity. 1-616-784-3111. www.apvbaker.com
Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., offers an extruder system for processing food products that couples a back pressure valve (BPV) with an external density chamber (EDC). This new External Density Management System (EDMS) allows increased capacity over vented configurations by as much as 25 to 50 percent. The BPV is mounted on the end of the extruder just prior to the final die. As a result, the operator can adjust specific mechanical energy (SME) and extrusion pressure on-line for control of critical product properties, including bulk density, shape definition, size and uniformity of cell structure, shape definition and water and fat absorption. The new EDC allows the desired pressures to be externally maintained in the knife enclosure by a special airlock through which the product discharges. That reduces product “flash-off expansion, increases density and allows the operator to better control fat absorption properties. The innovative EDMS will be available on a wide variety of Wenger extrusion processing systems, including both single and twin screw extruders. www.wenger.com
Christy Machine Co. offers a collection of versatile dispensers that offer a vast range of deposit solutions. 360° Coaters precisely control coatings of 360° or 720° of cylindrical, flat or spherical products. Flex-Top Coaters manage the dispensing of easily separated, granular, cohesive materials, such as grated Parmesan cheese. Roll-Top Dispensers control thick, heavy, cohesive materials, and Round-Top dispensers manage spot depositing on rounded targets or individual round depositors. Bottom coaters dispense coatings for the bottom of products such as cookies. Christy solves many material dispensing requirements in thousands of applications and is an expert in the top-coating and surface-coating fields. 1-888-332-6451. www.christymachine.com
New Mold-to-Width Radius belts from Intralox are developed to equip pan line curves and facilitate easy retrofits of high-maintenance steel or plastic chains. The new belts allow plants to specify a single, durable belt for both straight runs and curves. Features are a minimum turning radius of 18 in., elimination of pan wear, rod support across the full width of the belt to prevent breakage, no metal contamination and no lubrication necessary. Other innovations are new Series 2400 Raised Rib belts for pan and product handling and EZ Roller Retrofit Solutions for package and box-handling lines. 1-800-535-8848. www.intralox.com
The FW-3400 Fuji-Formost Alpha V form/fill/seal wrapper from Formost showcases the latest in speed, versatility and dependability. The system provides neat, tight packages and strong, quality seals. Its innovative design and advanced technology, including color-graphic, touch-screen communications and control, increase flexibility and production with advantages such as high-speed wrapping and quick, easy changeovers. Features include the capability to network systems for reading data from the wrapper. Built for speed, the Fuji-Formost Alpha V is a productivity leader in any wrapping operation. 1-425-483-9090. www.formostpkg.com
Schaaf is setting the standard in newly developed embossing machines. Unlike the conventional pillow former, the embossing machine can produce and form “pillows” (filled strands with the ends pressed closed) in the shape of squares, rectangles, triangles, hearts, mini-sticks, almond shapes and more. Schaaf offers extrusions plants where two to four filled strands are produced simultaneously, depending on extruder capacity. Strands traveling from the extruder are fed into the embossing machine and formed according to the shaping set installed. New shaping tools can handle extrudiate with various textures preventing product from bursting or leaking. Other features are a 5.5 KW Spur-Geared 3-Phase Motor, a fan to prevent condensation from forming, varied roller speed and a switch and control panel. www.schaaf-technologie.de
Spiromatic announces a revolutionary, new in-line cooling process for bulk flour and ingredient systems called Spirocool. This process uses chilled water to cool flour or ingredients. Innovative technology cools down warm bulk products like flour. The Spirocool system has an extremely low operating cost for a homogeneous and high level of cooling (delta t = or higher as 20°C) of the flour. No contact with injected air or other mediums guarantee an unchanged flour quality. After cooling, flour is very light and ideal for mixing with other ingredients. This system can adjust to any new or existing flour- or ingredient-handling system and features a dry-air generator that prevents condensation.
Uniformly apply salt or dry seasonings to snacks, nuts and crackers using Heat and Control’s Belt-Type Flavor Dispenser. Seasonings sift through a moving mesh belt to eliminate lumps, while constant-speed belt vibrators keep the mesh openings clear to prevent clogging. The dispensing rate and volume can be accurately adjusted to uniformly meter seasonings across conveyors up to 60 in. wide. Constructed of stainless steel to USDA sanitation standards, the Belt-Type Flavor Dispenser is designed for fast seasoning changeovers and cleaning. 1-800-227-5980. www.heatandcontrol.com
New from Sigpack Systems is the Delta Robot. The robot accurately aligns chocolate products on conveyors using a vision system, with LED lighting integrated into the conveyor body and a camera positioned above the belt. Image-processing software transmits information, such as product position and orientation, to the robot’s motion controller. The robot is then able to pick up products, one by one, and place them into a wrapping machine at a rate of 100 items per minute. The robot reduces manual handling, improves product quality and increases output. www.sigpacksystems.com
Curwood’s IntegraScore convenience-opening feature can be combined with a press-to-close or a slider zipper in horizontal and vertical form/fill/seal (HFFS/VFFS) applications, providing easy opening and resealable features in one package. Consumers simply tear and remove the top of the package to expose the press-to-close or slider zipper, eliminating the need for scissors, knives or sharp tools to open the package. Combining the IntegraScore feature with various zipper systems provides consumers both easy opening and resealability. 1-800-544-4672. www.curwood.com
With the ability to feed rice crisp, peanuts, salt and a variety of other easily damaged materials, the AccuRate SolidsFlow Offset Feeder is a favorite of operators in snack food processing operations. In addition to its material-handling capabilities, the unit can cluster-feed applications. The feeder operates by utilizing a unique one-piece feed tray that controls material flow by accommodating specific material characteristics. The tray works with the material’s natural angle of repose to prevent any flow when the feed tray is turned off. There is no spillage or run-on. Batch accuracy is outstanding because of the feeder’s ability to distribute particles evenly. 1-888-232-4651. www.accuratefeeders.com
IPL Material Handling, a leader in reusable plastic container innovation, introduces its FlapNest 2717-12 nestable container with innovative features that offer cost savings and improved efficiencies to retail and wholesale distribution environments. The FlapNest 2717-12 containers stack with lids flapped shut and nest with lids flapped open to combine product protection and security for efficient return shipping and storage. The containers reduce costs by eliminating container breakage, storage and freight charges. 1-800-818-1318. www.ipl-mh.com
Glacier Computer, a leading developer of versatile and powerful industrial computer systems for harsh environments, has developed a new 10-in. version of its GX series of rugged computers. Based on customer demand for an ultra-small compact form factor, the GX-1000 measures 10.1-in. wide by 8-in. high by 2.9-in. deep, making it the most efficiently-designed, harsh environment unit of its kind. The GX-1000 houses an efficient, low-heat 800 MHz Via processor and offers a bright 10-in. LCD. It is designed for applications where users require PC-compatible computing power but are limited by space. 1-603-882-1560. www.glaciercomputer.com
WHY Design creates eye-catching designs for all types of snack food and bakery product packaging. WHY specializes in cutting-edge, friendly, “fun” retail package, food label, display box and container design for high-impact P.O.P. that sells. Additional services include brand building and logo design. From concept to marketplace, it’s a one-stop creative solution for optimizing the potential of snack or bakery product. 1-401-421-7622 www.whydesign.com
The EZSplice strand from Wire Belt Company of America provides rapid installation and repair of Flat-Flex open mesh, stainless steel wire belting. Designed to simplify joining and splicing of continuous loop conveyor belts, EZSplice installs in minutes in five simple steps and eliminates the intricate lacing and weaving of wire across the width of a conveyor belt. The patented strands reduce splicing time as much as 80%, facilitating preventive maintenance and allowing rapid on-line repairs. 1-800-922-2637 www.wirebelt.com
Shaffer Auto Dough Transfer Systems allow manufacturers to automate the portioning and transfer of dough from mixer to make-up equipment while fully protecting the integrity of the dough. The unique hopper design with a hopper cutout allows the chunker to fit most mixers without height adjustments, and the blade placement in the hopper eliminates bridging. The conveyor belt transfers eliminates gapping and excess heat problems caused by the screw pump, and with fast, easy belt removal for cleaning and maintenance, there is no need to elevate the conveyor. The machine has all stainless steel construction for top quality performance and hygiene. 1-630-257-5200 www.shaffermanufacturing.com
The Flexo Fast Track converting program from Packaging By Design allows for flexo printed and laminated rollstock packaging materials to be shipped in as little as two weeks from date of order. FFT service was developed to help customers maintain their product supply streams to ever-changing and demanding wholesale and retail markets. 1-847-741-5600 www.packaging-by-design.com
Shaffer Auto Dough Transfer Systems are ideal for pizza, bagel, hearth breads and rolls. The unique hopper design has a lower cutout that fits most mixers without need for height adjustments, while the higher blade placement eliminates bridging. The conveyor belt transfer eliminates gapping and excess heat problems caused by screw pumps. Easy belt removal for cleaning and maintenance is achieved without elevating the conveyor, and the machine has all stainless-steel construction for top quality performance and hygiene. 1-630-257-5200 www.shaffermanufacturing.com
Sonoco introduced its Lid Lasso cap at PLMA 2003. The cap is a new handling and hanging option designed to give single-serve composite cans and plastic cups premium in-store placement on the snack aisle and at point of sale. The Lid Lasso cap is designed with a simple loop feature that allows the can or cup to be displayed in premium positions on racks in high traffic, high volume retail outlets such as convenience stores where customers buy products with a grab ’n go mentality. It is available in a variety of colors to complement customers’ brand graphics. Optimal size is 307 diameter or smaller, though there are also designs that can be used as a handle for 502 and 603 sizes. 1-800-5-SONOCO www.sonoco.com
Colborne introduces its new Paper Insertion and In-Pan Portioning technology. Specifically engineered for both cheesecake and pie applications, the slip-sheet paper insertion capability has over 99% feed efficiency. The ultrasonic cutting in-pan portioning has speeds of up to 40 pies or cakes and 960 portions per minute. Both features are available individually or in combination with each other. 1-847-371-0101 www.colborne.com
Morrison Timing Screw Co. introduces its new miniature version of the timing screw drive unit. Designed to transfer, turn, index or dwell a container, Morrison’s expertly engineered drive units provide an easy answer to these often complicated line issues. The new “mini” drive is designed with the same ease-of-use in mind, but is specially geared toward smaller containers. It features a sealed gearbox, stainless steel hardware and exclusively designed seamless timing screws – all contributing to make the “mini” approved for use in clean rooms. 1-708-756-6660 www.morrisontimingscrew.com
The fully automatic Vacuum Packaging Machine from Rollstock offers simple reliability in a low-cost machine. These packaging machines are readily available and provide reduced cost of ownership. Available in a variety of web widths from 285 mm to 459 mm, all Rollstock machines feature programmable PLC controls with readable diagnostics and a vacuum leak check program. The chain system is guided and has an auto -tensioning system to reduce stretch and wear. In addition, Rollstock offers a variety of accessories like a flying or guillotine cross-cut knife system, hole punching, photo electric registration, code dating, auto labeling and gas flushing. 1-888-314-2152 www.rollstock.com
The Winchester Smooth-Flo Chute from A.C. Horn & Co. has no cross seams or ridges to impede the flow of product. The constant velocity design ensures that the product acceleration can be controlled, virtually eliminating product degradation at decline and transfer. The spiral chutes are custom-designed for dimensional targets, unique product flow characteristics and/or special process requirements. Custom options include bin filler and hopper assemblies, retractable bin and tote filler systems and mounting. 1-800-657-6155 www.achornco.com
Spray Systems Co. introduces an air atomizing spray nozzle that significantly reduces build-up on the nozzle and can run up to 24 times longer without maintenance. The innovative design reduces bearding build-up when drops of liquid ride air currents back up to the air cap and dry, as well as the associated maintenance time . The re-designed set-up assembly is compatible with standard Spraying Systems Co. 1/4J series air atomizing spray nozzles and can also replace existing external-mix flat spray set up with little or no change in spray performance characteristics. 1-800-957-7729 www.spray.com
