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PACK EXPO Las Vegas Contents What's new at PACK EXPO Las Vegas |
PACK EXPO spotlights the latest MAP trends-priorities for a new generation of fresh-food packaging systems
The latest trends in smart, interactive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) will be among the many highlights of PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2003.
Following is a preview of just some of the cutting-edge MAP-related technology developments worth exploring.
Ilapak Illustrates Global Diversity
Ilapak, Inc., Newtown, Pa. (Booth No. S-5256), will demonstrate its newest developments in both horizontal (Delta) and vertical (Vegetronic) form/fill/seal systems for a range of MAP applications, including fresh-cut salads and fresh refrigerated tortilla shells.
One of Ilapak’s most recent installations is at Irving, Texas–based Mission Foods’ new tortilla plant in Coventry, England. Ilapak installed two high-speed MAP Delta 3000 LD (Long Dwell) flow-wrapping machines, coupled with two INDY 2435 automatic multi-belt feeding systems. Used to package tortillas in hermetically sealed MAP bags/pouches of various sizes, the new flow wrappers can be preprogrammed with up to 64 production options to ensure quick, simple size changeovers. The system also features precision-controlled gas flushing, high-integrity sealing jaws with long dwell-times and no- product/no-bag quality control mechanism. Mission Foods, subsidiary of Mexican-based Grupo Maseca, produced more than 125 million tortilla wraps and 80 million bags of tortilla chips at the Coventry facility during its first year of operation.
In addition to the Long Dwell model, Ilapak offers the Delta 3000 D-Cam for higher-speed MAP applications. Similar to the Delta 3000 Long Dwell, the D-Cam can be equipped with fully automated product-handling solutions via Indy smart belt feeders, 90 degree feeders and others. Both horizontal machines are available with a wide variety of re-close options and can accommodate a full spectrum of product applications, including tortillas, case-ready fresh meats, further processed poultry, fresh-cut trayed salads, vegetables and bakery items.
Ilapak recently introduced MAP resealable Doy stand-up pack pouches produced on a Vegetronic 2000/400 machine. The MAP stand-up pouches can be produced with either zipper or adhesive tape reclosures.
Multivac Maps Multiple MAP Inroads
Multivac, Inc., Kansas City, Mo. (Booth No. S-5848), a leading manufacturer of MAP packaging systems for food, medical and consumer product applications, will demonstrate a new tray-sealing system aimed at poultry and case-ready meats. This new technology seals products in modified atmospheres into shallow trays so that products sit above the tray flange for better visibility and a more traditional over-wrapped look. This extended-shelf-life solution is ideal for whole chickens, precooked meats and a wide range of other products that require seal integrity and a modified atmosphere with no sacrifice of shelf visibility.
Multivac will also highlight its innovative slider zipper—an inline thermoform fill-and-seal packaging solution produced in virtually any size or shape with a resealable slider zipper. The system is a major leap forward in packaging technology, maintaining the efficiency of high-volume lines while allowing a convenient resealable feature to be added without slowing production.
Orics Offers Options from Bags to Trays
Orics Industries, Inc., College Point, N.Y. (Booth No. S-5508), will feature several machines with vacuum/gas flush/seal options to meet the needs of small- to large-volume bag or tray MAP and non-MAP operations. Production lines can be customized to satisfy specific user needs, including full automation of product packaging—from denesting the containers to filling, conveying, transferring, sealing, capping or overlidding.
For medium-volume applications (up to 26 trays per minute), Orics will showcase Model R-20, an index-motion, rotary tray sealer for MAP trays. Its modular design allows for expansion to a full production line by adding an in-feed conveyor, automatic transfer fillers, depositors and denesters.
Smart Packaging Profiles from PPi
PPi Technologies, Inc./Profile Packaging, Inc., Sarasota, Fla. (Booth No. C-329), will present several new trademarked “SmartDevice” technologies for MAP trays and pouches. Charles Murray, president and CEO of PPi, says these SmartDevice packaging systems respond to emerging trends toward safer, material-reduced, interactive fresh-food modified atmosphere packaging.
PPi’s trademarked “Fast Fine Cuisine” pouch/tray packaging line has been designed to protect the “restaurant quality” of fresh meals/entrees and to provide food safety and package security. A key feature is PPi’s SmartDevice technology—which allows steam to build up within the container, heating the product from its interior outward. A specially designed one-way smart valve keeps the pressure in the pack, releasing only enough to prevent container bursting. This controlled inside-to-outside heating technique also protects product flavor and color from deterioration during pressure steam processing.
The SmartDevice mechanism can be applied to package sizes ranging from single-serve meals (MicroStreamer) to 13-pound foodservice containers. For example, a 13-pound package of precooked chicken can be reheated in a convection oven within 2.5 hours. Stored at refrigerated temperatures, products in this modified atmosphere packaging have a shelf life up to 28 days. Murray reports that two Italian restaurant chains are already using the packaging system.
PPi also will show a MAP two-handled, microwaveable tray system that can accommodate up to one pound of freshly prepared product. Once filled, the tray is subjected to gas flushing, then sealed with a special anti-fog film that peels away after microwaving but does not lift from the tray during cooking. The one-way-valve SmartDevice allows pressure to build up within the tray but keeps levels low enough to keep the peel able film from bursting free.
Rovema Values Versatility
Rovema Packaging Machines, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Booth No. C-1827), will showcase a broad range of modified-atmosphere flexible pouch and pillow-packaging systems to accommodate diverse products like coffee, breakfast cereals, baked goods, pharmaceuticals and water.
Vertical form/fill/vacuumize/gas flush/seal systems from Rovema can handle liquid, viscous, particulate or solid products and can be customized to meet user specifications. Users can install stand-alone baggers/pouchers or combined baggers/casepackers. These MAP systems can accommodate whatever gas flush application is required—from nitrogen to ozone. At an unnamed user location, Rovema recently installed a system to package one-liter and two-liter pouches of water flushed with ozone—which aids in filtration and extends shelf life.
Speeds for Rovema’s pillow-pack machines range up to 180 packs per minute. Sizes from single-serve to bulk foodservice volumes can be produced. Changeovers can be accomplished within 15 to 20 minutes without use of tools.
A number of other PACK EXPO Las Vegas exhibitors have MAP capabilities, including Avatar Packaging Systems, a division of Magnum Systems (Booth No. S-4827), Harpak (Booth No. S-4711), KHS-Bartelt, Inc. (Booth No. C-439), Mahaffy & Harder Engineering Co. (Booth No. C-2613), Packaging Technologies (Booth No. C-700), PBI-Dansensor A/S (Booth No. S-5454), PFM Packaging Machinery Corp. (Booth No. C-1013), Plassein International (Booth No. S-5712), PTI—Packaging Technologies & Inspection, LLC (Booth No. S-5440), UVA Packaging (Booth No. S-5461) and Winpak (Booth No. C-1649).
