German-based Windmöller & Hölscher, a leader in the manufacture, design and distribution of machinery and equipment for flexible packaging, is presenting a number of new technologies at the ACHEMA show - to be held in Frankfurt, Germany, 19-24 May - including explosion-proof packaging.
The TOPAS FFS system will be shown in operation at the Maschinenfabrik Möllers stand. The compact design of this new machinery operates on the FFS principle (Form-Fill-Seal). It is available for different output levels and covers a wide range of products and batch sizes.
Since all essential adjustments are made automatically, product and size changes are completed quickly and in the most operator-friendly manner. The range of applications of the TOPAS encompasses the bagging of bulk goods in the food sector.
The company say that another feature of the machine is its ability to handle heavy-flowing and powdery products as well as products which tend to form dust during filling, e.g. S-PVC powder, which has an adverse effect on sealing. For the packaging of goods that are liable to explosion hazard, the TOPAS is now also available in a special explosion-proof design to meet the EU explosion protection directive, ATEX, which is applicable to all machines supplied for this application as from the beginning of 2003.
An available option is a bag evacuation system. The unit removes air from the filled bag to allow for hermetically sealed bags as required, e.g. for hygroscopic products such as polyamides or dangerous goods. The selected evacuation level is automatically maintained - a requirement for perfect palletising and straight edge stacks.
The equipment operates in conjunction with an automatic palletiser which stacks the filled and sealed bags and finally shrink wraps the complete pallet for secure handling during transport. The TOPAS features a corner sealing unit which increases the stability of the bags and results in an optimum bag shape, while at the same time ensuring that no product is left in the bag when emptied, a requirement for trouble-free recycling and minimised disposal costs.
The TOPAS system on show at ACHEMA has been sold to Cutler-Magner, located in Minnesota, US. The company specialises in the manufacture of salt and salt tablets.
Forming the bag from endless side gussetted tubing or, optionally, from a flat tubular web, and filling and sealing it in a single pass, makes the FFS concept the most efficient packaging process for many applications, the company claims. Printed or plain polyethylene and polypropylene films can be used, either as single-layer or multi-layer films or as laminates. The FFS system is also said to provide major cost advantages over pre-made bags and gives the greatest possible flexibility with packaging applications.
The W&H filling hopper with integrated dust removal capability ensures perfect filling conditions and keeps the machine environment clean of dust. A special feature, available as an option, provides for cleaning of the area of the bag where the top seal is to be made, resulting in strong top seals.
In addition to the stationary variation, the TOPAS is available as a portable system to be moved on air cushion, casters or rails for use under several filling spouts, product silos or multi-silo systems in logistical operations.
The W&H range of FFS machines comprises the DIAMANT and the TOPAS for different performance levels and with different specifications. More than 500 W&H FFS systems in operation world-wide testify to W&H's competence and market leadership in the form-fill-seal market.