New technology launched for delicate product packaging

Packaging firm Bosch has designed a new range of packaging and processing solutions designed specifically for handling delicate products such as tray baked goods, biscuits and chocolate confectionery.

The firm will be showcasing the technologies, which include vertical and horizontal wrapping machines, at the Interpack 2008 show in Germany this April.

One such machine due to be launched is the LDM Monopacker originally designed by Bosch subsidiary Sigpack Systems.

This machinery is aimed particularly at companies needing to pack delicate products such as biscuits into trays.

The company has also developed a range of vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) machines that can bag smaller bakery and confectionery products into packaging at speeds of up to 120 bags per minute, Bosch claims.

According to the company, the SVE 2510 QR and the SVE 1800 MR sort biscuits and snacks into a variety of packaging formats such as pillow bags, stand up pouches, or block-bottomed bags.

The company also claims it took care to ensure that these machines do not drop any food products into bags from a great height, as that could cause damage to certain foods.

In term of processing, Bosch has launched a number of new technologies designed for delicate products.

These include a high speed feeding wheel that covers round or long wafers with chocolate.

"The line is designed to handle from one to three products in the feed chain, and offers the benefit of being able to flexibly shift between different infeed formats," the company said.

Bakery and confectionery products are set to become a highlight of the Interpack in show this year, as several other companies are planning to roll out technology aimed at these sectors.

TNA is planning to showcase new additions to the company's Robag - a vertical form, fill & seal (VFFS) machine, launched in 2007 to pack small food products, such as crisps and sweets, into bags.

Indeed, the Interpack organisers have made bakery and confectionery into a category for the show separate from food and beverages.

The other three categories are pharma and cosmetics, consumer goods (non-food) and industrial goods.