The manufacturer said that its new HxL horizontal flow wrapping line includes Long-Dwell sealing technology, which allows 40 times longer sealing times and higher sealing pressures than traditional processes using the 4-layer fin seal approach which due to material bulge is vulnerable to damage and prone to leakage.
Sigpack said the technology, which was on display at Pack Expo in Chicago this week, has been designed to ensure packaging film thickness and product quality and is applicable to fresh, chilled and frozen food packs.
Rate per minute
According to the company, the HxL is available in two different versions – its HCL model is suitable for medium range output and can handle 150 packages per minute, while its HSL system, designed for more high speed ranges, has capacity for 350 packages per minute.
Sigpack said the new sealing technique is supported by sensors that help ensure a hermetic seal.
The company said, in addition, the HxL can print while working at high speeds and its vision system enables it to verify 2-D matrix codes, thus assisting in improving process security and product traceability.
Bar formation
The Contiline, a new bar forming system for producers of confectionery, muesli and cereal bars, was also unveiled at Pack Expo.
Bosch Packaging Technology said the equipment can be customised to suit the requirements of bar producers, and includes innovative systems for shaping, cooling, fanning-out and cutting and coating, while its ‘keep-on running’ features ensure high productivity.
The company said that the Contiline bar forming system starts with a two-roller-former, which carefully smoothes the cooked bar mass into a flat layer; in the cutting area, the equipment enables the production of bars with unique profiles, as well as regular rectangular-cut products.
Fanning-out process
According to Bosch, the new fanning-out system positions freshly cut bars in a crosswise direction to prevent the lateral cut surfaces from sticking together, while simultaneously achieving the optimum distance between the bars for the coating process: “After fanning-out, the cross-cutting machine cuts the ropes into individual bars. Two separate servo axes guide the cutting knife for optimal cutting quality.”
The company said that line stops for cleaning purposes are not necessary on the Contiline, as soiled machine parts can be cleaned without the need to stop production:
“Mass accumulations on machine surfaces are prevented by special surface coatings or easy to handle strippers. The machine operator does not need any tools as all removable, or adjustable, parts of the machine are equipped with quick release mechanisms,” claims Bosch.