Beverage

ARC report challenges status quo in automation specifications

End users are beginning in earnest to throw out single vendor specs, citing need to align automation supplier capabilities with business strategies and foster innovations in packaging machine design. Packagers who’ve opened their control specs experience reduced delivery times, cost savings and performance guarantees.

July 31, 2006

Beverage: Page 180

Beverage

Thompson Scale: Filler Upgrades

Thompson Scale now offers the 4693 Filler Upgrade, available for a variety of filling and packaging equipment, including machinery that loads product into bags, boxes, tubs, totes, drums, or bulk bags.

July 31, 2006

Beverage

P.E. USA, Inc: Roll-Fed Labeling

From P.E. USA comes the Rollmatic labeling system, designed for roll-feeding labels onto full or empty cylindrical and shaped bottles. Running at speeds from 100-1ꯠ bpm, features include automatic label self-alignment, servo motor control for film cutting length, rotary blade on the cutting drum, and gripperless label transfer using a vacuum cylinder.

July 31, 2006

Prepared & Canned Foods

Robotics boost fish pack efficiencies

European seafood processor upgrades and diversifies packaging line operations to keep pace with growing product demand.

July 31, 2006

Inspection, Sorting & Weighing

What's not to like about robotics?

Labor savings, high throughput, repeatability, and flexibility are driving adoption of robots. ‘Creating value’ is a key consideration, too.

July 31, 2006

Prepared & Canned Foods

Polymer advances 'resin-ate' with packaging

Consumer- and technology-driven packaging trends come together at the National Plastics Exposition.

July 31, 2006

Beverage

Capsules winning out over cork?

As problems with ‘cork taint’ continue to plague the wine industry, Kendall-Jackson is expanding its use of ROPP aluminum capsules.

July 31, 2006

Beverage

Bottled Water Makes 'Scents' For Aroma Water

This summer, Aroma Water introduced water in a 16.9-oz PET bottle topped with a closure that releases an encapsulated aroma over time to give consumers the sensation of tasting a flavored beverage, without the extra additives, sweeteners, or calories.

July 31, 2006

Beverage

Canned Coffee Gets User-Convenient Multipacks

Last September, Tokyo, Japan-based Kirin Beverage Corp. introduced its’ “Fire”- brand canned coffees to two supermarket chains in Tokyo and Osaka.

July 31, 2006

Inspection, Sorting & Weighing

Vision System Speeds Container Development

London, England-based alcoholic beverage producer Diageo has launched its new leche-flavored liqueur line “Dulseda” in what the company claims is “the fastest time to market ever.”Key to the accelerated glass bottle design development and testing was Diageo’s use of the Vision Bottle Gauge (VBG) automated testing station supplied by Agr International (www.agrintl.com).

July 31, 2006

Beverage

Vodka Debuts In Blue-Hue PET Bottles

This summer, White Rock Distilleries, Lewiston, ME, introduced its Pinnacle-brand vodka in new 1.75-L translucent blue PET bottles supplied by Amcor PET Packaging (www.amcor.com) and topped with upscale 33-mm polypropylene closures from Berry Plastics Corp.

July 31, 2006

Prepared & Canned Foods

Pediatric Drink In Aseptic Cartons

In June 2006, PTS Labs, Rosemont, IL, launched its ReVital Care Bears pediatric electrolyte drinks in 1-L aseptic cartons from Tetra Pak (www.tetrapak.com).

July 31, 2006

Beverage

In Search Of Real Packaging Innovation

The paucity of true packaging innovation troubles James Goodell, chief executive officer of i4design. Goodell is a world traveler, and notes the extensiveness of “me too” packaging dotting store shelves.

July 31, 2006