Turbidity monitor
Anderson Instrument Co. released its ITM-4 turbidity monitor specifically for the beverage industry. The monitor has 11 selectable ranges, switching output and a user-friendly interface for set-up and diagnostics. Featuring a four-beam system that includes alternating LED technology, the monitor automatically corrects for build-up on sensors and provides longer bulb life than traditional Tungsten bulbs.
-Anderson Instrument Co., 156 Auriesville Road, Fultonville, N.Y. 12072; 518/922-5315; andinst.com.

Light-blocking film
Gilbreth Packaging offers light-barrier shrink film sleeves made from opaque, lightweight PETG-HY film that provides up to 99 percent UV and visible light-blocking protection, the company says. The shrink film is made to safeguard beverages, including vitamin-enhanced waters, wine, spirits and other light-sensitive products. The company can surface-print the film with 360-degree color graphics protected with an overprint varnish layer for brand reinforcement. PETG-HY film can shrink up to 76 percent, permitting material downgauging that can reduce material consumption up to 20 percent, the company says.
-Gilbreth Packaging, 3001 State Road, Croydon, Pa. 19021; 800/630-2413; gilbrethusa.com.

Video seam monitor
CMC-Kuhnke Inc. released a new version of its VSM-5 Automatic Video Seam Monitor, a stand-alone device that uses auto SEAMview 5 software on a micro-personal computer integrated into the unit. The seam monitor features high-resolution imaging, USB or Firewire connectivity for cameras and a larger TFT screen or optional touch screen. Because the SEAMview 5 software starts automatically, it requires no training or installation. The company says the machine increases accuracy up to five times and decreases the amount of time required to measure double seams.
CMC-Kuhnke Inc., 1060 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12204; 800/689-0661; cmc-kuhnke.com.

Bioluminescent light
Progressive Edge has released its Nature’s Flash Lite product, which uses naturally occurring crystals from algae and seaweed to illuminate points of sale. With a small electrical impulse, the company says logos, photos and graphic artwork light up and flash. When the power is turned off, the images and messages remain beneath the transparent layer of crystals, the company says. A 2-feet by 3-feet sign uses less than $5 per year in electricity, the company says.
-Progressive Edge Inc., 801 S. Yonge St., Suite 6, Ormond Beach, Fla. 32174; 386/677-2221; progressiveedgegroup.com.

Bottle labeler
For mid-tier bottlers, Krones AG developed the Vinetta, a labeler that will complete between 4,000 and 8,000 containers an hour. The standard version of the labeler can affix glass bottles, plastic bottles, jars and specially shaped containers with body and shoulder labels. It also includes an additional cold-glue station for back, neck-ring or swing-stopper label applications. The company also offers options for a wine seals, diagonal strips or medallion application and a pressure-sensitive labeling station, it says.
-Krones AG, Böhmerwaldstraße 5, 93073 Neutraubling, Germany; 49 9401 70-0; krones.com.

Bulk wine packaging
Environmental Packaging Technologies Ltd. released its Wine-Pac flexitank system for bulk wine packaging, which features an outer-woven layer of polypropylene that includes reinforcement bands along the length of the bag to improve stability of the cargo. The Wine-Pac includes an anti-suction design on its compression-fitted flange to achieve maximum discharge, the company says. A five-layer Barrier Wear Sleeve protects the bottom and sides of the tank and reduces oxygen transmission rates to zero.
-Environmental Packaging Technologies Ltd., 6100 West by Northwest, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77040; 877/824-4733; eptpac.com.

Motor-driven roller
Hytrol Conveyor Co. Inc. introduced its E24 family of motor-driven roller conveyors with a series 24-volt motor. The line includes the E24 Timing Belt Transfer, which has E24-powered timing belt strands and pneumatic lift. Drive sheaves come with ABEC-1 bearings to ensure longer transfer life, the company says.
-Hytrol Conveyor Co. Inc., 2020 Hytrol St., Jonesboro, Ark. 72401; 870/935-3700; hytrol.com.

Electric lift trucks
Yale Materials Handling Corp. launched its ESC030-040AC series of electric stand-up lift trucks. The three-wheel lift trucks can lift 3,000 to 4,000 pounds and feature pre-vision load positioning to help operators control the truck’s position while working on an incline. The trucks include dual-steer tires, hydraulic-actuated racks and pinion-steer axles. AC drive motors with separate drive controllers help minimize the truck’s turning radius, and an AC Transistor lift pump control matches pump speed with hydraulic flow to increase efficiency and reduce maintenance, the company says.
-Yale Materials Handling Corp., 1400 Sullivan Drive, Greenville, N.C. 27834; 252/931-5100; yale.com.

Retrofit system
Nordson Corp. introduced its Fulfill retrofit system, which will add adhesive filling capability to Nordson ProBlue four-, seven- and 10-liter melters and defray maintenance and labor costs, the company says. The automatic system would replace manual melter monitoring and refilling. Instead of production staff refilling adhesives, the system would convey adhesive pellets, pastilles or mini-slates directly to the melter tank when it falls below a certain level. Contamination by dirt, dust or other debris is cut off by the system, which is closed to ambient air.
-Nordson Corp., 28601 Clemens Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44145; 440/892-1580; nordson.com.

Electric lift truck
Combilift introduced its COMBI-CB line of electric counter-balanced lift trucks, which can lift up to 5,000 to 6,000 pounds. The electric lift truck uses 48 volt AC technology. It features multi-direction operation on a two-wheel drive machine with integrated side-shift and the option of an open or full cab. The lift truck also includes options for a cabin heater, hydraulic fork positioner and detachable four-fork spreader bar.
-Combilift USA, 303 Concord St., Greensboro, N.C. 27406; 877/266-2456; combilift.com.

Shrink wrapper
Polypack introduced its Atlantis shrink wrapper, which protects critical components of the machine from liquid intrusion during production line washdowns. The machine features a waterproof front end, an enclosed pusher assembly, electronics and wiring systems sealed from liquid intrusion. The machine is constructed from stainless steel, which extends its lifespan and washdown capabilities, the company says.
-Polypack Inc., 3301 Gateway Centre Blvd., Pinellas Park, Fla. 33782; 727/578-5000; polypack.com.

Oxygen barrier coating
Ball Corp.’s 16-ounce PET bottles with KHS Plasmax barrier coating were released as a bottle for Made beverages by Tenaya LLC, Chicago. Tenaya says the beverages are among the first high-acid, shelf-stable beverages aseptically filled in PET bottles in North America. Plasmax is an ultra-thin transparent internal silicon oxide barrier coating that protects the beverage from oxygen ingress and prevents the bottle from absorbing the sterilizing agent used during the aseptic filling process.
-Ball Corp., 10 Longs Peak Drive, Broomfield, Colo. 80021; 303/469-3131; ball.com.

Conveyor belts
Gough Econ Inc. offers several conveyor belt designs and styles, including flat and flighted belts with inclines up to 90 degrees. Among the company’s customized conveyor belts are flat slider-bed, incline, cleated and troughed belts. Conveyors are constructed in mild steel or stainless steel and can include a geared motor drive and molded or bolt-on flights. Belting can be customized per the customer’s requirements, the company says.
-Gough Econ Inc., P.O. Box 668583, Charlotte, N.C. 28266; 800/264-6844; goughecon.com.

Air compressor
Quincy Compressor released its QGV family of variable speed drive air compressors with models ranging from 20 to 200 horsepower. The compressor can operate as a base-load machine or as a trim machine, supplying only the air required by the system to maintain the target pressure. Quincy’s QGV line of compressors also includes full-color touch screen controls, integrated networking features for automatic sequencing with applicable models and sound levels as low as 68 decibels, the company says.
-Quincy Compressors, 701 North Dobson Ave., Bay Minette, Ala. 36507; 217/222-7700; quincycompressor.com.

Copolyester water bottles
Eastman Chemical Co. and Greif Packaging introduced water bottles made from Eastman Tritan copolyester, which does not include bisphenol A, for the home and office delivery market. The bottles are available in 3- and 5-gallon round and handled sizes. Eastman Tritan copolyester allows the bottles to be washed at high-temperatures while resisting cleansers and detergents, the company says.
-Eastman Chemical Co., P.O. Box 431, Kingsport, Tenn. 37662; 423/229-2000; eastman.com.

Injection-molded pallets
Monoflo International Inc. released its line of high-pressure, straight injection-molded pallets in North America. The company has introduced its RP (Rackable Pallets) and NP (Nestable Pallets) series of high-pressure injection-molded pallet tools. Monoflo released the Cramer Heavy-Duty Rackable RP4840 pallet, a closed pallet designed to carry up to 2,750 pounds. The NP line is designed specifically for grocery distribution, food service, convenience store distribution, export and general manufacturing, the company says. Both lines are 100 percent recyclable and are made from polyethylene or polypropylene.
-Monoflo International Inc., 882 Baker Lane, Winchester, Va. 22603; 800/446-6693; miworldwide.com.

Chiller tunnel
American Conveyor released its Chiller Tunnel XL-I, which the company says will ensure operational feasibility for label application and packaging systems for cool hot-filled containers. The tunnel features a water recycling and retention system with temperature regulation, automatic dynamic braking, adjustable heights and heavy-duty variable speed conveyors, the company says. Available in stainless steel and in multiple size configurations, the tunnel can be used as a cooling tunnel to maintain temperatures throughout the packaging process, it says.
-American Conveyor, 1819 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, N.Y. 11385; 718/386-0480; amerconveyor.com.

Labeling system
ID Technology released its Model 1500i bottle labeling system. The Model 1500i features calibrated adjustments and a PLC controlled labeling head for operations requiring a wrap labeler with a large size capability. The company says the labeling system is compact and economical.
-ID Technology, 2051 Franklin Drive, Ft. Worth, Texas 76106; 817/626-7779; idtechnology.com.

Continuous motion uncaser
Standard-Knapp introduced its PikMore Uncaser, a continuous motion uncaser that the company says is ideal for the wine and beverage industries. The machine works in reverse, removing empty glass bottles from their cases at a rate of 70 cases per minute. Gripper heads revolve in a center carousel, lifting empty glass bottles from cases and placing them on a conveyer. The PikMore Uncaser comes equipped with the company’s graphic Operator Interface Screen and is designed to run largely operator free, the company says.
-Standard-Knapp Inc., 63 Pickering St., Portland, Conn. 06480; 860/342-1100; standard-knapp.com.

Slitter machine
Karlville Development LLC introduced its Slitter UHS-Turret slitting machine, which can achieve speeds of up to 450 meters per minute, the company says. The machine features a vacuum hug drum system that helps sustain precision, hydraulic shaftless unwind, touchscreen interface and PLC based control system. The Karlville line of slitters vary in widths between 1,000 mm. and 1,800 mm.
-Karlville Development, 1111 Brickell Bay Drive, Miami, Fla. 33131; 305/533-1051; karlville.com.

Sensor film
Sensor Products Inc. released a surface pressure-indicating sensor film to help packagers monitor and ensure consistent package integrity. Made with a thin Mylar-coated sheet, Pressurex film can reveal pressure distribution and magnitude from 2 to 43,000 PSI and can conform to curved surfaces or be hand or laser cut to size. Pressure magnitude can be determined by comparing the color on the film to a correlation chart, the company says.
-Sensor Products Inc., 300 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940; 973/884-1755; sensorprod.com.

Pick-to-Light Solution
Reddwerks Corp. released the third generation of its pick-to-light hardware, which includes firmware updates for more order cubing functions during line split operations and is two to three times brighter than previous releases. New buttons provide better feedback and have been tested to perform after hundreds of thousands of presses, the company says. Real-time configurable power settings dynamically adjust brightness and power consumption to maximize cost savings.
-Reddwerks Corp., 1122 S. Capital of Texas Highway, Austin, Texas 78746; 512/257-3031; reddwerks.com.

Related Links:
Supplier’s Marketplace, May 2010