Vacuum Barrier Corp., Woburn, Mass., is celebrating its 50th year in business. The company was founded by Thornton Sterns and Louis Thompson designing, engineering and manufacturing cryogenic handling equipment for private industry and military. Vacuum Barrier’s business philosophy was to provide cryogenic handling products designed and manufactured in its own facility with on-site service – a philosophy still in practice today.
Vacuum Barrier began to expand its cryogenic product line with the launch of Semiflex Stainless Steel piping to the Food Freezing and Electronic market, and continued market expansion by adding Semiconductor and Automotive. The later expansion brought the launch of Triax piping, which allowed manufacturing facilities to have custom delivery of liquid nitrogen at a variety of pressures.
Vacuum Barrier continued to collaborate with clients, which included its injection system to inject liquid nitrogen into thin-wall hot or cool fill cans. In turn, this was instrumental in increasing the demand for two-piece, lightweight aluminum cans from heavy weight, three-piece cans.
In the early 1990s, an explosion of lightweight packages and growth of PET plastic for non-carbonated beverages further prompted Vacuum Barrier to refine its liquid nitrogen injection systems to allow for extreme dosing precision. A full line of Nitrodose liquid nitrogen injection systems was launched. The full line has systems to address any delicate packaging application at various line speeds.
As Vacuum Barrier celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company says it has not strayed from the philosophy its founders established – provide cryogenic handling products designed and manufactured in its own facility with knowledgeable and dependable on-site service. — Vacuum Barrier Corp., 4 Barton Lane, Woburn, Mass. 01801; 781/933-3570; vacuumbarrier.com
NewAge Industries developed a flexible hose for beverage industry applications, including potable water, milk and dairy products, oily or animal fat-based foods, juices and non-alcohol beverages. The hose is manufactured from a food-grade nitrile rubber blend that meets FDA standards and all requirements for a 3-A rating. The product is reinforced with polyester fabric and steel wire, and can handle both pressure and full vacuum applications. It is crush-resistant and bends without kinking to allow unrestricted flow. Sizes range from 1 inch to 4 inches interior dimension. The hose is available in bulk or as complete hose assemblies with stainless steel fittings in Tri-Clamp, cam and groove, I-line, tubeweld and custom welded styles. — NewAge Industries Inc., 145 James Way, Southampton, Pa. 18966; 800/506-3924; foodandbeveragehose.com.