Can space saver

Edge Display Group Enterprise launched the new branded Can Space Saver. The merchandising solution offers a branding feature with interchangeable graphics to enhance consumer product education. It also enhances product presence in cold merchandising. The space saver fits in any small or large format retail environment.
— Edge Display Group Enterprise, 111 Gary Way, Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779; 800/332-6724; edgedisplay.com.

Clean-in-place protection

Vacuum Barrier introduced its automatic clean-in-place (CIP) protection device. The device is available as an option on all Nitrodose liquid nitrogen dosing systems. It ensures that anytime liquid nitrogen dosing has stopped, the automatic shutter closes, preventing moisture from entering the dosing head. An added benefit is that the clean area is not re-exposed by an operator manually removing a cover, the company says.
— Vacuum Barrier Corp., 4 Barten Lane, Woburn, Mass. 01801; 781/933-3570; vacuumbarrier.com.

Supply chain

FKI Logistex announced the formation of the Solutions Development Group. The group was created to provide integrated supply chain solutions to its North American customers on an accelerated schedule. The group specifies, installs and commissions all FKI Logistex and third-party products and services involved in supply chain solutions. It serves industries such as distribution, e-commerce, manufacturing, postal, parcel and airports, and allows companies to move more quickly from planning to implementation, saving an estimated three to six months of project lead time, FKI Logistex says.
— FKI Logistex, 9301 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63132; 877/935-4564; fkilogistex.com.

Wine and alcohol filler valves

Krones Inc. offers a variety of filler valves for spirits and wine. Krones VKPCF-S wine and high carbonation sparkling wine filler uses mechanic and electro-pneumatic control systems. Fill height adjustment is automatic and every bottle can be programmed into the system. Krones’ VKPV beer filler valve is a single-chamber filling system. Pressurization is achieved by using gas from the filler ring bowl. Also, two pre-evacuations are accomplished by pulling a vacuum less than 100 millibar. Krones’ VVHL spirit and liquor filling valve features a mechanical short-tube filling system, automatic fill level and pneumatically controlled vent-tube adjustment.
— Krones Inc., 9600 South 58th St., Franklin, Wis. 53132; 714/441-0700; kronesusa.com.

$5 bill validator

MEI released a new $5 software update for Conlux Brand Bill Validators. Validators with a black or white EEPROM connector can be upgraded if using a Conlux bill programming device, which comes with an unlimited number of downloads. A Conlux Authorized Service Center can upgrade the original Gen 1 validators with an orange EEPROM connector.
— MEI, 1301 Wilson Drive, West Chester, Pa. 19380; 800/345-8215; meigroup.com

Environmentally savvy solutions

Sidel will present its newest packaging solutions, from bottling design to palletizing, at Interpack in Dusseldorf, Germany. The company will use part of the booth to unveil environmental solutions in packaging, including NoBottle, Predis and Options and Upgrades kit. Sidel also will feature demonstrations of three robots on a conveyor preparing layers of PET packs, and the Elettric 80 Laser Guided Vehicle.
— Sidel Inc., 5600 Sun Court, Norcross, Ga. 30092; 678/221-3000; sidel.com.

'Green' refrigerant hose

Eaton Hydraulics Operations announced an upgraded version of its GH 134 multi-refrigerant veneer hose line. The line offers the lowest effusion and greatest flexibility of any multi-refrigerant hose in the company’s portfolio. The project aims to reduce refrigerant permeation by 50 percent. The “green” hose helps prevent refrigerant contamination. Features of the hose include an advanced internal polyamide veneer, a synthetic rubber backing layer, a stabilized braided synthetic reinforcement and a chlorobutyl rubber cover. The new GH134 is available in five sizes and is designed for use with roll-formed crimp fittings and Eaton’s E-Z Clip Fitting System.
— Eaton Hydraulics Operations, 14615 Lone Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344; 888/258-0222; hydraulics.eaton.com.

Braille on packaging

Nordon Corp. introduced its new Braille adhesive application system that features e.dot gun technology. With the new technology, packagers are able to directly communicate product information to visually impaired consumers. Italy’s Brescia Milk Depot is using the solution to provide milk expiration dates in Braille. Features include a three-module e.dot gun, a specially developed electronic Braille code pattern controller and a Nordson adhesive melter. The e.dot gun applies adhesive Braille coding to packaging at a height of 0.5 mm. It is capable of interpreting multiple languages into Braille code.
— Nordon Corp., 28601 Clemens Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145; 440/892-1580; nordson.com.

Scanning bar-codes accurately

Innophos Inc. installed near-far EX imaging technology from Intermec to save time and increase scanning read-rate accuracy at its warehouse in Chicago Heights, Ill. The solution includes RF system components from QDS and Intermex CK31ex rugged mobile computers, which allow for accurate readings from many lengths at a variety of angles through heavy shrinkwrap. The company says the mobile computer can scan any type of bar code from 6 inches to 50 feet away.
— Innophos Inc., P.O. Box 8000, Cranbury, N.J. 08512; 609/495-2495; innophos.com.

Urethane topcoats

Tennant Co. announced the reformulation of its WearGuard — CRU chemical-resistant urethane topcoats. The reformulation reduces Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), and meets the requirements of Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium (LADCO), the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) and Chemicals Control Branch of Environment Canada. WearGuard — CRU 250 remains below 250 grams per liter, which complies with more state and country standards. The coatings are durable and can withstand Skydrol, jet fuel and other industrial chemicals, the company says. Also, the topcoats come in a 100 percent aliphatic, non-yellowing formula, and are available in white, light gray and gray.
— Tennant Co., 701 North Lilac Drive, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440; 800/553-8033; tennatco.com.

Blasting the milkstone

Clear Water Enviro Technologies introduced ScaleBlaster, a product that eliminates formation of milkstone deposits in milk lines and equipment without the need for chemicals and maintenance. The system produces a modulating frequency waveform that hits the resonant frequency of the calcium carbonate molecules. This causes the molecules to lose adhesive properties. Milkstone is then removed and does not form again, the company says.
— Clearwater Enviro Technologies Inc., 1166 Kapp Drive, Clearwater, Fla. 33765; 800/756.7946; clearwaterenvirotech.com.

Partition inserter

A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp. introduced the Model 70 Dual-Head Partition Inserter. The product inserts up to 50 partitions per minute in 25 cycles per minute. Model 70 runs both chipboard and corrugated partitions with six, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 48 cells. It also runs Air cell six-packs, ‘A’ cell six-packs and all standard locking partitions including ‘Q’ lock, center locking and top and bottom lock. The partitioner may be equipped with locking casters, quick disconnect air and electrical connections.
— A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp., 811 Live Oak St., Tarpon Springs, Fla. 34689; 800/237-5975; abcpackaging.com.

Turbo mixing

Lee Industries Inc. introduced the Tri-Mix Turbo-Shear, a versatile, high-performance batch mixing system. The machine combines heat exchanging efficiency and blends traditional counterrotating, scraped-surface agitator with the homogenizing action of a shear mixing head. The Turbo-Shear operates at speeds up to 3,450 rpm and the scraped-surface sweep agitator at speeds up to 50 rpm. The sweep agitator also handles products up to 2 million cps and the shear head handles products from 10,000 to 50,000 cps, the company says. From R&D/pilot plant size vessels to 1,000 gallon batch vessels, the units are available with independent motors and controls, vacuum/pressure capability, tilting options, heating/cooling jackets and special surface finishes.
— Lee Industries Inc., P.O. Box 687, Philipsburg, Pa. 16866; 814/342-0470; leeind.com.

Wireless access point

Siemens Energy & Automation Inc. announced the Scalance W786 wireless LAN Access Point. The product is designed to operate in harsh and humid outdoor environments where temperatures range from -40 degrees C to 70 degrees C. It is available in both one and two radio module variations and it also features at 10/100 MB per second Ethernet Port (RJ45) or 100 MB per second fiber optic cable for connection to wire-bound Ethernet networks. The access point operates at speeds of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, and is compatible with Siemens Hipath wireless controller. The power-over-Ethernet feature is compliant with 12-24vac and 110-240vac options. It also offers Wi-Fi Protected Access and Advanced Encryption Standard.
— Siemens Energy & Automation Inc., 3333 Old Milton Pkwy., Alpharetta, Ga. 30005; 800/964-4114; sea.siemens.com.

Multi-box opener

Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc. introduced ABOT Magnum, the third offering in the box opener line from CASI. The system is able to open up to 1,800 boxes per hour. The single and multiple infeed/outfeed lane options make it easy to merge and/or sort inbound and outbound cartons, the company says. The system can handle thousands of box sizes automatically, without set-up. This solution works for returns processing, pick module replenishment and co-pack operations.
— Cornerstone Automation Systems Inc., 1827 Wesley Dr., Prosper, Texas 75078; 972/346-2242; cornerstoneautosys.com.

Versatile shrink packer

Douglas Machine Inc. introduced the Douglas Contour SPS-75 Shrink Packer. The machine packs products into trays, on pads, u-boards and film. Features of SPS-75 include Startrak Steady Stream Infeed, Slipstream Pinless Metering, side film stands and quick-change servo-driven wrapping wands. It also features a heat tunnel that uses heat and airflow management to deliver wrapped packages. The product operates at speeds up to 75 cycles per minute.
— Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa St., Alexandria, Minn. 56308; 320/763-6587; douglas-machine.com.

Improved Web site

Zontec Inc. reinvented its Web site to be more streamlined, better organized and more relevant to making informed software buying decisions, the company says. The site allows access to trial software, product literature, white papers, customer case histories and support resources.
— Zontec Inc., 1389 Kemper Meadow Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240; 866/955-0088; zontec-spc.com.

Software solution

Supply Chain Consultants introduced the Zemeter S&OP Azimuth for presenting data in sales and operations planning meetings and pre-meetings. The Azimuth provides organizations with the tools to integrate data from spreadsheets, and perform “what-if” scenarios during executive sales and operations planning meetings to make the most informed supply chain decisions, the company says. The Rough-Cut Capacity Planning feature allows companies to schedule demand, while ignoring capacity limitations.
— Supply Chain Consultants, 5460 Fairmont Drive, Linden Green Center, Wilmington, Del. 19808; 302/738-9215; supplychain.com.

Gloss and satin photo papers

LexJet introduced Prime Satin SUV and Prime Glass SUV, which bring high-quality photographic reproduction to print shops using running solvent, low-solvent and UV-curable printers. The 10-ml. glossy and satin photo papers are designed to maximize the quality of solvent, the company says. LexJet Prime Gloss SUV and Prime Satin SUV are the latest additions to LexJet’s Décor line.
— LexJet, 1680 Fruitville Road,Third Floor, Sarasota, Fla. 34236; 800/453-9538; lexjet.com.

Adhesive delivery system

ITW Dynatec introduced the ADS1 DynaFill Adhesive Delivery System. The system eliminates the need to manually fill adhesive tank hoppers and minimizes adhesive contamination by reducing adhesive exposure to the environment, the company says. Also, the product is compatible with ITW Dynatec and most adhesive application equipment. It operates on 20 cfm at 50 pound per square inch air pressure when feeding. The adhesive is drawn through a suction wand immersed in the adhesive bin and delivered under positive-pressure to the tank hopper. The system feeds a hot melt unit up to 22 feet vertically and 100 feet horizontally.
— ITW Dynatec, 31 Volunteer Drive, Hendersonville, Tenn. 37075; 615/338-0927; itwdynatec.com.

Online container database

Graham Packaging Co. launched an online database enabling customers to search the extensive catalog of stock containers and save the downloaded information in a password account. The database includes stock container options for beverage and food, personal and beauty care, household, chemical and automotive lubricant markets. Customers can search by criteria, including capacity, units of measure, material, shape, description and neck finish. The site produces specifications, a detailed view, a printable PDF, a link to request additional information and a link to obtain a sample.
— Graham Packaging Co., 2401 Pleasant Valley Road, York, Pa. 17402; 717/849-8500; grahampackaging.com.

Heat-wrapped shrinkable sleeves

Ameri-Seal created two heat shrinkable sleeves for “Ready Fiber,” a clear liquid source of soluble dietary fiber. The sleeves have a clear tear drop shape design in the middle of the label. The product comes in two bottle sizes: 8 and 15 ounces. The shrink labels wrap around the entire bottle, and the sleeves are printed with six colors on rotogravure presses.
— Ameri-Seal Inc., 21330 Superior St., Chatsworth, Calif. 91311; 800/220-7981; ameri-seal.com.