Label-Aire introduced the 3138-N Merge printer applicator, an advanced printer applicator featuring Wipe-On labeling technology that can be configured for wrap labeling. This is accomplished by utilizing a label loop box for the storage of pre-printed labels. Advanced features include automatic setup with multiple programmable label pages for easy changeovers to labels of different sizes, advanced user-configurable I/O connectivity and Automatic Speed Following, which provides accurately applied labels even through changes in product speed.

Markem Corp. launched the 800 Series high-speed RFID encoder/ applicator for tagging cases of consumer goods. With increased speed and throughput capabilities, the 800 Series is ideal for beverage and consumer goods industries. The 800 Series is EPCglobal Gen 2 compliant and provides users the ability to tag up to 100 cases per minute. Additionally, the 800 Series facilitates flexible tag placement options to meet positioning requirements for all types of products and is built to integrate with existing software, systems and equipment. It can handle all form factors of RFID tags, including the application of on-pitch inlays.

Hitachi America Ltd., Power and Industrial Division, released the SJ/L-EN Ethernet communication module option, which provides all the Hitachi AC Micro Drives with a high-performance, easy-to-use Ethernet interface. The SJ/L-EN is installed externally and connects to the user’s network by means of a standard RJ45 connector. Hitachi previously had released SJ-EN Ethernet option board for the SJ300 and L300P series. The SJ/L-EN completes Ethernet connectivity for Hitachi’s entire AC Drive lines. The company also offers a new software package, HiSave VFD Energy Savings Estimator. Aimed at HVAC and Pumping customers, its purpose is to help users estimate electric energy cost savings if they installed an inverter to replace older mechanical means of regulating air/fluid flow.

ID Technology released the ci1000 micro continuous ink jet printing system for applying high-resolution, high-speed identifying marks, sell-by dates and lot date codes to any surface. The non-contact, high-speed printing gives near letter quality print resolution. The micro printhead can produce very fine characters accurately — as small as a quarter-inch at speeds up to 1,755-feet/ minute. Standard features of the ci1000 system include a single electronic board, featuring surface mount technology and dual 32 bit processor architecture.

A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp. introduced a top-sealing case sealer that offers both tape and hot-melt adhesive sealing, for packagers who have a variety of case sealing requirements. Designed for contract packagers and manufacturers who supply product to end users, this sealer offers complete flexibility in a single machine. Built with two independent sealing ­­modules for tape and hot-melt adhesive application, this sealer changes from one sealing method to another in minutes: simply unlatch the sealing module using the quick-turn clamps, remove the existing module, and replace it with

Douglas Machine Inc.’s Velocity High Speed Servo Stacker’s gentle product handling technology forms pack patterns without interruption, providing continuous product flow at speeds up to 600 products per minute. Intelligent programming accurately counts products and automatically adjusts the product flow rate to prevent jams due to product spacing inconsistency. The Velocity features servo controls for quick and repeatable tool-free changeovers, flexibility for running numerous product sizes and pack patterns on one machine and a compact design for efficient use of floor space.

Liquid Health Labs Inc. is pioneering a packaging technology for the infusion of nutrition into liquids, and is licensing its manufacturing and marketing rights. PowerCap is fusion technology that features a patented bottle cap closure that stores ingredients within the cavity of the cap and then releases them into any bottled liquid, including water, soda or tea, creating an instant enhanced beverage. The infusion of nutrition and flavor produces an interactive experience while delivering fresh ingredients, maximum absorption and nutritional efficacy.

CCL Container, a producer of impact-extruded aluminum packaging, is giving Latin America its first re-sealable aluminum containers. The makers of Hot Hangover Tea wanted to introduce their product in a container as new and different as the product category itself. Hot is marketed as an invigorating drink with herb extracts and amino acids that help combat the unpleasant sensations associated with a hangover. The package holds 8.4 ounces of product.

Innovacion Comercial en Alimentos S.A. de C.V., the marketers of Hot, selected a re-sealable 53 mm. diameter aluminum package for their Latin American launch. Initial distribution will be in Mexico, and then on to the shelves of convenience stores throughout Latin America and North America. The Hot bottle features CCL’s CT-38 threaded plastic sleeve that is fitted to the top of the container to accommodate consumer-preferred, tamper evident, re-sealable plastic caps. The graphics feature a fiery design of yellow and red, over a brushed aluminum backdrop, adding emphasis to the brand name. Product information appears in black type in both Spanish and English. An area of the design is deliberately left blank to allow for a printing of an expiration date during the filling operation.

Since the first beverage debuted in CCL’s bottle in early 2002, a growing number of marketers – from global brands to niche players – have adopted and successfully used the package, because it is lightweight, durable, re-sealable, fast-chilling and recyclable. To date, CCL’s bottles have been used for new product launches, limited-edition promotions, anti-counterfeiting measures, product line extensions and as the catalyst for brand revitalization.

Pursuit Dynamics launched the PDX Sonic batch processing system. Designed to meet the needs of the liquid food industry, the PDX Sonic is a self-contained, fully integrated processing system that can mix, pump, homogenize and cook ingredients simultaneously. The system uses supersonic shockwave technology to reduce cooking periods by up to 15 times and cleanings by up to 80 percent. The PDX Sonic reactor system replaces conventional multi-stage food production processes. The process protects particulate integrity, and unlike conventional methods of steam injection with high thermal gradients, thermal shock is reduced and cook-on eliminated. As a result, food quality is maintained while cleaning times are reduced.

New Age Industries has released AdvantaPure sanitary fittings that meet both 3-A and ASME-BPE specifications. Manufactured to correspond with the company’s line of sanitary tubing and hose, the fittings now offer an added degree of safety for critical process applications, such as those in the dairy and beverage industry. AdvantaPure’s line of fittings offers 316L stainless steel material; smooth, radiused edges; a wetted surface finish of 15 Ra or better; documented lot traceability with identification markings on each fitting; and documented quality control. Specific fitting styles consist of sanitary male and female I-line and bevel seats; Tri-Clamp, mini Tri-Clamp and Tri-Clamp elbows; male and female cam and groove; tube weld adapters and pipe weld adapters.

Linpac Materials Handling offers the Linpac Solutions Teams to help users integrate reusable packaging into their warehousing, storage and transportation chains. The services and solutions available are: business cases, leasing, sample program, dunnage design, repair, fabrication and recycling. Linpac Materials Handling products serve a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial equipment and beverage.

Epson Robots expanded its Pro Six robot line. The new Pro Six robots offer users faster speeds, heavier payload, longer reaches and IP65 Rated protection. Pro Six robots are designed for small parts assembly, dispensing, lab automation, machine tending, material handling, packaging, food handling and many other applications requiring speed, precision and smooth motion.

The new 800-page full color WACO Laboratory Equipment Catalog has been published by Wilkens-Anderson Co. Product descriptions, pricing and other information for a range of laboratory apparatus, instruments, supplies, chemicals and glassware are included in the catalog. The products are designed to meet the needs of all types of research and development and quality control laboratories.

Termika offers the first European insulated bottle bag that is made specifically to fit 16.9-ounce bottled water. The reusable bag folds into a 2 by 2 inch square. Termika also offers the bag in larger sizes, and it can be customized with a company or drink logo in up to 10 colors.

Hi-Speed has introduced X-series, its new timesaving, IP 69K-compliant, no-tools-required checkweigher. X-series is ideal for products that are wet, sticky or abrasive. The new design features smooth contours, a highly visible 15-inch user interface proven to withstand very harsh environments, and a controller that seamlessly integrates multiple inspection functions. The X-series can be sanitized quickly and allows a single operator to monitor multiple lines.

Videojet's new P3400 label printer applicator has a modular design for seamless combination of the base system, a print engine, and one of eight standard application modules. The system has a standard 14-inch unwind reel (16-inch optional) that results in fewer label changes and increased uptime. Also standard is an optical low-label sensor. These features, along with one-screen set up, make the P3400 a customizable, off-the-shelf solution that can overcome even the most challenging applications. The P3400 features premium-quality thermal transfer printing for high-resolution bar codes and text for shipping labels, which are subsequently affixed virtually anywhere on a shipping carton or case.

Polypack has launched its Cha Cha Cha System 24-A. The fully automated shrink-wrapping system is capable of receiving individual products or trays and providing a wrap with clear or print-registered polyethylene film with speeds up to 40 wraps per minute. With straightforward operation and versatility, operators can create multi-pack or shrinkwrapped preloaded and preformed trays.

SleeveCo’s shrink labels have become a major force in many different packaging categories. Shrink labels offer up to 11-color rotogravure printing and provide 360-degree marketing capability. SleeveCo also offers specialty inks, single mock-ups and a state-of-the art in-house prepress department. SleeveCo stretch labels also offer a color 360-degree marketing option on packages from 8 ounce to 55 gallons. Printed on top quality proprietary plastic film, SleeveCo stretch sleeves offer colors and line screens that can handle a variety of graphic intensity.

Alfa Laval’s AlfaCond 400, a lower-capacity model of the company’s AlfaCond purpose-built plate condenser, was developed specifically for condensing vapors under low-pressure, high-vacuum conditions in evaporation and distillation systems. The AlfaCond 400, which completes the AlfaCond range, is ideal for smaller capacities in applications such as turbine condensers in small co-generation plants, distillation systems and evaporation and crystallization systems in sweetener plants, sugar mills, starch and ethanol plants, and the chemical and food industries. The AlfaCond 400, based on the plate-and-frame heat exchanger concept, is ideal as an alternative to shell-and-tube heat exchangers and barometric condensers.

Millipore made available its family of ultrafiltration membranes for the nutraceutical and industrial biotech markets. UF membranes are used in a variety of specialty chemical and food and beverage applications where fluid purification or clarification is needed. The company’s polyethersulfone and regenerated cellulose UF membranes can collect and concentrate extremely small particles and dissolved molecules from fluids. Millipore’s families of UF membranes are available in a broad range of molecular weight cut-offs for a variety of applications.

Axon Corp. released the updated EZ-100 HSX, the company’s fastest single-head tamper- evident band applicator. The new EZ-100 HSX, capable of a larger size capacity, is a continuous-motion tamper-evident banding machine capable of speeds up to 500 bottles per minute. The machine has the capacity to band caps up to 50 mm. in diameter. In addition, a new optional feature allows the system to operate with modulating conveyor speeds, allowing for the system to speed up or slow down based on downstream production needs. EZ-100 HSX relies on feedback from the conveyor drive as well as an encoder that changes the application speed when the conveyor speed changes.