The C1 1400 robotic packer, designed especially for use with the Tetra Wedge aseptic pack, brings together carton forming, loading and closure. An integrated detection device locates, rejects and discharges below-par and out-of-place packages before they can cause a costly, time-consuming jam.
“We worked closely with Tetra Pak to create this machine,” John Kalkowski, director of marketing for Delkor, told FoodProductionDaily.com. “It helps make the best, most efficient use of space, so companies can get more product in a carton.”
The packer places the wedge-shaped cartons on their side, nestled together, rather than on their ends. The configuration minimizes wasted space within the carton, according to Kalkowski.
Flexible packing
Also highlighted in Delkor’s PROCESS EXPO booth: the Spot-Pak 650 loader. Working in conjunction with the company’s Trayfecta former, the system is intended to give food firms and packaging partners a high degree of flexibility, and quick changeover.
“Downtime is death,” Kalkowski said. “This machine can be changed over in five minutes, with no tools, so there’s as little a break in the action as possible.”
The Spot-Pak 650 handles a range of cases, trays and retail-ready formats. According to Kalkowski, the machine can produce 14 different packaging configurations, including single containers, sleeve products, shipper formats and more.
Avoiding recalls
The company also has released its Vision Inspection Station, which food firms can use to verify container closure, detect lidding flaws, pinpoint wrong-sized or incorrectly labelled containers, and reject faulty packs.
Kalkowski told FPD that Delkor’s visual inspection technology is designed with the goal in mind of helping dairy and food companies avoid the headache of mislabelled products.
“Studies show that 80% of product recalls are related to mislabelling,” Kalkowski said. “Vision inspection is important in confirming that any problems are caught on the line before they become major, costly issues.”