In the 1960s, TFFS equipment was born. For decades, TFFS has become an indispensable packaging equipment for the food industry and is widely used for the production of large-scale MAP, sterile and re-sealable packaging. But how can we have the ability to customize the design of packaging, while also minimizing waste, reducing labor costs, and can effectively produce packaging? The top TFFS system manufacturers have developed new and improved TFFS equipment that can better meet these needs of users.
Customer needs - more environmentally friendly, cheaper packaging
In the meat processing industry, for example, in the United States, most luncheon meat producers use mostly a package called GladWare, which first loads luncheon meat into a modified atmosphere or vacuum package, and then loads it into a hard and repeatable product. Use packaging. Generally, such a package needs to be completed through an air-conditioning or vacuum packaging device and a thermoforming device.
Porter Cristina, a product expert at CFS Americas, said: "GladWare is a package-in-the-box package and it costs more. Now we want a greener, cheaper package."
CFS is experimenting with a new package using a rigid thermoformed tray with a rigid thermoformed lid with a locking structure, somewhat similar to GladWare. Christina said it will become more and more popular. This new type of packaging is a new challenge for horizontal TFFS machines. The use of a TFFS system to produce this unsealed re-seal package is a cost-effective method of producing re-sealable packages.
Suppliers bring packaging equipment that reduces material waste and costs
In order to bring more cost-effective packaging to users, the mechanical manufacturing giants Multivac and Iveca USA (formerly Hasiya America) have integrated in-line shrink wrap functions on their TFFS systems. In this way, the user company can complete vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging and thermoforming packaging of products on one device. Jerry Hersh, Multivac's marketing manager, said that this technology has been around since 2005, thanks to the success of the new film.
Hersh said that the common shrink packaging is generally a prefabricated bag that is submerged in hot water or steam to shrink it. The finishing of the film is done manually. "This will cause a lot of waste, and it will take a lot of man-hours to open the bag, fill it, transfer it to a vacuum chamber, etc." Hersh said: "So we gave up this shrink bag."
Hersh said that shrink bags can not meet customer requirements. Even if the product size matches the shrink bag, nearly 40% of the plastic film is cut off as waste, which is a huge waste. And Multivac's TFFS system with built-in shrink wrap function can automatically shape and cut the remaining film material before entering the shrink oven. The product then passes through a drying tunnel to remove the remaining moisture. Labels made of the same material can be shrunk directly onto the package.
Charlie Lafari, president of Iveca, said: “Some new developments in our TFFS system have significantly improved the efficiency of thermoforming of acrylic materials.†Iveca's TFFS system also enables in-mold labeling, which furthers The cost is reduced. After the packaging comes out of the TFFS, it can be packaged directly.
Even if manufacturers have developed new methods to reduce membrane consumption and reduce waste, customers still have to deal with a lot of excess material. Christina said that it's inevitable that a piece of equipment will produce some scrap, but the life cycle of scrap can be changed. CFS provides a device that can cut excess film into pieces for recycling. Although it cannot be re-applied to the food industry, it can be applied to other industries or fields.
In short, in order to save costs, in order to meet the various needs of customers, suppliers are making every effort to develop a variety of multi-functional machines. We also look forward to more advanced packaging equipment available.
Reprinted from: Huayin Media