EQUIPMENT briefs

Spiroflow’s Cone Table Elite (CTE) bulk bag filler, which features a patented coned densification table for bag stability, can be customized to integrate foil or plastic bag liners, which, following a nitrogen purge and heat-sealing process, can significantly extend stored product life. The solution is particularly attractive to producers of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, among other products and ingredients, who could benefit from extended product storage. The customized bulk bag filler unit comes with a built-in oxygen sensor, hygienic lance for filling the bag with nitrogen and evacuating oxygen, heat sealer, and vacuum. Spiroflow can also help to source the appropriate bag liners and nitrogen generators for the nitrogen purging process. All CTE bulk bag fillers come standard with a pneumatic neck seal that is compatible with lined bags. 704-912-1013 www.spiroflow.com

The versatility of SOMIC America’s high-speed, retail-ready packaging systems was on full display at PACK EXPO Connects. The virtual event featured a new 424 series machine that originally was to be demonstrated live at PACK EXPO in Chicago before the show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The seven-minute video delivered an up-close perspective on how the SOMIC 424 series serves as a starting point for all of the company’s customized, high-performance packaging solutions. Most are configured to run stand-up pouches, flow packs, and other flexible material packages. This compact machine, recently installed at Hartz Mountain Corp.’s manufacturing facility near Cincinnati, is configured with Rockwell Automation controls to handle a variety of blow-molded bottles. 847-915-9872 https://somic.us/

Multi-Conveyor recently built a series of powered plastic chain conveyors that incorporate manual lift gates for operator access, and pneumatic stop/clamp control for seamless merge. The overall project merges two lines fed from two existing case packers down to a single lane prior to the customer’s case sealer and ultimate palletizer. Slightly inclined, offset conveyors incorporate manual lift gate assemblies for operator access within a confined production area. The designated priority line conveys the cases to a right angle transfer maintaining product orientation. Product ultimately single files to an existing case sealer, all controlled by sensors and metering devices strategically placed by Multi-Conveyor. 800-236-7960 www.multi-conveyor.com

A new Sanitary Rotary Batch Mini Mixer from Munson Machinery Co. on a mobile frame can de-agglomerate and blend up to 5 cubic feet of dry bulk ingredients with or without liquid additions at multiple plant locations. The mixer, model MX-5-S316L, achieves total uniformity in two to three minutes, regardless of disparities in the bulk density, particle size, flow characteristics, or ratio of batch ingredients down to one part per million. For dry materials, it is equally efficient down to 15 percent (0.75 cubic feet) of rated capacity, satisfying varied production requirements, while allowing small-scale testing prior to blending at full capacity or scaling up to high-capacity Rotary Batch Mixers. 800-944-6644 www.munsonmachinery.com

Eriez has announced that 6-inch and 18-inch belt sizes are now available for the Xtreme Metal Detector Conveyor Systems with Automatic Rejects. These units, along with the 12-inch belt systems launched last year, are loaded with new options and offered for fast delivery through the Eriez Quick Ship program. Just like the 12-inch systems, the standard 6-inch and 18-inch Xtreme Metal Detector Conveyor Systems with Automatic Rejects boast a wide array of new options. 800-345-4946 www.eriez.com

ID Technology, a ProMach product brand, has introduced their new Model 258 print and apply label applicator with CrossMerge technology. Designed for labeling cases and trays with GS1-compliant barcodes and alphanumeric text at very high speeds, the 258 applicator improves print quality and barcode readability while massively easing use with its unique one-button operation. Unlike traditional tamp or feed-on-demand print & apply labelers that must produce linear barcodes in the non-preferred “ladder” direction to apply GS1-compliant labels in landscape orientation, CrossMerge prints barcodes in the preferred “picket fence” direction and applies labels in landscape orientation. CrossMerge technology enables the 258 label applicator to produce more readable barcodes with crisper edges to ensure the best scores when verified. 888-438-3242 www.idtechnology.com