Catering to the increasingly popular flexible packaging market, Hoosier Feeder showcased its new pouch system at the inaugural Pack Expo Southeast in Atlanta earlier this month.
The machine works with a variety of pouch types, including gusseted, sealed, flow wrap, stand-up, pillow bags, pillow packs, and sachets. It’s a compact yet high-performing machine that handles 60-90 units per minute and offers a hygienic, stainless-steel design for easy washdown and compliance.
“This is something that we developed for the produce industry specifically, but it also extends to IQF freezing applications, and other packaging applications where pouches and packs need to be sent to a cartoner or vertical form fill seal machine,” said Matt Jones, Hoosier Feeder vice president of sales, in an interview with Packaging OEM.
It’s designed for pouches 2 to 8 inches wide or long and can accommodate various weights and ingredients. Featuring IP69 controls and direct-drive motor technology, it offers adjustable tooling for multiple pack sizes and can withstand wet and cold environments.
Jones described the pouch system step by step.
“Receiving product in bulk, we convey it up, transfer it 90 degrees, then chicane the package. Once it’s chicaned, we can get it on the smart conveyors, isolating the product, and feeding it to a vertical form-fill-seal or cartoner,” said Jones.
In this context, chicane refers to the realignment of pouches for the next stage of processing.
Operators can use its plug-and-play controls with PLC programmability for multiple recipes. It’s also Ethernet-ready with optional features that include clean-in-place design, bar code verification, and stationary or rolling casters.
The company also displayed its opposing conveyor system at the event, which is designed to singulate and orient products from a wide range of industries. Its rates range from 10 parts per minute (PPM) to over 250 PPM and can be utilized for caps, hardware, packaged foods, and consumer goods.
Featuring a compact frame, it fits seamlessly into existing production lines and is adaptable for a wide range of industries. It includes an FDA-approved material option for food and pharmaceutical applications. Heavy-duty options include cut-resistant belts and wire belts for handling high-temperature parts.
Pack Expo Southeast was held March 10-12. If you missed the event, catch up on the action by viewing our photo gallery.
