Bags, Bagging, and Packaging Spotlight - March 09

Bulk Bag Material Conditioner
The patent-pending Material Master bulk bag material conditioner returns solidified bulk bags of troublesome material back to a manageable, free-flowing state. The unit features hydraulically actuated pivoting conditioning arm weldments for the most thorough bag penetration. It also includes a manual turntable base with a hydraulic lift feature for targeting the most problematic areas within the bag. The system features momentary contact push-button controls and full machine guarding for operator safety.
Material Transfer & Storage, Allegan, MI 800-836-7068 www.materialtransfer.com

High-Speed Robotic Palletizer
The A1800 high-speed robotic palletizer provides a robust, fast palletizing and depalletizing solution. The new robot is capable of 1800 cycles/hr, payload capacity up to 310 lb, the ability to operate at a range of 360º, and can stack more than 28 bags/min. The low-maintenance unit is space and energy efficient, featuring a touch screen interface for user-friendly pattern programming and easy-to-use operation.
Columbia/Okura LLC, Vancouver, WA 360-735-1952 www.columbiaokura.com

Hot-Air Bag Sealer
The Supersealer SS1 hot-air bag sealer has a new airflow system and is equipped with variable-speed and stainless-steel components. Autoreversing the belts when temperature is out of range means no bag exits the machine without a seal. Features include: low maintenance (no Teflon bands to change) and variable speed as standard. The unit will seal any heat-sealable material from 0.5 to 30 mil.
O/K International Corp., Marlborough, MA 800-521-2908 www.okcorp.com

Bulk-Bag-to-Bin Weigh Batching System
This dust-free bulk bag weigh batching system features a manual Spout-Lock clamp ring atop a pneumatically actuated Tele-Tube telescoping tube that creates a high-integrity, sealed connection between the clean side of the bag spout and the clean side of the hopper, and automatically elongates the bag as it empties to promote evacuation. Partially empty bags can be retied dust-free with a Power-Cincher pneumatically actuated flow control valve. A low-profile de-lumping device breaks up agglomerates and discharges into a gravimetric feeder connected via a PLC to a floor scale, thereby allowing accurate batch weights to be loaded into rigid totes.
Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com

Bulk Bag Loaders
BEST bulk bag loaders feature state-of-the-art technology in weighing and loading systems. The simple-to-operate Model BBL loader fills bulk bags, bulk boxes, and fiber drums. Standard features include pneumatically actuated, pillow-block mounted, pivoting bag support arms; natural gum-rubber inflatable fill head; control panel; and dust-collection outlet port with cartridge. Many options are available.
Metso Minerals Industries Inc., Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com

Bulk Bags with Loops
The patent-pending EZ Loop is not like the stand-open loops that many companies have tried. It features lift loops that are not only open, but stand wide open. Each of the loops is open more than half the width of the bag. This creates a large area for the forklift to use, even when the operator is working blind on a stack that is two or three bags high.
AmeriGlobe LLC, Lafayette, LA 866-264-5623 www.ameriglobe-fibc.com

High-Speed Palletizer
This high-speed palletizer with low-level construction gives packagers the convenience and economy of floor-level operation. The automatic grouping module allows layer transfer during product accumulation, which effectively stages and stacks layers every 15 seconds. The palletizer runs cases, trays, totes, bags, or bundles and can accept product from low-level or high-level infeed. The unit allows for easy installation in existing line layouts. Its compact footprint and modular design provide reduced installation costs. Low-level design ensures easy access to operating parts, and eliminates the need for costly catwalks, platforms, and overhead conveyors.
A-B-C Packaging Machine Corp., Tarpon Springs, FL 800-237-5975 www.abcpackaging.com

Manual Bag Dump Stations
These manual bag dump stations provide complete, compact work areas for breaking and dumping bags of material into conveying systems. Each station is equipped with a cartridge filter dust collector, exhaust fan, and collecting hopper to prevent product waste. The airborne fines produced by emptying bags of material into the unit are drawn away from the work area and captured by the cartridge. When the cartridge is reverse-pulse cleaned, the collected fines are released into the hopper and conveyed to the process, thereby ensuring all material is recovered and utilized. Standard features include heavy-duty steel construction, high-efficiency filter media, and manually operated cartridge cleaning.
Nol-Tec Systems Inc., Lino Lakes, MN 651-780-8600 www.nol-tec.com