Getting to grips with highly flexible packaging formats
With expertise across all areas of the packaging sector, including primary and secondary packaging, Schmalz has developed a comprehensive range of products and solutions to cater for not only the wide range of products and applications associated with the sector, but also the dynamic nature of the industry.
The packaging industry is one of the largest growth markets in the world. Packaging is part of our everyday lives, and it is essential in maintaining product quality, integrity, and safety. The many different packaging formats and types used by the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors are ultimately based on consumer demands, as we seek more convenience, and continue the trend for greater numbers of products packaged in pouches and bags.
Alongside these trends, the products themselves influence the choice of packaging materials being used, which in turn means that the technologies used to handle these varying materials and packaging formats must also evolve.
There are particular challenges surrounding the handling of bags and pouches which can contain a variety of different products which may be in solid or liquid form. An increasing number of products such as detergents, beverages, soup, ice cream, frozen vegetables and chips etc. are all being packaged in this way.
The weight of these products, combined with the fact that they are generally unstable, and the often thin and highly flexible packaging films used, mean that the vacuum cups being used to handle these items must be both durable and exhibit extraordinary sealing characteristics. Vacuum cups must also be capable of handling the commonly used materials such as low-density PE, high-density PE, PVC, and Poly-Propylene.
Schmalz’s PSPF Suction Cups are just one of a range of products specifically designed for handling highly flexible and unstable bags and pouches. These round bellows suction cups, with 3.5 folds, are the perfect solution for handling pouches and other very flexible packaging.
Featuring a high-strength 2C connection between the bellows and sealing lip they combine sophisticated material properties in one suction cup. The design of the PSPF suction cups ensure process reliable gripping and handling especially in the case of thin, flexible, or partially filled pouches and packaging, as well as pouches containing liquid, solid or powders.
They are also ideally suited to high-speed packaging processes, such as those associated with delta robots, case packers and other pick-and-place applications. Additional benefits include the fact that they are manufactured from FDA compliant silicone which means that they can also be used for applications where direct contact with foodstuffs is required.
The design features an integrated bag stabiliser, which prevents even thin and soft films from being sucked into the cup, and a reinforced main body and folds delivers secure gripping even under high lateral loads. In addition, the extremely flexible sealing lip provides optimum sealing on pouches with a high degree of wrinkling.
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