By developing the new Multivac Pouch Loader (MPL) for chamber belt machines, Multivac has created a semi-automatic solution, which it says improves the filling of the film pouches and the loading into the packaging machine, when it comes to overall performance, efficiency, hygiene and ergonomics.
When packing products on chamber belt machines, the filling of the film pouches and the loading of the machine have often been a bottleneck in the process. Multivac believes the MPL is a solution for this.
The operating principle of the MPL is simple: one operator positions the products on the infeed conveyor of the machine. Two other people then load the products by pulling the film pouches over the loading conveyor, so that the product can be conveyed automatically from the conveyor into the film pouch. Then the film pouch is turned through 90 degrees, before it is placed on the machine conveyor and subsequently vacuum packed and sealed.
When compared with the manual procedure, which generally requires at least five people, only three operators are necessary with this semi-automatic solution, the company says. Although personnel costs can be reduced by up to 40 per cent, the cycle output can still be fully utilised.
Another benefit Multivac highlights is in the hygiene and ergonomics: when filling the film pouches, the operators no longer need to lift the products and place them awkwardly in the pouches. “Less contact with the product, therefore less risk of contamination,” said Korbinian Wiest, product manager for Chamber Belt Machines at Multivac.
The MPL can be integrated into line solutions from Multivac, with either the B 425, B 525 or B 625 chamber belt machines.
“We can for the first time offer our customers a complete solution from one source for pouch applications on chamber belt machines, enabling us to remain true to our PEAQ promise. The Multivac Pouch Loader stands for a simple and effortless packaging process with a high degree of efficiency, reliability, operating convenience and cost-effectiveness,” Wiest summarised.
The dismantling of the various components can also be performed quickly and without tools.
The MPL can be combined with the Multivac Pouch Rack, a compact pouch rack that can take up to ten different stacks of various pouch sizes. Thanks to special pouch opening aids, the individual film pouches can be easily separated from the stack and removed from the rack.
Multivac says this pouch solution boasts a high level of flexibility in its pouch sizes, since it can accommodate pouch lengths in a range of 200 to 800 mm, as well as pouch widths between 150 and 600 mm.
