T.H.E.M. Exhibits World's Fastest Liquid Pouch Filler at Pack Expo 2013
Marlton, NJ – Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.), a leading North American provider of single-serve flexible packaging solutions, will be showcasing the Sanko FR-3 Pouch Filler at Pack Expo 2013, September 23-25, Booth S-5764, Las Vegas, NV. Capable of filling over 300 cycles-per-minute, the FR-3 is the fastest pouch filling machine in its category worldwide. With over 500 systems currently operational, the FR-3 has been a central part of Sanko's packaging machinery portfolio for many years. As the exclusive representative for Sanko packaging machinery in North America, T.H.E.M. is now offering the FR-3 to a broader base of North American consumer packaged goods companies.
"This is a very exciting development for us," commented Neil Kozarsky, CEO and president of T.H.E.M. "The FR-3 offers significant speed and efficiency benefits to our core food and beverage customers. We also see significant potential in the personal care and cosmetics markets, two important segments that we are also addressing."
The Sanko FR-3 is available in narrow web and multi-lane configurations, and can be set up for both three- and four-sided form-fill-seal packaging of liquids and pastes. Unlike conventional machines where the sealing pressure is determined on the basis of an operator's skill and experience, the FR-3 stores numerical packaging data for each product to be packaged. As the machine is adaptable for each different package, it can be operated directly by the numerical control system. Change of bag length, adjustment of the position of the I-notch, perforation, and cutoff can be made by simply tapping the 9.5" LCD touch panel display. Other adjustments can be made in a similar way, even while the machine is operating.
Standard features of the FR-3 include heat-resistant, lubrication-free bearings, non-backlash gears, an automatic film centering mechanism, and a rotary connector for the attachment of a heater. Among the machine's many available options are an automatic side wobble control system, liquid flow meter, definite quantity divider, and definite quantity shutter.
Typical applications include condiments, soup concentrates and salad dressings, in addition to lotions and cosmetic products. The adaptable system can accommodate liquid filling for a broad range of consistencies, including gels and pastes. A proprietary ultrasonic sealing system allows sealing of products containing particulates.
T.H.E.M.'s unique continuity of supply chain support to customers has already resulted in a number of commercial projects. "We help our customers develop their FR-3 packaging program from concept through scale-up", comments Tom Martin, T.H.E.M.'s VP of New Business Development. "We have the flexibility to perform pilot runs, and then sell our customer the machine, or support scale-up production at our FDA-certified facility."
T.H.E.M. has substantially expanded its contract packaging operations over the past several years, in terms of both capacity and capabilities. Recently, the company has erected additional humidity-controlled packaging suites at its Marlton, NJ based facility. Liquid pouch and packette production includes three- and four-sided seal packaging for product capacities ranging from 1 to 70ml. As part of a turnkey solution, T.H.E.M. also manages raw material intake, secondary packaging operations, and pack out for distribution.
About T.H.E.M.
Technical Help in Engineering and Marketing (T.H.E.M.) was founded in 1973 as one of the first providers of innovative packaging solutions in North America. The company is best known for commercializing Sanko Stick Packaging in the United States. Working in conjunction with select packaging and equipment manufacturers, T.H.E.M. offers a comprehensive array of packaging solutions designed to take brands from initial concept to full-scale national or global production. T.H.E.M. has a fully operational, on-site R&D center located at its Marlton, New Jersey headquarters, with pilot production, scale-up, and full-scale contract packaging capabilities.
For more information on T.H.E.M.'s flexible packaging machinery and contract manufacturing services, please visit:Â www.them.net.
