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Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Produce Show Daily TRIANGLE'S X-SERIES BAGGERS OFFER DURABILITY, FLEXIBILITY, MEET USDA/3A SANITATION STANDARDS Faster. Cleaner. Smarter. It's not only an apt description for Triangle's X-Series VFFS Baggers, it also applies to production lines that employ Triangle baggers, weighers, and depositors. A leader in VFFS baggers and packaging equipment since 1923, Triangle's bagging solutions are second to none, particularly when it comes to durability, sanitation, and flexibility. Available in three different finishes, Triangle's X-Series baggers are designed to perform in the harshest packaging environments, and will meet the standards required for your application with ease. Whether you're running leaf lettuce, baby carrots, apple slices, or frozen berries, Triangle offers the perfect solution to your packaging challenge. Durability All Triangle baggers come standard with continuously welded frames to reduce vibration. In fact, many of Triangle's customers mount their scales directly to the TNA North America (Cont'd. from p. 6) Maintaining quality is essential when packaging fresh produce. As consumers tend to pick out the freshest looking fruit and vegetables, damaged or bruised produce could lead to rejection. Processors need to maximize product quality by selecting appropriate distribution technology that will gently move products down the packaging line. Horizontal motion distribution systems achieve just this smoothly and efficiently transporting produce to help prevent breakages and keep it looking farm-fresh. When it comes to packaging potentially sticky fresh products, such as loose leaf vegetables or lettuce, high throw conveyors present the best distribution option. Here, the conveyors throw the product much higher in the bagger with no decrease in weight accuracy. Each model features stainless steel pull-belt assemblies and anodized aluminum jaw carriers. Produce packagers also benefit from the open-frame design, pivoting control box for 360-degree access, and absence of enclosures within the machine, providing clear lines for visual inspection. "These sanitation features not only help make our machines easy to operate and maintain, they also translate to saved time and increased production," explained Paul Muskat, Vice President of Product Line Development and Service. USDA Features Sanitation was a key design criteria when the X-Series first hit the drawing board. The idea was to build on the success of previous models, but take the X-Series to the next level. "In addition to the standard features, our USDA model features an electropolished stainless steel frame with continu- pan, preventing it from sticking to the conveyor pan. Turning the Fresh Market on its Head Vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) packaging systems have already revolutionised the food packaging industry over the last 30 years. New innovations such as rotary advanced impulse sealing systems now enable VFFS polyethylene (PE) packaging to be used for fresh vegetables, salads, and ready to eat fruit. As ever, performance, simplicity and flexibility are essential to achieve maximum operating efficiencies and uptime, consistent product quality, and optimal bagging speeds of up to 150 bpm. Intelligent Integration When upgrading or replacing an ele- ously welded frames ground smooth, stainless steel control box, washdown rated servomotors, an extended stainless steel top plate with drain and cross members rotated 45 degrees to facilitate 'drip-draindraw,' and stainless steel, bearing-free film rollers (patent-pending)," Muskat explained. In addition, Triangle also offers the only stainless steel USDA-certified forming tube assembly, which is lighter and more sanitary than others on the market. Flexibility The X-Series vertical form-fill-seal bagger is among the most versatile in the industry today. With its unique center-lining feature, forming tube size changes can be made in minutes. Film roll changes likewise are easy and quick. When switching from laminated to non-supported film structures, cross-seal jaws can be replaced tool-lessly in less than five minutes, and depending on the film properment of a packaging line, it is important to select those which can be easily added to the existing equipment. The most efficient packaging lines are created by considering integration at the outset of a plant set up, redesign, or equipment replacement. In terms of control systems, fresh produce processors should consider automation as this allows improved performance with reduced labour costs. Additionally, software integration enables a single point of control for the packaging line. Running the machine can then be achieved from one position, rather than having an operator monitoring each individual device. Similarly, should an error in the packaging line be reported, it can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. 27 ties, the back-seal unit may not have to be changed at all. In addition, the X-Series is the only VFFS bagger on the market that offers the flexibility to run traditional heat sealing or Ultrasonic welding technology. About Triangle A U.S. manufacturer of vertical form fill seal (VFFS) bag machines, combination weighers, bag-in-box systems, and a wide variety of depositing systems, Triangle Package Machinery is proud to be celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Located in Chicago, Ill., Triangle offers a 120,000-square-foot facility that houses its entire manufacturing process from raw material fabrication through complete machine testing and checkout. Triangle's after sales support is second-to-none and offers online troubleshooting, training, documentation, and spare parts service. For more information, visit booth 936 at United Fresh, go online to www.trianglepackage.com, call 800-621-4170 or email info@trianglepackage.com. Conclusion A number of packaging innovations help meet the requirements of both fresh produce retailers and consumers alike, delivering speed, performance, flexibility, and consistent product quality. When such technologies are combined and integrated into automated packaging lines with optimised control systems, the beneficial effects on operating costs and plant output can be remarkable. For further information, visit booth 1408 at United Fresh, contact Shayne De la Force by calling +61 412 366 379, faxing +61 297 482 970, emailing shayne.delaforce@tnasolutions.com or visiting www.tnasolutions.com.