MBS 020 With Integrated Label Dispenser Streamlines The Packaging Procedure

MULTIVAC can now also equip the MBS 020 converging system with the IL 111 inline labeller, which labels the top of the packs inline. This method rationalises the labelling process, since the packs are labelled during converging.

Infeeding, discharging and converging
Packaging machines generally produce the packs in several tracks and rows. In order that the packs can be processed downstream without any stoppages, they have to be automatically converged after the packaging procedure. In modern packaging lines this task can be performed by belt systems: “Belt systems such as the new MBS 020 converge packs in a very efficient way,” says Natalie Schmid, the product manager for thermoforming packaging machines. “They connect directly to the packaging machine and provide a continuous pack flow between the individual line components.”

The cycle output of the belt systems can be scaled exactly to the re-quirements of the upstream and downstream systems. In recent years MULTIVAC has built up a complete range of belt systems, which are suitable for a wide variety of infeed, discharge and converging tasks. 

MBS 020: can be retrofitted to existing packaging solutions
Essentially the MBS 020 can be integrated in all MULTIVAC ther-moforming packaging machines; generally however it is fitted to smaller machines. It can be used particularly flexibly and is capable of being combined with existing packaging solutions. It can be equipped with a separate IPC 02 control for retrofitting to older packaging machines, and it operates independently of upstream and downstream systems. In the case of new machines, no separate machine control is required for the MBS 020, since the converging and labelling parameters can be set in the control terminal of the thermoforming packaging machine. “Because the controls of the MBS 020 can be synchronised with the machine control of the MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machine, one can integrate the MBS 020 seamlessly into existing packaging procedures,” explains Natalie Schmid.

It is possible to equip the MBS 020 with an IL 111 inline labeller. This means that the top of the packs can be labelled during converging, and the labels can even be printed at this stage if required. In this case, a thermal transfer printer can be integrated into the label dispenser. The MBS 020 subsequently feeds the finished packs to downstream mod-ules, such as for example quality inspection systems. The MBS 020 is designed for up to six pack tracks, and it can converge at up to 60 packs per minute. The packs should be between 1.5 and 13 centimetres high and at least 5 centimetres wide.

Hygienic pack transport: blue ThermoDrive transport conveyor from Intralox
As with all MULTIVAC machines, the belt systems are also designed in the MULTIVAC Hygienic DesignTM, and this simplifies the cleaning pro-cedure. The belt systems are equipped as standard with a blue link chain for transporting the packs. This is particularly suited to hygienic applications in food processing.