Product category:
General packaging materials, equipment and services
News Release from: B+ Equipment | Subject: Ultipack automated packaging line
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 11 December 2006
Automated packaging offers low cost
protection
An innovative packaging idea 'wedges' a corrugated blank over the articles in a box for shipment at an average of 10 boxes/min and works for trays or RSC boxes.
B+ Equipment has introduced Ultipack, an innovative packaging solution that 'wedges' a corrugated blank over the articles in a box for shipment suitable for protecting cosmetics, drugs, electronics, and other retail items This method is more consistent, protective, and cost-efficient than using void fill materials
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 2 Feb 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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B+ Equipment introduces Ultipack, an innovative packaging solution that "wedges" a corrugated blank over the articles in a box for shipment
The automated packaging line comprises three machines that works at an average of 10 boxes/min and works for trays or RSC boxes.
It can pack and supports any box footprint or height.
Shipping boxes packed with void fill materials appear to be a sufficient protective method by theory, but as operative productivity is pushed the protection efficiency can drop drastically because the void fill is not always correctly proportioned.
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Also, void fill materials are not constant in time, humidity, and versus articles weight.
Ultipack 'wedging' concept glues a distortable corrugated blank (the 'wedge') inside the box with hot-melt to secure the articles for protective shipping.
It provides the same protection capability whatever the machine throughput, box-filling ratio, articles weight, or storage time after shipping.
The Ultipack solution is also more cost-effective and efficient than filling boxes with polyethylene chips, sealed bags, paper wrap, or bubble wrap because the corrugated wedge costs on average four times less than void fill material, and the tray and lid combination costs on average 20% less than a standard RSC box.
Thanks to tear tape or perforations on the lid and the wedge, Ultipack boxes require no cutter for opening, suppressing all risks to a person and the articles.
Transport documents, invoices, or advertisement papers can be inserted above the wedge (and under the lid) to prevent loss or mixing with the articles.
Last, the Ultipack box is made only of corrugated blanks, which makes it easy to fold and discard while sustaining the environment.
The tray and glued lid meet the RSC taped-box resistance characteristics with lower corrugated grade: Contrary to a typical RSC, the doubled tray faces are vertical, providing stronger resistance to vertical compression, and the glued lid provides better box resistance to stacking, and also better resistance to tampering than tape.
The line consists of three machines: a Tray Erector or Case Former, the Ultipack Wedging Machine, and a Lidding Machine.
This automated, high-speed line requires little floor space, accepts multi-height boxes, automatically closes boxes, requires little maintenance, and saves energy and operation costs.
It enables a return on investment lower than 12 months for distribution over 5,000 boxes per day.
The short return on investment enables third-party logistics contractors (3PLs) and corrugated suppliers to lease Ultipack machines to their clients.
Clients can select the corrugated supplier of their choice.
Ultipack is already successfully used for the distribution of Chanel and Cartier perfumes, Sanofi and Roche pharmaceuticals, Ingram Micro and Dixon's IT accessories, Hachette books, and 3PLs such as Kuehne + Nagel.
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