Package seal designed to cut cheese rejects
can provide a cost efficient, lower reject seal packaging,
according to its manufacturer.
CFS claims that under 'certain conditions' its Zero Reject Sealing System is able to live up to its name by providing an airtight packaging seal, even if moisture or food product itself is in the seal area. Processing conditions The product, which can only be used on the group's SmartPacker technology, was launched at this year's Interpack trade show to address concerns over packaging loose food products. Group segment manager Peter Rietjens said he was unable to specify exactly what measures were required to create these 'certain conditions' for reject free sealing as they differed from manufacturer to manufacturer. However, he said that CFS was able to work with individual companies to amend their operations accordingly, in a bid to reduce the number of rejects as a result of their packaging. Rietjens claimed that the system can offer big improvement in how some cheese manufacturers may be packaging their products, amidst growing pressure to reduce costs while ensuring product quality. "Apart from the price pressure, food producers face to stay competitive, they must also meet demands from supermarket chains to deliver 100 per cent sealed bags, and to use lighter packaging to satisfy environmental guidelines," he stated. "Our Zero Rejects Sealing System addresses all three areas". Rietjens told DairyReporter.com that ultrasonic sealing used during sealing could ensure that cheaper to source, thinner polyethylene could be used in packaging without necessarily affecting shelf life. He added that this would help reduce the required man power needed both for inspections of sealing quality and also to empty and deal with rejected products afterwards. "Labour saving is just one issue that we believe the system addresses," he said. "It also requires less energy to seal the package itself, and can allow for cheaper polyethelene use." Ultrasonic sealing The ultrasonic sealing process refers to a method of sealing plastics through heat generated through ultrasonic vibrations, which cause friction on a localised surface area to be sealed. According to the company, in addition to sealing, the vibration created through the process is able to shake away any food product that may enter and possibly compromise a seal.
