Significant Difference of Food Packaging Machines Before and Today

The use of automated packaging machines is not just because of the technology trend but a necessity to improve production. Several food machine manufacturers have been designing variety of food packaging machines that can further provide beneficial ways to both business and consumers. Before, it was quite difficult to create variety of designs because of lack of systems unlike today that almost everything can be done through the aid of computer programs. There were even issues with manual mechanism with food packaging machines before because reliability, accuracy and productivity are very low.

Today, there is great improvement in the capabilities of food packaging machines because it’s already automated. In fact, automated packaging machines can be the business one total packaging solution because it can perform multiple tasks like labeling. More and more food packaging manufacturers are making use of the automated packaging equipments. Productivity rate in using these automated packaging equipments is much higher compared with the machines used before. The production for one day of automatic packaging machines might be equivalent to a week’s production before. There is a significant difference between automated and manual mechanism of these packaging machines. Then, reliability issues were also minimized by the advent of automated packaging machines because of its high end controls. Accuracy is also increased since the operation is governed by computer software that has already been programmed with accurate timing and measurement.

Through computer or digital controls, operations would not have a hard time anymore. The manufacturer’s company could also maximize the flexibility of their labors since they would not need to assign many operators in just the packaging section.

Aside from the technological advancements, the food industry has also been provided with an established packaging system called modified atmosphere packaging or MAP. It’s called MAP because it uses atmospheric gases such as nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide to prolong the food’s shelf life. Unlike with the preservatives used before that can sometimes cause harmful health problems to consumers, modified atmosphere packaging only uses natural means to preserve food products.

MAP is being incorporated with various automated packaging machines of today because of its significant effect to food products. However, there is just one common misconception about MAP; where some people think that it can transform the food’s condition. MAP maintains the natural condition of the food; if the food is not fresh before packaging, there is no way for modified atmosphere packaging to transform it. Other than that, MAP has provided several breakthroughs in the food industry.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging Brings Out the Most Efficient Packaging Technology

Competition in any industry is a common thing; however, there are some industries that competition is very close just like in the food industry. Considering food as one of the basic commodity in the world, very tight competition is always expected. Food manufacturers, distributors, and processors are always finding new ways to improve or enhance the quality of food products in terms of processing, packaging, transportation, and distribution. There are different equipments like the automated packaging machines that have made big steps in the improvement in the food industry. In the food industry, preservation is very important. The different equipments like the food packaging machines, materials like packing bags and pouches, and systems that are coming out are based on its ability to preserve the quality of food products.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging

When it comes to the system or technology for food preservation, modified atmosphere packaging is the most established today. Unlike chemical preservatives that were used before, modified atmosphere packaging or MAP is not using any chemical to preserve the quality and freshness of the product. The advent of so many developments in technology has prompted a lot of enhancements which is why MAP together with the automation of food packaging machines have established a stable place in the food industry. The main key used in MAP technology to preserve the food product is the modification of atmospheric gases such as Carbon dioxide, Oxygen, and Nitrogen. The environment inside the package is being controlled in order to prevent the growth of microbial organisms that causes spoilage, bad odor, discoloration, change of taste, and decreased nutritional value.

In the food industry, quality, freshness, consistency, and availability are major factors for success. The development of modified atmosphere packaging and automated packaging machines have been promoting efficiencies for food manufacturers, distributors, and processors. Since MAP technology promotes extended shelf life, frequency of food product rotation can be decreased as well as restocking. This will further reduce labor cost and wastage. When this happens, food manufacturers could gain more profit.

The use of food packaging machines and MAP technology together with reliable package materials will eventually bring more recognition and benefits to the food industry. These developments promote convenience and reliability to both producers and consumers. The automated packaging machines have even added great convenience and efficiency to packaging production and distribution. Awareness of these developments must be promoted not just to food manufacturers and distributors but also to consumers.

The Future of Food Packaging Machines

Industrial technology in the current days is continuously enhancing its elements to provide better operations and offer convenience to human lives. The automation of most machines including food packaging machines has created a very high impact to the world ever since. Why not? Food is one of the most basic needs of humans and it is indeed fundamental to maintain its palatability considering freshness and chemical free preservatives during packaging. Unlike in the early days that packaging isn’t really a big deal because food can be taken directly from its source; however, today, as the population growth increases farther, the need of food preservation and distributions makes packaging a very big deal. The rise of different kinds of packaging machines such as pork and poultry packaging machines are unstoppable. The world has already seen how advantageous the food packaging machines for food manufacturers and consumers.

As you can see in the news today, the enhancements of poultry and pork packaging machines for example are moving really fast because the demands are really high. The world needs to catch up with the demands and to do that, automation of these food packaging machines is definitely a must. If we look deeper into the development of automatic poultry packaging machines and other packaging machines, it doesn’t only mean digital user controls. It’s more that, actually. In the first place, automation of packaging machines consist of so many procedures and concepts that promotes total packaging solution to any kind of products especially foods.

One of the concepts of packaging machines especially pork packaging machines is the application of modified atmosphere packaging technology. It’s an established system applied to pork and poultry packaging machines to prolong the product’s shelf life. This packaging system has also a great impact in the food packaging industry because it lower the risks of harmful health effects to people by using natural mechanism to preserve the freshness and prevent growth of micro organisms that are responsible in food spoilage.

Until today, the trend of the pork packaging machines development is still on going in order to further enhance the packaging mechanisms that would decrease failure rate, increase productivity rate to meet the high demands of supply, adaptability with the different packaging materials and systems, and flexibility with its purpose. It would not be a surprise that in the future that there would be more and more developments in the packaging industry that might use robotics, microelectronics and more sensor technology.

Improved Modified Atmosphere Packaging Technology

Visit the website of CVP Systems, Inc., and the first image you’ll see is Vice President and General Manager Chris van Wandelen performing a fierce karate chop on a stack of concrete bricks, breaking them clear in half. As he is also a martial arts expert, what you’re seeing is the real thing—no special effects. The video reflects the company’s motto, “Breaking Down Barriers,” which van Wandelen uses to inspire a team building spirit among employees. The same can be said for the performance of the company’s MasterPACKer Eco+™ automated case-ready packaging machine, which knocks down road blocks to real and measurable energy and materials savings. The introduction of this machine has further solidified CVP’s reputation as a leader in modified atmosphere packaging.

CVP Systems, Inc.

CVP Systems, Inc. formed in 1972 when Coronet Container Corporation, based in Lombard, Ill., was required to change its technology based on industry requirements to extend shelf life for perishable products. These requirements stated that materials must be enclosed inside a vacuum-sealed package before being placed inside a corrugated box, rather than directly inside. A separate division, Coronet Vacuum Packaging, was developed and split from Coronet Containers in 1975 to become CVP Systems, Inc., based in Downers Grove, Ill., a Chicago suburb. The company employs 40 employees globally; a regional sales force covers the United States, and agents are also located in Europe and Latin America. Industries served by CVP are red meat, poultry, fish, produce and fruit, cheese, nuts, snack foods, and spices. Its modified atmosphere packaging technology also is used in industries other than food, such as for cube reduction and anti-oxidation systems, metal parts packaging, and document storage.

MasterPACKer Eco+

Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Worldwide, Tesco, a global grocery and general merchandise retailer headquartered in Cheshunt, U.K., initiated the demand for modified atmosphere packaging technology in the early 70s. It became one of the first grocers to move away from employing an onsite butcher to using a central processing/distribution system. CVP Systems, in attempt to meet the demand by large poultry and meat packaging companies looking to extend their products’ shelf life, offered its modified atmosphere packaging solutions. This high-efficiency system for packaging of poultry and meats removes air from a package and introduces a new more beneficial atmosphere, depending on the specific product application requirements. Specific mixtures for low-ox applications can be comprised of a mixture of 69.6% nitrogen (N2), 30% carbon dioxide (CO2), and .4% carbon monoxide (CO) or 70% nitrogen and 30% carbon dioxide; it’s based on the premise that bacteria have a difficult time surviving in a low-ox environment because they need oxygen to survive and multiply,” said van Wandelen.

Some applications need only high-ox (70% oxygen, 30% carbon dioxide); however, high O2 applications do not attain quite the same shelf life extension as low O2. To improve its technology in modified atmosphere packaging, CVP engineers, through extensive research and development, created its MasterPACKer and just last year its “next generation” MasterPACKer Eco+™.  The machine is designed for high-speed cycling and features a high-velocity “Quick Draw” snorkel. In the various process cycles, overwrapped trays containing product are robotically loaded onto a servo driven infeed conveyer. Two to eight trays are inserted into a mother bag as the machine indexes and transfers them to the next station, where a Quick Draw snorkel simultaneously draws a vacuum and inserts a pre-set amount of gas and then seals the bag.

 

CVP Systems, Inc. developed its High-Velocity Quick-Draw Snorkel, which as part of its MasterPACKer Eco+™, provides efficient vacuum and gas insertion during the modified atmosphere packaging process.

Free-Flow Gas Systems vs. MasterPACKer Eco+™

Machines using a free-flow gas system for modified atmosphere packaging cannot create a vacuum from below the package and therefore use an open tube to release a continuous flow of gas into the package to displace the oxygen. “Much of the gas in a free-flow system is released into the atmosphere, resulting in a large amount of wasted gas as well the related environmental impact,” said van Wandelen. “When you compare waste between these systems and ours, taking into account the process of creating and transporting the bags, the amount of material used in the process, and the backside of the landfill effect upon disposal of the bag, the MasterPACKer Eco Plus+™ reduces each of these components by 60%, whether you’re using a low- or high-ox dose. This is greatly significant from a cost and an environmental perspective and considering the overall carbon footprint.”

Fresh and New Food Packing Methods

For some time now, people have all been trying to find ways to keep their food from expiring before they know it. Some think that one of the causes is the method of food packaging. There is a new way of food packaging that helps keep your food last longer. This new method of containing food is done by using new food packaging machines with modified atmosphere packaging system.

Modified atmosphere packaging is the process of containing the food with lesser oxygen inside to keep it from bacteria formation which causes the food to spoil. The oxygen inside is replaced by a carbon dioxide that helps prevent bacteria formation and the carbon monoxide that helps maintain the redness of the meat and improves its taste. Modified atmosphere packaging uses a special breathable film for this type of food storing and there are different sorts of film used for other food products. All of this procedure is done with the help of the food packaging machines, example of which are poultry packaging machines, meat packing machines or pork packaging machines. These food containings have received so many positive feedbacks from several customers. They have noticed that with type of food storage their food will have longer expiration date. 

People are happy with the results for the reason that it helps them save money and time to go out and buy the product once more because their food does not easily go to waste. Many food distributors and food retailers are enjoying the benefit of the modified atmosphere packaging for the reason that they can have better control of their product quality, availability and cost. With their foods longer shelf life they are able to export food to other places without worrying that it will expire easily while on the move and that really is helping their business to grow. With this method there will be less restocking, lesser food disposal and reduced labor. With lesser food waste they can have bigger investments. 

Since there have been several positive feedbacks with this type of food storing has received many companies are now starting to pack their food products using the modern way with the help of their new food packaging machines. Modified atmosphere packaging also applies to other food products such as nuts, pasta, chips and likewise medicine. 

As time goes on more and more people are checking out if the products that they have purchased are contained properly with the use of the packaging machines.

Automatic Food Packaging Machines: Safest Way for Food Containment

There are so many questions that we always ask ourselves as consumers if we are buying goods in the market or retail stores. Are they using automatic food packaging machines when they contain the food? Are the machines safe? Aren’t they using harmful chemicals on the packaging processes that could lead me and my family’s life in jeopardy? These are the exact questions that we normally ask ourselves whenever we see well packaged food commodities.

Food Packaging Machines

Latest modern methods of containing goods that we see on stores are processed by automated packaging machines. These machines are highly developed equipment that could be controlled and contain a specific commodity with the help of professionally trained operators.

Automatic food packaging machines are now essential not only for consumers but also for businesses. Without proper food containment, buyers will questionably doubt the product that is placed on the shelf. With the modern atmosphere packaging, expiration of the food will be longer for the reason that the procedure of automated food packaging or modern atmosphere packaging contains oxygen absorbers that could extend the food shelf life.

Good thing about modified atmosphere packaging is the almost 100% security and production efficiency for food industries. With automated food packaging machines, we do not worry much about how well protected the meat, vegetables, fruits and fish that we eat. With the quality of packaging that machines do for us, we can never go wrong.

Some old-fashioned folks still believe that modern way of packaging is harmful, but they do not know how safe packaging equipment can deliver to give consumers like us well protected goods to share with our families.

Security is always in a consumer’s mind that is why we thoroughly read labels and inspect the goods that we pick on the market or stores. Food packaging plays a very important role when consumers choose the grocery items that they purchase. We are not just looking into the beauty of the packaged item but we consumers are aiming for the safe purchase as we always concern the welfare of our household members. It is always the safety that concerns us before anything else.

Increase Your Goods Marketable Life Span With Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Food packaging machines are some of the most ingenious inventions created to benefit the food and beverage industry where safety and freshness of products are highly prioritized. In today's modern world, food packaging machines become very competitive and require a more rigid process than just wrapping for transit. Meat packaging machines for instance is a process that involves packing of edible products by utilizing aseptic packaging materials. At the same time, meat packaging machines must perform the packaging in such a way that the product will stay on its most marketable condition while keeping it fresh for a desirable period of time. The invention of meat packaging machines enables manufacturers to mass produce meat products without wasting time, money and human resource. The same principle applies to other food packaging machines such as in the beverage and bottle industry where goods are packed without any spillages.

Meat Packaging Machines

The desire to improve meat packaging machines as well as other types of packaging systems, developers discovered the different effects of gas on food products. This is when Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) takes the center stage.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a technique used for prolonging the shelf-life period of fresh or minimally processed foods. In this process, modified atmosphere packaging equipment changes the composition of the air surrounding the food in the package, changing its initial fresh state which could increase the freshness of the products.

The main objective of using modified atmosphere packaging equipment is to slow down the natural deterioration of the product. Which helps in extending the shelf-life of perishable products like meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is used with various types of products, where the mixture of gases In the package depends on the type of product, packaging materials and storage temperature.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging or MAP is one of today’s most significant technologies for extending shelf-life for a wide range of food products.  MAP is based on alteration of the gaseous environment surrounding the product to compensate for the natural respiration of the product itself, resident micro organisms, as well as the packaging material.

The existing air is replaced with a mixture of CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) and N2, (Nitrogen) which helps inhibit the growth of aerobic bacteria and slows the natural oxidation process. A typical mixture would be 30% Carbon Dioxide and 70% Nitrogen, however, this can vary greatly, depending on the product.