PACKAGING TIPS FOR PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES

Packaging machine manufacturers of flexible packaging solutions such as spout pouch machine are constantly faced with challenges to add automation and/or motion to the machines so as to address the demands of the industry for higher flexibility. Such industry demands can lead to certain safety issues. However, there are certain solutions that can help unite flexibility of machines and safety and protection of the machine operators, in a successful manner.

While the innovation cycles have become shorter, the immense competition in the market have increased the pressure on packaging manufacturers of spout pouch and stick pack packaging machines to come up with innovations for better productivity. These factors demand a constant need for a greater flexibility in the packaging machines. This kind of demand has led to fall in batch build and multi-pack runs, consequently requiring single machines to offer multiple packaging solutions. Such flexibility should be accompanied with high level of performance and efficiency for a swift changeover of products.

A major question arises regarding introduction of flexibility in packaging machines: “What impact will it have on the safety of the operator?” Such concern has led the packaging industry to come up with alternative packaging solutions for an increase in productivity while providing a greater flexibility. Motion control system and automation has provided the packaging industry with this flexibility.

However, it must be kept in mind that with such level of increase on motion, there also comes up a requirement for a robust safety system to monitor as well as control the moving components. 

WHY PREMADE POUCHES ARE LEADING IN THE SNACK MARKET

It is reported that flexible pouches, and especially premade pouches made using spout pouch machine are very much in demand in the snacks market. This type of attention-grabbing packages, and packaging machinery solutions is a hit among the manufacturers as well as consumers. Here why it is so popular:

Portability and convenience

The modern consumers like and prefer on-the-go packaging solutions, the best example being preference for on-the-go coffee. They want the packages to be light, easy to carry, use and preferable packages that cab be sealed and reused such as zipper lock packages.

Curb appeal

The stand-up premade pouches offer a premium appearance that beats other packaging solution options. The stand-up pouches stand upright without any assistance and works as an independent billboard wherever it is places, enticing the customers with that attractive look, screaming quality.

Sustainability

With people being most environment conscious, demand for sustainable packaging solutions has gone up, and opting for materials for sustainable packaging is not anymore, a novel option. Many premium snack brands, view sustainable packaging as standard. Moreover, the cost of producing pouches that are eco-friendly and compostable has come down with more and more manufacturers joining the fray. This is bringing down the barrier to entry into sustainable packaging industry which was a lot formidable before.

Ease of packaging

The premade pouch is delivered to the snack manufacturers already made. All that the snack company needs to do is fill the package with the product and seal it. It saves times and is efficient as well. The packaging machinery so used is easier to use and the bags of various sizes can be changed over quickly as well.

PACKAGING MACHINERY EXPLAINED

A brief definition for packaging can be “the science, technology, and art of enclosing and protecting the products for storage, distribution, sale and usage”. Packaging may also refer to” the processes involved in designing, evaluating and production of the packages”. Packaging machinery solutions are equipment that are used to package the various kind of products.

There can be various types of packaging. The item that is single such as a can of aerated soft drink can be considered an item that would be purchased by the end consumer, and is known as “primary” packaging. Whereas, the pack of cans that are shrink wrapped is known as “secondary” packaging as it would be used as transport package within the chain of distribution.

The material that contains the products is known as primary packaging. It is the package that is generally in direct contact with the product. Such as candy wrapper, tetra pack for juices, bottles of syrup, can for soft drinks, etc. Stick pack machine for sale can be used for primary packaging.

The secondary packaging is used to pack the set of primary packages together in groups. It is used to keep a set of primary packaging together for transport. Examples being, pack of cans that are shrink wrapped, cartons of chocolates, etc. Secondary packaging is generally used as a safer and quicker means of transporting the product from the manufacturer to the retailer. This kind of packaging is generally removed and recycles after its purpose is served.

Benefits of Using Automated Packaging Machines Over Packing Manually

Packaging is the process of enclosing a product so as to extend its shelf life, protect it from any environmental affect, and maintain the product’s integrity, for storage, distribution, sale and use by end consumers. Since the age of mass production began, packaging has largely been done using automated machines that can pack continuous line of products endlessly for hours. There are various materials used for packaging the most common ones being paper and plastic. However, for advanced form of packaging products that are highly susceptible to environmental impact are packed with special materials. For example milk, fruit juices, etc. are packed in tetra packs made up of paper, aluminum and polyethylene.

The thing about these packaging technique is that it is done by automated machines only. In today’s world manual packaging has become obsolete, as automated machines have taken oven the job. Manual packaging is very complex, whereas automated packaging is far simpler and effective as well. For instance, where it would take long hours and numerous workers to pack products, pouch packing machine Mumbai can do the same without any manpower, continuously for hours straight.

Here are few reasons why automated machines are better than manual packaging.

• Level of Production. One of the major reason behind opting for automated packaging machine is to upgrade the level of production. The machines produced by packaging machine manufacturers in India provide superior packaging speed with great precision and minimum error. At the end of the day, the automated packaging machines can deliver far more packaged goods than a manual packaging line can provide. This the main reason why big companies with high scale of production go for automated packaging machine – packaging needs to be done at the same rate as the product is being produced, and automated machined can make it happen.

• Automated machines provide higher impact. The automated packaging machines provide a higher level of impact as compared to manual packaging line. There are various types of packaging machines such as filling machines, bottling machines, and many more that can provide great impact, speed and automated scale up. With greater quality of machines the price goes up as well. While choosing machines for your packaging line it is important to consider which part of the packaging process takes the most time. This way you can invest more on process that are taking up more time than others. In case of manual packaging line you do not have the option to speed up the process and do not have high impact as well.

• Better use of resources. Automated packaging machine are designed to work in a loop. They keep performing the task that is fed inside their system. Also they are equipped with sensors that identify errors in packaging and rectifies it automatically as well. Therefore, the workforce required to do the same job is reduced significantly saving you a lot of resources.

• Flexibility. If you need to run packaging line with different packaging sizes and run lengths from time to time, then a semi-automated packaging line can be the most suitable option. You can assign the required number of workers to monitor the machine and change the size and run length whenever needed.