Flex Essentials launches add-on control to test the sealing integrity on packages
‘Reduce the ‘scrap rate’ of packages to champion reduction in waste’
The Canadian company, whose clients include Kroger, Piller’s, Parmalat, Winpak and Packall Packaging, launched fully-automatic (FPFA) controllers in February and semi-automatic (FPSA) controllers this month.
Testing process for seal integrity on packages
Roxanne Waslowski, director, sales and marketing, Flex Essentials, told FoodProductionDaily, FPFA is an add-on control package to the FlexPak Leak Detector for fully-automatic control of the testing process for seal integrity on packages.
It is a quality control piece of equipment used in a plant when packaging of food is taking place.
Advantages of FPFA include reducing operator error and giving an operator options for saving tests and allowing for recalls to use the same tests over and over again on different lots to gain consistency in the testing of package leaks.
“Our control packages are new additions to the FlexPak Package Leak Detector line of products,” said Waslowski.
“We offer semi-automatic (FPSA) and fully-automatic (FPFA) controllers that add repeatability to the testing procedures of our FlexPak units.
“Our FPSA (semi-automatic) unit allows for two vacuum level setpoints and test times to be programmed and repeated reducing any operator error and ensuring consistent testing.
“Our FPFA (fully-automatic) unit offers up to 20 recipe storage tests, Bubble and Altitude Simulation tests, as well as data logging and retrieval with an operator selected result of ‘pass’ or ‘fail’.
“Both units are fabricated from Stainless Steel (suitable for wash down environments) and are retrofittable to any manufacturer’s similar bubble test vacuum leak detector. FPFA is used extensively in food packaging in conjunction with the FlexPak Leak Detector.”
Quality control on packaging applications
According to Waslowski, the company introduced an add-on to its control packages thanks to feedback fro its clients who wanted to add repeatability and consistency with operator handling and access to information for future production runs.
“We are confident these two units will help us to stand out from our competitors and show the industry that we listen to their requests and are willing to help them add value and quality control to their packaging applications,” she added.
“The main challenges in this market segment are reduction in waste. One way to help in this area is to reduce the ‘scrap rate’ of packages; therefore, there will be less packaging waste. Quality control equipment like the FlexPak Package Leak Detector is one way package manufacturers and end user packagers will improve in this area.”
Waslowski added, sustainability is a major trend that continues to be at the forefront.
“More and more consumers are demanding it and the younger generation will expect it to become the norm in years to come,” she said.
“At Flex Essentials, we see this as a benefit as companies will need to ensure they are doing everything they can to improve their production and quality control.”
The company is currently working on its next launch, a video of its FlexPak Package Leak Detectors and Control Packages so that manufacturers can see their units in action on the factory floor.
