At the Interpack exhibition in Düsseldorf – Germany (24 to 30 April 2008), visitors were greeted by with many CFS Aquarius innovations that lifecycle performance promise. The new CFS SmartPacker TwinTube C that brings higher output and lower cost per bag. A new patented wrapping style for double-twist wrapping of ball lollipops was presented on the CFS Aquarius TwistWrapper. As an alternative to the pre-formed stand-up pouch the CFS SmartPouch was presented. This pack style is now available on vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) equipment from CFS. These innovations increase operational efficiency – and therefore lower costs.

Higher output and lower cost per bag

The SmartPacker TwinTube C operates two parallel forming tubes from a single drive, achieving combined speeds of up to 400 bags (weighing 10 to 50 g) per minute. It can also run a film reel for each drive, meaning calorie packs of different widths and appearance can be simultaneously filled. Says Stan van Vegchel, Director Sales & Customer support, “Many confectionery manufacturers still have conventional lines running at 100 to 120 bags per minute. In this case, they could replace three machines with a single SmartPacker TwinTube C. The initial investment is lower than for two typical 150 bags-per-minute lines, and thanks to the reduced operator and maintenance requirements, the cost of ownership is also reduced. The net result is a lower cost per bag and a fast return on investment”. Where factory floor space is limited, the compact SmartPacker TwinTube C also leaves room for other equipment. Van Vegchel adds,  “As the industry consolidates, manufacturers are tending to move production to fewer sites, so productivity per square metre is becoming more important.”

Patented hermitically closed wrapper

Unlike regular double-twist wrappers, which allow moisture to reach the lollipop, the patented Overlap Seal double-twist wrapper from CFS Aquarius is hermetically sealed. Kees Le Loux, Segment Manager for Lollipops, said, “You can even immerse the wrapped lollipop in water, and it remains dry inside the wrapper. The Overlap Seal double-twist is also as easy to open as a regular double-twist. And in line with our ‘Lifecycle Performance’ promise, existing CFS Aquarius TwistWrapper machines can be upgraded for the Overlap Seal double-twist wrappers”. The TwistWrapper is a continuous wrapping machine that handles lollipop diameters from 18 to 35 mm and accommodates film reels up to 510 mm diameter. It achieves its high speed through smooth film handling, precise cutting and automatic feeding.

Material cost savings up to 50%, high flexibility

Confectionery manufacturers particularly appreciate the material cost savings of up to 50% that SmartPouch generates in comparison with standard pre-formed Doy-style stand-up pouches. The fully automatic SmartPouch system also avoids the typical inefficiency of a semi-automatic filling and sealing line for pre-formed pouches.

These customers can run the pack style on the CFS SmartPacker SX 400 machine. Crucially, this allows them to change tooling and switch to a second drive able to produce either standard pillow-pack bags or the QuatroSeal and QuatroBox packs for further shelf-standout options. Stan van Vegchel, Director Sales & Customer support of CFS Aquarius, explains: “Customers are increasingly looking for ever-more versatile machines equipped to produce a range of value-added pack styles. Product lifecycles, even for successful brands and variants, are notoriously short. This puts an additional weapon into the hands of brand-owners fighting for a share of a fast-moving, competitive category.

For more information:
CFS Weert B.V., P.O. Box 296, 6000 AG Weert, The Netherlands
Tel. +31 495 457 777,  Fax  +31 495 524 125,  E-mail  info@cfsaquarius.com, www.cfsaquarius.com