Linear servomotor-driven track system moves magnet-equipped carriages to transport seal heads, lugs, buckets through packaging machines more quickly due to direct-drive technology. Carriages move independently as electromagnets in curvilinear track turn on/off. Enhanced flexibility of PackTrak system from Jacobs Automation, Loveland, OH, translates into reduced changeover time, smaller footprint, lower material/maintenance costs compared to conventional rotary servomotor or mechanical designs since system eliminates mechanical parts such as gears, chains, belts, linkages, allows pitch changes to be made at touch of button on operator interface.

Oldest continuously operating paper mill in US, Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., Bennington, NH, adds technical and sales staff, upgrades coating capabilities to branch out into packaging. Family-owned specialist in graphic arts, technical papers dates to 1819, embarks on initiative to serve packaging market after year-long study shows unmet demand for specialty substrates, environmentally friendly materials. Product range includes broad array of text, cover, board stock made from traditional pulp, post-consumer-recycled (PCR) pulp, as well-as tree-free fibers such as cotton, flax, hemp, bamboo. Initial target applications include wrap for set-up boxes, high-end carrier bags, tubes, hang tags, folding cartons for premium products such as cosmetics, wine, spirits, gourmet food, jewelry.

Mylar ECO13 film, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based lidding film for polylactide (PLA) containers used for fresh produce wins recognition as finalist in Coated, Laminated or Metallized Product Category in Technology of the Year competition sponsored by Association of Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators, Fort Mill, SC. Blended coating on thin-gauge (1 mil nominal) Mylar ECO13 film from DuPont Teijin Films, Richmond, VA, provides strong, yet peelable seal to PLA that does not deteriorate with time. Novel blend of sealant resins, other proprietary coating ingredients plus precise control of coating thickness provide low-temperature sealability required by PLA, balances seal strength with peelability at thinner gauge than competing laminates or extrusion-coated films, thus reducing packaging waste.

Under Joint Development Arrangement, Timestrip Plc, Hitchin, UK, and Plastek Group, Erie, PA, work to integrate Timestrip “timer” labels into Plastek’s injection molded caps/closures. Timestrip labels indicate how long item has been open/in use via capillary action technology that shows color change over time. First prototype equips cosmetics closure from Plastek’s Phoenix range with Timestrip label.

Kip Boie joins Barry Wehmiller’s Thiele Technologies, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, as vp of Sales & Marketing, brings 21 years of sales, marketing experience including work in international markets... Peter S. Hellman, president, cfo/cao of Nordson Corp., Westlake, OH, takes seat as member of board of directors and audit committee at Owens-Illinois, Inc. (O-I), Perrysburg, OH...

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