PackAuto CI250 Reel Stock Soaker Pad Placing equipment

Packaging Automation has released the PackAuto CI250 Reel Stock Soaker Pad Placing range of equipment that has been developed specifically for the fresh meat industry where placing of soaker pads into food service trays has largely been handled manually.

The unit will assist food processors supplying the retail fresh meat sectors including seafood, red meat, white meat and pet food industries by reducing labour and freeing up staff for more meaningful tasks. There is also an estimated 20% saving claimed on storage of inventory.

The combination of a knife assembly and a roll feeder allows the pad to be placed accurately into the tray as it passes underneath, thus ensuring the person placing the product into the tray never needs to touch the pad or the inside of the tray.

The system is controlled by a central colour touch screen panel and adjustments can be made on the fly. The units automatically feed, measure, cut and count the pieces to a required size. It has an optional batch counter that automatically stops the machine after the exact numbers of pieces are cut. An end-of-run signal is provided once the batch is completed, which is a great feature for short run jobs where the tray padder will signal a parent machine or production staff that the end of the run is imminent.

Packaging Automation has also developed a multi-lane system that can be used on the latest thermoforming equipment, where multiple pads can be placed simultaneously across a web of trays. This system can be used by in-house processors or tray manufacturers who supply pre-padded trays.