YPS: Speed is of the essence for instant meals

YPS: Speed is of the essence for instant meals

Supplier News

In the world of instant meals, producers are used to focussing on speed. One instant noodle meal producer has recently turned up the dial on its packaging operation and has uncovered savings in wrapping materials as an added bonus.

When their previous side sealer packaging line became increasingly unreliable, the well-known food production facility looked to Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) to propose a replacement.

Line speed was always going to be paramount in this fast-paced, high-volume environment. The packaging line would be fed by an automatic pot filler and would have to keep in time with that rapid equipment.

YPS supplied a servo-driven side sealer and double chamber shrink tunnel, a combination with unbeatable speed and precision. Ultra-thin film is also being supplied which has led to significant savings in materials use.

With potential throughput of up to 10,000 cycles per hour, the side sealer can comfortably handle the desired throughput of instant meals. The output speed is achieved by a combination of the servo-driven motor and the continuous motion transverse sealing bar, which moves with the product, ensuring there is no need for a stop/start action which would slow the process down. Adding a double chamber shrink tunnel then ensures the greatest capacity at the heat shrink stage of the process.

Vacuum belts also contribute to the overall process speed and, furthermore, assist in creating a tighter pack around the product. The side sealer is configured to create the side seal before the transverse seal which is the primary driver in creating tighter packs around the products. The resulting close-fitting, film-efficient pack creates an improved pack aesthetic as less film needs to be shrunk. Using this model has led to average documented film savings of around 15% when compared with similar competitive models, contributing to sustainability goals.

© YPS

In addition, the side sealer is now running an ultra-thin film, recommended and supplied by YPS. The material is the thinnest available on the market and can be supplied with 30% recycled content for even greater environmental benefits. This change has reduced material thickness for the customer from 35 micron to 12.5 micron with no loss of performance – a plastics saving of some 64%.

Glyn Johnson, Managing Director of YPS, said: Working with this food production company has been an exciting project, as we’ve been able to help them achieve a significant step forward in their packaging. Coupling the latest in machine and materials technology has delivered speed and efficiency to the customer, while contributing to their environmental aims.

The meal producer’s tasty treats are flying out of their factory, with packaging capacity at least tripled compared with their previous line.

Latest Packaging News

Mondi completes acquisition of Schumacher Packaging’s Western European assets
Business

Mondi completes acquisition of Schumacher Packaging’s Western European assets

Mondi, a global leader in the production of sustainable packaging and paper, has completed the...
Key presentations not to miss at the 2025 UK Food & Drink Shows
Events

Key presentations not to miss at the 2025 UK Food & Drink Shows

UK Food & Drink Shows Comprising: Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, Food & Drink Expo, Farm...
Spring 2025: Packaging trends bloom with innovation, sustainability and digital shifts
Sustainability

Spring 2025: Packaging trends bloom with innovation, sustainability and digital shifts

As the packaging industry steps into spring 2025, innovation is blooming across the supply...
Portugal to introduce national deposit return scheme by 2026
Sustainability

Portugal to introduce national deposit return scheme by 2026

Portugal will roll out a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers...
Interroll: Increase safety and reduce cost with automated pallet conveyor systems
Supplier News

Interroll: Increase safety and reduce cost with automated pallet conveyor systems

In today’s fast-paced logistics and manufacturing sectors, efficiency and safety have become...