The innovations of UPAKOVKA/UPAK ITALIA 2010: Three new Packaging Machines by OPTIMA GROUP CONSUMER

Even classical products such as teabags can be reinvented. The CombiStick promises the finest aroma protection, freshness, ease of use and safe hygiene. Functional closures are the new container closure generation. As an example, they can contain additives such as vitamins and flavors, which are automatically released into the beverage upon opening only. Snapsil is an innovative package and a convenience utensil in one. These features of Snapsil will open new market opportunities even for “traditional” products. Optima Group Consumer is the exclusive machine partner for all three packaging innovations.

Reinventing the teabag: the CombiStick: Enclosed in an exterior package for the stick, an inner filter holds the tea. Before consumption, the stick package is removed at a defined spot and only the inner filter containing the tea is immersed in water for stirring or steeping. With its Easypack SCM, Optima Group Consumer offers an integrated manufacturing and packaging machine for the new CombiStick. The Easypack SCM line features four lanes fed from a wide foil. This machine section fabricates the wrap of the CombiSticks. And also the interior tea compartment is manufactured from roll stock: here, the filter material is cut into the individual panels. The line is rounded off by Optima’s dosing systems, guaranteeing the highest in filling precision. Output of the Easypack SCM is 140 sticks/min. The machine is compact in design with easy access for cleaning.

OPTIMA CFL1 for functional closures – functional closures are the new container closure generation. Easier product change during the fill process, longer shelf life of the ingredients or just simply a new drinking experience – there are many reasons for immediately adding ingredients to a drink or food product before consumption. With its modular-design OPTIMA CFL machine series, Optima Group Consumer offers machine solutions that integrate all functions for manufacturing functional closures within one continuous process. The machines always incorporate multiple assembly functions for the various components, dosing features for the ingredients in addition to control functions for the tightness of the functional closures. OPTIMA CFL1, the start-up machine, achieves an output of up to 50 units/min. In high-output design, a machine from the CFL series produces a maximum of 1,500 units/min.

Snapsil integrates several advantages: It’s a functional symbiosis of package and disposable utensil – integrating infinite storing function and lasting product protection, thus securing long shelf-life of the packaged product. With OPTIMA Snapsil 400, Optima Group Consumer presents an efficient packaging solution that offers excellent process safety. During processing, four attached Snapsils are destacked and placed into a conveyor plate. Then cleaning, dosing, sealing and coding functions follow as well as a pick and place unit. With a filling volume of approx. four to 20 ml, the machine realizes an output of up to 400 units/min. The OPTIMA Snapsil 400 packaging machine has been developed in monoblock design to realize the largest possible modularity while keeping the machine footprint small.