Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News
Magazine
PMPN Article Index
Originally Published March 1998
PRODUCT UPDATE
Sealers to Meet Varying Parameters
Control over sealing temperature, time, and pressure ensures that a sealer will perform consistently.
Today's sealers can work in a variety of environments and perform an array of tasks. Machines designed for cleanrooms or small workspaces are available, as are units with high speeds, safety alarms, and quick changeovers. Many sealers can store data for particular sealing jobs. Manufacturers have added computer controls to their units, allowing the user to specify parameters and evaluate the sealer's performance.
A heat sealer is controlled by a PC with enhanced data acquisition for process validation. The Level 5 two-station medical heat sealer allows the user to program parameters for a range of jobs to ensure fast, accurate changeovers. The company's subsidiary offers a 12-kW RF two-station shuttle machine with a die disconnect system and a PLC station for sealing disposable medical products. The company manufactures heat-seal equipment and RF sealing machinery. Alloyd Company, Inc., DeKalb, IL.
A sealer is designed to meet the needs of the surgical kit packager. The 5200/AT is a benchtop impulse sealer that uses the company's Accu-Temp technology to deliver high-quality seals. The vacuum function uses fluted retractable nozzles that retract at a preset level of vacuum, ensuring consistent packages. The cut-and-seal band trims the excess bag in one step. Other options include a bag loader and stretcher and the Datalogger, which produces a printed record of the seal parameters used. Packworld USA, Nazareth, PA.
Vacuum sealers feature the company's Smart Pad control center, independent vacuum and heat-seal jaw design, and retractable nozzles. The Model 635 nextgeneration vacuum sealer family offers help guides, scheduled maintenance alarms, password control lockouts, and optional digital temperature control. Seal lengths are available up to 35 in.; standard seal width is 0.25 in. The quick-release seal jaw makes maintenance quick and easy. Accu-Seal Corp., San Diego, CA.
A top and bottom case sealer handles boxes of many shapes and sizes. The Easy-Taper BB series can seal up to 30 cases of the same size per minute. Its adjustable height and width allow the machine to seal box sizes from 4 x 3.5 in. to 22.5 x 25.5 in. An optional high mast expands the case-height range. The Easy-Taper accepts 2-in.-wide pressure-sensitive tape. EZ-Tek Industries Inc., Deer Park, NY.
A blister sealer works at up to 10 cycles per minute. The Model Q-1218 offers automatic conveyor belt operation, automatic off-loading, and photoelectric indexing. Its heat platen is Teflon coated. Sealing temperature is controlled to within 1°F. Qvac, Santa Fe Springs, CA.
Two models of induction sealers offer tamperproof and leakproof sealing. Both models include a self-contained cooling unit and accommodate cap sizes from 5 to 150 mm. The company operates a machine shop and a metal fabrication department that allow it to make custom machines for customers' individual packaging needs. The company's field service program provides trained technicians to perform equipment installation, service calls, preventive maintenance, and customer training. Electronic Liquid Fillers Inc., LaPorte, IN.
A continuous hot-air sealer is designed to meet the requirements of FDA process validation guidelines. The Saxon 5 MS does not use Teflon-coated bands, which leads to lower replacement costs, less downtime, and fewer particulates in a cleanroom setting. The sealing temperature is fully PID controlled and the seal pressure is air regulated. The unit has full validation capabilities and is easy to calibrate. A full procedure manual is offered. O/K International Corp., Marlborough, MA.
A medical-grade band sealer features speeds of up to 1000 in./min. The CBS-DM sealer offers single-point heat and cool bar adjustment, quick-change band replacement, PLC-based diagnostics and alarms, and a sanitary design to meet most cleanroom specifications. The company offers options, such as vertical or horizontal versions, to meet specific customer needs. The machine is fully validatable and is suited for full-scale production requirements. Doboy Div., SIG Pack Inc., New Richmond, WI.
A high-production, automatic tray sealer features vacuum/gas flush controls for modified atmosphere packaging. The KATS 1000VG also offers quick-change tooling for up to four trays per cycle, a photo eye for printed lid material, automatic loading and discharge conveyors, and a heavy-duty Busch vacuum pump. The company offers a full line of automatic tray-sealing equipment. Koch Supplies Inc., Kansas City, MO.
A rotary heat sealer is designed for lightweight applications such as pouches up to 8 oz. The MPS 6340 tabletop sealer features an adjustable head for sealing angles that range from vertical to 45°. Easy access permits a quick change of Teflon-coated bands, and an optional product shelf allows consistent loading and sealing performance. Other features include air-pressurized heating and cooling bars, digital temperature control, digital tachometer, audio alarms, an external thermocouple jack, and reverse feed for validation of sealing parameters. Emplex Systems Inc., Scarborough, ON, Canada.
Advanced technology touch screen computer controls have been added to a medical-grade heat sealer. The 15-TM precision double-shuttle heat sealer is designed specifically for medical and hospital supply packaging that uses plastic film lid stock, Tyvek brand spunbonded olefin, card stock, or surgical kraft. The machine can be operated from both sides to seal two different products simultaneously. The touch screen computer stores data from the previous 25 cycles and will interface directly with a printer. Zed Industries Inc., Vandalia, OH.
Available in a horizontal or vertical format, a medical band sealer allows full control and monitoring of sealing parameters for consistent, secure seals. The controls for speed, pressure, and temperature can be calibrated, which permits the PAC medical band sealer to be validated. An alarm mounted on the sealer makes the machine inoperative if one of the seal parameters is out of range. Standard sealing width is 7/16 in.; other seal widths are available. Sealing can be performed at speeds of up to 400 in./min. Packaging Aids Corp., San Rafael, CA.
Air-cooled induction sealing can be performed with a cap sealer. The Super Seal 50 is designed to operate without water cooling on filling and packaging lines in the pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement industries. Another sealer, the Auto Jr., automatically seals single containers. The Compak Jr., a third unit, is a small machine that performs induction cap sealing jobs, handling closures up to 110 mm. Enercon Industries Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI.
Four-sided sealing machines offer a variety of options for unit-dose packaging. HM1 machines for strip packs handle tablets, capsules, and effervescent products. HM2 machines seal packages for flat products such as diagnostic strips. HM3 machines are designed for pouches and sachets containing granules. Romaco Inc., Morris Plains, NJ.
