Bosch Packaging Technology will debut its Sigpack HCUL horizontal flow wrapper at Pack Expo International 2014.
Sigpack HCUL packages up to 300 single blow-fill-seal (BFS) vials per minute. It also ensures hermetic packages, even at high speed, due to its long sealing time and cross-sealing technology. Primary packaging units, delivered as BFS cards, are gently fed into the Sigpack HCUL with the aid of a Sigpack LDF Delta robot or other intelligent loading solutions. Before being packaged in the flow wrapper, the vials are separated by the feeding system’s separation unit.
Without compromising packaging integrity, the Sigpack HCUL long-dwell sealing system features a cross-sealing unit that allows the sealing jaws to close more gently and in a more controlled manner than other flow wrappers currently available – even at high speeds. This provides optimum product protection.
The balcony design of the cross-sealing unit, with individually mounted heating elements, allows for easy access and fast changeover. The station may be equipped with either ultrasonic or heat sealing technology. Hybrid machines are also available. These use ultrasonic sealing technology on the longitudinal sealing unit and heat sealing on the cross seam. Because thermo-sensitive products can be damaged when exposed to heat, usually occurring when transported over the longitudinal sealing unit, this hybrid configuration provides a high-speed and extremely product-friendly solution for these products.
The Sigpack HCUL is equipped with a comprehensive control system for product safety. The system monitors the alignment of the products as well as the information printed on the packaging, for example. By making sure that packages which do not meet the specifications are automatically rejected, only hermetically sealed packages leave the machine.
Jörg Kleiner, pharmaceutical and medical sales manager for Bosch Packaging Systems explained, “Authorities such as the FDA increasingly demand that vials be packed separately and not as vial cards, also known as 'unit dose packaging'. Not only do pharmaceutical manufacturers need to meet these requirements, but at the same time maintain high productivity.”
The Sigpack HCUL is expandable to accommodate modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Its modular construction may be modified for functions such as the innovative Real Time (RT) MAP system. Compared to conventional MAP systems, where the gas is inserted by a lance, the gas supply for the RT-MAP and the sensor for measuring residual oxygen content are integrated in the longitudinal sealing unit. This provides real-time measurement of residual oxygen content in the package, rejecting those that have excessive residual oxygen. The amount of gas supplied or extracted is precisely controlled so that only the necessary amount is released for maximum measuring accuracy.
At Pack Expo, Sigpack HCUL will be displayed as part of the BFS Seamless System, in which the speed of all line components is balanced to eliminate bottlenecks, minimise downtime and optimise product flow.
