FDBusiness.com

US-based Combi Packaging System has developed a new packaging machine that is designed specifically for the craft brewery industry.

The new machine, BrewPack, is claimed to reduce labour costs, while increasing throughput associated with getting brewers’ product to distributors and retail shelves.

BrewPack is said to use four and six pack carriers and the RSC master case, which then packs the carriers, creating a bottle ready case.

This multi-functioning machine is expected to allow brewers to maintain hand craftsmanship, the company said.

Combi Packaging Systems CEO John Fisher said: “One of the most tedious tasks for the brewers is hand erecting their four and six pack carriers and the master shipping cases.

“This requires a large amount of labour and a large amount of space when most facilities are filled with processing equipment.”

Combi will showcase the BrewPack machine at BrewExpo America, which will be from 4-6 May in Philadelphia, US.

The company also plans to present its Ergopack ergonomic hand packing station, which has been tailored with a six pack carrier dispenser and recirculating conveyor for semi-automatic bottle case packing.

In 2015, Combi, in collaboration with Motion Controls Robotics, a provider of robotic automation solutions, developed a new robotic solution, ErgoPakPal, for end of line packaging operations.

Designed for low to medium throughput applications, ErgoPakPal is a complete case packing and case palletising system.

Fisher added: “The ErgoPakPal packs cases and palletises the filled cases with one FANUC M710iC robot.

“Installing an ErgoPakPal provides cost savings through the use of a dual functioning robot, the use of minimal floor space and allows for flexibility over permanent robot installations.”