Ilapak says its Delta VacMap has been designed as a cost effective alternative to expensive skin and thermoforming packaging. The machine combines vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in one machine.
"Particularly suitable for the spongy products that are typically found in the bakery industry, an in line vacuum system allows the machine to extract the oxygen that is trapped inside the product itself," the company stated in a press release.
The result is a packaging line that produces attractive traditional looking packs with the same shelf life characteristics of thermoforming, at a greatly reduced cost, the company claimed.
"And unlike with thermoforming, whole package printing is as easy as on a traditional horizontal flow wrapper," Ilapak stated.
Cost savings are made from lower film costs, increased throughput and reduced labour expenses, the company estimates.
"The Delta VacMap machine requires very little operator involvement as it runs virtually unattended, but when operator intervention is required for product size changes, for example, it is a quick and easy process," Ilapak stated.
A Delta VacMap line handles multiple sizes and can be used a normal gas flushing wrapper by turning off the vacuum system, thus increasing wrapping speed, the company stated.
It can be run in three operating modes: flow wrap, MAP and VacMap.