Synchronized Batch Coding:
This has been developed in response to certain requirements wherein the Batch Code impressions, such as those indicating Lot Number, Manufactured Date and Expiry Date etc have to appear on each and every pocket of the strip. This feature is particularly useful for 'short' strips where 'one complete' Batch Code impression must appear within a small area.
Print Registration Control (PRC):
In most cases, the pre-printed foil (packaging material) is printed in a continuous manner in the direction of flow of the web through the machine. Hence, any one strip coming out of the machine would have multiple impressions of the name of the product/ manufacturer etc., appearing in a random manner continuously through the length of the strip.
However, in cases where one single body of text needs to appear at a particular spot on the strip, then this feature of Print Registration Control (PRC) is put into use. PRC ensures that the pre-printed text matter is 'centralized' with respect to the outer borders of the strip.
Horizontal And Vertical Perforations:
These are horizontal and vertical 'interrupted cuts' that would enable the consumer to tear off, easily and cleanly, an individual pocket from a strip containing a number of pockets. These perforations are carried out in a 'dash-dash' configuration (as opposed to a 'dot-dot configuration) for easy and clean tearing off. Furthermore, these perforations are aesthetically clean and are imparted on the strips without any loss of sealing properties.
Zig-Zag Cutting:
As the name suggests, this is not a straight cut but a serrated one. This is carried out by means of pneumatically actuated cutters in cases where the foil (packaging material) is very hard to tear. The presence of zig-zag cuts introduces several points in the pack at which a tear can be easily initiated. It also has the advantage of producing multiple packs in the form of 'Ribbons' which are partially serrated between packs and fully cut at the ends. These 'Ribbons' can be easily displayed and individual packs can be easily torn off from the 'Ribbon'.
Non-Fill Detection (NFD) System:
This is an optional system incorporated into the machine which enables the machine to automatically detect and reject those strips that have missing tablets in them. This arrangement involves a sensing system, a control system consisting of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and an HMI (Human Machine Interface), and an electro pneumatically activated auto-rejection system. Both - the Strip Packing Machine as well as the NFD system are designed and built by us at our works and are therefore fully integrated with each other.
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) &
The Human Machine Interface (HMI):
The Display Panel of the HMI unit can be made to indicate certain parameters such as individual roller temperatures, speed of the machine and cumulative output as well as to indicate heater failure, 'low-temperature' cut-off and temperature sensor failure.
Multiple Product Feeders:
While almost all strips contain one single product in varying numbers we are also in a position to manufacture Strip Packing Machines in which the feeding system is specially designed to feed more than one product at a time. Hence, for example, such a machine can be made to produce packs which can contain different types of tablets or a mix of tablets and capsules as required by the customer. Diecraft has manufactured machines that are being used in the production of 'Pyloric Kits' in which each strip has three different products in them - two of them being tablets having different formulations and the third one being a capsule.
Use Of Preforming Rollers:
This is an arrangement in which 'depressions' are 'preformed' on the foil as it enters the zone between the two heat-sealing rollers whereby the lateral stresses in filled strips are significantly reduced. These have been developed for certain specific applications such as the strip packing of partially filled capsules that lack the rigidity that 'fully filled' capsules have and which are therefore liable to get 'flattened' during the process of strip packing. This system is also very suitable for the high speed strip packing of sugar coated and other highly biconvex tablets (in order to ensure proper centering of the product with respect to the pocket of the strip.
Safety Guarding:
Safety guarding is being offered as an optional item. This guarding consisting of Acrylic/Polycarbonate Plates mounted on a framework made out of extruded aluminium sections, will be fitted with suitable 'safety switches'.
Notching For Easy Tearing:
This is provided in cases where the foil (packaging material) is difficult to tear.
Batch Coding Using Metal Types:
This is used in some cases in lieu of batch coding with ink. This is done 'on-line' on a separate station fitted on the machine.
Irregular Shaped Pockets:
This is done in some cases only for the purpose of aesthetics, or to distinguish the product of one manufacturer from that of a competitor.
Engraving On Strip:
The heat-sealing rollers can be engraved with the name of the product or the name of the manufacturer of the product.
Use Of Ink-Jet Printing:
The machine can be made suitable for the fitment of an Ink-jet Printing System on it.
Strips Of 5/7 Tablets/Capsules:
We are the first in India to produce strips having 5/7 tablets/capsules. Such strips are used for special applications such as 'weekly' doses of one tablet/capsule per day.
