• Packexpo.com
• Suppliers
• By Category
• Pacific Packaging Machinery, Inc.
• What's New

• New Feature: Tool-less Spider and Platform Safety
• Announcement: Skippy Peanut Butter Article
• Reconditioned Filling Machines
• Technical Tip: Filling Turret Preventative Maintenance
• Upcoming Event: PackExpo 2004 Trade Show

At Pacific Packaging Machinery, we constantly evolve the design of our filling machines to make them more user-friendly.

Two of the more recent improvements involve the Platform, Spider and Cam System.

Background: The spider system consists of the following components: bottom spider plate, upper stabilizer plate, spider shafts, container platforms, and container platform carriers.

Each filling station has 2 shafts that, until recently, were threaded at the bottom spider plate. The lower shaft end fastened at the bottom plate with a nut. Removal and installation of the shaft could be time consuming.

As for the platform carrier, if there is a need to hold a platform at an elevated state, it would have to be supported with a wood block or other object. While this would do the job, the risk was always there for the platform to fall off of the object.

Solution: The latest Platform, Spider and Cam System has two new features. The first is the tool-less spider shaft. The shaft is designed with a hole at the upper end. The lower shaft sits in the bottom plate counter bore. A sleeve is placed over the upper end of the shaft (with the hole) and is held in place via a pin.

The upper stabilizer plate then slides over the sleeves and rests right above the pins, thus "stabilizing" each shaft. The bottom spider plate and upper stabilizer plate have set screws that are dogged into the main spindle, keeping them secure. The result is a rugged, stable system which does not require tools.

The second feature is somewhat minor but eliminates many safety risks. A stainless steel hook is welded onto the container platform carrier. The purpose of the hook is to hang the platform from the same upper pin that serves as the spider shaft fastener.

The usage is as follows: If your Pacific is equipped with a safety cam, remove it. Next, manually raise the platform by hand and rest the hook on the ring that runs through the upper spider shaft pin The system is both more convenient and safer for personnel who have responsibility for changing the cam.

For additional information or answers to other questions feel free to contact Tom Rawson at (949) 369-2425 x717 or tomr@pacificpak.com.

Announcement

Pacific Packaging Machinery was recently mentioned in the May issue of Food and Drug Packaging magazine. The cover story article discusses Unilever's Skippy peanut butter manufacturing plant in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Click here if you are interested in reading the article.

For additional information contact Tina McCarty at (949) 369-2425 or tinam@pacificpak.com.

Reconditioned Filling Machines

From time-to-time, Pacific offers "like-new" reconditioned filling machines. These machines are completely stripped down and rebuilt with new components. Currently, we have one filling machine to offer with a short lead-time at roughly 25% less than the cost of a new machine:

• 16-Station, Viscous Product Filling Machine (4.5161" C.P.):
  Ideal for mayonnaise, margarine, creams, automotive grease and any other thick, viscous applications. Speed range of 100 to 250 C.P.M. on 4 to 32-ounce containers. Supports a maximum container diameter of 4.250"

For more information and pricing, contact Pete Carpino at (949) 369-2494 or information@pacificpak.com.

Technical Tip

The filling turret top plate (also called the stator) and bottom plate (also called the rotor) are critical parts that must be maintained yearly to keep your Pacific running its best.

Our recommended preventative maintenance goes a long way to ensure a long-life for the Teflon, and more importantly, eliminate product waste at the filling turret.

At a minimum, we recommend that you lap the top plate Teflon surface once a year For companies that operate 3-shifts per day, the process would be required 3 times per year. While the process is described in detail in your Operator's Manual, we have summarized the specifics below:

1. Obtain a sheet of 220 Grit Emery Cloth. The size should be several inches larger than the top plate diameter. The thinner the material, the better.
2. Cut a hole the Emery Cloth that is about ¼" larger then the air hub diameter.
3. Carefully clean the bottom plate surface. Make sure there is no water or product on the bottom plate.
4. A final wiping with a clean bare hand is recommended.
5. Clean off the smooth side of the Emery Cloth and place it smooth side down on the bottom plate. The emery side must be facing up.
6. Using the hoist/winch and eye-bolt system, lower the top plate into position.
7. It is not necessary to install the top bearing/spanner nut.
8. Using the eye-bolts, rotate the top plate 2 full rotations while another person holds the Emery Cloth to prevent its movement.
9. Inspect the Emery Cloth, using air to blow off any loose Teflon dust.
10. Repeat Step 8 until you see two full-circle, uniform rings of Teflon dust in the emery. If the plates have been properly prepared, this process should only take 10 to 15 minutes. The result is that the thin Emery Cloth "transfers" the flatness from the stainless steel bottom plate onto the Teflon. Your plates are now properly arranged for a maximum seal.

For additional information or answers to other machine questions, contact Jim Spencer at jspencer@pacificpak.com.