Confectionery Packaging Case Study:

Project: Special "Tilt and Tuck" Closer for cartons of toffee

The challenge was to see if an automated solution could successfully close the carton lid without damaging the product. Tekpak built a prototype machine in its Wexford factory and incorporated a tilting mechanism to push the bags towards the back of the carton so the contents don’t interfere with the closing of the box. “They found a very creative way to ensure the product was packed neatly in the boxes,” Operations Director. This is the only machine of this type and for this particular application available on the market.

Solution

The process had previously been manual as the sweets were wrapped in bags which had to be shaken before being closed in cartons for shrinkwrapping. The challenge was to see if an automated solution could successfully close the carton lid without damaging the product. Tekpak incorporated an Imball Carton Erector into the fully automated line. The cartons are formed from flat blanks and moved by servo controlled conveyors where the product is loaded. The carton is closed by the specially designed "Tilt and Tuck" mechanism which was developed by our team. The closed carton is then wrapped and loaded into boxes.