Pallet despatch solution for sparkling wine firm

Beumer has adapted the packaging system so that the film size is changed with respect to the pallet size. These systems enable company to reduce shipping costs.

Bottles are picked up by a palletiser, which stacks them onto pallets. Prior to implementing Beumer technology, the upper surfaces of the cardboard boxes were glued and transported to a binding machine where the palletised beverage cartons were tied up. During transport, cartons loosened themselves and product was lost.

After testing, the benefits of the stretch hood became clear and both the shrink wrapping and the stretch wrapping techniques were eliminated as packaging options, as they did not meet the company’s requirements due to high film consumption.

“The Beumer high-capacity packaging system pulls a 40 micrometres thin film hood over the palletised beverage cartons. Optimally packaged, the cartons are protected against damage during transport and reach the customer in perfect order,” says Joachim Engler, head of the Engineering Department. “Moreover, two different pallet sizes can be packaged with this multi-format system. The change is semiautomatic and it is not necessary to retrofit the system. Thus, we are well prepared for future requirements”.

Beumer, in cooperation with film manufacturers, also developed a solution to meet specific needs and requirements. “If the filled bottles on the pallets are exposed to extreme heat and sunlight during transport, this may result in the formation of condensation,” explains Beumer sales manager Klaus-Dieter Enzenbach. “In such cases a perforated film is used, which enables the water steam to escape”. Another special feature of this thin film is: after utilisation, the film can be returned into the multi-cycle system and recycled – thus considerably reducing packaging waste.

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The Beumer stretch hood construction series is a modular system, which can be adapted flexibly to the individual requirements of the user. 

The conveying technology was also adapted and is now able to transport different pallet sizes to the Beumer stretch hood M.

A conveyor is used to feed the palletised beverage cartons into the packaging system. The innovative control technology automatically recognises different stacking heights and adapts itself accordingly. An ultrasonic sensor determines the required film length. The film is then cut and sealed along the cut edge. This forms a hood, which is stretched, pulled over the stack and down underneath the pallet base ensuring more retention force by a special base reinforcement. The Beumer stretch hood system acts on the high contracting forces of the film. This fits the entire stack snugly “as a second skin” and provides the required stability. This quick and efficient packaging process protects goods from the environment. The palletised goods are clearly visible due to the smooth surface of the transparent, highly flexible film. This enables packaging of up to 100 pallet loads per hour. The hooded pallet is then guided to the shipping area by a conveying system.