FastPatch - New Solution for In-Line Carton Window Patching - Stand D10

FastPatch, from Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS), is a new range of super-clear, self-adhesive window patch labels for product cartons, designed for high-speed application on carton manufacturing lines.  For years, traditional window patches have been applied off-line, using large machines that cut rolls of clear material, apply adhesive and press the window shape on.  The process runs much slower than a carton line and results in the inefficiencies of double-handling through a second process and some are even sent out to be applied by contractors.  Window patch jobs generally have longer lead times and tie-up man-power.

 

The desire to create a self-adhesive version is not new but never before have all the requirements come together… until now:-

• Crystal clear visibility
• Excellent adhesion
• Applied at high-speed, in one pass

FastPatch labels from ALS are supplied on rolls and are created with permanent adhesive coated precisely to match the shape of the customer’s carton aperture, carried on a backing liner and then die-cut in register, with the excess waste removed, so it performs just like a regular label.  The difference is that no adhesive ever comes in contact with the centre of the label, so that it retains its clarity and is safe for food contact.  Being self-adhesive (pressure sensitive), once contact is made with the carton, it is instantly stuck down, so there is no "drying time".  Materials available include PET, Acetate and LDPE.

Using the ALS FastPaQ range of machines, the ALS FastPatch labels can be applied at rates in excess of 180,000 per hour!!!

 

ALS will be demonstrating their new carton window patching concept for the first time at the Total Process and Packaging Show on the ALS stand D10.

ALS at the 2012 PPMA Show

 

It's been a busy week at ALS (when isn't it!) but the lead up to a trade show always adds to the existing pressures of building customers orders.  As always we've had our last-minute worries but the lorry has been loaded and is on its way to the PPMA Show at the NEC in Birmingham, where for three days next week Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th September, we shall be demonstrating a range of labelling, coding and marking equipment and trying to give visitors an overview of our product handling and special-purpose design abilities.

 

All our machines are fully working demonstrations, which we have always prided ourselves on - no static displays from us!  If you are a machine builder yourself, you will know what's involved in showing off industrial equipment in the artificial surroundings of an exhibition stand but I think most of our visitors appreciate the efforts we go to, in presenting working exhibits.

 

This year we have also teamed up with a few partners that we share joint customers with or who have complimentary equipment to ours and so we are happy to be demonstrating an ICE thermal transfer coder from Clearmark Solutions and a box tape sealer from Endoline.

 

The full list of exhibits is below:

 

FastPaQ labeller - still the World's fastest intermittent self-adhesive label applicator - we can "only" show you it dispensing at 200 metres per minute at the show but it can go to 375m/min (3,000 labels per minute).  It really opens up new opportunities for labelling onto high-speed continuous material, label webs and carton production.

 

Liner-less Labelling - self-adhesive labelling without any waste backing liner.  We have two exhibits; high speed product labelling at 200bpm, a typical front and back labelling application and security seals for boxes and cartons, applied using a case sealer: it tapes, seals and with an EAS security tag underneath, it also protects the product from theft from a store.  The security tag can be RF or AM - or even RFID.

 

Security Tagging - using Self-Seal Tags, DVDs, console game boxes and other media can be secured around three sides, sealing the product case and protecting the already pre-embedded security tag underneath.  Our machine shows this being applied at rates of 100 per minute.

 

Outer case labelling - Firstly, an ALS 204 with a sophisticated thermal transfer ICE coder fitted provides one method of coding labels prior to application.

 

The second is our new ALX 736, the 6-inch version of the ALX 730 series Print & Apply labeller.  The ALX 730 range are probably the fastest "full-label" print & apply labellers available, with direct wipe-one application speed of up to 50m/min !!!

 

 

Outer Case Inkjet - on show will be the AP-Link high-resolution industrial inkjet model demonstrating its text, graphics and barcode printing capabilities at speeds of up to 70m/min.   The AP-Link range also features a UV model for real-time printing onto non-porous surfaces with its own on-board curing system. All models feature a built-in, hi-res, touch-screen colour display, on-board data storage and run Windows, for design selection, data input and full network control.

 

Semi-Automatic labellers - these are sometimes the less shouted about machines but none the less, provide an efficient and practical alternative for those that require accurate, repeatable labelling for volumes not high enough to warrant fully automatic product handling, yet high enough to make a real difference when manual labelling becomes too tiresome.  Our "EP" model presses labels onto products placed in a jig by hand, while our "MRU" model is for round containers and bottles.

 

Whatever your labelling, coding or marking requirements, we look forward to meeting you on stand C20 at the NEC in Birmingham next week.

New Linerless Label Applicator Launched

Revolutionary New Linerless Label Applicator

Launches at PPMA Show - ALS STAND C20

Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd (ALS) announce they will be demonstrating for the first time, at this year’s PPMA Show, a new linerless labelling module for the popular ALS 204 and ALS 206/256 label applicators, that allows Catchpoint linerless labels to be applied at full production speeds. 

The benefits of linerless labels have been well documented:

-        More labels per roll results in less frequent label roll changes, so improves efficiency.

-        No backing equals less waste, therefore reduces landfill, so is good for the environment.

-        Fewer rolls take less space to store and are cheaper to ship, using less transportation fuel, so is good for the environment again.

Catchpoint is a different kind of linerless label....

Developed by Catchpoint Ltd, it is a brilliantly simple but clever new way of producing and applying labels without a backing liner that, importantly, does not require a cutting action to separate them. 

Each label is defined by a pattern of micro perforations - “catch-points” that allow individual labels to be separated from the reel at speed but in a controlled manner, leaving a clean edge and with no delay in the labelling process.  Previous methods of linerless labelling have usually required the label to be first dispensed, then cut and then applied – a cycle time that is too slow for most primary product labelling requirements.  This is why linerless label applications have so far been constrained to relatively inaccurate, low volume demands or for outer case print and apply applications.

The potential for the greatest efficiency gains and reduced environmental impact is where the majority of all waste backing liner is used - where primary product labels are applied and this is where the Catchpoint method really starts to make sense.

Possible linerless applications

Typical wrap-around labeller

"Real-Life" Labelling

The new Catchpoint linerless label applicator module, available in the UK from ALS, makes this a reality.

• Labels are applied to products at line-matching speeds, with variable speed-following ability and with excellent placement accuracy.
• Labels are applied directly to the product without the need for compressed air, vacuum pads or complex change-parts when swapping over to different size labels. 
• Using no hazardous cutting knives, it is safer to use, more reliable and easier to integrate on exisiting production lines than any other linerless method currently available.

Dual Media Capability

Once the linerless module has been installed, it can still handle regular self-adhesive labels with a backing, if required, to give the ultimate in flexibility and future-proofing.

Upgrade to Linerless

What’s more, the new linerless label module from ALS can be easily retro-fitted, so users with existing ALS200 Series machines can upgrade without having to buy a complete new machine.

Finally... if you thought linerless labels were always rectangular, think again!

If you want to see shaped, super-clear, pre-printed linerless labels being applied at rates exceeding 200+ bpm, then come and see the amazing Catchpoint linerless label applicator in action on the Advanced Labelling Systems Ltd stand C20 at the PPMA Show, NEC, 25-27 September.