The ALX-S system offers a highly efficient solution for packaging soft cheeses, butter, manteca, sour creams and other dairy products into the chub format. This advanced system begins by forming and sealing roll-stock film into a tube shape. Once the film is shaped, the tube is filled with product using a continuous feed system. After filling, the ends of the chub are securely sealed by crimping with aluminum wire, ensuring the package remains airtight and properly sealed.
Here’s how the process works:
Product Pumping
- For butter, soft cheeses or other dairy products, the ALX-S can use vacuum filler, mono-pump, piston or screw pump to continuously pump the product to the ALX-S. These pumps ensure a smooth, continuous flow of cheese without air pockets, maintaining a uniform texture and consistency throughout the filling process.
Film Selection and Forming
- For dairy products , heat-sealable cellophane, polyethylene or polyamide roll-stock films are used. These films provide excellent moisture and oxygen barriers, which are crucial for maintaining the product's freshness and flavor. The films are sealed on a forming shoulder into a tube and sealed with hot air. Diameters of products can range from 22mm(.86 in)-150mm(5.9 in).
Clip Forming
- Once the tube is sealed and filled with product, the continuous clip forming mechanism of the ALX-S system forms a clip from spooled aluminum wire. The clip secures the ends of the chub to ensure it is sealed tightly, preventing contamination, spoilage, or leakage. The ALX-S can use 1.7mm, 2.3mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, and 3.7mm diameter wire.
Labeling and Registration
The ALX-S packaging system can be customized with additional options such as:
- Date coders: For printing manufacturing dates or batch numbers directly onto the film.
- Registration Sensors: This allows for roll-stock films printed with graphics to be continuously adjusted, allowing the graphics to be centered on the package.
Final Product
The ALX-S system provides an efficient, customizable, and sustainable solution for dairy packaging. The final product is a high-quality, airtight package that preserves the freshness, texture, and flavor of the cheese, while also offering flexibility in packaging size and format to meet consumer preferences.