Two-in-one
Alfa Laval introduced Iso-Mix, its patented rotary jet technology device that mixes liquid, gas or powder all in the same tank. After mixing, the unit serves as a rotary jet tank cleaning device, the company says. Iso-Mix is equipped with two or four rotating nozzles, where liquid is circulated via an external loop and propelled through the jets while the mixer rotates both horizontally and vertically, which results in thorough mixing with minimal time and energy consumption, it adds. The vertical and horizontal mixing patterns also provide a more rapid and complete mix throughout the tank’s internal surface, the company says, by mixing in areas normally missed by traditional tank baffles. The mixing device retrofits into any vat or production line, including cans, bottles or aseptic packaging. Its flexibility allows for a variety of batches to be produced in a single day, and in most cases, a typical beverage processor can be ready for a new batch in less than 20 minutes, reducing mixing time by as much as
90 percent, according to the company. When introducing gas to the system, the rotary jet mixer controls and minimizes beverage oxygen content, which can improve shelf life while maintaining flavor, the company says. The device’s rotary jet mixing action can quickly dissolve stabilizers and thickeners such as xanthan, guar gum, pectin and other demanding hydrophobic powders. The Iso-Mix’s efficient ingredient mixing maintains color, aroma and concentration levels in soft drink syrups and concentrates or not-from-concentrate juices, the company says. Powders also are mixed rapidly and consistently without foam formation or introduction of air, it notes. After mixing, Iso-Mix serves as a rotary jet tank cleaning device, allowing beverage processors to reduce tank cleaning time and clean-in-place consumption.
• Alfa Laval Inc., 5400 International Trade Drive, Richmond, Va. 23231; 804/222-5300; alfalaval.com.
Business class trucks
Highlighting its Freightliner Trucks Business Class M2, Daimler Trucks North America LLC’s Freightliner trucks offer the M2 106 and M2 112, which both feature best-in-class visibility with a 2,500-square-inch windshield and have numerous manual, automated and automatic transmission choices, the company says. With a wheel cut of up to 55-degrees, the trucks can navigate narrow city streets or tight loading zones, it adds. The M2 106 and M2 112 also have been designed for easier maintenance and service, keeping downtime to a minimum. Adding to the value of ownership, Freightliner’s customer support offers a network of more than 300 dealers across North America and a 24-hour assistance hotline that will keep customers operating at peak efficiency every day, it says. These features help drivers deliver more products to more customers, the company says.
• Daimler Trucks North America LLC, 4435 N. Channel Ave., Portland, Ore. 97217; 503/745-8000; freightlinertrucks.com.
Safety first
Benko Products Inc. released its Erg-O-Cart, an ergonomic beverage cart that eliminates common back injuries associated with delivering kegs and cases. The Erg-O-Cart eliminates back-bending when lifting heavy boxes, kegs, cases or other heavy items. Its unique lifting mechanism raises and lowers heavy objects automatically via a retractable lift plate, allowing the user to comfortably load and unload at waist level. During movement, the loads are locked in place at the bottom and can be released with an easy-to-use kickplate. Weighing less than 40 pounds, the Erg-O-Cart features a lightweight aluminum and magnesium alloy construction, enabling fluid movement, ensuring a long product life span and requiring virtually no maintenance, the company says. Stair-glides and height extensions also are available, and each Erg-O-Cart can be customized to a user’s specific needs.
• Benko Products Inc., 5350 Evergreen Parkway, Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054; 440/934-2180; benkoproducts.com.
Video seam monitor
Wilkens-Anderson offers its VSM II Video Seam Monitor, a high-resolution camera and monitor to inspect can double-seam cross sections. The camera includes a solid state light source that produces a bright image of the can seam for evaluation and measurements, a toggle switch that selects crosshairs on either the X or Y axis, and adjustable illumination and built-in calibration procedure, the company says.
• Wilkens-Anderson Co., 4525 W. Division St., Chicago, Ill. 60651; 773/384-4433; wacolab.com.
Informative system
Still in development at the Swiss machinery manufacturer, Ferrum’s new system, FerruTell, allows warehouses to access and analyze service data for a machine at any time, the company says. FerruTell informs the customer immediately when machine overhauls are necessary, alerts customers when the next service is due and shows the number of hours the machine has been in operation. In its current test phase, more than 20 can seamers have been successfully equipped with this system, the company says. FerruTell also provides information about seasonal loads on the can seamer, making it possible for the customer to consciously schedule necessary overhauls for a slower time of year, it adds. The device is able to analyze relevant data and perform remote diagnostics regarding the state of the machine. With the push of a button, the service technician is able to start his query for remote diagnostics through text message, and an e-mail can be sent with the condition of the machine.
• Ferrum Ltd., CH-5102 Rupperswil, Switzerland; +41 62 889 11 11; ferrum.net.
Door system
ES Robbins Corp.’s Aleco launched AirStream, a perforated PVC insect barrier. AirStream is a PVC strip door system that combines the performance and durability of Aleco PVC strip doors with design enhancements that maximize air flow and insect barrier properties, the company says. In addition to allowing fresh air to circulate, AirStream is available in an amber color to provide maximum protection against flying insects, birds and debris. AirStream also helps facilities meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements, improve overall building appearance and keep temperatures low for more efficient building operations, according to Aleco.
• Aleco, 2720 East Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, Ala. 35661; 800/633-3120; aleco.com.
Getting inked
Videojet Technologies Inc. announced the launch of a new ink for its 1000 line of continuous inkjet printers. Videojet developed the new V413-D black returnable bottle ink to fulfill specialized customer requirements and applications. The black ink improves ink code adhesion when printed onto cold-filled returnable glass bottles, and also can be easily removed when bottles are returned for refilling through a standard caustic wash process by employing commonly used wash additives, such as a surfactant or a detergent, the company says. As soft drink bottlers and breweries continue their diligence on reducing “no-code, no-run” production lines, the V413-D black ink helps keep pace by providing the best overall ink adhesion to assure product traceability, it says. The easy-to-read “best by” codes allow distribution partners to efficiently rotate stock at different points throughout their supply chains.
• Videojet Technologies Inc., 1500 Mittel Blvd., Wood Dale, Ill., 60191; 800/843-3610; videojet.com.
