June 13, 2003 / ROVEMA is a leading international manufacturer of complete packaging systems for a wide variety of different products and applications. Its Vertical Intermittent Pouch Machine (VVI-200), is a new vertical form, fill, seal machine designed for applications typically associated with horizontal machines.

The VVI-200 system, with 10-patented features, comes with fixed sealing jaws, rotated 90º, to produce 3-sided, 4-sided and Doy Style stand-up pouch products. The automatic format adjustment allows production of different pouch sizes with a single push of a button, saving what the company calls "tremendous changeover time".

The system VVI, with 10 patents pending, combines the various applications of the horizontal machines as well as the advanteges offered by vertical form-, fill- and seal machines.

Within the flexible changeover, the company says that 80-250-mm pouch height and 50-200-mm pouch width can occur without forming set changes, producing up to between 100 and 600 puches/min., also handling larger format sizes. In addition, two baggers can be set in place, while maintaining original system controls, for higher productivity.

The standard execution with the vacuum draw down system ensures a secure packing material transport, including films thicker than 20 µm. Therefore the seals can handle very flexible, soft, thin and strechable packing materials, without problems.

The standard design with vacuum assisted belts ensures secure product transport for film structures as thin as 20µm, the company also claimed. Programmable seal times and patented, wear-free transverse seal station, with sealing pressure up to 1,100-lbs for the highest bag quality.

“This is exciting technology, furthering Rovema’s equipment innovation in the form/fill/seal market,” said Klaus Kraemer, President of Rovema, North America. “We believe the small footprint of the machine and single push button for size changeover will entice customers looking for new, simple technology.”

The closed system allows for compact and dust-free packaging of dusty or powdery products. In addition, downtime during product exchange when using an auger filler is minimised because the filler can be cleaned without removing the forming set. The machinery also comes with an optional gas flushing mechanism, important for the coffee, pet food and meat industry.

The small footprint, In addition, the VVI-200 comes standard with Allen Bradley ControlLogix.

With a space requirement of only approx. 1,7m² and a working height of approx. 1,5m (17-ft2 and a height of 5-ft,), the "complete execution" with splicer, printing units, labellers, zip-apllicator etc. is possible and is said provide an advantage over the horizontal form, fill, seal machine. The VVI-200 comes standard with Allen Bradley ControlLogix.

The machinery will be displayed at the forthcoming Pack Expo 2003.