Microline creates packaging system for delicate paper products

27 Jul 2023 --- Microline has developed a specific feeding system for interfolded products to remain soft in the tissue industry and secondary packaging. The system can keep the product properly oriented while ensuring gentle handling without reducing production performance.

Interfolded products from the tissue sector come with specific dynamics that bring particular technological challenges to the various supply chain stakeholders. The system can be used for products like wipes, paper towels and hospital paper rolls. 

The feeding system has been developed for packaging interfolded wipes intended for industrial use to address the problems of poor balance of the overpacking. These products are very delicate and require adequate know-how to handle and package them optimally. 

Microline provides solutions for primary and secondary packaging.

The feeding system was developed on Microlines ROM 600, the medium-speed machine dedicated to automatic case packing. The ROM series machines handle case pick-up, erection and filling operations and close the case with an adhesive tape or hot melt system. 

The system can package multi-purpose industrial and hospital paper rolls. Microline says the system combines efficiency, sturdiness and practicality. 

Packaging soft paper
The ROM case packer feeding phase is where Microline focused its engineering efforts. Even though developed on the ROM 600, the system can be fitted to various machines in the Microline product line-up. 

Soft paper packs from Microline are placed inside slotted cases. Microline machines can be configured as groups and systems that simultaneously ensure proper orientation and gentle product handling.  

The soft tissue material items are used in the hotel, restaurant and cafe industry, medical settings and business locations. Once they have passed the upstream cutting station, the products can be automatically introduced into a divider to be arranged in collation patterns of up to five parallel lines. 

The tissues are then grouped, stacked and inserted into the case according to the set configuration.  

Maintaining orientation
The critical challenge for packaging the delicate materials was the need to process packets of hand wipes with paper overpacking: A pack with a convex base, making it particularly unstable. 

The “unique” feeding system requires the products to arrive by the infeed conveyor, maintaining the same orientation for the whole transport phase through to case packing, explains the company. 

The system ensures proper orientation and gentle handling of the packs through mechanical systems and machine development. The machine can process 120 pieces per minute without compromising performance, making the unit an “ideal” solution for a fully-comprehensive packaging line, including secondary packaging in cases. 

Edited by Sabine Waldeck