PETpla.net Insider 01+02 / 2018

TRADE SHOW REVIEW PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 01+02/18 www.petpla.net 42 New system for still water in single-serve formats Three modules, one block With its InnoPET TriBlock Aqua M the KHS Group was presenting a compact, powerful block system for single-serve formats at Drinktec. The high-performance unit is specifically geared towards the growth segment of water in single portions. It processes container sizes of between 250 and 800ml at a rate of up to 50,000bph. The new system blocks the further developed Blomax Series IV stretch blow moulding module, a labelling module and the Innofill PET NV filler. Together they form a unit which is claimed to be perfectly suited to the application on hand, manufacturing bottles from preforms and then label- ling, filling and capping them. Further advantages of the machine accord- ing to Arne Andersen, global product account manager for the TriBlock at KHS, are its hygienic design and opti- mised housing. The machine is cen- trally controlled by the improved HMI (human machine interface) on a clear 21.5-inch monitor with full HD resolu- tion for detailed visualisation of the pro- cess graphics. Another aspect which is important for practical operation is the consistent drive and operator concept with which KHS aims to boost effectiv- ity and the level of convenience. The individual modules on the TriBlock promise optimum perfor- mance at every stage in the process. Compared to the previous model, the further developed Blomax Series IV has blow stations on which small bottles with a maximum diameter of 75mm can be blown. The low level of noise pollution also deserves a men- tion here, this ensured by the Inno- PET Silent TipTainer ( see PETplanet 7/2017 ); with its closed system and lower PET preform drop height the latter are fed especially gently and thus less noisily to the sorting unit. The labelling module is distin- guished by its robust design and thus a high degree of reliability and availability. A special vacuum system permits materials of a very low thick- ness to be used for the bottles and thus helps to cut costs. In addition, the top-drive technology, which con- sistently feeds the bottles through the TriBlock by their neck rings, also has many benefits: it is gentle on the PET bot- tles, minimises downtimes and is advantageous Hall 2H · Booth 2P07 German Technology when making lightweight containers as these are no longer exposed to any compression force in the labeller. Low maintenance effort cuts costs A new generation of valves in the filler shortens the filling time so that fewer valves can be used for the same total filling capacity. By focusing on smaller bottles and through the subse- quent reduction in pitch, the diameters of both the filling wheel and ring bowl have been decreased. This makes both the filler and the TriBlock as a whole more compact. Users profit from a reduced maintenance effort and cuts in maintenance costs. www.khs.com