Pattyn Packing Lines has developed an all-in-one bag making, filling and closing machine which is ideally suited for the packaging of fish for freezing.
The ULTIM-11-S can fill up to 12 trays a minute. Fish can also be packed into lined cardboard cases using the same machine.
The bag which is formed inside and lines the tray is made from a roll of film and the rolls are exchanged automatically enabling a continuous operation.
Each bag is opened mechanically. Just before filling, a bag detection system will check if the bag is opened properly and when this is confirmed filling can start. Two clamping plates will secure the bag during filling and automatic vibration is provided to ensure optimal product distribution within the bag.
Once the bag has been filled with the appropriate weight of product, it is re-gusseted and top sealed to ensure what Pattyn Packing Lines says is ‘complete product protection’.
After freezing, the bag of frozen product is removed from the tray before placing in a coldstore. The tray can then be re-used again on the packing line more or less straightaway.
The ULTIM-11-S is ideally suited to the fish processing industry because it can be used to line a very low tray, says Paul Pattyn, managing director of Pattyn Packing Lines. “The tray is lifted for filling so there is a very short drop, which ensures that the product is not damaged.
“There are two sections to the machine, the first is the bag making and filling station; the second contains the sealing station.”
Vapour barrier
The ULTIM-11-S can be used to make vacuum packs and gas flushing is also possible, Mr Pattyn adds. The film used for vacuum packing or gas flushing (modified atmosphere packing) is a mixture of polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) and EVOH. These co-extruded films have a good protective effect against oxygen and carbon dioxide, and thus provide a good vapour barrier.
The ULTIM-11-S was four years in development. The first part of the machine was tested in Norway and then the sealing unit was added and the machine re-tested. “Three machines were made and now we’re ready to go,” says Mr Pattyn.
One machine has already been used to pack pelagic fish in Estonia for the past year – the ULTIM-11-S can also pack other fish species, both whole and as fillets – and interest in the machine has been shown in Spain and the Netherlands. The ULTIM-11-S is designed for use in wet environments and can be hosed down for cleaning so is ideal for siting in fish processing plants.
Pattyn Packing Lines is a family company, owned by Mr Pattyn, which is based in Bruges in Belgium. It has been manufacturing machines for bag lining cases for the past 40 years.
The company recently expanded its assembly hall by 3000m2 so has more space for setting up its fully automated lines.
“We manufacture 50 bag inserters every year,” Mr Pattyn says, “and sell into 70 countries worldwide. We deal with ‘normal’ sized bags to very big sizes.”
A video of the Ultim-11-S in operation is available on Pattyn Packing Lines website.
