Ultrasonic sealing

Rinco Ultrasonics' new FPA series ultrasonic pouch sealing systems enable users to increase seal strength, improve aesthetics, and broaden the processing window versus competitive ultrasonic sealing and heat sealing processes. They are applicable for sealing flexible packaging for dry and liquid foods, personal care items and electronics.

The FPA-4500 was designed specifically for sealing pouches with up to four and a half square inches of seal area while the FPA-4500S was created for use in duplex and triplex applications where a narrow profile is required. Rinco's entire FPA series of ultrasonic sealing systems have been designed to replace existing heat sealing equipment on liquid filled pouch form-fill-seal (FFS) machinery or pre-made pouch systems.

The novel systems incorporate Rinco's patented PPS0145 seal technology that significantly expands what is possible in ultrasonic film sealing. Each FPA system features a highly rigid actuator capable of rapidly generating the clamp forces required to seal pouches with minimal cycle time.

Rinco's unique PPS0145 interlocking film sealing technology permits seal patterns with greater surface area than competitive ultrasonic seals. In addition, it allows production of contour-shaped seals, unlike the straight line seals offered by competitive ultrasonic equipment. These seals can take almost any configuration, offering end users a range of branding options to differentiate their products.

The new ultrasonic film sealing system produces seals with greater surface area than competitive ultrasonic systems and provides the widest processing window of any ultrasonic sealing system currently on the market. Seals anywhere from 2-mm to 25-mm are now possible compared to 1- to 2-mm previously, according to Rinco. With the interlocking design and robust equipment, Rinco can offer wider ultrasonic seals which are more preferable by end users, without the need for follow-up heat sealing, thus saving time and cost.

The patented ultrasonic seal technology also delivers an increase in bond strength over conventional ultrasonics. Depending upon the film used, Rinco has determined that its interlocking pattern can provide a 20 percent stronger bond than conventional ultrasonic seals.

Rinco offers a complete line of actuators, the FPA 4500 series and 2500 series models, for OEMs, co-packers, and end users. These are coupled with Rinco's robust system components including generators, converters, boosters, and tooling. The FPA series actuators are designed specifically for the packaging industry as a drop-in retrofit to convert heat sealing stations to ultrasonics. They are extremely rigid to accommodate the demands of sealing thin films, and various sizes are available to suit any horizontal sealing application.

The AGM series generator features 100 percent digital circuitry for precise control of the sealing process, along with upper and lower process set-up for quality monitoring and sophisticated graphing capabilities for easy troubleshooting.

Summer reminds me of fun, outdoors and adventure, so we travelled to Borneo over summer. It is exactly what I needed. Borneo is an island between Malaysia and Indonesia and it’s divided between these two countries and Brunei. We spent our time on the Malaysian side of the island in the Sabah area.

We climbed Mount Kinabalu, which is 4,000 metres high, to reach the summit at sunrise, and journeyed down the curvy river of Kinabatangan to spot rare wildlife (which paid off with a rare sighting of wild orangutans). Then we visited Semporna, and finished off in the remote rainforest of Danum Valley to stay in an ultra-luxe, peaceful lodge. The experience under the sea on Pom Pom Island was a standout – incredible snorkelling and beautiful white beaches right outside our door – and the inspiration from this experience is already being put to work in the new season.

You should research and plan your trip before you go. As we were looking for an adventure, we expected to be able to show up and travel at our own pace. We were quick to realise how far apart places are and guides are required to accompany you. Who knew? I would highly recommend dining at the Filipino fish markets for dinner. Pick your fish, fresh from the day’s catch in Kota Kinabalu.

I’ve developed a warm-weather holiday uniform over the years of travelling. To save on luggage space, my advice is to bring only your favourite pieces! For me this includes cut-off denim shorts paired with loose-fitting tees for daytime tooling around cities with big dark sunglasses. I bring a couple of bright coloured bikinis and cotton gauze maxi dresses for lazy beach-hopping days. Always wear a wide-brim hat for sun protection. For night it varies from silk mini-dresses with strappy sandals matched with newly discovered market bangles, or silk West 14th camis with silk shorts.