Fontanet tray closing machine: closing trays with a label

The Fontanet tray closing machine handles two steps in one: it closes the tray and labels it at the same time. Instead of sealing the tray with film or a staple and then running it through a labeller, the machine applies a label that acts as the closure, wrapping around the tray. The result is a pack that is closed, identified and well presented, and leaves the line ready to be boxed.

It works continuously on a stainless steel conveyor. The tray arrives, the labelling head applies the label in position and the piece carries on its way. The catalogue sheet gives a speed of 60 PPM (pieces per minute), a pace that frees up the people who used to close trays by hand at the packing table. It is operated from a touch screen with an emergency stop button and has its own electrical panel.

The machine accepts an optional printer with an Ethernet connection, so the same closing label can carry batch, date, weight or code, sent from the plant's system. That way the closure also works as the traceability label, and there is no need to add a second label further down the line.

It is designed to be integrated into an automatic line: it can go after a filler or a checkweigher and before case packing. It should not be confused with a carton cartoning machine that forms and fills cartons, or with a pure labeller such as the Codipack 200 or the LS-500, which identify the pack but do not close it. It makes sense when the product comes in a tray and a label closure is enough, with no need for hermetic sealing or modified atmosphere; for that there is the tray sealer.

MARFONT, the machinery division of Fontanet Group, studies your tray and your line, installs the machine, trains the operators and provides technical service. From Fraga (Huesca), with a team of more than 30 years in the sector, we advise you on label format and integration. Accepted tray formats and dimensions are confirmed with our sales team.