Semi-automatic tray sealer with modified atmosphere (MAP)

The semi-automatic MAP tray sealer is the entry point to modified atmosphere packaging. The operator places the trays in the mould, the machine closes the chamber, replaces the air inside with a gas mixture, seals the top film and cuts it. When it opens, the tray comes out sealed and ready for labelling. According to the catalogue sheet, it works at 3-4 cycles per minute, and each cycle seals as many trays as the mould holds.

Its strength is not speed but flexibility. It stores up to 99 programmes, so each product —sealing time, temperature, gas— is memorised and changing product comes down to choosing the programme and fitting the corresponding mould. That is why it suits bakeries and food workshops, industrial butchers, ready meals or fresh-cut produce businesses that pack many products in short runs, as well as anyone working by season.

The difference from its automatic sister machines is clear. The LS-975 and the LS-1375 work in line, with infeed and outfeed belts, and need nobody loading trays; in return they require more space, more investment and more volume to pay for themselves. The semi-automatic machine takes up little room, is installed like a workstation and lets you check whether modified atmosphere pays off for your product before making the leap to a line.

To work with MAP you need three things besides the machine: a compressed air supply, the gas or gas mixture suited to your product and a barrier film compatible with the tray. The tray has to have a flat flange and be made of a material that seals with that film. The sensible approach is to choose tray, film and mould together, not separately.

MARFONT, the machinery division of Fontanet Group, advises you on the configuration, the mould and the consumables, and handles installation, training for your operators and technical service. From Fraga (Huesca), with a team with more than 30 years in the sector, we study your product and prepare the proposal for you: mould dimensions and connection data are confirmed by our sales team.