Compac develops new Gentle Box Filler+

Compac, part of the Tomra Food family, has extended its box filling platform offering with the new-generation Gentle Box Filler+ model developed specifically for the most delicate produce. It combines faster throughput with the industry-leading gentle handling that is the hallmark of Compac’s original box filler design. The significantly higher throughput translates into more added value for the packer’s operation due to the greater productivity, efficiency and flexibility, as well as a smaller initial investment.

The new Gentle Box Filler+ (GBF+) platform builds on Compac’s proven and successful original design and further improves its throughput with additional automation components. It gently deposits the fruit into the bottom of the pack and uses vibration to settle it very delicately, preventing damage during the filling process. This, according to the company, makes it ideal for first-class bulk packing of produce such as kiwifruit and stone fruit, which bruise easily, and for repacked and ripe produce, that are softer and more susceptible to damage in handling. Compac says it is also the best solution for pre-grading setback packing of produce, which is handled twice – once for pre-grading into single-grade containers, then a second time for packaging into the final container.

“Compac’s GBF original design provides the gentlest loose filling available on the market, which explains its continued success,” explains Paul Ramson, director, Solutions Architecture Product Management at Compac. “Today, we have box fillers topping one million boxes filled. The new-generation GBF+ builds on this experience. It is just as delicate in its handling of the fruit, and it works faster. For example, in a typical New Zealand kiwifruit application, it roughly doubles the throughput that can be achieved – with no compromise on the quality of the product. We have tested it extensively in-house and validated it in a 10-filler installation at a New Zealand packhouse.”

The high throughput means that a packer needs fewer outlets to achieve their volume of packout, so the sizer does not need as much length, resulting in a smaller footprint. This gives the packhouse greater flexibility to diversify the product line to meet changing consumer demand.

Another advantage, according to Compac, is that fewer fillers will be required, resulting in operating and financial benefits for the packer: on the one hand, the initial investment in equipment will be smaller; on the other, fewer people will manage, operate and maintain them.

The GBF+ also integrates seamlessly with the customer’s upstream and downstream materials handling equipment, as well as Compac’s systems to ensure full pack and batch traceability.

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