Increase Ice Cream Packaging Efficiency with Automated Solutions

Here’s the scoop: Nothing quite beats the importance of smooth container handling when it comes to increasing efficiency.

It’s the secret ingredient that keeps the entire production line on track. By automating your container handling, the possibilities are endless, but here are just a few of the benefits:

Reduced Downtime
Increased Throughput
Reduced Manual labor
Reduced Jams
Improved Safety 
and more!

With over 50+ years of experience we have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges specific to the ice cream industry, and below are a few products that can help you increase efficiency on your ice cream production line.

1. Timing Screw Drive Units

Our engineers designed a new timing screw and metering system to upgrade a previous system they had designed for this company 2 years prior. The timing screw not only is designed specifically to fit the customers exact container, but it also includes an extended taper infeed which will allow for containers to be fed into the machine at a random speed. Pint containers can also be fed into the machine both right side up and upside down. The entire system transfers the pint container into the timing screw at a random pace, transitions the container across the deadplate, and ensures containers are discharged with equal spacing between containers. Ice cream, due to its nature and soft container, can be difficult to handle, but with Morrison screws, we positively and gently control the container, maintaining its integrity.

Manipulate your containers prior to an application downstream such as:

Fillers
Labelers
Sleevers
Case Packers
and more!

Timing screw drive units help meter, turn, group, index, and feed containers ahead of other equipment on your production line. The best part? No need for a complete overhaul—these units easily retrofit into your current setup, so you can boost performance without breaking the bank.

2. Inverting Solutions & Twist Blocks

Twist blocks are a great solution to alleviate the inverting process. Not only are these solutions a cost-effective addition to your line, but they also have a smaller footprint, allowing you to dedicate that extra real estate to larger machines and applications where it is needed most. Need to run more than one can size on your line? You can easily changeover as twist blocks have simple mounting procedures allowing changeovers to be made in seconds. 

Stainless Steel Power Twists are most commonly used for food contact applications in which the containers must be held rigidly in position. This option is preferred when you need access to the container during inversion, such as code dating the container.

UHMW Power Twists are best for applications where the product is sealed. This solution can be changed over quickly and is great for repeatability, helping cut down on wait times for your products. They are also utilized in air rinsing in some cases.

3. Combining + Dividing Solutions 

This timing screw drive unit accepts two lanes of conveyor-fed containers and uses one timing screw to release them. After being released from the timing screw discharge rails will combine the containers into one lane.

Are you manually combining and dividing ice cream on your production line? If so, you are not running as efficiently as you could be. Additionally, workers operating these processes often have their hands close to the machines, posing a potential risk of injury.

Combining and dividing systems are great solutions when you want to increase production of one area of your line. For example, maybe you are creating variety packs of two different flavors. As both lanes of product leave the filling and capping application, they must be transferred into one lane to enter the sleeving process. Adding a combiner can make this possible.

 Looking for more solutions to improve throughput on your ice cream line? Click here!