Pack Expo 2006 Post Show.

With more than 45,000 buyer attendees, The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute held its Pack Expo International show Oct. 29-Nov. 2 in Chicago. The keynote session on Wal-Mart's packaging sustainability plan was delivered by Matt Kistsler, vice president of package and product innovation for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Amy Zettlemoyer, director of packaging for Sam's Club. A sold-out audience found out about the retail giant's five-year plan to improve packaging and conserve the natural resources of the planet--without "disrupting the financial position of its suppliers," Kistsler said. The Bentonville, Ark.-based company shared its newly developed "Packaging Scorecard," which it will begin using in its private label products early next year.

In addition to other events and the show floor, Pack Expo held a Showcase of Packaging Innovations with the Pack Expo Selects lineup of innovations. As far as beverages go, Sonoco Products Co.'s Lipton's Tea to Go and Cool Java packages took third and fifth place, respectively. PMMI also announced several scholarships to support packaging education.

Case/tray packer

Douglas Machine Inc. released the new Invex low-speed case/tray packer for low volume packagers. The model incorporates flexible motion controls and packs 12 cases or trays per minute in a small footprint. It also has smooth operation, quick repeatable changeovers and fast start-ups. The Invex includes control components on the perimeter for easy maintenance, in addition to software that notifies operators of problems. The company also showcased its Apex sleever that allows multiple product sizes to be run at speeds up to 300 sleeves per minute.--Douglas Machine Inc., 3404 Iowa Street, Alexandria, Minn. 56308; 320/763-6587; douglas-machine.com.

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Case palletizer

FKI Logistex launched the new GS100 group of low-priced, entry-level case palletizers at Pack Expo. The fully automated palletizer provides an option for operators looking to convert to automated palletizing. The series has heavy-duty construction and flexibility at speeds up to 30 cases per minute. Three models are available: GS120 for manual pallet handling, GS130 for semi-automated pallet handling and GS140 for fully automated pallet handling.--FKI Logistex, 9301 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Mo. 63132; 877/935-4564; palletizers.fkilogistex.com.

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New model filler

Fogg Filler introduced its new F6.2 model rotary filling system at Pack Expo. The model was designed to increase uptime with greater cleanliness. Optional stainless steel welded joints are available for greater protection against corrosion. The safety guarding is OSHA compliant and flush mounted for a narrow profile with smaller footprint. Also improved are the starwheels, which now have a new design for quick, removeable clutch while the gears and sprockets are engaged. The infeed screw also was altered for greater reliability.--Fogg Co., 3455 John F. Donnelly Drive, Holland, Mich. 49424; …