MIAMI - Scholle Corp., a Northlake, Ill., manufacturer of food processing machinery, hopes to interest large Latin American fast-food marketers in skipping one whole generation in packaging. At the FoodPack of the Americas show, held Jan. 18-20 in Miami, the company introduced a system that dispenses condiments such as mustard and ketchup in measured portions from taps, in much the same way a soda fountain works.
``The large food end users like McDonald's are well-established in Latin America,'' said Frank Barel, Scholle director of international sales and marketing. ``But they all use ... the small single-serving foil and plastic packets for their condiments. This system offers a clean, convenient and economical alternative.''
The condiment dispensing system utilizes a polyethylene-blend bag that fits inside a molded bin under a counter. The bag at-taches to dispensing tubing and lever-pull handles above the counter - similar to the arrangement with beer or soft drink taps.
As the bag containing the condiment is emptied, it can be changed easily. Since all of the sauces are dispensed through the taps, there are no utensils, extra plates or outside spillage.
Barel said the firm was one of the first to develop the bag-in-box systems used in other forms of packaging, such as wine and agricultural products, and for the closure systems and pour spouts that accompany them. He said the product is used in the United States now, but the company sees widespread applications in less well-developed Latin American markets.
Scholle makes packaging equipment and bags for bag-in-box applications in Chicago and Northlake, and in Rancho Domingo and Merced, Calif.
