Howell, Mich. — Chem-Trend Limited Partnership Co. says it played a role in bringing a new coating system that accurately sprays preforms to reduce scratches to market.
The preform coating system (PCS) was developed by Alessandria, Italy-based Bonino Group, which manufactures orientation and sorting systems, with help from Howell-based Chem-Trend and Steidle GmbH, which is based in Leverkusen, Germany, and specializes in micro spraying lubrication systems
Chem-Trend manufactures release agents, purging compounds and ancillary molding products, including Lusin Lub O32F, which acts as a lubricant in PET bottle manufacturing by allowing free rotation of bottles against each other.
The lubricant also acts as a mold release agent, which reduces the potential for defects and bottles sticking to the mold, and it protects PET preforms from scratches and dust, Graziano Pestarino, Chem-Trend's global account manager for thermoplastics packaging, said in a news release.
"It also increases the number of preforms that can be stored in an Octabin container, which reduces shipping and warehousing cost of preforms," Pestarino added. "Together with our partners, we are now able to present a revolutionary system that will allow converters to coat preforms in a safe way."
The system is installed directly after the injection-molding machine and before the Octabin or other bulk container. About 10-15 percent more PET preforms can be packed inside the Octabin on average.
A preform is a test-tube shaped piece of PET used for bottle production to save the cost of shipping or warehousing empty bottles, or warehousing.
The new coating system is designed to spray only the body of the preforms without applying any food-contact compliant agent on the thread. A specially designed safeguard system installed around the neck area of the PET preforms prevents the coating agent from entering the preforms.
The application method combines a low dosing rate of lubricant with a more efficient coating process to coat preforms on the full body, which Chem-Trend says results in a drastic reduction of scratches during the filling and unloading of the Octabins.
Bonino Group says it was able to engineer a portable unit that can be easily integrated into production lines and adjusted to accommodate a wide range of preform designs and sizes in just a few minutes.
The companies say the system also eliminates bottle jamming in conveying lines and improves labeling and palletizing bottles.
Chem-Trend serves customers through offices in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe and is part of the Freudenberg Group. For more information, go to ChemTrend.com.