IMA Food North America stands as a leader in food and drink packaging equipment, offering innovative solutions through well-established brands including Gasti, Hamba, Hassia, Fillshape, Corazza, Erca, AlphaMAC, and Intecma. Among its offerings is the Hamba Flexline, a high-performance, fully servo-controlled fill-seal machine renowned for its industry-leading sterilization technology. Engineered for high-speed operations and constructed with durable, hygienic stainless steel, the Hamba Flexline excels in delivering clean, consistent filling and peroxide sterilization capabilities, thereby significantly extending product shelf life.
What sets the Hamba Flexline apart is its unparalleled aseptic production capabilities. The process begins with an ionization station that effectively eliminates potential static loads. Next, the interiors of all cups undergo treatment with hydrogen peroxide, followed by drying with sterile air. This method ensures that the cups are elevated for effective decontamination of slats and surfaces beneath the cup rim. For applications where hydrogen peroxide is not necessary, optional features include UV and pulsed light technology, further enhancing flexibility.
Moving downstream, the machine can integrate lid sterilization features, including an optional light decontamination system with a 90-degree pick-and-place mechanism. During downtime, filling nozzles can be maintained through clean-in-place (CIP) or sterilize-in-place (SIP) options, ensuring optimal hygiene standards.
Targeted at food companies prioritizing freshness optimization and presentation, the Hamba Flexline caters to a diverse array of product applications, including yogurts, spreadable cheeses, puddings, baby foods, and various other food items packaged in cups. Reflecting the growing demand for food and drink sustainable packaging, the machine is designed to accommodate a variety of cup and lid materials, such as PET, PP, and paper.
In terms of versatility, the Hamba Flexline is built to perform efficiently. The machine can handle 4 to 12 cups per cycle in either single or double-lane configurations. This functionality allows it to fill and seal up to 57,600 cups per hour while effectively managing cups with diameters reaching 180mm and heights up to 150mm. Features such as automatic format changes, simple push-button recipe controls, and the ability to switch lids without stopping the line significantly boost production efficiency.
“The Hamba Flexline is the flagship solution that solidifies IMA Food as a true leader in enhanced, sterilizable fill-seal cup technology,” said Patrick Carroll, President of IMA Food North America. “In a food category where brand differentiation can be difficult to achieve on busy supermarket shelves, the shelf-life extension and sophisticated clean-fill presentation made possible by the Hamba Flexline helps our customers build trust and brand loyalty.”
For further details, please visit www.ima.it/foodanddairy.
