Ulma Packaging has launched what it claims is a revolutionary operator-less solution for wrapping apples without the need for trays.
The system, which has been in development for almost a year, uses three different configurations based on apples arriving in cardboard boxes, pallet boxes or straight from the grading process.
All apples arriving for flow wrapping are removed from their transit packaging using water and once removed, the fruit is conveyed onto a two-lane conveyor for subsequent drying, prior to packaging.
An Ulma spokesperson said: “Ulma’s new process is ideal for products such as delicate fruits which can be easily bruised or damaged when handled and packaged by conventional packaging machinery; the biggest benefit to the system is reduced labour and packaging costs.
“Suitable for large, medium and smaller fruit growers, the system can be used for the trayless packing of a cross-range of fresh produce, which will allow some producers to have the option of often using just one system for all their produce production.”