At FachPack from 28 to 30 September in Nuremberg, Herrmann Ultraschall will be presenting the Zipper Seal Module ZSM, a modular system for continuously sealing zippers in plastic pouches, even those made from readily recyclable monomaterial. Innovative process control for longitudinal sealing processes will also be on show.

Resealable packaging, in particular made from sustainable packaging materials, is becoming increasingly popular. Herrmann Ultraschall has now developed a module that makes the advantages of ultrasonic sealing usable for monomaterials and paper-based materials for stand-up and tubular pouches with an integrated zipper. The Zipper Seal Module ZSM takes up little space, is hygienic and delivers consistent sealing results, even at varying processing speeds.

This is made possible by an optimized combination of an ultrasonic generator and the ZSM. The ULTRAPACK generator used is specifically designed for high-speed packaging applications and enables reproducible control of the weld process. This means that the system can be adjusted to new material properties in a matter of seconds.

Finally, the Zipper Seal Module ZSM enables a continuous sealing process with two sonotrodes arranged opposite each other. The material to be welded is passed between the two sonotrodes, which heat and fuse the material. Stopping and restarting is not necessary, but possible if required. The system can be run at variable speeds, so increasing manufacturing flexibility. Because the heat is generated only directly in the seam, the process is particularly gentle on the packaging material and allows continuous sealing of zippers in sustainable packaging made of monomaterial and paper composites.

No material adheres to the sonotrodes during the weld process, so, in contrast to other welding processes, there is usually no need for cleaning. Nevertheless, for highest hygienic standards the system allows easy access for cleaning. The ZSM is compact and can also be integrated into existing systems.

Another innovation that Herrmann Ultraschall is premiering at FachPack is the new ThermoControl process control system. ThermoControl very precisely monitors the temperature of the material during welding and adjusts the weld process to stay within the specified process window. Particularly the processing of sensitive monomaterials in longitudinal seam processes becomes even more controllable and thus easier with ThermoControl. As a result, recyclable monomaterials can be put to even more versatile use in continuous packaging applications.