Labelling pots on the PAGOsystem 270

Pago Ltd, based in Colchester, is part of the Pago Holdings Group, and first demonstrated the PAGOsystem 270P in 1999, when a meeting was held at Pago's Swiss headquarters in Grabs. The original brief was to supply a machine that could apply self adhesive labels to 3 sizes of conical pot. Also developed was a lid labelling system with feeding and restacking systems designed at Colchester.

The criteria, set for labelling machines from Pago is for efficient and accurate placement at consistent speeds. The machine should be robust, able to work for 24 hours, 7 days a week, be operator friendly and demonstrate cost efficiencies in label application. This global company, with a base in the North West, has the specific responsibility in the UK for the pot market in the food and DIY, surface coatings industries, to develop and increase the pot product ranges, their success has opened an opportunity to export their containers, indicating a growth potential for the plant.

The first PAGOsystem 270P supplied has a pneumatic reciprocating finger feeder which releases one pot for labelling, holding the pot in position on the conveyor until required. The machines are adjustable to suit different sizes via a hand wheel where appropriate, with scaled shafts reducing changeover times to a minimum, and guarded for safe operation. The pot is fed onto a mandrel which holds it in shape whilst labelling. The machines have a PAGOmat 6 series labelling head applying 1, 2 or 3 labels to plastic pots. The labelling head is equipped with a robust stepper motor, resistant to wear and tear.

A special machine was designed and built in Colchester for them to label large, tapered tubs, 125 to 160 mm in diameter, up to a 2.5 kg in capacity with a label web width of 220mm.The twin labelling heads are part of the system that also includes automatic loading and discharge systems, which could if required be incorporated into a full production line. The machine holds a stack capacity of over 400 containers.

Pago launched a new PAGOsystem 270i at Interpack, a compact and powerful machine for inline labelling in the filling process. It was shown with the new powerful Pagomat 6/2, the latest in labelling technology.

"We enjoy good relations with this company and have enjoyed the challenges they have set us" says Craig Peachey, Managing Director of Pago Ltd.

The customer replied "We are looking forward to seeing the new developments, the next generation of Pot labellers from Pago that will go even faster."