Introduction
Packaging machinery is used to package products and materials securely and efficiently. It has been used in various industries since the early 19th century, when the first of such machines came into use, and has seen many advances since then. Packaging machinery has been responsible for greatly increasing the speed and accuracy of packaging tasks, and has made packaging operations much more efficient. This article shall outline the history of packaging machinery and its various types.
History
The history of packaging machinery is as old as mankind. As early as 1725, French inventor Denis Papin designed and built the ‘perpetual screw machine’ and ‘insul_presfroger’, the first mechanical devices to package products for transportation. Other inventions, such as the seal of wax and parchment by Cardinal Richelieu in 1643, led to the invention of the sealing machine, used to package foods and other goods in a sealed container or pouch.
In the late 1800s, vacuum packing and tinning machines were invented, as were heat-sealing and spout-packing machines. In the early twentieth century, the first automatic machines were developed. These machines allowed for fully automated packaging, with little to no human intervention.
Modern-day packaging machines are highly advanced, capable of packing items into all kinds of shapes and sizes, with different materials. Many machines now use RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology to track items destined for packaging.
Types of Packaging Machinery
Today, there are various types of packaging machinery used in different industries. Each type performs a specific packaging task, from food packaging to industrial packaging. Some of the most common types of packaging machinery are:
•Pouch Machines: These machines are designed to package items into pre-made bags or pouches. This can include food items, liquids, powders, or even small items like coins.
•Sealers: Sealers use pressure, heat, or other components to seal the packages, providing an airtight seal to help protect the contents from spoilage and contamination.
•Wrapping Machines: These machines are used to wrap packages in plastic or paper, providing additional protection against weather, dust, and contamination.
•Conveyor Belt Machines: These machines are used to move items along a conveyor belt to the packaging machines where they are packaged and sealed.
Conclusion
Packaging machinery has a long history, dating back to the early 19th century when the first mechanical devices used to package products came into use. Since then, advancements in technology have enabled engineers to develop a multitude of packaging machinery in various types and sizes. Today, packaging machinery is used in many different industries, from food packaging to industrial packaging, ensuring goods and products are securely and efficiently packaged for safe transport.
