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June 24, 2008

How do they put the ketchup in the packets? ()

by fluffy at 11:10 AM
The Internet is lacking in explanations.

My assumption is that they do something like take two sheets of the foil, crimp it to form tubes, fill the tubes with the condiment, then crimp crossways to seal it into little packets, and then cut the packets apart, but that doesn't seem like it'd work too well for some condiments (such as Tabasco sauce).

Comments

#11014 06/24/2008 12:01 pm
What if they did it like that, but with individual fills? So they make a big tube, and crimp the bottom, then squirt a packetload of condiment, then crimp that one, then continue up the tube? Then they could cut them later, which would also explain why sometimes you get one where the cutting is incomplete and it's stuck to a second packet, or where the cutting is slightly off from the markings on the packet.
#11015 06/24/2008 12:05 pm
That seems inefficient.
#11016 06/24/2008 12:13 pm
It's more efficient than my original theory, which was Oompa Loompas with syringes...
#11017 lago (unregistered) 06/24/2008 07:15 pm basically right
It depends on the kind of pouch, but basically most pouch packaging machines work about the same way: draw in film/foil, form pouch (crimp, glue, fold, it depends), insert liquid or powder, seal, cut, collect, transport to next packaging step. Once you have the feed system set up, the hardest part of the process is maintaining registration on the packaging at high speeds. Ketchup is easy because you don't have to register the design (repeating pattern). Not sure why tabasco would be difficult.
#11018 06/24/2008 07:19 pm
Tabasco isn't as viscous and so it seems like it'd have a bit more of a spillage issue.
#11019 lago (unregistered) 06/24/2008 07:59 pm technology wins again
Ah. Nope, not an issue. Different kinds of feed mechanisms (pump, diaphragm, etc) and different adjustments (fast squirt, slow push, premeasured dose, etc) for different materials. Changing from one kind of product to another is a pain (e.g. if you're a small shop with one or few machines), but you can usually dial in a machine and it will work swell no matter if the product is water or vaseline.
#11020 06/26/2008 12:48 pm
Condiment packets of water or Vaseline sounds like an interesting prank.
#11021 06/26/2008 01:31 pm
ONe time I opened a packet of mayonnaise which must have been sitting in the sun for way too long because what came out was very much like vaseline. It was gross.