Skin packaging like a second skin.

Compressed air supply needed to run the machine (in bar). On VARIOVAC thermoforming packaging machines, compressed air is also used to form the bottom film: the RAPID AIR SYSTEM forms the cavities with compressed air, often without pre-heating.

Simplified skin packaging process. It is implemented on the Optimus EasySkin, which works with chain-guided top film pre-heating and packs products that protrude up to 55 mm. Typical applications are high-quality meat products and fish.

Width of packaging film the machine can process. It limits how wide the pack format can be and varies from machine to machine. At VARIOVAC, it is 420 mm on the Maximus RE, 320 to 460 mm on the Optimus, 320 to 560 mm on the Primus, up to 660 mm on the Primus MP and up to 720 mm on the Primus MedicalLine.

System for packing products that protrude up to 55 mm above the tray rim. It is used on the Optimus EasySkin, which can therefore skin-pack tall products such as meat and fish. By comparison, the Rotarius tray sealer handles up to 25 mm of product protrusion.

The distance by which the film web is advanced through the machine in each cycle. It determines how long a pack format can be in the direction of travel. The Maximus RE offers 200 to 320 mm in 6 steps, the Primus MP up to 1,200 mm.

The Optimus EasySkin is a variant of the Optimus thermoforming packaging machine for skin applications. It handles products with an especially large protrusion of up to 55 mm and works with a chain-guided, preheated top film.

Maximum depth or height of the formed pack. It depends on the machine type: the Optimus SE/SEL reaches up to 110 mm, the Primus up to 135 mm and the Primus MP 195 mm. For taller products in skin packs, the product protrusion above the rim is added on top.

Height by which a product projects above the rim of the bottom film or tray. It is a key figure for skin packs: the Rotarius handles a product protrusion of up to 25 mm, the Optimus EasySkin with its High-Dome system up to 55 mm.

Thermoforming packaging machines pack products fully automatically. The bottom film is unwound from the film mandrel and transported into the forming tool. The forming tool consists of an upper and a lower part, and this is where the bottom film is heated and formed. Forming is done either purely by vacuum (as on the VARIOVAC Maximus RE) or with compressed air (VARIOVAC Rapid Air System). The film with its formed cavities then moves into the loading area. Here the product (e.g. sausage or cheese) is placed in the cavities by hand or by robot. To prevent heavy packs from sagging, pack guide rails are available for the different formats. Next, the top film is laid over the filled cavity and sealed in the sealing tool. The sealing tool also consists of an upper and a lower part. For certain products, the top film has to be formed as well; this takes place in the top film forming station. Sealing the top film onto the bottom film creates a seal seam. From this point on, the products are protected from environmental influences and keep for longer, because the ambient air has been removed from the pack or replaced with protective gases using one of several methods. In the next step, the individual packs are separated (cross-cutting and longitudinal cutting). Various knives can do this: guillotine, punch, circular knife, rotary shear cutter or crush knife. Depending on the technology and packaging material used, the finished packs can be opened very easily or even resealed. Finally, the individual packs leave the machine on a discharge conveyor. From there, the packs can be transferred to a line converger (Variotrack), where they are conveyed individually.

Unit that heats the top film before sealing. On the Optimus EasySkin it is tracked, ensuring that the film wraps the product without tension.