Unifiller fights inflation and food waste
With the current inflationary pressures, more families are opting to prepare meals at home, including sandwiches, said Sonia Bal, director of global marketing for Delta, BC-based Unifiller.
Adding to that demand, as part of the American Rescue Plan, more children will be eligible for free school lunches - the ultimate goal of the plan being to achieve universal free school lunches for 9 million more school-aged children in America's public schools by the year 2032, also driving sandwich growth.
Unifiller believes it’s well-positioned to combat rising ingredient costs and reduce food waste by utilizing tactics and automation that achieve accurate portioning of both sandwich condiments and fillings, Bal said.
Servo-based Pro Series depositors from Unifiller — perfect for commissaries supplying sandwiches to supermarkets — aren’t affected by fluctuating air pressure from the compressed air system, thus providing the most consistent and repeatable depositing solutions.
In addition to recipe storage and higher output, servo-driven machines integrate various processes and systems, she added. The advantage of software-based system integration is that site operators can access and manage the whole line at the touch of a button and standardize processes.
New from Unifiller is an automated flocking and spraying system, the UniSprayer, spotlighted at both the IDDBA and IBIE shows this year. Designed to function as a standalone machine, the Uni-Sprayer features a 5-gallon pressurized tank, mobile frame with enclosed pneumatics and a food-grade flexible braided hose for easy spraying and flocking.
It can handle a variety of applications including flocking condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayo onto bread, wraps and more. The system’s optional flocker nozzle allows it to handle particulates up to 1 mm in size, and it fits both manual and semi-automated production settings.
While it was not designed to be integrated into large production lines, the UniSprayer can be easily customized to integrate with small, semi-automated production lines.
Other features include:
- Interchangeable tips for different products and patterns
- Air filtration system
- Use with or without atomizing air