35,8 millions of tons. According the data emerged during the 8th World Tomato Congress held in Toronto, Canada, this is the annual forecast about the worldwide consumption of tomato derivates for 2008. 

The consumption, by now extended to the planet, has outlined in the last 10 years a yearly increase of 2,9%. North America and UE countries doubtless represent the peak of the consumption the world over;  main consumer is North America, with 30 Kg. per capita per year. As to ketchup production, California is at the top of the list of the tomato converters 

An interesting remark comes from Africa, which results to be the third world region as far as consumption is concerned. In the specific, sausages and ketchup have undergone a rapid growth (from 420.000 to 900.000 tons). In terms of market shares, the sector represents the 12% approx. of the global movements.

‘Top-down’ Filling

Many tons of ketchup and sausages reach our tables into containers featuring more and more sophisticated shape, fruit of the new frontiers dictated by reasons of marketing to capture the attention of the consumer and to the benefit of a better practicality of use. 

Packaging manufacturers, indeed for answering the smartest market requirements, have studied and realized bottle unscramblers and orienter standing out for their extreme versatility.

For bottles designed to stand on its cap (top-down) Ronchi has realized a machine allowing the 180° rotation of the capped bottle before being conveyed again to the packaging line.

For unstable bottle, Ronchi has realized a special unscrambler version, whereas the bottle falls into a transport puck, thus rendering quite easy the bottle conveyance through the line.  

Thanks to a quick and simple “no tool” format change-over device, it is possible to handle every format. 

Also, these machines are equipped with a puck feeding device releasing them just in presence of the bottle coming out the unscrambling hopper  (“no bottle-no puck” system).

The adoption of brushless motors allows the elimination of eventual conveyors for the recirculation of the empty pucks.

It is also possible to orient the bottle before being inserted into the puck tank to vision system through video-camera, bar code or photo-eyes. (more…)