Cheese packaging machines

Cheese packaging: wrap-around case packers

JYGA wrap-around case packers are designed to pack cheese into cases formed from flat cardboard blanks. A high-capacity magazine feeds the blanks, which are formed between machine lugs. The cheeses are then placed into the cases before the cases are closed and discharged.

JYGA cheese wrap-around case packers can handle a wide variety of cheese formats and packaging: round, square and triangular cheeses, in boxes, trays or food-grade film. Robot and Cartesian handling end-of-arm tools are designed entirely by the JYGA mechanical engineering team. Each gripping solution is adapted to the product so cheeses can be picked and placed without affecting quality while meeting the required throughput. Vacuum cups, grippers and other tools can handle individual cheeses or complete layers.

JYGA case packing machines accommodate a wide range of case formats, including ventilated cases frequently used for soft cheeses to allow cold air to circulate and limit heat build-up. Solutions include open-case wrap-around case packers, closed-case wrap-around case packers and Wrap-Around Case Packer for trays with ledges.

JYGA cheese wrap-around case packers are ergonomic and accessible. An intuitive HMI simplifies operation and centralises production functions.

JYGA also offers top-load case packers for loading cheese from above into pre-formed cases.

CHEESE PACKAGING MACHINES – customer application: redefining efficiency with wrap-around case packing

An international cheese group specialising in cheese and dairy products asked JYGA to automate the case packing of 190 g and 250 g triangular cheese trays as well as round film-wrapped cheeses.

The project covered every stage from receiving flat case blanks through to operator safety. JYGA recommended a Wrap-Around Case Packer for trays with ledge, delivering a flexible and effective automated solution.

Product batch handling and preparation

Product batch preparation is central to the process. Triangular trays arrive on a conveyor, are turned and positioned vertically at the case packer infeed. A precise 6-axis robot transfers them in rows of 4, 5 or 6 units depending on the case packing format.

Round cheeses are conveyed to the case packer where a barcode reader reads each cheese weight. The cheeses are then grouped in batches of 4, and the 6-axis robot uses its end-of-arm tool to slide them carefully into the case.

Case packing

While products arrive, the machine forms the shelf-ready cases. Flat blanks are loaded into the case magazine, then a handling unit picks and forms each blank between the chain lugs. The 6-axis robot places the products into the case before the flaps are folded and glued to provide a secure closure.

Inspection, closing and case discharge

The adhesive application is carefully checked as each case transfers to the discharge station.

Completed cases are transferred onto an outfeed conveyor that also incorporates a labeller. They are then ready for manual handling and palletising.

Overall, the JYGA Wrap-Around Case Packer for trays with ledge provided a practical response to the international cheese producer’s requirements and optimised its production end-of-line.

Cheese packaging: tray loading and unloading for storage, sterilisation and maturation

For cheese storage, sterilisation and maturation, JYGA has developed an automatic tray loading and unloading solution. The robotic cell handles both trays and cheeses and can be integrated into packaging lines for loading products onto trays and feeding them back into production.

The modular system can be adapted to the available layout and increases end-of-line storage capacity. Manual handling of cheese trays is a common source of MSDs; automating this operation removes that repetitive handling task.

Cheese packaging: cheese cartoning

JYGA cartoners load products such as cheese logs, film-wrapped cheeses and cheese pots into cartons. Depending on the application, products can be loaded from the side using a side-load cartoner or from above using a top-load cartoner.

The machines are ergonomic and designed for high throughput, with easy access for users and maintenance. JYGA cheese cartoners are reliable, robust and manufactured in stainless steel.

Cheese packaging: palletising cheese cases

JYGA equips packaging lines through to dispatch of cheese cases. Several palletising solutions are available:

• Automatic single-line palletiser: a palletising cell designed to load cheese cases from one production line onto pallets. A collaborative version is also available.
• Automatic multi-line palletiser: designed to palletise products from two to four cheese production lines using a single articulated robot.
• Modular palletiser: a flexible, ready-to-use palletiser that can be moved easily from one line to another.
• Depalletiser: designed to unload a pallet of cheese cases.

JYGA robotic palletisers for cheese cases are robust and designed to sustain the throughput required by cheese producers.

Some soft cheeses generate heat as microorganisms continue to respire. JYGA takes these constraints into account and develops pallet patterns that support ventilation and cold-air circulation between cases.

Cheese-case palletisers are controlled using JY’TOOL pallet pattern software, integrated directly into the clear and user-friendly HMI of each palletiser.