Packaging solutions for delicate baked goods

Baked goods need to be packaged gently, efficiently and, increasingly, sustainably. Packaging specialist Schubert combines these requirements in its solutions for the baking industry. The company combines its decades of expertise with a spirit of innovation and supports companies on the challenging path from manual to highly automated packaging processes.

Working economically in the bakery industry is more challenging than ever before. Factors such as high energy costs, increased raw material prices and labour shortages are affecting businesses just as much as other sectors of the economy. However, the baked goods industry is also undergoing structural change, with small family businesses increasingly being displaced by larger production facilities with a local or regional network of sales outlets.

In order to keep costs under control, many companies have started to switch from manual to automated processing. As a result, the baking processes are often already automated, but not the packaging processes. What's more, consumers are always looking for new products, such as organic versions of bread, rolls, cakes, etc.. Naturally, these should also be packaged as environmentally friendly as possible.

However, it is not only consumers but also public authorities that are increasingly imposing requirements for sustainable production processes. In this complex environment, companies need support. They can find this at Gerhard Schubert GmbH, which is a reliable partner on the path to greater cost-effectiveness, efficiency and automation and takes packaging processes to the next level.

Innovative packaging solutions for sophisticated baked goods

In addition to a volatile market environment, the challenges for bakeries also lie in the production and packaging processes themselves. For example, many baked goods are particularly delicate to handle and can be easily crushed. Others need to be packaged in a protective atmosphere. However, baked goods are usually packaged straight from the oven, which is why the subsequent packaging process must run as smoothly as possible, as the baking process cannot simply be interrupted.

This is where Schubert takes over with its self-developed robots and innovative top-loading machines. In addition, customised consulting services guarantee companies that machines and processes are precisely tailored to their products. Schubert's modular machine concept is ideal for bakeries that want to pack different products, as all machines can be quickly and easily converted and expanded. Muffins in cartons today, doughnuts in tubular bags tomorrow - with Schubert's flexible machines, both standard ranges with high production quantities and changing formats with small batches are possible without any problems.

Modular machines for great flexibility

From the „naked“ bread that comes freshly baked out of the oven to the attractive shelf packaging for the point of sale, it is a demanding packaging route. This is why Gerhard Schubert GmbH ensures that all processes from primary to secondary to tertiary packaging are combined in one linear system. Various packaging steps can be flexibly integrated into the overall process. The Flowmodul flow-wrapping unit can be embedded in the TLM line at various points - for example, to pack freshly baked biscuits directly into flow-wrapped bags, or later in the packaging process to wrap baked goods packed in trays with flow-wrapped bags. Packaging in transport cartons and the subsequent palletising of these can also be integrated into a TLM line.

Highly precise and extremely productive: the pick-and-place robots

The pick-and-place robots play an important role at Schubert because without them it would be almost impossible to switch to efficient, automated and economical packaging processes for baked goods. They carefully pick up the baked goods and place them in trays, cartons or thermoformed packaging with millimetre precision. They can do this thanks to the system developed by Schubert, which minimises waste and increases the efficiency of the entire packaging process. In addition to precise position detection, the pick-and-place vision system ensures that only baked goods that meet the quality specifications are picked up and processed further.

Simply print it yourself: the right tool for new products

Pick-and-place robots also come into their own when processing baked goods with different consistencies, shapes or sizes. Whether it's the packaging of soft cream slices or specially shaped Baumkuchen - with the holistic PARTBOX 3D printing system from Schubert Additive Solutions, bakeries can quickly and easily produce the tools they need themselves using certified print jobs.

Assortment designs such as mixed biscuit packs are also no problem for the pick-and-place machines: the different variations are fed to the packing line via several side conveyor belts, from which the pick-and-place robots pick them up and pack them in assortment packs.

Hygienic, fresh and transparent: tubular bag packaging

Another all-round talent that ensures a high degree of automation is the Flowpacker from Schubert. Regardless of whether bakeries want to protect their bread with a tight-fitting cling film, combine several pretzels in one pack for the freezer compartment or wrap their biscuits in another film in a cardboard tray - the Flowpacker is the ideal packaging machine when different tubular bag packs are required for baked goods.

Quick and easy: switching between different films

The packaging machine combines pick-and-place robots, the flow-wrapping unit and quality control in a single system, making it extremely flexible. Bakeries can easily switch back and forth between baked goods in different shapes and sizes as well as between different packaging formats and materials. It packs baked goods from the oven individually, in batches or stacked in flowpacks, or places the baked goods in different formations in trays or U-boards before packing them in flowpacks. Thanks to the option of integrating various sealing technologies into the flowpacker and easily switching between them or retrofitting them, baked goods manufacturers also have the option of using particularly thick high-barrier films. The use of environmentally friendly paper-based films or recyclable mono films is also easily possible with the flexible flow-wrapping machine.

Supporting the environment with sustainable bakery packaging

Whether customer requirements or legal regulations - the issue of sustainability is playing a role for more and more bakeries. As a packaging specialist, Gerhard Schubert GmbH is aware of its responsibility and has always placed great importance on environmental awareness. In order to provide customers with the best possible advice on this complex challenge, the company has therefore pooled its expertise in the „Packaging Perspectives“ programme. As part of this programme, Schubert experts support customers in the selection of materials and the design of packaging for a packaging solution that is both machine-compatible and environmentally friendly. By using Schubert's modular and automated packaging machines, bakeries can not only react flexibly to new requirements but also become more sustainable and thus future-proof.

http://www.schubert.group