Optima Consumer OPTIMA EGS machine for infant formula containers

Optima Consumer has developed a new machine concept for evacuating, gassing and seaming containers of infant formula. The OPTIMA EGS fully automated machine concept is designed to make processes safer and more efficient for sensitive products like infant formula.

The footprint of the machine has been reduced by over 40% compared to conventional post-gassing systems so all of the functions — evacuation, gassing and seaming — are contained within a small area.

The machine also operates in harmony with the high speeds of the OPTIMA FS filling machine.

Traceability of all the containers can be achieved using the machine. It is possible to assign production data to each container in a clear and traceable way via the processing procedures.

The evacuation method reduces the residual oxygen content, which has been specially developed for infant formula. The product is ‘brought to the boil’ in the process via different pressure stages without the need for valves and the oxygen contained in the product is released. Depending on the product, a residual oxygen content of 0.5% is achieved with an output of up to 250 cans/min.

To prevent contamination of product, the system has a patented function lid so cans are not transported open once the product has been added. They are closed with a function lid during evacuation and gassing. This eliminates the need for the laborious additional function of clinching, so reducing the risk of imploding cans.