Urania

VALIDATE - To support or corroborate on a sound or authoritative basis (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

What is the commonly accepted definition of a validatable heat sealer? To date, it has been understood by most manufacturers that checking and verifying the speed and temperature of the sealer on a fixed schedule, usually six (6) months, was sufficient for production. We, at Urania, find that reasoning totally unacceptable for manufacturing a quality product. Our refined definition of validatability consists of:

1. Continuous verification of temperature while operational.
2. Continuous verification of speed while operational.
3. Continuous verification of sealer bar force (pressure) while operational.

Direct action is taken to disallow the product from being processed through the sealer if any of the three (3) major sealing parameters are not within the prescribed range. The three (3) continuously monitored parameters are speed, temperature, and force (pressure). Reversal of the sealing belts will occur if parameters are not within the preprogrammed range. Belt reversal occurs during "warm up" and, subsequently, if any parameter changes or goes "out of range" for any reason during production. Belt reversal during production disallows possible improperly sealed pouches from proceeding through the sealer as if they were acceptable.

For someone specifying a sealer, consideration must be given to what occurs if an operator places a pouch into the sealer during its warm-up cycle. Also, what happens if speed, temperature, or force changes unacceptably during production? In the case of all manufacturers, except Urania, there is a high degree of probability that faulty seals will proceed as if they were acceptable.

The heater bar force monitoring system on Urania's "P" Model sealers is particularly effective and unique. All other manufacturers lack proper control and feedback on the actual force exerted on the heater bars. Urania's precision load cell monitoring of the force exerted on the fully articulated heating bars is the key to our force monitoring system. That system is capable of being programmed to alarm and reject faulty pouches in the seal area. The system is capable of sensing and rejecting pouches with creases in the seal and also foreign objects such as inserts or parts of the product that may inadvertently be in the seal area. The system will also alarm and stop production if a mechanical fault occurs such as a broken or loose component in the sensing system.

The challenge is simple. Take a business card and place it in the seal area. If the pouch proceeds through the sealer and is considered good - you are not using a Urania "P" version sealer.

Purposely make a crease or fold in the pouch seal area. If the pouch proceeds through the sealer and is considered good - you are not using a Urania "P" version sealer.

Completely remove a heating bar if you like. If the pouch proceeds through the sealer and is considered good - you are not using a Urania "P" version sealer.