MARKEM Announces New Feature to Eliminate Missed Codes.

SmartDate[R] 5 Thermal Transfer Coders Include Enhancement to Detect Slowing, Stoppage of Film

KEENE, N.H. -- Government regulations requiring manufacturers to place date and lot codes on consumer packaged goods for recall capability have focused much attention on the problem of missed codes. MARKEM Corporation has announced that it has enhanced its SmartDate[R] 5 line of thermal transfer coders with a patented feature designed to eliminate missed codes. This unique feature can easily be fitted to previously installed SmartDate 5 systems.

Missed or incomplete codes are possible during the continuous motion thermal transfer printing process if the packaging film stops half way through the print. These packing film stops can be caused by an operator inadvertently making an adjustment to the packaging machine and even poor machine setup. Fines, product returns and rework for manufacturers are all realities of this problem.

SmartDate 5 thermal transfer coders can automatically detect the packaging film slowing and still complete the print even if the film stops half way through the code. Therefore, there is no risk of non-coded products. Site trials of this new feature during a three month period demonstrated that the SmartDate 5 eliminated non-coded bags over a sample of more than fifteen million prints.

The SmartDate 5 series of thermal transfer coders offer maximum uptime, excellent flexibility and high reliability. SmartDate thermal transfer coders are ideal for flexible packaging materials and applications within the snack food, confectionary, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, baked foods and frozen foods industries. They are widely used with VFFS machines, HFFS machines, flow wrappers, label applicators and cartoning machines.

MARKEM Corporation is a trusted world leader in product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative thermal transfer, laser, ink jet and RFID-based systems. With more than 95 years experience on the factory floor, MARKEM delivers fully integrated solutions that enable product quality and safety, regulatory and retailer compliance, better product recalls and improved manufacturing processes. Headquartered in Keene, New Hampshire, the company has additional development and manufacturing facilities in San Diego, California, Nottingham, England, Schoten, Belgium and Jaishan, China, with subsidiary companies, distributors, and representatives in over 50 countries.