FPI Names Paper Plate/Tray Former Best Machine of the Century
Three-quarters of a century have passed, but a paper-plate and tray-forming machine introduced in 1926 by Peerless Machine & Tool Corp. (Marion, IN) that is still operating today was named the Foodservice Package/Machine of the Century. The award was presented in April by the Foodservice & Packaging Institute (Arlington, VA).
Known today as the Peerless P-Line Plate & Tray Forming Machine, the system has become a worldwide industry standard for converters producing plates and tray. The machine's productivity is credited with helping plates be affordable for nearly all American consumers and for many developing countries where sanitation concerns are prevalent.
Barry Conrad, vice president of Peerless Machine & Tool, says the company believes it can confirm that the Peerless P-Line was the first paperboard plate forming line to be roll-fed. "Roll feeding greatly enhanced the economics of plate production and, therefore, the availability of paperboard plates worldwide," he said.
Today, the P-Line is a flexible machine capable of producing a wide variety of products. Features of the plate and tray former include: improved temperature control for various coating developments, prescoring of the paperboard prior to forming for deeper and smoother products, and additional forming pressure for heavier paperboards and more rigid products.
In addition to the Foodservice Package/Machine of the Century award, FPI doled out 12 other awards in six "Best of the Best" categories. These awards honored packages and machines that demonstrated superior performance, environmental and source reduction features, convenience, ease-of-use for the consumer and foodservice operator, and technical innovation.
Both Pactiv Corp. (Lake Forest, IL) (see related article) and Packaging Dynamics-Bagcraft Division (Chicago) each won four awards. The category winners were:
Best Plastic Foodservice Package
1st Place: Reynolds Metals Co. (Tel: 804-281-3369), for its Reynowave Plates, Bowls and Lids.
2nd Place: Pactiv Corp. (Tel: 847-482-2000), for its Fried Chicken Barn with Handles.
Best Foam Plastic Foodservice Package
1st Place: Pactiv Corp., for its SmartLock Carry-Out Container.
2nd Place: Pactiv Corp., for its Tray Mate Covers for Meat Trays.
Best Paper/Paperboard Foodservice Package
1st Place: Packaging Dynamics-Bagcraft Div. (Tel: 773-843-8004), for its Window Pocket Bag.
2nd Place: Sweetheart Cup Co. Inc. (Tel: 800-800-0300), for its Scoop and Munchie Cup Family.
Best Aluminum Foodservice Package
1st Place: Packaging Dynamics-Bagcraft Div., for its Foil Pocket Wrap.
2nd Place: Pactiv Corp., for its Black and Gold Classic Carry-Out Container.
Best Foodservice Promotional Package
1st Place: Packaging Dynamics-Bagcraft Div., for its Window Pocket Bag.
2nd Place: Packaging Dynamics-Bagcraft Div., for its Waxed Mat-Sak Carryout Bag.
Best Foodservice Packaging Machine
1st Place: Winpak Lane Inc. (Tel: 909-885-0715), for its L18 V/F/F/S Machine for Foodservice Condiments.
2nd Place: Peerless Machine & Tool Corp. (Tel: 765-662-2586), for its P-Line Paperboard & Tray Forming Machine.
For more information: Foodservice & Packaging Institute Inc., 1550 Wilson Blvd., Suite 701, Arlington, VA 22209, Tel: 703-527-7505, Email: fpi@fpi.org, Website: www.fpi.org.
Edited by Bill Noone