Applications

The versatility of the Pouchlink system means that it can be utilised for a number of different packaging applications, offering cost-saving, space savings and environmental benefits.

Using tried and tested filling technologies, the system increases storage capacity and reduces the amount of labour and space involved in the handling and provision of packaged drinks and water based products.

The existing applications include Vending and Packaging.

Vending

The PouchLink^TM system, patented by Waterwerkz, enables water-based drinks to be freshly produced in-situ within a vending machine, filled in resealable pouches and served chilled, on demand. The machine filters mains water and makes flavoured drinks using widely available bag-in-box syrups. This has created a new category of vending called PostPack^TM.

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PostPack^TM vending machines are capable of holding up to 2000 pouches, with capacities ranging from 200ml to 500ml, eliminating the need for operators to store, transport and stock machines with bulky cans and bottles. The high storage capacity of PostPack^TM machines dramatically reduces the number of required restocking visits, increasing operator margins.

PostPack^TM machines offer a number of environmental benefits. The reduction in the transportation of bulk product, allows product produced through the PostPack^TM system to boast the lowest 'food mile' rating of any vended packaged cold drink. Furthermore, by using just-in-time flash chilling, energy consumption is reduced by up to 80%. The system can vend well known brands or own label drinks to suit the specific needs of brand owners or operators.

WaterWerkz has also developed its own range of juice based drinks under the 'Froobie' brand, designed to meet the new legislation and guidelines governing the UK schools market and the increasing demand for healthy drinks.

Packaging

The PouchLink^TM system brings the benefits of high volume pouch filling to smaller operators, who are currently disadvantaged by the high capital expenditure and labour costs involved in post filling smaller volumes of spouted flexible pouches.

The PouchLink^TM mechanism connects spouted, capped pouches in a long chain eliminating the need for expensive loading rails, cap hoppers and cap sorters whilst increasing the throughput speed, as each linked pouch ensures the next pouch is in the correct position for filling. As pouches can be supplied in continuous chains of several thousand units, operator time involved in re-loading is also substantially reduced.

Pouches are supplied pre-capped preventing product contamination.