Posts Tagged ‘Minipack’

Minipack MVS 45 Chamber Vacuum Food Sealer Review

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Minipack MVS 45 Chamber Vacuum Food SealerAre you in the food business or have the need to package and preserve food for storage or retail purposes? One popular machine that people now use is a chamber vacuum sealer. If you’re in the market for one, you should seriously consider the Minipack MVS 45 chamber vacuum food sealer. I’ve had a chance to use one and this is my review.

We are always bringing in new products to our showroom floor to test them out and for training purposes. We frequently have the MVS 45 on our showroom floor and I have had multiple opportunities to use it. In fact, I shot a video demo of the Minipack MVS 45 that you can watch here.

You may be interested to know that Minipack is an Italian company and their chamber vacuum food sealers are made in Italy. The reason I bring this up is because many of the competitors have their vacuum sealers made in China. I personally think the Italian refinement really shines through.

At first glance the machine looks really nice. It isn’t until you take a closer look that you begin to really see the fine detail that has gone into the machine. The metal is thick (stainless steel), not flimsy sheet metal, and the user interface is very simple. There are no jagged edges and the machine is very safe to use.

One of the biggest complaints I have heard regarding chamber-style vacuum food sealers is that they are hard to clean. This is where the MVS 45 excels. The bin of the MVS 45 is seamless. This means there are no cracks, crevices or other small nooks or crannies where bacteria and food can become trapped. Simply put, the MVS 45 is designed from the ground up to be more sanitary.

Many comparable vacuum food sealers have complicated analog gauges and dials that have to be adjusted to ensure proper packaging. The MVS 45 does have a control panel, but it is simple to use. It allows you to adjust the amount of air to be removed, the sealing time, inert gas settings (if so equipped), has a stop cycle switch and much more.

Every time I have used the MVS 45, the packaging results are excellent. The display panel on the front of the machine will let you know how much air has been removed and exactly where you are in the packaging process.

Overall I really like the MVS 45. The chamber area can be used to package a wide variety of products (18″ X 18″ X 8.25″). If you need a commercial chamber vacuum food sealer that will last you for years, the MVS 45 is definitely the machine you need.

You can find the Minipack MVS 45 chamber vacuum food sealer here. You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Minipack Mailbag Digit Magazine, Catalog and Mail Bagging System Review

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Minipack Mailbag Digit Magazine, Catalog and Mail Bagging SystemHave you ever received a magazine or a catalog that was wrapped in plastic in your mailbox? This type of packaging is called mail bagging. If you’re in the marketing for a mail bagger, one model you may want to consider is the Minipack Mailbag Digit mail bagging system. This is my review.

Mail bagging is done to provide protection to magazines, newsletters, publications, catalogs and mail. It can also be used to bundle multiple magazines, fliers and other material.

Minipack is known for making high quality machines. Their line of mail bagging systems is designed and manufactured in Italy. Minipack makes a wide variety of shrink wrap machines, mail bagging systems and vacuum sealers.

The Minipack Mailbag Digit is not only designed to protect and bundle material, but also saves money by packaging material in plastic film (polyethylene) instead of paper envelopes. One nice thing about packaging mail in plastic is that contained products are visible to the recipient. The entire mail bagging process is very simple and very efficient.

This is how the Mailbag Digit works:

  1. Make sure the Mailbag Digit is loaded with film. The Mailbag digit uses a roll of film that is mounted roller inside the machine. The gauge and width of the film will depend on what you are bagging.
  2. Place your magazine, newsletter or catalog into the open slot on the front of the machine.
  3. The machine then places the material in a polyethylene bag and seals it shut.
  4. The material comes out the other end of the machine completely packaged and sealed.
  5. A conveyor system keeps bagged material organized and in order.

The Mailbag Digit operates at a speed of about 20 wraps per minute.  For higher-volume jobs, you may want to consider using the Minipack Continua (found here). The Continua is completely automated and runs at a speed of about 50 pieces per minute.

Overall I consider the Mailbag Digit to be a very solid machine. The build quality is excellent and is should be able to provide years of hassle-free service. The Mailbag Digit sits on casters, making it portable.

You can find the Minipack Mailbag Digit mail bagging system here.

Minipack MVS 31 Vacuum Food Sealer Review

Monday, July 26th, 2010

Minipack MVS 31 Vacuum Food SealerAre you looking for a fast, affordable and convenient way to package meat, fruits, vegetables, liquids and powders? One machine you may want to consider using is the Minipack MVS 31 vacuum food sealer. I have used this machine and this is my review.

In case you aren’t familiar with them, Minipack is one of the most reputable and well-known manufacturers of industrial / commercial shrink wrap machines and vacuum sealers in the United States. Minipack is an Italian company and their line of products are designed and made in Italy. They are known for their high build quality and reliability.

The Minipack MVS 31 is what’s commonly referred to as a chamber sealer. You essentially place your product in a vacuum sealer bag and place in the machine. Once the lid is pulled down, the MVS 31 will remove 99.9% of the air inside the chamber, seal the bag shut and return the atmosphere in the chamber back to normal.

The result is an air-tight seal that helps protect and preserve food. Vacuum sealed food is perfect for sometimes tripling or more the life expectancy of food. You will commonly find vacuum-sealed food in the grocery store such as fish, chicken breasts, vegetables and more. It can also be used to package non-food items without any problems. The MVS 31 can do all this in its 12.75″ X 11.75″ X 6″ chamber.

Unlike many comparable vacuum sealers, the MVS 31 uses a seamless design which is perfect for food. This means if you do experience a spill, the basin of the vacuum sealer can easily be wiped down. The MVS 31 is not made from sharp and cheap sheet metal, it is made from high quality stainless steel (AISI 304 according to CE standards). Even the sealing bar is designed to be clean and sanitary.

Another nice feature of the MVS 31 is the lid. The lid can be completely opened up, which means you don’t have to deal with an annoying gas piston that keeps failing.

The operation of the MVS 31 is pretty automated. There are no complex dials or fine-tuned adjustments to be made. There is a simple-to-use digital panel that allows the operator to adjust the amount of air removed and the sealing time. The machine does the rest.

The MVS 31 does have the ability to be used with an inert gas kit (optional) for added food preservation. This means you can remove the air and replace it with another cuts down or eliminates bacteria.

Overall I am very impressed with the MVS 31. This machine is tough and is designed for commercial and industrial use without hesitation. The build quality is excellent, and for the price, is well worth it. It is designed to last you for years of reliable use.

You can find the Minipack MVS 31 vacuum food sealer here. You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Minipack Cyclone Vacuum Food Sealers Reviewed

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Minipack Cyclone External Vacuum SealersWow. Who would have thought that the Minipack Cyclone line of vacuum sealers would be such a hit in just a few short months? If you are considering purchasing an external vacuum food sealer, you may want to seriously consider looking into a Minipack Cyclone. Why? Here are a few reasons.

One of the biggest reasons the Minipack Cyclone is such a hit with individuals and businesses alike can be summed up in two words, “Build Quality.” The stark contrast in build quality in the Minipack Cyclone versus other “Saver” style vacuum sealers is as stark as the difference between plastic and metal.

Minipack products are Italian designed and Italian made. This is the same country that brought us the Ferrari. The Cyclone is the Italian Ferrari of the external vacuum sealer world. Here are a few features found in the Minipack Cyclone:

First off, the Cyclone features a corrosive-free aluminum alloy housing. Why is this nice? Many foods and vacuum sealed products can cause cheaper metals and plastics to corrode, discolor and break down. For sanitation purposes, you want something that is non corrosive.

The control panel is flat, user-friendly and features a digital knobless design. If you have ever used a food-handling device that has knobs, you know how easy it is for food to get trapped underneath. If you are packaging fish, beef and pork, you don’t want those juices festering under knobs and between cracks.

The sealer includes a moisture collecting basin. This helps with food preservation. The Minipack Cyclone creates a 4mm seal width, which is double the 2mm seal width found in many comparable models.

A wide seal width is great to have because it prevents accidents and does a better job of maintaining the vacuum seal. The Cyclone can be used with channel or three-layer bags. The Cyclone also features an automatic cycle and a manual sealing cycle.

We offer the Minipack Cyclone in three different versions, all based on the sealing width.

These three models are:

You will find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here. Let us know what you think about the Minipack Cyclone external vacuum food sealer.

Minipack Galaxy Shrink Wrap Machine Review

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Minipack Galaxy Shrink Wrap MachineThere are a lot of different ways to package your DVDs, playing cards, soap bars, boxes and other products, but shrink wrap is probably the most economical and easiest way to do this. The Minipack Galaxy makes shrink wrapping even easier by making a machine that is compact enough to be used in just about any room. I have a lot of experience using the Minipack Galaxy and will post my thoughts on this shrink-wrap machine here.

To start with, the Minipack Galaxy is actually a replacement to the Minipack Mini Plus. The Minipack Mini Plus was a huge hit with our customers, so it comes as no surprise that the Minipack Galaxy not only rivals that popularity, but now also surpasses it.  You can find the Minipack Galaxy shrink wrap machine here.

The Minipack Galaxy is a compact shrink-wrap system that incorporates a shrink film feeder, an L-bar sealer and a heat shrink tunnel into one single machine. From start to finish the entire process only takes a few minutes. The Galaxy is available in five different systems, depending on exactly what you need.

The system sits at about waist height, which makes it really easy to set stuff on the surface. The control panel is on the front of the machine’s bezel, which is really easy to set up. The control panel will allow you to adjust the amount of time the sealing blade is on and the amount of time the heat is applied.

The Minipack Galaxy can be used with both Polyolefin film and PVC film. I have used it with both and the results turned out well both times. The Galaxy is designed to be used with centerfold shrink film.

The film is easy to feed through the machine. Once the film is loaded, simply place your product in the open end of the film, slide it over to the L-sealer, pull down the hood and the machine does the rest.

The Minipack galaxy is probably my favorite entry-level shrink-wrap system I have used. It can be used continuously throughout the day without a hiccup. I don’t know how Minipack does it, but the Galaxy emits very little

The only con I can really think of is that you may be limited by the size of the machine’s hood. If you need more sealing area or height, you may want to look at the Galaxy’s big brother the Minipack Galileo found here.

Do you have a Minipack Galaxy or have you used one? Post a comment here!

Best Minipack Vacuum Sealers – Chamber & External

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Minipack Chamber Vacuum SealersLooking for a reliable, high quality vacuum sealer that will stand the test of time? Vacuum sealers have the potential of extending the life of food by up to 3-5 times longer than unpackaged food.These machines can be used to package fruits, vegetables, meat and more.

The motors in vacuum sealers, especially chamber sealers, go through a lot of strain. Many chamber sealers can remove as much as 99.9 percent of the air. A cheap motor can quickly overheat, and after hours of use, can sustain serious damage.  If you are going to be packaging food on a regular basis, you need a sealer with commercial / industrial qualities.

Minipack vacuum sealers, both chamber and external, are considered to be some of the best models available today. These vacuum sealers are Italian engineered and built. The metal casing is extremely durable and the wire sealing components are tough.

One of the most differentiating designs found in the Minipack chamber sealers are the bins. The bins are made from a solid, seamless design, which is ideal for cleanup and sanitation. This makes Minipack chamber sealers ideal for packaging liquids, powders and other materials. We have even had customers use Minipack chamber sealers for vacuum sealing entire chickens.

Here is a list of some of the most popular Minipack models our customers like to buy:

External Sealers:

Chamber Sealers:

You will find our entire selection of Minipack Vacuum Sealers here.

Introducing: Minipack Cyclone 30, 40 & 50 External Vacuum Sealers

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Minipack Cyclone Vacuum SealersWe are proud to announce the addition of the Minipack Cyclone series of external vacuum sealers. This includes the Cyclone 30, 40 and 50. All three of these new sealers are very similar in functionality, with the biggest difference being the sealing width. The Minipack Cyclone vacuum sealers can be used to package food and other products.

Minipack is well known for their line of shrink-wrap machines. Their line of vacuum sealers are just as well designed and manufactured.

The Cyclone series of sealers are designed to not only last the test of time, but are also designed to be very easy to set up and use. Nobody likes having to tinker around with a machine to get it to work properly. The Cyclone vacuum sealers work well right out of the box.

You may find these three new sealers here:

Minipack Galaxy & Galileo Shrink Wrap Machines Reviewed

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

galileo system3 Minipack Galaxy & Galileo Shrink Wrap Machines ReviewedIt’s amazing how many people are now reigning in once outsourced packaging operations to in-house. Why is this? A huge part of it is because it isn’t difficult for a business to package their own products. It is also a great way to save money during a recession.

Shrink wrap machines have become smaller, easier to use and far more affordable. Minipack has been on the forefront of this revolution. Two of their most popular machines are the Minipack Galaxy and Galileo machines. You can find them here.

The Galaxy and the Galileo shrink wrap machines replaced the Mini-Plus and the Mini-Mini shrink wrap machines. The Galaxy and Galileo are essentially the same machine, but with different chamber dimensions. Both the Galaxy and Galileo are available in different setups. These have been broken down into systems. The system you use depends entirely on what you need.

Both of these machines have an integrated heat tunnel. This means that when the hood is brought down, it will cut the film around the package and shrink it in one single pass. This is very quick and very convenient. Packaging a DVD, software box, pizza or soap bar can be done in just a few seconds. You can use these to package food by using polyolefin film.

The Galaxy and Galileo are very easy to use and set up. There is no special training required. Maintenance is also easy.

Both of these machines are very efficient and emit very little odor. This is especially nice when being used in poorly ventilated rooms. These machines can use both PVC and Polyolefin film. You can learn more about the two different types of film by going here.

We have had customers ask if the heat will damage products. While there may be some heat-sensitive products you will not want to package, we have had customers send in chocolate samples for testing and haven’t had a problem with the heat melting anything.

If you are interested in the Minipack Galaxy or Galileo, send a sample into us and we will test it out on these machines. We can then send the sample back to you for your approval.

We are also able to offer live video demonstrations of these machines through the Internet. If you are interested in having one of these machines demonstrated for you, simply one of these forms:

For answers to additional shrink wrap questions, feel free to call one of our shrink wrap experts at 1-800-658-8788.

ABC Office Awarded “Focus on the Future Award” by Minipack

Monday, December 7th, 2009

http://www.abcoffice.com/minipack.htm

We have been selling shrink-wrap machines, vacuum sealers and other packaging products made by Minipack for years now. Minipack’s products have proven time after time to be reliable, useful and easy to use. We (ABC Office) are proud to announce that we have been awarded the “Focus on the Future Award” by Minipack in their graphic division. This award was given to us for our consistent sales and dedication.

Minipack is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of shrink-wrap machines, vacuum sealers and other packaging equipment. We have found Minipack products to be reliable and made from high-quality components. Minipack has been around since 1976 and is headquartered in Italy.

minipack award ABC Office Awarded “Focus on the Future Award” by MinipackOne of our most popular Minipack lines is the Galaxy and Galileo, which are all-in-one shrink-wrap machines. They cut the film and shrink it at the same time. Our customers, especially small businesses, love these machines for packaging and selling their products. Our Minipack vacuum sealers are also growing in popularity, such as the MVS 31 and 45, for packaging food for resale.

We are proud of our partnership with Minipack and look forward to many more successful years selling their line of products. You can see our entire selection of Minipack packaging products here.