| Shrink Wrap packaging is a cost-effective alternative
for virtually any product. Depending on the
method used, shrink wrap protects the product
from moisture and weather, and also leaves the
product visible for easy identification and
inspection. Shrink wrap machines come in a variety
of styles and configurations designed for almost
any packaging application.
Straight-bar shrink wrappers
are mechanical low-volume shrink wrap machines
typically used with a heat gun to package small
units like CDs, DVDs, etc. They typically use
shrink wrap film on rolls, and a heat gun is
used to shrink the material after it’s sealed.
L-bar sealers, like the straight-bar,
are low-volume shrink wrap machines that work
best with small items, but they take the straight
bar a little farther and actually cut the film
with electrical impulses. They can be manual,
automatic, or some combination of the two. They
typically use shrink wrap film on rolls. A heat
gun is used to shrink the material after it’s
sealed.
Heat guns, another type of
low-volume shrink wrapping device that’s similar
to a hair dryer, are heavy-duty handheld units
that usually produce more air velocity and greater
heat than a hair dryer. Shrink wrap film, tubes,
and shrink bags are typically sealed first with
a sealing machine and then shrunk with a heat
gun.
Heat tunnel systems wrap the
product in shrink-wrap material and seal it
before passing the product through an enclosure,
or “tunnel,” via an automated conveyor belt
where uniform forced-air heat shrinks the film.
They typically use shrink wrap film on rolls.
Mail bagging systems wrap
and seal newspapers, magazines, and other publications
for distribution in protective shrink-wrap film.
They typically use material on rolls and form
the shrink wrap around the product in a box-like
area before sealing the film with a heated wheel.
Vacuum sealers do exactly
what the name implies: they remove air from
the packaging bag and create a vacuum seal.
Vacuum systems use bags.
Sleeve wrappers wrap a product
with a “curtain” of material and seal it, leaving
a large hole at the top. Typically, companies
use this method to wrap in-cabinet appliances
such dishwashers, clothes dryers, etc. Sleeve
wrapping also facilitates product stacking,
because it doesn’t leave a seam “weld” on top
of the unit that might create an unstable stacking
situation. They typically use shrink wrap film
on rolls.
Continuous band sealers come
in vertical, horizontal, or tilted configurations
and typically have an embossing wheel that stamps
alphanumeric information into the sealing material.
They are usually expensive; however, they’re
fast and efficient, and used extensively to
seal food and beverage products in various size
bags.
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