Shrink Wrap Systems for Packaging

Shrink wrap systems contain products singly or in combination within plastic film. Products are packaged this way to accomplish a variety of objectives. In retail applications, users may be primarily interested in packaging that draws attention to their product on a store shelf or in a point of purchase (POP) display. Films with superior optical characteristics enhance graphics on the box or product itself, making the package sparkle on the shelf. For industrial applications, package appearance is generally not a significant factor. Instead, making sure the product or component is held securely in place, using a packaging system that maximizes productivity, and utilizing packaging materials that protect the product without damaging it, are the critical factors. A characteristic of shrinking systems important in retail and industrial applications is the film’s ability to protect products from contamination from and exposure to harmful environmental elements. Systems are available in many levels of automation, for the small, medium, and high volume user. Systems are also quite versatile in the range of product sizes and configurations they can accommodate.

Uses and Markets

Manufacturing and distribution firms handling all types of products, along with contract packagers and fulfillment companies, often use shrink wrap systems in primary and secondary packaging operations. Systems are used extensively for the wrapping of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, processed foods, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical products, household items, beverages, hardware, toys and games, cosmetics, and healthcare items. Shrink wrap systems include a sealing unit, which applies an L shaped seal to the sheet of film that has been placed around the product, and a heat tunnel, which shrinks the film around the product as it passes through. System speeds range from several packages a minute on a semi automatic unit, to rates of 150 packages a minute or higher on inline, fully automatic units. An important factor affecting throughput rates is the size of the product itself. Large products require more film, and more time to pass through the shrink tunnel. Machines can be set up for long runs of a single size product, or for shorter runs of variable size items.

Maximizing the Efficiency of the Shrink Wrap System

Optimizing system performance involves the careful control and monitoring of numerous system components. To produce consistently high quality wraps, the sealing mechanism must be set at the proper temperature and dwell time. If these settings are incorrect, seals will be compromised and may rupture, or will burn through part or all of the film. When a new film is introduced to the machine, all settings must be reset, because every shrink film has a unique formulation even though thickness and appearance may be identical. Users must take care to set up the shrink tunnel in optimal fashion. Temperature and conveyor speed are the two critical factors. If items pass through the tunnel too quickly, film will be too loose around the package. If items pass too slowly, film will shrink too much, possibly damaging the product. Along the same lines, too low or too high temperature settings will cause the film to over or under shrink, necessitating costly repacking. Heritage Pioneer has many years of experience in the selection, installation, integration, and service of these systems and can assist at any step along the way. Link back to the top of this Shrink Wrap Systems page.

Check our main page for other packaging solutions.