Package Machine Blog

Polyethylene and Polypropylene are the most common plastics used in wrapping, and plastic films are usually used in packing products. Often when people talk about plastic films—which technically are defined as plastic sold in thicknesses of up to 10 mils—they treat them as one type of material, grouping all flexible plastic packaging into a single category. What they do not realize is that plastic films compose a broad category of materials that can be relatively simple or complex depending on the demands of a particular product or package. They can be sourced from petroleum or from plants including wood. They can be biodegradable or home compostable or be reused for energy.

Like plastic bottles and containers, film can be made with different resins, each of which has a unique combination of properties that makes it ideal for certain applications. For example, low density polyethylene (LDPE) film acts as a gas barrier, which is necessary for packaging such things as chicken, which would quickly spoil if exposed to oxygen. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, on the other hand, is gas permeable and necessary for packaging such things as red meat, which require a small amount of oxygen inside the package in order to keep it fresh.

Plastic film also can be clear or colored, printed or plain, single- or multilayered and combined with other materials such as aluminum and paper. It can come in a variety of thicknesses and degrees of opacity. Thus, the only thing that all plastic film really has in common is that it is flexible in nature, as used in grocery bags, as opposed to rigid, as used in soft drink bottles and butter tubs.

When we are using plastic films to pack things, we will know the advantage and disadvantage of overwrapping.

Overwrap is an excellent choice for packages that will end up on a retail shelf and/or those requiring basic tamper protection. It provides a classic gift wrap appearance in either clear or printed/registered film or paper for that “eye-catching” look that jumps off the shelf. Bundling is another popular application for which overwrappers are often well suited. On the contrary, odd product shapes and sizes aren’t a good match for the overwrapping process. If it isn’t roughly box shape, like a carton, tray, or bundle, overwrap is not the first solution.

The articles on this page cover the most common questions that we get asked.
Which is the Best Vacuum Packing Machine for My Needs?
This article explains differences between the two different types of machine on the market. These are usually referred to as ‘vacuum chamber machines’, where the whole bag and contents fit inside the machine, and ‘external bag machines’, where only the end of the bag fits into the machine and the rest of the bag and the contents remain outside of the machine.
Buying a Home Vacuum Packing Machine
Most people who buy vacuum packaging machines for home use start off with one specific requirement. This is usually something like packing meat for the freezer or packing vegetables from the garden. However, they often find that vacuum packing is saving them both money, because it can cut down on waste, and time because they can pre-prepare meals and then pack them in single servings. This being the case, it makes sense to buy a quality machine that is going to give you a few years of service.
Choosing Between a Domestic and Commercial Vacuum Packing Machine
Do I need to buy a commercial machine or is a domestic one going to be OK? This is a question that we are asked every day of the week. The answer depends on: how many packing operations you expect to do, how large the items are and in what type of environment the machine is going to be used. This article discusses these factors in detail.
Volumes and Costs for Vacuum Chamber and External Bag Machines
If you are packing significant numbers of items per week then you will need to consider the ongoing cost of the vacuum packing pouches as well as the up-front cost of the machine. There is a significant difference in the cost of vacuum pouches suitable for use in vacuum chamber machines and external bag machines. This means that the decision of whether to buy an external bag vacuum packing machine or a vacuum chamber machine is usually dependent on the number of packing operations that you expect to do.
Looking After Your Lava Vacuum Packaging Machine
Lava vacuum sealer machines require minimal maintenance. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of which will prolong the working life of the machine.
Using Continuous Vacuum Packing Rolls
A question that we are asked quite regularly is ‘What are the advantages of continuous rolls over vacuum pouches?’ The advantage of continuous vacuum rolls over pouches is that they are more cost effective if you are packing small amounts of varying sized items. For example many of our customers who use their vacuum packing machines at home use them to pack small quantities of a wide variety of things and find it more cost effective to buy one or two rolls rather than to buy packs of 50 or 100 of several different sizes of vacuum pouch.

How Vacuum Packing Works
This article explains how vacuum packing helps to maintain the freshness of your food by eliminating oxidation and contamination. Vacuum packaging also prevents freezer burn which is important if you want your food to look its best after freezing.
Guidelines for Vacuum Packing Cooked Meat
There are several factors that you need to consider when vacuum packing cooked meat. This article covers these in detail so that you can be sure that your stored food is both fresh and safe. The Shelf Life of Vacuum Packed Foods. This article details the shelf life of vacuum packed and non vacuum packed foods.

Static is an electrical imbalance on the surface of a material which can interact with surrounding materials. This imbalance occurs when an atom (or molecule) gains or loses an electron.

Normally the atom is in equilibrium with the same number of positive protons in the middle of the atom and electrons. Electrons move easily from one atom to another. They form positive ions (where an electron is missing) or negative ions (a single electron, or an atom with an extra electron).When this imbalance occurs it is called static electricity.

A electron has an electric charge of (-) 1.6 x 10-19 Coulombs. A proton has the same charge with a positive polarity. The static charge in Coulombs is directly proportional to the surplus or deficit of electrons i.e. the number of imbalanced ions. The Coulomb is the basic unit of electrical charge which represents the surplus or deficit of electrons.

A positive ion has a missing electron. So it can easily accept an electron from a negative static charge. A negative ion can be a single electron or an atom/molecule with too many electrons.

The following ones are the static application on different package machine:

l        Over wrapper packaging machine application sheet

In packaging machines while rolled film is unwrapped, static charge occurs because of decomposition. This static charge causes film to stick to the metal parts or itself so leads to incorrect and lossy production.

For preventing this situation, anti-static bar should be placed on sections in which roll is opened and packaging begins for neutralizing static charge. Machine will execute more reliable and efficient packaging in these conditions.

l        Shrink wrap machine application sheet

On an over wrapping machine, the film is charged as it un-winds from the reel. This charge will attract airborne contamination onto the material which results in rejects and loss of revenue. The static charge can also jam the machine as the charge becomes so high that it attracts to the machine rollers which act as an earth potential.

By fitting PULSElectronic ionising bars to the un-wind, you will remove the static charge and prevent dirt and other airborne contamination from attracting to the web. This will increase productivity and profits whilst reducing waste and down time.

l        Labeling machine application sheet

Large static charges on shrink wrap machines are generated as the material un-winds from the reel. These charges increase as the web passes over rollers. The charged material will then become attracted to earth potentials such as grounded rollers or and metallic part of the machine which is earthed. This is called material misbehaviior.

By positioning a PULSElectronic ionising bar across the web prior to the wrapping process, you will neutralise the charge, prevent material misbehavior. Increase volume productivity and profits while reducing down time and waste.

l        Vertical form filling machine application sheet

Labels can be misaligned or repelled from charged bottles due to large static charges which are generated as the bottles move through conveyor systems. The bottles encounter high levels of friction which charge them. When the bottles are positioned to have the label fitted, the static charge on the bottle, as well as the charge on the label (generated as the backing tape is removed) can cause the labels to repel from the bottles. This causes waste, rejects and down time.

        By positioning either a PULSElectronic blower or bar to the conveyor prior to the label application, you can bathe the bottles in ionised air and eliminate the possibility of rejects, improving quality, productivity and profits.

l        Automated sleeving machines application sheet

Static charges are generated as the material is un-wound from the reel. These charges increase as the web passes over rollers and into the forming area. The static charge will create an electro magnetic field which attracts airborne contamination onto the web. This can be a catastrophic problem in food packaging sector.

By positioning two PULSElectronic ionising bars (one either side of the web) after the un-wind, you will remove the static charge and eliminate the possibility of contamination being attracted to the material.

Dependant on the length of run from the un-wind to the forming area and the product you are filling in the formed bags (Dusty or powdery products can be worst effected), you may need to position a further two ionisers (one either side of the web) to prevent the product sticking to the inside of the formed bag and cause rejects at the thermo welding process.