The Ins and Out of Shrink Wrapping
Shrink wrapping is how many products are protected before consumption. Its material allows foodstuffs to remain fresh before reaching the final consumer. During this article, we shall consider just what shrink wrap is, along with how automated shrink wrapping is now making the process easier.
What is Shrink Wrapping?
Shrink wrap or shrink film is a material that consists of a plastic film that is made from polymer. It is effectively applied when heat is used to create a close fit between it and the item being packaged.
The shrink-wrapping process results in a seal that is rigid and tight as opposed to stretchy. The seal is airtight where this is required. It does this by taking the oxygen away from in-between the packaging and the products. The advantage of this is that no bacteria can then form on the product, which is particularly important where food is packaged.
Manually, the heat can be applied with a heat gun but there are more automated ways of achieving the same result now. This will mean lower wage costs and a more efficient process in terms of time efficiency.
Automated Shrink Wrapping
It is possible to automate the process of shrink wrapping within the packaging department using a machine. The plastic film must fit tightly around a product and so machines will use a heat source to achieve this as the product is being covered.
Douglas-machines are very efficient when it comes to shrink wrapping procedures and large orders. They can cope with the speed and a range of different sized packages that might be encountered. Any procedure can be streamlined with the right equipment, and it is good that this machine exists for those shrink-wrapping tasks.
Reasons for using Shrink Wrapping
The whole purpose of shrink wrapping is to create a tight seal. This is not possible with most other materials.
After sealing the item, it will then not be vulnerable in terms of the damage that might otherwise occur from dirt, dust, or moisture. Any contamination to a product can make it not fit to sell or to eat, in the case of food. It is a healthy solution to use shrink wrap to package it correctly.
Food that ends up contaminated represents a health risk and this cannot happen when shrink wrap is used. It is about protecting health and reputations as well as avoiding wastage of products produced. It makes no sense to go to the trouble of producing an item to then have it wasted by inappropriate or inadequate packaging.
The Uses for Shrink Wrapping
The process of shrink wrapping as a packaging solution has many uses in the industry. These uses will include the fact that it creates a tamperproof seal. This gives buyers confidence that they are buying a product that is fresh and that has not been contaminated in any way.
Shrink wrap will be used to make a large load secure where pallets are used.
The main use for shrink wrap will be with foods, and it is not just about keeping them fresh and extending their life but also in others knowing that will be the case from their knowledge of the product and its uses. Shrink wrap will, for instance, be used in home situations as well as for industrial packaging situations. This makes the buyer aware straight away as to just why this type of packaging is used and why it is beneficial to them.
All the time then, businesses will be thinking about their consumers as much as they are looking to maximize profits by not having excessive waste to deal with. Many returned products will impact the profitability of a business and so a good packaging strategy is a cost-effective way to avoid reduced profits.
