L-Sealer
A term which describes any of the automatic, semi-automatic, or manual trim-sealing equipment in which the seal bars are arranged in an "L" shape.
Sealing Wire
A seal wire can be defined as a circular wire, heated by virtue of its resistance to electrical current for the purpose of melting or fusing two layers of a shrink-packaging film together. Seal wires are generally made of nickel chrome alloy and range in diameter from .018 to .30 inches.
Tap Switch
A device used to control the amount of voltage supplied to the seal wire of an edge or trim seal machine. The device switches the output leads of a multi-output transformer (see L- bar diagram above).
Hole Punch
A pneumatically or electrically operated device composed of a punch and die which produces a deflate hole in a film.
Centerfolder
A mechanical device used to convert singlewound film to centerfolded film, either in manufacture of the film or on a packaging machine.
Transverse Direction
Is parallel to the film width.
Longitudinal Direction
Perpendicular to film width.
Shrink Tunnel
Heated chamber(s) through which products are conveyed in order to shrink an overwrap film.
Shrink Temperature Range
The temperature range in which a film will effectively shrink and produce a tight-fitting, aesthetically pleasing package.
Overwrap Machine
A machine which overwraps a product with film, i.e., L-bar sealer, form/fill/seal equipment.
Form/Fill/Seal Equipment
A term which is associated with high-speed overwrapping equipment with single-wound film. A designed forming shoe wraps the film around the product. The film edges are secured with static or thermal lap seal on the bottom of the package. A vertical or horizontal trim seal is then applied on the front and back of the package.
Side Seal Equipment
On a side seal system, product is fed into a flighted or belted infeed leading into a horizontal tube of film which is formed by an inverted film forming plow (or similar system) using SW or CF film. The side seal system uses wires, ribbons and other thermal devices to weld the seal along the centerfolded edge in the machines direction. Hot knives or seal wires upstream complete the package with transverse seals.
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