Hand Held Sealers: A Complete Guide
Sealing machines are devices used to enclose packages using flexible films. Sealing method, sealer type, and sealing materials are some key specifications and important facts about selling machines. If you plan to buy a handheld sealer online, it would be better if you know some facts about these devices. This post discusses some of the important facts about sealing machines that can be of great help to you.
Sealing Methods: Working of Sealing Machines
Sealing machines generally work in two methods: heat sealing and cold sealing. The most commonly used sealing method for handheld sealer online is hot sealing.
Cold Sealing: This is a method that involves water-based cohesive coating to seal a wide range of film packaging and paper material. It is considered to be a complex packaging method since it involves two films that are laminated together to produce a single attached sheet. It does not include heat. It is a self-seal adhesive that requires low pressure to seal the packaging. The film and the seal should be extremely compatible with producing a strong seal, or this method will be highly unstable. Cold sealing is a much faster process than the heat sealing method and is also less damaging. You can find cold-sealing hand held sealers online in a variety of models and sizes.
Heat Sealing: heat sealing involves two similar thermoplastic materials, heat and pressure. Impulse sealing machines and hot sealer bars are two types of heat sealing machines. Hot bar sealers use heated bars that are kept at a constant temperature. This process is called direct contact thermal sealing and involves heated bars making direct contact with the surface of the materials and producing an effective sealing bond. To avoid the thermoplastic from sticking to their surface, the bars come with a Teflon guard.
Meanwhile, impulse heat sealers use a heating element placed between a tough artificial rubber. Heat is generated only when current flows through the wire since the heating element is not constantly heated. The pouch to be sealed is placed in the heat sealer between the jaws of the sealer by applying pressure from the sealing arm. The heating element is hated by an electric current for a specific period, which can be controlled by the timer.
The heating element is mainly made of nichrome located at the top and bottom of the sealing bars. Safety is a major advantage of impulse heat sealers, as extreme heat is only present when the jaws are closed under pressure with the pouch between the jaws. The jaws can retain a small amount of residual heat over continuous use, but this temperature never reaches a dangerous level.
Materials Used for Sealing Machines
The strength of the sealing bond depends on the climate factors, materials used, and applied pressure. Also, different sealing methods require different materials, such as:
Cold seal materials include:
- Cohesive polypaper: This is a combination of paper and film packaging materials and is considered to be weather-resistant material. It’s a good product that is vulnerable to climate change.
- Cohesive liner boards: extra heavy-duty paper that provides increased protection to the package.
- Cohesive film: This is a lightweight and flexible film that is mainly used in chocolate bar packaging owing to its water-resistant and puncture-resistant features.
- Cohesive paper: This paper provides protection for products from dirt and dust.it is an economical packaging and wrapping material.
Heat Sealing Materials
- Polystyrene: Polystyrene is a colorless plastic that lacks flexibility and is rigid. It is mostly used for food packaging.
- LDPE: Low-density polyethylene is thinner and has high heat resistance. Its toughness and flexibility make it a staple in heat-sealing applications to protect the package.
- PVC: This is the most common type of plastic used to maintain the life of the products inside. It is used for medicines, blister packaging, and a variety of products.
- PET: PET is a lightweight plastic that is converted to completely rigid or partially rigid to make it more damage-resistant.
- Silicone: Silicone sheets are also used for rigid packaging, flow wrapping, pouch sealing, and bag sealing.
Sealing Temperature
Seal initiation temperature is the temperature of the heat-sealing jaw at which a seal strength level is obtained. The selling temperature can be calculated by plotting the seal strength versus the temperature of the seal jaw. When choosing a sealant, you need to consider many factors like temperature, hot tach, ultimate seal strength, sealant temperature range, etc.
Applications of Sealing Machines
Sealing machines find their applications in the beverage, food, and medical sectors. Each sealing method is used for different types of businesses. Cold sealers are widely used for snack bars, chocolates, and candy bars, while hot sealers are mostly used for preserving fresh vegetables and meat. Small and large businesses should decide on the appropriate material selection, sizing, and correct sealer that they need at an economical price.
To Conclude
So if you want to enjoy the benefits of a handheld sealing machine, look for the top vendors around you who can offer you selling machines that cater to your needs perfectly and offer cost-effective deals.