Case Sealers

Case sealers are one piece of the packaging equation that can’t be overlooked. These packaging machines, integral to end-of-line packaging operations, provide an increasingly automated solution for quickly and securely closing packages and minimizing the costs associated with labor, while ensuring that packages are prepared for swift shipment.

Case sealing machines come in three primary varieties: traditional tape/hot melt units, pressuresensitive tape sealers, and label/clamshell solutions. The tape/hot meltcase sealers are one of the most familiar types of equipment. This sort of box taping equipment relies on an adhesive to close the flaps on boxes and applies adhesive tape to seal. The tape is either heat or cold activated, with each having their specific use cases. Most notably, heat-activated tapes are often used on heavy-duty boxes, while cold-activated varieties are best suited for lighter-duty packages.

Pressure-sensitive sealers are known for their ability to provide secure closures for the heavier box loads. These case seal machines use specialized adhesives that produce strong, permanent fastenings, and are often able to seal multiple packages in one pass. This sort of case sealer is most commonly used for items that need to be compressed together tightly, providing an additional degree of protection from the elements.

In addition to these varieties of case sealers, another important distinction lies between uniform and random case sealers. Uniform case sealers are suitable for packaging applications with products of consistent size and shape. These machines are able to produce uniform seals at a much quicker rate than random sealers, which require a moment of adjustment after each box arrives in the hopper. Random case sealers are primarily designed for products that are variable in size and shape. This type of sealer can automatically adjust seal-time and pressure in order to maintain product integrity, while ensuring consistent seals. Random case sealers are usually costlier compared to their uniform counterparts, but the added investment may be indispensable if your product line requires extra flexibility.

No matter what industry lens you’re looking through, case sealers are a necessary addition to any packaging process. The deployment of this equipment can further curtail labor expenditures associated with the manual closing of boxers, while mitigating the risk of product damage. Also worthy of mention: these machines can enhance the long term health and safety of your workforce, as the potential for repetitive motion injuries lessens due to the automatic and semi-automatic nature of these case sealers.

When investing in a case sealer, it’s important to make sure the machine fits the needs of the product at hand, factoring in the box size, desired speed of closure and the type of adhesive, all of which are crucial components to consider. Also consider that multiple sealers may need to be linked together to increase output, or specialized sealers may be required for specific sealing processes.

With the right case sealer and proper maintenance, brands will be poised to reap the benefits of using this form of automation in their packaging process. You can explore case sealers and their manufacturers in further depth, right here on the PMMI ProSource directory.