New Approach to Reduce Seal “Leakers” in Packaging Lanes

Have you ever . . .

• Had the occasion to be involved with a new product or market launch?
• Investigated and invested in packaging machines, components, containers, and lid stock?
• Missed deadlines or production goals due to sealing problems?
• Believed a packaging lane would run more smoothly if something would just “give a little?”

Traditionally, the industry has relied on Metal Seal Heads, Bars, and Platens to accomplish package closures – Bags, Blisters, Bowls, Cups, and Food Trays. While metal tools are durable and tolerant to temperature, pressure, and speed requirements of the sealing application, they are also non-flexible. Metal tools don’t “give a little or a lot” creating a narrow process window often resulting in lower than expected production yields and unacceptable reject rates.

Unless you’re a magician, metal doesn’t “give” willingly! What are the alternatives that will tolerate the temperature, pressure, and time requirements of packaging applications? Answer -- Thermally Conductive, Silicone Rubber.

Thermally, Conductive Silicone Rubber was introduced as an alternative to Metal Dies in Hot Stamping1 applications more than 25 years ago. The introduction of plastic products offered a new opportunity for Hot Stamp Equipment & Consumable manufacturers while creating the challenge of achieving quality graphics on unforgiving parts. Something needed to “give a little.”

Various silicone formulations were developed to provide the temperature tolerance (500F+/-), pressure requirements, & speeds required for Hot Stamping. These materials are compression molded to achieve specific patterns and designs into the face of silicone dies and heads. The silicone is chemically bonded to aluminum and steel substrates ensuring strong adhesion while providing repeatable tools needing flatness tolerances’.

Thermally Conductive Silicone introduced to the Hot Stamp process years ago offers the same solutions for Heat Seal/Packaging applications today – tools that “give a little.” Silicone Rubber Dies, Sheets, Seal Heads, Rollers, and Seal Bars provide compliance or “give” achieving complete coverage of surface variations ensuring reliable seals. Silicone-equipped packaging lanes optimize seal consistency leading to higher production yields and reduced reject rates. Silicone is not the answer for every application. Metal heads still have their place for flexible parts. The choice of silicone versus metal depends on whether the substrate is rigid or flexible.

In today’s competitive environment, production managers must control costs while increasing yields. Reducing reject rates at the end of the packaging line is an opportunity to achieve both. Thermally Conductive Silicone Rubber Components offer a solution to Metal tools when you need just “a little give.”

“Flexible Parts = Rigid, Metal Seal Heads”
“Rigid Parts = Flexible, Silicone Seal Heads”

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