Simple explanation
A sleeve sealer creates a sleeve of film around the product. The film is sealed across the front and back of the pack, then the pack travels through a shrink tunnel where heat tightens the film around the product.
The sides of a sleeve sealed pack may remain open after shrinking. This is normal for many transit packs and multipacks because the film is mainly used to hold the group together.
Where sleeve sealers are used
Sleeve sealers are often used for bottles, cans, trays, cartons, boxes and grouped products. They are common where products need to move as one pack but do not need a fully enclosed shrink bag.
A sleeve sealer can be semi-automatic or automatic, and it is usually paired with a shrink tunnel.
How to choose the right route
Start with the product, pack size, output and film requirement. If the pack is a multipack, tray pack or transit pack, sleeve sealing may be appropriate. If the product needs a completely sealed retail bag, another shrink wrapping route may be better.
Lancing can review the pack and advise which route is more suitable before you request a quote.
Quote route and specification checklist
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sleeve sealer | Creates and seals a film sleeve around the pack. |
| Shrink tunnel | Uses heat to tighten the film. |
| Multipack | Grouped products wrapped together. |
| PE film | Common film route for many transit and multipack applications. |