packaging

Wor(l)d is shrinking!

We all know what shrink is! In simplest terms shrink film is  a polymer material which when heat is applied shrinks tightly over what ever it is covering.

We see it every where on cartons, boxes, crates, bottles, tin cans, directly on food products, industrial goods, pallets etc. Where else? Might  be wrap boats, building or even space ships!

Shrink is available in different forms:

·         Wrap

·         Sleeves

·         Bands

·         Bags

The simple logic behind shrink films is that the films are stretched when they are warm to orient the molecules from their initial random pattern. Cooling the film sets the film's characteristics until it is reheated: this causes it to shrink back toward its initial dimensions.

A shrink film can be made to shrink in one direction (unidirectional or mono-directional) or in both directions (bidirectional). Shrink can be mono layer or co extruded, to increase the barrier properties.

The most common equipment for shrink wrapping or sleeving is a hand held heat gun, just like a hair dryer. Shrink tunnels are extensively used in semi automated and fully automated lines for shrink wrapping and sleeving
source: packaging connection