Packaging Blog
Packaging Blog
L Bar Sealer Troubleshooting
L-bar sealers are efficient and affordable for retail, food, and commercial packaging applications. Issues may arise over time, and quick troubleshooting can prevent downtime. Follow these tips to keep your L-bar sealer running.
Shrink Tunnel Replacement Parts
Shrink tunnels have fewer wearable parts than other machines. Keeping a select few parts on hand can help prevent downtime and keep production running smoothly. Learn which parts you should have on hand and be aware of potential issues that may arise with prolonged usage.
Shrink Packaging System Replacement Parts
If your supplier is not chosen wisely, shrink packaging system replacement parts can be challenging to find. Read this article to find out common wearable and non-wearable parts for your system.
110V Shrink Tunnel Uses and What to Know
The purchase of a 110-volt shrink tunnel should offer the ability to increase production levels and efficiency. Knowing the machine will work for your application and intended usage is essential. Read this guide to learn what to look for prior to buying.
Packaging Supplies for Amazon Seller Packaging Guidelines
Meeting Amazon packaging guidelines as an Amazon seller is essential to avoid fees and damaged products. Different items need to meet guidelines to prevent damage during shipping and storage. In this post we discuss items sold as a set and liquid packaging requirements.
Shrink Tunnel Troubleshooting
Heat shrink tunnels are efficient and can significantly increase production speeds. When issues arise, troubleshooting your shrink tunnel is the fastest way to determine what is causing the problem. Follow these shrink tunnel troubleshooting tips to determine what is preventing your tunnel from working correctly.
Shrink Packaging System Troubleshooting
Shrink packaging systems are also called one-step machines or shrink chambers. They include a lid that closes to seal and apply heat to the product in one cycle. Identify possible issues preventing your shrink chamber from working with these basic troubleshooting steps.
Gas Flush Vacuum Sealer Benefits
Packaging experts are always on the lookout for ways to better preserve food products for a longer, safer shelf life. Vacuum sealing – where oxygen is removed from the package – has long been a go-to preservation method. But a step further is gas flushing with gas or gases to further extend product shelf life. What is a gas flush vacuum sealer? All vacuum sealers remove oxygen from the bag, but a gas flush vacuum sealer, like our AV-AVN Vacuum Sealer with Gas Purge, replaces the oxygen with a gas, often nitrogen, which makes up the majority of the air we breathe. The flush cycle fills the vacuum bag with gas and expels the oxygen. From there, the sealer can vacuum out some or all of the gas or leave a pillowed look similar to a bag of potato chips. By lowering oxygen and increasing nitrogen or another specific gas, oxidation in metals is reduced, and food spoilage is delayed. This pillowing process protects sensitive foods, extends shelf life by limiting spoilage from air exposure, and prevents freezer burn, making it ideal for delicate items like chips, pastries, soft cheeses, and fresh fish The vacuum sealer machines we sell come with a 20” to 50” wide sealing bar and can seal a variety of bag materials, sizes, and thicknesses. Other features of the vacuum sealer with gas purge include: It is made in the USA Seals up to 360 packages per hour It comes with a stainless steel nozzle. Has a seal width of ¼.” Ideal for food, medical, metals, electronics, and other applications A 120-volt system will work with a standard 110 plug-in The machine is in stock and ready to ship It is small enough – 28”x10”x7” -- that it can be easily moved Has a foot pedal and a cable to free up your hands Two-year limited warranty The sealer requires an external air tank and a separate tank for a gas purge. The air tank and compressor should be at least 15 gallons or larger. Gas bottles can be purchased locally once the sealer arrives. A vacuum filter is required for wrapping anything with small particles or liquids. This includes meats, cannabis, herbs, flour, soups, and many more. Purchasing a machine without a filter will void the warranty if juices or small particles are drawn through the machine. The filter can be emptied and cleaned as needed, and does not require purchasing additional filters over time. Other Frequently Asked Questions include: Will these machines work with any bag size? The bag size is limited to the length of the sealing bar. If you purchase the 20” vacuum sealer, you can use bags up to 18 inches wide, allowing some room to line the bag up. Likewise, the 50” sealer cannot take bags wider than 48 inches. The length of the bags has no limits, except for the machine's location and whether you have a support structure to hold the bag up. Using a work tray helps hold bags up during the sealing process. What is the thickest bag that can be used? The vacuum sealer with gas purge can seal smooth or embossed bags up to 8 mils thick. We recommend a 6-mil thickness for regular use and keeping spare sealing kits on hand when sealing at 8-mil thickness. How much longer will a vacuum sealer extend the shelf life of my products? A vacuum sealer with gas purge can help with preserving food and other items for as long as possible. For example, the normal freezer life in the original packaging of most meats is 4 to 12 months. With vacuum-sealed packaging that lasts 2 to 3 years. Other examples include: In original wrapping, lobster and crab (de-shelled) keep 2 to 4 months in the freezer. When vacuum sealed, that extends to 12 months. Frozen bread, bagels, and pastries typically last 6 months, but vacuum sealing can extend their shelf life to 3 years. The normal shelf life for ground coffee in the freezer is 6 months. The coffee can be kept fresh for up to 2 years when vacuum-sealed. The normal shelf life of foods at room temperature can also be extended with vacuum sealing. For example, grains can be kept for 1 year in normal packaging. That extends up to 8 years with vacuum sealing. Other examples include: Brown rice can be kept in the pantry in its original bag for 6 months. When vacuum-packed, it can last up to 10 years. Cereal (uncooked) usually lasts up to 6 months, but can keep up to 2 years with vacuum packaging. Ground coffee can sit on the shelf for up to 2 weeks, but with vacuum packaging, it can stay fresh for up to 5 months. How quickly can I get parts? Purchasing parts for your gas-purge vacuum sealer is simple and quick. Most parts are shipped within 48 hours. Contact one of our technicians for help getting the right part. We do not have parts for purchase online because we want to ensure the proper parts are provided. Many machines look like the products we offer, but they are often manufactured in other countries and use different parts. We only provide service and parts for machines we sell. U.S. Packaging & Wrapping offers high-quality vacuum sealers with gas purge, maintenance parts, and troubleshooting support for your machine. For your packaging needs, visit our website at uspackagingandwrapping.com or contact us by phone at 1-800-441-5090 or by email at customerservice@uspackagingandwrapping.com
Vacuum Sealer Bags - What You Should Know
Purchase the correct vacuum bag at the right price. Find out the different types of vacuum bags and what is needed for your application.
7 Tips For Prepping and Scheduling a Freight Shipment
Scheduling a freight shipment is easy, but there are several key steps to follow. In this post, we cover some tips for scheduling a freight shipment to ensure products reach their destination on time.
A Day In The Life Of A Packaging Salesman
Packaging sales can vary from company to company, but some of the mainstays remain consistent throughout the industry. Find out what is involved in packaging sales from this Q&A with an experiences salesman.
Pallet Wrappers in Stock
Stock pallet wrappers can be hard to come by. There are times when having one is essential for keeping production moving. Find out what to look for when needing a quick pallet wrapper, options to consider, and where you can find one.