Improving Packaging Productivity and Tape Consumption with IPG Tape Heads and Hot Melt Tape

Case Study: Manufacturer

Overview

Recently a Dairy Food Processor contacted Crawford Packaging because their existing case sealing solution was beginning to wear down and malfunction. When the Processor would use their existing equipment, they were experiencing tape jams and miss cuts requiring the packaging line to stop. Inconsistent closings required employees to manually check the cartons as they were palletized and hand seal any improperly sealed cartons.

Crawford’s Packaging Specialist visited the Processor’s facility to perform a free packaging consultation to identify the issue and determine a cost-effective solution. The Packaging Specialist identified the Processor could greatly increase their productivity by having our in-house technical service team replace their fatigued tape heads. The Packaging Specialist recommended IPG’s 1.7 mil Cold Temperature Hot Melt tape to ensure strong adhesion performance in the cold temperature environment.

Challenge

A Food Processor was experiencing issues with their ageing case sealing equipment. The sealer was having issues cutting lengths of tape and would often jam and stop production. Employees would need to remove the jam before continuing. These jams resulted in large amounts of tape being wasted and cases receiving poor seals. Employees would then have to double-check the seals on the cartons and hand seal any containers that were not properly sealed.

 

Process

Crawford Packaging’s Packaging Specialist visited the Processor’s facility to perform a free packaging consultation. Crawford’s packaging tape partner, IPG, accompanied the Specialist to provide additional expertise and technical knowledge. The consultation aimed to assess the Processor’s existing packaging tape solution, including their existing case sealing equipment, tape and sealing environment.

During the consultation, it was discovered that the Processor was working with inconsistent tape quality. The Processor’s case sealing equipment was also operating with a worn-out tape head. The worn tape heads were reducing their case sealers efficiency due to poor unwinding and cutting.

Following the consultation, the Packaging Specialist identified the Processor could greatly increase their productivity by replacing their fatigued tape heads. They could increase their efficiency with IPG’s 1.7 mil Cold Temperature Hot Melt tape. The Processor was open to performing a trial of the tape and were provided with test rolls once their tape heads were replaced by Crawford’s in-house technical service team.

Solution:

Intertape™ hot melt carton sealing tapes offer the widest range of application flexibility. They ensure excellent processing performance, whether manually or automatically applied. Their superior adhesion properties, holding force and tensile strength improves seal strength and ensure an easy unwind. This provides packers with reliable seals on a variety of cartons. With varying grades of adhesive, the Processor tested a 48mm, 1.7 mil tape engineered for cold temperatures. The tape is available in clear or tan for both hand and machine applicators.

 

Results

Through the replacement of the Processor’s old, worn out tape head, Crawford was able to help increase throughput levels and lower packing tape consumption. This knowledge-based packaging solution helped the client reduce their per pack costs.

 

Increased Case Sealing Throughput

The new case sealing heads has eliminated the Processor’s tape cutting and jamming issues. This has increased case throughput levels and improves case sealing productivity. Employees are now able to run cases consistently, without stopping to remove tape jams or hand seal cartons.

 

Improve Tape Consumption Rates

This tape packaging solution has greatly reduced the Processor’s consumption rates. The IPG hot melt adhesive was able to hold its seal on the first application. Employees no longer needed to run a carton through the sealer multiple times to achieve a strong lasting seal or replace tape once it fails.

 

Increased Labour Efficiency

This tape packaging solution has reduced labour costs per case sealed by reducing the number of times cases are handled. Employees are now able to spend their time packaging and sealing cases and less time removing the failed tape and reapplying.

 

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