Non-contact laser sealing of thin polyester food packaging films
Neil Brown
David Kerr
Robert M. Parkin
Michael R. Jackson
Fangmin Shi
2134/13167
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Non-contact_laser_sealing_of_thin_polyester_food_packaging_films/9561056
We describe a laser-based, non-contact sealing technique for thin, polyester-based lidding
films, used in PET containers for food packaging. The method uses a beam-steered laser to
seal the container, thereby enabling virtually instant changeover from one product line to
another. Unlike conventional sealing PET film processes, no bespoke tooling is required to
hold the package components in close proximity and under pressure whilst the seal is formed.
This greatly reduces sealing machine tooling costs and potential downtime at product
changeovers. Results are presented that show that the process is able to produce seals of
higher strength using thin (26μm) polyester film than those from the conventional
thermal/mechanical process. This provides a potential for increased production flexibility,
reduction in product wastage, and for reducing the cost and embodied energy in construction
of a less massive sealing machine.
2013-09-18 11:09:26
Welding
Packaging
Polymer
Films
Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified