Kwik-Fill Bags

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Polyester Strapping – PET Stapping

Polyester strapping (also known as PET Strapping) is used when regular polypropylene strapping isn’t strong enough to get the job done. Polyester strap most closely resembles steel strapping in its physical characteristics.

Polyester strapping will withstand higher tensioning than other plastic strapping – up to 25% higher – with equivalent break strengths. It will retain tension on rigid loads better than other non-metallic strapping.

Polyester strapping is virtually unaffected by weather or ultraviolet rays. It is significantly lower in cost than steel strapping, a lot safer to use (no sharp edges), and easier to dispose of. 

Considering all of the above, polyester strapping has become a wise & popular choice as a steel strapping replacement.

Strapping Finish

Standard finish for polyester strapping is smooth. Strapping with a smooth finish has a much higher tensile strength then the same strapping gauge with an embossed finish. Since  polyester strapping is meant to replace steel strapping in many applications, it is manufactured with the highest break strength available.

When applied to heavy loads, polyester strap can absorb a high amount of energy without breaking and it has a higher resistance to elongation under tension than other types of strap. The strap can be applied manually or by automatic process.

Manufactued from textile yarn, the straps rounded edges will not scratch paintwork  or damage  forklift truck tires. The edges allow it to fit smoothly around packaging contours including those of difficult or unusually shaped products.

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Custom Poly Bags – What is the minimum

This is a very frequently asked question regarding custom poly bags.  The simple answer is:

500lbs or 5000 bags

The real answer regarding custom poly bags requirements more depends on the customer’s usage as the quantity breaks a significant as you move from 500lbs to 2500lbs.  For example

6×6 1.25mil bag printed 1 side 1 color

5,000    bags              $75.70
10,000  bags              $42.37
25,000  bags              $26.10

To arrive at the answer for the optimum custom poly bag order quantity we must understand EOQ and GMROI for both the customer and the distributor.  The price per lbs or bag is only one factor in the decision.  Based on usage we can come up with the best order and stocking quantity to meet the customers requirements.

CALL US TODAY to analyze your custom bag requirements

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Bag or Liner Size Formula

If you don’t have a flexible tape to measure around the drum/box or given the information in an email, how do you calculate the circumference?

Circumference = Pi (3.14) times Diameter (C=pD)

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     Whether you’re a novice or an expert in Strapping Materials, what do you really need to know?  The basics of strapping is fairly simple, once you familiarize yourself with the types of products, you’ll be able to answer the basic questions regarding your particular need.  Let us help you get to that point! 

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE 5 TYPES OF STRAPPING:

STEEL:     Steel is the strongest of all the strapping materials and has always been a reliable source of strapping.  The specifics with steel are that it has very low elongation, which means that it won’t stretch under high tension situations as a polyester strap. So if your shipment calls for high strength and minimal movement, steel is your answer.  Steel is also the strap used where the product is extremely sharp or hot because of its strength and ability to withstand high temperatures without compromising its integrity.  Although technology advances and more strapping alternatives enter the marketplace, steel is still the preferred material in with some applications.  It is most commonly used in steel service centers, rail car applications and heavy construction.  Steel is sealed using mechanical seals and notch type joints.   The downfall to steel is that it’s dangerous to work with and difficult to recycle.  

POLYPROPYLENE:     Polypropylene is the most commonly used and least expensive of all the strapping alternatives.  Unlike steel, it has high elongation, elongation recovery and has very low retained tension.  Polypropylene is an excellent choice for light duty palletizing, unitizing, carton closing and bundling.  It’s used in all semi automatic strappers and nearly all stand along arch machines.  Polypropylene is available in both manual and machine grade and can be with buckles, seals, heat seals and friction welds.  Polypropylene is easy to work with and recycle. 

POLYESTER:     Polyester is the most rigid of all strapping materials.  It elongates significantly less than polypropylene and retains tension over a longer period.  Polyester is nick resistant and can be sealed with seals, heat or friction.  Polyester is frequently used in heavy duty loads that need high initial tension along with high retained tension during handling and storage.  The most common applications are empty cans and bottles, lumber and heavy, rigid palletizing.  Polyester has become a favorite due to its favorable pricing and performance characteristics and it’s easy to dispose of.  Polyester is available is machine grade and hand grade.

CORD STRAP:     Cord strap is available in both polyester and rayon and in two basic forms: uniline and cross woven.  Uniline cord is manufactured by gluing fibers together, with cross woven a cross weave is added between the fibers.  Polyester cord offers excellent resistance to moisture and is frequently used in agricultural and outdoor applications for bracing trees to strapping covers in the marine industry.  Cord is used only in manual applications and is sealed using buckles, seals or tied.  Like polypropylene, cord has high elongation.

NYLON:     Nylon is the least common plastic strap due to its rubber band like character.  It has mild elongation and high tension recovery.  Due to its rubber bank like characters, it is the most expensive plastic strap and has been pushed out of position by the poly strapping family.

COMMON STRAPPING TERMS

• BREAK STRENGTH:  The amount of force required to break the strap (expressed in pounds)
• CAMBER:  The amount of twist or curve in strapping. 
• CREEP:  The loss in initial tension that occurs over a period of time.
• ELONGATION:  The amount of stretch in a strap as force or tension is applied. (Usually expressed in 40%-60% of the ultimate break strength)
• ELONGATION RECOVERY:  The straps ability to recover to its original state after tensioning.
• EMBOSSING:  The textured pattern applied to most machine-direction polypropylene strapping in the manufacturing process.
• HAND GRADE STRAPPING:  Designed to be applied by hand, with manual, electric or pneumatic tools.
• JOINT EFFICIENCY:  The total usable strength of strap is only as strong as the joint holding the two ends together.
• MACHINE GRADE STRAPPING:  Polypropylene or polyester designed to run through full track arch machines.
• RETAINED TENSION:  The straps ability to retain its initial tension level after the passage of time.
• SEMI AUTOMATIC STRAP:  A cost effective strap designed for archless machines. 
• SHOCK RESISTANT:  The straps ability to stretch and return to its original state without breaking.
• SPLIT RESISTANT:  The straps ability to withstand lateral tears.

BREAK STRENGTH

CARTON REINFORCEMANT:  A 3 to 1 ratio of total strap break strength to package weight is a good guideline for reinforcement applications.

PALLETIZED CASES:  The following formula is used to determine strap break strength on palletized loads: 

Pallett Weight x 1.5= Required Tensile Strength/Straps

UNITIZING AND BUNDLING:  Use a 5 to 1 ratio of strap break strength to package weight.

WHAT KIND OF BUCKLE DO I NEED?

REGULAR DUTY METAL:  Engineered for easy threading and features an “S” lock to maximize holding power.

HEAVY DUTY METAL:  Available in (2) designs.  The square design is made for thicker gauge strap and heavy tension.  The regular design is used for the traditional size strapping.

PHOSPATE COATED BUCKLES:  Used in polyester cord and rayon cord heavy duty applications.  The phosphate coating affords some additional protection against corrosion and improves joint efficiency when properly applied.

PLASTIC:  Used in a variety of low tension applications where there is a concern for rusting or marring the surfaces.

SEALS

OPEN SEALS:  The most common seal for regular duty applications.  Open seals allows you to place the seal on after tensioning has occurred,  (also referred to as a snap-on seal)

CLOSED SEALS:  Closed seals must be threaded onto the strap before tensioning.  They are rarely used in regular duty applications.

PUSH TYPE:  Sometimes called “full overlap seals”, push type seals are used with round bundles and with pusher tools in heavy duty applications.

STRAPPING MACHNES

SEMI AUTOMATIC:  The semi automatic strapping machine is the most inexpensive because it’s the tabletop machine and can justify multiple machines.  It’s very versatile and works with low to moderate volumes.  These machines are available in stainless steel side seal for harsh environments.  Because it’s sealing head is on the side, debris does not fall in the machine.

ARCH STRAPPING:  The operator of these machines places the item to be strapped in the machine and controls the strapping cycle.  This model is available in bottom seal or side seal and its cost can be justified by its higher output.

FULLY AUTOMATIC:  This is an operator free machine that moves the items that need to be strapped through a conveyor through the arch.  These are also available in a bottom and side seal. 

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Reclosable Plastic Bags

When it comes to accessible storage, you can depend on Amerisource Seal Top Bags for the convenience, strength and durability you need. Amerisource’s Seal Top bags open and close easily and provide a secure seal that offers superior protection. Because our Seal Top Bags are made from top quality virgin polyethylene, you can trust them for safe storage of just about anything, including food products. And the best news is that our Seal Tops are competitively priced, so you don’t have to pay extra to get the quality! 

OUTSTANDING QUALITY

• Convenient, individually labeled inner packs* of 100 bags each help keep bags clean and reduce waste
• Offset lip and easy-grip ridges make Seal Tops easy to open and close
• Seal Tops meet USDA and FDA requirements for use with food products
• Clearly labeled and bar-coded cartons make storage and inventory easier
• Broad selection of sizes and configurations to select from

EXCEPTIONAL CONVENIENCESeal Top bags provide convenient access to the contents, time and time again. Seal Tops are dependable, with a rugged closure that can stand up to repetitive openings and closings while maintaining a secure seal. Access to the stored contents is important as well, and Seal Tops once again prove their superiority with an offset lip and incorporated ridges that make them easy to open, even with gloved hands.BROAD SELECTIONAmerisource has a broad selection of Seal Top bags to choose from. These bags are available in various mil gauges and in a wide range of sizes, so there’s bound to be one that’s just right for your application. They’re available clear, with a white block that aids in contents identification and labeling, or with a hang hole for easy item display and organization.

 UNMATCHED CUSTOM CAPABILITIES

Whether you need a custom printed bag or a special configuration that’s tailored to your unique needs, Amerisource has the capability to meet virtually any requirement. Regardless of whether you need a few thousand or millions of bags, contact Amerisource to find out how we can put our expertise and unmatched capabilities to work for you.

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There are many types of stretch wrap film. Each has qualities that are particularly suitable in addressing the specific needs of your stretch wrapping operation, such as load size and type, performance requirements as well as budget. The following lists some of the most important types of stretch film, their attributes and applications. Click on a stretch wrap film below for details.

Cast Stretch Film 
Cast stretch film also called cast film or cast wrap, is manufactured using the cast extrusion process. Typical characteristics of cast stretch films are: excellent optics, clear, glossy, superior tear resistance, quiet unwind, consistent cling and consistent film thickness. Cast stretch film products: Hand & Machine rolls can be cast or blown film.

Blown Stretch Film 
Manufactured using the blown film extrusion process and also referred to as blown film. Typical blown strecth film characteristics are: poor optics, hazy, dull, excellent puncture resistance, very noisy unwind and high force on load.

Hand Stretch film 
Stretch film designed specifically to be applied manually is referred to as hand stretch film. It is also referred to as hand film, hand stretch wrap, hand wrap or manual pallet wrap. It is typically utilized in lower capacity packaging operations. However the efficiency of manual stretch wrap packaging should be regularly re-evaluated against potential benefits of upgrading to a machine wrapper. Choosing the right stretch applicator will result in more efficient and cost effective packaging operations.

Machine Stretch film 
Stretch film designed to be applied with a stretch wrap machine is referred as machine stretch film. It provides many advantages over hand film including: faster and more efficient packaging, reduced packaging material costs, safer application, more secure loads and more. Common machine stretch film types: cast machine stretch film, blown machine film and prestretched films.

Prestretch films 
Prestretched film is film that is stretched before wrapping a load. Prestretch film benefits include:

Specialty Stretch film 
Specialty stretch films are designed to answer very specific packaging needs that more general purpose stretch packaging solutions cannot accommodate. A small sample of some specialty stretch packaging films are below, each are linked to a product details page.

• UVI Stretch Wrap – UV Ray reisistance
• Tinted Wrap – Protect valuable items
• Vented Pallet Wrap
• Wide Web Wrap
• Pallet Covers
• Anti-Static
• Hi Performance Film

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Regular Slotted Carton (RSC)

Also called shipping boxes, RSCs are the most commonly used boxes. They are usually kraft brown in color, have four flaps on the top and bottom and the side walls are sealed at one corner known as the “Manufacturer’s Joint.” This design is highly functional for most packing applications.

Multiple-Depth Carton (MDC)

The same box design as an RSC, but with horizontal scores (creases) at selected depths along all four side walls. This feature gives you depth flexibility when packing a box. A Multiple-Depth Carton can be several boxes in one.

Half Slotted Carton (HSC)

A variation of the RSC, the Half Slotted Carton has only one set of flaps. The opposite side of the box is completely open, allowing it to slide over an item. Envision the use of the box turned over so that the flaps are on the top. The covered item is usually attached to a pallet or other type of surface that serves as a separate bottom.

Full Overlap Slotted Carton (FOL)

With a Full Overlap Slotted Carton, all “length” flaps are also equal to the width of the box. The flaps actually fold over one another to provide added strength and protection to the top and bottom.

Five-Panel Folder (FPF)

A Five-Panel Folder actually resembles a shallow-depth box when assembled. It is a one-piece box with an over-lapping top and over-lapping end panels. The functional design is also economical.

Snap-Bottom Carton (SBC)

Available with tuck-in top or with RSC-style top flaps (shown). Also referred to as an “auto bottom” box. The bottom of the box snaps into place without tape for quick assembly. Best suited for light-weight products.

Full Telescope Design Carton (FTD)

A two-piece box with a separate lid that fits over a bottom tray.

Half Telescope Design Carton (HTD)

Two half-slotted cartons with one box slightly smaller to enable it to be inserted into the other box. Offers the ability to adjust the height or length of the box to fit your needs. Especially suitable for large, heavy items. For depth flexibility with smaller items, visit the multi-depth box section of this web site.

Two-Piece Carton With Separate Lid (CSL)

Die-cut box with open top and tray-style lid. Similar to a File Storage Box, but without the hand holes on either end. See file storage box section of this Web Site if you are looking for a box to store paper files.

Double Cover Carton (DC)

One-Piece Folder (OPF)

Mailer-Style Boxes (MSB)

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Edge Crush Test (ECT) measures the stacking strength of corrugated cardboard boxes or fiberboard. Determining a finished box’s compression strength is defined by the amount of force that is needed to crush cardboard by standing it on its edge. This test is also measured in lbs per square inch. For example, a box with an ect 32 lbs per square inch indicates that the board, standing on edge, can withstand a force of 32 lbs per square inch before crushing.

Think about the movement of your boxes during transportation. At some point during a move it is likely your boxes will be stacked on a pallet, in a container or in the back of a truck. Yes, stacking is the key concept behind ect. Know the strength of your corrugated cardboard boxes before stacking.

 -ECT = distribution & transportation of boxes and their stacking strength.

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