Kids love to jump on it. Adults pop it to relieve stress or boredom. "It" is bubble wrap, the plastic stuff with air-filled mini-pillows that's used in boxes and envelopes to cushion and protect the contents.
The folks at Automated Packaging Systems of Streetsboro knew that bubble wrap is popular for packaging. They also knew, however, that storing it is awkward and takes up a lot of space. So they decided to tackle those issues.
The result is the AirPouch FastWrap system, which the company introduced at Pack Expo in Chicago a few months ago.
Automated Packaging Systems' target markets for AirPouch FastWrap are manufacturing companies that ship their products in boxes, as well as mail-order fulfillment operations.
"While we're not the first company to introduce a bubble-wrap-on-demand system, ours is different in three important ways," Rempe says.
The system is unique with its combination of versatility to create cellular cushions or tubes with variable air pressure and a range of sizes, he explains.
"Variable air pressure can be helpful when fragile products require additional protection. The innovative honeycomb pattern on the wrap allows air to flow between individual cells. This provides uniform protection across the entire sheet, which makes it ideal for cross wrapping fragile products."
The system has EZ-Tear perforations every 10 inches on the wrapping and at every individual tube.
"This offers flexibility and speed in packaging," he notes. "It can also produce both cellular wrapping and tubes." Tubes are used for blocking and bracing in-box packaging.
The AirPouch FastWrap system is compact, measuring 20.5 inches long, 8.5 inches wide and14 inches high. It weighs just 35 pounds. "It's truly portable, doesn't require an air line and uses standard 120V electricity," Rempe says.
Source: Chris Rempe, Automated Packaging Systems
Writer: Lynne Meyer