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Packing does not only involve wrapping a product, but also protecting, preserving and presenting the product. While there are multiple options available, a hard choice to make is between case packing vs tray packing. If you’re thinking of which method is best, you’re at the right place.
Case packing is a product packaging method that encloses products in corrugated boxes and rigid containers. It is mainly used to ship bulky items. It is usually constructed of such materials as plastic, wood, or corrugated cardboard. Goods are packed safely in cases to be transported.
The following are the main benefits of case packing.
Protection: The cases provided are enclosed to prevent damages on delicate products.
Cost-effectiveness: Less extra wrapping is needed. Thus, they offer a cost-effective solution.
Density: The process enables the safe transport of products in voluminous or considerable amounts.
Versatility: It can be applied to a wide variety of uses, food to electronics; everything can be shipped.
Regular Slotted Container (RSC):. It uses minimal material to enclose items in it. It has four even panels that wrap into a basic cardboard box. You can erect it by hand in a folded state because the case packer manufacturer’s flap is sealed in the right location.
Half-Slotted Container (HSC): This is quite similar to the RSC case but without top flaps. It has only one set of flaps located on one end of the case that fold in to form the bottom. However, the top remains open.
Wrap Around: This case does not have the case manufacturer’s flap sealed. It cannot be erected by hand alone because the flap must be attached in the right position with repeatability. Furthermore, panels are not folded on the sides. This means while the up and bottom are closed, the sides are open for compact shipping.
Harness Cases: With this style, one of the side panels is cut into two halves which come together in the middle at the top of the box. It can fit tightly around its contents and can be easily erected by hand.
Side Load: This is also called horizontal load. You load products like boxes and jars into the case from the side. This method ensures high efficiency and speed.
Top Load: This is also referred to as vertical load. It is loaded at the top, and it is best used in collating items such as bags, cans, and bottles, among others.
Drop Pack: You can use this to pack variations of rigid containers. It is flexible in the placement (inline, right angle, or counter flow).
Robotic Case Packing: It is a top-load case packing system that involves the use of a robot. The type of robot could be a robotic arm, a delta robot, or a SCARA robot.
Bottom Load: This is best suited when fragile products which could not be picked or tilted are to be loaded. During the packing process, the product remains standing so it can fit in easily. It is suitable for food and dairy products.
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Tray packing is a product packing method that uses open-mouthed and shallow containers to pack items such as food products. Some tray packers feature a light top flap which can be used as a cover, but most are usually open at the top.
They are made from similar materials with case packers like plastic, paperboard, or corrugated cardboard. There is use of automation systems such as tray sealers or tray sealing machines to achieve better efficiency. We will talk more about this in a moment.
The key benefits of this method include the following:
Visibility: This technique enables the aesthetic nature of products.
Accessibility: It facilitates the accessibility of products, especially those that are either purchased in large quantities or require quick selection.
Automation: Tray packing can be automated with commercial food tray sealer and ready meal sealing machine systems in order to achieve speed and accuracy.
Suitability: Tray packing is ideal for products that require open, easy-to-display containers. It is widely used in retail environments where products need to be presented clearly and neatly.
In-fold tray: This style is also called a beer tray. It is broad and shallow. It is normally flattened through a progression of small holes or openings which enable the side walls to fold up and go over each other on the corners.
Outfold tray: It is ideal for product stability. It is like an in-fold tray except that the short side walls are folded in and the longer side walls are folded out.
Locking tray: It has built-in tabs and slits for secure stacking. This way, it stands upright and secure even when it is empty.
Hollow wall tray: This design rolls up into itself to make more padding. It is usually reinforced for packing heavier items.
Produce tray: It is a larger tray with low side walls. It has ventilated designs for fresh produce. It is a stronger tray made out of cardboard or plastic, which is used in grocery stores to collate clam shells together to make them easy to access.
Club-store tray: It is also known as a warehouse club tray, a large cardboard tray with four windows that cut into the sides. It is designed mainly in big box stores and can be printed on to make pallet displays.
Pick and place: In this system, the products are grouped into rows before being picked and placed into a tray. It is perfect for various standard and shelf-ready packages. It can handle cartons, sealed trays, or roll-wraps
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): The MAP packaging machine extracts oxygen from the containers and inserts gases like Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen back into the container. It creates higher barrier films to prevent Oxygen from entering and the other gases from escaping.
This retards growth of bacteria and prolongs the shelf life of the product. Our Automatic Food Map Modified Atmosphere tray sealer packaging machine can do continuous packaging for higher efficiency. It adopts removable moulds and slows down the growth of microorganisms to extend fresh life of products.
Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP): This method uses vacuum sealing to create a tight seal that removes air from the packaging, preserving the product.
Tray stretch sealing: For produce that could extend beyond the line of the tray, the tray stretch sealing creates a stretchable film that can seal to the side of the tray. Thus, there is no leak of fluids or juices, reducing waste and mess.
Top Sealing: Since tray packers are open at the top, this automatic food tray sealing machine creates a flexible material that covers the top of the tray. It uses heat to seal it and form a protection against oxygen and moisture, which would otherwise contaminate the product.
Case packing is used for the packing and shipping of larger and heavier items. Several boxes of canned food, heavier appliances, or any other items that need a stronger protection would be best shipped using the method. However, since products are placed into a container, visibility is not possible.
The unit cost of bulk shipping is less with case packing. However, it has higher material expenses because it is made of high-quality materials like plastic and corrugated cardboard. It also incurs higher machinery costs as it requires more space for equipment.
The food industry is one of the largest sectors that uses tray packing. They are raw or partially-cooked thus they need a form of packaging that will avoid contamination and maintain their freshness to the final consumer.
When used together with automatic food tray sealers and MAP tray sealing machines, tray packing helps to prolong the life of the product without affecting the taste and texture.
The beverage industry is a strong application area of case packing. Manufacturers can rapidly pack soda, juice, bottled water, drinks, and more in bulk for wholesale and retail distribution.
Custom displays are sometimes done by tray packing. For example, 24-packs of bottled beverages may be placed in trays of corrugated cardboard material and shrink-wrapped. This way, products offer easy shelf stocking and high visual appeal.
The non-food industry, like pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, requires a packaging method that preserves and protects. Items such as supplement containers or pill bottles are often case packed.
The tray packing method is also employed in blister-packed items for sample kits. This technique encourages effective sorting and retrieval.
In the pet food sector, both packaging methods are adopted. For example, products that are ready to eat in single-serve portions are packaged with food tray sealing machines. Case packing is most applicable to canned foods to provide stability in bulk transportation.
Before choosing the packaging method that is best for you, here are the common factors you should consider:
It is important to consider the type and nature of the product you are packing. You must understand the dimensions, shape, weight, and fragility of the product. Case packing is ideal with delicate products. In the case of premium display-oriented products, tray packing could be essential, catering to the sense of aesthetics.
You should also determine the level of protection and shelf life your product needs. For products that require an average level of protection, you can use tray packing. In items that require more protection, Case packing can be utilized.
For the visual presentation of your product, tray packing may be essential. Trays also increase product visibility and facilitate impulse buying. They can improve the consumer’s impression of your brand. Case packing can hide the visibility of the product since everything is enclosed.
Tray packing makes the consumer experience better. It is used for products that need to be displayed quickly. The top flaps or the plastic film can be removed and products can be placed on racks or shelves, ready to be taken anytime. On the other hand, case packing does not grant immediate access to products.
It is important to consider the distribution channel to get the product to the target market and the packaging method that would suit that interest.
Cases are cost-effective for shipping products in large quantities, especially as they protect the product from damage. Trays require additional wrapping that may incur cost. Nevertheless, it is important to strike a balance between cost and sustainability by employing a packaging method which minimizes waste and is environmentally friendly.
Tray sealers are machines that seal products like food in a tray using a lid. This offers protection and increases the shelf life of perishable goods.
Although no specific packaging shape can be called the best, the rectangular boxes are most commonly used due to their versatility. They are able to carry many types of products.
Product characteristics, cost, and shipping conditions are some of the main aspects to be considered to know which one would suit you best.
The best packaging method between case packing vs tray packing depends on the factors mentioned in the article. Most importantly, select the method that best suits your interest and brand objectives.
Hualian Machinery is a leading packaging machine manufacturer that can help sort out your needs. Get in touch with us now for an amazing experience.
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