Packaging 101

Block-Brace Air Tube Packaging

Block-brace air tube packaging is a technique that fills or surrounds the void fill areas of a packaged product. This secures the items and reduces the chances of it getting damage during shipping and the wider transportation process.

Automated Packaging Systems AirPouch FastWrap air tubes protective packaging is more cost effective when compared to other types of block and brace materials, such as Styrofoam peanuts, foam-in-place, or molded pulp inserts.

The on-demand air tubes are lightweight, and reusable. The block-brace air tube are dust free and durable enough to provide excellent product protection in a minimal space.

AirPouch FastWrap tubes come in a compact box that generates more than 1,380 linear feet of protective packaging. The tubes can be inflated when needed at speeds up to 65 feet per minute. Compact and convenient, the all-electric design and small footprint of the AirPouch FastWrap is ideal as a stand-alone system or combined with a variety of equipment accessories for any size pack station.

AirPouch FastWrap cushioning bubbles feature our patented, channel-filled honeycomb design, which
allows multi-direction wrapping and improved product protection. FastWrap block-and-brace tubes feature the patented EZ-Tear Perforations between each tube, making them easier to separate and reducing material waste.

Pyramid Packaging is a supplier of Autobag AirPouch FastWrap. For more information click here or call us at 847-272-3400.

Custom Packaging Films

Custom packaging films are a great way to stand out and get noticed. Pyramid Packaging can customize your plastic packaging films according to your blend, size and graphic design.

Our custom packaging films selection includes the following:

Pyramid can help you decide on which films are best suited for your packaging needs. Additionally, custom bags is the foundation of our business and with over 50 years of experience, we know how to best serve your unique needs.

At Pyramid Packaging, we provide out of the box packaging solutions and can engineer your packaging films. We also have experience working with an array of films, resins and laminations. Whether its custom pre-opened bags-on-a-roll or custom skin packaging board with artwork, we are well equipped to handle a multitude of challenges.

Our packaging engineers understand the extrusion, converting, design, printing processes and can oversee these task for you. By working with our packaging experts, we’ll ensure you get the right film for your application while reducing cost.

Established in 1968 Pyramid Packaging is a value-added, and ISO 9001 compliant supplier of packaging machinery, films, and services. Click here to contact us regarding your packaging film needs.

Pyramid Packaging named 2015 Automated Packaging Systems’ Distributor of the Year

Pyramid Wins the Automated Packaging Systems’ Distributor of the Year Award!

We are pleased to announce that Automated Packaging Systems has selected Pyramid Packaging as their top distributor for 2015. Pyramid Packaging has been representing APS for over 50 years in the Chicago market.

Pyramid Packaging is honored to be named Automated Packaging Systems' 2015 Distributor of the Year!

We are honored to have been selected as the Automated Packaging Distributor of the Year.

Pictured from left to right: Brad Worman – APS, Bob Ploen, Nancy Lee, Jeremias Gonzales, Justin Miller, Neal Houseworth, Tristan Farrell – Pyramid Packaging, Brian Zamary, Jim McCarthy – APS.

To learn more about the history of our company, please click here.

850S Mail Order Bagging Machines

The popularity of online shopping is a booming business. The Autobag 850S Mail Order Fulfillment bagger can take your e-commerce to the next level.

Mail Order fulfillment services are used to mail or ship items ranging from apparel clothing, prescription drugs, vitamins, and books. Mail order and e-commerce fulfillment packaging houses need to send products out as quickly and efficiently as possible. In order to speed up the delivery process, fulfillment houses will use automated bagging equipment.

Additionally, next-bag-out printing is achieved with an advanced thermal transfer imprinter positioned directly over the next bag to be loaded. As a result, this ensures accuracy and efficiency in fulfillment applications that require frequent product and label changeovers and prevents product queuing.

State-of-the-art engineering has resulted in a system that is inherently safe. Therefore, the Autobag 850S eliminates the need for bulky guarding or devices required for safe operation. This unobstructed access makes loading ergonomic as well as improving operator throughput.

Automatic baggers are designed to provide enhanced packaging productivity for mail order fulfillment applications. Bags are loaded onto the equipment, where they are automatically opened and sealed. Click on the video to watch the demonstration of the Autobag 850S Mail Order Fulfillment machine. You can request a quote today.

Pyramid Packaging is a supplier of Autobag mail order baggers. For more information click here or call us at 847-272-3400.

850S Mail Order Fulfillment bagger

Construction Packaging Supplier

Flexible packaging supplies and equipment are needed to securely wrap construction products and supplies.

Shrink packaging, tray packers, palletizing and stretch wrappers are used to package many types of construction supplies. These supplies range from lumber, roofing shingles, brick, stone, windows and flooring.

Because of the significant weight of these items, it is important to choose the proper type of film and thickness. This will make the journey a breeze in shipping.

Stretch wrap binds stone, bricks and shingles to skids.

Flexible packaging supplies and equipment are needed to securely wrap construction products and supplies. Stretch wrap binds stone, bricks and shingles to skids.

Plastic films, wraps and sheeting (also known as visqueen) are commonly used on construction sites. They are used to prevent dust contamination, construction enclosure, ground erosion control and vapor barriers for concrete & drywall.

We also sell gaylord liners, shrink bags and supply cover pallets, which also come in handy for transportation.

Since Pyramid Packaging is a value added supplier construction packaging supplies, we can ship, warehouse and manage the inventory of your packaging supplies.

For more information, view our presentation which documents how to find the right type of film for this industry, or fill out this form to contact us, and a member of our customer service team will get back to you promptly. You can email Pyramid Packaging at [email protected], or, call us at (847)-272-3400.

Construction Packaging Supplies

Bags-On-A-Roll

Have you ever wondered how many bags are on an Autobag roll or how many rolls are in a box? Well it all depends. Autobags are pre-made plastic bags on rolls designed to improve a company’s packaging efficiency. These bags are ideal for low to high volume packaging operations.

The plastic bags come in stock and custom sizes. Stock bags range in sizes from 2″ wide x 3″ long and as large as 15″ x 34″. For high production bagging applications, the bags on a roll added to a bagging machine to increase productivity.

The number of bags on a roll is determined by the bag’s length. For example, a standard duty, clear 2 x 3 stock bag has 5,500 bags on its roll whereas a larger 4 x 6 bag (double the length) has 2,500 on a roll.

The bag’s size also determines how many rolls are in a case. Because of its smaller width, 16 rolls of the 2 x 3 bags are in a case but only 8 rolls of the 4 x 6 are in a case.

When determining how many bags needed for your bagging application refer to the Autobag stock bag list or click here to contact a Pyramid Packaging and one of packaging engineers will assist you. Established in 1968 Pyramid Packaging is a value-added supplier of packaging machinery, supplies, and services.

Shurtape ShurSEAL Packaging Tape

Have you ever been frustrated opening up a box sealed with packaging tape? Shurtape has a solution which could help. Most of the time it requires a box cutter or knife to cut the tape in order to open up the box. Using a sharp edge object can result in damaging the content inside the box, losing valuable product. It also brings up the risk of accidentally cutting yourself.

The ShurSEAL Packaging Solution folds the tape on its edge along the length of the carton. This makes it easy to grip and remove the tape.

It was developed to address common case sealing issues, including worker injury and product damage caused by knife cuts. Additionally, the ShurSEAL solution features Folded Edge Technology, which folds both edges of the packaging tape along the length of the carton as it’s applied.

This edge-folding technique results in a secure, ready-to-open carton seal. It doesn’t require a knife or other sharp instrument to open. It creates a dry edge which allows users to grip the tape and remove it by hand, reducing the likelihood of damaging a product, or injuring a worker. As a result, the reinforced tape edge also provides an extra strong seal by increasing the strength of the tape.

Pyramid Packaging is a Chicagoland supplier of Shurtape products.

For more information watch the video or click here to contact Pyramid Packaging.

Advantages of On Demand Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is universal. It is used by shipping departments, mail order fulfillment centers, and third-party logistics to wrap a protect items during shipping.

Bubble wrap comes in large rolls which takes up lots of storage space and difficult to move around.

On demand bubble wrap can be made when needed which reduces storage space. On demand wrap comes in small 20″ x 17″ box which has enough wrap to create 1,380 linear feet. This is the equivalent of a quarter mile worth of wrap!

AirPouch FastWrap Bubble on-demand packaging materials offer a flexible, durable form of protective packing. These products secure and cushion your products while in transit, reducing returns and increasing customer satisfaction.

The FastWrap Bubble has a channel-filled, honeycomb bubble pattern which enables multi-directional wrapping. The durable and puncture-resistant bubbles inflate on-demand, which therefore saves valuable warehouse space.

AirPouch’s FastWrap Bubble on demand is infinitely recyclable and available in recycled blends. The FastWrap bubbles are clean, dust-free and lightweight, as well as having a high-yield as the boxed material reduces changeover time.

View the presentation to learn more, or fill out this form and a member of our customer service team will get back to you promptly regarding your inquiry. You can email Pyramid Packaging at [email protected], or also calling us at (847)-272-3400.

Advantages of On Demand Bubble Wrap from Pyramid Packaging Inc.

Air Pillow Packaging Advantages

There are plenty of advantages to using the trusty air pillow for the best void fill solution.

Void fill packaging uses material such as peanuts, paper or bubble on demand to fill spaces in packages. This eliminates the voids within a package and prevents the packaged item from moving around and possibly causing damage.

The time spent each day loading stored peanuts, and cleaning up the mess at each packaging station creates quite a bit of work. Additionally clients complain about the mess associated with the both paper and peanut packing material. Air pillow packaging is reusable, clean and is a great alternative to those other types of void fill packaging.

There are additional benefits, including: pillows require an average of 83% less effort to pull and separate than competitive brands, which keeps your operation at top speed and reduces changeover time. The durable and puncture-resistant pillows inflate on-demand, which saves valuable warehouse space.
They are are clean, dust-free and lightweight, as well as printable for customized branding. These recyclable pillows can be used again and again thanks to the EarthAware recycled materials the pillows are made of.

Read our Void Fill Packaging presentations to learn more about this type of packaging. Or click on our Contact Us form to fill out an inquiry, and a member of our customer service team will get back to you shortly.

Advantages of Void Fill – Air Pillow Packaging from Pyramid Packaging Inc.

Stretch Wrap: Why You Should Recycle It

Stretch wrap also called stretch film is a highly stretchable plastic film. It’s commonly made of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Because of it elasticity, it keeps skidded packages tightly bound or protects wrapped items from moisture and debris. Warehouses and distribution centers are filled skids and pallets wound in stretch wrap. Once the stretch wrapped item reaches its destination, it is removed where it is either discarded as trash or recycled.

If stretch wrap is thrown in the garbage, it means you are paying to throw away someone else’s trash. There’s also the guilt of knowing it’s going to a landfill where the it may take years to decompose. Stretch wrap is easily recyclable.

Once the wrap is removed it can be compacted in a baler so it can be easily stored until enough bales are ready for shipment. The bales could then be sold to a plastic recycling management company. These companies will either resell the bales or recycle the wrap into plastic pellets. The recycling management company will sell the plastic pellets to injection molders, blow molders and extruders.

Recycling stretch wrap can have hefty economic benefits, prevents it from entering landfills, saves energy and makes the world greener for future generations. Companies like the feeling of environmental responsibility especially if it doesn’t cost them anything. Flexible packaging products like stretch film should be recycled. It’s the right thing to do for business and environment.

To learn more, Automated Packaging System has a guide for how to best recycle stretch wrap. Please fill out our contact us form and a member of our customer service team will get back to you with your inquiry.

Void Fill Air Pillow Packaging Advantages

Void fill air pillow packaging uses material such as peanuts, paper or air pillows to fill spaces in packages. This eliminates the voids within a package and prevents the packaged item from moving around and possibly causing damage.

Void fill paper packaging creates dust & although reusable, most of the time it gets thrown out. Peanut packaging is messy and time consuming. As a result, the time spent each day loading stored peanuts, and cleaning up the mess at each packaging station creates quite a bit of work. Additionally, clients complain about the mess associated with the peanut packaging material.

Pyramid Packaging is a distributor of AirPouch Express 3 Void Fill packaging equipment. The AirPouch Express 3 Tabletop Void-fill System provides on-demand, easy-to-use AirPouch EZ-Tear air pillows for high packing productivity, and reduced shipping costs. Operating at speeds over 50 feet per minute in semi-or fully-automatic modes, the AirPouch Express 3 creates continuous strips of void fill air pillow which are ideal for all protective packaging applications. Simply plug the unit in, load the air pillow material, and start packaging.

The AirPouch EZ-Tear pillows are puncture-resistant air significantly improve protection while reducing packing and shipping costs.  Its perforated technology makes it extremely easy for packers to grab a strip of air pillows and quickly tear off as many as they need. The pillows are specially designed perforations allow more air into each pillow. They are available in 8, 10, and 12 inch widths. For more information, click here or call Pyramid Packaging at 847-272-3400.

Deciding on a Case Erector

Case erectors, sometimes called case formers, are used to either automatically or semi-automatically erect corrugated boxes. Case erectors can save time & money, improve throughput, provide consistently formed boxes and reduce labor cost. If you are using over 500 boxes a day or dedicating a full labor shift to manually erect boxes, then you will probably benefit from a case erector.

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing a case erector. The most important is how many boxes per minute can the machine erect and what are the sizes and types of boxes.

For high volume boxing applications, a fully automatic case erector can form, fold, and bottom seal RSC corrugated cases at speeds up to 20 cases per minute.

For lower volumes, a semi automatic case sealer may be a better choice. To help you decide which type of erector is best, to talk to a packaging engineer to help decide which machine is best for your needs.

Case forming and erecting machines automatically construct corrugated boxes. Both case formers and erectors will take a flat cardboard box and automatically form it to be packed. It will square up a box, then seal the bottom and make it ready to be packaged. Case erectors will always outperform somebody doing it manually, which will lead to lower labor costs and improve packaging efficiency.

Pyramid Packaging is a value-added supplier of packaging machinery, supplies, and represents Little David case erectors in the Chicago-land area. For more information on case erectors, view LittleDavid’s Case Erector PlayBook presentation. You can click here to contact Pyramid Packaging and a member of our customer service team will be in touch. You can also email us at [email protected], or call us at (847)-272-3400.

Little David Case Erector Buyers Guide from Pyramid Packaging Inc.

Horizontal Flow Wrappers

Horizontal flow wrappers are used to automatically wrap and seal food products such as baked goods, candy, and also electronic and hardware items.

Horizontal flow wrapping equipment will form the shape from the roll of packaging film. Next, it fill it with the product. Thirdly, it will seal. Finally, it will discharge the finished package at speeds which range from 60-250 packages per minute, depending on your machine.

Typical applications for horizontal flow wrappers include food, industrial, beauty products, medical devices, toys and games and baked goods. Depending on the machine you are interested in, each has a number of important features and options which can help in the long run. Pyramid Packaging will help you decide on which flow wrapper is the best fit for you. These flow wrappers can be a game-changer for your operation. As a result we want to assist you in taking the next step.

For more information on flow wrappers, view our SlideShare presentation.

You can reach out to Pyramid Packaging in a number of ways. First, contact us using this form, and a member of our customer service team will get back to you promptly. Next, you can email us at [email protected]. You can also call us at (847)-272-3400.

Horizontal flow wrappers are used to automatically wrap and seal food products such as baked goods, candy, and also electronic and hardware items.

Horizontal Flow Wrappers from Pyramid Packaging Inc.

UV Protective Bags

UV protective bags protect light-sensitive items such as medications, electronics and films from ultraviolet rays and other contaminants.

These special bags on a roll uses AMBR translucent material that provides 90% UV (a) and UV (b) resistance while allowing the product to be seen though the bag. Our AMBR bags are durable, have excellent printing characteristics and are available in amber and white colors.

Translucent and opaque materials provide high UV(a) and UV(b) protection, strength and also machinability. 

These bags are ideal for mail order fulfillment, pharmacy fulfillment, unit dose packaging, strict medical applications and security applications. With its ultra-violet protection, the durability in design, it has good printing characteristics which make it useful for the listed applications above.

UV radiation can cause the polypropylene material to degrade over time, leading to a loss of strength, flexibility, and overall integrity. These unique bags work by absorbing or reflecting UV rays, thereby reducing the degradation process and extending the lifespan of the bags.

To look at a full list, here is our Technical Data Sheet.

Pyramid Packaging is a stocking supplier of UV protective bags. Call us at 847-272-3400 for more information or click here for a quote on your bagging needs.

UV Protective Bags
These special bags on a roll uses AMBR translucent material that provides 90% UV (a) and UV (b) resistance while allowing the product to be seen though the bag. Our AMBR bags are durable, have excellent printing characteristics and are available in amber and white colors.

Flexible Packaging Equipment

Flexible packaging equipment is used to increase the packaging efficiency of flexible packaging materials. These materials include items such as poly bags/pouches, stretch wrap, shrink wrap, bubble wrap and void fill supplies. These are plastic-based films, which are used to package, protect and ship products for an array of industries.

Flexible packaging supplies provide several advantages. Their light weight resulting in lower shipping cost, less solid waste, and requires less storage space over their rigid packaging counterparts. However, the most common types flexible packaging machinery includes, baggers, stretch wrappers, shrink wrappers, void fill systems and on demand bubble wrapping machines.

Below are some definitions of what each type is and how it is best used.

Bagging machines come in semi-automatic and fully automatic, which can bag items up to 120 bags per minute.  The bags come on a roll which when added to the bagger improves the bagging process. Stretch wrapping equipment comes in automatic and automatic types.

Stretch wrappers secure items to a skid and protects it during shipping and storage. The skid is placed on the stretch wrapper’s turntable and the stretch wrap is applied as the turntable rotates.

Shrink wrappers are cost effective way to package products items so they can stand out when displayed. Shrink wrapping machines apply the shrink wrap film to the items and a conveyor moves it to the oven where the heat shrinks the film around the packaged item.

On demand bubble wrap and void fill equipment will inflate the bubble wrap and void fill films when needed results in reduced storage space.

Pyramid Packaging is a stocking supplier of flexible packaging supplies and equipment. Call us at 847-272-3400 for more information or click here for a quote on your flexible packaging equipment needs.

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