Method of forming heat-shrunk packing with opening features
A packaging system includes an object, a heat-shrinkable package, and a protective film. The heat-shrinkable package is formed from heat-shrinkable film around the object and the heat-shrinkable film includes a weakened portion. The protective film is coupled to the heat-shrinkable film and positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film. The heat-shrinkable package is configured to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object in response to being exposed to a heat-shrink environment. The protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing to package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment.
1. A method of packaging an object, comprising:
forming a package of heat-shrinkable film around an object, the heat-shrinkable film including a weakened portion;
coupling a protective film to the heat-shrinkable film, wherein the protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film; and
exposing the package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to a heat-shrink environment configured to cause the package of heat-shrinkable film to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object;
wherein the protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing the package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment; and
wherein forming the package of heat-shrinkable film around the object comprises:
feeding the heat-shrinkable film in a Z-folded state having a major fold and a minor fold; and
forming a longitudinal seal between a first end of the heat-shrinkable film and the minor fold to form a tunnel of the heat-shrinkable film.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrunk film is substantially opaque.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrinkable film and the protective film are formed from substantially the same material.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective film is made from a material that shrinks less than the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film during exposure to the heat-shrink environment.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the protective film is formed from the heat-shrinkable film between the minor fold and a second end of the heat-shrinkable film.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the weakened portion is located in the heat-shrinkable film between the minor fold and the major fold under the protective film.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
forming a transverse leading seal and a transverse trailing seal on opposite sides of the object;
wherein each of the transverse leading seal and the transverse trailing seal seals a portion of the heat-shrinkable film between the first end and the major fold, a portion of the heat-shrinkable film between the major fold and the minor fold, and a portion of the heat-shrinkable film between the minor fold and the second end.
8. A method of packaging an object, comprising:
forming a package of heat-shrinkable film around an object, the heat-shrinkable film including a weakened portion;
coupling a protective film to the heat-shrinkable film, wherein the protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film; and
exposing the package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to a heat-shrink environment configured to cause the package of heat-shrinkable film to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object;
wherein the protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing the package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment;
wherein coupling the protective film to the heat-shrinkable film comprises:
feeding the protective film along the heat-shrinkable film so that the protective film covers the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film before forming the package of heat-shrinkable film; and
wherein forming the package of heat-shrinkable film around the object comprises:
forming a transverse leading seal and a transverse trailing seal on opposite sides of the object;
wherein the transverse leading seal seals a first end of the protective film to the heat-shrinkable film and wherein the transverse trailing seal seals a second end of the protective film to the heat-shrinkable film.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the heat-shrinkable film and the protective film are formed from substantially the same material.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the protective film is made from a material that shrinks less than the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film during exposure to the heat-shrink environment.