Method and systems for applying stretch films/plastic films at a controlled temperature
A system for controlling the temperature of a film before and/or during application, the system including: a heat source for heating a film; and stretch rollers; wherein the heat source heats the film from an ambient temperature to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature, wherein the film is heated prior to or simultaneous to being stretched by the stretch rollers, and wherein the ambient temperature is below 15° C. The preheating system may be used to enhance binding and sealing properties of stretch films used for wrapping palletized products in a reduced temperature environment. Other embodiments of the preheating film system, and methods for its use, are described herein.
1. A method for increasing the temperature of a film before and/or during application of the film in a reduced temperature environment, the method comprising:
providing a film to at least one roller;
providing a film preheater system that is configured to increase the temperature of the film, the film preheater system comprising a heat source that is configured to provide a targeted application of heat directly to the film, wherein the film preheater system is positioned so as to provide heat directly to a surface of the film and across a width of the film on the at least one roller;
warming the film from an ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment;
stretching the film on the at least one roller; and
wrapping the film around a perishable product;
wherein the ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment to which the film is exposed is below 15° C.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is comprised of polyolefin, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, ethylene propylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene or a combination thereof.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is comprised of linear low density polyethylene.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is warmed by direct contact with warmed air provided by the heat source.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is warmed by infrared radiation using a lamp as the heat source.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is warmed by conduction using a metal heat block as the heat source.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the film is warmed by radiation using a metal heat block as the heat source.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perishable product maintains a temperature of below 15° C. during the warming, stretching, and wrapping steps.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the warming step occurs prior to or simultaneous with the stretching step.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment is from about 0° to about 15° C.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
injecting a modified atmosphere inside the wrapped film.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wrapping step forms an airtight sealed enclosure around the perishable product.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
injecting a modified atmosphere inside the airtight sealed enclosure.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
maintaining an atmosphere inside the airtight sealed enclosure.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the heat source comprises an infrared lamp, a metal heat block, or heated air.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stretching occurs prior to the wrapping.
17. A method for improving the application of a film in a reduced temperature environment, the method comprising:
providing a film to at least one roller;
stretching the film on the at least one roller;
wrapping the film around a product at an ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment;
warming the film using a film preheater system comprising a heat source that is configured to provide a targeted application of heat directly to the film;
warming a modified atmosphere using a heater to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment; and
injecting the warmed, modified atmosphere inside the wrapped film;
wherein the ambient temperature of the reduced temperature environment to which the film is exposed is below 15° C.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein injecting the modified atmosphere comprises injecting a gas within the wrapped film.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein warming the modified atmosphere occurs prior to or during injecting inside the wrapped film.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the film and the modified atmosphere are warmed to about the same temperature.