Cellophane Overwrapping Machines

Where 3D overwrapping fits

An overwrapping machine wraps a rectangular box in a tight film envelope with folded, heat-sealed ends. It is the clear film finish seen on perfume, tea, playing card and cigarette boxes, usually in BOPP or cellophane film and often with a tear tape.

The 42 configurations in this family include perfume, cosmetic and skincare boxes, pharmaceutical, supplement and healthcare cartons, tea and chocolate gift boxes, face mask boxes, condom boxes, playing cards, cigarette packs and cartons, and CD and DVD cases. The LV-BT280 / LV-BT350 Series is the reference model range.

• Perfume, cosmetic and skincare boxes
• Pharmaceutical, supplement and healthcare cartons
• Tea, chocolate and confectionery gift boxes
• Playing cards, cigarette packs and media cases

How an overwrapping machine works

The quality of the finish depends on the box as much as the machine. A box that is out of square, soft or varies in size will produce loose folds or creases however the machine is set.

• Box infeed, by hand or in line from a cartoner
• Film unwinding, with the tear tape applied from its own reel
• Film cut to length and wrapped around the box
• Side and end folds made by folding plates
• Heat sealing of the side seam and end folds
• Discharge through heated belts or plates to finish the seals

Confirm the carton or bundle

Provide the complete wrapped-object dimensions, rigidity and required grouping. Include the intended film and a finished presentation sample where possible.

• Carton or bundle dimensions and dimensional variation
• Film type, fold appearance and sealing requirements
• Tear tape, coding and change-part expectations
• Board stiffness, surface coating and how square the box is

Film, tear tape and finish

Configurations list BOPP film, cellophane film and tear tape as packaging materials, and some show double-sided anti-counterfeit tear tape. The film must have a heat-sealable coating that suits the seal temperature and does not mark the box.

Common finish problems are loose folds, wrinkles, visible seal marks and a tear tape that does not run straight. They usually trace back to box variation, film tension or seal temperature, and should be checked with your box and film on a trial.

• Film type, thickness and heat-seal coating
• Tear tape position, color and any printed or security tape
• Required appearance of the end folds
• Static and dust on the film in your production room

Plan infeed and changeovers

Discuss product orientation, upstream delivery and downstream handling. Confirm the change parts and adjustments needed for each approved format.

Overwrappers often follow a cartoner, which means the two machines must agree on box orientation, pitch and stop signals. When boxes are fed by hand, plan the operator position and buffer.

Overwrapping or flow wrapping

Overwrapping folds film tightly around a rigid box with no fin seal, giving a close, box-shaped finish. Flow wrapping makes a pillow pack with a fin seal and crimped ends, suited to individual products such as bars or biscuits. If the item is not a rigid rectangular box, flow wrapping is usually the route to compare.

What to send for an evaluation

Send several finished boxes from production rather than a single hand-made sample, together with the film and tear tape specification, a wrapped reference sample if you have one, and the output you need. Quantities for any trial are agreed with the team before shipping.

Questions buyers ask about overwrapping machines

Can one machine wrap several box sizes? Yes, within its range, with change parts and adjustments for each size. List every size so the parts and changeover steps are included in the quotation.

Is a tear tape required? No. It is an option shown on many configurations. Specify it if the consumer needs an easy-open feature.

Can it wrap a bundle of several boxes? It depends on the bundle size and how stable it is when pushed. Send the bundle arrangement for review.

Why does this family include a playing card cartoning configuration? It is listed with the card overwrapping configurations because the two are often used together. Other cartoning configurations are in the cartoning family.