Online Exclusive: All Wrapped Up
Quick changeover times make overwrapping high-end perfume and cosmetic products more efficient.
By Lisa Samalonis, Associate Editor

While many perfume and cosmetic product cartons are overwrapped in plastic film, a precise, tight and

High-end products shine in a perfect overwrap.

unwrinkled overwrap is needed for these pretty packages to really shine for customers.
“Our machines overwrap many high-end perfume and cosmetic product cartons. We supply machines to the largest cosmetic manufacturers including Estée Lauder, Coty, L’Oréal and P&G among others,” explains Ryan Heffelfinger of Roberts Technology Group, Inc., the North American supplier of Packaging Machinery and Flexible Packaging Films.

The Chalfont, PA company represents Sollas Holland B.V, a European machine manufacturer based in The Netherlands. “The Sollas overwrappers are well known for their flexibility in handling various size cartons as well as providing a high quality wrap suitable for cosmetics,” he explained.

Quick Change Parts
One of the main issues in cosmetic overwrapping is how many different size cartons companies have to be wrapped. “For each size carton a company has, it requires a set of carton-related change parts. Switching from one carton to another carton (also known as changeover) on a machine could take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes,” Heffelfinger said.

Sollas machines are gentle yet efficient.

Recently, Sollas Holland B.V. created the Sollas FSX overwrapping machine that is able to reduce that time to 10 minutes. This resulted in gained production time and increased output, he explained.

The machine was designed using the latest servo-motor technology to adjust all settings automatically via the machine’s user-friendly touch screen HMI display. “The Sollas FSX is the first fully servo driven overwrapper with a small machine footprint that combines flexibility with high speed. It’s designed for any company that has or wants an automatic production line that can handle various products in different sizes,” he said.

Also, this machine could be an ideal solution in cases where the existing overwrapper has become a bottleneck in the production flow due to its slow changeover time.

In addition to being efficient, Sollas machines are designed to provide the perfect wrap of high quality products. The in-feed conveyor has a felt belt and felt also lines all flat surfaces that come into contact with the product. Where felt is not possible, parts are highly polished, explained Heffelfinger.

Stripe seals are used for rectangular products.

In addition, specially shaped folding parts are used to achieve the tightest possible wrap. Special attachment pieces are employed for the sealing bar to prevent undesired wrinkling and shrinking. The side seal plates are provided with spot/stripe seals. Spot seals are round and are mainly used for square products. Stripe seals are elongated and are used for rectangular products. Square folding, which calls for very precise folding and sealing, is a specialty of Sollas.

The Individual Product Transfer device (or IPT) also can be applied to provide further security in product handling. With this device, the products do not touch one another while they pass through the folding and sealing section. Instead, they are pushed through individually. “The ultimate solution for feeding perfumery and cosmetic products is our special non-friction roller infeed that will eliminate all scuff marks and scratches,” said Heffelfinger.

Finally the quality of the film is critical to a high-end result. “Best results are achieved with double-sided coated polypropylene of 25-30 microns,” he said.