Packaging Solutions for Pens: Bags, Boxes, and the Machines Behind Them
The journey of a pen from the factory to your desk involves a crucial stage: packaging. For pens, the two primary packaging types are bags and boxes, each requiring distinct technologies and equipment.
1. Bag Packaging
Bag packaging is a go-to choice for its cost-effectiveness and high speed, making it perfect for single pens or multi-packs. The machinery used typically falls into two categories:
The first is the Automatic Bagging Machine. This machine uses pre-made plastic bags. Pens are fed into these bags, and the machine then seals the open end using heat, creating a tight and secure closure. This method is straightforward and highly efficient for large runs of standard products.
For even greater integration, a Vertical Form-Fill-Seal Machine and Bagging Machine is often the powerhouse of the production line. This all-in-one system starts with a large roll of plastic film. It forms the film into a tube, creates a vertical seal, places the pen inside, and then makes the final horizontal seals to separate the individual packs. A key feature of this method is the inclusion of an easy-open tear-notch strip within the seal, allowing for a clean and simple opening experience.
2. Box Packaging
When a more premium or secure presentation is required, box packaging is the answer. The sealing process for boxes also involves specific automated equipment.
The workhorse here is the Automatic Cartoning Machine. This versatile machine erects flat cardboard blanks into three-dimensional boxes. For a classic, glue-free closure, it can be configured for a tuck-top flap style, where it precisely folds and tucks the top flap securely into the box.
For a more permanent seal, the same Automatic Cartoning Machine can be equipped with a hot melt glue system. In this setup, the machine applies precise dots or lines of adhesive to the flaps before folding and pressing them shut, resulting in a sturdy, tamper-evident package ideal for shipping and retail.
3. The Front-End: Sorting and Feeding the Pens
Before any sealing occurs, the pens must be sorted and counted—a process known as collating. This is where the level of automation is determined by the product’s design.
For uniform, cylindrical pens, automation is seamless. Vibratory bowl feeders or conveyor systems can effortlessly align, orient, and count these standard shapes before feeding them directly into the Automatic Bagging or Cartoning Machine.
However, challenges arise with non-standard pens. Models with clips, erasers, or other protruding parts can’t tangle in automated systems. Similarly, gift sets containing a pen, refills, and a manual are often too complex for full automation. In these scenarios, manual intervention is essential. Operators count the items and carefully place them into the feeding line of the packaging machine, ensuring that intricate or mixed products are handled correctly.
