FAQ
   

1 – How do I select a cover or film?

• Size calculation:
- Width: + 50 to 80 mm of the pallet
- Length: + 50 to 80 mm of the pallet
- Height = height of pallet + 1/2 width + 150 to 200 mm.

• Thickness:
- In 75 % of cases: 120 µ
- Items with sharp cutting edges: 150 - 180 µ
- Heavy products that nonetheless sit well on the pallet:  130 - 140 µ
- Heavy products that do not sit well on the pallet:  180 µ
- Bags of non-fluid products: 120-140 µ
- Bags of highly fluid products: 150 µ
- Crossover assembly cardboard boxes: 120 µ
- Non-crossover assembly cardboard boxes: 140-150 µ

∧Top of page

 

 

2 – How can I really protect my pallet with a cover?



The pallet should be lifted so that all four corners are accessible:  The aim of this is to enable the film to shrink under the pallet, thus creating even greater cohesion between the pallet and the load placed on it. 



The RIPACK® range includes an accessory designed to maintain lifted pallets: the CALPACK (please consult your dealer).









Slide on the shrink cover, the perimeter of which must be approximately 5% greater than the perimeter of your pallet, and which must be sufficiently long to be able to shrink under the pallet (H + 200 mm).



RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SHRINKING
(Failing specific recommendations from the film manufacturer):




Stand at a minimum distance of approximately 30 centimetres from the film and start shrinking from the lower part of the four sides, so that the first shrinking catches under the pallet.  Make sure you keep the air flow perpendicular to the sides of the pallet.
Apply the heat in a continuous movement, at a constant speed.







As not all films retract at the same speed, observe the one you are using and adapt your sweep speed and/or distance from the film in consequence.
You can also regulate the power of the RIPACK® 2200 using its adjustable SECURIPACK.
Once the bottom of the pallet has been shrunk, continue the operation on each side, working right across the width from bottom to top.






Once the four sides have been done, shrink the top by directing the hot air flow above the pallet.
Warning: As the film is already taut after the lateral shrinking, you will need to apply less heat in order to avoid damaging the cover.






Due to the way it is made, shrink film continues to shrink after heat application has ended, for a variable time and depending on the quality, thickness and type of load covered. We therefore recommend that you wait until the cover is cold and taut before moving the pallet.

After cooling and before stocking, always check the integrity of the cover and the wrapped products.

∧Top of page

 

 

3 – How do I correctly protect a product using flat film?




You can also wrap a wide variety of different shaped items using flat film.
To make sure you achieve a good seal, leave an overlap of at least 30 cm






Start by sealing the film with a continuous sweeping motion, and follow up with pressure on the join using a spatula, to make sure that the two layers are truly welded together.
When the seal has been achieved, carry out shrinking, keeping the appliance at least 30 cm from the surface and in accordance with the manufacturer’s shrink wrap recommendations.








NOTE: The combustion nozzle rotates freely in order to facilitate your work.
• Point the nozzle in the direction required.




∧Top of page

 

 

4 – What are the different kinds of plastic film?

• LdPE (Low density polyethylene): the most commonly used.

• Polyethylene variations:
- anti-uv: To protect film from U.V. ageing.
- Colour - opaque: product is not visible, colours are protected. (E.g.: for a coloured water: avoids colour change due to U.V.), etc.

• Non-stick and co-extruded PE+PP: to avoid the cover sticking to the product.

∧Top of page

 

5 – Shrink wrap and the environment

Low density polyethylene film (LdPE) is made up of neutral element; it is an inert material. Its manufacture, utilisation, recycling and destruction do not give off any polluting elements.

It is 100 % recyclable at very low cost. In the case of incineration, the gasses released (CO2 and H2O) already exist in nature and are not harmful to the environment.

Its heating capability is high (one ton of PE = one T.O.E.) and it can be envisaged as a substitute source of energy.  Its manufacture and recycling, compared to that of cardboard, are less costly in terms of energy and environment.

∧Top of page

 

 6 – What does the date printed on the gun hose mean?

RIPACK®, manufacturer of the RIPACK® Shrink Gun, certifies that the date printed on the rubber hose that connects to the gas bottle, is the year in which it was manufactured.

This is the only date required by the NF EN 559 Standard "flexible rubber hoses for welding, cutting or similar techniques", which covers our supply. There is no use-by date.

The recommendations for changing are as follows:
- If a visual examination reveals damage;
- A maximum of every three years of intensive use;
- At the very latest five years after having been put into service in all other cases.

This refers to professional and not domestic use.

∧Top of page

 

7 – How many pallets can I shrink wrap with one 13 Kg gas bottle?

The Ripack 2200 gun uses between 2.9 and 4.9 kg of gas per hour (continual use). With an average of 3.5 kg/h (average pressure), you can shrink approximately 120 pallets.

This figure is purely an indicator, and will vary with pressure and operator usage habits.

∧Top of page