Methods of Packing into Inhibited Films

The simplest method of preserving hardware consists in their wrapping and sleeving (or covering) in inhibited films. 

Polymer films are heat-sealed to form either lap or fin seams resisting shear and delamination loads, respectively. The fin seal is less strong than the lap seal [34]. It is recommended to seal PE-coated inhibited paper bags with a lap seam and strap the butt with the same material [3] (Fig. 2.54). 

Inhibiting covers should be kept out of direct sunlight, airflows, excess heat and mechanical loads to preserve their protective properties. This is why it is better to store the covered hardware in boxes, cases or other types of containers. 

Fast assimilation of inhibited films in engineering has lead to the application of combined packages, some types of which are illustrated schematically in Fig. 2.55 [3]. 

Skin packaging is a combination of a pol3mier film sleeve with a bottom liner (cardboard or sheet polymer). The article is placed on the card liner and is wrapped into the inhibited shrinkage sleeve (Fig. 2.55a). The film ends are fixed on the card, which can also be made of an inhibited material. During heating the film shrinks skin tight around the article. Skin packaging is used for small-size machine parts, spares, tools etc. 

---