Page 58 - The Inside Scoop Archive

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How To Wrap Pallets That Need To Breathe

Have you even wondered what is the best way to wrap a pallet that needs to breathe? If the product being
wrapped with stretch film contains heat, such as perhaps flour, condensation can build up inside the stretch
wrap and damage the product. Likewise fruit, produce, and eggs need to have good air circulation in order
to maintain their freshness during the shipping process.

There are a number of different type products available to allow you to unitize your pallet while still
allowing for good air circulation. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of these products, but merely to
introduce you to some of the films and nettings that are available from companies such as NNZ, Tamanet,
and Western Plastics to wrap pallets that need to breathe. The best fit for you depends on your particular
product and wrapping requirements.

Airflow is a special stretch film with ventilation holes that have been die cut
in the film during the manufacturing process. It can be applied in the same
way as regular stretch film and has a certain amount of cling so a tie off
with a clip is not necessary.

Airflow can be applied by machine ( without pre-stretch ) or most often by
hand wrapping the pallet. It is popularly wrapped on a small core with
extended handles for easy application.
Perforated Stretch Film. These films have macro perforations that are
reinforced to keep the stretch film from breaking and tearing as it is
stretched. Some of these films can be pre-stretched up to 250% through
your regular stretch machine.

The holes are small on the unstretched film, but expand when the film is run
through the pre-stretch rollers on the machine. It has to be pre-stretched
250% to be a competitve value.
Knitted Pallet Wrap has an open mesh design that allows the product
wrapped to breathe freely and for any moisture content to escape. In
addition to holding the product wrapped in place, they also provide good
ventilation to the product.

This netting is actually woven on a textile knitting machine, and is very
pliable. It can be tied to the pallet and then tied off again after the pallet
is wrapped.
Extruded Pallet Wrap Netting is very strong but is somewhat difficult
to apply as it cannot be easily tied to the pallet and must be held together
with clips after application to the pallet. This type of netting is also used
for interweaving for layers that need to breathe.

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