In almost all cases the blank is die cut as a machine requirement but this requirement has the advantage of enabling the customer to use various design styles.

All machines work on the same principle, the only differences being the method of blank feeding and the forming direction of the pack. Some machines have the capability of producing "half" packs or even normal trays.

Prices can vary considerably.

Some machines have a division inserting capability, usually by an addition to the machine, although normally special corrugated divisions are used.

The blank hopper can be quite large as blanks lengths can be 1-40/1-50 metres long.

CASE STYLES

Left are some of the most used styles but it is possible to produce variations within this range.

1. Conventional case. Joint can be in position shown or at bottom.

2. Case for bottles. Design for when the height is greater than the length.

3. Split pack. Flaps cut back and tear strip/perforation used to separate into two.

4. Display case. Perforations can be on top or front or both.

5. Tray. Standard shallow tray.

6. Deep sided tray. Tray with high front and back.

CASE DESIGN

The most important aspect of wraparound blanks is the flute direction. This is determined from two main aspects, the load bearing contribution of the product and the collation in relation to the flaps.

Virtually all wraparound machines work on the same basic principle of feeding the collated primary products on to the blank and the flaps are at each side when being transported through the machine.

Please note that confusion often exists in the terminology concerning length, width and depth of wraparound cases. It is important that the standard notation of length, width and depth in relation to the flaps is used irrespective of how the case travels through the machine or on which face it is stacked.

It can be seen from the proportions of the case it is an "end loading pack" and is therefore normally stacked on face A.

It is possible by modifying, the collation and therefore the case proportions to stack the finished pack on the flaps and it then appears as a standard RSC case with top and bottom flaps.

When bottles are being packed the collation usually cannot be changed and have to be upright. The flaps then are at the end of the case.

1. Products that contribute little or nothing to the stacking performance e.g. plastic bottles, tissues and brittle product.

1. When the product contributes the majority, or all of the stacking capability e.g. glass bottle, cartons and cans.

2. When the pack proportions cannot be changed to enable the pack to be stacked on the flaps.

2. When the proportions of the pack are such as to allow the case to be stacked on flaps.

3. Some machine manufacturers recommend this flute direction for better machine operation.

3. When heavy weight materials are used and therefore effect of flute direction is less.

4. Depending on design tear strips can operate more efficiently when used as a display pack.

4. When stack requirements can be fully satisfied by the material characteristics.