About Impulse Sealer Kits
Zip closures, stapling and taping are a few ways to keep products in bags, but for a more professional look and a permanent closure, an impulse sealer is a much better option. An impulse sealer also offers a lot of flexibility in creating custom sizes and shapes. It uses heat followed by a quick cooling process to fuse plastic sheets together in an attractive way.
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Types
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Different types of impulse sealers include tabletop models, foot pedal models and automatic models. There are also double-seal types and units that come in different widths and that seal different thicknesses of plastic. Tabletop models are the least expensive and most commonly used in small businesses. They are operated entirely by hand. Foot pedal sealers keep your hands free to maneuver the plastic, and a foot pedal is used to open and close the sealer. Automatic models open and close on the plastic at pre-timed intervals. They can be fed plastic bags by hand or by a machine. A double-seal impulse sealer bonds the plastic in two places for extra strength.
Function
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Most obviously, an impulse sealer is used to create seals, but in doing so it has many functions. It can be used in conjunction with a vacuum sealer to package and protect food products, and to create protective air bags for shipping. For items to be shelved or temporarily stored, an impulse sealer is a great tool for protecting products from dust and scratches. Items being transported in bulk, such as from store to store or to trade shows, can also be protected using an impulse sealer kit.
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Features
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An impulse sealer kit usually includes the impulse sealer itself, plus a starter pack of clear poly or pvc bags. The kit may also include a heat gun, spare heating elements or a cutter. Some impulse sealers use continuous heat to seal plastic, while others use intermittent heat. All use a cooling process or period before releasing the plastic to ensure a nice, clean-looking seal. Guides for getting straight seals, automatic shutoff, and the ability to seal the varying thicknesses of plastic are important features to check for when choosing an impulse sealer. The exact method of sealing is not as important as making sure you are able to seal the thickness of plastic you plan on using and that you have the ability to do it safely is more important.
Size
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Impulse sealer kits come in many different sizes, from small portable 12-inch models, to large 48-inch tabletop models. The size you want will depend on what you want to seal. It is important to have some extra room on the ends, however, so if you plan on sealing 12-inch wide bags, you will want an impulse sealer that is wider than 12 inches. A little extra width also gives you the option to seal both smaller and larger items, and to use your sealer for other purposes, such as creating hanging signs.
Warning
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Some inexpensive impulse sealer kits are sold without any safety features, such as timers, temperature controls, automatic shutoff or cool-to-the-touch elements. While they may save money in the short-term, the danger of overheating the plastic, burning your hand, and being unable to control the amount of heat used for each seal is not worth it in the long run. If you plan to use an impulse sealer for more than just a few occasional products, invest in one with safety features. You'll also get better seals, which improves the appearance of your product.
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