Rapid Seal

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I seal a full carton?

Since the Rapid Seal is a bottom-only case sealer, the carton must be inverted before the top is sealed. The easiest method for this is to hold the top flaps closed with two fingers while rolling the carton over onto its top. This method makes it easy to invert even heavy cartons while keeping the contents intact. Once the carton is inverted, run it through the machine as usual.

Do I really only need one piece of tape to secure a carton?

Yes. A single piece of tape when applied directly on the center of the seam and with a positive, secure mechanical seal will provide you with an excellent carton closure.

What size cartons can I seal?

Cartons from 6" to 20" in width can be sealed. Length of the seal is infinite, but if the carton is longer than 36", we suggest using two people.

Why is sealing a carton with a single piece of tape important?

There are a few reasons. The carton is the first thing your customer sees when she receives your shipment and sloppy packaging makes a bad first impression. Also, multiple strips of tape are costly to shippers, wasteful for the environment and don't provide as secure a seal as one well-applied strip.

Do I need brake tension on the tape unwind?

Yes. There is an adjustable brake tension adjustment built into the machine.

Are cartons sealed with pressure sensitive tape recyclable?

Yes. The problem with recycling cartons comes from adhesive residue left on the cardboard when it is re-pulped. Since the bond of pressure sensitive tape is stronger than the cardboard of a carton, the tape can be easily pulled off the carton prior to recycling without fear of any adhesive residue being left on the carton. The tape itself is also seperately recyclable.

Should I use pressure sensitive tape or water-activated gum tape?

The answer to this question is highly depandant on your operation. If you need a low-cost, efficient, high-quality carton closure with no frills, pressure sensitive is probably the way to go. If you need features such as tamper-evident security tape, tape that is printed with your company logo, or other custom tape modifications, you will probably want to look into a water-activated gum tape and application method.

I'm having trouble getting any tape to stick to my cartons.

A good bet is that your cartons are getting dusty or dirty in storage. Tape adhesion can be dramatically reduced with a dusty carton. Consider putting a tarp or blanket over your carton supply if you're not going to be using it for a while. For the cartons that are already dusty or dirty, you can blow them off with compressed air, or wipe them off with a just slightly damp rag. If you wipe them with a rag, make sure they dry thoroughly before you attempt to seal them again.