Italian Pack Tray Sealing Machine in Melbourne & Sydney Australia for sale - Get Quotes to Compare Price & Specifications

What is a tray sealing machine?

As the name suggests, a tray sealing machine is a machine that seals trays thus preserving precious food from deterioration. Tray sealing machines automate what is otherwise a laborious and, potentially, flawed manual process.

Picture meat trays in a supermarket butchery section or trays containing sliced watermelon in the chiller section. Chances are both of these items have been professionally sealed in their trays using an automatic or semi-automatic tray sealing machine to present food professionally and hygienically.

Tray sealing machines use specialized film to lock in freshness, lock out leaks and extend the shelf life of all kinds of produce.

Just as importantly, most tray sealing machines use recyclable materials and help to eliminate environmentally unfriendly packaging waste from food retailers and manufacturers.

What are the types of tray sealing machines?

Tray sealing machines come in three forms: manual, semi-automatic and automatic.

A manual tray sealing machine is a perfectly good option for a startup or business still working with moderately small volumes. While produce trays have to be manually loaded into the machine one at a time, sealed and removed, a manual tray sealer makes the process easy and ensures a quality seal.

A semi-automatic tray sealing machine makes sense if a business is finding it hard to keep up with demand via manual sealing. While the machine still requires manual loading and unloading, a semi-automatic unit will do the sealing and deal with any offcuts, something a manual unit won’t do.

Lastly, a fully automatic film sealing machine is suitable for serious production lines packing large volumes on a daily basis. With this machine, the entire sealing process is completely automated - from feeding trays into the sealer, sealing, removing offcuts and feeding out the other end. Weighing and labelling machines can even be added to the mix for fast, efficient and profitable production.

Are all lidding films and trays compatible with tray sealing machines?

Unfortunately not. Not all lidding films and trays work well together and not all trays are a good fit for all tray sealing machines.

The problem is that many manufacturers make films and lids to match their particular sealing machine, which means they might not be compatible with a machine from somewhere else.

Make sure all components are a perfect match before committing to an entire tray sealing system.

What must be considered when choosing a tray sealing machine?

A critical consideration is: are my preferred lidding film, tray and tray sealing machine 100% compatible together?

But first, all the preferred components need to be found.

Food trays are the first port of call. Your product presentation shouldn’t be adapted to suit a sealing machine, a sealing machine should be chosen based on your ideal food presentation. Whether freshly packaged, snap frozen or readymade microwave meals, choose trays that complement the food they will contain.
Lidding film can be clear or custom-branded to suit tray contents and make them more enticing. Make sure the lidding film is designed to work well with the desired trays before considering your tray sealing machine options.
Tray sealing machines come in a wide range of manual, semi-automatic and automatic options for low, medium and high volume. Your best fit will largely be determined by current production levels.

How much does a tray sealing machine cost?

The average price for a tray sealing machine is around $14,500, though basic machines are available for only $2,500. For a top-of-the-range tray sealing machine, expect to pay as much as $46,000.

What are common problems with a tray sealing machine?

Faulty seals occur if the sealing temperature isn’t high enough or the cutter has become blunt.
Film feeding malfunctions happen if film packs have been squashed or stored in hot conditions.
Film build-up can happen if the sealing temperature or pressure is too high.

What type of maintenance does a tray sealing machine require?

Check all parts and materials regularly, ideally before each sealing run.
Adopt a regime of preventative lubrication. Keep all moving parts well oiled.
Keep the sealing machine clean. Wipe it down after every use.
Be vigilant with film and tray deliveries as these easily crushable items can cause serious machine malfunctions if loaded in poor condition.