Bubble film & Bags

Introduction
Bubble wrap is a flexible plastic sheeting containing numerous small air pockets,
used in cushioning items during shipment. Standard average bubble diameter is 6.0
25.4 mm and height about 4 mm.
Bubble wrap is lightweight, water resistant, reusable non-scratching. And, Commonly
used for packing fragile items. Also called 'bubble pack'.

Bubble Wrap manufacturing process

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Bubble Wrap starts as polyethylene (plastic) resin, in the form of beads about the size of pea
gravel.
The beads go into an extruder - a long cylinder with a screw inside that runs its entire length.
The barrel that the screw rotates in is heated by heater bands to approximately 180 degrees
prior to the screw turning to melt the material. The heat builds up with added heat from the friction
of the screw movement and the resin melts into a liquid that is squeezed out of the cylinder into
two stacked sheets of clear plastic film.
One layer of the film is wrapped around a drum with holes punched in it, and suction is
applied drawing one web of film into the holes that form the bubbles.
The second layer of film is then laminated over the first so that when the two films are joined,
they stick together and trap the air in the bubbles.
This may sound easy, but polyethylene is a porous material like a sponge. Air can easily leak
out through the pores, which tends to limit the cushioning ability of the packaging. Realizing this,
some manufacturing companies such as Sealed Air started using a Saran coating to seal the air
in the bubbles. Eventually, a method of encapsulating an air retention barrier in the polyethylene
during the extrusion process was developed. This process is a trade secret of Sealed Air
Corporation.

History of Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap was created by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, in
1957. Like many innovations, it was accidental. The story begins in a garage in
Hawthrone, NJ where two engineers were trying to make a plastic wallpaper with a
paper backing. Surprisingly, this product did not take off but they quickly realized,
that their invention could be used as a cushioning material for packaging. And, later
pair founded Sealed Air Corporation in 1960.

Benefits of Bubble Wrap

Light weight - reduces freight and packaging costs

Transparent enabling visual inspections of the product
Moisture resistant
Protecting surface against abrasion
Easy to use
Good insulation properties
Elastic and strong
Multiple use
Easy to trim by hand tools and trimming machines

Major UK suppliers:

Polybags Limited
Uline Shipping Supplies
Staples Industrial
Carters Packaging Limited

Product specification
Bubble wrap which protects items during shipping and for storage are generally
available in different types and sizes. This depends on the size of the object being
packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection needed.

Types:

Bubble bags: Quick & Easy to use, Ideal for faster wrapping
'Plain Bubble Bags' to protect general purpose items & 'Antistatic Bubble
Bags' to protect sensitive electronic parts and components from static damage
Lightweight/Standard bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning lightweight
products, interleaving and surface protection
Medium duty bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning of medium weight
products, interleaving
Heavy-duty bubble wrap rolls: Used for cushioning heavier items such as
shipping motors, compressors, valves etc.
Bubble mailers or Bubble envelopes: Used to protect CDs, DVDs,
videocassettes, jewelry, antiques, valuables in shipping

Bubble diameter:
6mm (0.25) to 25mm (1)

Bubble height:
up to 4mm

Options for Bubble Bags/Wrap

Adhesive Bubble Wrap - 'Adhesive Bubble Wrap' has an adhesive backing

that sticks to virtually any other surface
Cohesive Bubble Wrap - 'Cohesive Bubble Wrap' is similar to adhesive bubble
wrap, but it sticks only to itself
Antistatic Bubble Wrap - 'Antistatic Bubble Wrap' is made from a special blend
of plastic that provides protection for electronic components that may be
damaged from static discharge.

Common material used for Bubble Film/Roll or Bags:

Low density polythene

Recycled polythene

Tolerances:
Normally, Clear Polythene bags in Great Britain should follow widely accepted
industrial standards according to British Standard see BS7344, 1990

Width: Plus or minus 3mm (0.125) or 2% whichever is greater

Length: Plus or minus 6mm (0.25) or 2% whichever is greater
Gauge: Plus or minus 10%

Common uses
To protect any item in transit packaging - for cushioning lightweight, medium weight
or heavy weight products

Tips for proper use of 'Bubble Wrap'

When using Bubble Wrap, there are a few tips for proper use.
First, when you are using Bubble Wrap as a cushioning material, make sure to use
enough wrap so that all sides and corners are protected.
Make sure that there is at least two inches of bubble padding between your product
and each wall of the box.
You also want to make sure to use enough wrap (or other void fill material in
conjunction with Bubble Wrap) to eliminate movement of the packaged item when
you shake the box. When you are done packaging your product, shake it. If you feel
the product moving, you need to add more packaging material.

Common sizes

Standard bubble rolls

Large diameter bubble rolls
Bubble in a box
Plain bubble bags
Antistatic bubble bags

Unusual uses
Practical and fun uses for Bubble Wrap Cushioning

Add a little comfort to a long plane ride with a pillow made with Bubble Wrap
cushioning and DUCK brand duct tape.
Use as a temporary air cast to support a sprained ankle or wrist. (Make sure
to see your doctor as soon as possible!)
Make a kite using Bubble Wrap, DUCK brand duct tape, balsa wood and
string. The Bubble Wraps cushioning feature will come in handy when the kite
falls out of the sky and hits the ground.
Line boots or use as a shoe protector when its cold or wet outside. It will keep
your feet warm AND dry.
Protect kids textbooks and notebooks with an original cover made of Bubble
Wrap. When its time to turn them back in, theyll be just like new!
Tired of fumbling around with tissue paper or wrapping paper? Use Bubble
Wrap to wrap presents or as the filling in a gift bag. With enough layers, the
recipient will never be able to tell whats under the wrapping.
Design an out-of-the ordinary pencil case or makeup bag or purse using
Bubble Wrap and DUCK brand duct tape.
Placing the bubble-side down, make coasters or placemats using Bubble
Wrap.
Computer jockey? Protect wrists when typing by folding or rolling a sheet of
Bubble Wrap to use as a keyboard cushion.