The
packaging pros are continuously working on new ways to package medical and
dental products, and this has been a continuing challenge for them. Although
they don’t have a problem rolling out carton sealers and taping machines for the
consumer industry, the unique nature of medical and dental products and
applications keep the packaging design engineers on their feet. One specific
area they’ve had a tough time with is finding the right material and adhesive
combination.
Cold Seal Adhesives – Medical and Dental
Packaging’s Best Option
But now,
design engineers are veering towards cold-seal adhesives. The cold seal
technology has so far been known for its low cost, high bonding rate, and low
temperature – three factors that make it a promising alternative to traditional
sealing technologies. But engineers also found that this new technology solves
several design problems in medical and dental packaging.
Cold-seal
adhesives are made using a combination of synthetic rubber and a variety of
adhesive components. In the past, natural latex rubber was used for this
process, but this was banned from medical packaging back in 1999 due to the
allergens commonly found in natural latex.
These
adhesives feature a special type of pressure-sensitive adhesive that can form a
very strong bond despite requiring very slight pressure at normal room
temperature. But what’s unique about them is that the base polymer they use
bonds only to itself. This means they will not bond with other substrates,
which eliminates several problems in storage and assembly. Thus, they can be
used without liners and without causing damage to the sensitive medical and
dental products they house.
Cold seal
adhesives come in different types. They are currently available in paper film,
transparent carrier film, transparent plastic film, and other paper and plastic
combinations. They also differ based on sealing forces, which range from
0.5N/15mm to 4.0N/15mm.
Assembly and Labeling – Other Important
Considerations
After the
design, however, comes another challenge: assembly. This is another common
challenge for the medical and dental packaging industry, where factors such as
antimicrobial protection come into play. The common assembly process used in
cold seal adhesive packaging is ultrasonic welding, which provides a strong
effective seal without using heat. Ultrasonic welding is also a top option for
antimicrobial packaging as it minimizes seal contamination, minimizes rejects,
and streamlines production.
Ultrasonic
welding is a process that uses high-frequency, low-amplitude vibration to heat
the area between the materials that need to be joined. The process is fast,
clean, and can be used even for small objects.
After
assembly, important considerations have to be made when it comes to labeling
medical and dental products. It is crucial that the labels be tamper-evident
and pressure-sensitive.The
packaging design process is challenging enough as it is, with common concerns
such as production efficiency and cost effectiveness, but the stakes are even
higher in the medical and dental industry. Thankfully, design engineers
continue to strive for new developments that help enhance production and
eliminate the common challenges in packaging.
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