When a consumer has to make the decision of purchasing a package in the shop one of the major aspects is a convenient package handling. Easy to carry handles that are attached to the top of the package, e.g. a sixpack or whatsoever are one of the major elements in packaging design that are used for easy package handling

When a consumer has to make the decision of purchasing a package in the shop one of the major aspects is a convenient package handling. Easy to carry handles that are attached to the top of the package, e.g. a sixpack or whatsoever are one of the major elements in packaging design that are used for easy package handling. These handles are applied to the package within the packaging line, usually right after the packaging machine itself. The well known packaging machine manufacturer and supplier SMI from Italy can deliver two kinds of handle applicators within various packaging speed ranges.

- Automatic Package Handle Applicators, Type HA

The HA automatic handle applicators from SMI can apply handles on shrink film packs, cardboard cases, bricks or any type of rigid packs. The HA automatic handle applicator is available at 3 different sizes and speed ranges: The HA 35, the HA 50 and the HA 70 as being the largest and fastest model available.

Handles can also be applied on pack collations having an even number of products as leading side: 2X2, 4X2, 4X3, 6X2 and so on.

In addition products can pass through the HA handle applicators without any handle being applied on them.

The HA series can apply three different types of handles, joined to a transparent adhesive tape and made from:

- precut cardboard labels
- polypropylene reel fed labels
- Kraft paper reel fed labels

Principle of Operation of the HA Series Automatic Handle Applicators

Products, e.g. packages are conveyed by infeed conveyors and laned through special guides, adjustable in accordance with the relevant pack width:

- If precut cardboard labels are being used, the adhesive tape unwinds and runs in front of the label magazine where a mechanical system joins the cardboard labels to it to form the handle.

- This is applied first on the front of the pack and then on the back; in this latter stage, the handle is cut according to the length preset by the operator.

- If reel fed labels are being used, they are cut in accordance with the required length and joined to the adhesive tape to form the handle.

- This is applied first on the front of the pack and then on the back; in this latter stage, the handle is cut according to the length preset by the operator.