Packaging Corner: Stretch hoods gaining traction for irregular-shaped pallet loads

Stretch hood machinery unitizes a pallet load by stretching a plastic film bag (or hood) over a load, which then contracts to secure contents. Traditionally used to secure bagged bulk products—including cements, concrete, stone aggregate mixes, baking ingredients such as flour and sugar, and even pet foods—recent developments in both the equipment and the film have opened up new applications.

“Stretch hood equipment can now be used to secure mixed pallet loads that are very irregular in shape,” explains Uffe Kristiansen, Beumer Corp.’s director of sales for palletizing and packaging. “That feature allows the technology to be applied in consumer packaged goods handling, such as unitizing pallet-based orders that contain a variety of different products for stores or directly to customers.”

The ability to contain irregular loads can be attributed to developments in the plastic stretch hood film and to equipment.

“Some stretch hood machines, like ours, can be equipped with an optional load contour detection system, which reads the profile of the load and then dispenses the correct amount of film to secure it,” says Kristiansen. “Without the system, excess film can collect under the pallet.”

In addition to a messy appearance, excess film wastes both money and materials, and could snag on conveyor or impede lift truck forks. Equipment without this kind of system may not properly release the film, causing tears and interruptions, he says.

All of these developments make stretch hooding an attractive alternative to stretch wrapping for applications that previously deemed the technology to be too expensive—such as food and beverage, household products and general distribution—he says. Kristiansen also says the cost difference between a fully automatic stretch wrap system with top sheet dispenser and a stretch hood system has narrowed in recent years.

Considering the longevity of a stretch hood system, the price difference can now be considered negligible considering the added benefits of stretch hooding, he says.

“In addition to advances in film thinness, down to 1.6 mils in some cases, companies realize that stretch hood benefits contribute to acceptable returns on investment, as opposed to just factoring film and equipment costs,” Kristiansen says. “Stretch hood unitizing deters theft, reduces product damage and presents a neat appearance that even supports printing of advertising messages on the film.”