Liquids and glassware are the two product categories that make packing managers the most nervous. A cracked bottle of liquid damages not just the product but everything else in the carton. A broken glass item can leave sharp fragments that are dangerous to the customer and to the associates who handle the parcel.
Cushioning material for these products has to do three things. It has to absorb impact so the item does not break. It has to hold the item in place so it does not collide with other items. And if a break does happen, it has to contain the fragments so they do not spread through the carton.
What These Products Require
Glassware and liquid containers are rigid and fragile. They do not compress, so the cushioning material has to absorb the impact rather than the product. The material also has to conform to the shape of the item, because a gap between the material and the product allows the product to move during transit.
A honeycomb paper machine produces a 3D honeycomb structure that disperses impact under load. The structure is formed in one pass, and it can be folded and shaped around the product. The material holds its shape once folded, which means the protection stays in place during handling.
Why Fragments Matter
When a glass item breaks, the fragments are a hazard. Plastic bubble wrap does not contain the fragments, because the wrap is not in contact with the entire surface of the product. A layer of honeycomb paper wrapped around the item does contain the fragments, because the paper is in contact with the surface and the fragments are trapped between the paper and the product.
The same applies to liquid containers. When a bottle leaks or cracks, the honeycomb paper absorbs some of the liquid and contains the rest within the wrapping. The rest of the carton is protected from the spill.
How the Material Handles Weight
Glassware and liquid containers are heavier than most other products of the same size. The cushioning material has to support that weight without compressing. Honeycomb paper does not compress easily under load, which means it maintains its thickness and its protection even when the product is heavy.
Suitable paper is ≤80gsm, and both virgin kraft paper and recycled paper work. For heavier products, the operator can layer the material or use a higher density paper.
What the Machine Delivers
A honeycomb paper machine produces cushioning that conforms to the product and holds the fragments in place. Die-cutting speed is adjustable between 5 and 18 m/min, and die-cutting width is adjustable between 200 and 500mm. The operator can set the speed to match the packing pace and the width to match the carton size.
Power requirements are modest: 1.5kW total power at AC220V/50HZ, with no compressor, heating element, or adhesive system. A compact footprint of just over 1 cubic meter, dimensions around 950x1150x1260mm and net weight near 502kg, means the machine can sit at the packing bench. A paper roll length of about 1700m, with a maximum unwind diameter of 500mm and a paper core inner diameter of 75mm, supports a long production run before the roll needs to be changed. A die that lasts about 1.0~1.3 million meters keeps the cells uniform across the entire run.
What to Consider
The first consideration is the weight of the product. Heavier items require more material or a denser paper grade. The second consideration is the shape of the product. Items with protrusions require more wrapping, and the operator has to shape the material around those protrusions.
The third consideration is the liquid. If the product is a liquid in a container, the honeycomb paper absorbs some of the liquid if the container leaks. For products that are sensitive to moisture, the operator may need to add a moisture barrier.
The output from a honeycomb paper machine is biodegradable packaging and degradable packing material, a practical alternative to plastic packing materials, and it supports reuse cartons and paper recycling. For glassware and liquids, that combination protects the product and protects the customer from the packaging itself.