General Food

PLAIN ALUFOIL

• This specification covers plain foil, hard and soft temper, which also may be embossed – patterns subject to enquiry
• This specification also covers “converter” foil, for which a full, separate specification -as from our supplier- is available on request.
• Unless otherwise specified the alloy will be 1200, which is 99.00 minimum or “commercial” purity.
• Temper is normally either fully soft (annealed) or fully hard (as rolled).
• Gauge range normally available, subject to stock or procurement: 9 – 100µ
• The surface condition of soft foil is considered to be sterile (due to high temperature annealing).
• Soft foil is oil-free and free unwinding.
• The surface condition of hard is “oily” -unsuitable for some types of processing without special treatment – further information on request.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Cut sheets are normally not possible in this specification and are subject to special enquiry

ALUFOIL, PAPER AND WAX COMBINATIONS

• Foil used in this specification is normally 7-9µ, Alloy 1200, soft, and a clear (or tinted) varnish/primer may be applied to the unlaminated side, which must be specified, bright or matt.
• The foil side can be printed, but the result will be largely determined by the paper quality and the exact combination.
• Some papers are carried in stock, others must be procured.
• The available combinations:-
  • Foil/Wax/Paper – the wax acts as an adhesive, and supplies bulk, deadfoldability.
  • Foil dipwaxlaminated to paper – as above but the paper is passed through molten wax prior to lamination. This alters machineability and makes the paper moistureproof. As wax weight is higher, deadfold is increased. Allows some release from product wrapped.
  • Foil adhesive laminated to paper, the paper coated with wax – this is stiffer, thus altering machineability again, and stronger than the above two – the paper is moistureproofed and an acceptable print quality is possible on the adhesive laminated surface.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Cut sheets are not advised due to likely curling problems.

DUPLEX FILM LIDDING STOCK

• The usual combination of films for this application (lidding for vacuum or injection molded container lids) is polyester film gauge 12µ, laminated over printed 12µ or 36µ or 50µ polyester (which may be metallised, clear or white) on the top side and heatseal coated on the bottom side.
• The heatseal used is “universal” in that it will seal to all common containers – polystyrene, pvc, polypropylene, polyethylene, abs and others. However, testing is advisable.
• When supplied as pre-cut lids the film is “needle” or “pin” embossed to allow separation during dispensing when supplied as reels, this is not necessary.
• Supplied as reels, this is not necessary.
• Only certain tools can punch polyester so sizes and shapes are at present subject to enquiry.
• Variations are subject to enquiry and procurement of raw materials.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements

PAPER / ALUFOIL / LDPE COMBINATIONS

• Foil used in this specification is normally 7-9µ, alloy 1200,soft.
• The paper is normally 40-50 gsm coated bleached kraft (cbk) to allow good printability.
• The LDPE is normally 30-40µ clear.
• Variations of paper and/or foil and/or sealant film are possible, subject to availability and enquiry.
• Some materials (including finished laminate) are carried in stock, others must be procured.
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Cut sheets are not advised due to likely curling problems.

POLYESTER /FOI L/ POLY SACHET STOCK

• The usual combination for this product is 12µ clear polyester/print/9µ alufoil/30µ clear LDPE.
• Most often varied is the sealant layer which can be thicker – up to 100µ or more, white or any colour, or be another polymer eg Nylon or a co-extrusion eg surlyn or EVA.
• The main determinants of the final construction are:-
  • Packed shelf life expectation.
  • The packing machines abilities.
  • The product being packed
  • Marketing preferences (look, feel etc)
• This is a product which can be troublesome, so extreme care in choice of materials, testing, application is necessary. These and other aspects must be thoroughly investigated before packaging can be commenced.
• So-called “periodical inserts” or sample sachets enclosed in magazine/periodicals are of a highly specialised construction which afc is unable to offer.
• Specification, variations, all applications are, subject to enquiry and procurement of raw materials
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements

UNLAMINATED ALUFOIL, ONE SIDE VARNISHED AND / OR PRINTED

• This specification also covers “confectionery” foil, and some “cheesefoils”.
• Unless otherwise specified the Alloy will be 1200, which is 99.00 minimum purity.
• Temper is normally fully soft (annealed)
• Matt or bright side must be specified for printing and/or clear varnishing and/or lacquering.
• Print/Width number of colours may be subject to enquiry.
• Usual gauge range for these products: 9 – 18µ
• Width, OD, Core type and size, are per clients requirements
• Embossing is possible – existing and new patterns are subject to enquiry.
• Cut sheets are possible in this specification – must be overall clear varnished to enable bulk cutting/shearing without welding.