D

Diagraph
brand name for box/carton or case coding and marking products

DOD
- see Drop on Demand

Dot Matrix
the style of print achieved when using a microjet or valve technology case ink jet printer (where, for example, 7 x 5 means seven dots high and five wide). The size of the dot can be varied according to the required print height and message

Driven Conveyor
- see Powered Conveyor

Drop on Demand
early technology for ink jet case coding with limited print capability

E

Efficiency
doing more with the same or less

End-of-line
a generic term covering the functions performed once a product is ready to be packed and distributed. Commonly used to refer to the packaging machinery at the end of the line and typically includes Case Erectors, Case Sealers, Case Coders, Pallet Wrappers and end-of-line labelling systems

Expandaveyor
a conveyor in either skateway or roller configuration that can be closed to a fraction of its working length for storage and is capable of being stretched around corners or tight bends

F

G

Gravity Conveyor
a conveyor which relies on gravity as the drive mechanism to move product from one place to another

H

Hand Wrap Film
thin film applied to a palletised load to secure the load to a pallet and prevent movement while in transit. The operator walks around the loaded pallet while applying the film

High resolution
ink jet printer that used peizo technology to produce high quality print for logos, text and barcodes direct to cardboard

I

Infeed Table
the fixed table at the front of the case sealer on which an unsealed box can be placed for filling

Inkjet Printer
- see Case Coder

L

Label Applicator
machine that applies pre-printed labels to a cardboard box/carton or case and can also be used to apply pre-printed labels in other applications or to other packaging materials

Little David
brand name for box/carton or case sealers and erectors manufactured and supplied by Loveshaw

M

Machine Tape
quick release polypropylene tape which can seal the top and/or bottom of a cardboard box/carton or case

Micro Ink
the water-based ink recommended for use in micro ink jet printers

Microjet
simple drop on demand dot matrix ink jet printer for high character box/carton or case coding which uses valve technology. Provides one, two or three lines of text (of, for example, best before dates, batch codes and box counts)

Microjet AC
a simple drop on demand dot matrix high character box/carton or case coder that uses peizo technology and provides up to five lines of text (of, for example, best before dates, batch codes and box counts)

Mirror Image
a machine that runs from left to right with the mast and controls on the opposite side

N

O

One Stop Shop
the ability to obtain a number of products direct from the same supplier avoiding the need to go elsewhere

Outfeed Conveyor
the conveyor which conveys the box from the case sealer for onward shipping

P

Pack Station
an extended side belt driven tape sealer which allows a box to be held in position leaving the operator free to load with two hands. The positive drive then propels the box through a folding section, folding all major flaps and one upper flap

Packaging Machinery
machines that assist with any aspect of packaging products ready for despatch

Pallet Wrap Film
thin film which is applied to a palletised load, securing the load to the pallet and preventing movement and damage while in transit

Pallet Wrapper
a machine with a powered turntable which rotates a pallet as film is applied by a wrapping arm. This secures the pallet load for transit

Peizo
a case coder/printer that produces high resolution print direct to cardboard

Photocell
a device for activating machines as a box/carton or case passes a given reference point

Power Pre Stretch
pallet wrap film which expands/stretches when used with a power pre-stretch turntable pallet wrapping machine

Powered Conveyor
a conveyor with rollers powered by an electric motor which is used for transporting boxes/cartons or cases over a distance where either a gravity conveyor cannot be used or where time of arrival of the product is key

Pre Stretched Film
pallet wrap film used mainly in core brake pallet wrapping machines which is pre-stretched in manufacturing so there is minimal stretch when applied to a palletised load.

Print & Apply
machine that prints a label and then affixes the printed label to a cardboard box and to other materials if required

Productivity
- see Efficiency

Q

R

Random
different size boxes or cartons are presented to a case sealer in a random manner

Retractable Conveyor
- see expandaveyor

Roller Conveyor
conveyor which uses rollers upon which to rest a product rather than skatewheels. Commonly attached to a case sealer in order to take a box/carton or case away from the sealing machine after sealing

RSC
Regular Slotted Cardboard

RSI
Repetitive Strain Injury

S

Scan True Ink
the oil-based ink recommended for use in second generation high resolution ink jet printers

Semi-Automatic
a case sealer that applies tape to the top and bottom of the box but still requires an operator to present the box to the case sealer for case sealing

Shelf Ready Packaging
common name given to transit packaging which can be used to display products on a shelf without removing the product from the container. There is typically a perforation which can enable the top to be easily torn away and the bottom used as a display case

Shelf Ready Packs
see Shelf Ready Packaging

Short Tab Cartridge
tape dispensing mechanism for applying quick release machine tape to a cardboard box/carton or case which can achieve a tab length of 25-30mm

Side Drive
a machine that drives a box/carton or case past the tape cartridges using motorised side belts

SRP
see Shelf Ready Packaging

Stretch Wrapper
see Pallet Wrapper

T

2" Tape (50mm)
the tape width used for sealing the top and/or bottom of a cardboard box/carton or case.

3" Tape (75mm)
the tape width used for sealing the top and/or bottom of a cardboard box/carton or case.

Tab Length
the length of tape overlapping the side of a box/carton or case that has been sealed with quick release machine grade tape. Standard sealers usually achieve a tab length of approximately 60mm

Tape Cartridge
tape dispensing mechanism for applying quick release machine tape to a cardboard box/carton or case

Top & Bottom Drive
a machine that drives a box/carton or case past the tape cartridges using motorised top and bottom belts

Turntable
a device which rotates a pallet to allow the application of pallet wrap film automatically

U

Uniform
where the boxes or cartons are the same size or presented to a case sealer in a given batch

V

Valve Technology
- see Drop on Demand

Versa Ink
the oil-based ink recommended for use in first generation high resolution ink jet printers

Versajet
name given to the first generation of high resolution ink jet printer/coder for direct printing to cardboard

W

Z