A blister tray is a type of packaging commonly used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and consumer goods to protect and display products. The process of manufacturing a blister tray typically involves several steps. Here’s a general overview:
- Design: The blister tray begins with the design phase, where the dimensions, shape, and layout of the tray are determined. This is done considering the size and shape of the product that will be placed inside the tray.
- Material selection: The next step is selecting the appropriate material for the blister tray. Common materials include PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), or a combination of both. The choice of material depends on factors such as product compatibility, visibility requirements, and desired barrier properties.
- Sheet extrusion: The selected material is then processed through a sheet extrusion machine. In this step, the plastic material is melted and forced through a die to form a continuous sheet of the desired thickness. The sheet is cooled and trimmed to the required dimensions.
- Blister forming: The formed plastic sheet is then fed into a blister forming machine. The machine uses heat and pressure to shape the sheet into individual blister pockets or cavities that will hold the product. The forming process can be done through different methods, such as vacuum forming or pressure forming.
- Trimming: Once the blister pockets are formed, excess plastic around the edges is trimmed off to create a clean, uniform shape. This step can be automated using cutting tools or done manually, depending on the production setup.
- Sealing: If required, the blister tray may undergo a sealing process. This involves attaching a backing material, such as a foil or paperboard, to the blister tray to provide additional protection and ensure product integrity. The sealing can be done using heat, adhesives, or a combination of both.
- Quality control: Throughout the manufacturing process, quality control checks are performed to ensure the blister trays meet the required standards. This can involve inspections for dimensional accuracy, clarity, sealing strength, and overall appearance.
- Packaging: Once the blister trays pass the quality control checks, they are typically stacked, bundled, and packaged for shipment to the customers or downstream packaging processes.
It’s important to note that the specific details of blister tray manufacturing can vary depending on the industry, product requirements, and equipment used. The process described above provides a general overview of how blister trays are typically processed and made.