The window provides your customers with a glimpse of the product without opening the packaging. It is often used to showcase a high-end product, creating a sense of confidence in your product, therefore naturally enhancing purchasing power. However, the decision to add a film patch depends on the nature of the product.

Window patching

Sometimes there’s no substitute for seeing what’s inside the box. But placing and gluing a rectangular patch of window film in precisely the right spot over a cutout on a folding carton It can be a perfect solution, both for functional reasons (so the product does not come into contact with the carton) and for aesthetic reasons (so the product is visible). Here how it’s done.

Die-cut cartons are fed print side down through the window machine.
A pattern of adhesive is applied to the carton blank
The roll of window material is unwound and cut to length
This “patch” is transferred to a vacuum cylinder
At the precise moment, the vacuum is released and the patch is compressed onto the carton as it passes below.

Window Size

First, it’s important to consider the size of the window you want to have on your packaging. Larger windows are more prone to breakage, scratches and tears, so you’ll want your film to be strong. Smaller windows could be best served by thinner films. It’s important that when preparing the design for your box, you leave enough room for the film to be glued or pressed into the packaging material.

Window Patching Machine History

Window Patching Machine, also named window patcher, window pasting machine, window past machine, is a mechanical device used for sticking the plastic film on the cardboard or corrugated carton.

Development in the Plastic industry also boosts the packaging industry and make it more diversified. Customer can also choose box package that they can see products inside. Window Patching Machine was invented in this period. Who is the first one invented the window patching machine can’t be traced? Holman who was established in the 1950s is probably the first company claiming this business.

As the demand for window patching machine became larger, more factories in many other countries such as China, India, Japan, etc. are also try to gain a share in this market. One famous brand is Hebert + Schroeder from Germany, whose name is abbreviated as H+S.

In China, the, Heng tong, are one of the first manufactures specialized in making window patching machine. Established in 1987, we have more than 30 years’ experience in producing the machine. So, the quality of our machine can be assured.

Window packaging is designed to offer consumers excellent visibility of the product inside.

Window packs combine the strength and stability of corrugated, solid board or folding carton boxes with a visibility panel that allows the consumer to see what they are buying.

As the contents are visible, window packaging maintains product integrity by eliminating the need for packs to be opened in-store. Window packaging allows products to be easily identified by the consumer and store personnel responsible for shelf replenishment.

Other Companies supply plastic windows and also transparent cellulose windows produced from wood pulp.

Cellulose window packaging offers significant environmental benefits as they are 100% recyclable and made from a renewable resource. These packs also contain no mixed materials so the consumer can easily recycle after use.

How Leka Uses Window Patching

Here at Leka, Since so many of the packaging requests they get for boxes with a window are for businesses that sell perishable items, these are the two safest options!

Cellophane is a breathable, plant derived material made from cellulose, making it perfect for takeout packaging. To learn more about cellulose-based packaging materials, check out our blog post on micro fibrillated cellulose (EPB)!

Automatic Carton Box Window Patch Machine

Window patching is a technique where a window film is added on a carton or any other product packaging serving a dual purpose. It teases the product by making some of it visible and can also it prevent food from coming into contact with the carton. The decision to add a window film patch will naturally, depend on the nature of the product.

At the heart of the process is a window patching machine. The machine will apply windows from a reel using a specific plastic film (PET, PVC etc.…). Packaging cartons are first fed through the process, films are added into the paper packaging through electromagnetic energy. The plastic film will stick instantly to the packaging material without any drying time. It is ready to package instantly once it is released from the machine.

Carton Window Patching Machine

Application requests
When producing cartons such as those used for toy and electronic products packing boxes that need to display the inside products, a window patching process is needed. Since the window shapes are not necessarily regular and the plastic sheets used are relatively thick, it requires the employed window patching machine to achieve a higher automation degree and should be capable of controlling the patching position accurately.

How is the sustainable window patch film made?

This film is made primarily from cellulose acetate flakes which are treated with additives and solvents and processed to create the film. Cellulose Acetate is a natural plastic, which is manufactured from purified natural cellulose. Natural cellulose is derived primarily from two sources, cotton linters (cotton wool) and wood pulp. In the manufacturing process of Cellulose Acetate, natural cellulose is reacted with acetic anhydride to produce Cellulose Acetate, which comes out in a flake form. The solvent used in the manufacturing of the film is recovered and reused.

How is Window Patching applied?

Window patching is applied with a window-patching machine at the finishing stages of the production process. Often, window application is incorporated into the gluing process to provide faster turnaround times and lower costs. Netspeak’s state-of-the-art technology allows continuously provide the fastest production times and avoid delays, while being cost-effective throughout the process. Better technology allows us to provide you with better packaging design options and improved visibility for your product with cellophane window patching. Learn more about Netspeak’s state-of-the-art technology here.

Understanding the Window Patching Process in Printing & Packaging