L-Bar Sealers

L-bar sealers seal two sides of a centerfold shrink film pouch in one stroke, the classic way to shrink wrap boxes, trays and multipacks. We carry AIE manual and I-bar systems and Maripak hood sealers, semi-automatic L-bar sealers, sealer-and-tunnel combinations and fully automatic L-sealers.

13 products

How to Choose an L-Bar Sealer

The right L-bar sealer depends on how many packs you wrap per minute, how large they are and how the film will be shrunk. Here is how to narrow it down.

Manual, hood, semi-automatic or automatic

Manual L-bar systems such as the AIE L-Bar Shrink Wrap System are the entry point. The operator closes the bar by hand; a heat gun shrinks the film. AIE also offers I-bar systems such as the AIE-2040I for long or changing products.

Hood sealers such as the Maripak Compack 5800i seal and shrink in the same chamber, at about 5–10 packs per minute per Maripak, with no separate tunnel.

Semi-automatic L-bar sealers such as the Maripak LMC 5844-M close the bar with an electric motor and handle about 10–15 packs per minute. They feed a separate shrink tunnel, or come combined with one in the TMC Pro.

Automatic L-sealers such as the Maripak RLS e-Pro detect product length with a sensor and wrap continuously on a conveyor.

Seal area

The seal area is the largest pack the L-bar can close. Measure length, width and height of your largest pack and add room for the film overlap. Maripak L-bar sealers range from 17″ × 18″ to 55″ × 26″ for long products; AIE manual systems from 13″ × 13″ to 24″ × 32″.

Seal bar opening and product height

The bar opening limits product height. Standard Maripak semi-automatic models open 10″; taller chambers are available as an option on several models. The Compack 5800HC hood sealer takes products up to 13″ high.

Drive and compressed air

Motor-driven bars, as on the LMC and TMC Pro, need no compressed air. Pneumatic models such as the LMC-P 14065P close the bar with air (4–6 bar) and give even pressure along a long bar.

Shrinking the film

Plan the heat step together with the sealer: heat gun, hood, separate tunnel or combined machine. The tunnel belt width and opening must fit the pack. Our guide How to Choose an L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel explains how to match them.

Film

L-bar sealers use centerfold film, folded lengthwise, so the product sits between the two layers and the L-bar closes the remaining open side and end. Polyolefin and PVC are the usual films; check each machine's film list and thickness range.

Typical applications

L-bar sealers wrap boxed products, trays, multipacks, books, gift sets and kits. Small producers and shops often start with a manual AIE system or a Compack hood sealer. Growing manufacturers move to a semi-automatic LMC with a separate tunnel, or a TMC Pro with the tunnel built in. Production lines with a steady flow of similar products use automatic L-sealers on conveyors.

Wear parts and maintenance

Sealing wires, Teflon covers and silicone sealing pads wear with use and are replaced regularly. Keep them clean, and keep a spare set for your model. Maripak offers a recommended spare parts kit for the TMC Pro series.

Power

Many Maripak semi-automatic models run on 220 V single-phase power; combined machines and automatic lines may need higher amperage or 3-phase power. AIE manual systems run on a standard outlet.

Delivery and installation

Maripak machines ship by freight from Maripak USA in Allentown, Pennsylvania, usually crated on a pallet. Plan a delivery with a loading dock or forklift, or ask for a liftgate delivery, and check door widths on the way to the installation spot. Installation, start-up and operator training by Maripak technicians can be quoted with the machine.

Compare the models

ModelBrandTypeKey specs
AIE L-Bar Shrink Wrap System with Film RackAIEManual L-bar systemSeal area 13" × 13" to 24" × 32"; Impulse seal and trim, 500 W; Film rack included
Maripak CLS Compact Automatic L-Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 17" × 18" + tunnel; Conveyor up to 66 ft/min; 220 V single-phase, 75 A
Maripak Compack 5800HC High-Chamber Hood Shrink SealerMaripakHood shrink sealerChamber 23" × 17" × 16"; Products up to 13" high; 208–240 V single-phase, 25 A
Maripak Compack 5800i Hood Shrink SealerMaripakHood shrink sealerChamber 23" × 17" × 10"; 5–10 packs/min; 200–240 V single-phase, 25 A
Maripak Compack 5800MC Hood Shrink Sealer with Automatic DischargeMaripakHood shrink sealerChamber 23" × 17" × 10"; 7–12 packs/min, automatic discharge; 208–240 V single-phase, 35 A
Maripak LMC 5844-M Semi-Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakSemi-automatic L-sealerSeal area 23" × 17"; 10–15 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 20 A
Maripak LMC 8065-M Semi-Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakSemi-automatic L-sealerSeal area 31" × 26"; 10–15 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 25 A
Maripak LMC 9565-M Semi-Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakSemi-automatic L-sealerSeal area 35.5" × 25.5"; 10–15 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 25 A
Maripak LMC-P 14065P Pneumatic L-Bar Sealer for Long ProductsMaripakSemi-automatic L-sealerSeal area 55" × 26"; Pneumatic, 4–6 packs/min; 220 V three-phase, 24 A
Maripak RLS e-Pro 5844 Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakAutomatic L-sealerSeal area 23" × 17"; Conveyor up to 98 ft/min; 220 V single-phase, 20 A
Maripak RLS e-Pro 8065 Automatic L-Bar SealerMaripakAutomatic L-sealerSeal area 32" × 24"; Conveyor up to 98 ft/min; 220 V single-phase, 30 A
Maripak TMC Pro 5844-M L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 23" × 17" + tunnel; 10–12 packs/min; 220 V single-phase, 50 A
Maripak TMC Pro 8065-M L-Bar Sealer and Shrink Tunnel CombinationMaripakL-sealer + tunnel combinationSeal area 32" × 26" + tunnel; 10–12 packs/min; 220 V three-phase, 40 A

Try the L-Bar Sealer & Shrink Tunnel Selector, read L-Bar Sealer vs. I-Bar Sealer, and see Shrink Tunnels and Side Sealers.

Related:Shrink TunnelsSide SealersShrink BundlersShrink PackagingMaripakAIE

L-Bar Sealers FAQ

What is the difference between an L-bar and an I-bar sealer?

An I-bar has one straight sealing bar and closes one side at a time, so each pack needs two or more seals. An L-bar has two bars at a right angle and closes the side and the end of a centerfold film pouch in one stroke. L-bars are faster and give more uniform packs.

How do I find the right seal area?

Measure the length, width and height of your largest pack. The seal area must be larger than the length and width, with room for the film to wrap around the height. If you pack long products that exceed standard seal areas, look at the Maripak LMC-P 14065P or a side sealer.

Do L-bar sealers need compressed air?

Most do not. Manual systems and motor-driven Maripak models such as the LMC and TMC Pro need no compressed air. Pneumatic models such as the Maripak LMC-P 14065P and some automatic machines do. The air requirement is listed on each product page.

Do I need a separate shrink tunnel?

It depends on the model. Manual systems use a heat gun, hood sealers shrink in their own chamber, and the TMC Pro has a built-in tunnel. Semi-automatic and automatic L-bar sealers such as the LMC and RLS e-Pro are combined with a separate heat shrink tunnel.

Which film do L-bar sealers use?

L-bar sealers use centerfold shrink film, a film folded in half lengthwise. The product is placed between the two layers, and the L-bar closes the open side and end. Polyolefin and PVC are the usual choices; each product page lists the film types and thicknesses.

How many packs per minute can an L-bar sealer wrap?

Per Maripak, hood sealers wrap about 5–10 packs per minute, semi-automatic LMC models about 10–15 and the TMC Pro about 10–12. Automatic L-sealers run continuously at higher speeds. The real number depends on pack size, film and the operator's loading speed.

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