Tray Sealing Machine Suppliers & Manufacturers

Tray sealing applications and packaging technologies

A tray sealing machine applies a flexible lid film over a filled food tray and heat-seals it closed. Tray sealing is a primary packaging method for the food industry, covering a wide range of applications: fresh and processed meat (mince, steak, poultry, sausages, sliced meats) in standard atmosphere or modified atmosphere packaging; ready meals and prepared foods (ready-to-cook meals, side dishes, soups — often in CPET trays for ovenable formats); fresh produce (salads, herbs, sliced vegetables, mushrooms) in micro-perforated film for respiration; dairy and desserts (yoghurt, crème fraîche, cream, custard) in cup-sealing or tray-sealing format; snacks and convenience foods. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) extends the shelf life of perishable food by replacing the air in the pack with a controlled gas mixture. Typical gas mixes: for fresh red meat — 70–80% O₂ / 20–30% CO₂ (high-O₂ MAP) maintains the bright red oxymyoglobin colour; for cooked and processed meat — 0% O₂ / 70–30% CO₂/N₂ mix (oxygen-free MAP) inhibits aerobic spoilage and extends shelf life; for fresh produce — CO₂/N₂/O₂ balance matched to the respiration rate of the product. MAP shelf life extension depends on product type, initial microbial load, film barrier properties, and temperature control — do not make specific shelf life claims without testing the actual product-package combination. Vacuum skin packaging (VSP) creates a skin-tight film over the product using vacuum and heat, providing an attractive presentation and extended shelf life. VSP is widely used for premium meat, fish, and cheese.

Machine configurations and sourcing

Tray sealing machines are available in manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic configurations. Semi-automatic single-cavity tray sealers — the operator loads a tray into the sealing tool cavity, the machine lowers the heated die, seals the film onto the tray, and cuts the film; output 3–20 cycles per minute depending on dwell time; suitable for small food producers, delis, and butcher shops. Semi-automatic multi-cavity tray sealers — seal two to six trays simultaneously; output 20–80 trays per minute; standard for small to medium food manufacturers. Fully automatic inline tray sealers — a conveyor feeds trays into the sealing module; a film reel provides continuous top film; automatic gas flushing, sealing, and cutting; output 40–200+ trays per minute; the standard for large-scale chilled food production. The sealing tooling (bottom tool and top die) is specific to the tray dimensions. A machine with multiple tooling sets can handle several tray sizes. Tray materials: PP (polypropylene) trays for ambient and chilled food; PET or rPET trays for clarity and recyclability; CPET (crystalline PET) for oven-to-table ready meals; aluminium foil trays for cooking-to-pack applications. Lidding film: the top film must be matched to the tray material (sealable layer compatibility) and the MAP requirement (barrier properties). For oxygen-sensitive products, a high-barrier film with EVOH or aluminium layer is required. When sourcing, specify: tray material and dimensions, product type, MAP requirement (gas mixture and target gas levels), required output, available floor space, and whether integration with product feed and downstream labelling is needed.

Frequently asked questions