Side-Load Case Packging by RSC or Wrap-Around Case: Which One is the Better Option?

23-May-2024

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Understanding the different types of cartons available is crucial for optimizing both product protection and efficiency in the supply chain, where tertiary packaging plays a key role by providing an additional layer of protection for products during transportation and storage. Effective tertiary packaging can significantly reduce the risk of damage, enhance pallet stability, and improve overall logistical reliability, ultimately contributing to cost savings and customer satisfaction.

RSC OR WRAP AROUND CASE
RSC or Wrap-Around Case
Credit: ELITER Packaging Machinery

Two widely used packaging options and styles for tertiary packaging are the Regular Slotted Container (RSC) and the Wrap-Around Case, each originating from distinct categories in the FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers) catalogue. Whether you are counting on manual packaging processes or looking for a tertiary packaging equipment or probably a case packer or cartonpacker is already in use in your facility, understanding the pros and cons, then differences between the two options is an essential part for your management and production.

ELITER Packaging Machinery matches your unique packaging needs to our secondary packaging machines and case packers, we will be passionate about reviewing your requirements and discuss with you together about your investment in a packaging equipment to upscale your business and production.

SINFONIA is your right option of RSC Case Packer
Credit: ELITER Packaging Machinery

Basic Introduction to Regular Slotted Case and Wrap-Around Case

The RSC, alternatively referred to as American Cases, commonly classified under FEFCO Code 0201, is a staple in the industry due to its simple, yet effective design featuring flaps of equal length that meet at the centre when closed. On the other hand, wrap-around cases, typically categorized under FEFCO Code 0409, offer a different approach with a single-piece blank that wraps tightly around the product, providing a snug fit and reducing material usage.

RSC or Wrap-Around Case: Different Factors to Take the Right Option

Business constantly looks for the best way to packaging products in corrugated case with the best speed and cost-effectiveness while ensuring the process reliability and capability. Though the automated packaging equipment used can be one of the factors, packaging itself used on the machine is another critical factor of concern.

When it comes to case packing, taking options between RSC and Wrap-Around Case or changing from one to another can take lead to results like differences in packaging cost, squareness and aesthetics of packaging, or sometimes impacts on packaging consistency.

Concerns around Packaging Consistency and Squareness

Packaging consistency matters when it is attached with importance that the forming and packaging appearance turn out to be one of the prioritized factors.

wrap around case packing operation principle
Wrap-Around Case Forming and Sealing Processes
Credit: ELITER Packaging Machinery

Douglas Machine once mentioned in their blog that the squareness of the finished case is one of the factors to concern and claimed that wrap-around cases have advantages over RSC now that the flaps are glued all automatically by packaging equipment, since Wrap-Around Cases come originally as unglued flat blank corrugated cardboard while RSC is pre-glued.

Nevertheless, we have different standpoints and see RSCs are better than Wrap-Around Case in terms of packaging consistency. On the one hand, RSCs are originally formed by a folder-gluer machine and have the flap-folding and sealing handled by a side-load case packer, which means they get fewer automation processes to go through on packaging equipment. On the other hand, a wrap-around case packer relies on several mechanisms to fold and form the case. The more processes involved, the higher probability of deviation can be spot during the packaging processes, cause less packaging consistency of automation.

BOBST Corrugated Case Folder Gluer
Credit: BOBST

Storage and Packaging Cost

Wrap-around cases have an edge over RSC cases in terms of the capability of storage and subsequently warehousing cost. The reasons stem from the fact that the die-cut of a wrap-around case is flat, whereas the die-cut of an American (RSC) case is double folded, taking up twice the space. Further, comparing the stacking of RSC and Wrap-Around Case when in the same area, the interval between refills by the operator is doubled for wrap-around cases.

Savings are also possible with wrap-around cases in terms of packaging material ordering. Corrugated suppliers often charge higher prices for Regular Slotted Container (RSC) products because sealing the manufacturer’s flap on these cases requires an additional step in the production process. In contrast, wraparound case packers automate this sealing step, eliminating the extra cost associated with it.

Different Case Packer Machines are to be Used

Wrap-Around Case Packers and RSC Case Packers are different kind of packaging machines.

RSC or American Cases can be handled by either top-load case packers or side-load case packer and usually the former is more affordable than the latter. Business can find more options on the market now that these variants of case packers are offered by a lot of suppliers and manufacturers.

On the contrary, wrap-around case packers are from a narrower market segments and require a higher level of customization with regard to each situation of application. Subsequently, a wrap-around case packer can be more expensive than a top-load or side-load case packer.

Product Compatibility Varies

Wrap-Around Case Packing is more flexible than RSC approach now that the corrugated case is formed tightly around the products and can be adopted to irregular and flexible packaging materials and containers rather than RSC case packing which primarily handles rigid items of secondary packaging.

Wrap-Up of the Insights

The above comparison and contrasts do not indicate that one must be preferred and prioritized over another between case packing or Wrap-Around Case. While each option has their pros and cons, business who looks for implementing case packaging automation should take into consideration their own specifications and requirements, products to be applied and as well as bunches of factors among others.

If you are still with doubts and question regarding taking the right choice, we will be at your disposal to discuss and study into your situations to help you find the right case packing machines for your end-of-line automation. Our representatives will be at your service through info@eliter-packaging.com