I had an interesting day on the phone today, talking to various packaging and machinery suppliers.
What I was looking for was a way to package individual coins without 2x2's.
You may recall that I've used some 2" LDPE tubing to make plastic "flips" with a 2x2 label and the coin in separate pockets. This works, but is messy, as the coin floats around loose. You may also recall that I'm sealing bulk coins tightly in de-inked bank bags with wraparound labels. This also works, but the excess plastic is a bit "sloppy".
So, after lots of calls, a few tidbits turned up....
1. Nobody makes a heat sealer that isn't a straight bar.
2. Ultrasonic welding is prohibitively expensive.
3. Vacuum-packing or shrink-wrapping
may be viable.
Which leaves me thinking of making my own solution. What I have in mind is along these lines:
Starting with an appropriately-sized washer for each denomination, attach a loop of Nichrome or Stainless Steel wire with Teflon tape for insulation and to stop it sticking. Add a Thermocouple and pulsed power supply. Fit it all into some appropriate housing. Possibly add a vacuum pump to remove air entirely. The result would look something like:
[_] <-Label
With the coin immobilised completely in the lower half.
So, if I'm going to do the R&D, I'm wondering if anyone else is interested in this idea. It probably wouldn't be any harder to build half a dozen as to do one, and it would add some incentive to extract the digit. :angel:
Likely target cost would be in the tens of dollars for the round seal. Add a standard bar sealer and possibly vacuum pump at whatever they're going for
(there are hundreds to choose from).
NB: This is NOT a commercial project. Nor would it be likely to see any encores. Its a one-off, though I'd happily post updates here for others to use if they wish.