Horizontal Flow Wrapper

Horizontal form fill and seal machines are often referred to as HFFS machines. HFFS machines come in different styles. Here, we examine HFFS pouch machines and HFFS flow wrapper machines.

HFFS Flow Machines

Flow wrapper machines, also known as flow pack machines or horizontal form-fill-seal (HFFS) machines, are used in packaging to enclose products in a sealed film. They are commonly used in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries to package items like snacks, baked goods, and personal care products. The main function of these machines is to provide a protective, tamper-evident, and often visually appealing package for products.

Basic Operation

Film Feed: A roll of packaging film is fed into the machine. This film is typically made of materials like plastic, aluminum, or composite materials.

Forming: The film is unwound and formed into a tubular shape around the product.

Filling: The product is placed into the center of the film tube.

Sealing: The film is sealed around the product, usually through a combination of heat and pressure.

Cutting: The sealed film is cut to the desired length, creating individual packages.

Types of Packages produced on Flow Wrapper Machines

Pillow Pack Wrappers

Operation: A type of horizontal flow wrapper that creates a simple pillow-shaped package by sealing the film on the sides and ends.
Advantages: Cost-effective and straightforward design. Often used for single-serve products or small items.

Gusseted Flow Wrappers

Operation: These machines create packages with expandable sides, known as gussets, allowing for more space and flexibility in packaging.
Advantages: Useful for packaging bulky or irregularly shaped products. Provides extra room for products and can improve the visual appeal.

Shrink Wrapping Machines

Operation: After the product is wrapped, it is passed through a heat tunnel that shrinks the film tightly around the product.
Advantages: Provides a tight, tamper-evident seal and is suitable for various product sizes and shapes. Often used in conjunction with flow wrappers for added security.

High-Speed Flow Wrappers

Operation: Designed for rapid packaging speeds, these machines use advanced technology to achieve high throughput.
Advantages: Maximizes production efficiency and is suitable for large-scale manufacturing operations.

Key Considerations

Product Type and Size: The choice of flow wrapper depends on the product’s size, shape, and packaging requirements.

Speed and Efficiency: Consider the required packaging speed and whether the machine needs to integrate with other production equipment.

Film Type and Material: The type of film used can affect the machine’s performance and the quality of the final package.

Film Material: The choice of film material affects the package’s durability, appearance, and sealing properties. The film should be chosen based on the product’s shelf life and protection needs.

Integration Partner Selection: Finding the right integration partner is a key to success for your packaging automation project. Right Stuff Equipment will help you with the right solution. info@rightstuffequipment.com 303-327-4704.

An example of an automated packaging line with an HFFS flow wrapper is shown below with additional equipment before and after the flow wrapper. An experienced integrator can help you select the right packaging equipment to deliver a balanced line right for your needs.

Integrated HFFS flow wrappers will normally incorporate additional equipment to create a turn-key packaging line. Right Stuff Equipment can provide the turnkey system for your facility. Email or call us now. 303-327-4704

Marking and Coding: Incorporated into the filler or executed immediately after the filler to track lot numbers, batch codes and expiration dated. Also used increasingly for track and trace requirements that are becoming more popular. A variety of coding options are available. CIJ, Thermal Transfer, HP, Dot Matrix, Hot Wax, Labeling and Embossing all have their place in packaging automation to identify and code products. Right Stuff Equipment will help you identify the right identification system for your application.

Inspection: These can include metal detection, check weigh, X-ray or vision to identify products or packaging that does not meet quality standards. Many of the larger retailers are requiring X-ray inspection for food products. A letter from Costco is a prominent example.

Feeders: There are many feeders for flexible film packaging equipment. Sorting equipment, singulation and chicaning conveyors are all used to deliver the product to the wrapper to facilitate high speed flow wrapping.

Cartoning equipment and Case Packing equipment: Usually consists of loading the pieces into cartons or master cases.

Robotic Palletizing: Robots have taken a large part of the palletizing automation market share. The advantages include reliability, performance and competitive pricing.

Considering your options for other robotics? Contact Right Stuff Equipment at 303.327.4704, or Email Us for more information.