Vertical form fill sealing machine
Encyclopedia
The Vertical form fill sealing machine (FFS) is a type of automated assembly-line product packaging system, commonly used to in the packaging industry for food
, and a wide variety of other products. The machine constructs plastic bag
s out of a flat roll of plastic film, while simultaneously filling the bags with product and sealing the filled bags. Both solids and liquids can be bagged using this packaging system.
, which has had label
ing and artwork applied to the exterior or interior of the film. Note that while plastic
is the most commonly used packaging material in the ood industry], the technology can also be used to form continuous paper and fabric product containers by changing the edge sealing/seaming methods. For some products the film may first be fed through a sterilizing
chemical bath and dryer prior to use in the packaging system.
The film approaches the back of a long hollow conical tube, and when the center of the plastic is near the tube, the outer edges of the film form flaps that wrap around the conical tube. The film is pulled downward around the outside of the tube and a vertical heat-sealing bar clamps onto the edges of the film, bonding the film by melting the seam edges together.
To start the bagging process, a horizontal sealing bar clamps across the bottom edge of the tube, bonding the film together, and cutting off any film below. The sealed tube end is then lowered onto a precision weighing table and the product to be bagged is dispensed through the long conical tube in the center of the bag. When the gross weight of the product-filled bag is reached, filling stops, and the horizontal sealing bar seals the top of the bag, and simulatenously forms the bottom of the next bag above. This bag is then cut off from the tube and is now a sealed package, ready to advance onward into the product boxing and shipping processes.
During the final sealing process, the bag may be filled with air from a blower or from an inert gas
supply. Inflating the bag helps reduce the crushing of fragile products such as potato chip
s, while inflating with an inert gas helps drive out oxygen and retards the growth of bacteria
that would spoil the product.
The feeding of material and cutting of the pouch can be determined either by pouch length, or indexing to an eyespot, which is detected by a visual sensor. While single web systems are popular for food applications, the dual web four side seal system is often popular for IVD and Medical device products. Closely related is the horizontal form-fill-seal machine, which is generally uses more floor space than a vertical system. Modern advancements in pouch forming technology have allowed for smaller and smaller Vertical pouch forming systems.
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...
, and a wide variety of other products. The machine constructs plastic bag
Plastic bag
A plastic bag, polybag, or pouch is a type of packaging made of thin, flexible, plastic film, nonwoven fabric, or plastic textile. Plastic bags are used for containing and transporting goods such as foods, produce, powders, ice, magazines, comic books, chemicals and waste.Most plastic bags are...
s out of a flat roll of plastic film, while simultaneously filling the bags with product and sealing the filled bags. Both solids and liquids can be bagged using this packaging system.
Discussion
The typical machine is loaded with a continuous flat roll of plastic filmPlastic wrap
Plastic wrap, cling film , cling wrap or food wrap, is a thin plastic film typically used for sealing food items in containers to keep them fresh over a longer period of time...
, which has had label
Label
A label is a piece of paper, polymer, cloth, metal, or other material affixed to a container or article, on which is printed a legend, information concerning the product, addresses, etc. A label may also be printed directly on the container or article....
ing and artwork applied to the exterior or interior of the film. Note that while plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
is the most commonly used packaging material in the ood industry], the technology can also be used to form continuous paper and fabric product containers by changing the edge sealing/seaming methods. For some products the film may first be fed through a sterilizing
Sterilization (microbiology)
Sterilization is a term referring to any process that eliminates or kills all forms of microbial life, including transmissible agents present on a surface, contained in a fluid, in medication, or in a compound such as biological culture media...
chemical bath and dryer prior to use in the packaging system.
The film approaches the back of a long hollow conical tube, and when the center of the plastic is near the tube, the outer edges of the film form flaps that wrap around the conical tube. The film is pulled downward around the outside of the tube and a vertical heat-sealing bar clamps onto the edges of the film, bonding the film by melting the seam edges together.
To start the bagging process, a horizontal sealing bar clamps across the bottom edge of the tube, bonding the film together, and cutting off any film below. The sealed tube end is then lowered onto a precision weighing table and the product to be bagged is dispensed through the long conical tube in the center of the bag. When the gross weight of the product-filled bag is reached, filling stops, and the horizontal sealing bar seals the top of the bag, and simulatenously forms the bottom of the next bag above. This bag is then cut off from the tube and is now a sealed package, ready to advance onward into the product boxing and shipping processes.
During the final sealing process, the bag may be filled with air from a blower or from an inert gas
Inert gas
An inert gas is a non-reactive gas used during chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, or preservation of reactive materials. Inert gases are selected for specific settings for which they are functionally inert since the cost of the gas and the cost of purifying the gas are usually a consideration...
supply. Inflating the bag helps reduce the crushing of fragile products such as potato chip
Potato chip
Potato chips are thin slices of potato that are deep fried...
s, while inflating with an inert gas helps drive out oxygen and retards the growth of bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
that would spoil the product.
The feeding of material and cutting of the pouch can be determined either by pouch length, or indexing to an eyespot, which is detected by a visual sensor. While single web systems are popular for food applications, the dual web four side seal system is often popular for IVD and Medical device products. Closely related is the horizontal form-fill-seal machine, which is generally uses more floor space than a vertical system. Modern advancements in pouch forming technology have allowed for smaller and smaller Vertical pouch forming systems.