Glossary: machines and pack formats
Terms used across the machine and product pages, in plain language.
- VFFS (vertical form fill seal): a machine that forms roll film into a tube around a forming collar, fills it from above and seals it into bags in one vertical process
- Forming set: the collar and tube that shape the film into a bag; a different bag width normally needs a different forming set
- Pillow bag: a bag with one back seal and a top and bottom seal, the simplest VFFS format
- Gusseted bag: a bag with folded sides that expand when filled
- Quad-seal bag: a bag with four vertical corner seals that gives a square base, often used for coffee beans
- Back seal: the lengthwise seal that joins the two film edges on a bag or stick pack
- Stick pack: a long, narrow single-serve pack with a back seal and two end seals
- Sachet: a small flat pack sealed on three or four sides
- Multi-lane: forming and filling several stick packs or sachets side by side from one wide film web
- Premade pouch: a pouch made by a pouch supplier, such as stand-up, zipper, flat or spout, that the machine opens, fills and seals
- Flow wrap: a horizontal process that wraps a product or tray in a film tube with a bottom fin seal and sealed ends, also called a pillow pack
- Cellophane overwrap: a folded film wrap around a carton or box with sealed ends, as on tea, perfume or card boxes; the name is also used for clear plastic films that are not true cellophane
- Tear tape: a narrow strip under the overwrap film that lets the user open it
- Cartoner: a machine that opens a flat carton, loads the product, adds a leaflet if required and closes the carton by tucking or gluing
- Horizontal and vertical cartoning: products pushed into the carton from the side, or dropped in from above
- Shrink sleeve: a printed film tube placed over a container and shrunk to fit with heat
Glossary: dosing, sealing and testing
Terms that describe how the product is measured and how a pack is closed and checked.
- Auger filler: a screw turning inside a funnel that dispenses a volume of powder set by the number of turns
- Multihead weigher: a set of weigh hoppers whose contents the controller combines to reach a target weight
- Volumetric cup filler: adjustable cups that are filled level and emptied into the pack; suits free-flowing products of consistent density
- Piston filler: draws a set volume of liquid or paste into a cylinder and pushes it out
- Pump filler: doses liquids and gels through a pump and nozzle
- Heat seal: layers of film joined by heated jaws; temperature, pressure and time are set for the film
- Registration mark: a printed mark read by a sensor so the film is cut and sealed in the right place
- Nitrogen flushing: replacing air in the pack with nitrogen to reduce oxygen
- Change parts: parts swapped to run a different pack size or container
- HMI and PLC: the operator touch screen and the controller that runs the machine
- Good output: packs per minute that meet the agreed specification, after rejects and stoppages
- Factory acceptance test: a check at the supplier before shipment against criteria agreed in advance
Guide: roll film or premade pouch?
Roll film on a VFFS machine usually costs less per pack than a finished pouch, and one forming set can produce several bag lengths at the same width. A premade pouch gives a finished retail presentation with zipper, spout or shaped features that are difficult to form from roll film, and a change of pouch design does not require new forming parts.
Decide on the pack you need to sell first, then compare material cost, output, changeovers and the space available.
Guide: stick pack or sachet?
A stick pack is long and narrow, pours from one end and suits single-serve drinks, supplements and gels. A sachet is flatter and wider, gives more print area and suits creams, sauces and samples. Both are usually produced multi-lane. Choose by how the pack is opened and used, then by the carton or display it goes into.
Guide: choosing a dosing method
The dosing unit is chosen from product behavior and the tolerance you need. Confirm the choice with a sample of your own product where there is doubt.
- Fine, dusty or poorly flowing powders: auger filler
- Irregular solids such as snacks, candy, frozen food and nuts: multihead weigher
- Free-flowing granules of consistent density such as rice, sugar or beans: volumetric cups or a weigher
- Thin liquids: pump filler
- Thick liquids, creams and pastes, including those with particles: piston or pump filler selected for the product
- Countable items such as bars, soaps or capsules: counting or direct feeding rather than dosing
Guide: flow wrap, overwrap or carton?
Flow wrapping puts a single product or group into a film pack. Cartoning puts products or primary packs into a folding carton. Overwrapping adds a clear film around a carton or box that already exists, usually for protection, tamper evidence or presentation. A product can use one, two or all three in sequence.
Review a proposed configuration
Before comparing prices, check whether proposals describe the same scope and conditions.
Two quotations for the same machine type can differ in the dosing unit, the number of formats and change parts, the feeding and discharge equipment, and what happens before shipment and after delivery. Put the proposals side by side against the same checklist.
- Approved model and configuration revision
- Included equipment and optional items
- Product, pack and utilities used for any performance statement
- Format change parts and operating requirements
- Testing, documentation and service responsibilities
- Recommended spare and wear parts and whether they are included
- Installation and training arrangements and any separate costs
Prepare the next step
Use the project brief and sample-testing checklist to organize the information that still needs to be confirmed.