Packaging styles in VFFS machine
September 13,2022
These days, many food products are filled and packed in various packaging styles as their usage. This is because the various demand
The milled rice for example, there are 5kgs or 10kgs bags, which are presumed a certain amount of volume of rice to be consumed. Meanwhile, the chocolate or candy products are packed in small portion or individually package. As for the snacks, depending on the shop, they may sell only small size bag of snacks or only big size bags. This is because the products are assumed to sell according to the different demand.
The packaging machine as well, there are various type depending on the required bag style. Therefore, the machine type should be well examined and selected for what is required for the package.
This article explains the general packaging styles and proper type of machine of Tam.
Pillow bag
The style called as “Pillow bag” is a bag produced from a film roll by using the forming unit. The name is because the bag appearance is just like a pillow. The packaging machines to produce pillow bag are the horizontal type pillow machine and the vertical type pillow machine, each of them means the direction of the product to be supplied and packaged to horizontal or vertical flow(fall).
The products those packaging are controlled “in piece” such as individually wrapped candies, ice candies, chocolates or products packed in tray are packaged by HFFS (Horizontal Form-Fill-Seal) Machine. Meanwhile, VFFS (Vertical Form-Fill-Seal) Machine is used for packaging snacks, cut vegetables, rice, frozen rice, rice crackers or for the assorted bags those packaging are controlled by weight.
Packaging Style
As described in above, packaging style is determined by the required function such as the re-opening/re-closing or the display appearance, those are the demand by consumers or the retail stores. The followings are the introduction of VFFS packaging styles, as Tam is specialize in VFFS machines.
Punch Hole, Euro-punch hole
This is a packaging style that emphasizes the display effect by hanging the bag on the hook. VFFS machine can produce the continuous chain bags with one punch hole, which are often used for small eatable size or pet foods.
Standing style (Block-bottom gusset, Standing pouch)
Standing bag style has the displaying effect as it stands itself, and can be stored functionally at home even after purchase. The block-bottom gusset is produced by VFFS machine, and standing pouch is produced by the pre-made bag wrapper.
Quattro pack®
The triangular pyramid bag is formed by turning the end sealing unit 90 degrees on the bottom seal and top seal alternately. This style is often used for making small bag for just a little to eat such as bean snacks.
Off-set hem seal bag
By off-setting the back seal to the corner on the block-bottom gusset bag, there will be no sealing on the back surface. This style allows more free printing space that creates display effect as well.
Tam’s unique packaging style
Here, we will introduce a unique packaging form that pursues more convenience.
Pillow bag with zipper , Wide-top bag ®
Re-close/re-open zipper tape has been mostly applied on pre-made bags, however, VFFS machine also capable to form pillow bags with zipper tape during the film forming operation.
The cost of film material can be saved by making the zipper bag in VFFS machine and efficiency of productivity has been improved with maximum 65 bags/min operating output.
The block-bottom gusset bag also can be produced. The more convenient bag style is the wide-top bag in the next picture.
Wide-top bag ® is a unique packaging style and only be produced by Tam VFFS machine. It has a wide opening on the top just the same as pillow bag to allow easy scoop or taking the contents out and bottom is shaped in square for self-standing. This bag style has been used for the powdered beverage such as cocoa, etc. dues to its user-friendliness.
Pillow bag with valve
Valve is a thin disc-shaped parts and used for coffee packaging. During the packaging process of VFFS machine, the valve is pasted in the specific position on the film. The valve has a function to release the carbon dioxide gas that is generated from coffee out of bag by using the difference of barometric pressure inside the bag. There are two types of valves, one is inner valve which is pasted inside the bag, and the other is outer valve pasted outside the bag. Tam VFFS machine is suited the both types.
Special sealing format
For making the special opening shape, unique sealing format can be produced according to the product. For example, the picture shown in the right is a refill bag we have actually produced in VFFS machine for powdered seasoning. The narrow opening is fit to pour into the slim container without spilling out around.
Tam VFFS machine
Model TWJB
TWJB is the standard model fulfills the requirement of both Japan-made quality and affordable price. The necessary functions are equipped and robust structure remains while reducing the costs. TWJB is high quality model achieves optimal cost-performance.
●Available packaging style
・Pillow bag
・Pillow gusset bag
・Block-bottom gusset bag
・Chain bags( with/without header）
・Punch hole
・Euro punch hole
●Machine specification
Bag Size Range: Bag Width 50 - 220mm, Bag Length 50 - 300mm
Packaging Speed: Max. 100bags/min
Machine Dimensions: W 1121 x D 1939 x H 1413 mm
Machine Weight: Approx. 620 kg
Model TWJC
TWJC is a continuous motion model pursued 'Made in Japan quality' with high performance and affordability.
This model equips the servo-driven seal opening mechanism which will produce stable seal strength even in high-speed operation
●Available packaging style
・Pillow bag
・Pillow gusset bag
・Block-bottom gusset bag
・Punch hole
・Euro punch hole
●Machine specification
Bag Size Range: Bag Width 80 - 250mm, Bag Length 80 - 300mm
Packaging Speed: Max. 140bags/min
Machine Dimensions: W 1200 x D 1955 x H 1575 mm
Machine Weight: Approx. 700 kg
Model TWQ
TWQ is a VFFS machine to produce triangular pyramid shaped (Regular tetrahedron) bag called as ‘Quattro pack’, pillow bag, and 3-sided seal bag. TWQ has features of the robust structure and the compact in size, doesn’t require large installation space.
●Available packaging style
・Pillow bag
・3-sided seal bag
・”Quattro pack”
・Chain-bag （without header）
●Machine specification
Bag Size Range: Bag Width 45 - 95mm, Bag Length 45 - 130mm
Packaging Speed: Max. 100bags/min
Machine Dimensions: W 985 x D 1466 x H 1350 mm
Machine Weight: Approx. 775 kg
Model TWN-Z
TWN-Z is a model enables vertical pillow packaging with zipper.
●Available packaging style
・Pillow bag
・Pillow gusset bag
・Block-bottom gusset bag
・Punch hole
・Euro punch hole
・Wide-top bag® （with/without zipper）
●Machine specification
Bag Size Range: Bag Width 80 - 250mm, Bag Length 100 - 410mm
Packaging Speed: TWN-ZH Max. 65bags/min
(bag width under 165mm , flat bag with zipper)
TWN-Z Max. 50bags/min
(bag width under 165mm , flat bag with zipper)
Machine Dimensions: W 2470 x D 1850 x H 1600 mm
Machine Weight: Approx. 1300 kg
The introduced packaging styles in the above are to be chosen according to the various product character or usage. We explained the brief information of the zipper packaging in the above article, but in the production site, it may be necessary to switch the packaging style to a different one in the same machine. There would be many points to be checked and the determination of the proper specification is difficult. In order to embody the packaging style you desire, taking into account the reality of productivity and product design, please feel free to contact Tam. We offer the most appropriate solution to meet the customer’s requirements and conditions by our long-years of experiences.
Tam Contact to: tam-overseas@tam-tokyo.co.jp
