What Is a Pouch Packaging Machine?
Pouch packaging machines can form, fill, and seal pouches on the same machine. They are ideal for packaging convenience and snack foods like chips, cookies, and dried fruits.
Premade pouch packaging machines are highly efficient and require little maintenance. They have a rotary layout that saves plant floor space and are designed with packaging simplicity in mind.
Automatic Feeding
A pouch packaging machine is a piece of industrial machinery that can automatically pack premade bags. These machines can be used to package liquid and solid foods. Some models can also include a deflation mechanism to remove air from the bag and help preserve freshness. Pouch packaging machines are a popular choice for businesses because they improve efficiency and reduce waste. They also save companies money and can increase sales.
A rotary automatic pouch packing machine can be used to pack different types of food products, including powders and granular materials that are easy to flow. It can complete weighing, bag clamping, filling, sealing, date printing, charging (exhausting), counting, and finished product delivery in one continuous flow.
It can be equipped with a variety of nozzles to handle various liquid and powder products, such as milk tea, medicine, and seasonings. It can also make a variety of bag shapes, including pillow sachets, 3 side seal sachets, and stick sachets. It is equipped with a centralized computer control system that allows operators to change settings without stopping the machine.
Filling
Pouch filling machines are capable of sealing many different types of liquids and semi-liquid products, such as soups, sauces, juice, water, and even pet food. These devices ensure accurate portion control and precise filling, minimizing product loss while maintaining the quality of the packaged product. For dusty products, these machines can include a dust hood that collects airborne particles. They also provide options like deflation and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) that remove oxygen from the pouch to keep the product fresh.
These machines come in two varieties: rotary and inline. The rotary layout conserves plant floor space and is designed with simplicity of operation top-of-mind. It can have one, two, or four bag infeed ‘lanes,’ with the single lane being the most popular.
Once the bags are loaded, they are scanned to determine their shape and size and automatically selected for a specific process. The bag is then dispensed with the appropriate amount of product pouch packaging machine and sealed shut using an innovative mechanical design that features cam and lever mechanical systems for minimal downtime and continuous, multi-shift operations.
Forming
Depending on the product, different types of pouches are created. Some are spout-enabled, others can accommodate multiple sizes of bags. For instance, the GEI Mateer PC 18 vertical form fill seal machine can produce 960 four-side sealed pouches per minute. It can also handle products with very different consistency levels.
During the bag formation process, a hopper is used For pouch packaging machine manufacturers to load premade pouches into the machine. From there, the machine picks up the pouch and feeds it into a sealing mechanism. Afterwards, the pouch is cut open and falls to a collection system.
For liquid pouches, a nozzle can be configured to inject the product into the bag. Alternatively, the product can be dropped from a multi-head scale or an auger. Depending on the product type, a printer can be added to print the date and production batch code onto the bag. The forming of the bag is then completed by the machine, resulting in a closed pouch that’s ready for shipping. The finished product can then be transported to a pallet. This is a crucial step, as it ensures the product won’t be damaged during transportation.
Sealing
After a product is bagged, the pouches must be sealed to prevent contamination and preserve freshness. This process can be done manually or by machine. Pouch packaging machines offer different methods of sealing, including heat, ultrasonic, and evaporative. Each method has its own unique benefits.
Some machines use a deflation station that removes air from the sealed package to ensure its integrity and extend its shelf life. This process is essential to the quality of a finished product. Pouch packaging machines also have a cooling bar that reinforces the seal, creating a strong seam and a tight fit.
Some pouch packaging machines have additional features like a printer and embossing option to print date, production, or lot codes on the bag. This information can be useful to identify the manufacturer and contents of a product. Pouch packaging machines can also add tamper-evident seals and other safety features to protect products from damage and counterfeiting. Choosing the right pouch packaging machine requires an evaluation of production speeds, space requirements, and overall cost. Establishing a budget will help you find a machine that fits your production needs while staying within your financial limits.
Labeling
Pouch packaging machines are used to package a wide range of products including snacks, cereals, pet food, condiments, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals. These machines ensure the hygienic and efficient packaging of these products, which preserves their freshness and extends their shelf life. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, and can include features like resealable zippers and spouts for added convenience.
The packaging process starts with a hopper that accepts the product. Then, the machine inserts the product into the premade pouch and seals it shut using heat or pressure. This creates an airtight and watertight seal that protects the product.
Afterwards, the pouch packaging machine prints a code on the bag to indicate the date of expiration. This is done by a thermal or inkjet printer. The printed code can also display other information such as the manufacturer’s name and address. The coding process is an important step in the pouch packing machine that can help companies reduce their packaging costs by avoiding waste. It can also help them stay competitive in the marketplace by providing better on-the-shelf visibility.
