The General Guide to Snack Packaging Machines covers the entire field; this page focuses on the vertical line showing weight and nitrogen — the arrangement behind family-size bags of chips, bags of nuts, and popcorn.
The three-part structure
- Doser: multihead weigher. Brose snacks require a multi-head weigher with a gentle approach, low drop heights, and heads with small angles of fall—the same principles as in granules, but more critical because every tear is visible in the bag.
- Bag maker: VFFS. The vertical form, fill, and seal machine makes the bag from a roll of film, using a larger bag circumference than for powdered products because production volumes remain low.
- Nitrogen flushing. A flow of nitrogen in the bag displaces oxygen and cushions the fall: a cushioning effect for fragile products. When properly adjusted, the residual oxygen level remains below 2%.
Why Nitrogen Is an Essential Part of It
Nitrogen serves two purposes at once: the bag acts as a cushion to protect the crumbs, and the oxygen that causes rancidity is removed. For chips and notes That's the difference between a bag that crinkles and a bag that hangs limp and rancid on the shelf.
Film and Barrier
Snack film combines a barrier against oxygen, moisture, and light with a thickness of 50 to 80 µm. Metal layers or EVOH barriers extend shelf life; recyclable mono-PE versions can be discussed on a project-by-project basis. Weigh the choice of film against the shelf-life requirements—see also film consumption.
Speed and Accuracy
Light doses between 10 and 150 g can be processed at a rate of approximately 100 bags per minute using a 14-head weigher, with a dosing accuracy of around ±0.5 g. Heavier family-size bags slow the rate down to 30 to 60 bags per minute.
When Snacks Should Not Be Packaged in a VFFS
Molded products—bars, cookies, chocolates—lose their shape when dropped and belong on a flow packer. The rule of thumb remains: if it falls and can withstand the fall, use a VFFS; if it lies flat and needs to stay that way, use a flow packer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you package chips using a VFFS or a flow packer?
Both are common. Small retail bags of baked chips are often packaged horizontally; family-size bags and individually weighed bags are packaged on the VFFS with nitrogen.
Q: What are the benefits of nitrogen flushing?
Less oxygen—below 2% when properly adjusted—and a cushion that absorbs the impact. This translates to a longer shelf life and less crumbling.
Q: Which scale is used for small doses?
A multihead weigher with 14 heads and small weighing pans; it achieves high speeds for doses up to approximately 150 g.
Related pages
snack packaging machine | multi-head weigher | VFFS or flow packer | potato chip packaging machine | nut packaging machine
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