A flow packer is a horizontal packaging machine—known in English as HFFS, or horizontal form, fill, and seal. The product is already in place: a cookie, a bar, or a cup. The machine wraps film around the product and seals the seam as everything moves through the line. The result is the familiar pillow-shaped packaging found in the candy aisle of every supermarket.
How It Works in Four Steps
- Input. A conveyor belt feeds the products at fixed intervals; an infeed screw or fork wheel maintains precise spacing.
- Wrap in plastic wrap. The roll of film passes through a forming basket that bends the material around the product; a longitudinal seal closes the seam at the bottom—the fin seal.
- End sealing. Rotating sealing rollers seal the cross seams in front of and behind each product.
- Divorce. A knife cuts through the center of each cross seam; two packages exit the machine at the same time.
The entire line runs at a rate of 100 to 300 packages per minute, depending on product weight and fragility. Fragile products require a slower speed with gentle handling.
Flowpacker or VFFS?
| Aspect | Flowpacker (HFFS) | VFFS |
|---|---|---|
| Product | established, determined | bulk cargo, falls |
| Direction | horizontal | vertical |
| Speed | 100 to 300 packs per minute | 40 to 80 bags per minute |
| Packaging | Round cushion product | bag per dose |
| Example | cookies, bars | granules, powder |
The rule of thumb from real-world experience: if it falls and can withstand the fall, then VFFS; if it lies flat and needs to stay that way, then use a flow packer. For potato chips, the exception is that small retail packs run horizontally and family-size bags run vertically—more on that in VFFS or flow packer.
What Belongs on a Flow Packer
The classic products are baked goods: cookies, waffles, crackers — hence the separate cookie packaging machine-page. In addition, energy bars, chocolate, candy, and ready-to-bake bread. Health products such as granola bars follow the same pattern. All of these products share three characteristics: a solid form, brittleness, and the need to seal each piece individually.
What the flow packer is not suitable for
Bulk goods such as granules or powder don’t have a fixed shape to wrap film around—that’s where VFFS comes in. Liquids belong on a piston line. And if you want a stand-up pouch with premium printing, pillow packaging won’t do the trick; in that case, look into the packaging machine for preformed bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a flow packer the same as a horizontal flow packer?
Yes. Flowpacker, HFFS, and horizontal flowpacker all refer to the same machine. The distinction that matters is between this machine and the vertical variant (VFFS), not within the horizontal family.
Q: What type of film does a flow packer use?
Typically, sealable composite or BOPP film ranging from 20 to 40 µm, which is thinner than VFFS film because the packaging does not need to bear any weight. For recyclability, there are mono-PP versions—development efforts in this area are ongoing throughout the industry; see sustainable packaging solutions.
Q: Can a flow packer also make stick packs?
No, stick packs are vertical: narrow, rod-shaped pouches are produced on a multi-column machine above the product flow. There is a separate stick packaging machine.
Related pages
flow packer | cookie packaging machine | vertical form, fill, and seal machine | VFFS or flow packer | VFFS for snacks
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