Stand up pouch filling and sealing machines are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to their versatility, ease of use and the fantastic aesthetic of the final product. And as new brands look for ways to automate their product packaging, a stand up pouch packaging machine has become the go-to piece of equipment for manufacturers big and small. If the popularity of a stand up pouch packaging has got you wondering if your business would benefit from one, the answer is most definitely!
Here, we’ll take a closer look at how a stand up pouch machine works, and the benefits one can bring to your business.
What is a stand up pouch filling machine?
Primarily designed for the medical, pharmaceutical, and food industries where product freshness is key, stand up pouch machines are a popular choice for manufacturers. The packing process with these machines is fully automatic, and works by filling and sealing prefabricated stand up pouches or doy packs. The compact design is space-saving and can be easily adjusted to different bag widths. With a quick set-up, a stand up pouch filling and sealing machine is a cost-effective alternative to complex linear filling machines.
How does a rotary stand up pouch filling and sealing machine work?
1. The pouch is loaded into the machine
Preformed pouches are loaded manually by an operator into the bag magazine and the bags are then conveyed to the machine by a bag feeding roller.
2. The pouch is gripped
The pouch is then gripped to ensure its safety when moving through different stations. The weight it can hold is entirely dependent on the type of stand up pouch packaging machine, and support can also be added to hold the bag in place.
3. Printing takes place
If you’re having your bags ink jet printed, this is when it takes place. Pouch fill and seal machines can be integrated with ancillary printing equipment to ensure the bags are printed with necessary date and batch codes.
4. The stand up pouch and filling machine opens the bag and fills it
The pouch is opened ready for filling and the correct amount of product is weighed, ensuring each pouch is filled accurately and precisely, avoiding wastage. The manufactured product is then sent down the bag funnel into the bag. If your product is powder, an auger filler is used in the process. For liquid pouch filling machines, the product is pumped into the bag via a nozzle.
5. The pouch is sealed
Any remaining air is squeezed out of the bag before it is sealed with a hot seal bar. The hot seal bar utilises pressure and heat to bond the sealant layers on the pouch and make a tough closure.
What are the benefits of a stand up pouch machine?
Sustainability
Operating your business sustainably doesn’t just help protect the planet, but helps protect your business too. According to Forbes, 66% of consumers would spend more on a product if they knew it came from sustainable sources. In comparison to rigid packaging, flexible pouch packaging uses fewer resources, costs less to transport, takes up less space on the shelf, and leads to less product wastage.
Product safety
Flexible pouch packaging keeps your product fresher for longer, and completely seals the product. This means it’s less likely to be contaminated and retains the integrity of the product inside. It’s also more obvious when a packet has been tampered with, which offers protection against safety breaches and fraud.
It’s easy to transport
Gone are the days when products need to be transported in big glass or metal containers. Now, flexible packaging means you can transport more, at lower cost, while using less of the planet’s resources in the process. What’s not to love?
High-speed filling
There’s nothing truer than the saying ‘time is money’ – and this is crucial when it comes to production. A stand up pouch filling and sealing machine is one of the quickest ways of automating your packing process, and allows you to speed up the production time dramatically.
Whilst packing pouches is certainly a much faster process than manual packaging, it should be noted that the speed of the machine is always dependent on the product and choice of pouch material. Different products and material specifications interact differently with pouch machinery, so certain combinations can allow for higher packaging speeds/
Considering investing in a stand up pouch packaging machine?
Here at Intamac, we’ve worked with many manufacturers just like you to find the best stand up pouch packaging machine for their business. To find yours, please contact us on: 01420 593682 and we will be happy to assist.