The Ultimate Guide to Flow Wrap

At Record Packaging, we are experts in many different types of packaging machinery — including flow wrapping equipment. In this blog, we are answering some frequently asked questions about this versatile packaging process: so, what is flow wrapping, and how can we help your business benefit from it?

What is Flow Wrapping?

Flow wrap, otherwise known as flowpack, horizontal bagging or film wrapper, is a method of packaging products in an air-tight film. You may also hear flow wrapping services referred to as HFFS, which stands for “horizontal form fill seal”.

How Does Flow Wrapping Work?

Products are placed on a conveyor belt, which then moves them into the forming zone. A continuous sheet of film wrapper is then packaged around the product and sealed around the edges of each individual piece (by applying heat and/or pressure). The conveyor belt moves the product further on to a cutting zone, which slices between each sealed item to separate them. The flow-wrapped products are then offloaded and stored in their flow wrap packaging.

The Benefits of Flow Wrapping

Flow wrapping creates an air-tight barrier that protects the contents from the impact of air and moisture, which is ideal for pharmaceuticals or food and drink products. This barrier helps to improve the shelf life of the product. Flow wrapping is also a very rapid process, as the continuous wrapper and the movement of the conveyor belt can work in tandem at high speeds. Additionally, you can adapt your machinery to process different product sizes, making this packaging solution an extremely flexible and cost-effective option.

What is A Horizontal Flow Wrapper?

HFFS machines are designed for solid products that will lay still on a conveyor belt. However, flow wrapping can also be used to package smaller loose items, like nuts or beads. These products are packaged using a vertical flow pack machine, which pours the products into their packaging and then seals them inside.

How Can Record Packaging Help?

We have over 50 years of combined packaging experience, meaning that we can offer not only the best flow wrap packaging equipment on the market, but the expertise to help you implement your new equipment effectively. We provide both box motion and rotary motion flow wrap machines, and our customer service-oriented approach ensures that you will receive the right flow wrapping machine, at the right price, for an excellent result.

To discuss your flow-wrapping needs with our team of packaging specialists, you can contact us here.