Flow Wrappers

A flow wrapper, or flow wrapping machine, wraps products in a continuous horizontal film flow, sealing each one into a pillow-style pack. Also known as a horizontal form fill seal (HFFS) machine, it is widely used for snacks, confectionery, bakery and hardware items, and is supplied Australia-wide by Nexus Australia. The same equipment is often called a flow wrap machine or a horizontal flow wrap machine; all of these names describe one horizontal wrapping process.

How it works

A flow wrapper wraps the product in a horizontal film tube, forming a fin seal along the length and end seals at each end to create a hermetic seal that protects the product and preserves its freshness.

Types of bags

• Pillow bags: a simple rectangular shape with a sealed top and bottom.
• Gusseted bags: expandable sides (gussets) that add volume capacity for products needing extra space.

In-feed method options

• Conveyor infeed: a standard conveyor belt carries products from a previous stage or production line directly into the flow wrapper.
• Lug infeed: lugs or pockets hold products securely and space them before they enter the machine.
• Flighted infeed: flights or small platforms transport products for accurate, consistent positioning.
• Bucket infeed: bucket conveyors transport loose or bulk products such as nuts and bolts.
• Vibratory infeed: vibration transports and singulates products, useful for irregularly shaped or delicate items.
• Rotary infeed: a rotary feeder or turntable collects and organises products, often for high-speed applications.
• Robotic infeed: robots pick products from a conveyor or line and place them into the flow wrapper, offering flexibility for various shapes and sizes.

Throughput

The bagging systems offer a range of throughput rates, from entry-level up to high-speed production lines, to suit production at any scale.

Learn more in our guide to flow wrap packaging, or compare with VFFS bagging and the full bagging system range.