How do Automatic Pouch Filling and Sealing Machines Work?

Author:Mark Motty    Date:December 09, 2018 

Automatic pouch filling and sealing machines are becoming increasingly popular today for their simplicity, ease-of-use, and the superior aesthetics of their finished product.

Whether you are new to packaging automation or are considering adding premade pouch packaging to your product lineup, you are probably interested in how these machines operate.

Today we are taking a step-by-step look at the processes involved in turning an empty premade pouch into a shelf-ready finished product.

Introduction to automatic pouch filling and sealing machines

Bag filling and sealing machines can be designed with an inline or rotary layout. For the purpose of today's article, we are diving deeper into the rotary layout. This design conserves plant floor space and is constructed with ergonomics top-of-mind, and thus is seeing more popularity than inline models.

Simplified, ROTARY AUTOMATIC POUCH PACKING MACHINES grip a preformed pouch, fill it with product, and seal it, at speeds of up to 200 bags per minute. This process involves moving the bag in an intermittent rotary fashion to different 'stations' positioned in a circular layout. Each station performs a different packaging task. There are usually between 6 and 10 stations, with 8 being the most popular configuration. Automatic pouch filling machines can also be designed with a SINGLE LANE, TWO LANES, or FOUR LANES. Here is how the pouch packaging process works:

2. Bag Gripping

When a bag is detected by a proximity sensor, a vacuum bag loader picks up the pouch and transfers it to a set of grippers, which will hold the bag as it travels around the rotary unit to different 'stations'.

These grippers can continually support up to 10 kg on the best bag filling and sealing machine models.

3. Optional Printing/Embossing

If printing or embossing is desired, that equipment will be placed at this station. POUCH FILL AND SEAL MACHINES can utilize both thermal and inkjet printers. The printer can place desired date/lot codes on the pouches. The embossing option places raised date/lot codes into the bag seal.

5. Bag Filling

Product is dropped down a bag funnel into the bag, usually by a multi-head scale. For POWDER PRODUCTS, an auger filler is used. In the case of LIQUID POUCH FILLING MACHINES, product is pumped into the bag by a liquid filler with a nozzle. The filling apparatus is responsible for the correct measurement and release of discrete quantities of product to be dropped into each premade pouch.

Options at the filling station include:

• Gas flush. This MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING (MAP) process displaces oxygen within the bag by using a blast of gas, usually nitrogen. This is done immediately prior to filling the bag with product to ensure maximum displacement.
• Dust collection. For DUSTY OR MESSY PRODUCTS, a dust hood is placed above the filling station that collects airborne particles.

6. Product Settling or Other Options

Sometimes loose contents need to settle to the bottom of the bag before sealing. This station gently shakes the premade pouch to achieve that.

Other options at this station include:

• Second liquid seal. For liquid/water pouch filling machine configurations, this station can be used for a second liquid seal to ensure maximum seal integrity. 
• Second filling station. For products that include both solid and liquid components, a second filling station can be added here.
• Load shelf. For heavy fills, a shelf can be added after filling to bear the load of the extra weight and take the stress off of the gripping arms.