Horizontal Form Fill and Seal

Horizontal form fill and seal (HFFS) machines, also known as flow wrappers, package products by wrapping them in a continuous web of film as they travel horizontally through the machine. The film is drawn from a roll, formed into a tube around the product using a forming box, sealed along the bottom or side with a longitudinal fin or lap seal, and cross-sealed at both ends to create a fully enclosed package.

Wrapping Process

Products are fed into the machine on an infeed conveyor or chain flight system, which spaces them at consistent intervals. The film web wraps around each product as it passes through the forming section. Rotary or crimp-jaw end sealers create the cross-seals between products, cutting individual packages from the continuous film tube. The entire process runs in continuous motion for sustained high-speed output.

Seal Types

Fin seals fold the film edges together and seal them, creating a visible fin on the bottom of the package. Lap seals overlap one film edge over the other for a flat, smooth seal surface. The seal type is selected based on product appearance requirements, film type, and downstream handling needs.

Speed and Control

PLC controls with HMI touchscreen interfaces manage film tension, conveyor speed, seal temperature, and product spacing. Recipe storage allows quick changeover between different product sizes and film types. Registration sensors align print-registered films to ensure graphics are properly positioned on each package.