FORM-FILL-SEAL

In a variant of the horizontal form/fill/seal operation, the material, moving in a horizontal direction, is folded on itself vertically. Vertical sections of the two faces are heat-sealed to each other to form a pouch, which may then be filled. The pouch, usually made from film or paper bonded to aluminum foil plus a plastic laminant and heat sealant, is closed by a heat seal. This type of pouch gives high moisture and oxygen protection and is used for moisture-and flavor-sensitive condiments and beverage mixes. 

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) bottles have been used for some time as an alternative to glass and aluminum. At first one-way bottles ia different sizes were used returnable PET-botfles of reasonable quaUty have been marketed. In the future, returnable PET-botfles will be used. The first examples of total production lines have been exhibited, ie, blow-form-fill-seal ia an extra superblock constmction. 

Form-Fill-Seal, Small Bags and Pouches, and Baler Bags. 21-50... 

Where folding cartons are to contain a product which is sensitive to moisture pickup, barriers are available which can be incorporated into the carton construction. An example of this is polyethylene laminated to paperboard. In some cases an insert bag is used instead, but this requires an additional operation and is usually accomplished by a form-fill-seal machine that makes a bag which is then inserted by another machine into the folding carton. 

At present, form-fill-seal is limited to products having reasonably free-flowing particles with low dust concentrations. Because heat seal-... 

FIG. 21-47d Hayssen patent no. 4,288,965 form/fill/seal bag-maldng system. (Cowtesy of Hayssen Mfg. Co., Duncan, SC 29334, S64-4S6-4000.)... 

Form-fill-seal machines, 13 46 Formic-acetic anhydride, 10 484 Formic acid, 5 27... 

An alternative form of non-carbonated beverage comes in form-fill-seal plastic containers, which are typically square or round section cups with foil or plastic laminate lidding. Such products are difficult to produce to a quality that will satisfactorily compete with the shelf fife of aseptic foil/laminate packs. Fonn-fill-seal containers leave their contents vulnerable to oxidative degradation and are especially at risk of mould spoilage. The packs can be produced in aseptic conditions but the products are typically chemically preserved. 

Another important packaging development area is plastic. Various plastics have been and continue to be used high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and various barrier plastics. These can be formed into bottles of conventional shape or fed into machines producing form-fill-seal packages, typically cups. 

Various alternative configurations can be used, and in particular some manufacturers employ non-aseptic form-fill-seal operations which usually produce either in-line cup packs or cartons such as TetraPak or Combibloc packs. 

Many non-carbonated RTD products that are not pure fruit juices or nectars are packed in either pre-fonned or form-fill-seal plastic packages, although an... 

There are some more specialised systems for PET bottles, cans, other plastic bottles, form-fill-seal packs and returnable PET or glass bottles for still and carbonated drinks (generally high acid). These are material-dependent solutions and each arises from the limitations and properties of the materials and the way they are formed into containers. 

Form—fill—seal packs are also suitable for aseptic production. The pack is blown aseptically in a mould and filled through the soft neck. Once filling is complete the fill tube is retracted and the neck sealed with heat and pressure. 

There are two basic ways of using this form, fill seal process with laminates, films, or sheets in reel form. 

Using two stock reels to form the two sides of the pouch (usually used in vertical form, fill, seal process). 

Form/Fill/Seal Machine Targets Bottle Blow Molding, MP, June 2003. 

NatureFlex films are also stiffer and more oriented than some other biopolymers, which make them suitable for use on standard flow-wrap and form-fill-seal equipment. 

PWS, form-fill-seal 1 F/F/S gusseted oag 16x5x30 405 X 125 x760 6 mil PE Heat-sealed LDPE 30 480 Vs in... 

Process simulation test contamination rates approaching zero should be achievable using automated production lines in well-designed aseptic processing facilities, blow-fill- seal and form-fill-seal and in isolator-based systems. 

Sharp, J. Validation of a new form-fill-seal installation. Manufacturing Chemist 1988, 22. 

Kvarnstrom, A.C. Ernerot, L. Mattsson, K. Form-Fill-Seal Experience with the Aseptic Filling and Terminal Sterilization of Small Volume Parenterals, Proceedings of PDA International Congress, 1992, 180. 

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