HFFS (horizontal form-fill-seal)

HFFS (horizontal form-fill-seal) machines form packs from rollstock on a horizontal axis. The best-known type is the flow wrapper: products travel along an infeed conveyor, film is folded into a tube around them with a longitudinal fin seal, and rotary jaws make the end seals and cut each pack. Eye marks keep the print in register.

Other HFFS machines form, fill and seal sachets, doypacks or spouted pouches horizontally from reel stock.

Typical products

Single, shaped items that should be placed rather than poured: chocolate and wafer bars, biscuits, cakes, cereal bars, ice cream, soap, wet wipes, medical items and fresh produce trays.

HFFS vs VFFS

VFFS drops product down a tube and suits powders, granules and loose items. HFFS wraps film around products moving horizontally, protecting fragile, single pieces.

Ordering film

• Reliable sealing at short dwell times; heat-sensitive products may need cold-seal or low-temperature sealant structures.
• Correct COF for smooth running.
• Web width, repeat length, unwind direction, core size and maximum reel diameter.
• Readable eye marks.

Share your machine model and speed, and test new structures with a trial reel.