Setting it apart, says Volpak, is that both the roll-fed unwind module and the rotary turret on which formed pouches are filled and sealed rely on a continuous-motion principle. Typically, these are both more likely to be intermittent-motion operations. Because the film being fed into the machine is pulled constantly without having to stop and pull and stop and pull, there is far less tension on the film. This greatly reduces the chance for film breakage, especially where thin films are concerned.
Forming of pouches is done on a module that is not unlike the systems Volpak has offered in the past, and it is done on an intermittent-motion basis. But when it’s time to transfer the formed pouch into the filling turret, once again the machine reverts to continuous motion. Held by a bag gripper, each pouch is opened , blown open, stretched open, filled, and then sealed.
Volpak says the first installation of the machine is at an Argentinian maker of liquid laundry detergent in 950-mL pouches, and they’re running at 280/min. Now in development, the firm adds, is a system that will do a similar pouch but it will be cut at a 45-degree angle so that a corner fitment pouring spout can be applied.
