Flexible packaging into flowpacks with the Schubert Flowpacker

The flowpack, formed and sealed with film, is one of the most frequently used types of packaging for food applications. Depending on the product, the flowpack film needs to fulfil certain functions in order to provide prolonged freshness of the goods and protect them from environmental influences. Today, in addition to the tried & tested cold- and heat-seal films, a wide range of other flowpack films are available – from recyclable monofilms made from a single plastic, to paper-based films and even very thick high-barrier films for products that need to be packaged in a modified atmosphere. This can be a challenge for manufacturers who have to change their flowpack films frequently as many packaging machines only use a single sealing technology. This is precisely why Schubert designed its Flowpacker flow-wrapping machine so that the sealing systems can be easily exchanged via plug & play. This enables manufacturers to efficiently switch between conventional and recyclable films and ideally position themselves on the market with the right packaging.

A person operating a packaging machine and making adjustments to the sealing tools. The machine is designed to flexibly switch between different sealing technologies to meet various packaging requirements.

For longitudinal sealing, the Schubert flow-wrapping machine uses ultrasonic technology or, alternatively, sealing technology with ceramic heating elements.

Interchangeable sealing systems in the Schubert Flowpacker

In addition to the standard cold-sealing process, the variable sealing systems in the Flowpacker can combine longitudinal sealing with ultrasonics, or optionally with ceramic heating elements, together with its cross-sealing, thus providing extremely accurate and constant sealing times. The main advantage is that both longitudinal sealing processes are very gentle sealing methods that are not only ideal for heat-sensitive products, but also for sensitive flowpack films. With ultrasonic technology, the film is only heated where it is required for sealing.

Sealing with ceramic heating elements is similarly gentle, in that the elements enable a precise, controlled heat supply – both in terms of temperature and duration. With cross-sealing, constant sealing times ensure consistently high sealing quality, regardless of production fluctuations and film speed.

A food product, a pastry or chocolate, packaged in a transparent tubular bag film. The packaging protects the product and maintains its freshness.

Flexible sealing technology is suitable for recyclable monofilms and for products with a high requirement for seal seam quality.

Sealing recyclable films and high-barrier films

Cross-sealing with the Flowpacker allows you to choose between heat-sealing with a flying cross-sealing unit or the new ultrasonic Box Motion technology. The Box Motion unit is designed in such a way that the stationary sealing jaws fully clamp the film at the sealing seam and seal it ultrasonically, but the unit moves linearly depending on the film speed during the sealing process. The sealing time can be freely programmed for both heat-sealing with rotating sealing jaws and ultrasonic sealing with stationary sealing jaws – while remaining constant during the process. With Box Motion technology, it is also possible to seal more hermetically, as the seal seam has a consistently high quality across its entire width. This enables even high-barrier films to be sealed to the highest quality.

The flexible sealing system from Schubert offers food manufacturers the option of changing the film as required while always sealing at maximum possible quality. The benefits include greater freedom in the choice of flowpack films, higher quality in the finished packaging and a stronger, more competitive market position.

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Sealing technology to meet virtually every need