The pillow bag is a widely-used type of flexible packaging known for its simple design and cost-effectiveness. It was named from its resemblance to a pillow shape.

This type of bag is versatile and can be used across various industries, from food and beverage to consumer goods. It remains a popular choice among manufacturers, contract packagers, and CPG companies.

Explanation of pillow bag packaging

The pillow bag, a widely-used type of flexible packaging, is created using a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine. The process involves a continuous roll of flat packaging film and guiding it over a forming tube to create the pillow shape.

The edges of the film are then sealed together using a vertical seal bar, forming the back seal. A horizontal seal bar is used to create the bottom seal, and the product is filled into the bag through the hollow center of the forming tube. Once filled to the desired amount, the top seal is created using a horizontal seal. Finally, a horizontal knife cuts the individual bag discharged from the machine.

Additional options, such as hole punches or Euro slots for hanging display, zipper reclosures, and easy-open features like tear notches, can also be added to the pillow bag during the packaging process.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pillow Bag Packaging

Pillow bag packaging is a popular and versatile option in the flexible packaging industry. It is known for its cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and ability to run at high speeds. Some of its advantages include the following:

• Cost-effectiveness: Pillow pouches require less film than other bag types, making them a cost-effective option for companies of all sizes.
• Proven reliability: Pillow pouches have been used successfully in various industries for decades, making them a tried-and-tested option.
• Simplicity: Pillow pouches are easy to produce and can be formed on standard VFFS machines.
• High speeds: Because of their simplicity, pillow pouches can be packaged quickly, making them suitable for contract packagers with strict deadlines.

However, like any packaging option, pillow bags also have some limitations. These include:

• Limited standing ability: Pillow bags cannot stand upright unassisted and are meant to either lay flat or be hung on hooks for vertical display.
• Limited visual differentiation: As the most popular bag style, pillow bags may stand out less than other bag types like the Doypack or custom premade pouch.
• Narrow surfaces for marketing: Pillow bags only have one visible surface for graphics, branding, and labeling when on a shelf, whereas other bag types can have up to four visible sides.

Pillow Pouch Packaging Machines

The pillow type bag is popular among companies due to its simplicity. These bags can be easily formed, filled, and sealed on various VFFS packaging machine models without needing additional assemblies or custom components. This makes commissioning a packaging machine for this application quicker and more cost-effective. We recommend using standard machine models for this type of packaging.

1. Multihead Weigher Vertical Packing Machine: This machine is designed for high precision and high speed packaging applications, such as snacks, pet food, candy, cannabis, and other small items. It uses a multihead weigher to measure and dispense the product into bags accurately. The vertical design allows for efficient use of space and easy integration with other equipment. It is suitable for industries that require high speed, high precision, and a significant output rate.
2. Linear Weigher Vertical Packing Machine: This type of machine is a mid-speed option that is compact and flexible in terms of integration with other equipment. It uses a linear weigher to measure and dispense the product and is suitable for a variety of products, including beans, rice, sugar, nuts, and other similar items. It is known for its compact design, quick changeover, and mid-speed, which makes it suitable for small and medium-scale industries.
3. Cup Filler Vertical Packing Machine: This machine is an economical solution for packaging solids products such as rice, beans, nuts, popcorn, coffee and snacks. It uses a cup filler to measure and dispense the product and is typically more affordable than other packaging machines. However, it has lower speed and accuracy than different types of machines and is suitable for small-scale industries.
4. Auger filler vertical packing machine： The auger filler vertical packing machine can be used in various industries, including food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The machine uses an auger, a spiral-shaped screw, to dispense the powder into a pillow bag. The machine is typically vertical in design, with the auger filling the product from the top down. This design allows for a compact footprint and easy integration into existing production lines.
5. Liquid Filler Vertical Packing Machine: This type of machine is designed for packaging liquid, sauce, paste, and similar products into bags. It uses a liquid filler to dispense the product, and the vertical design allows for efficient use of space and easy integration with other equipment.

Conclusion

Pillow bag packaging is a versatile and flexible packaging style that is suitable for a wide range of products across various industries. Its simplicity and advanced flexibility make it ideal for companies looking to package their products efficiently.

Whether in the snack, sugar, rice, pharmaceutical, industrial, or agriculture industry, pillow bag packaging can be tailored to meet your specific needs and help you achieve your packaging goals.

With its flexible design, short lead times, and high-speed packaging capabilities, pillow bag packaging will be the perfect solution to help you stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market.