Packaging is a necessity of manufacturing — but with that being said, it is perhaps the “unsung hero” of manufacturing. Often, people think about the finished products involved in manufacturing. But for an industry that provides thousands of jobs each year, the packaging industry is often overlooked. Packaging can be incorporated at several different stages of the product development process. It serves several different purposes. For certain products — like those in the food industry, or the medical and pharmaceutical industries — packaging is purely practical. It needs to be both cost-effective and as sturdy as possible, performing a practical job with little else purpose. Other products — such as cosmetic products, for example — require a more appealing packaging, with less concern placed upon how the packaging performs on a practical level. This is because things like pharmaceuticals and food products are necessities, while other products are luxuries, therefore competing with one another more often. No matter what is being packaged, what goes into making that packaging? Often, what goes into making things like food packaging containers and plastic clamshell containers involves horizontal form fill seal equipment. The chances are that if you are uninformed about packaging in general, you don’t know about horizontal form fill seal equipment. Let’s look into the horizontal form fill seal process, and the other elements that go into packaging.

Horizontal Form Fill Seal Equipment: What It Creates

What does “horizontal form fill seal” mean? If you don’t know immediately, you’re not alone. Many people aren’t aware of this equipment and what it really means. A horizontal form fill seal machine creates packaging that covers a variety of different needs in several different industries. Machines like these are known for being good for packaging food, medical devices, and even electronics. The different packaging types created by machines like these are often moldable, conforming to the shapes of the products they package. You’ll often find these machines used when creating film packaging, or pouch packaging. Shrink sleeves and vacuum pouches can also be made by these machines. However, this is by no means the only type of packaging on the market. It’s simply widely used, and certainly important. However, you may want to know more about how this type of packaging, among others, affects the products you buy and consume. Let’s look into some of the products packaged in this way that you may use as a part of your daily life.

Packaging: Why It Matters, And How It Affects You

You may be surprised by how ubiquitous — and therefore — this packaging has become. Previously, we mentioned its use in creating plastic clamshell containers. The “clamshell” is a term for a popular type of pharmaceutical packaging. Most often, you may see this package in association with birth control pills. However, it used to package many other types of medication as well. This packaging helps people remember to take their pills due to its uniform appearance. It’s also useful in that it is easily accessible and durable. This is not the only type of flexible packaging used in pharmaceuticals. Pouch packaging is often used in distributing liquid medication. It conforms to the shape of the medication and is easily transported. Pouches also offer several different opening methods, a feature appreciated both by medical professionals and patients alike. Vacuum packaging, meanwhile, is favored when distributing food, particularly perishable food. Vacuum packaging allows the food to last longer, with less risk of contamination and spoiling. Horizontal form fill seal machines can be used to make lidding — particularly film lidding, which is used in the packaging of many different types of food. Clearly, packaging is more important than many might imagine, and shouldn’t be dismissed. The chances are that this type of packaging has been used in the creation of some kind of product you’ve used.