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7 Things to Look for When Choosing a VFFS for Coffee Bean ...

Jun. 30, 2025

7 Things to Look for When Choosing a VFFS for Coffee Bean ...

There are numerous reasons why someone may consider a vertical packaging machine for their coffee packaging needs. Your business may be expanding and you need to look at an option that saves on labor and packaging costs while handling the increasing demand. You may have aging equipment that is unreliable and causes excessive downtime. You may be transferring from pre-made, hand-filled bags to automated packaging looking for increased output of packaged product. You may be searching for a packaging system that has a small footprint.

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Before making the decision on a vertical bagger for your coffee products there are some key points that need to be researched and considered.

# 1 Gas Flushing Capabilities

The ability to package your product immediately after roasting is an important aspect of maintaining product freshness. Preventing oxygen degradation is the best way to keep your coffee tasting fresh and delicious. This is accomplished through methods, such as Aroma Perm® (Modified Atmospheric Packaging) that lowers your residual oxygen levels.

Minimum recommended oxygen levels are no more than 3%, however industry standards are typically set at 2% or less. Because the end goal is ultimately a great product that provides consumer satisfaction, a vertical packaging machine that offers low residual oxygen levels is a high priority for coffee packaging.

ROVEMA's patented Aroma Perm® Modified Atmosphere Packaging technology allows coffee producers to get below 1% residual oxygen in their ground coffee products and below 2% on whole bean products.

#2 Coffee Degassing Valve

This tiny object that goes on your flexible packaging plays a pretty big role. They prevent inflation of your package by allowing gasses to escape. When coffee beans are roasted, gasses build up inside of the beans- about 90% is carbon dioxide, and 10% nitrogen. In the following days and even weeks the coffee naturally "degasses". Coffee degassing valves keep the dreaded oxygen from getting into the bag once it is sealed while allowing the pressure to be released, something that could otherwise lead to a bag that bursts open. Coffee degassing valves can also be used to speed up the transition from roasting to packaging by shortening the amount of time that the coffee is in the WIP (Work in Process) stage.

Degassing valves perform all of these functions with a feature that allows gases to be released and at the same time, prevents oxygen from getting in. While this is typically used on premium retail coffee packages, like Stabilo® (Quad Seal) bags, interest has been increasing around the use of valves on coffee frac packs. For these foodservice coffee bags there is a surface-mounted valve, called a coupon valve, that can be applied at higher speeds which is gaining more momentum with this packaging type. A VFFS machine needs the capabilities to incorporate this application into the line while still running the desired speeds and creating a high-quality bag.

#3 VFFS Machine Run Rate

Naturally, when considering a vertical bagger for your coffee packaging needs, you want a machine that can not only meet your current production expectations but also align with your future growth projections. It's important to invest in a vertical form fill seal machine that can keep up with the demand for your product and provide long-term cost savings. This improved run and fill rate, whether it's due to transitioning from pre-made pouches or installing new machines, can lead to significant financial benefits, as illustrated in the figure below:

#4 Quality of the Coffee Bean Packaging

The package that houses your product represents your brand and the value you place on your product. It's also likely the first impression you make with a potential customer, even before they get to taste your actual product. With bag styles such as the Stabilo® (Quad Seal) bags, vertical form, fill, seal machines are able to produce sturdy, high quality bags that successfully represent the image you are trying to convey. Even features like an offset seal that provides alignment with the corners of the bag allow a crisp, clean look for the quad seal bag, with unobstructed back panels for graphics and copy.

No matter what bag shape or stand up pouch style you decide is best for your product, it needs to have gas tight, strong seals that protect your coffee product. It also should be evenly formed and consistent in size.

You want a machine that can make an aesthetically appealing package with seal integrity, clean knife cut, and will let you know if a produced bag does not meet those requirements.

#5 Quality of the Packaging Machinery

A machine that performs well, with quality parts and features is not only what is hoped for in a VFFS, but it should be expected. After all, achieving optimal OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency) is the desired outcome for machine operations. Decreasing downtime inefficiencies saves valued labor time and costs.

A properly designed and thoughtfully engineered machine, with quality electrical and mechanical components, can help with film savings and energy consumption as well as labor costs. Overall, it will reduce direct costs and operational stress.

If you're interested, here's more info on exclusive technologies that can maximize your packaging line's effectiveness.

#6 Support and Spare Parts Department

Receiving reliable and efficient support after the installation of your vffs coffee bagging equipment is crucial for your overall satisfaction. Having access to quick and knowledgeable responses to your questions or concerns is essential in preventing any potential downtime. Furthermore, knowing that you have ongoing support throughout the lifespan of the machine provides peace of mind. As the parts of the machine age and require replacement, having a team of experts readily available to assist you is just as vital for maintaining optimal equipment efficiency as the quality of the machine itself.

#7 VFFS Machine Price

The price of a VFFS machine (like anything) varies depending on what you want regarding performance. If your goal is high speed packaging, flexibility in packaging styles and a machine built with a sturdy and expert design, then it may be more expensive than a machine that is geared toward one bag style with lower speeds. The complexity and excellence needed of the machine correlates with the cost. For example, a machine that makes a variety of packaging styles or formats may be more expensive than one that is producing one bag format. We have a VFFS comparison matrix available that lists different performance tiers, features and other deciding factors, if this would be helpful as well.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit VFFS Packing Machine.

Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine Guide - Bid on Equipment

Vertical form fill and seal machines are bagging machines that form a pouch, bag, or container, fill it with a product, and finally seal it. This guide goes into depth about the type of packaging equipment including how it works, what it often makes, and important questions to ask before purchasing one.

What is a Vertical Form Fill and Seal Machine?

At a basic level, a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine does exactly what it says within the name: forms, fills, and seals all in one process. It first forms a bag. That bag material is often plastic, polyurethane, or polypropylene. It then fills the bag with the material, which ranges from liquids to powders or bulk depending on the product being packaged. Finally, the machine seals the bag shut, completing the process.

There are semi-automatic and automatic vertical form fill seal machines. For automatic VFFS machines, creating 15-25 products a minute is considered a slow speed. If it has a rotary scale head, an automatic machine could create as many as 150 products a minute.

How a VFFS Machine Works in 5 Steps

VFFS machines vary in the type of bag they make and the material they work with, but a common product used with these types of machines is snack bags. So, to break down how a vertical form fill and seal machine works step-by-step, we’ll be using an example of how an automatic VFFS makes potato chip bags.

Step #1 Load Roll Stock and Unwind

First, roll stock is loaded into the VFFS machine. Roll stock is a flat roll of film that will eventually turn into individual bags. The roll stock of film goes into the back of the machine and is placed on a spindle. From there, it is unwound and threaded through guide rollers and dancers that spool it into the machine. Think of it like a printer taking a piece of paper.

Step # 2 Form the Tube

The machine will take the roll stock through different mechanisms to a forming tube. This forming tube will change the film from its flat shape to a cylindrical shape (there are also forming tubes that are rectangular, but the round one is more commonly used, so we will use it for this example). While wrapping around the forming tube, the flat film will slightly overlap. A vertical sealing mechanism will use heat and pressure to seal the edges of the film together, creating a continuous tube. The seal made here is known as a fin seal and is the classic longitudinal third seal that can be seen on the back of a potato chip bag. VFFS machines can also make 4-side seal bags (also known as a quad seal pouch), but in this example, we’re describing a 3-side seal bag.

Step # 3 Create the Bottom Seal

Next, the VFFS will momentarily stop to seal the bag by clamping the tube and applying heat and pressure. This horizontal seal will create the transverse seam at the bottom of the bag.

Step # 4 Fill the Bag

Then, a device will be used to open the bag right above the bottom seal so that the dosing system will drop the potato chips, or whatever product is being packaged, into the newly formed bag, filling it to the pre-set amount so the bag is neither too full nor too empty.

Step # 5 Create the Top Seal

After this, the VFFS machine will then use another horizontal sealing mechanism to create the top seal. Print marks are used by the machines to read where to seal and cut the bag. This will complete the form fill and seal process, providing a filled potato chip bag ready to be sold and consumed.

What Does a Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine Make?

While snack bags are one of the products people think of first and foremost when it comes to vertical form fill seal machines, there are numerous products the machine can help package.

Common Products Made by VFFS Machines

VFFS machines are versatile with the ability to package numerous products of all shapes, sizes, and materials. Below are just some of the products across industries that can be packaged with a vertical form fill seal.

Food and beverage industry
- Potato chips
- Snack bars
- Frozen food
- Coffee
- Tea
Pharmaceutical and medical industry
- Syringes
- Cotton gauze
- Single-dose medication packets
- Antibacterial surface wipes
- Cold packs
Cosmetics and personal care industry
- Face masks
- Bath bombs
- Dry shampoo
- Hand warmers
Chemical industry
- Insecticide
- Fertilizer
- Detergents
Hardware and electronic industry
- Screws
- Nuts
- Bolts
Retail and consumer goods industry
- Crafting supplies (i.e. beads)

Other industries that make products using vertical form fill seal machines are the textile, automotive, and agriculture industries.

Common Vertical Form Fill Seal Manufacturers

There are numerous VFFS machine manufacturers. Based on our experience, below are some most commonly purchased brands:

Heysen
Woodman
Bosch (which is now owned by Heysen)
Wright
Circle (known for liquid form fill and seals)

Frequently Asked Questions Before Purchasing a VFFS Machine

Before buying a vertical form fill seal machine it’s important to research to ensure you’re getting the machine that best fits the product you’re planning on packaging. First and foremost, after determining which product or products you need a VFFS machine to package, consider these specific questions:

What kind of material is your product (liquid, powder, bulk)?
Will you need a scale to feed the product into the mix?
What kind of bag will you need to package it?
Does your bag need a foil lining? Or is it just a clear plastic bag?
How much of the product do you want to be made per minute?
Do you need a vertical form fill seal or a horizontal form fill seal machine?
How much are you willing to spend on the equipment?

Vertical form fill and seal machines can vary widely in cost. Used machines can go for as little as $10,000 to as much as half a million dollars depending on what is needed. Buying used equipment is often a more cost-effective solution and allows you to get access to the equipment immediately, avoiding long wait times that sometimes coincide with a brand-new machine. Many businesses prefer to buy used VFFS machines because they know the manufacturer and product they’ll be receiving, and will not have to retrain employees.

For more Automatic Vertical Packing Machineinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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