Machine Overview
| Machine type | Vacuum packaging machine (vacuum packer): double chamber, tabletop chamber, or continuous band sealer with vacuum |
| Products | Cold meats, sausages, sliced biltong and dried meat, rice and other foods in vacuum bags |
| Gas flushing | Nitrogen flushing on the machines we have supplied |
| Sealing | 600 mm sealing bars with a 10 mm seal on the double chamber machine; a 12 mm continuous seal on the band sealer |
| Output | 2 to 4 cycles a minute on the double chamber machine; up to 12 m of seal a minute on the band sealer |
| Chambers | 690 × 620 × 160 mm on the double chamber machine we have supplied |
| Weighing | Single-head weigher, 20 g to 2 kg to within 2%, on a biltong line we have supplied |
| Utilities | 380 V three-phase, 2.5 kW on the double chamber machine; 220 V on the band sealer |
Configurations
A vacuum packaging machine removes the air from the bag before sealing it, and nitrogen flushing replaces that air with nitrogen to slow oxidation and help keep the colour, shape and taste of the product. Which configuration you need comes down to the product, the bag and the output. For meat packed by other methods, see the meat wrapping machine.
01
Two chambers work in turn under a swinging lid: while one runs the vacuum, flush and seal cycle, the operator loads the other. On the machine we have supplied to a cold meat producer, each chamber is 690 × 620 × 160 mm with 600 mm sealing bars, and the machine runs 2 to 4 cycles a minute, flushing each bag with nitrogen before the 10 mm seal.
Best for
•Cold meats and sausages
•Sliced and portioned meat
•Daily production runs
Benefits
Load one chamber while the other seals
Nitrogen flushing
Full Teflon sealing plate
02
A tabletop vacuum packaging machine is a compact chamber machine: the bag goes inside the chamber, the air is removed and the bag is heat sealed. It suits smaller runs and product trials. See it in our tabletop vacuum packaging machine video. Chamber size and output are confirmed at quotation.
Best for
•Smaller daily runs
•Product trials and new lines
•Limited floor space
Benefits
Compact tabletop chamber
Vacuum and heat seal in one cycle
Easy to move
03
A continuous band sealer draws the air out of each pre-made bag, flushes it with nitrogen and seals it as the bag travels along the conveyor, so packs run one after another rather than in chamber cycles. The band sealer we have supplied seals bags carrying up to 3 kg at up to 12 m a minute with a 12 mm seal, at 0 to 300 °C, on plastic, aluminium foil and laminated films, with SUS304 contact parts.
Best for
•Sliced biltong and dried meat
•Pre-made bags up to 3 kg
•Continuous packing
Benefits
No chamber cycle to wait for
Nitrogen flushing
Any seal length
04
On a cured meat line we have supplied, a single-head weigher portions sliced biltong from 20 g to 2 kg at 10 to 15 bags a minute, to within 2%, and the vacuum band sealer closes each bag. Rice sold in vacuum pouches runs on a weighing and vacuum-sealing line fed by a bucket elevator; see the rice packaging machine.
Best for
•Biltong and dried meat
•Rice in vacuum pouches
•Weighed portions
Benefits
Weighs every pack
4.5 L weigher hopper
Vacuum sealed in line
Applications
Meat. Vacuum packed, with nitrogen flushing, to extend shelf life:
Cold meats and ham
Sausages
Grains and dry foods. Packed in vacuum bags and pouches:
Rice in vacuum pouches
Dry or wet food in pre-made bags
Agricultural products
Biltong and dried meat. Weighed, then vacuum sealed on a band sealer:
Sliced biltong from 20 g to 2 kg
Weighed to within 2%
10 to 15 bags a minute
Other products. Send us your product and the bag you use, and we trial it at our Riversands showroom before we specify the machine.
For other ways to pack meat, see the meat wrapping machine. For band sealing without vacuum, see the continuous band sealer.
Specifications
A vacuum packaging machine is specified by the product, the bag and the output. On a chamber machine, the bag size sets the chamber and the sealing bar length; on a band sealer, any bag length runs through.
Output on a chamber machine is counted in cycles: each cycle removes the air, flushes and seals every bag in the chamber at once, so the number of bags that fit across the sealing bars sets the packs per minute. On a band sealer, the conveyor speed sets the pace. Real output is confirmed on a trial with your product and bag.
| Machine | Chamber or seal | Output | Gas flushing | Power | Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double chamber vacuum packaging machine | Chambers 690 × 620 × 160 mm; 600 mm sealing bars; 10 mm seal; 480 mm between seal lines | 2 to 4 cycles/min | Nitrogen | 380 V three-phase, 2.5 kW | 320 kg; 1,400 × 720 × 950 mm |
| Band sealer with vacuum and nitrogen flushing | 12 mm seal; any length; bags up to 3 kg | 0 to 12 m/min | Nitrogen | 220 V, 875 W | SUS304 contact parts; 84 kg; 1,020 × 480 × 1,080 mm |
| Single-head weigher on the biltong line | 4.5 L hopper; 20 g to 2 kg | 10 to 15 bags/min, ±2% | Not applicable | 220 V, 700 W | 80 kg; 860 × 570 × 920 mm |
| Tabletop chamber vacuum packaging machine | Confirmed at quotation | Confirmed at quotation | Confirmed at quotation | Confirmed at quotation | Compact tabletop chamber |
Not sure which suits your product? Send us a sample and the bag you plan to use, and tell us the output you need.
ABOUT THE MACHINE
A vacuum packaging machine, also called a vacuum packer or vacuum packing machine, removes the air from a bag and heat seals it shut, so the product keeps for longer. On a chamber machine the whole bag sits inside the chamber: the pump draws the air out of the chamber and the bag together, nitrogen can be flushed in, and the bag is sealed across the sealing bar before air returns to the chamber.
Also known as
Each cycle follows these steps:
On a double chamber machine the lid swings from one chamber to the other, so the operator loads one chamber while the other runs its cycle. Vacuum time, gas time and sealing time and temperature are each set on the control panel to suit the product and bag.
Nitrogen flushing replaces the air in the bag with nitrogen before sealing. That reduces oxidation and helps the product keep its colour, shape and taste for longer.
See a compact chamber machine running in our tabletop vacuum packaging machine video.
A vacuum packaging machine is different from a vacuum forming machine, which heats plastic sheet over a mould to form blisters and trays. For those, see blister and clamshell packaging.
For the types of vacuum packaging machine explained in full, read our guide to vacuum packaging machines.
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PackMan purchased an Automatic 6-Lane, 4-Side Seal Vinegar Packaging Machine, and it has been performing reliably since installation. The machine delivers consistent packaging quality, operates efficiently, and has met our production expectations.
SA Packaging Machinery delivered a solution that has met our expectations. The equipment has been reliable in daily production, and we’re pleased with its performance. We found the team knowledgeable, professional, and willing to assist whenever required.
We’ve been very happy with the equipment supplied by SA Packaging Machinery. It’s straightforward to use, performs consistently, and has helped us improve our production process. The team was easy to work with and made the entire experience smooth.
Comparison
A chamber vacuum packer and a vacuum band sealer both remove the air from the bag and seal it, and both can flush nitrogen. A chamber machine seals a batch of bags in each cycle; a vacuum band sealer seals bags one after another as they travel along a conveyor.
| Chamber vacuum packer | Vacuum band sealer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Bags sit inside a chamber; air removed, gas flushed and bags sealed in cycles | Bags travel along a conveyor; air removed, gas flushed and bags sealed continuously |
| Output on our machines | 2 to 4 cycles a minute on the double chamber machine | Up to 12 m of seal a minute |
| Bag size | Set by the chamber and the sealing bar length | Any length, up to 3 kg of product |
| Best for | Cold meats, sausages and portioned meat | Biltong and dried products in pre-made bags, fed from a weigher |
Choose a chamber machine when several bags can be loaded and sealed together, and a vacuum band sealer when bags arrive one after another from a weigher or filler. Send us your product and bag and we confirm which on a trial.
Vacuum packing removes the air and seals the bag tight around the product to extend shelf life. Flow wrapping seals trays of fresh or frozen meat in film for retail display, as on the flow wrap line we have supplied to a meat supplier. See the meat wrapping machine.
Advantages
Choose a vacuum packaging machine when shelf life matters most. Taking the air out of the bag, and flushing in nitrogen where fitted, slows oxidation and keeps meat, biltong and other foods in better condition for longer than a bag sealed with air inside. A double chamber machine keeps one operator loading while the other chamber seals, and a vacuum band sealer runs straight off a weigher for continuous packing.
Quotation
Every vacuum packaging machine is quoted to your product and bag rather than from a list price. Send us your product and bag and we run it at our Riversands showroom, then quote the configuration that suits it. For what shapes the figure on any machine quotation, see the packaging machine cost guide.
Why us
Every vacuum packaging machine we supply is set up and handed over by our own technicians.
Installation and commissioning.
We position the machine, connect the power and the nitrogen supply, set the vacuum, gas and sealing times against your own product and bag, and hand over once every bag is sealing tight.
Operator training.
Your operators learn to load the chamber or band sealer, set vacuum, gas and sealing times, and clean the chamber and sealing bars between products.
Service, spares and support.
Spares are held in Johannesburg, and our technicians support the line in person and remotely once you are running.
Choosing the right vacuum packaging machine starts with the product, the bag and the output you need.
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SA Packaging Machinery supplies vacuum packaging machines across South Africa and Southern Africa, from chamber machines to vacuum band sealers on weighing lines. Send us your product and bag, and we will trial it and quote the configuration that suits it.
Questions
A vacuum packaging machine removes the air from a bag and heat seals it, so the product keeps for longer. It is also called a vacuum packer or vacuum packing machine, and many models can flush nitrogen into the bag before sealing.
A single chamber machine runs one load at a time. A double chamber vacuum packaging machine has two chambers under a swinging lid, so the operator loads one chamber while the other runs its cycle; the one we have supplied runs 2 to 4 cycles a minute.
Nitrogen flushing replaces the air in the bag with nitrogen before the vacuum packaging machine seals it. That reduces oxidation and helps the product keep its colour, shape and taste for longer.
Yes. On a cured meat line we have supplied, a single-head weigher portions sliced biltong from 20 g to 2 kg into pre-made bags, and a band sealer with vacuum and nitrogen flushing seals each bag.
It depends on how many bags fit across the sealing bars. On the double chamber machine we have supplied, each chamber is 690 × 620 × 160 mm with 600 mm sealing bars and 480 mm between the seal lines, so the bag size sets the number per cycle.
Yes. A band sealer with vacuum and nitrogen flushing removes the air and seals pre-made bags continuously. The one we have supplied seals bags carrying up to 3 kg at up to 12 m a minute with a 12 mm seal.
A vacuum packaging machine seals product in a bag with the air removed. A vacuum forming machine heats plastic sheet over a mould to form blisters and trays; see the blister and clamshell packaging machine.
