Thinking about launching a stick pack for your food, chemical, or cosmetics industry? Or, do you have zero knowledge about the stick pack?
No worries! I am here for you with my all experience. I have been working in the packaging industry for around 20 years now. So you can trust me.
A stick pack is one of the most efficient and simple to use packaging compared to any other packaging options. If you want to store precise and small amounts of products, it is definitely your best choice.
Let’s jump to the section below to learn more about stick packs-
What Is Stick Pack Packaging?
From food to cosmetics, every industry uses stick-pack packaging to fill their products. This pack is mainly popular for its single-serve and easy-to-carry design. The shape of the stick pack is very unique, long and narrow. It can attract customers immediately.
Besides, if you want to pack a small amount of powder, granules, or even liquid, use a stick pack to increase convenience for the user. Usually, this pack is sealed on two sides, up and down. Therefore, the customer can efficiently open and use it.
Different Stick Pack Packaging Formats
Standard stick pack: This is the most basic stick pack, usually in a narrow tube shape, sealed on two sides. It can be made in various sizes for single-person use.
Stick pack in strings: It means several stick packs are linked together like a continuous chain. You can use this design for products that require easy dispensing. This string format offers convenience and ensures that each stick is easily accessible.
Twin stick pack: Two stick packs that are connected are called twin stick packs. Basically, it joined the packaging of different products or dosages in one seal. Drink mixes, condiments, or paired supplements are used in this stick format.
Shaped stick pack: You can create a shaped stick pack to meet your unique requirements. This customized option can come in different designs, such as ovals, bottle-shaped, tubes, and more. Therefore, if you want to attract customers and increase, you can make a shaped stick pack to promote your brand.
Different Stick Pack Sealing Types
Usually, stick pack sealing has a wide range of types, and you can choose one based on your product and choice. Below, let’s see some of them–
Easy-Open Seal Options
These sealing options are built with a simple opening system. They are-
Tear notches: Customers do not need any tools like scissors to option these stick packs. They come with a pre-cut option to enhance user experience.
Perforated seals: Like tear notches, they have dotted lines to make opening the stick easy.
Seal Cut Options
Stick pack sealing can come with several different cuts for an easy opening system. For example-
Straight cut: Straight cut options have a clean edge used to seal stick packs. They provide a sharp, linear tear-off area, which is easy to open.
Zigzag: This cut creates a jagged edge along the sealed portion of the stick pack. The uneven edge helps consumers open the package quickly and is often used for convenience in single-serving products.
Seal Shape Options
The common shapes are-
Fin seals: These are standard types of stick pack sealing. Here, the pack sides are sealed together and form fin-like edges. This creates a strong sealing.
Lap seals: In this design, one layer of film overlaps another. This way, they create a robust seal that can be more resistant to moisture and air.
Seal Type Options
Many different types of seals can be employed based on the product being packaged and the desired shelf life. Here are two seal types-
Three-side seals: As the name suggests, these sealing means the three sides are sealed. One side is leaves for opening and filling.
Four-side seals: If you want to ensure an airtight enclosure to increase product freshness, use four-side seals. They keep product quality and prevent air, and light from stick packs.
Why Is Stick Pack Packaging Important?
There are many reasons you should use stick-pack packaging. A few of them are-
Enhance User Experience
Stick-packs are easy to open, dispense, and use. Their slim body fits perfectly in pockets or bags and makes it convenient to carry on the go. This packaging simplifies dosing and reduces mess, enhancing overall user satisfaction. Hence, you can use them to store coffee, sports nutrition, energy drinks, and many more.
Protecting Products
From humidity, moisture, contaminants, and several external factors, stick packs are designed to protect the product. The secure seals prevent leaks and keep the contents safe and fresh until use. This factor is necessary for sensitive items like nutritional supplements, food items, pharmaceuticals, etc.
Cost-Effective
This is one of the most essential features of using stick packs. It is cost-effective for both the manufacturer and the customers. They use less material compared to conventional packaging, which reduces production costs and waste. Besides, their compact size also lowers the shipping expenses as more units can be transported in the same space.
Portion Control
Stick packs offer precise portion control, which is necessary for maintaining the quality and taste of products. By offering exact amounts, they eliminate the need for manual measurement. This way, the customers use the right portion of the product each time. It is mainly beneficial for tea, coffee, medicine, and spices items.
Sustainable And Environment Friendly
The requirement for the film for the stick packs is less (33%) than any other single dose pack such as a sachet. As they consume a minimum of paper and plastic, it makes them environmentally friendly. Specifically, they save materials approximately 25 to 50% less than other designs.
Applications Of Stick Pack Packaging?
From agriculture to medicine, you can use stick packs for various industries. Let’s see some of the used of stick packaging below-
- Agricultural: Stick packs are ideal for packaging small portions of pesticides, fertilizers, and seeds. They offer excellent protection against moisture, maintaining the quality of farm products. As the stick packs come with a lightweight design, they are easy to handle and best for precise application.
- Food: They are widely used for single-serving products like sauces and sugar. Also, the excellent sealing performance of stick packs extends the shelf life of the foods. This way, they ensure the products remain fresh and safe for consumption.
- Cosmetics: In cosmetics, stick-pack packaging is best for samples and travel-size products like serums, creams, and lotion. They prevent air and contamination, save the products, and maintain hygiene. At the same time, they enhance the portability of beauty products.
- Chemical: These packs store different types of household, industrial, and laboratory chemical items. For instance, you can use this for store detergent or other house cleaning solutions.
- Pharmaceutical: In the pharmaceutical sector, stick packs are used for products that require precise dosages. It ensures accurate and controlled amounts of medication, which is critical for maintaining the efficacy of pharmaceuticals.
Types Of Stick Pack Packaging Machines?
Several types of stick-pack packaging machines are available based on lanes and motion. Each comes with unique features and benefits. Check them out here-
- Based On Lanes
Multi-lane stick pack packaging machines: These types of machines work with multiple lanes simultaneously and increase production efficiency. Based on the model and manufacturer, they can come with 2- 15 lanes. Therefore, if you own a large factory, use multiple stick-pack machines to ensure high-volume packaging. For instance, these devices can produce around 300 stick packs each minute.
Single-lane stick pack packaging machines: If you have a small business, purchase single-lane stick machines. Usually, they can produce approximately 50 stick packs per minute. Moreover, single-lane machines are easier to control and maintain compared to multi-lane models.
- Based On Motion Type
Intermittent-Motion Stick Packaging Machines: Intermittent motion machines perform packaging tasks in starts and stops motion. They pause at different stages, like filling, opening, and sealing. Hence, these instruments are beneficial for precise dosing products.
Continuous-Motion Stick Packing Machines: Want to increase your production capacity? Then, continuous motion machines are your best bet. They operate constantly without stopping until sealing and enhance high-volume production. Their nonstop performances will help your business grow more quickly.
How Does A Stick Pack Machine Work?
Stick pack machines follow a step-by-step process to form, fill, and seal the packaging. I have mentioned here each step with a description. Take a look at them-
- Film Transport & Unwind
As a starting, a film roll is placed at the rear of the stick pack machine. Then, the cross-seal jaws unwind the film and create appropriate alignment. After taking the single sheet, the machine begins the process.
- Optional Printing
If the machine is equipped with printing capabilities, the film is passed around a registration roller to align the date stamp or other variable information. A sensor reads eye markings on the sheet to regulate the position of the horizontal seal relative to the printing. This way, it ensures accurate placement of the printed information.
- Film Tension
After unwinding and printing, the film is fed through nip rollers. This maintains uniform pressure to keep it under consistent tension. A dancer’s arm, a weighted pivot arm with rollers, moves up and down to ensure the film remains taut and aligned. It prevents the film from straying side to side as it moves through the machine.
- Film Cutting
After passing through the nip rollers, the film reaches the cutting section, where it is cut into strips. The number of lanes on the machine determines the strip number. Cutting disk knives, not motor-driven, split the film into individual stick packs while it is pulled through a specialized assembly.
- Stick Pack Forming
The cut film is then transported through forming tubes, one per lane. As the film crests the shoulder of each tube, it is folded around the tube to form a stick pack, with the two outer edges overlapping. This can create either a lap seal or a fin seal, depending on the tube configuration.
- Stick Pack Filling And Sealing
Once the stick packs are formed, they are filled with the product using precision dosing equipment. For instance, you can fill powder items with auger fillers. While the machine uses piston fillers for liquids. Heated vertical seal bars are then created, and a sealing jaw seals the open and end part of each stick pack. This way, they ensure an airtight and leak-proof seal.
- Stick Pack Discharging
Finally, the stick packs are cut into one unit using a sharp blade or laser. Then, each pack is discharged from the machine onto a conveyor for further processing or packaging. With the outfeed chutes and conveyor system, the machine efficiently regulated the packs.
Difference Between A Stick Pack And A Sachet
The main difference between a Stick Pack and a Sachet is their shape. For instance, a stick pack is long and narrow, while a sachet mainly comes with a rectangular body. If you want to know their ease of use, cost, capacity, and many more according to your product needs, visit Stick Pack Vs Sachet: What Packaging Is Best And Why?
Conclusion
So, finishing reading the whole article? I hope you get the answers to all your questions about the stick pack. Well, from instant food to drugs, it can hold several products. Based on your factory and production requirements, you choose single-lane, multi-lane, intermittent, and continuous machines.
However, if you want the best stick-pack solution, contact HonorPack. We have different types of machines for stick packs. Therefore, choose the one and confirm your order ASAP.
FAQs
What size are stick packs?
Typically, stick packs are 45mm to 170mm in length and 16mm to 55mm in width. Meanwhile, you can store around 10 grams of powders and 60ml liquids in them. Also, you can customize the size based on your preferences.
