Brown Bag Blog Series Pt. 4: Using Sachet Bags with 3 & 4 Side Seals

The Flex Can is a stand up pouch that looks, stacks, and stands like a can but is produced from flexible film on a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine. It is a variation of Rovema's Stabilo® four side seal package, formed and filled rotated 90 degrees, which gives it welded top and bottom seals, a stable base, and full front and back panels for graphics.

In this post, part of our Brown Bag Blog series, we cover how the Flex Can is formed, where it outperforms other bag styles, where it falls short, and which products it fits best.

Why should you compare VFFS bag styles before choosing one?

The bag style you run affects your production speed, film usage, shelf presence, and secondary packaging efficiency. Vertical Form-Fill-Seal bag styles are often chosen by default, but taking the time to explore the various bag style options for your Rovema VFFS machine pays off in the long run.

If you missed the earlier posts in this series, start with Block Bottom Bags and Gusseted Pillow Bags. 

The blog posts in this series are a great starting point. If you are looking for a more in-depth analysis, be sure to check out our Rovema Bag Style Guide. 

What is a Flex Can package? 

The Flex Can is a variation of Rovema's Stabilo® package, or four side seal package, that gives a final product appearance closely resembling a can. It is created by forming and filling the Stabilo® package rotated 90 degrees, which produces unparalleled stand up ability and shelf presence.

The Stabilo® itself is a Rovema invention. It uses a patented process for stabilizing the vertical seal on each corner of the package, making for a great shelf presence. Rotating that construction 90 degrees is what turns a four side seal pouch into a flexible package with the profile of a can.

How is a Flex Can package designed? 

The Flex Can uses Rovema's patented process for stabilizing the vertical seal on each corner, the same construction behind the Stabilo® package. The result is a package with excellent shelf presence and stackability, plus full front and back panel exposure for graphics.

The design is also easy to customize with both easy open and close features. When run on the Rovema SBS VFFS Machine, the Flex Can offers a wide variety of different reclosure features, such as the standing longitudinal seam used as a peel seam shown here. 

What are the advantages of a Flex Can package? 

The Flex Can is produced with film yet gives similar characteristics and appearance as a can: it stands upright, stacks cleanly, and presents large printable panels on the shelf. For brands moving away from rigid containers, it delivers the can-like experience consumers recognize with the material and freight savings of flexible packaging.

The multi-layer film achieves welded top and bottom Stabilo® seals, which produce incredibly solid stand up ability. The style is also highly customizable in its easy open and reclosable features, and on the SBS machine it supports a great assortment of bag tops and possible shapes.

Because of this stability, shelf presence, and customizability, many of our customers choose Flex Can packages for their products.

What are the limitations of a Flex Can package? 

The Flex Can runs slower than pillow bag styles, uses more film per package, and typically requires a more expensive film structure to hold its shape. Whether those trade-offs are worth it depends on how much the can-like presentation is worth to your product.

Ask yourself three questions if you are considering a Flex Can.

Do I need a pouch that can be produced at a very high speed? If so, you should explore other options like our pillow bag variations, which can be run on Rovema VFFS machines at higher speeds than Flex Can packages.

Am I okay with a higher package material to product ratio? Compared to pillow bag variations, Flex Can packages require more material per product to achieve their rock-solid stand up ability.

Am I willing to spend a bit more on film material to achieve the premium look of the Flex Can package? These packages often require a more expensive film material to ensure their stability and premier appearance.

These are just a few of the questions we’d encourage you to consider, and we’re happy to provide more individualized thoughts for a specific project. 

What products is a Flex Can package best suited for? 

Flex Can packages work well for premium shelf-merchandised products such as snacks, candy, nuts, and powdered formula, where stand up ability and shelf presence justify the added film cost. Its customizability, stand up ability, and stellar shelf presence make it a common choice across many industries, including: 

• Snacking and Bakery
• Candy and Sweets
• Nuts and Dried Fruit
• Infant and Baby Formula

How does the Flex Can package fit within current market trends? 

The Flex Can sits at the intersection of two packaging trends: the shift toward stand up pouches and the growth of retail ready packaging. A package that stands, stacks, and displays well serves both at once.

In our first post on Block Bottom Bags, we discussed both of these overarching trends. Like block bottom bags, Flex Can packages have rock solid stand up ability, making it easy for them to be placed in shelf ready packaging, stacked on shelves, and easily removed by customers.

People shop with their eyes first. Flex Can packages are incredibly stable, can be easily stacked, and have lots of room for design, which gives your product a strong presence at the moment of decision.

How can Rovema help you choose the right VFFS bag style? 

Rovema helps you evaluate bag styles against your product, film, and production goals before you commit, so the package you choose serves your product, operations, and customers in both the short and long term. Every manufacturer should carefully consider different bag styles for their VFFS machine, depending on their distinct product’s needs.

Whether you think that’s a Flex Can, a gusseted pillow bag, a block bottom bag, or one of the many other bag style options available to you, we are here to support you throughout your decision-making process. 

If you are interested in learning more about running Flex Can packages, or in investing in a Rovema VFFS machine with capabilities of producing these types of bags, please reach out to us here.