Flat Film
Flat film is produced by cutting a tube along its ends during the extrusion process. It can be cut crosswise to produce rectangular sheets of film or canvases, and also lengthwise into varying widths, resulting in very long rolls of film.
Films can be used to make bags or as packaging.
Films used to form bags directly during the packaging process for various products are typically bags with three seals (top, bottom, and side) for packaging powders, candies, and liquids. Meanwhile, films used for packaging serve to protect vegetables in greenhouses from UV rays, are used in salt mines to extract that mineral, and are used for food packaging, can liners, chemicals, clothing, and protection against dust, contamination, moisture, and odors.
Sheeting
High-density polyethylene sheeting is used for packaging and coating other materials such as paper, cardboard, aluminum, packaging materials, mailing envelopes, and book covers. Foamed sheeting is used for packaging fragile items, although it can also be used in other applications.
Bags
There are many types of bags; among the most commonly used are the following:
Side-sealed bags: These are sealed lengthwise along the sides and have a bottom without a seam or seal.
Bottom-sealed bags: These are made from extruded tubing and have no seals on the sides, only one at the bottom, which is transverse.
Bags with bottom and side seals: These are manufactured from flat film and have one longitudinal seal and one transverse seal.
Gusseted bags: Gussets are folds made at the ends of the bag; they can be located at the bottom or on the sides.
Die-cut bags: including gabacha or “T-shirt” style, oval, and perforated types.
Handle bags: those with plastic handles heat-sealed to the top of
the bag.
Bags with flaps: one side of the bag is longer than the other, leaving excess film on one side, which can be used to hang the bag on hooks or simply folded over the other side to seal the package.
Bags with a lip: These are bags that have a fold at the top of the bag on one side—it can be on the inside or outside—and are commonly used for packaging clothing (shirts).
These types of bags are used for grocery shopping, trash, industrial purposes, woven bags, general merchandise, household items, and any other purpose; they are available on the market in various sizes, colors, and designs.