CA2069030C - Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing - Google Patents
Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2069030C CA2069030C CA002069030A CA2069030A CA2069030C CA 2069030 C CA2069030 C CA 2069030C CA 002069030 A CA002069030 A CA 002069030A CA 2069030 A CA2069030 A CA 2069030A CA 2069030 C CA2069030 C CA 2069030C
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- Prior art keywords
- fastener
- sidewalls
- pouch
- web
- forming
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D33/00—Details of, or accessories for, sacks or bags
- B65D33/16—End- or aperture-closing arrangements or devices
- B65D33/25—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
- B65D33/2508—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor
- B65D33/2516—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor comprising tamper-indicating means, e.g. located within the fastener
- B65D33/2533—Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners using slide fasteners with interlocking members having a substantially uniform section throughout the length of the fastener; Sliders therefor comprising tamper-indicating means, e.g. located within the fastener the slide fastener being located between the product compartment and the tamper indicating means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
- B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
- B65B61/188—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating profile-strips, e.g. for reclosable bags
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
- B65B9/08—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it in a web folded and sealed transversely to form pockets which are subsequently filled and then closed by sealing
- B65B9/093—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it in a web folded and sealed transversely to form pockets which are subsequently filled and then closed by sealing the web having intermittent motion
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Bag Frames (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Closing Of Containers (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
- Making Paper Articles (AREA)
- Dairy Products (AREA)
- External Artificial Organs (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
Abstract
A pouch for containing a food product such as shredded cheese, and a novel method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing the pouch. The method involves providing one or more webs of material to define a pair of walls for the pouch, orienting the web material so that the walls are substantially vertical, with the web having a horizontal longitudinal axis; providing interengageable strips of reclosable fastener material along the web adjacent the lower edges of the walls;
forming vertical side seals; filling the pouches through their open bottoms while in inverted orientation; and sealing the bottoms of the pouches. Each of the strips of reclosable fastener material has one or more fastener members thereon. A peelable seal is provided between the product contained in the interior of the pouch and the reclosable fastener members. The peelable seal is preferably formed on the fastener strip material. The peelable seal is sealed prior to filling of the pouches so that product cannot contact the fastener members, and the fastener members are outside of the hermetic seal area.
The pouch is preferably provided with a hole above the fastener members to receive a display hanger, and has a line of perforation above the fastener members and above the hole to facilitate removal of the upper portion of the pouch.
forming vertical side seals; filling the pouches through their open bottoms while in inverted orientation; and sealing the bottoms of the pouches. Each of the strips of reclosable fastener material has one or more fastener members thereon. A peelable seal is provided between the product contained in the interior of the pouch and the reclosable fastener members. The peelable seal is preferably formed on the fastener strip material. The peelable seal is sealed prior to filling of the pouches so that product cannot contact the fastener members, and the fastener members are outside of the hermetic seal area.
The pouch is preferably provided with a hole above the fastener members to receive a display hanger, and has a line of perforation above the fastener members and above the hole to facilitate removal of the upper portion of the pouch.
Description
_~_ RECLOS~1~LE PoUCR hId~ biFl'I3~I) ~1D ~1~p7~.R~TU_S
F~DR FoR3~I~C$a F~IaL~I~lC$ ~TD $~°a~IaIZIC3 ~aokvround of the Invention Tgohn3cal Field The invention relates generally to packaging for food products, and more particularly to reclosable pouches and methods and apparatus for .forming, filling and sealing such pouches, 1~ ~ackaround Tnforanat3on It is well known in the art that, for certain food products, efficiency in packaging and acceptable shelf life can be obtained by hermetically sealing the product in a package in a form/fill/seal (FFS) operation.
In providing a commercially viable package through FFS operations, several considerations must be addressed. one consideration is that the package must be capable of being opened by the consumer without undue difficulty. Another consideration is that the package must be economical to produce, and should be capable of being formed, filled and sealed at relatively high rates. Tt is also desirable that the package be durable so as to withstand the stresses of the FFS operation and subsequent shipping and handling without damage and withaut deterioration of appearance.
In recent years, there has been increased demand for zippers or other means to provide reclosability. One particular package configuration that has been used commercially in recent years has a generally rectangular 3o configuration with a reclosable zipper extending within a fold along one edge, as illustrated in, e.g., U.S. patent No, 4,589,145. To open the package, the package material may be slit along the folded edge to gain access to the zipper, and the zipper is then opened to provide access to the product. The disposition of the zipper along a long edge of the package improves access to the package interior as compared w~.~th disposition of the zipper along one of the short edges. Where each package is to contain a stack of sliced product or a relatively large item such as a block of cheese, the stack or block may be placed on a horizontally-oriented web and the web can be wrapped around the item to form the package as described in the above-referenced Patent No. 4,589,145.
When handling products comprised of numerous small pieces such as shredded cheese, cereal, etc., it is generally desirable to have the package partly formed into a pouch which is open at one end, or along one side, with the pouch oriented so that the open end or side is at the top of the partially-formed pouch, and to dispense product into the partially-formed pouch through the open top or side.
Vertical FFS operations such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,874,257 represent one approach to addressing the aforementioned considerations in packaging food products comprised of numerous small pieces. In the method of Patent No. 4,874,257, the zipper is disposed vertically along one side of the package being formed, and the pouch is filled by gravity-induced flow of product downward from a filling spout.
Another approach is illustrated by U.S. Patent No.
4,945,714, in which the pouches travel horizontally as they are formed, filled and sealed. In Patent No. 4,945,714, the pouch is formed in an inverted orientation from a single web which has a fold at its lower end and a zipper within the fold. Two potential problems with this approach are that penetration of product into the zipper may occur, and that if the upper end of the pouch is perforated to facilitate opening, or punched to receive a display hanger, loss of hermeticity would result.
One problem that must be addressed in any zipper equipped package such as those mentioned above is that, where the ends of the zippers extend into seal areas, difficulty may be encountered in providing hermeticity at _g_ high throughput rates, due to the increased thickness of the seal area at the ends of the sipper.
There is a continuing need for improved packages of the type described above, and for improved FFS
operations for such packages which address the aforementioned considerations while avoiding f.he disadvantages of the prior art discussed above.
Summary of the xaae~ent3o~a The invention provides a novel pouch for containing food product, and a novel method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing the pouch in an inverted orientation. The method involves providing one or more webs of material to define a pair of walls for the pouch, orienting the wall material so that the walls are substantially vertical, with the web having a horizontal longitudinal axis: providing interengageable strips of reclosable fastener material along the web adjacent the lower edges of the wallso forming vertical side seals;
partially separating the pouches from one another by 2o vertical slitting the web s); filling the pouches through their open bottoms while in inverted orientation; and sealing the bottoms of the inverted pouches. Each of the strips of reclosable fastener material has one or more fastener members thereon.
~5 In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hermetic peelable seal is provided between the product contained in the interior of the pouch and the reclosable fastener members. The peelable seal is preferably formed as a relatively narrow band on the fastener strip material, 30 rather than on the wall material. This provides a saving of material cost as compared with coating the entire interior surface of the pouch walls with materials suitable for formation of a peelable seal. The peelable seal is sealed prior to filling of the pouches so that product 35 cannot contact the fastener meanbers during or after the form, fill, seal operation.
_~_ -The sealing of the peelable seal may be carried out prior to or simultaneously with sealing of the fastener strip material to the wall material. The sealing may be accomplished by a pair of reciprocable sealing bars which provide predetermined sealing pressure to the seal area while transferring heat thereto. Gas flush technigues may be employed to flush the pouch with NZ gas during the form, fill, seal operation.
The pouch is preferably provided with a line of perforation adjacent its top end to provide easy-open access to the reclosable fastener material, and a hole to receive a display hanger above the fastener members and beneath the perforations. Referring t~ the completed pouch in an upright position, ,the interengageable fastener members are spaced a short distance beneath the top of the pouch.
Further aspects of the invention are disclosed below and in the accompanying drawings.
Bri~m Descri,~,at3~aa of the Draw~Laaas FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a pouch in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pouch of FIG. 1, showing a removable portion of the pouch being torn away to permit access to the interior thereof.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3a3 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing the pouch in an opened configuratiGn.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, illustrating a pouch in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical plan view of apparatus far forming, filling and sealing pouches in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatical plan view of apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The invention is generally embodied in a reclosable pouch and a method and apparatus for forming, filling, and sealing the pouch.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a pouch 10 which has first and second generally rectangular walls 12, 14 sealed to one another along their bottom edges 16, 18 and side edges 20, 22.
Extending across upper portions of the respective walls are closure members 24, 26.
Each closure member 24, 26 has a substantially planar outer surface 28, 30 which is sealed to its respective associated wall. On their inner surfaces the closure members have complementary interlocking zipper profiles 32, 34 extending horizontally along their entire lengths to provide reclosability for the pouch 10. A non peelable upper seal 36 is provided along the upper edge of the pouch between upper portions 35, 37 of the closure members 24 and 26. A plurality of gripper beads 38 extend longitudinally above the zipper profiles 32, 34 on the respective closure members 24 and 26 between the zipper profiles and the upper seal 36. In the illustrated embodiments, each closure member has a single pair of gripper beads 38 formed thereon to facilitate manual gripping and separation of the fastener profiles 32 and 34.
Extending longitudinally beneath the zipper profiles and parallel thereto is a hermetic peelable seal 39. The peelable seal is comprised of strips of polymeric material 39a, 39b on the respective closure members 24 and 26. The strength of the seal 39 is such that it can be readily opened by application of manual outward force to the closure members 24 and 26 by the consumer, but is not susceptible to accidental opening due to normal stresses associated with product containment during the FFS
operation, and subsequent shipping, handling, and display. The seal preferably has an opening force of from about 1.5 to about 6.0 Ibs., and more prefereably from about 2.5 to about 3.5 Ibs. The peelable seal 39 is substantially impermeable to air, as well as to liquids which may be present in the pouch. Accordingly, the location of the peelable seal interiorly of the zipper profiles 32 and 34 prevents any contents of the pouch from leaking into the zipper profiles and excludes the inter-locking members of the zipper form the hermetic seal area.
The strips of polymeric material 39a, 39b which form the peelable seal preferably comprise polymeric materials which are known in the art to be suitable for this purpose, such as one or more of the following: polyethylene/EVA with a VA
content of between 4% and 22%; polybutylene; *Surlyn; *Bynel; *Saran (PVDC) copolymer; ethylene acrylic acid copolymer; or methacrylic acid copolymer. As disclosed in e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,782,951 a hermetic peelable seal may be formed between a *Saran copolymer lamina and an EVA lamina.
Each of the pouch walls 12 and 14 is preferably made of a suitable laminated material having barrier properties which, when sealed as described herein, provide hermetically for the pouch. For purposes of example, a suitable film for cheese shreds may comprise a linear low-density polyethylene inner layer in combination with a polyester or nylon outer layer, and a middle adhesive layer of polyethylene. A nylon outer layer is particularly useful in connection with Swiss cheese, where a degree of C02 gas permeability is desirable in the packaging.
The closure members 24 and 26 are preferably made of a low EVA content polyethylene.
The closure members may be attached to the walls by, e.g., a thin layer or Surlyn on each of the closure members and the walls.
To facilitate support of the pouch 10 on a display hanger, a hole 86 is provided in an upper portion *Trade-mark ~~ >~~~J
_7-of the pouch. The hole extends through upper portions of the walls 12, 14 and through the closure members 24 and 26, which provide a relatively tough and strong periphery for the hole to support the weight of the pouch. As shown in FIG. 1, one or more of the ribs or beads 38 may extend over the hole to further increase the ability of the pouch to resist tearing at the hole 86 when subjected to rough handling during placement on a retail display rack and/or removal therefrom. Disposition of the hole above the peelable seal 39 enables hermeticity to be maintained.
Lines of weakness 88 are formed through the walls 12, 14 and closure members 24, 26 immediately beneath the upper portions 35, 37 of the closure members to enable the upper portion of the pouch to be torn off, enabling easy manual access to the gripper beads 38 for separation of the zipper profiles 32, 34 and peelable seal strips 39a, 39b. The lines of weakness 88 in the illustrated embodiment take the form of perforations formed opposite one another through the respective walls and closure members. The placement of the perforations 88 above the hole 86 enables the pouch 'to be supported by a display rack without subjecting the line of perforations 88 to transverse tensile stresses which might cause accidental tearing 'thereof.
FIG. 5 illustrates a pouch 41 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The pouch of FIG. 5 is generally similar to that of FIGS. 1-4, in that it comprises a pair of generally rectangular walls 40 and 42, in combination with a pair of closure members 44 and 46 having interlocking zipper profiles 48 and 50 thereon.
tripper beads 52 are provided above the zipper profiles and a peelable seal 54 extends therebelow. The walls 40 and 42 are sealed to one another along their bottom edges 56, 58 and side edges. However, the pouch of FIG. 5 differs from that of FIGS. 1-4 in that its upper seal 64 is formed directly between the walls 40 and 42 of the pouch, rather than between the closure members. To this end, the closure members 44 and 46 are spaced beneath the upper edges of the ~.) ~ f~ t) ll -$-walls 40 and 42, leaving a peripheral area along the top of each wall for the upper seal 42. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a hole for receiving a display hanger is punched through an upper portion of the pouch, and lines of weakness, e.g., perforations 65, are provided opposite one another in the walls immediately beneath the seal area 64.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention (not shown] the walls of the pouch may be constructed of a single web, rather than two separate webs.
The pouch in accordance with this embodiment is substantially similar to that of FIG. 5, except that the pouch material is continuous along its upper edge, rather than comprising two separate walls joined by a seal, and the pouch material provides a snug fit around the upper edges of the closure members 44 and 46. As in the other embodiments, a hole for receiving a display hanger is disposed adjacent the top of the pouch, with lines of perforation therebeneath.
FTGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing pouches in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As described below, the pouches are formed, filled and sealed in an inverted configuration. The method will be described with reference to the pouch 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4, by describing the successive steps involved in the formation, filling and sealing of the pouch 10 in its inverted configuration.
Tn the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the material for the walls is provided by first and second rolls 66 and 68 of suitable laminated film in web form. The material for the closure members is provided by first and second rolls 70 and 72 of closure strip material. The wall material as supplied by rolls 66 and 68 comprises webs 90 and 92 of laminated polymeric material. The closure strip material comprises a first continuous strip 94 having a female zipper profile thereon, and a second strip 96 having a male profile thereon.
_g_ The first step in the method of FIGS. 6 and 7 is mating the complementary zipper profiles 32 and 34, i.e., pressing the zipper profiles into interlocking engagement with one another. This step is carried out at a zipper-s assembly station 74 which comprises a shoe 75 having an internal surface 76 configured to maintain the opposite profiles in alignment relative to one another, and to cam the closure strips 94 and 96 into interlocking engagement as they advance through the shoe.
The next step is to form the peelable seal 39 between the closure members 24 and 26 at a sealing station 78. At the sealing station 78, a pair of horizontally oriented, reciprocable heat seal bars 79 are advanced toward one another to apply pressure and heat to the lower portions of the closure members which are to form the peelable seal 39. The advancement of the closure strip material is intermittent, so that the strip material is at rest while the heat seal bars 79 are closed.
The next step comprises sealing of the outer surfaces of the closure strips 94 and 96 to the inner surfaces of their respective associated wall webs 90 and 92. This is accomplished at an assembly/sealing station 80 at which a second pair of horizontal heat sealing bars 81 are employed to effect the desired sealing. The closure strips are positioned along the lower edges of the wall webs as the pouch is formed in its inverted configuration, so that they will extend across the top of the finished pouch in its upright configuration.
The line of weakness 88 .is then formed by a conventional notched perforation wheel on the line at a perforation station 140. Next, the side margins of the pouches are sealed by vertical sealing bars 82. In forming the side seals, the sealing bars 82 crush the closure strips at the areas 84 which correspond to the ends of the closure members 24 and 26 in the finished pouch. The sealing-bars provide an impermeable marginal seal area on each side of the pouch being formed, along the .entire ~~~~~ )~
-lo-vertical dimension of the pouch, or at least from the bottom edges 16, 18 of the walls through the peelable seal 54. The vertical sealing bars 82 preferably include cutting elements to form vertical slits 139 in the wall webs 90 and 92, extending upward from the bottom edges of the respective wall webs to a predetermined level, leaving links 141 of wall material intact along the upper edges of the wall webs, while partially separating the pouches from one another.
to The peelable seal 39 having been formed between the closure members, the formation of the side seals enables product 100 to be retained in each of the pouches being formed. The as-yet-unsealed bottom 98 of the inverted pouch is held open to provide an opening to receive the product, and the pocket is filled to a desired level through a dispensing spout 102, with the peelable seal 29 preventing the product from reaching the zipper.
The inverted pouch is then gas flushed with NZ or ~0 closed, and sealed along its horizontal top and bottom edges by additional horizontally-oriented sealing bars 1o4 and 106. The pouch 10 is cut from the preceding and succeeding pouches by vertically oriented knives 108 which sever the links 141 and trim the side edges of the pouches, to complete the FFS operation.
where a punched hole 86 is desired, punch apparatus 142 may be provided at a convenient location on the line, zn the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and ?, the punching operation takes place immediately after sealing of 'the vertical seals of the pouch, and prior to filling. In other embodiments of the invention, the order of the steps may be varied. For example, in the embodiment of F1G. 8, first and second webs 110, 112 of wall material are provided by first and second rolls 114 and 116, which axe supported for rotation about vertical axes. Material for closure members is provided by first and second rolls 118 and 120 of closure strip material. One roll supplies _3.l_ closure strip 122 having a female profile, while the other provides material 124 having a male profile.
In the embodiment of fIG. 8, the lengths of closure strip material 122 and 124 are joined to their respective associated webs of wall material 310 and 112 at two parallel heat sealing stations 126 and 128. The resulting composite webs of wall and fastener material 130 and 132 then advance over vertical guide rollers 134 and 136 to a sealing assembly station 138 where the zipper profiles of the closure material are interlocked, and the peelable seal formed in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.
The remaining steps of forming the side seal, filling, forming top and bottom seals, and separating the finished pouches are carried out as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.
In another embodiment of the invention (not shown) the formation of the peelable seal is combined with the operation of sealing the fastener strips to the webs of wall material. This method is similar to that of FTGS. 6 and 7, except that the sealing station 78 may be eliminated, and the assemblyf sealing station 80 adapted to provide heat and pressure to effect both sealing operations simultaneously.
From the foregoing, ~.~t will be appreciated that the invention provides a novel pouch and method and apparatus for fox-ming, filling and sealing the pouch. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or to any particular embodiments. The invention is more particularly pointed out in the following claims.
F~DR FoR3~I~C$a F~IaL~I~lC$ ~TD $~°a~IaIZIC3 ~aokvround of the Invention Tgohn3cal Field The invention relates generally to packaging for food products, and more particularly to reclosable pouches and methods and apparatus for .forming, filling and sealing such pouches, 1~ ~ackaround Tnforanat3on It is well known in the art that, for certain food products, efficiency in packaging and acceptable shelf life can be obtained by hermetically sealing the product in a package in a form/fill/seal (FFS) operation.
In providing a commercially viable package through FFS operations, several considerations must be addressed. one consideration is that the package must be capable of being opened by the consumer without undue difficulty. Another consideration is that the package must be economical to produce, and should be capable of being formed, filled and sealed at relatively high rates. Tt is also desirable that the package be durable so as to withstand the stresses of the FFS operation and subsequent shipping and handling without damage and withaut deterioration of appearance.
In recent years, there has been increased demand for zippers or other means to provide reclosability. One particular package configuration that has been used commercially in recent years has a generally rectangular 3o configuration with a reclosable zipper extending within a fold along one edge, as illustrated in, e.g., U.S. patent No, 4,589,145. To open the package, the package material may be slit along the folded edge to gain access to the zipper, and the zipper is then opened to provide access to the product. The disposition of the zipper along a long edge of the package improves access to the package interior as compared w~.~th disposition of the zipper along one of the short edges. Where each package is to contain a stack of sliced product or a relatively large item such as a block of cheese, the stack or block may be placed on a horizontally-oriented web and the web can be wrapped around the item to form the package as described in the above-referenced Patent No. 4,589,145.
When handling products comprised of numerous small pieces such as shredded cheese, cereal, etc., it is generally desirable to have the package partly formed into a pouch which is open at one end, or along one side, with the pouch oriented so that the open end or side is at the top of the partially-formed pouch, and to dispense product into the partially-formed pouch through the open top or side.
Vertical FFS operations such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,874,257 represent one approach to addressing the aforementioned considerations in packaging food products comprised of numerous small pieces. In the method of Patent No. 4,874,257, the zipper is disposed vertically along one side of the package being formed, and the pouch is filled by gravity-induced flow of product downward from a filling spout.
Another approach is illustrated by U.S. Patent No.
4,945,714, in which the pouches travel horizontally as they are formed, filled and sealed. In Patent No. 4,945,714, the pouch is formed in an inverted orientation from a single web which has a fold at its lower end and a zipper within the fold. Two potential problems with this approach are that penetration of product into the zipper may occur, and that if the upper end of the pouch is perforated to facilitate opening, or punched to receive a display hanger, loss of hermeticity would result.
One problem that must be addressed in any zipper equipped package such as those mentioned above is that, where the ends of the zippers extend into seal areas, difficulty may be encountered in providing hermeticity at _g_ high throughput rates, due to the increased thickness of the seal area at the ends of the sipper.
There is a continuing need for improved packages of the type described above, and for improved FFS
operations for such packages which address the aforementioned considerations while avoiding f.he disadvantages of the prior art discussed above.
Summary of the xaae~ent3o~a The invention provides a novel pouch for containing food product, and a novel method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing the pouch in an inverted orientation. The method involves providing one or more webs of material to define a pair of walls for the pouch, orienting the wall material so that the walls are substantially vertical, with the web having a horizontal longitudinal axis: providing interengageable strips of reclosable fastener material along the web adjacent the lower edges of the wallso forming vertical side seals;
partially separating the pouches from one another by 2o vertical slitting the web s); filling the pouches through their open bottoms while in inverted orientation; and sealing the bottoms of the inverted pouches. Each of the strips of reclosable fastener material has one or more fastener members thereon.
~5 In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a hermetic peelable seal is provided between the product contained in the interior of the pouch and the reclosable fastener members. The peelable seal is preferably formed as a relatively narrow band on the fastener strip material, 30 rather than on the wall material. This provides a saving of material cost as compared with coating the entire interior surface of the pouch walls with materials suitable for formation of a peelable seal. The peelable seal is sealed prior to filling of the pouches so that product 35 cannot contact the fastener meanbers during or after the form, fill, seal operation.
_~_ -The sealing of the peelable seal may be carried out prior to or simultaneously with sealing of the fastener strip material to the wall material. The sealing may be accomplished by a pair of reciprocable sealing bars which provide predetermined sealing pressure to the seal area while transferring heat thereto. Gas flush technigues may be employed to flush the pouch with NZ gas during the form, fill, seal operation.
The pouch is preferably provided with a line of perforation adjacent its top end to provide easy-open access to the reclosable fastener material, and a hole to receive a display hanger above the fastener members and beneath the perforations. Referring t~ the completed pouch in an upright position, ,the interengageable fastener members are spaced a short distance beneath the top of the pouch.
Further aspects of the invention are disclosed below and in the accompanying drawings.
Bri~m Descri,~,at3~aa of the Draw~Laaas FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a pouch in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pouch of FIG. 1, showing a removable portion of the pouch being torn away to permit access to the interior thereof.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3a3 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, showing the pouch in an opened configuratiGn.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, illustrating a pouch in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical plan view of apparatus far forming, filling and sealing pouches in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatical plan view of apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The invention is generally embodied in a reclosable pouch and a method and apparatus for forming, filling, and sealing the pouch.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a pouch 10 which has first and second generally rectangular walls 12, 14 sealed to one another along their bottom edges 16, 18 and side edges 20, 22.
Extending across upper portions of the respective walls are closure members 24, 26.
Each closure member 24, 26 has a substantially planar outer surface 28, 30 which is sealed to its respective associated wall. On their inner surfaces the closure members have complementary interlocking zipper profiles 32, 34 extending horizontally along their entire lengths to provide reclosability for the pouch 10. A non peelable upper seal 36 is provided along the upper edge of the pouch between upper portions 35, 37 of the closure members 24 and 26. A plurality of gripper beads 38 extend longitudinally above the zipper profiles 32, 34 on the respective closure members 24 and 26 between the zipper profiles and the upper seal 36. In the illustrated embodiments, each closure member has a single pair of gripper beads 38 formed thereon to facilitate manual gripping and separation of the fastener profiles 32 and 34.
Extending longitudinally beneath the zipper profiles and parallel thereto is a hermetic peelable seal 39. The peelable seal is comprised of strips of polymeric material 39a, 39b on the respective closure members 24 and 26. The strength of the seal 39 is such that it can be readily opened by application of manual outward force to the closure members 24 and 26 by the consumer, but is not susceptible to accidental opening due to normal stresses associated with product containment during the FFS
operation, and subsequent shipping, handling, and display. The seal preferably has an opening force of from about 1.5 to about 6.0 Ibs., and more prefereably from about 2.5 to about 3.5 Ibs. The peelable seal 39 is substantially impermeable to air, as well as to liquids which may be present in the pouch. Accordingly, the location of the peelable seal interiorly of the zipper profiles 32 and 34 prevents any contents of the pouch from leaking into the zipper profiles and excludes the inter-locking members of the zipper form the hermetic seal area.
The strips of polymeric material 39a, 39b which form the peelable seal preferably comprise polymeric materials which are known in the art to be suitable for this purpose, such as one or more of the following: polyethylene/EVA with a VA
content of between 4% and 22%; polybutylene; *Surlyn; *Bynel; *Saran (PVDC) copolymer; ethylene acrylic acid copolymer; or methacrylic acid copolymer. As disclosed in e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,782,951 a hermetic peelable seal may be formed between a *Saran copolymer lamina and an EVA lamina.
Each of the pouch walls 12 and 14 is preferably made of a suitable laminated material having barrier properties which, when sealed as described herein, provide hermetically for the pouch. For purposes of example, a suitable film for cheese shreds may comprise a linear low-density polyethylene inner layer in combination with a polyester or nylon outer layer, and a middle adhesive layer of polyethylene. A nylon outer layer is particularly useful in connection with Swiss cheese, where a degree of C02 gas permeability is desirable in the packaging.
The closure members 24 and 26 are preferably made of a low EVA content polyethylene.
The closure members may be attached to the walls by, e.g., a thin layer or Surlyn on each of the closure members and the walls.
To facilitate support of the pouch 10 on a display hanger, a hole 86 is provided in an upper portion *Trade-mark ~~ >~~~J
_7-of the pouch. The hole extends through upper portions of the walls 12, 14 and through the closure members 24 and 26, which provide a relatively tough and strong periphery for the hole to support the weight of the pouch. As shown in FIG. 1, one or more of the ribs or beads 38 may extend over the hole to further increase the ability of the pouch to resist tearing at the hole 86 when subjected to rough handling during placement on a retail display rack and/or removal therefrom. Disposition of the hole above the peelable seal 39 enables hermeticity to be maintained.
Lines of weakness 88 are formed through the walls 12, 14 and closure members 24, 26 immediately beneath the upper portions 35, 37 of the closure members to enable the upper portion of the pouch to be torn off, enabling easy manual access to the gripper beads 38 for separation of the zipper profiles 32, 34 and peelable seal strips 39a, 39b. The lines of weakness 88 in the illustrated embodiment take the form of perforations formed opposite one another through the respective walls and closure members. The placement of the perforations 88 above the hole 86 enables the pouch 'to be supported by a display rack without subjecting the line of perforations 88 to transverse tensile stresses which might cause accidental tearing 'thereof.
FIG. 5 illustrates a pouch 41 in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The pouch of FIG. 5 is generally similar to that of FIGS. 1-4, in that it comprises a pair of generally rectangular walls 40 and 42, in combination with a pair of closure members 44 and 46 having interlocking zipper profiles 48 and 50 thereon.
tripper beads 52 are provided above the zipper profiles and a peelable seal 54 extends therebelow. The walls 40 and 42 are sealed to one another along their bottom edges 56, 58 and side edges. However, the pouch of FIG. 5 differs from that of FIGS. 1-4 in that its upper seal 64 is formed directly between the walls 40 and 42 of the pouch, rather than between the closure members. To this end, the closure members 44 and 46 are spaced beneath the upper edges of the ~.) ~ f~ t) ll -$-walls 40 and 42, leaving a peripheral area along the top of each wall for the upper seal 42. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a hole for receiving a display hanger is punched through an upper portion of the pouch, and lines of weakness, e.g., perforations 65, are provided opposite one another in the walls immediately beneath the seal area 64.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention (not shown] the walls of the pouch may be constructed of a single web, rather than two separate webs.
The pouch in accordance with this embodiment is substantially similar to that of FIG. 5, except that the pouch material is continuous along its upper edge, rather than comprising two separate walls joined by a seal, and the pouch material provides a snug fit around the upper edges of the closure members 44 and 46. As in the other embodiments, a hole for receiving a display hanger is disposed adjacent the top of the pouch, with lines of perforation therebeneath.
FTGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing pouches in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As described below, the pouches are formed, filled and sealed in an inverted configuration. The method will be described with reference to the pouch 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4, by describing the successive steps involved in the formation, filling and sealing of the pouch 10 in its inverted configuration.
Tn the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the material for the walls is provided by first and second rolls 66 and 68 of suitable laminated film in web form. The material for the closure members is provided by first and second rolls 70 and 72 of closure strip material. The wall material as supplied by rolls 66 and 68 comprises webs 90 and 92 of laminated polymeric material. The closure strip material comprises a first continuous strip 94 having a female zipper profile thereon, and a second strip 96 having a male profile thereon.
_g_ The first step in the method of FIGS. 6 and 7 is mating the complementary zipper profiles 32 and 34, i.e., pressing the zipper profiles into interlocking engagement with one another. This step is carried out at a zipper-s assembly station 74 which comprises a shoe 75 having an internal surface 76 configured to maintain the opposite profiles in alignment relative to one another, and to cam the closure strips 94 and 96 into interlocking engagement as they advance through the shoe.
The next step is to form the peelable seal 39 between the closure members 24 and 26 at a sealing station 78. At the sealing station 78, a pair of horizontally oriented, reciprocable heat seal bars 79 are advanced toward one another to apply pressure and heat to the lower portions of the closure members which are to form the peelable seal 39. The advancement of the closure strip material is intermittent, so that the strip material is at rest while the heat seal bars 79 are closed.
The next step comprises sealing of the outer surfaces of the closure strips 94 and 96 to the inner surfaces of their respective associated wall webs 90 and 92. This is accomplished at an assembly/sealing station 80 at which a second pair of horizontal heat sealing bars 81 are employed to effect the desired sealing. The closure strips are positioned along the lower edges of the wall webs as the pouch is formed in its inverted configuration, so that they will extend across the top of the finished pouch in its upright configuration.
The line of weakness 88 .is then formed by a conventional notched perforation wheel on the line at a perforation station 140. Next, the side margins of the pouches are sealed by vertical sealing bars 82. In forming the side seals, the sealing bars 82 crush the closure strips at the areas 84 which correspond to the ends of the closure members 24 and 26 in the finished pouch. The sealing-bars provide an impermeable marginal seal area on each side of the pouch being formed, along the .entire ~~~~~ )~
-lo-vertical dimension of the pouch, or at least from the bottom edges 16, 18 of the walls through the peelable seal 54. The vertical sealing bars 82 preferably include cutting elements to form vertical slits 139 in the wall webs 90 and 92, extending upward from the bottom edges of the respective wall webs to a predetermined level, leaving links 141 of wall material intact along the upper edges of the wall webs, while partially separating the pouches from one another.
to The peelable seal 39 having been formed between the closure members, the formation of the side seals enables product 100 to be retained in each of the pouches being formed. The as-yet-unsealed bottom 98 of the inverted pouch is held open to provide an opening to receive the product, and the pocket is filled to a desired level through a dispensing spout 102, with the peelable seal 29 preventing the product from reaching the zipper.
The inverted pouch is then gas flushed with NZ or ~0 closed, and sealed along its horizontal top and bottom edges by additional horizontally-oriented sealing bars 1o4 and 106. The pouch 10 is cut from the preceding and succeeding pouches by vertically oriented knives 108 which sever the links 141 and trim the side edges of the pouches, to complete the FFS operation.
where a punched hole 86 is desired, punch apparatus 142 may be provided at a convenient location on the line, zn the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and ?, the punching operation takes place immediately after sealing of 'the vertical seals of the pouch, and prior to filling. In other embodiments of the invention, the order of the steps may be varied. For example, in the embodiment of F1G. 8, first and second webs 110, 112 of wall material are provided by first and second rolls 114 and 116, which axe supported for rotation about vertical axes. Material for closure members is provided by first and second rolls 118 and 120 of closure strip material. One roll supplies _3.l_ closure strip 122 having a female profile, while the other provides material 124 having a male profile.
In the embodiment of fIG. 8, the lengths of closure strip material 122 and 124 are joined to their respective associated webs of wall material 310 and 112 at two parallel heat sealing stations 126 and 128. The resulting composite webs of wall and fastener material 130 and 132 then advance over vertical guide rollers 134 and 136 to a sealing assembly station 138 where the zipper profiles of the closure material are interlocked, and the peelable seal formed in a manner similar to that described above with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.
The remaining steps of forming the side seal, filling, forming top and bottom seals, and separating the finished pouches are carried out as described in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.
In another embodiment of the invention (not shown) the formation of the peelable seal is combined with the operation of sealing the fastener strips to the webs of wall material. This method is similar to that of FTGS. 6 and 7, except that the sealing station 78 may be eliminated, and the assemblyf sealing station 80 adapted to provide heat and pressure to effect both sealing operations simultaneously.
From the foregoing, ~.~t will be appreciated that the invention provides a novel pouch and method and apparatus for fox-ming, filling and sealing the pouch. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or to any particular embodiments. The invention is more particularly pointed out in the following claims.
Claims (27)
1. A method of forming, filling and sealing a hermetic pouch in an inverted orientation, said method comprising:
providing a wall material for defining a pair of walls for the pouch;
orienting said wall material so that said walls are substantially vertical;
positioning first and second lengths of a fastener strip material between said walls, said lengths of fastener strip material having complementary mechanically interengageable fastener members thereon;
forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members;
sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls, with each length of fastener strip material being joined to a respective one of said pair of walls;
forming a pair of substantially vertical seals joining said walls, so as to define a product-receiving pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
dispensing a product downwardly into said product-receiving pocket after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level, said peelable seal being disposed between said pocket and said fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
forming a horizontal seal generally between said walls above said predetermined level to seal the product in the product-receiving pouch; and~
separating said pouch from said wall material.
providing a wall material for defining a pair of walls for the pouch;
orienting said wall material so that said walls are substantially vertical;
positioning first and second lengths of a fastener strip material between said walls, said lengths of fastener strip material having complementary mechanically interengageable fastener members thereon;
forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members;
sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls, with each length of fastener strip material being joined to a respective one of said pair of walls;
forming a pair of substantially vertical seals joining said walls, so as to define a product-receiving pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
dispensing a product downwardly into said product-receiving pocket after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level, said peelable seal being disposed between said pocket and said fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
forming a horizontal seal generally between said walls above said predetermined level to seal the product in the product-receiving pouch; and~
separating said pouch from said wall material.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of forming a linear horizontal peelable seal is carried out simultaneously with the step of sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein the step of forming a linear horizontal peelable seal and the step of sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls are carried out by a pair of horizontal sealing bars which are reciprocable inward and outward to apply heat and pressure to said walls and said fastener strip material.
4. A method in accordance with claim 3 further comprising the step of flushing the pouch with N2 gas.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
sealing together said lengths of fastener strip material beneath said fastener members, to form an additional seal between said lengths of fastener strip material;
and providing one or more lines of weakness between said additional seal and said fastener members to facilitate removal of said additional seal from said pouch without removal of said fastener members from said pouch.
sealing together said lengths of fastener strip material beneath said fastener members, to form an additional seal between said lengths of fastener strip material;
and providing one or more lines of weakness between said additional seal and said fastener members to facilitate removal of said additional seal from said pouch without removal of said fastener members from said pouch.
6. A method in accordance with claim 5 further comprising:
forming a hole through said pouch beneath said fastener members.
forming a hole through said pouch beneath said fastener members.
7. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising forming an additional seal between said walls beneath said first and second lengths of fastener strip material, and providing one or more lines of weakness between said additional seal and said lengths of fastener strip material.
8. A method in accordance with claim 7 further comprising providing a hole through said pouch beneath said fastener members.
9. Apparatus for forming, filling and sealing a hermetic pouch in an inverted orientation, said apparatus comprising:
means for supplying a wall material for defining a pair of walls for the pouch;
means for orienting said wall material so that said walls are substantially vertical;
means for positioning first and second lengths of a fastener strip material between said walls, said lengths of fastener material having complementary mechanically-interengageable fastener members thereon;
means for sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls, with each length of fastener strip material being joined to a respective one of said pair of walls;
means for forming a peelable seal above said fastener strips;
means for forming a pair of substantially vertical seals joining said walls, so as to define a product-receiving pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals, said peelable seal being disposed between said product-receiving pocket and said fastener members to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket after forming the peelable seal above said fastener strips to fill said pocket to a predetermined level, with said peelable seal acting as a barrier to contact of said product with said fastener members during filling of said pocket;
means for forming a generally horizontal seal between said walls above said predetermined level; and means for separating said pouch from said wall material.
means for supplying a wall material for defining a pair of walls for the pouch;
means for orienting said wall material so that said walls are substantially vertical;
means for positioning first and second lengths of a fastener strip material between said walls, said lengths of fastener material having complementary mechanically-interengageable fastener members thereon;
means for sealing said lengths of fastener strip material to said walls, with each length of fastener strip material being joined to a respective one of said pair of walls;
means for forming a peelable seal above said fastener strips;
means for forming a pair of substantially vertical seals joining said walls, so as to define a product-receiving pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals, said peelable seal being disposed between said product-receiving pocket and said fastener members to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket after forming the peelable seal above said fastener strips to fill said pocket to a predetermined level, with said peelable seal acting as a barrier to contact of said product with said fastener members during filling of said pocket;
means for forming a generally horizontal seal between said walls above said predetermined level; and means for separating said pouch from said wall material.
10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for sealing together said lengths of fastener strip material beneath said fastener members, to form an additional seal between said lengths of fastener strip material, and means for providing one or more lines of weakness between said additional seal and said fastener members to facilitate removal of said additional seal from said pouch without removal of said fastener members from said pouch.
11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10 further comprising means for forming a hole through said pouch beneath said fastener members.
12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 further comprising means for forming an additional seal between said walls beneath said first and second lengths of fastener strip material, and providing one or more lines of weakness between said additional seal and said lengths of fastener strip material.
13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 further comprising means for providing a hole through said pouch beneath said fastener members.
14. A method of forming, filling and sealing a hermetic pouch in an inverted orientation, said method comprising:
providing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material having longitudinal edges and a longitudinally extending centerline midway between said longitudinal ends;
providing a closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, and having means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
sealing said first fastener component longitudinally along the length of said sheet of polymeric material, spaced transversely from the centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline to bring the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at a fold at the lower end of said web, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end and said second component of the closure strip thereby being brought into proximity with the second sidewall;
forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in both said first and second sidewalls extending between said folded lower end and said fastener components by engaging said web with a rotary cutting blade having a notched peripheral cutting edge;
sealing said second fastener component longitudinally along the length of said second sidewall;
forming said linear horizontal peelable seal above said interengaged fastener components;
sealing said first and second fastener components together at predetermined longitudinal intervals corresponding to a predetermined pouch width;
forming a hole through said first and second sidewalls below the closure components and approximately midway between each of said closure component seals;
sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall along the entire vertical length of said sidewalls at the longitudinal location of each of the closure component seals, so as to define a pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
separating said first sidewall and said second sidewall at the upper ends thereof to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket through said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall across the upper ends of the sidewalls to seal the product within the pocket and form a hermetic pouch;
and separating said pouch from said web;
wherein said web is driven forward intermittently at a predetermined speed, and wherein said rotary cutting blade is driven for rotation so that said notched peripheral cutting edge has a speed equal to said predetermined speed of said web.
providing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material having longitudinal edges and a longitudinally extending centerline midway between said longitudinal ends;
providing a closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, and having means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
sealing said first fastener component longitudinally along the length of said sheet of polymeric material, spaced transversely from the centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline to bring the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at a fold at the lower end of said web, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end and said second component of the closure strip thereby being brought into proximity with the second sidewall;
forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in both said first and second sidewalls extending between said folded lower end and said fastener components by engaging said web with a rotary cutting blade having a notched peripheral cutting edge;
sealing said second fastener component longitudinally along the length of said second sidewall;
forming said linear horizontal peelable seal above said interengaged fastener components;
sealing said first and second fastener components together at predetermined longitudinal intervals corresponding to a predetermined pouch width;
forming a hole through said first and second sidewalls below the closure components and approximately midway between each of said closure component seals;
sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall along the entire vertical length of said sidewalls at the longitudinal location of each of the closure component seals, so as to define a pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
separating said first sidewall and said second sidewall at the upper ends thereof to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket through said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall across the upper ends of the sidewalls to seal the product within the pocket and form a hermetic pouch;
and separating said pouch from said web;
wherein said web is driven forward intermittently at a predetermined speed, and wherein said rotary cutting blade is driven for rotation so that said notched peripheral cutting edge has a speed equal to said predetermined speed of said web.
15. An apparatus for forming, filling and sealing a hermetic pouch in an inverted orientation from an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material having longitudinal edges and a longitudinally extending centerline midway between said longitudinal edges and a closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, and having means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components, said apparatus comprising:
means for sealing said first fastener component longitudinally along the length of said web of polymeric material, spaced transversely from the centerline;
means for folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline to bring the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the fold at the lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end and said second component of the closure strip thereby being brought into proximity with the second sidewall;
means for forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in said first and second sidewalls extending between said folded lower end and said fastener components;
means for driving said web forward intermittently at a predetermined speed, said means engaging said web from opposite sides;
means for sealing said second fastener component longitudinally along the length of said second sidewall;
means for forming said linear horizontal peelable seal above said interengaged fastener components;
means for sealing said first and second fastener components together at predetermined longitudinal intervals corresponding to a predetermined pouch width;
means for forming a hole through said first and second sidewalls below the closure components and approximately midway between each of said closure component seals;
means for sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall along the entire vertical length of said sidewalk at the longitudinal location of each of the closure component seals, so as to define a pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
means for separating said first sidewall and said second sidewall at their upper ends to create a filling opening;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket through said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the interengaged fastener components to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener components during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
means for sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall across the upper ends of the sidewalls to seal the product within the pocket and form a hermetic pouch; and means for separating said pouch from said web; wherein said means for forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in said first and second sidewalls comprises a rotary cutting blade having a notched peripheral cutting edge, and wherein said rotary cutting blade is driven for rotation so that said notched peripheral cutting edge has a speed equal to said predetermined speed of said web.
means for sealing said first fastener component longitudinally along the length of said web of polymeric material, spaced transversely from the centerline;
means for folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline to bring the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the fold at the lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end and said second component of the closure strip thereby being brought into proximity with the second sidewall;
means for forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in said first and second sidewalls extending between said folded lower end and said fastener components;
means for driving said web forward intermittently at a predetermined speed, said means engaging said web from opposite sides;
means for sealing said second fastener component longitudinally along the length of said second sidewall;
means for forming said linear horizontal peelable seal above said interengaged fastener components;
means for sealing said first and second fastener components together at predetermined longitudinal intervals corresponding to a predetermined pouch width;
means for forming a hole through said first and second sidewalls below the closure components and approximately midway between each of said closure component seals;
means for sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall along the entire vertical length of said sidewalk at the longitudinal location of each of the closure component seals, so as to define a pocket having a width determined by a distance between said vertical seals;
means for separating said first sidewall and said second sidewall at their upper ends to create a filling opening;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said pocket through said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the interengaged fastener components to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener components during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
means for sealing said first sidewall to said second sidewall across the upper ends of the sidewalls to seal the product within the pocket and form a hermetic pouch; and means for separating said pouch from said web; wherein said means for forming a longitudinally extending line of weakness in said first and second sidewalls comprises a rotary cutting blade having a notched peripheral cutting edge, and wherein said rotary cutting blade is driven for rotation so that said notched peripheral cutting edge has a speed equal to said predetermined speed of said web.
16. An apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said means for sealing said first and second fastener components together at predetermined longitudinal intervals comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced sealing means.
17. A method of forming, filling and sealing a hermetic pouch, said method comprising:
intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having longitudinal edges and a centerline midway between said longitudinal edges;
intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the -20-~
first closure component to the first sidewall at a location spaced transversely from said centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
engaging the sidewalls with a rotary perforating blade during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form a horizontal line of weakness in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of weakness extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
bonding together said first and second closure strip fastener components at predetermined, longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch;
punching holes through the first and second sidewalls, while the web and closure strip are at rest between their intermittent advancements, the holes being punched at a position below the closure strip fastener components, above the line of weakness, and approximately midway between adjacent, laterally spaced closure strip bondings;
applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at the longitudinally-spaced positions of the closure strip bondings, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a product-receiving pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals, said peelable seal being disposed between said product-receiving pocket and said fastener components to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members;
cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalls;
separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening to fill said pocket to a predetermined level after the formation of the peelable seal above the fastener components, with said peelable seal acting as a barrier to contact of said product with said fastener members during said product dispensing;
applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a hermetic pouch thereby being formed with the product being hermetically sealed within the pocket thereof; and cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of the web.
intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having longitudinal edges and a centerline midway between said longitudinal edges;
intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the -20-~
first closure component to the first sidewall at a location spaced transversely from said centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the longitudinal edges together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
engaging the sidewalls with a rotary perforating blade during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form a horizontal line of weakness in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of weakness extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
bonding together said first and second closure strip fastener components at predetermined, longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch;
punching holes through the first and second sidewalls, while the web and closure strip are at rest between their intermittent advancements, the holes being punched at a position below the closure strip fastener components, above the line of weakness, and approximately midway between adjacent, laterally spaced closure strip bondings;
applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at the longitudinally-spaced positions of the closure strip bondings, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a product-receiving pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals, said peelable seal being disposed between said product-receiving pocket and said fastener components to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members;
cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalls;
separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening to fill said pocket to a predetermined level after the formation of the peelable seal above the fastener components, with said peelable seal acting as a barrier to contact of said product with said fastener members during said product dispensing;
applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a hermetic pouch thereby being formed with the product being hermetically sealed within the pocket thereof; and cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of the web.
18. A method for forming, filling and sealing a pouch having easy opening and resealing characteristics, the method comprising:
intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having transverse ends and a centerline midway between said transverse ends;
intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a respective flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the first closure component to the web of polymeric material spaced transversely from said centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the transverse ends together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position, during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements, to form a horizontal line of perforation in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of perforation extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
applying heat and pressure to said first and second sidewalls along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls to form a seal at approximately the vertical position of said line of perforation;
applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals;
cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalk;
separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a pouch thereby being formed with the product being sealed within the pocket thereof; and cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of said sidewall material.
intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having transverse ends and a centerline midway between said transverse ends;
intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a respective flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the first closure component to the web of polymeric material spaced transversely from said centerline;
folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the transverse ends together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position, during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements, to form a horizontal line of perforation in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of perforation extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
applying heat and pressure to said first and second sidewalls along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls to form a seal at approximately the vertical position of said line of perforation;
applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals;
cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalk;
separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalls approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a pouch thereby being formed with the product being sealed within the pocket thereof; and cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of said sidewall material.
19. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the respective flanges of the first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components include a tacking flange portion on one side of the interengageable fastener components and a peelable seal forming flange portion on the other side thereof, with said first and second peelable seal flange portions being generally coterminous and said first tacking portion terminating prior to said second tacking portion to reduce the material through which said perforating blade must penetrate in forming said perforations and to reduce the amount of material available to flow into the perforations upon sealing thereat.
20. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the step of perforating the sidewalls, and the step of applying heat and pressure to the sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area to form a horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components, are carried out generally simultaneously during one of said intervals between intermittent advancements.
21. A method in accordance with claim 18 wherein the step of perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position, comprises bringing said first and second sidewalls between opposing securing members and moving the securing members together on opposite sides of the sidewalk to secure the sidewalls in a stationary position, and rapidly advancing said perforating blade into contact with the first and second sidewalls and retracting said perforating blade away from said first and second sidewalls simultaneous with said securing by said securing members.
22. An apparatus for forming, filling and sealing a pouch with easy opening and resealing characteristics, comprising:
means for intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having transverse ends and a centerline midway between said transverse ends;
means for intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a respective flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
means for bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
means for applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the first closure component to the web of polymeric material spaced transversely from said centerline;
means for folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the transverse ends together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
means for applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
means for applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
means for perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position, during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements, to form a horizontal line of perforation in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of perforation extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
means for applying heat and pressure to said first and second sidewalls along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalk to form a seal at approximately the vertical position of said line of perforation;
means for applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals;
means for cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalls;
means for separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalk approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
means for applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a pouch thereby being formed with the product being sealed within the pocket thereof; and means for cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of said sidewall material.
means for intermittently advancing an elongated, longitudinally extending web of polymeric material longitudinally approximately two predetermined pouch widths, the web having transverse ends and a centerline midway between said transverse ends;
means for intermittently advancing an elongated closure strip having interengaged first and second complementary mechanically interengageable fastener components thereon, each having a respective flange with means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener components;
means for bringing the closure strip adjacent the web of polymeric material as both are intermittently advanced, with the closure strip extending longitudinally;
means for applying heat and pressure to the flange of the first closure component during the intervals between successive web and closure strip advancements to adhere the first closure component to the web of polymeric material spaced transversely from said centerline;
means for folding said web of polymeric material along said centerline and bringing the transverse ends together to form first and second vertically oriented sidewalls integrally connected at the folded lower end thereof, the closure strip thereby being spaced vertically above the folded lower end, and said second sidewall thereby being brought into proximity with said second component of the closure strip;
means for applying heat and pressure to the second sidewall at the location of the flange of the second closure component during the intervals between said intermittent web and closure strip advancements to adhere the second closure component to the second sidewall;
means for applying heat and pressure to said first and said second sidewalls at the location of said closure strip sealing area during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements to form the horizontally extending peelable seal above said fastener components;
means for perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position, during the periods of intermittent web and closure strip advancements, to form a horizontal line of perforation in both said first and second sidewalls, the line of perforation extending horizontally between said folded lower end and said male and female profiles of the closure components;
means for applying heat and pressure to said first and second sidewalls along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalk to form a seal at approximately the vertical position of said line of perforation;
means for applying heat and pressure to narrow, vertically extending sections of said first and second sidewalls at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the predetermined width of the pouch, thereby sealing the sidewalls together thereat and forming side seals so as to create a pocket having a width defined by a distance between adjacent vertical seals;
means for cutting said first and second sidewalls vertically at approximately the center of said side seals, during the intervals between intermittent web and closure strip advancements, the cuts extending vertically from the folded lower end and terminating a small distance from the upper ends of the sidewalls;
means for separating the upper ends of the first and second sidewalk approximately midway between adjacent side seals to create a filling opening;
means for dispensing a product downwardly into said filling opening after forming the linear horizontal peelable seal above the fastener members to fill said pocket to a predetermined level with the peelable seal being disposed between the pocket and the fastener members during said product dispensing to maintain isolation of the product from the fastener members during said dispensing of the product into the pouch;
means for applying heat and pressure along narrow, horizontally extending sections of said sidewalls at a vertical position above said predetermined level to seal said sidewalls together thereat, a pouch thereby being formed with the product being sealed within the pocket thereof; and means for cutting the thin sidewall section remaining at the upper ends of the sidewalls at approximately the center of the side seals to separate said hermetic pouches from the remainder of said sidewall material.
23. An apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein said means for perforating the sidewalls by impacting the sidewalls with a perforating blade while securing the sidewalls in a stationary position comprises:
a frame;
opposing first and second securing members mounted to said frame for reciprocating movement between a securing position in which the securing members are brought together to exert and maintain a force on opposite sides of the sidewalls sufficient to secure the sidewalls in a substantially stationary position over at least the portion thereof in proximity with said securing members;
one of said first and said second securing members having an upper portion and a lower portion with a blade-accommodating slot therebetween;
a perforating blade mounted to said frame and disposed in said blade-accommodating slot for reciprocating movement between an extended position in which the blade is in contact with said first and second sidewalls to form said perforations, and a retracted position in which the blade is spaced from said first and second sidewalls.
a frame;
opposing first and second securing members mounted to said frame for reciprocating movement between a securing position in which the securing members are brought together to exert and maintain a force on opposite sides of the sidewalls sufficient to secure the sidewalls in a substantially stationary position over at least the portion thereof in proximity with said securing members;
one of said first and said second securing members having an upper portion and a lower portion with a blade-accommodating slot therebetween;
a perforating blade mounted to said frame and disposed in said blade-accommodating slot for reciprocating movement between an extended position in which the blade is in contact with said first and second sidewalls to form said perforations, and a retracted position in which the blade is spaced from said first and second sidewalls.
24. An apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein the other of said first and second securing members has a blade-receiving slot for receiving the portion of the perforating blade passing through said sidewalls.
25. The method in accordance with claim 1 in which the lengths of fastener strip material have means for forming a linear horizontal peelable seal above said fastener members in a sealing area coextensive with said fastener members.
26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the means for forming a peelable seal and the means for fastening the lengths of fastener strip material to the walls comprise means for forming the peelable seal in the location of the fastening of the lengths of fastener strip material to the walls.
27. Apparatus in accordance with claim 9 in which the means for forming a peelable seal and the means for fastening the lengths of fastener strip material to the walls comprise a single means for applying heat and pressure to seal the lengths of fastener strip material to one another and to their respective walls generally simultaneously.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507553A CA2507553A1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-20 | Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US70891491A | 1991-05-31 | 1991-05-31 | |
| US708,914 | 1991-05-31 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507553A Division CA2507553A1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-20 | Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2069030A1 CA2069030A1 (en) | 1992-12-01 |
| CA2069030C true CA2069030C (en) | 2005-08-16 |
Family
ID=24847677
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507553A Abandoned CA2507553A1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-20 | Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing |
| CA002069030A Expired - Lifetime CA2069030C (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-20 | Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002507553A Abandoned CA2507553A1 (en) | 1991-05-31 | 1992-05-20 | Reclosable pouch and method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing |
Country Status (14)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0516393B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0692362A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1033012C (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE128686T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU644288B2 (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2507553A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69205214T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0516393T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2080446T3 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR3018530T3 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1896A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9202531A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ242959A (en) |
| TW (1) | TW200439B (en) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5275491A (en) * | 1992-01-10 | 1994-01-04 | Kabushiki Kaisha Hosokawa Yoko | Zippered bags and method of forming the same |
| EP0684923A4 (en) * | 1993-02-23 | 1998-02-11 | Minigrip Ltd | Interconnected plastic bags charging apparatus and method. |
| US5425825A (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1995-06-20 | Rasko; George | Reclosable zipper with tamper evident feature |
| US5435864A (en) * | 1993-04-22 | 1995-07-25 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable zipper with tamper evident feature |
| NZ272804A (en) * | 1995-12-18 | 1997-02-24 | Minigrip Flexible Packaging Lt | Method of bag filling by opening and closing string of bags having stable feet |
| US5672009A (en) * | 1996-05-21 | 1997-09-30 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Reclosable pouch and zipper therefor |
| EP0980829A1 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2000-02-23 | Charles E. Cloud | Method and apparatus for continuously forming, filling and sealing packages while linked together |
| US6609353B1 (en) * | 1998-06-08 | 2003-08-26 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Application system for sliders at form-fill-seal machine |
| IT1304213B1 (en) | 1998-10-23 | 2001-03-13 | Pfm Spa | PEELABLE FILM PACKAGE FOR FOOD PRODUCTS, AND PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING THE SAME. |
| US6327837B1 (en) * | 1999-07-15 | 2001-12-11 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Slide-zipper assembly with peel seal and method of making packages with slide zipper assembly |
| US6588176B1 (en) | 1999-12-17 | 2003-07-08 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Methods of manufacturing reclosable packages using transverse closure and slider applicator |
| US6290393B1 (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2001-09-18 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Slider reclosable packages with dual peel seals |
| US6868649B1 (en) | 2000-11-03 | 2005-03-22 | Bodolay Packaging, A Division Of B&M | Zipper applicator for packaging machine |
| US20020094137A1 (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2002-07-18 | Schneider John H. | Tamper evident resealable packaging |
| US6954970B2 (en) | 2002-03-11 | 2005-10-18 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Insertion apparatus for attaching sliders onto zipper bags and film |
| US6842973B2 (en) | 2002-03-11 | 2005-01-18 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Apparatus for attaching sliders onto zipper bags and film |
| WO2004108546A1 (en) * | 2003-06-04 | 2004-12-16 | Ishizaki Shizai Co., Ltd. | Plastic zipper tape and bag with the zipper tape |
| JP4801328B2 (en) * | 2004-06-04 | 2011-10-26 | 出光ユニテック株式会社 | CHUCK TAPE, PACKAGING BAG WITH CHUCK TAPE, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING PACKAGING BAG WITH CHUCK TAPE |
| US7607834B2 (en) | 2004-08-02 | 2009-10-27 | R.P. Scherer Technologies, Inc. | Peelable pouch containing a single or multiple dosage forms and process of making same |
| JP2006087452A (en) * | 2004-09-21 | 2006-04-06 | Dainippon Printing Co Ltd | Zipper tape and bag with zipper tape |
| EP2851312B1 (en) | 2004-12-07 | 2016-06-29 | Idemitsu Unitech Co., Ltd. | Zipper and zipper-equipped bag |
| JP4811558B2 (en) * | 2005-03-24 | 2011-11-09 | アヲハタ株式会社 | Packaging bag with zipper |
| JP2007246119A (en) * | 2006-03-15 | 2007-09-27 | Kuruu:Kk | Bag |
| JP4874742B2 (en) | 2006-08-21 | 2012-02-15 | 出光ユニテック株式会社 | CHUCK TAPE WITH CUT TAPE, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, AND PACKAGING BAG WITH CHUCK TAPE |
| US20090257686A1 (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2009-10-15 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Flow-wrapper package with reclosure |
| JP4604287B1 (en) * | 2010-07-14 | 2011-01-05 | 株式会社リングストン | Double bag with chuck and manufacturing method thereof |
| EP2821348A4 (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2015-10-28 | Takazono Corp | Tablet packaging method and tablet packaging device |
| EP2727847A1 (en) * | 2012-11-01 | 2014-05-07 | Unilever N.V. | A process for the manufacture of a sachet with at least 2 compartments |
| JP2017197247A (en) * | 2016-04-28 | 2017-11-02 | 凸版印刷株式会社 | Pouch with zipper |
| RS64249B1 (en) | 2016-08-08 | 2023-06-30 | Mespack Cloud Llc | Pouch forming mold configuration, method and pouch |
| WO2020065542A1 (en) | 2018-09-25 | 2020-04-02 | Blijlevens, Antonius Petrus Henricus | A bag and related methods |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4786190A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1988-11-22 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable package having outer reclosable closure and inner non-reclosable closure |
| US4925316A (en) * | 1986-08-11 | 1990-05-15 | Minigrip, Inc. | Reclosable bag having an outer reclosable zipper type closure and inner non-reclosable closure |
| US4894975A (en) * | 1988-03-09 | 1990-01-23 | Minigrip, Inc. | Method and apparatus for making reclosable bags with fastener strips in a form fill and seal machine |
| US5067822A (en) * | 1989-04-24 | 1991-11-26 | Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc. | Method of forming recloseable packages, profiles used therein, and packages produced thereby |
| US5022530A (en) * | 1989-10-13 | 1991-06-11 | The Dow Chemical Company | Modified zipper elements for easy open containers |
| US4945714A (en) * | 1989-11-14 | 1990-08-07 | Package Machinery Company, Bodolay/Pratt Division | Form, fill, seal and separate packaging machine for reclosable containers |
-
1992
- 1992-05-18 AU AU16373/92A patent/AU644288B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-05-20 CA CA002507553A patent/CA2507553A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-05-20 CA CA002069030A patent/CA2069030C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-27 EP EP92304792A patent/EP0516393B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-27 DE DE69205214T patent/DE69205214T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-05-27 DK DK92304792.2T patent/DK0516393T3/en active
- 1992-05-27 ES ES92304792T patent/ES2080446T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-05-27 AT AT92304792T patent/ATE128686T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1992-05-28 MX MX9202531A patent/MX9202531A/en unknown
- 1992-05-29 NZ NZ242959A patent/NZ242959A/en unknown
- 1992-05-29 JP JP4139054A patent/JPH0692362A/en active Pending
- 1992-05-30 CN CN92104266.3A patent/CN1033012C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-08-26 TW TW081106729A patent/TW200439B/zh active
-
1995
- 1995-12-27 GR GR950403670T patent/GR3018530T3/en unknown
-
1996
- 1996-01-04 HK HK1896A patent/HK1896A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2069030A1 (en) | 1992-12-01 |
| HK1896A (en) | 1996-01-12 |
| AU1637392A (en) | 1992-12-03 |
| NZ242959A (en) | 1994-10-26 |
| DE69205214T2 (en) | 1996-05-02 |
| ATE128686T1 (en) | 1995-10-15 |
| GR3018530T3 (en) | 1996-03-31 |
| TW200439B (en) | 1993-02-21 |
| ES2080446T3 (en) | 1996-02-01 |
| EP0516393B1 (en) | 1995-10-04 |
| AU644288B2 (en) | 1993-12-02 |
| JPH0692362A (en) | 1994-04-05 |
| CN1033012C (en) | 1996-10-16 |
| EP0516393A1 (en) | 1992-12-02 |
| DE69205214D1 (en) | 1995-11-09 |
| MX9202531A (en) | 1992-11-01 |
| CA2507553A1 (en) | 1992-12-01 |
| DK0516393T3 (en) | 1996-02-12 |
| CN1067414A (en) | 1992-12-30 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20120520 |