SPECIALIZED PRODUCT POUCHES AND THE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING INDIVIDUAL POUCHES FROM A CONTINUOUS WEB AND PACKAGING A PRODUCT

摘要

2123005 9312008 PCTABS00022 The present invention includes a process and apparatus for producting individual product pouches with a forming machine, particularly a horizontal-type form-fill-seal machine. The subject process and apparatus form pouches from a continuous supply of flexible web material by folding the flexible web material into two side walls and a bottom gusset and performing forming operations on only one of the gusset portion and lower sidewall combinations at one time. Preferably, during such forming operations, a separations element is inserted within the bottom gusset to effectively isolate one of the gusset portion and lower sidewall combinations from the other. The specialized pouches of the present invention are of a substantially lay-flat nature with a spout located along th e top wall, preferably about mid-way. The spout is preferably made by a heat seal. Such pouches are designed for containing a flowable product and permit the controlled dispensing of such a product after storage, preparation, or cooking within the pouches.