Method and apparatus for forming individual pouches from a continuous web and packaging a product in the individual pouches

摘要

The present invention includes a process and apparatus for producing highly specialized individual product pouches with high efficiency and simplicity at production speeds that are easily obtainable with present day forming machines, particularly, horizontal-type form-fill-seal machines. The subject process and apparatus advantageously 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 one or more forming operations on only one of the gusset portion and lower side wall combinations at one time. Such forming operations may include any operation which physically or perspectively alters the appearance or nature of the pouches. After at least one such forming operation is conducted, a plurality of side seals are provided to define at least one specialized pouch. Preferably, during such forming operations, a separation element is inserted within the bottom gusset to effectively isolate one of the gusset portion and lower side wall combinations from the other.