Abstract: The apparatus, for filling a flexible pouch having a bottom end, an opposite top end, and a pair of side edges extending between the bottom and top end, includes a filling station, a supply of compressed purging gas, and a gas purging station. The filling station includes a feeder that dispenses an amount of product into the pouch. The gas purge station is positioned subsequent to the filling station and includes a pair of gas lances. Each of the pair of gas lances have an outlet to discharge the purging gas into the pouch. The pair of gas lances being moveable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. In the inserted position the pair of gas lances are disposed within the pouch a predetermined distance above the amount of product, and in the withdrawn position the pair of gas lances are provided above the top end of the pouch.

Abstract: A process for playing a game includes purchasing a product with an information tag associated therewith, playing a first game associated with the product, scanning the information tag with a portable electronic device (PED) and interacting with at least one gaming website by playing the first game again online, playing a second game online or collecting winnings from playing at least one of the first game and the second game. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a serving tray and a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item and a sports memorabilia item.

Abstract: A container for holding a plurality of articles each of which have a UPC code on a rear side. The container has a pair of alignment walls which extend from the bottom at an angle to the front wall. The alignment walls hold the articles at an angle to the front wall so that the UPC code is not visible from the front of the container.

Abstract: A flexible pouch having a pair of spaced apart flaps is provided. The flexible pouch includes a pouch body having a generally cylindrical shape. The flaps are disposed along the longitudinal length of the pouch body as to help prevent the pouch body from rolling over when laid on its length. The pouch may further include a fitment and an intermediate portion having a ramp shaped portion. The ramp shaped portion is opposite the fitment and slanted so as to direct fluids towards the fitment.

Abstract: A flexible pouch having a fitment for accessing the hydrogen water mounted in the corner of the pouch. A frangible seal is disposed between the contents of the pouch and the fitment. The frangible seal is placed on the pouch before the hydrogen water is filled into the pouch. The seal is placed just above the level of the hydrogenated water so as to minimize the amount of oxygen that can enter the pouch and contact the hydrogen water and also to prevent the hydrogenated water from coming into contact with the fitment and cap where the hydrogen can escape due to the fitment and cap having little or no barrier properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to machines and apparatuses for manufacturing and filling containers, specifically to machines and apparatus for transporting flexible pouches between manufacturing and filling stations with the ability to open and close the flexible pouch. The apparatus includes a movable base with a pair of side arms. Each of the side arms is movable between a first position and a second position. A center arm is attached to the base. The center arm is disposed between the pair of side arms. A gripping mechanism is disposed at an end portion of each of the side arms and the center arm. The pouches are moved between production stations by movement of the base. The present disclosure also includes a method for opening, closing, and moving a flexible pouch between one or more production stations.

Abstract: A machine and a method for forming a two-compartment pouch having a lower compartment and an upper compartment The method includes the steps of drawing a film over a pair of fill tubes; sealing side edges of the film to form a sleeve; forming a bottom seal on the sleeve; pulling the sleeve downwardly; filling a bottom portion of the pouch using one of the fill tubes; forming a second seal over the filled bottom portion; filling an upper portion of the pouch using the other fill tube; and sealing the upper portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container having consumer friendly sides. The container has a front panel and a back panel, each having an exterior surface. A side sealed portion of the container is folded over and secured to the exterior surface of container. The side sealed portion having at least one angled portion. Securing the side sealed portion to the exterior surface of the container forms a smooth side with the portion of the container that is folded over, or flexed, to allow the side sealed portion to be secured to the front or back panel. A method for forming the container assembly, and a machine for manufacturing the container assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible pouch with a tube spout fitment and removable cap. The flexible pouch has a panel with an aperture and a tube spout fitment that extends through the aperture. The tube spout fitment has a first circumferential ridge with a first diameter and a second circumferential ridge with a second diameter. Also, the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. A dispensing cap is attached to the tube spout fitment. The dispensing cap has a first temporary snap position fitting over the first circumferential ridge of the tube spout fitment and a second permanent snap position fitting over the second circumferential ridge. In this manner, the dispensing cap can be temporarily attached to the pouch during storage, shipping and the like, removed prior to filling the flexible pouch with product, and then permanently attached after the pouch has been filled with product.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously separating a portion of a continuous web of film, having a leading edge and a plurality of spaced apart side seals, includes a base, a plurality of blade pairs, and a film guide device. The blade pairs are moveable between an open and closed positions and are mounted to the base and spaced apart a distance corresponding to the side seals in the film. The film guide device includes a guide member that releasable attaches to a portion of the film adjacent the leading edge. The guide members suspends the film between the plurality of blade pairs in the open position to align the plurality of seals on the film with the plurality of spaced apart blade pairs to accurate separate the film into a plurality of pouches upon movement of the blade pairs to the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging patties or other similarly shaped items into a flexible pouch. The method comprising the steps of stacking a plurality of patties by a stacker, the patties stacked on top of one another, lowering the plurality of patties into a flexible pouch, vacuuming the air out of the flexible pouch to seal the pouch, the vacuum creating an air tight seal and forming a pair of frangible or solid seals in the pouch, the frangible seals positioned adjacent to the plurality of patties. The apparatus for packaging patties into a flexible pouch, the apparatus comprising a stacker, a patty holder, a vacuum is further positioned adjacent to the patty holder, the vacuum operable to remove the air from the flexible pouch. A frangible seal creator is also provided operable to create a frangible seal on the flexible pouch.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to machines for manufacturing a flexible pouch that sterilizes the flexible pouch material, seals the fitment within the pouch, and inspects the fitment installation. A sterilization chamber in the machine a box having an oxygen supplied entry compartment, a hydrogen peroxide supplied center compartment, and an oxygen supplied exit compartment. To a secure the fitment within the flexible pouch, a seal bar including a center cavity disposed between a pair of sideways L-shaped portions is used. After the fitment is installed into the flexible pouch, it is inspected with a digital photograph analysis apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible pouch and a method for making a flexible pouch is provided. The pouch includes a pouch body defined by a peripheral edge. A dividing seal is disposed between opposite ends of the flexible pouch so as to define two pouch spaces. The pouch includes two fitments are mounted to a respective pouch space. One of the fitments is configured to support the pouch body in an upright manner. A method for making said flexible includes forming a flexible pouch having an open top. A dividing seal extends from the open top to the bottom of the pouch so as to define two pouch openings and two pouch spaces. Substances are introduced into the pouch spaces by a first nozzle and a second nozzle inserted into a respective first space and second space and filling the pouch body through the first and second nozzle.

Abstract: A flexible funnel positioned at a filling station of a fill machine. The flexible funnel directs a product dispensed at the filling station of the filling machine into a pouch. The flexible funnel having a rigid upper portion and a plurality of fingers. The rigid upper portion includes an open top end and an open bottom end. Each of the plurality of elongated fingers hingedly connected to the upper portion. The rigid upper portion has a regular polygon shape having a plurality of sides, and each of the plurality of fingers is individually articulatable with respect to one of the plurality of sides of the upper rigid portion.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for packaging a product therein having a pouch panel formed of a material having a layer of polyethylene terephthalate, a layer of aluminum, a layer of nylon, and a layer of polyethylene. The layer of polyethylene terephthalate has a thickness of 12 to 15 microns, the layer aluminum has a thickness of 7 to 9 microns, the layer of nylon has a thickness of 12 to 18 microns, and the layer of polyethylene has a thickness of 70-200 microns.