Abstract: An apparatus for forming film packaging from a webbing of film which also fills, seals and separates the packaging which includes a housing with a film supply means located adjacent the upstream end thereof to supply film webbing for support upon a longitudinally extending support bar mounted within the housing. The support carries the film webbing to a side sealing station and a side cutting station for forming the individual packages as well as a top slitting station for forming an opening in the uppermost portion of the webbing to facilitate bottom loading of product therein. The webbing is then transported to a loading station where the webbing is clamped by an upstream film clamping device and a downstream film clamping device and wherein the opening is made open by a first and second pouch opening clamping device oriented obliquely angularly with respect to the path of movement of the film webbing therealong.

Abstract: A machine for forming, filling and sealing pouches out of continuously fed film material wherein the material forming the pouches extends in a horizontal direction during all steps of the process. Continuous film is fed from a roll thereof with the roll being power driven to prevent stretching of the material as it passes through the various processing stations. The film material can be stamped for marking thereon and can include a header area which is sealed and may or may not have a card placed therein or thereon. The top of the individual pouches may include an aperture therethrough for display mounting or air evacuation. The film then travels to a side sealing device which extends laterally across the moving film for sealing between adjacent pouches. The pouches are loaded with product at a position where immediately thereafter the ends thereof are sealed. At all times the pouch extends in a horizontal position to prevent the weight of the product from interfering with the filling and sealing operations.