Abstract: A holder with an integral gripper for transporting a flexible pouch during manufacturing is provided that includes a base plate, and a pair of opposed support members pivotally attached to the base plate. Each support member includes an upper leg member having a gripping means and a lower leg member. A moveable plate is parallel to and spaced apart from the base member by a spring member, and the moveable plate supports an outer end of the lower leg of the support member, so that walls of a flexible pouch are held in tension when the flexible pouch is supported by the gripping means. The walls of the flexible pouch are separated when the support members are pivoted inwardly.

Abstract: A method of forming, filling, and sealing a flexible pouch with a guide pocket includes the steps of forming the pouch, and forming a first crease and second crease in the pouch that each projects outwardly and extends longitudinally from the upper edge, tapering in the direction of the lower edge. The method further includes the steps of opening and filling the pouch with the product and closing the pouch by sealing the upper edge transversely through the guide pocket, such that the first and second crease is eliminated as the upper edge is sealed.

Abstract: A stand-up flexible pouch for packaging a product and a method of forming and filling the pouch is provided. The pouch includes a panel forming a body of the pouch using a flexible material having an inner surface and an outer surface. A rib is integrally formed in the pouch body, and the rib is spaced a predetermined distance from an edge of the pouch body. The pouch also includes opening means integral with the panel for accessing a product contained within the pouch. The method of forming the pouch thermoforms a rib in each panel of material across multiple lanes of a high speed machine.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for packaging a product having a hanging aperture for receiving a fastener and a method of forming is provided. The flexible pouch includes a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a side edge. The edges are sealed, and a hanging aperture for receiving a fastener is formed in the sealed edge. The pouch also includes an opening means disposed in the panel for accessing the product. The method includes the steps of forming a body of the pouch from a roll of laminate material, and sealing the lower edge, side edge, applying an opening means to the panel, closing the pouch and forming the hanging aperture.

Abstract: A tamper-evident outer cap for a tube spout fitment with push-pull cap for a flexible pouch is provided. The tube spout fitment is sealed to the pouch body, and includes a base portion having a seal-engaging surface disposed within the pouch body and a centrally located passageway. An internal tubular spout projects upwardly from the base portion and has a centrally located passageway. A push-pull cap is slidably retained on the internal tube spout, and is a generally cylindrical member having an outer wall, an inner wall parallel to the outer wall, and an upper wall having a central opening formed therein interconnecting the outer wall to the inner wall. A tamper-evident outer cap is disposed over the push-pull cap, and includes an openable portion, a collar portion permanently retained on the tube spout fitment, and a first connecting member interconnecting the openable portion and the collar portion.

Abstract: A package for a product having a multi-purpose valve includes a valve having a tubular body that defines a recess between open and closed ends, and the closed end includes an aperture for venting a pressurized gases therethrough. A retaining member operative for snap-fit engagement with the tubular body is spaced from the closed end of the tubular body. A breathable membrane element is positioned between the tubular body closed end tubular body and the retaining member. The breathable membrane element is positioned adjacent the closed end for respiring a gas from the product through the membrane to maintain a predetermined a concentration of oxygen and a predetermined concentration of carbon dioxide within the package. The membrane element is displaceable from the closed end to allow pressurized gases to pass through the closed end aperture during heating of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus, machine and method for continuous unloading and loading of an object includes an unloading station with in-feed device, frame and transport device disposed thereon that moves an object between a unload end and a load end of the in-feed device. A robotic transfer means is positioned at the unload end of the in-feed device. The robotic transfer device includes a base portion, an arm attached to the base portion and a gripping member located on a distal end of the arm. An object storage device is positioned adjacent the unload end of the in-feed device for holding a plurality of objects arranged in a predetermined manner. The robotic transfer device operatively unloads the object from the storage device and places the object on the unload end of the transport device, which transport the object to the load end of the in-feed device for loading onto another device.

Abstract: An apparatus, machine and method for opening a flexible pouch includes a pair of opposed side grippers each holding a side of the pouch. A pair of opposed panel grippers each hold an upper edge of the pouch. The side grippers are displaced inwardly towards each other and the panel grippers are displaced outwardly away from each other to partially open the pouch. A pair of pouch opening fingers are displaceable between a raised position above the pouch and a lowered position within the pouch. The pouch opening fingers are open in the raised position and closed after lowered into the lowered position, to grip the wall of the pouch. The pair of pouch opening fingers move together a predetermined distance in an outboard direction to fully separate the pouch walls.

Abstract: A high speed, flexible pouch form-fill-seal machine includes a form line having a plurality of pouch forming stations that conducts an operation to form a body of the pouch. An intermittent transport means transports the laminate material between each of the pouch forming stations, and stops at each station so that the corresponding pouch forming operation can be performed. The machine includes a fill-seal line having a plurality of pouch fill-seal stations arranged sequentially along the fill-seal line that conducts an operation to open, fill and seal the flexible pouch. A continuous transport means transfers the pouch between the plurality of pouch fill-seal stations, and the continuous transport means moves continuously between the each of the pouch fill-seal stations so that the corresponding pouch fill-seal operation can be performed. A transfer means transfers the formed flexible pouch from the fill line to the fill-seal line.

Abstract: A flexible package for storing and heating a precooked food product in a microwave oven includes an upper portion and a lower portion detachably connected to the upper portion. The lower portion includes a side defining a cavity adapted to hold the food product during heating and to serve the food product after the upper portion is removed. A vent is disposed in an aperture in the upper portion that operatively opens to release steam, and the vent is a valve that is initially closed and opens when a pressure within the package is greater than a predetermined valve opening pressure and stays open during heating in the microwave oven in order to completely exhaust the pressure formed in the package during heating.

Abstract: A holder with an integral gripper for transporting a flexible pouch during manufacturing is provided that includes a base plate, and a pair of opposed support members pivotally attached to the base plate. Each support member includes an upper leg member having a gripping means and a lower leg member. A moveable plate is parallel to and spaced apart from the base member by a spring member, and the moveable plate supports an outer end of the lower leg of the support member, so that walls of a flexible pouch are held in tension when the flexible pouch is supported by the gripping means. The walls of the flexible pouch are separated when the support members are pivoted inwardly.

Abstract: A package with integral tracking device and method of forming includes a panel having an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and two side edges that form a flexible pouch. A tracking device is disposed within an air pocket formed in a seal. An opening means is integrally formed in the panel for accessing a product contained within the pouch. In another embodiment, the package is a container having a base wall and a side wall extending upwardly from an edge of the base wall. A cover removable encloses the container, and a valve is disposed in the cover for venting a gas from the container. The tracking device is disposed within an enclosed air pocket integrally formed in a base wall or a side wall of the container.

Abstract: An improved flexible pouch, apparatus and methodology for a pouch having an upper edge, a lower edge, and side edges extending therebetween. The side seal is 4-6±1 mm wide. The apparatus and method includes the steps of unrolling the material along a horizontal orientation, and turning the sheet of material to have a vertical orientation. The method also checks the alignment of the sheet of material, and adjusts the alignment relative to a vertical axis, to align the outer edges of the sheet of material. The method cuts the roll width of material into sections, and positions the aligned sections together to form the body of the pouch. The method forms side seams by sealing along the side edges of each pouch. The method also separates the individual pouches from the roll width of material, and removes the pouches from the machine.