Abstract: A method of forming and filling the pouch includes the steps of forming each panel and joining two panels by sealing together the side edges and lower edge. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and filling the pouch with the product. The method further includes the steps of closing the filled pouch by forming a first closing seal extending along an upper edge of the pouch a predetermined length from the upper edge, such that there is no dead space inside the pouch between the product and the first closing seal, and forming a second seal between the first closing seal and the upper edge thereby trapping the product between the first closing seal and the second closing seal, and finishing the pouch.

Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container is provided. The container has a fitment. The fitment includes a spout having a collar. The collar includes a support surface for supporting the container in suspension. The machine includes a filling apparatus configured to fill the container with a product, a rail system, a loader, and a carrier. The carrier is configured to hold multiple containers. The carrier is generally elongated and has a pair of spaced apart flanges. The spaced apart flanges define a slot extending the length of the carrier. The slot is configured to slidingly receive the spout of the container and the support surface of the collar engages each of the pair of flanges so as to suspend the container within the carrier. The carrier may be placed into communication with the rail system so as to feed the containers to the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible pouch having a removable cap for use with the tube spout fitment and a method of filling the flexible pouch is provided. The removable cap is formed from a tube of pliable material, and has a first opening and a second opening. The first and second openings each have a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the first opening is configured to engage the outer surface of the tube spout fitment. The peripheral edge of the second opening is pressed onto itself and sealed so as to form a flattened edge. The method includes the steps mounting the removable cap onto the tube spout fitment. Filling the pouch, and sealing the second opening of the removable cap so as to form a flattened edge.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for packaging a product, such as a carbonated beverage, is provided that includes a front panel and a back panel each having an upper edge, a lower edge opposite the upper edge, and side edges extending therebetween the upper and lower edges. The pouch includes a first closing seal extending along an upper edge of the joined front and back panel formed a predetermined length from the open edge so that there is no dead space inside the pouch between the product and the first closing seal and a second closing seal outside the first closing seal, to form a pocket trapping some of the product between the first closing seal and the second closing seal. A method of forming and filling the pouch includes the steps of forming each panel and joining two panels by scaling together the side edges and lower edge. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and filling the pouch with the product.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart pouch that has a flexible pouch with a plurality of smart tags attached thereto. The plurality of smart tags can include one or more of the following: a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a chipless RFID tag, a time sensitive tag, a time-temperature sensitive tag, a package-has-been-opened tag, a cooking instructions tag, and the like. A signal provided by the plurality of smart tags to a reader can provide a plurality of information to the reader and the information can be related to the flexible pouch and any content, product, etc., that may be contained therewithin. In addition, at least one of the plurality of smart tags can be located within an air pocket.

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: An flexible pouch forming apparatus includes a transport means for transporting front and back panel films. A straw hole punch punches a straw hole with predetermined diameter in the front panel film. A seal material transport means unrolls a roll of seal material tape. A temporal hole punch punches a temporal hole in the seal material tape, and a guide means aligns the temporally punched section of seal material tape with the straw hole. A temporal heat sealing device temporally seals a periphery of the temporally punched section of seal tape material to the back side of the front panel film. An alignment station aligns the films to form the pouch body. A final heat seal means applies a final seal over the temporal heat seal at a lower temperature and pressure than the temporal heat seal. A seal means seals the edges, and a finishing station finishes the pouch.

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 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: 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 manufacturing a pouch with a straw hole is provided that includes the steps of feeding a front-side film forming one panel of the pouch and a back-side film forming an other panel, from a roll of material, and punching a straw hole in one panel of the pouch. The method also includes the steps of feeding a seal material tape with a plurality of temporally punched portions, and each temporal punched portion has a size slightly larger than that of the straw hole, to a rear side of the panel with the straw hole. The method further includes the steps of temporally sealing the temporally punched portion of the seal material tape over the straw hole by aligning one temporally punched portion of the seal material tape with the straw hole, separating the temporally punched portion from the seal material tape and temporally sealing the temporally punched portion to the one panel.

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: The present invention is an improved flexible tube package and a method for manufacturing the pouch. The package includes a panel having a wall with reinforcing tape that forms a tube. A fitment is sealed around the open edges of the tube. The fitment may be an end cap that includes an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, moisture, and/or oxygen, a flavor additive and/or a radio frequency identification label. The method includes the steps of forming a pouch by positioning a panel of material, and securing a reinforcing tape on the panel, and sealing the edges to form a tube. An end cap is preloaded into a base of a holder, the formed panel is loaded into the holder, and the base is sealed to an outer surface of the tube. The pouch is opened and filled. An upper end cap is sealed to the upper end of the tube over the reinforcing tape. The pouch is removed from the machine.

Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is an improved flexible pouch for a product and an improved apparatus and method for manufacturing the pouch. The flexible pouch, apparatus and methodology for a pouch includes an upper edge and side edges extending therefrom. The upper edge includes an elongated spout portion extending therefrom. The elongated spout portion can have shape representative of a bottle cap attached to a top of bottle throat. In addition, the elongated spout portion can have an opening element that affords for tearing off the bottle cap shaped portion and allow access to the product.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for containing a carbonated product, and having a curvilinear shaped lower edge and method of producing the same is provided. The pouch includes a pouch body having an upper edge, a curvilinear bottom edge, and a side edge extending between the upper edge and bottom edge. The curvilinear bottom edge includes a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge, to distribute a force from the product evenly across the curvilinear bottom seal. The method forming a pouch body from a panel of laminate material, and aligning the first side edge with the second side edge to form the front wall and back wall of the pouch body. The method includes forming a side seal and forming a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge of the pouch body.