Abstract: A form, fill and seal packaging machine having at least one multi-channel former therein for forming a pair of streams of three side sealed pouches. The at least one multi-channel former includes a shaped top and an open central forming area in which a strip of material brought to the former by a drive means from a roller is bent over and is then folded into a unique figure 8 or infinity sign, tubular configuration as it exits from the bottom. The unique configuration is then side sealed and cut into two tubular elements, which are then bottom sealed, filled, top sealed and cut-off in the machine to form two separate streams of three side sealed pouches. The machine may have a number of separate forming areas therein and the unique tubular configuration from which the pouches are formed is provided by the unique shaped top, open central and exit configurations of the formers, over and through, which the strip of material is bent and folded.