Abstract: A sealing assembly is employed to clamp together layers of a layered web, such as two layers of flexible laminate plastic film, and to bond and cut the layers by applying heat and pressure. The sealing assembly may include a pair of jaws, one of which has a sealing head with a conductive knife protruding from a tapered dielectric supporting base. The knife has a high thermal conductivity relative to the supporting base. A current supplied through the knife heats it and the heat of the knife raises the temperature of the supporting base to a baseline temperature. When the head abuts the layered web, a spike current through the knife raises its temperature momentarily to melt through, and therefore sever, the web.

Abstract: A clamp may have an outer base member with an inner ramp surface and an inner clamping member with an outer ramp surface abutting the inner ramp surface of the base member. The inner clamping member may have an inner clamping surface for engaging an element to be clamped, such as a film. The inner and outer ramp surfaces are configured such that, with said clamping member backstopped, compression of the base member toward the film forces the clamping member to slide along said inner ramp surface of the base member. The result is that the film is tugged by the clamp. This tugging force may be used to stretch the film.

Abstract: A sealing assembly is employed to clamp together layers of a layered web, such as two layers of flexible laminate plastic film, and to bond and cut the layers by applying heat and pressure. The sealing assembly may include a pair of jaws, one of which has a sealing head with a conductive knife protruding from a tapered dielectric supporting base. The knife has a high thermal conductivity relative to the supporting base. A current supplied through the knife heats it and the heat of the knife raises the temperature of the supporting base to a baseline temperature. When the head abuts the layered web, a spike current through the knife raises its temperature momentarily to melt through, and therefore sever, the web.

Abstract: A heat sealing and cutting mechanism to form a heat seal and a cut across a tube of flexible packaging material includes a carrier to contact the tube. A pair of closely spaced heat sealing bands are disposed on the carrier and are energizable to form closely spaced heat seals across the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube. The heat sealing bands are configured to define temperature gradients along the heat sealing bands. A cutting wire is also disposed on the carrier and is positioned between the heat sealing bands. The cutting wire is energizable to cut the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube.

Abstract: A flexible pouch, filled with a flowable product has a front pouch wall joined to a rear pouch wall along opposite side edges and along a bottom edge. The front pouch wall, when flat, has a first width at a first level above the bottom edge and concave or oblique opposite sides between the first level and the bottom edge so that a width of the front pouch wall progressively decreases below the first level, at least down to a second level. In consequence, when the pouch is set down with the bottom edge on a flat surface, the sides between the first level and the bottom edge collapse to provide a stable basal platform for the pouch.

Abstract: A heat sealing station for forming closely spaced heat seals across a tube of flexible packaging material includes a set of jaws moveable between an open position where the tube is free and a closed a position where the tube is trapped between the jaws. An electrically insulating backing is carried by a first jaw of the set. A pair of closely spaced, curved resistive heat sealing bands are vulcanized onto the backing. The heat sealing bands are energizable to form closely spaced heat seals across the tube when the first jaw is moved towards the tube to bring the backing into contact with the tube and when the heat sealing bands are energized. A backing is also provided on a second jaw of the set that corresponds in shape to the electrically insulating backing.

Abstract: A heat sealing and cutting mechanism to form a heat seal and a cut across a tube of flexible packaging material includes a carrier to contact the tube. A pair of closely spaced heat sealing bands are disposed on the carrier and are energizable to form closely spaced heat seals across the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube. The heat sealing bands are configured to define temperature gradients along the heat sealing bands. A cutting wire is also disposed on the carrier and is positioned between the heat sealing bands. The cutting wire is energizable to cut the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of containers from a tube of flexible packaging material includes transversely severing the tube into a plurality of individual containers, each having a main body with two opposed pointed lower corners, pinching each pointed lower corner to collapse the corner into a flattened triangular shape while adding heat to the same in order to well the corner together in the flattened condition, and bending each flattened corner to lie under its respective main body, while the flattened corner still retains heat.

Abstract: A container forming apparatus to form fluid filled containers from a tube of flexible packaging material includes a fluid delivery conduit to deliver fluid into the tube. A heat sealing mechanism receives the tube and forms spaced seals across the tube between which fluid is located. The seals are formed in a downstream to upstream succession and are non-orthogonal with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tube. Hydraulic equalization supports associated with the heat sealing mechanism support the tube indirections generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis adjacent the seals as the seal is formed.

Abstract: A container for fluids or liquids is formed of flexible material such as plastic and includes a body having an internal reservoir and a tubular spout extending upwardly from the body. The spout has an internal passage in fluid communication with the body. A constriction in the container creates a low pressure zone in the passage downstream of the constriction as liquid flows along the internal passage. Means are also provided to inflate the spout as fluid flows along the internal passage. A method of forming fluid-filled containers from a tube of flexible material and a method of forming a self-supporting fluid-filled container are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for liquids such as beverages and the like is formed of flexible material such as plastic and includes a body having an internal reservoir and a tubular spout extending upwardly from the body. The spout has an internal passage in fluid communication with the reservoir. A constriction in the container creates a low pressure zone in the passage downstream of the constriction as liquid flows from the reservoir into the spout. Means are also provided to inflate the spout as liquid flows along the passage. A method of forming a self-supporting liquid filled container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container for liquids such as beverages and the like is formed of flexible material such as plastic and includes a body having an internal reservoir and a tubular spout extending upwardly from the body. The spout has an internal passage in fluid communication with the reservoir. A constriction in the container creates a low pressure zone in the passage downstream of the constriction as liquid flows from the reservoir into the spout. Means are also provided to inflate the spout as liquid flows along the passage. A method of forming a self-supporting liquid filled container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single, unitary piece of plastic folded and bonded together to form a container, including a spout extending upwardly from the shoulder and forming an integral straw, and an opening in the spout to provide access to the container.