Abstract: A method of forming a flexible pouch which includes a sealed product-containing pocket, and which pouch also incorporate integral collar-forming structure adapted to enable the pouch to be suspended from an object, such as a bottle neck or the like. More particularly, the invention provides for a method of continuously forming a sequence of pouches, wherein the pouches are produced through successive process steps from two superimposed flexible sheet material webs having pocket-forming seals and collar structure formed therein. Additionally, there are provided flexible pouches incorporating sealed product-containing pockets and integral collar-forming structure through the inventive method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of tensioning a web packaging material in a form-fill-seal packaging apparatus wherein the web is pulled from a supply roll through web feeding rolls, guided over means for forming it into tubing and fed toward means for feeding the tubing forward, and wherein articles to be packaged are provided in the tubing and sealing operations are performed on the tubing to seal it to form packages. The invention method is characterized in that the web feeding rolls and the tubing feeding means are concurrently started, and when the web feeding rolls and the tubing feeding means are stopped to form a seal on the tubing, the tubing feeding means is stopped slightly later than the web feeding rolls so that the web forward by the web feeding rolls is taken up and pulled toward the tubing feeding means under tension.

Abstract: A plastic bag is formed, filled, sealed and separated from a continuous web of longitudinally folded plastic material. The web passes downwardly between complementary L-shaped heat sealing jaws that reciprocate and cooperate to provide seams which form a pocket that is closed after it has been filled from above and indexed downwardly. The top seam of one pocket is formed simultaneously with the bottom seam of an adjacent pocket and a weakened line of juncture is provided therebetween. Grippers carried on the heat sealing jaws engage opposite sides of the plastic web above the location of the top seam of the filled pocket and cooperate with a separator that tensions the web along the weakened line to rupture the filled pocket from the web while the web is still in a thermally weakened condition.

Abstract: A composite co-laminated piezoelectric transducer with at least one layer of polymeric substance capable of acquiring piezoelectric properties when co-laminated in the presence of an electrical field, the layer being adjacent to a conductive material acting as an electrode. According to the invention the conductive material is a polymeric substance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing and filling sterilized bags includes the steps of: feeding a film material from which the bags are formed from at least one reel; printing information on the film; cleaning the film in two stages which includes ultrasonic vibration and washing with water; drying the film; sterilizing it with ultraviolet rays; applying valves to the film; welding, punching and printing the film to generate a large bag; filling the large bag with liquid and inert gas; applying a second welding orthogonal to the first welding direction to divide the larger bag into a plurality of final bag having a predetermined size; cutting the film into the individual bags and testing the integrity of each bag; and vacuum packaging the bags and/or megablistering it.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for helical screw controlled-quantity extrusion of powdered material, such as, for example, moisture-absorbent super fine powders, with automatic filling of hot-melt laminated pouches, at least partially porous, as for use in diaper or other similar applications, and while obviating hazardous release of the powder.

Abstract: In a machine for manufacturing packing containers by sealing and cutting a tubular packing material, a sealing unit positioned in the tube comprising a sealing guide, a sealing holder movably supported by the sealing guide, a sealing member of flexible material on the periphery of the sealing holder which contacts the inside of the material tube and passages in the sealing guide and sealing holder for conveying pressurized air therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in form, fill, and seal machines wherein a polyfoil material is compressed between two jaws, one jaw having a secondary induction coil which passes through an electromagnetic field and induces a current in the metallic layer of the polyfoil, to heat and then seal the polyfoil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating the transverse seals in a form, fill and seal packaging machine is provided. The apparatus includes a heating member that heats a portion of the web of film to create the transverse seals, and a cooling member that cools the heated portion of the web of film and the heating member. The heating member includes a hot bar, a heater for heating the hot bar, and a biasing member that disengages the hot bar from the heater before the hot bar contacts the web of film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming plastic bags with zipper profile thereon, in situ, on a form and fill machine. Plastic film sheeting containing profiles is moved over a forming collar disposed about the filling spout of the machine. A major portion of the film is formed into a tube about the spout while a minor portion of the film, including the profiles, is directed away from the spout. After the tube is formed and filled, the major and minor portions are brought into alignment and transverse seams are formed on opposite sides of the product to form the bag.

Abstract: A flexible bag is formed to receive a product therein in fluid tight condition and in such bag it is customary to open the bag at one end when the contents are to be retrieved to the external surface of the bag during manufacture and then it is desired to reseal the bag after it has been opened, the bag is folded a plurality of times in the direction of the seal strip and the external surface of the bag is applied to an exposed adhesive on the seal strip and thereby the bag is resealed for storage of the contents.

Abstract: The manufacture of non-returnable packages is frequently carried out by the conversion of web-shaped, laminated packing material to a tube, filling of the tube with milk, and sealing and forming the filled packing containers to the desired shape. During the forming, which is done by external forming devices, the contents are used as a mandrel or a holder-up for the forming device, so that the desired shape can be achieved without creasing or other deformations. The above-mentioned forming principle works less well if the packing containers are not completely filled, but have a certain air space or headspace. The proportioning of the contents also becomes uncertain and the desired accuracy of volume cannot always be achieved. These difficulties are overcome by the invention wherein a sealed off part of the packing material tube is pressurized with the help of gas during the forming process, so that the internal back pressure required during the forming is obtained, independently of the quantity of contents.

Abstract: In the manufacture of packing containers of the type containing a liquid product with a certain portion of "solid" particles (e.g. soup with pieces of fruit) it is difficult to fill the packing containers in such a manner that the desired proportions of liquid and solid contents are safeguarded. This is the case in particular in modern, fast working packing machines, since the filling time is short and a rapid filling, moreover, increases the risk of contents ending up in undesirable places and rendering difficult the sealing of the packing container. In accordance with the invention which relates to a method as well as to an arrangement for the manufacture of packing containers, this is solved by feeding the solid and liquid parts separately via two filling pipes, the feeding of the liquid contents being ended only after the feeding of solid particles has been ended.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing consecutive packages for drinking straws or the like in bands of straws. The drinking straws are extracted directly from a funnel-shaped vessel by a suction roller having straw-receiving grooves distributed uniformly over the periphery and which are connected to a vacuum source. The straws are transferred individually and at a fixed rate from the suction roller to a conveyor roller, over which one of the packaging foils is guided, the transfer being carried out by means of at least one transfer finger movable to and fro transversely to the path of movement of the straws. The transfer finger presses the straws, together with an underlying packaging foil, into receiving grooves in the conveyor roller. Contacting the conveyor roller is a mating roller, over which an outer packaging foil is guided and which serves at the same time as a sealing roller. The straws are sealed in between the two foils in the roller gap between the conveyor roller and the mating roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a web of film with attached fitments into a tubular shape. The apparatus including a plate member including a cut-out portion and an oblong member. The plate member and oblong member defining a channel and cooperating to fold a web of film with attached fitments into a substantially tubular shape.

Abstract: A packing machine for making filled and sealed bags from superposed wrapper sheets, has a pair of cooperating sealing rollers for providing longitudinal seams on the superposed wrapper sheets passed therebetween; a mechanism for rotating unidirectionally the sealing rollers in first and second consecutive steps for providing the longitudinal seams in two consecutive length portions, each corresponding to one-half of the predetermined length; a pair of cooperating sealing shoes movable towards and away from one another for assuming, respectively, a sealing position to provide a transverse seam on the superposed wrapper sheets and an idling position; and a mechanism for moving the sealing shoes, while in the sealing position, codirectionally with the travelling direction of the wrapper sheets during a period in which one of the two steps is performed and for moving the sealing shoes, while in the idling position, against the travelling direction during a period in which the other of the two steps is performed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming seal in a packaging material through containing a plastic combestible such as process cheese, utilizing sealing element having a plurality of small channels in the surface thereof having a directional component laterally of the longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the packaging of bulk materials composed of elongated pieces. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in the packaging of food materials such as french fries, carrots, celery hearts, and the like. The method includes the steps of weighing and apportioning the material, separating the material into individual pieces, causing free-fall of the pieces resulting in substantial alignment and guiding the pieces into a fill tube for packaging. Apparatus for packaging includes apportioning buckets, a transition chute with a stream-out member, a fill tube, and a packager. A bag catcher for settling the product within the package may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the processing of a material web to convert the same to individual packing containers filled with contents. Flexible packing containers for milk or other beverages are manufactured from tubular material which is filled with contents, formed and divided to packing containers with the help of alternately working forming and sealing jaws which are given a reciprocating movement in the longitudinal direction of the tube and in the transverse direction of the tube. In accordance with the invention the jaws are guided and driven by guiding and driving rods which run parallel with the material tube and to which different reciprocating movements are imparted.

Abstract: A dispensing package, assembly and method for protectively transporting, storing and dispensing stacked nested food items subject to moisture deterioration, contamination and/or staling such as ice cream cones, cups and the like. The dispensing package is composed of a stack of nested items enclosed within an elongate packaging container formed of a relatively stiff but compliant laminate material (at least one paper layer and plastic layer) which is joined and sealed along one side to form a stiff but easily tearable integral elongate ridge member extending the length and projecting out from the package. The dispensing assembly includes the package in combination with an elongate cylindrical open-ended container wherein the extending elongate ridge of the package is received in such fashion as to maintain the package in dispensing position.

Abstract: An improved method for the automatic packing of articles in which bag sections are successively made of tubular plastics bag material which is intermittently conveyed. Goods are charged into a bag section formed at the leading end of the bag material. Thereafter the goods-charged bag section is heat-sealed at an opening portion thereof and separated from a subsequent bag section of the bag material. In accordance with the invention, before charging the bag section with goods, a piece of reinforcing sheet is inserted in and secured to the foremost bag section to form a reinforced handle portion having an opening for suspension of the finished bag.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for bulk material is disclosed having a former transforming packaging film into a tube, interdigitating means engaging and advancing the film over the former, delivery means for providing a charge of material or product to the package at the bottom of the tube and sealing and cutting jaws to complete the package. The interdigitating means for feeding the new length of material includes idler rollers mounted on support arms. The rollers engage the sides of the tube, flatten the tube and upon continued movement form an elongated zig-zag path to provide the next package length. Before feeding the film F, stripping action can be initiated by initial film feed movement. An upstream brake is engaged to hold the film during the stripping action and released during the film feeding action. Springs on the upper and lower rollers assure alignment of the film and prevent over stressing of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular casing of fiber-reinforced regenerated cellulose comprising a film web which is curved to form a tube. The edge regions of the film web, which run parallel to the longitudinal axis, abut or overlap slightly and are sealed by means of a film strip which covers both the edge regions. The film web and the film strip composed of the same material have, in the wet remoistened stage, a breaking strength of about 15 to 30 N/mm.sup.2 and an elongation at break of about 30 to 50% in the longitudinal direction of the web, and a breaking strength of about 15 to 35 N/mm.sup.2 and an elongation at break of about 30 to 50% in the transverse direction of the web. The breaking strength in the transverse direction of the web is equal to or greater than that in the longitudinal direction of the web. On its entire surface facing the film strip, the tubular casing has a substantially gas-impermeable and sealable layer, as has the film strip on the surface which comes into contact with the tubular casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a fin-type back seal on packages produced in a vertical form and fill machine utilizes a web having cohesive coating stripes on the edges thereof which are juxtapositioned by forming and then guided to a cold sealing zone. A cold seal assembly with a pressure-biased grooved roller and complementary platen apply rolling pressure to the cohesively striped area without the application of external heat to provide a good seal. The unit is adjustable universally so as provided adaptation to various styles and types of existing machines.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for controlling a bag forming, filling and sealing machine by monitoring the machine cycle and controlling the jaw closure mechanism based on a previously determined jaw closed point. If the jaw closed indication is received prior to the previous value plus offset, the sealing cycle continues normally and all functions interlocked to jaw closed position such as knife, impulse, etc. are allowed to function normally. If the jaw closed signal is not received prior to the previous value plus offset the jaw close function is inhibited signifying a jam condition and the interlocked functions such as knife, impulse, etc. are inhibited. This function is independent of any external adjustment and serves as a safety device in all modes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags from a continuous supply of bagging material, the apparatus including a pair of sealing jaws transversely movable toward each other to engage the bagging material to form a transverse seal providing the top closure for a filled bag and the bottom closure for a succeeding bag. The improvement includes stretch assemblies attached to the sealing jaws and engageable with the bagging material at opposite edges thereof to provide opposing forces in directions perpendicular to the movement of the sealing jaws to flatten the bag and remove any wrinkles therefrom prior to sealing of the bags by the sealing jaws.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages in which flexible packaging material is formed into tubing, the tubing is fed downwardly and transversely heat sealed at package length intervals by closing a pair of sealing members, a quantity of the product with which the packages are to be filled is delivered into the lower end of the tubing to provide a fill for each package, the tubing is pinched closed, after the delivery of each fill, above the level of the next seal to be made, the pinch is maintained as the sealing members are opened, following the formation of each seal, to keep product for the next fill from dropping down on the seal, and air is blown on the seal to cool it while the pinch is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved vertical form, fill and seal apparatus which is adapted to individually package relatively large and heavy articles such as, for example, grapefruits, melons, oranges and the like. The apparatus comprises a tube forming mandrel having an upper article entrance orifice, an interior and a lower article discharge orifice. The interior of the mandrel is adapted to contain a group of articles in substantially vertically successive alignment. The mandrel is adapted to progressively form a sheet of flexible plastic film into a vertically depending upwardly open tube having overlapping longitudinal edges which are sealed together. Upon formation of the tube the discharge orifice communicatively connects the interior of the mandrel to the interior of the tube. The form, fill and seal apparatus also comprises article indexing means adapted to selectively retainingly engage and release the lowermost article contained within said mandrel.

Abstract: A tube former for turning a strip of thin tube stock, e.g. plastic film, paper, metal foil etc., into a elongated tube comprises a former tube having a curved upper edge tapering from an apex downwardly on opposite sides thereof with a sheet metal winged member is secured along the curved upper edge and extending outward at an acute angle relative to the side of the tube. The winged guide has the wings ending in overlapping relation at one side of the tube and spaced apart so that a strip of thin tube stock drawn over the wings through the former tube is formed into an elongated tube with overlapping edges at the sides of the tube and may be flattened and seamed to produce a longitudinal seam along the side of the flattened tube. The tube former is used with a conventional tube forming apparatus where thin tube stock is fed from rolls over the former.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous rotary ultrasonic sealing of form and fill machines to produce packages utilizes a rotary anvil and cutter knife and an ultrasonic horn having adjustable simulated rotary motion movable in synchronism with the anvil for providing an end seal on packages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and sealing bags in a continuous or intermittent manner where the bags can be filled during the forming operation. Specifically, there is disclosed an apparatus for supplying a sheet or film of bag material to a mechanism for forming the sheet into a tube having overlapping edges in a longitudinal direction. A series of plates are arranged in the forming apparatus for applying adhesive in spaced lines or strips on opposed surfaces of the overlapping edges. After the adhesive is applied in this manner the opposed surfaces of the overlapped edges are pressed together to seal the edges. The tube is sealed in a transverse direction at the bottom, filled in a conventional manner, sealed in a transverse direction at the top, and then cut to form the bag filled with food or other material, ready for distribution and sale.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated articles such as french fried potato strips are aligned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel and packaged in such aligned condition by the apparatus and method of the invention. The articles are prealigned by a vibrating conveyor having longitudinal partitions dividing it into four tracks, so that the longitudinal axes of such articles are substantially parallel to their direction of travel which forms acute angle of about 45.degree. with the front wall of an alignment container into which the articles are fed. The alignment container is vibrated at a different frequency than the vibrating conveyor in order to settle and to further align the elongated articles with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the front wall of such container.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine packages products in a thermoplastic material which is formed into a tube and sealed with a measured amount of the product within. The transverse seals in the tube are formed in a cyclic operation by a pair of cooperating sealing heads. The heads clamp the tube walls together above and below a line of severance between two sequentially formed packages and weld the tube walls together along transverse sealing areas at each side of the line of severance. To heat the material to a fusing temperature, the one sealing head has a chamber from which hot gas is directed onto one side of a sealing area, and the other sealing head has an electrical heater for applying a thermal impulse of heat to the other side of the sealing area. The hot gas presses the thermoplastic material against the electrical heater and provides a "free form" clamp for uniform sealing pressure.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine in which a predetermined length of web or film is pulled downwardly past a tube forming collar by endless belts located downstream of the collar. A power-rotated feed roll is located upstream of the collar and pulls film from a supply roll for delivery to the collar, the feed roll being driven at a higher surface speed than the pull down belts. To match the supply of the feed roll with the demand of the belts, means sense the tension in the film at a location between the feed roll and the forming collar and cause the feed roll to slip relative to the film as an inverse function of that tension.

Abstract: The invention provides a container preferably made from sheet plastics comprising a bag containing a tubular valve member, the bag being sealed with a seam at each end, the top seal having an opening therein for entry of an access tube into the valve member, and the valve member having a sealing seam which facilitates piercing of the access tube through the valve member into the bag. A second bag may be provided within the first bag.The invention includes a machine for making the containers continuously from sheets of material.

Abstract: A parallelepipedic packing container of the type which is provided with a sealing fin which extends over the upper end wall of the packing container as well as over triangular, double-walled lugs adjoining this end wall. The sealing fin comprises a narrow sealing zone on the outer edge of the fin and a tearing perforation on the base line of the fin, the tearing perforation extending from the tip of one triangular lug to a point on the end wall of the packing container. The sealing fin is unsealed in the area between the narrow sealing zone and the tearing perforation, and moreover a corresponding sealing fin arranged at the base of the packing container is appreciably narrower than the sealing fin wherein the tearing perforation is arranged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed herein for detecting possibly defectively-sealed bags and for preventing said bags from being filled. A sensor is provided to develop a first signal upon detection of a defect in a line of adhesive on flexible bag-forming material moving past the sensor. The first signal is used to generate an output signal at a time corresponding to the time when the defect-containing portion of the bag-forming material has moved from the sensor into position to be filled with product. Preferably, said filling position is located a plurality of bag lengths downstream from said sensor.

Abstract: A package forming and filling machine of the type which forms sheet material into a tube and the tube into individual packages incorporates a pair of magnetizable bars which are suspended within the tube during filling and are magnetically attracted outwardly during filling so as to maintain the tube open for the fill material. Associated driven belts engage external tube surfaces and are timed to operate in coordination with the tube sealing, stripping and severing mechanism.

Abstract: An infusion package that has a natural, expanded, unflattened or three-dimensional condition is folded to a flattened configuration to pack in quantity. The expanded condition gives greater internal volume by which infusion is improved and quickened. A pull string, affixed near the flattening folds, unfolds the package from its flattened configuration. To make the package, a tube can be formed into a generally tetrahedral shape by forming seams across it, each at 90.degree. to the preceding seam, severing the package so formed, and folding inward across one end seam to the tetrahedron to effect the flattening.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically filling bags, which have been automatically formed on a vertical-form-fill-seal machine, with a predetermined weight of particulate material, said apparatus comprising a feeder means including a weighing means for measuring the loss in total weight of the feeder means and its contents.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages in which flexible packaging material is formed into tubing, the tubing is fed downwardly and transversely sealed at package length intervals by a pair of sealing members, a quantity of the product with which the packages are to be filled is delivered into the tubing during an interval of time between successive sealing operations, a contraction is formed in the tubing, after each delivery of product, above the level of the next seal to be made, the contraction is transmitted down on the tubing between the sealing members from above to below said level, thereby to compact the product, and the next seal is then made.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous manufacture of packing containers comprising an outer rigid casing and an inner baglike container. The inner container is manufactured by arranging first seals in pairs at equal distances, substantially in transverse direction of the web, whereupon mandrels are introduced into the web which has been provided with seals. Opening devices are applied to the web with the help of the mandrels as backing. After the mandrels have been withdrawn the free edges of the web are sealed to one another and the contents are introduced into the tube formed. The tube is sealed in its transverse direction along narrow sealing regions to form filled and closed containers which are separated from one another and are introduced into a rigid casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet metal container adapted so that it can withstand an internal pressure. The container comprises two combined shell-shaped cavities, compression-moulded from the same web which cavities are brought together as the web is doubled along pre-impressed folding lines in two steps, namely a first step wherein the longitudinal edges of the web are joined together to form a tube of an elongated, substantially triangular cross-section, and a second step when the tube formed, after the contents have been introduced, is pressed flat and is sealed around the shell-shaped cavities. Finally the web is cut or punched around the hollow bodies formed by the shell-shaped portions to form a flange, closed in itself, which flange is folded down or beaded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided by which bag forming material is obtained by feeding sheet material (2) together with male and female closure elements (5, 6) to a nip between guide roller (3) and pressure rollers (9, 10) at which adhesive is applied from nozzles (11, 12). The resulting material assembly is fed by drive roller means (14, 15)to an accumulator (16) on a continuous basis and then intermittently over a forming shoulder (21) into a tubular form (22) while maintaining the closure elements (5, 6) at a predetermined distance apart before the forming shoulder (21) by means such as grooves (19) in guide roller (18) and locating the closure elements (5, 6) in predetermined positions facing each other downstream of the shaping shoulder by suitable means (23) which may include rotatable guide elements. The tubular form (22) is drawn through the apparatus by transverse reciprocating sealing bars (26) and a pilfer proof closure can be provided by vertical sealing bars (25).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of automatically forming packages of materials or goods such as milk packages from flexible film and to the novel packages produced thereby. The roll stock film is passed over a forming shoulder to give it a tubular shape and the opposite edges are joined by a sealing bar to form a tubular portion. The milk pouches or other material to be packaged are then dropped into the tubular portion which has previously been laterally sealed across the bottom. The weight of the pouches draws the film down between a pair of reciprocating cutting and sealing jaws when they are opened until the pouches come to rest upon a pivotal support member. The jaws are then closed to form two lateral seals, i.e. one for that package and one for the next package, and a lateral cut separates the packages. The package thus formed may also have an upper handle portion.

Abstract: Flexible packaging material suitable for making peelable form-fill-seal packages of the "pillow" type comprises a paper web which is coated with a normally non-tacky pressure- or heat-activatable adhesive and which is treated with a composition having release properties with respect to the adhesive, e.g. by means of a size press. The release composition is preferably a polysiloxane, an organo-chromium stearate complex, a ketene dimer or a paper fluoridizing agent.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and material for continuously forming and filling packages is disclosed. A web of packaging material is coated on one side with a hot melt adhesive while allowing a longitudinal strip adjacent to the edge of the web to remain uncoated. The web thus coated is drawn over a forming shoe which shapes the web into a tube whose interior surface is the coated side of the web, and in which the edges of the web overlap to form a seam such that the uncoated longitudinal strip is the inner overlapped edge. The longitudinal seam is sealed by the coaction of a heated shoe or collar located externally of the tube and a tonque positioned within the tube adjacent the uncoated longitudinal strip. The longitudinal seam is sealed continuously without the accumulation of hot melt adhesive on the tongue. After the longitudinal seam is sealed, the tube is sealed laterally at spaced portions by the coaction of a pair of heated dies.

Abstract: A composite strip for producing a sterile package comprises two superposed individual strips, the inner surfaces of which are sterile, and at least one of which comprises a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is such that after the separation of the two individual strips, the individual strip comprising thermoplastic material can be sealed to a part of itself or to the other strip by welding or glueing with the application of heat and pressure. A first part of one individual strip and another part of the same strip or of the other individual strip are joined at their edges in a sealed manner to form a hollow and sealed packing.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging method and apparatus in which a web of flexible packaging material is pulled from a supply and fed over a device for forming it into tubing, product to be packaged is provided in the tubing, and the tubing is sealed to form packages, and in which the web is pulled forward from the supply as one operation and the tubing is drawn forward and thereby taken up as an accompanying but separate operation with the take-up such that the web is pulled over the forming device under tension.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding sheet film material longitudinally from a roll and for forming and sealing the sheet into tubes comprising roller means for supporting a supply roll of film and for feeding the film, folding means at the edge of the film for folding an edge portion, forming means for forming the film into inner and outer tubes, bullet shaped shaping means for shaping the tubes and overlapping the sheet edges, and anvil and ultrasonic stylus means for engaging and fusing the overlapped sheet edges. The method includes feeding and shaping the sheet into tubes, overlapping the sheet edges, feeding the overlapped sheet edges between an anvil and an ultrasonically energized stylus and energizing the stylus to fuse and seal the sheet edges.