Abstract: A horizontal type of packing machine with an adjustable pouch former, in which a guide screw having half left-handed threads and half right-handed threads is used for adjusting the width of the pouch former; a cylindrical gear is in mesh with two gears to drive a left and a right gear racks and to simultaneously adjust the height of two guide plates on both sides of the machine in order to adjust the height of the pouch former. According to the design of replaceable paper-guiding plates, a user can select the proper paper-guiding plates in accordance with the products and the packing paper for the purpose of increasing the function of the pouch former; the metal plate parts are used for forming a near quadric chain assembly by means of a rotary connector so as to have such parts moved and adjusted upon the adjustment of the pouch width.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packing machine and method for making recloseable bags having a safety seal exterior to a recloseable seal. The machine produces durable, substantially air-tight bags at high speed and provides for the production of different size bags and different amounts of product in the bags. The machine includes a film drive and pinch roll pair, a pair of film pull belts, and a pair of zipper drive rollers for pulling the plastic film and zipper strip through the machine. The production of different size bags is facilitated by having the film drive roll, pull belts, and zipper drive rollers simultaneously driven in bag length increments by a common drive source. Also, to accommodate the production of different size bags, the machine includes a vertically adjustable mark sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a snap zipper, a bag with a snap zipper, manufacture method and apparatus for a bag with a snap zipper, and bagging method and apparatus for a bag with a snap zipper. A hot-welded portion of the snap zipper comprising a male member and a female member is formed of ionomer resin or random copolymer resin of ethylene-acrylic acid. At least one tape with a pair of snap zipper half-members and a base film are supplied and passed through guide rollers for being placed one above the other, followed by hot-welding the tapes with snap zipper half-members and the base film to each other to form a film with a snap zipper. The film with a snap zipper is guided by a guide member such that the pair of snap zipper half-member are intermeshed to form a tubular film. The tubular film is sealed off with intervals of a predetermined distance perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction thereof.

Abstract: A tubular-bag packaging machine having at least one pair of cross-sealing jaws (25) which are supported on a holding device (15) movable vertically back and forth by means of a connecting rod (14) as well as horizontally through a four-bar mechanism comprising a crank disk (9) coupled with the connecting rod (14), and comprising side-fold-forming means (23, 24) which are supported on a guide element (18) movable transversely with respect to the direction of movement of a foil tube (41).

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine made up of two vertical packaging groups (1 and 2) set on the opposite sides (3 and 4) of a central structure (5) equipped with a horizontal bilateral station (6) that carries out the transversal sealing of both resulting packets (15 and 16). Compared with the utilization of two different packaging machines, this structure allows smaller overall dimensions, cheapness and an easier way of realization and use, even making two packets with different features simultaneously.

Abstract: A transverse sealer for a packaging machine has a pair of seal jaws for sealing a film after it is made into the shape of a bag by a former and the bag is filled with articles to be packaged. The pair of seal jaws are disposed on opposite sides of the path of the film and downstream to the former. A pair of rotary arms supporting these seal jaws is moved towards and away from each other such that the seal jaws move in straight trajectories along the path of the film and is so controlled that the compressive force between the seal jaws can be maintained at a specified level according to the thickness and material property of the film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for successively forming foam filled cushions for packaging purposes of the type in which a bag containing foam precursors is added to a container so that as the foam precursors form foam, the bag forms a custom cushion adjacent objects in the container. The method comprises attaching an adhesive strip to the longitudinal edges of a pair of sheets of plastic film material being advanced along predetermined paths of travel in face to face contact from a stock supply, and between which sheets a foamable composition is injected, to thereby join the sheets together and form one edge of the bag, while periodically sealing the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheets together transversely to the path of travel to form a bag while periodically severing a completed bag from the next succeeding bag being formed.

Abstract: A storage bag and a method and apparatus for forming such a storage bag. The storage bag contains a reclosure tie formed as an integral marginal portion of the bag beyond an edge of the bag. The marginal portion includes overlying layers of bag material that form an elongated structure along an axis with first and second ends. A fused closure is formed in the marginal portion parallel to the axis and over a portion of the marginal portion spaced from one end thereof. This structure defines a tail and open loop that wrap around an opened bag thereby to close the bag in a positive fashion.

Abstract: A horizontal sealer for a vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine has a pair of horizontally elongated heater assemblies which are supported such that they remain horizontal as they individually rotate around mutually parallel axes. The distance between these axes are varied as the heater assemblies rotate around them such that the heater assemblies have generally D-shaped trajectories as they horizontally seal a tubularly formed thermoplastic flexible film material to make a bag. Mechanisms are provided whereby the heating surfaces of the assemblies remain oriented in the same direction, the pressure applied to the film material can be controlled and the bag can be squeezed before the horizontal sealing such that articles being packaged will settle inside the bag. A similarly structured vertical sealer may be provided to a horizontal pillow type packaging machine.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine, for converting a continuous sheet of sealable film into bags, filling and then sealing the bags, in which the vertical forming tube is fabricated from a rectangular sheet of stainless steel material by making a plurality of equal angle and equal spaced bends in the stainless steel material and joining the ends together with a butt weld such that the vertical forming tube has a regular polygon cross section

Abstract: A heat sealing device adapted for the clamping jaws of form, fill and seal machines. The heat sealing device in a single operation produces a transverse seal in thermoplastic film, tubular containers and severs the tube to simultaneously close the top of a filled container and create the bottom of a next-to-be-filled container. The base, upon which the heat sealing element is mounted, has slots that cause any product on the inner surfaces of the films in the area to be sealed to be removed, thereby producing consistently effective heat seals. The heat sealing device is particularly suitable for packaging flowable materials including, for example, chocolate sundae topping, thick sauces and dressings.

Abstract: A multiple bag forming and filling apparatus and method utilizes a plurality of filling tubes which have a cross-sectional width in the range from one-third to one times the width of the tubular preform between the vertical seals at the filling tube means. There is also disclosed the directing of horizontally adjacent vertical tubular bag preforms to opposite sides of a center sealing bar prior to forming transverse seals by movable seal bars on the opposite sides. The horizontal displacement of the horizontally adjacent bags prevents the adjacent bags from being sealed together.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine for making material-filled, slack pouches, having little or no headspace in the pouches. One jaw of the heat sealing assembly has a jaw wall convex about a vertical axis and located below the heat sealing element. The opposite jaw of the assembly has a jaw wall of an elastomeric sheet stretched under tension and adapted to cooperate with the convex jaw wall. During operation, the jaw walls bias against the material-filled pouch causing air to be expelled from the material and collapsing the tube as the jaws are closed. The machine is useful for making slack pouches filled with flowable material such as emulsions, soft margarine, food dressings, pastes, peanut butter, preserves, pie fillings, marmalade, jellies, dough, ground meat, detergents and granular solids.

Abstract: A process for packing a liquid, semi-liquid, soft or fine-powder product in a closed foil tube, whereby the product is introduced into the foil tube in the area of a tube form station and taken to an expulsion station which expels the product from web-like expulsion areas extending over the width of the foil tube, and adds sealing seams to the foil tube in these areas. In order to achieve proper expulsion and sealing which is simple and tight using narrow sealing seams, the foil must first be cooled off prior to expulsion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stripper mechanism for a tubular bag packaging machine, in which a foil strip (1) is formed into a tube (3) by means of a longitudinal sealing jaw (2) and is formed into bags by means of cross-sealing jaws (4). A stripper mechanism (5) is arranged in the area of the cross-sealing jaws (4), which stripper mechanism (5) includes two stripper rods (6) supported on the end areas of support arms (7). In order to provide a drive for the stripper mechanism (5), which drive is independent of the drive of the cross-sealing jaws (4), the stripper rods (6) are connected to a common closing mechanism (8), and that furthermore the stripper rods are connected to a moving mechanism (9) for effecting a relative movement along the foil tube (3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a wrapped food material in single slice form. The apparatus comprises means to conduct the food material into a wrapping film to form a wrapped food material, a slice forming assembly to press the wrapped food material at spaced intervals to form a continuous strip of connected, wrapped food material slices, and a cutting assembly to cut that continuous strip at the spaced intervals to produce individually wrapped and sealed food material slices. The apparatus also includes a guide plate to guide the continuous strip of wrapped food material slices from the slice forming assembly to the cutting assembly along a predetermined path of travel; a partial vacuum is developed between the continuous strip of wrapped food material slices and at least a portion of the guide plate to draw that strip thereagainst as the strip of connected slices passes to the cutting assembly.

Abstract: In order to connect at least two layers of paper or the like, the layers are cut into strips in the connection area and forced out of the plane of the layers alternately and in pairs. To this effect punching and pressing tools with punching teeth may be provided.

Abstract: A detection apparatus is provided in a form, fill and seal operation to detect the position of sealing jaws with respect to one another during the sealing process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a hermetically sealed package for a slice of a food item. A web of thermoplastic material is first formed into a tubular arrangement with a hermetic longitudinal seal. To form the tubular arrangement, means are provided for folding a continuous web of thermoplastic material into V-folded condition and for continuously forming a hermetic seal along the open longitudinal edge of the V-folded web. The hermetic seal is formed between the inner surfaces of the front and rear faces of the web to define a tubular web member. The food item which has been formed into a soft mass, is then inserted into the tubular member and the tubular member is flattened to form a thin film tube. Means are provided for forming a hermetically sealed cross-seal which are disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal forward moving direction of the web.

Abstract: A fastener strip, with interlocking profiles of resilient material for purposes of enabling one to reclose a plastic bag after its initial opening, is secured to the bag as the bag is being formed over a cylindrical forming tube. To accomplish this, a continuous carrier strip to which the fastener strip material is mounted is passed into the interior of the forming tube to a port in the tube wall, the strip thereby passing to the outer surface of the tube where it travels part way around the tube circumference, reentering the tube interior through a second port. Between the ports, the carrier strip exposes the fastener strip mounted to it to the web from which the bag is being formed, and the fastener strip is heat fused to the web. A specially constructed combination strip which combines the carrier strip and the fastener strip material allows the two to readily separate once the fastener strip material is bonded to the web.

Abstract: Sealing jaw structure and method for securing zippered package making foil or film material, comprising sealing jaws, one of which carries a pair of spaced material engaging ribs for not only sealing but also tightening the material between the ribs during sealing cooperation of the jaws. The tightening facilitates cutting of the material being engaged between the jaws by a knife carried reciprocably by the jaw that carries the ribs.

Abstract: A packaging machine for manufacturing sachets including a first pair of jaws for the a transversally pressure and heat sealed tube from a strip of pressure and heat sealable material formed by tangentially counter-rotating gripper controlled by an actuator with a continuous movement of the cyclical type, in which the tangentially counter-rotating gripper is constructed in the form of opposite pressure and heat sealing jaws and at least one of these jaws is controllable with an adjustable and the actuator with a continuous movement are designed to adjust, in conjunction with the thrust action, the pressure and heat sealing time as a function of the thickness and constituent structure of the pressure and heat sealable material used.

Abstract: In a form, fill and seal package or bag making machine having a vertical forming and filling tube and cross-sealing and pull down mechanism below the discharge end of the tube, a mechanism by which the filled bag is supportingly manipulated during cross-sealing to avoid bag contents weight induced stretch stress damage to the thermosealed top edge of the filled bag, and avoiding bag contents weight caused pleats and tucks in the bag body film, and redistributing the filled bag contents to avoid central sagging of the filled bag.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine has a pair of transverse heat sealing jaws adapted to collapse a tubular film, a pair of spreader fingers, and at least one pair of detucker fingers to pinch a longitudinal edge of the tubular film and urge the pinched tubular film away from the other longitudinal edge of the film.

Abstract: A packaging machine for use with a paper-base laminate serving as a packaging material and having a thermoplastic synthetic resin layer on each surface of a paper layer comprises a container forming unit for forming a content-filled tube into baglike containers after the web is made into a tube and contents are filled thereinto. The unit has jaws for clamping the content-filled tube at regular lengthwise intervals each corresponding to one container to heat-seal the tube over a required width and cut the tube at the midportion of the seal width, and the jaws are provided with a high-frequency coil for heat sealing. The machine further has a unit for affixing a tape of aluminum foil for high-frequency induction heating to the web at the portion thereof to be heat-sealed before the web is made into the tube.

Abstract: Vertical form-fill-seal packaging of a fluent product, such as flour, wherein flexible packaging material is formed into tubing around a downwardly extending mandrel, the tubing is intermittently fed downwardly in package length increments off the lower end of the mandrel with a dwell between each successive feed, the tubing is transversely sealed at a level below the lower end of the mandrel during each dwell to form a top seal for a package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package, the tubing is severed between each top and bottom seal during each dwell, product being fed downwardly from the mandrel into the portion of the tubing, sealed at the bottom, being fed off the lower end of the mandrel, wherein the downward feed of the tubing and the feed of the product are such as substantially to fill the volume of the said portion of the tubing created by the downward feed of the tubing.

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, the seal area is cut to form a top seal of the package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package to be formed, a quantity of 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 and below the level of the next seal to be made, the pinches are maintained as the sealing members are opened, following the formation of the aforementioned top and bottom seals, to keep product for the next fill from dropping down on the bottom seal, and to hold the package being completed from dropping away, and air is blown on the top and bottom seals to cool them while the pinches are maintained.

Abstract: New and improved foam cushions for packaging purposes of the type including a cushion envelope partially filled with an expandable cushioning foam material are provided. The cushion envelope includes a foam-receiving cavity and is defined by a unitary web of material folded over itself to provide a folded side. An intermittent labyrinth side seam is provided along the side opposite the folded side and transverse top and bottom seams are provided to complete formation of the cushion envelope. A cushioning foam is disposed in the foam-receiving cavity. A method for making the foam cushions and an automated apparatus for making a continuous supply of the packaging cushions are also described.

Abstract: A pouch perforator for a form, fill and seal packaging machine of the type which forms pouches from continuous film includes a cutting element and a support element. The cutting element is rotatively mounted on the packaging machine as is the support element with the cutting element located on one side of the film and the support element located on the opposite side of the film. The cutting element includes a plurality of axially extending knife edges located in a circumferentially spaced array. The knife edges rotate in response to rotation of the cutting element. The support element includes a circumferentially extending support surface which rotates in response to rotation of the surface element. The knife edges in response to rotation of the cutting element compress film against the support surface to perforate the film.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming bags from a thin plastic film in a tube form fill operation wherein plastic film is fed over the outer surface of the tube and the edges of the film are joined to provide a bag tube and an antistatic friction reduction surface treatment is provided on the outer surface of the tube for encouraging sliding movement of the film and insuring uniform feed with the friction reducing and electrically insulating material in the form of a plastic coating or ribs to produce the desired result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming bags, such as from a continuous sheet of thermoplastic film fed forwardly and wrapped over a forming tube with the contents being filled into the bag through the tube and the end of the film formed into a bag tube being cross-sealed. The lower end of the filling tube is constructed so as to elastically deform and spread as sealing members move in laterally and thereby spread and flatten the tube to insure the making of a seal which is devoid to wrinkles and leakage possibilities.

Abstract: A device for the cross-welding and/or cross-cutting of sealable foil material having inserted therein at regular intervals a particularly bulky fill material. Swingably mounted sealing jaws are forcedly guided in closed cam guideways which are an inverted mirror image of one another and located on opposite sides of a plane of symmetry (E) such that they each clamp foil material therebetween at a location whereat no fill material is located and along the plane of symmetry. The sealing jaws then swing out and away from the foil material and travel to the next area which does not contain fill material. Forcedly guided compressing members are arranged to travel in front of the sealing jaws, which compressing members compress the foil material at least over the sealing area determined by the sealing-jaw width. The compressing members are cylindrical, for example in the form of circular rods, rollers, cage bars and the like, preferably spring loaded and are relatively movable with respect to the sealing jaws.

Abstract: Improvements in a Chub packaging machine wherein paris of clips are applied to voided constricted lenghts of the filled tubing and then such lengths are severed mid-way between each pair of clips. In one improvement the severing knife operates within a composite or dual gathering plate allowing the spacing between the clips in each pair to be appreciably closer than is conventional, thereby reducing wastage of film and product adhering thereto and producing Chub packages with shorter tails or stubs at their opposite ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing two or more filled and sealed bags of product in a single box, comprising a shuttle embodying two or more chambers for successively receiving the filled and sealed bags from a filling and sealing machine for deposit of the filled and sealed bags into the box.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a solid medium for cultivating mushrooms includes a mixer for mixing and agitating medium materials, and a heater coupled to the mixer for sterilizing the medium materials from the mixer with the heat of steam. The sterilized medium materials are then delivered into a cooler connected to the heater, and cooled and moistened by water scattered by a sprinkler. The cooler is coupled to a mycelia supply source for supplying mycelia of the mushroom with which the cooled medium materials are spawned. The solid medium thus produced is then packaged by a packaging mechanism in a germ-free environment.

Abstract: A rotary film sealing and severing device for use with thermoplastic film for forming packages. The device includes a rotating anvil assembly and a counter-rotating film cutting assembly having a heated sealing and cutting knife. First and second liquid cooled clamping bars on either side of the knife hold the layers of film together while the film is being sealed and cut. Cooling the clamping bars prevents the film from adhering to the clamps and causes the layers of film to quickly fuse together and allows high speed operation by preventing separation of layers of film due to slow cooling.

Abstract: A driving method and system for controlling the operating characteristics of a tubular-bag machine, in which a tubular bag is closed off at the bottom end so as to be fillable with packing material through a fill pipe. An intermittently moved thin foil tube is for this purpose guided vertically between transversely arranged, heated sealing jaws, the opening and closing of which being camcontrolled. The foil movement is adjusted to the opening and closing movement. The drive for effecting the foil movement and the drive for effecting the sealing, separating and welding device are driven by separate motors controlled independently from one another, and are adjusted to one another such that each angular-speed stage can be adjusted independently from the preceding or following stage to the demands of the work cycle at any time during the work cycle. The magnitude of the angular speed can be adjusted as well.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing packages wherein a web of flexible packaging interval is formed into tubing around a mandrel and intermittently fed downwardly in package length increments by intermittently moving portions of continuously driven belts into engagement with the tubing for a predetermined interval.

Abstract: Improved clamp, seal, sever, and brick apparatus for use in form, fill, and seal machines that form a polyfoil tube filled with a product into a plurality of sealed packages, preferably aseptic packages. The improved apparatus incorporates a plurality of sealing heads mounted on a continuously advancing structure that transversely clamps, seals, and severs the endlessly advancing tube into packages, and compresses the packages to preform them into about their final rectangular configuration. Induction heating is used to seal the web. The sealing heads include a sealing jaw and an anvil jaw hinged together and adapted to clamp the tube therebetween at predetermined locations as the sealing heads and product filled tubing advance, the locations being adjustable and the sealing and anvil jaws being adjustable to control the volume of product clamped and sealed in each package.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for advancing a continuous length of bag making plastic film having a reclosable fastener strip extending therealong with a filling tube over which the film is formed, means for sealing the edges of the film over the filling tube, opposed pairs of advancing belts for pressing the film against the tube and driving it incrementally downwardly, means for guiding the fastener between the belts of one of the pairs and means for driving the belts incrementally to move the film downwardly as it is filled and cross-sealed.

Abstract: A rotary film sealing and severing device for use with thermoplastic film for forming packages. The device includes a rotating anvil assembly and a counter-rotating film cutting assembly having a heated sealing and cutting knife. First and second liquid cooled clamping bars on either side of the knife hold the layers of film together while the film is being sealed and cut. Cooling the clamping bars prevents the film from adhering to the clamps and causes the layers of film to quickly fuse together and allows high speed operation by preventing separation of layers of film due to slow cooling.

Abstract: Improved clamp, seal, sever, and brick apparatus for use in form, fill, and seal machines that form a polyfoil tube filled with a product into a plurality of sealed packages, preferably aseptic packages. The improved apparatus incorporates a plurality of sealing heads mounted on a continuously advancing structure that transversely clamps, seals, and severs the endlessly advancing tube into packages, and compresses the packages to preform them into about their final rectangular configuration. Induction heating is used to seal the web. The sealing heads include a sealing jaw and an anvil jaw hinged together and adapted to clamp the tube therebetween at predetermined locations as the sealing heads and product filled tubing advance, the locations being adjustable and the sealing and anvil jaws being adjustable to control the volume of product clamped and sealed in each package.

Abstract: In continuous packaging of comestibles in individual packages of thermo plastic sheet material, elongate, reciprocating crimper bars or dies simultaneously sever the packages and inpart end crimp seals to the packages but unfortunately featuring a high rate of rejects overcome by a special contour in the surface of one of the said crimper dies, according to present discovery.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine has a tube former for receiving flexible packaging material in thin flat strip form and progressively juxtaposing opposite longitudinal edge portions thereof in parallel vertically extending relationship to provide a depending tube open at the top. A side sealer attaches the vertically extending overlapping edge portions and an end sealer provides vertically spaced horizontally extending transverse or end seals across the tube. A product dispenser discharges measured quantities of product into the tube interior through the former and through the open upper end of the tube. Tube feed means comprise first and second pairs of vertically spaced rolls respectively on opposite external sides of the tube of packaging material and first and second tube feeding belts respectively trained over said pairs of rolls. Inner runs of the belts engage the tube and have vertically extending perforate portions.

Abstract: An article packaging apparatus with a cylindrical cassette having a tube made of resin fitted on the outer peripheral surface thereof is mounted below a charging station for charging articles. Heated press heads for heating and fusing the resin tube are arranged below the cassette. The heated press heads are moved from a standby position remote from the resin tube to a clamping position for clamping the tube. The heated press heads are then lowered a predetermined distance from the clamping position in order to pull the resin bag and move the heated press heads to a fusing position for fusing said tube. The heated press heads are lowered a short distance from the fusing position and the heated press heads are moved to a separating position for separating an individual bag from the resin tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for form, fill, and seal operation using bag-making sheet material having complementary male and female reclosable profiles includes sheet guide and tensioning devices to ensure continuous, effective packaging. The inventive features address the presence of tracking problems in sheet feed using bag material having profiles and being of a laminated type, and serve to ensure wrinkle-free, acceptable sealing of bag edges.

Abstract: A plastic bag is formed, filled, sealed and separated from continuous webs of plastic material. The webs pass downwardly between complementary U-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 webs above the location of the top seam of the filled pocket and cooperate with a separator that tensions the webs along the weakened line to rupture the filled pocket from the webs while the webs are still in a thermally weakened condition.

Abstract: An intermittent web feeding apparatus for intermittently feeding fixed length of a web of material during one cycle of a feeding operation by the cooperative operation of a pair of feed rollers for unwinding a web of material from a roll of web material and feeding the web of material to a web processing machine such as a bag-forming and packing machine, and for feeding the web of material to a processing position within the web processing machine, is disclosed. The intermittent web feeding apparatus is equipped with a single servomotor for driving the feed rollers through means of a first transmission mechanism, and the feeding units through means of a second transmission mechanism.

Abstract: A bag and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open bag in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a bag is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal betwee bags as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower bag and a bottom closure for the upper bag, the easy open feature being provided by easy tear slots which are cut at acute angles in both the bottom seal of a bag and the top so that an opening corner of the bag may be torn in either the top or bottom of the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a vertical tubular form fill package feeding the film vertically downwardly over a spout, pressing the outer lateral edges of the film together between pressure rollers, feeding joined strips of plastic zipper consisting of interlocking elements and attaching webs between the outer edges of the film and the spout, positioning guide bars on either side of the zipper between the zipper webs and sealing bars outwardly of the guide bars with the sealing bars simultaneously forming a fin seal at the outer edge and joining the zipper webs to the inner surfaces of the film between the fin seal and the spout and thereafter cross-cutting and sealing to form packages enclosing contents dropped through the spout.