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. The method still further includes the steps of finally sealing the temporally punched portion to the one panel and sealing a side edge and a bottom edge of the one panel to the other panel to form the pouch.
Abstract:
A flexible pouch with a self-contained straw for packaging a product 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. A straw is disposed inside the pouch at an angle between an upper corner of the pouch and an opposite lower corner. The pouch includes a first seal applied to the upper corner of the pouch to form a pocket for holding an upper end of the straw, and a second seal extending along the unsealed portion of the upper edge of the pouch to close the pouch. A method of forming and filling a flexible pouch with an integral straw includes the steps of forming each of the panels and joining two panels by sealing together their side edges and lower edge to form the pouch. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and inserting the straw into the pouch by positioning the straw at an angle between an upper corner of the pouch and an opposite lower corner. The method further includes the steps of applying a first seal to the upper corner of the pouch to form a pocket for holding an upper end of the straw, and filling the pouch with the product. The method also includes the steps of applying a second seal extending along the unsealed portion of the upper edge of the pouch to close the pouch.
Abstract:
An apparatus and process for manufacturing a filled flexible pouch is provided. The apparatus includes a cylindrical cup member having an open upper end, a closed lower end and a side wall extending therebetween the upper end and lower end. An inside portion of the side wall includes a pair of opposed guide channels for receiving the flexible pouch, and the side wall includes a slot positioned adjacent guide member. The side wall includes a notched opening positioned above each of the guide channels. The apparatus also includes a pouch opening lever arm pivotally attached to the side wall of the cup member, having a lower portion below the pivotal attachment with a wheel at an outer end and an upper portion above the pivotal attachment with an outwardly extending push member at an outer end. The manufacturing process includes the steps of placing the flexible pouch into the guide channels of the cylindrical cup member, while the lever arm is pivoted outwardly. The process also includes the steps of opening the pouch by engaging the wheels of the lever arm by a lifting surface disposed below a transport means to pivotally move the pushing member through the notched opening to push apart the front and back panels, and filling the pouch with the product using a fill nozzle positioned above the opened pouch.
Abstract:
The present invention is a pouch assembly that can be used to store a carbonated beverage such as beer. The pouch assembly includes a pouch and a fitment. The fitment is mounted within an opening of the pouch. A thread is disposed around an outer surface of the first end of the tube spout. The tread disposed around the outer surface of the first end of the tube spout includes one or more slots. The fitment includes at least one alignment tab. The alignment tab extends away from the canoe portion and includes one or more notches.
Abstract:
A process for placing a tube spout fitment within a flexible pouch container is provided. The process can include providing a front panel and a back panel, each panel having a top edge, a side edge, and a bottom edge. In addition, the front panel can also have an aperture. A fitment having a fitment base and a spout extending from the fitment base is provided and placed through the aperture using a plate with a channel and a channel stop.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a sealing system for sealing together at least a pair of flexible pouch material layers. The sealing station can have a first sealing bar, a second sealing bar and a drive system that is in contact with the first sealing bar. The drive system is operable to move the first sealing bar between an open position and a closed position such that the first sealing bar can apply a predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers when positioned or located between the sealing bars. A pressure sensor is also included and in communication with the drive system, the pressure sensor operable to detect if the drive system applies less or too much pressure than the predefined pressure on the flexible pouch material layers located between the first and second sealing bars.
Abstract:
The present invention is an improved fitment assembly for a flexible pouch, the fitment assembly being sealed into the pouch as part of the pouch manufacturing process. The fitment assembly includes a fitment having a fitment threaded portion and a cap with threads. The threads on the fitment and the cap both have slots which allow pressure to escape from the pouch as the cap is unthreaded and the slots align. The fitment also includes specialized features such as extended tabs with notches in a canoe portion of the fitment that help to secure the fitment to the pouch. The fitment has parallel guide surfaces to aid in alignment and traverse of the fitment in a manufacturing line where the fitment is installed and the pouch is filled.
Abstract:
A flexible pouch is provided having arcuate shaped gusset seals sealed to the top and/or bottom of the inner surface wall of the pouch body. The arcuate shaped gussets provide a more durable seam than that of the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The arcuate shaped gusset seals also allow for greater expansion of the gusset relative to the axially sealed gussets of the prior art. The flexible pouch may further include a plurality of elongated baffles disposed on the skirt. The elongated baffles are operable to provide support for the weight of a filled flexible pouch so as to help the pouch remain upright when placed on its bottom surface. The flexible pouch further includes a gas pocket disposed axially along the side portions of the pouch.