Patent ID: 9475248
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: B31B,B65D

Claim Text:
1. A method of manufacturing a flat bottom pouch including a front panel, a back panel, a first gusseted side panel, a second gusseted side panel, and a bottom gusseted panel formed from a single continuous sheet of webbing fed in a first flow direction, the method comprising: a) unwinding the single continuous sheet of webbing from a roll in a first flow direction, the webbing having a first face forming an outer surface of the pouch, a second face forming an inner surface of the pouch, and opposing first and second distal edges; b) forming a transverse lap seam in the unwound webbing, wherein the transverse lap seam is oriented transverse to the first flow direction, and wherein the lap seam extends outwardly from the first face; c) asymmetrically folding the unwound webbing along a longitudinal axis of the webbing to form a folded sheet, the folded sheet defining a first section and a second section having a folded edge therebetween, wherein the first section includes the first distal edge, and wherein the second section includes the second distal edge; d) pushing the folded edge between the first section and the second section to form the first gusseted side panel having a first side gusset fold; e) folding a portion of the second section that is proximate to the second distal edge between the first section and the second section to form the second gusseted side panel having a second side gusset fold, wherein the first section defines the front panel, and wherein the second section defines the back panel; f) forming a transverse end seal proximate the transverse lap seam, wherein the bottom gusseted panel is defined by a length of webbing between the transverse end seal and the transverse lap seam, and wherein the transverse end seal operates to form a bottom gusset fold; and g) sealing the first distal edge to the second distal edge to complete the flat bottom pouch, with the front panel, the back panel, the first gusseted side panel, the second gusseted side panel, and the bottom gusseted panel being formed from the single continuous sheet.