Patent ID: 6296886
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B31B,B32B,B65D

Abstract:
A process for making a patch bag, comprising:(A) adhering a patch to a first lay-flat side of a film tubing while the tubing is in a first lay-flat configuration, whereby a lay-flat tubing-patch laminate is formed, the lay-flat tubing having a first crease along a first side edge and a second crease along a second side edge;(B) passing the lay-flat tubing-patch laminate through a first pair of nip rolls with the tubing being inflated by a trapped bubble of gas between the first pair of nip rolls and a second pair of nip rolls, whereby an inflated tubing-patch laminate is formed;(C) heating a first region of the inflated tubing-patch laminate which contains the first crease, and a second region of the inflated tubing-patch laminate which contains the second crease, the heating being carried out so that each of the creases is removed;(D) cooling the first and second regions of the inflated tubing-patch laminate;(E) deflating and flattening the inflated tubing-patch laminate into a second lay-flat configuration by passing the inflated tubing-patch laminate through the second pair of nip rolls which have a nip which is oriented from about 10 to 90 degrees off-parallel relative to a nip of the first pair of nip rolls, so that a reconfigured lay-flat tubing-patch laminate is formed in which the patch covers a segment of a first new side edge of the tubing; and(F) sealing and cutting the reconfigured lay-flat tubing-patch laminate in the second lay-flat configuration so that the patch bag is formed from a segment of the tubing having the patch adhered thereto.