Patent ID: 6729109
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: B65B,B65D

Abstract:
A method for making a flexible package, said method comprising the steps of:a) feeding, into a vertical form, fill, and seal machine, a packaging film having lettering are oriented perpendicular to a direction of travel of said film; b) forming said packaging film into a tube on said vertical form, fill, and seal machine and forming a longitudinal seal; c) forming two vertical creases in said tube of packaging film prior to sealing said tube horizontally by moving said tube of packaging film through stationary creasing devices; d) forming a first horizontal seal on said tube, wherein said first horizontal seal includes a portion of said two vertical creases, said first horizontal seal sealing all layers of said tube together; e) dropping a product into a partially formed package created by steps a) through d); f) forming a second horizontal seal on said tube, wherein said second horizontal seal includes a portion of said two vertical creases, said second horizontal seal sealing all layers of said tube together, so that by step d) and step f), two vertical pleats are formed; g) cutting said tube segment from the remainder of said tube at said second horizontal seal, thus forming a pouch having two vertical gussets along two opposite vertical edges; and h) standing up said pouch on said crease with said letter oriented upright; wherein said two folds are heat-sealed only at said first and second horizontal seals; whereby a stand-up pouch is formed without additional folding steps.