Patent ID: 6178724
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B29C,B65B

Abstract:
A method of forming fluid containers from an upright tube formed of flexible packaging material, said method comprising the steps of:providing a heat sealing mechanism having upper and lower sealing clamps, each sealing clamp including a curved seal bar and a support;delivering fluid to said tube to fill at least a portion of said tube;forming first and second curved seals across said tube at vertically spaced locations between which fluid is located to define a fluid filled container, said curved seals being mirror images of one another about a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tube and defining opposite sides of a container having a wide main body and a narrow spout extending generally central from said main body, a lower one of said curved seals being formed across said tube prior to an upper one of said curved seals, each of said curved seals including a lower arm portion and an upper arm portion joined by a bridge; andduring formation of each of said seals, supporting said tube below said upper arm portion at a location adjacent said lower arm portion to displace fluid in the tube upwardly and thereby equalize generally hydraulic forces across said tube adjacent said lower arm portion.