Patent ID: 8662880
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: B29C,B29K,B65B,B65D

Abstract:
1. A continuous motion rotating thermoforming machine for producing pouches made from two webs comprising soluble polymeric substrates, the machine comprising: a former having a plurality of pouch forming cavities around its periphery; a forming station, a filling station, a sealing station, and a cutting station disposed sequentially around the former; a motor configured to continuously rotate the former so that the cavities follow an endless path in the direction of rotation of the former sequentially through the forming, filling, sealing and cutting stations; one or more heaters disposed around the former for heating the cavities; and a vacuum configured to apply a vacuum through the base of each cavity in order that, once thermoformed, a base web is held tightly to the base of the cavities through filling, sealing and cutting stations until the vacuum is released and the filled and sealed pouch is ejected from its cavity; wherein the vacuum applies different levels of vacuum at different positions around the former as it rotates.