Abstract:
The present invention relates to a pouch and a method for making the same. In the inventive method, which is adapted to produce pouches having a limited amount of fusible material, a heat-sealable cord is arranged on a web forming confronting side surface of each pouch. Those confronting side surfaces are fused by heating the heat-sealable cord. The present invention furthermore provides a pouch, in particular containing a brewable or extractable commodity such as tea, with a pocket defined between confronting side surfaces of a web. The pouch of the present invention can have a limited amount of fusible material as the confronting side surfaces are joined by solidified melt of a heat-sealable cord arranged in vicinity of at least one edge of the pouch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the national stage application of International patent application No. PCT/EP2012/004081, entitled “A Method for Making Pouches and a Pouch as Such,” and filed on Sep. 28, 2012, which claims priority to European application No. 12000884.2, entitled “A Method for Making Pouches and a Pouch as Such” and filed on Feb. 10, 2012, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A method for producing pouches comprising the steps of providing a continuous web, folding the web to provide confronting side surfaces joined along a bottom edge and forming a vertical seal between the confronting side surfaces, thereby providing a series of adjacent pockets having opposite side walls, with each pocket having an unsealed opening along a top edge, and filling the pockets through the opening with material and then sealing the opening to provide sealed pouches is known from WO 2007/089838 A2. 
         [0003]    In the known method, the continuous web is guided through a vertical sealer in which the vertical seals are formed after the continuous web has been folded. Those vertical seals are spaced from one another to provide a pocket which is defined by the bottom edge as the bottom of the pocket and a leading edge which is defined by a vertical seal, and a trailing edge which is defined by the neighboring vertical seal. The vertical seal is provided such that neighboring pockets can be separated without impeding the closure of the pocket by the vertical seal. By separating the pockets, individual pouches are formed. 
         [0004]    In the method known from WO 2007/089838 A2, the continuous web is transferred to a cutting section in which the continuous web is cut to isolate individual pouches having an unsealed opening along the top edge. Those pouches are transferred by a vacuum belt transport means against which the separated pouches are sucked and transferred to a filler wheel. The filler wheel has gripping elements which are adapted to grip the leading and trailing edges of each pouch, respectively, between jaws and are movable relative to each other to open the unsealed opening. As the distance between the leading and the trailing edges of one single pouch is reduced, the distance between the confronting side surfaces in increased. Accordingly, spouts of a spout wheel can be introduced into the pouches for filling the same with material. The spout wheel and the filler wheel are rotatably driven. The rotational axis of the filler wheel is essentially co-axial to the rotational axis of the spout wheel. However, the rotational axes are slightly inclined relative to each other. At a circumferential section in which the distance between the spout wheel and the filler wheel is at its minimum, a respective spout is received within the open mouth of the pouches and then continuously retracted from the pouch as the filler wheel and the spout wheel are continuously rotated, starting from this position. 
         [0005]    After the pouches have been filled, the gripping means are actuated such that the distance between the leading and the trailing edges of the each spout are increased, thereby bringing the confronting side surfaces closer together and closing the unsealed opening. In the course of the circular path along the outer circumference of the filler wheel, the pouches are finally sealed by a sealing section arranged at the outer circumference of the filler wheel and provided with heated sealing surfaces abutting against the folded web material for sealing the opening. 
         [0006]    The method known from WO 2007/089838 A2 and the apparatus for carrying out said method is disadvantageous in that it requires a fusible film material for making the web. The fusible material is e.g. a plastic foil forming the web. However, fusible film materials are not suitable for packing brewable or extractible commodities like e.g. tea, coffee or the like, as foil material as such is not permeable for water. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,548 A describes a pouch in the form of a tea bag, the confronting side surfaces thereof being formed by a filter paper. This filter paper is coated with a thermoplastic coating, such that the entire confronting side surfaces defining a pocket for receiving the brewable or extractable commodity is coated. The web material disclosed in this prior art is fusible and, hence, suitable for being processed in the method known from WO 2007/089838 A2. However, coating of the entire confronting side surfaces of the pouch is disadvantageous as it may impede the taste of a fluid made by extracting or brewing the commodity contained in the pouch. Further, the thermoplastic coating on the filter material not only affect the taste, but also prevents or at least prolongs composting of the pouches after use. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a pouch not having the aforementioned drawbacks and a method for producing the same. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    As a solution to the above object, the present invention proposes a method as defined as defined in claim  1 . In said method, a heat-sealable cord is arranged on a web adapted to form the confronting side surfaces. The confronting side surfaces are then joined by fusing the heat-sealable cord. In other words, in the inventive method, the heat-sealable cord provides a melt by fusing the heat-sealable cord. This melt interfuses the confronting side surfaces and, thus, joins the confronting side surfaces of the web so as to define a pocket in which the commodity can be arranged or is arranged. The term “confronting surfaces” in the meaning of the present invention can likewise be understood as addressing surfaces of the web, which are adjacent to each other and/or are facing each other in the final state of the pouch and/or the open, unfilled pouch. Respective term is to address the fact that the pouch may exclusively or—in case of a gusset—at least predominantly provide a pocket which is defined between two essentially parallel layers of a web, which layers can be formed by a single piece or by at least two separate pieces of the web. The commodity can be arranged on a section of the web prior to arranging the heat-sealable cord on the web, during arranging the heat-sealable cord on the web or thereafter. 
         [0010]    The web can be provided in one or more pieces of predetermined lengths which are provided with the heat-sealable cord and thereafter joined by heating and, thus, melting at least a portion of the heat-sealable cord. The heat-sealable cord may in the course of fusing completely be melted to interfuse the material defining the confronting side surfaces. As the present application in particular aims to provide a pouch containing brewable or extractable commodity, which requires a infiltratable, i.e. water permeable web material, joining of the web material by means of the melt formed by heating the heat-sealable cord is denoted as interfusing. Nevertheless, the inventive method will likewise be applicable for joining non-perfusible web materials like e.g. sheets made of plastic, paper, metal foil or the like. Accordingly, the term “interfused” as used in connection with the description of the inventive method may likewise be understood as melting and, thus, solidifying on the confronting side surfaces to thereby join the same without wicking or penetrating the web material. 
         [0011]    The claimed method allows joining of confronting side surfaces by fusing, i.e. melting a fusible material, which solidifies thereby contacting the confronting side surfaces and fixing the same against each other. Fixing in the meaning of the present application is to be specifically understood as permanently connecting two parts with each other. Nevertheless, the amount of fusible material, which could impede the taste of the liquid made by brewing or extracting the commodity contained within the pouch is greatly reduced, which is beneficial for ecological reasons and for the taste of the liquid. Further, permeation of water through the web material is only restricted at the joint in which the melt of the heat-sealable cord has been solidified. The melt thus formed preferably defines a weld seam between two layers of the web in order to permanently join those layers of the web. Thus, the pocket containing the brewable or extractable commodity is greatly open to water entering the pocket from outside and leaving the pocket to the outside. 
         [0012]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amount of heat-sealable cord for closing and sealing the pouch is further reduced. In this preferred embodiment, the web is provided as a continuous web, which facilitates economical manufacturing of multiple pouches as e.g. known from WO 2007/089838 A2. As further known from this prior art, the web is folded to provide the confronting side surfaces joined along a bottom edge. This bottom edge may be defined by a gusset. In such gusset the bottom edge may be arranged above a bottom end of the pouch and/or bottom fold of the gusset. Accordingly, in a cross-sectional view of the pouch manufactured according to this preferred embodiment, the confronting side surfaces may each have a double layer bottom section and a single layer top section. As the continuous web is folded to provide the bottom edge, at least one edge is closed without fusing. According to the preferred embodiment, however, the heat-sealable cord interfuses only a leading, a trailing and a top edge of a lengthwise piece of the web adapted to form the pouch. Referral to the capability of the lengthwise piece to form the leading, the trailing and the top edge aims to stress the effect that the heat-sealable material may be arranged on the web prior to folding and/or cutting of the web material. In other words. the heat-sealable cord may be arranged on a continuous single layer web, which will be folded thereafter and which is continuously conveyed for processing the same into pouches. In such a constitution, the continuous web does not yet have any leading, trailing or top edges, but only positions adapted to form respective edges. In the pouch readily made by the inventive method, the top edge is arranged opposite to the bottom edge and usually extends parallel thereto. The vertical edges extend between the top edge and the bottom edge. For facilitating the method for making the pouches, the vertical edges, i.e. the trailing and leading edges of a continuous web being processed to form the pouches, will extend essentially perpendicular to the bottom and the top edge, respectively, and parallel to each other. 
         [0013]    In the description of the present invention, reference is made to the feature “vertical seal”. This vertical seal is a seal which is provided at predetermined distances along the longitudinal axis of the folded web. The vertical seal is usually arranged in a vertical direction upon filling of the pocket defined by confronting side surfaces as the top edge is still unsealed, i.e. the pouch is an open pouch. The feature “vertical seal” does not specify the orientation of the continuous web when the vertical seals are made. When making the vertical seals, the continuous web can have any orientation. 
         [0014]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the leading and the trailing vertical edges are sealed to form open pockets. Those open pockets are filled through an opening arranged at the top edge. Thereafter, the top edge is sealed by the top seal and, hence, the commodity is fully enclosed in the closed pouch. In this preferred embodiment, the sealing of the pocket is effected usually by a single heat-sealable cord arranged adjacent to or on the location of the leading and trailing vertical edge and the top edge, respectively. However, this single heat-sealable cord is not heated to provide a melt over its entire length at a single instance. Instead, the vertical segments of the heat-sealable cord are first fused to provide a melt thereby making the vertical seals while the top seal is made in a subsequent step and after filling the open pouch. The open pockets may already have been separated from the web e.g. by cutting. However, the open pockets may form part of a continuous web, i.e. be contained in a pouch train with multiple open pockets arranged next to each other with one or more vertical seals between adjacent open pockets. 
         [0015]    In order to secure the heat-sealable cord temporarily to the web, in particular, in case the web is folded after arranging the heat-sealable cord on the web, it is preferred to tack the heat-sealable cord to a section of the web corresponding to a section of the web defining one of the confronting side surfaces and before folding. With this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat-sealable cord can be arranged relative to the web in a predetermined pattern, which pattern remains secured by tacking the heat-sealable cord. Tacking is in particular effected by partially welding a spot and/or a quite short length of the heat-sealable cord to the web. In other words, tacking according to this preferred embodiment is usually not effected to join confronting side surfaces of the web, but only to secure the heat-sealable cord in the predetermined pattern. As a result of tacking, a connection between the tack cord and the web is provided which is releasable without destroying the tack cord and/or the web. Final fusing of the heat-sealable cord over the entire length or at least segments of the entire length extending parallel to the leading or trailing edge or the top edge is effected after tacking in a predetermined manner. Accordingly, the seal between the confronting surfaces extends as predetermined with the pattern of the heat-sealable cord. Affixing can be attained by any suitable way, in particular by locally heating and thereby fusing the heat-sealable cord to locally secure the same to the web. On a general basis, the tacking of the heat-sealable cord is attained in a corner section, in which two segments running parallel to their respective edge intersect. The section of the web may correspond to a single side wall of the pouch. Accordingly, folding of another segment may provide the confronting side surfaces, between which the pocket is formed. 
         [0016]    According to a preferred embodiment, which facilitates handling of the heat-sealable cord and arrangement thereof relative to the web, the heat-sealable cord is arranged at an outer side of a section of the web defining one of the confronting side surfaces. Accordingly and after folding, the heat-sealable cord is provided on the outer side of the folded web. However, the heat-sealable cord is usually arranged only on one of the outer sides of the folded web. After folding, the melt formed by fusing the heat-sealable cord is pressed to interfuse the web for forming the confronting side surfaces. In case of a gusset the confronting side surfaces include the at least four layers forming the gusset. In other words, the melt provided by fusing the hot-sealable cord is pressed from an outer side of the folded web to an inner side to seal confronting surfaces. In case of a gusset the two outer layers and the two other layers are joined which usually form the gusset. The gusset is usually formed from an inward projection of the base of the pouch. In other words, the gusset preferably is an inwardly folded gusset. Preferably and after sealing the layers forming the gusset, inner layers of the gusset are separated from each other to provide an unfoldable gusset and thereby increasing the volume of the pouch adapted to receive the commodity. Unfolding of those inner layers can be attained by mechanically forcing those inner layers away from each other as the melt formed by fusing the heat-sealable cord has not fully cooled down to room temperature and is still viscoplastic. 
         [0017]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat-sealable cord is laid on an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a predetermined pattern and around holding pins projecting the outer circumferential surface to define this pattern. In this preferred method, the heat-sealable cord is usually laid on the outer circumferential surface of a drum in a fashion in which the heat-sealable cord encircles the holding pins but does not necessarily contact the same. In the preferred embodiment, the drum is usually rotated, while an arm delivering heat-sealable cord to the drum is rotated such that the forward end of the arm delivering the heat-sealable cord describes a figure of 8. As the drum preferably rotates continuously around its central axis, the heat-sealable cord is tensioned around the holding pins to assume a pattern with segments of the cord of straight orientation between neighboring holding pins. 
         [0018]    According to a preferred embodiment of the inventive method, the web is laid on the outer circumference of the drum and on top of the predetermined pattern of the heat-sealable cord. Thus, the heat-sealable cord is arranged between the outer circumferential surface and the web. As the web is laid on the outer circumferential surface of the drum, the holding pins are preferably retracted. Thus, the web will not be pierced by the holding pins. Instead, a radial tension between the web and the outer circumferential surface will secure the pattern of the heat-sealable cord. The holding pins will be retracted at the same time the web is laid against the outer circumferential surface of the drum thereby pressing the heat-sealable cord against this surface. 
         [0019]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the following sequence of method steps is conducted: first, a tag is placed on the drum. This tag usually made of paper or card and may be printed for identifying the commodity received within the pouch. Most preferably, the tag is adapted for handling the pouch as generally known for teabags and is in the final pouch connected with the web defining the pocket receiving the commodity. As a next step, a tag cord is laid on the outer circumferential surface of the drum in a tag pattern. This tag pattern is arranged such that the tag cord extends over the tag. Accordingly, a certain length of the tag cord overlays the tag. Then, the heat-sealable cord is laid on the outer circumferential surface of the drum in the predetermined pattern. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two separate cords are provided, one of which being the heat-sealable cord, the other being the tag cord. The tag cord does not have to be formed of or comprise a heat-sealable material. Preferably, the tag cord is made of a fusible material. After the two cords have been arranged in the respective patterns, the web is laid on the drum and at least locally fixed to the heat-sealable cord. Additionally, the tag cord may be tacked and/or permanently fixed to the web. Tacking in the meaning of the present invention is to define a connection between the tag cord and the web which is releasable without destroying the tag cord and/or web. Tacking is to provide a predetermined positioning of the tag cord relative to the web of the usable length of the tag cord, which usable length can be released by the user of the pouch, in particular in case the pouch defines a tea bag. The term “fixing” in connection with the tag cord shall in particular be understood- as a permanent connection between the tag cord and the web such that the pouch can be handled hanging on the tag cord. Sections of the tag cord tacked to the web are releasably secured to the web while a fixed cord is permanently fixed to the web, i.e. the connection cannot be removed without destroying the tag cord and/or the web. On a regular basis, and as the tag cord is preferably made of a fusible material, tacking of the tag cord to the web is effected under welding conditions, which are different from the welding conditions applied for fixing the tag cord to the web. On a regular basis, one end of the tag cord assigned to a lengthwise piece corresponding to a pouch is fixed to the web while the other end of respective tag cord lengthwise piece is fixed to the tag. A mid-section of the tag cord extending between the one end of the tag cord being fixed to the web and another end fixed to the tag is tacked to the web. In a next step, the web is folded. Then, the heat-sealable cord is heated to make a welded joint between the confronting side surfaces, which may include sealing of the layers forming the gusset. 
         [0020]    As a result of this last welding step, the leading and trailing vertical seals are prepared, while a segment of the heat-sealable cord finally forming the top seal remains unfused. Thus, the pocket is still open. The pocket forms part of a pouch train, in which multiple open pockets are arranged next to each other and in longitudinal direction of the web. Those pockets may be isolated by cutting the pouch train into separate pouches, which separate pouches may be transferred to a filler wheel as e.g. described in WO 2007/089838 A2, U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,158 A or JP 11/292001 1. Alternatively, the pouch train may be arranged at the outer circumference of a filler wheel as e.g. described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,563,001 A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,951 A, U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,898 A, CA 2 142 480 A or U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,818 A for filling the pockets. 
         [0021]    Regarding the filling of separated individual pouches or the filling of pouch train, the disclosure of the aforementioned prior art is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0022]    After filling of the individual pouches or the pockets of the pouch train, the top seal is provided by fusing one or more segments arranged adjacent to the top edge of the pouches or pockets of the pouch train. In case of a pouch train, the filled pockets may be cut before or after sealing the top edge to thereby provide individual pouches. 
         [0023]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present embodiment, the tag is folded to include a predetermined fixing length of the tag cord. The tag cord is preferably joined to the confronting tag surfaces by an adhesive applied to at least one of those confronting tag surfaces. Respective adhesive preferably is a coating of the confronting tag surfaces with a thermoplastic like PE. Thus, the fixing length of the tag cord will be included and fixed to the tag and thereby securely connected to the tag cord by applying heat (welding). 
         [0024]    According to a further preferred embodiment, the tag is secured to the top edge of the pocket. Preferably, a segment of the heat-sealable cord arranged adjacent to the top edge of the pocket is tacked to removably attach the tag to the web forming the pocket. Such tacking of the tag is usually attained after folding of the tag and before folding of the web. Further, a mid-section of the tag cord is preferably tacked to the web at a position corresponding to an outer face of the pouch. Usually, this mid-section is arranged such that after folding and cutting to separate the pouch the mid-section slightly projects the bottom of the final pouch. On a general basis, the mid-section is arranged such that a leading segment of the tag cord extends from a corner portion between the leading edge and the top edge of the pouch to the bottom segment thereof and then turns to extend from said bottom segment in a straight line to the tag. 
         [0025]    Most preferably, the tag cord is laid on the drum in a V-shaped pattern for each lengthwise piece of the web corresponding to a single pouch. The V-shaped pattern is secured by three tag cord holding pins, which are preferably movably held on the drum to be retracted as the web is placed on the drum. In the preferred embodiment, the web is placed on the drum such that a mid-section of the web in width direction thereof is arranged at a position corresponding to the location of a bottom tag cord holding pin and the two other tag cord holding pins are arranged alongside of the web. One of the two other tag cord holding pins is a leading holding pin for a lengthwise piece corresponding to the pouch to be formed while the other of the two other tag cord holding pins defines a trailing holding pin assigned to a trailing edge of respective lengthwise piece. In other words, the tag cord is provided in a repeating V-shaped pattern around respective pins. Specifically, the tag cord is exclusively arranged in a V-shaped pattern on the outer circumferential surface of the drum, wherein each V-shaped pattern is followed by the next V-shaped pattern and wherein each V-shaped pattern is assigned to a lengthwise piece corresponding to a pocket or a final pouch. 
         [0026]    In this constitution, each of the two other cord holding pins is usually arranged essentially level with a separation between two adjacent lengthwise pieces of the web defining individual pouches. 
         [0027]    According to a further preferred embodiment, the tag cord is provided as a continuous cord and is cut after having been fixed to the web and the tag. Cutting is performed preferably adjacent to the each other tag cord holding pin. Preferably, a disposable lengthwise piece is cut away, which disposable lengthwise piece extends between the tag and an edge of the web corresponding to the upper edge. The disposable lengthwise piece is usually cut before folding the web. Specifically, the disposable lengthwise piece extends from the tag over the other cord holding pin and from there toward the web and usually extends straight towards the position corresponding to the bottom segment of the pouch. As a result of this cutting of the disposable lengthwise piece of the tag cord, respective tag cord is minimal, if not overhanging from the tag and/or the upper edge of the pouch. 
         [0028]    With a separate aspect, the present invention provides a pouch, in particular containing a brewable or extractable commodity such as tea. The pouch has a pocket defined between confronting side surfaces of a web. As a solution to the above objective, the confronting side surfaces of the web are joined by solidified melt of a heat-sealable cord arranged in vicinity of at least one edge of the pouch. As already mentioned above, the confronting side surfaces are preferably joined along a folded bottom, wherein the top edge arranged opposite to the bottom edge and vertical edges extending between the bottom and the top edge are joined by the solidified melt. Accordingly, the bottom edge is provided by folding and not joining, i.e. melting of the heat-sealable cord. 
         [0029]    According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pouch has a tag cord. One end of said tag cord is joined to the web. The other end of the tag cord is fixed to the tag which in turn is tacked to the top edge of the pouch. A mid-section of the cord, which extends between the one end and the tag is tacked to an outer face of the pouch. According to this preferred embodiment, the mid section of the tag cord is only tacked and not permanently fixed to the web. Accordingly, the tag cord can be separated from the web for handling the pouch. Most preferably, the tag is tacked to the top edge of the pouch using a segment of the heat-sealable cord that will also form the top seal. As for the tag cord, securing to the web is such that the mid-section and the web can be removed manually without destroying the web material and/or the sealed pouch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Further features, details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a specific embodiment in combination with the drawing. In the drawing: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  a perspective view of the essential components of an apparatus suitable for conducting the inventive method and making an example of the inventive pouch; 
           [0032]      FIG. 1   a  a perspective side view of the drum; 
           [0033]      FIG. 1   b  another perspective side view of the drum; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2   a  a flat projection of the drum for preparing the web of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2   b  a flat projection of further stations provided in circumferential direction on the drum for preparing the web of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  a perspective view of a vertical sealer of the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3   a  a length section of the pouch train leaving the vertical sealer of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  a side view of an embodiment of the inventive pouch made in an apparatus of  FIGS. 1 to 3  in accordance with  FIG. 4  from the opposite side; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  a top view of a predetermined length of a web suitable for forming a second embodiment of the inventive pouch; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  a perspective side view of the second embodiment of the pouch. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of an apparatus suitable for conducting the inventive method. This apparatus comprises a web preparation module  2 , a vertical sealer module  4 , a folding module  6  arranged between the web preparation module  2  and the vertical sealer module  4  and a filler module  8  arranged behind the vertical sealer module  4  in the travelling direction of a web. 
         [0042]    This web is fed to the web preparation module  2  as a continuous, unfolded web  10 , the central part thereof being formed by a drum  12 , which is rotatably driven in clockwise direction when viewed in accordance with the representation of  FIG. 1 . The flat projection of an outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12  as depicted in  FIG. 2  to elucidate the essential steps of preparing the unfolded web  10  prior to folding in the folding module  6 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 2 , dotted lines identify various stations of pouches to be formed, which pouches are made by cutting a pouch train identified with reference numeral  16  in  FIG. 1 . It should, however, be noted that the dotted lines do not reflect the presence of the web  10  in the various stations of  FIG. 2 , as in those stations, the web has not yet been placed on the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12 . However, referral will be made to these dotted lines to identify elements and sections of the web forming a single pouch and/or to identify elements and sections of the pouch. 
         [0044]    As this drum  12  is rotatably driven, the drum  12  passes various stations identified with numbers 1-6 in  FIG. 2 . Just below the numbers 1-6, a straight line is identified with reference numeral  18  corresponding to the flat projection of the rear end surface of the drum as seen in  FIG. 1 . A further parallel line identified with reference numeral  20  is the flat projection of a front end surface of the drum, which front end surface is identified with reference numeral  22  in  FIG. 1 . Between those end surfaces  18 ,  20 , the drum  12  forms the outer circumferential surface  14 . In stations 1-6, holding pins  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  52 ,  56  are projecting the outer circumferential surface  16 . Those holding pins  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  52  are movably held by the drum and can be projected over the outer circumferential surface  14  in a projected position and retracted to be essentially received within the drum  12  to not project the outer circumferential surface  14  thereof. 
         [0045]    Reference numeral  24  identifies a leading bottom holding pin, which is arranged at a position corresponding to a leading separation  34  of the web  10 . Reference numeral  32  identifies a trailing bottom holding pin arranged at a trailing separation  36  of an identical lengthwise piece  38  of the web  10 , which trailing bottom holding pin  32  is the leading bottom holding pin of the next lengthwise piece  38  of lengthwise pieces defining pockets within the pouch train  16 . 
         [0046]    Slightly inward of the leading separation  34  and within the lengthwise piece  38  having said leading separation  34 , there is provided a leading top holding pin  26 . This leading top holding pin  26  is arranged at a distance from a top edge  40  of the web  10 . In  FIG. 2 , each lengthwise piece  38  in width direction thereof comprises upper and lower confronting side surface sections  42 ,  43  separated by a folded bottom edge  44 . Between the folded bottom edge and each confronting side surface section  42 ,  43  there is provided an inner layer section  46 , which is adapted to form a gusset depicted with reference numeral  48  in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0047]    In width direction, the leading top holding pin  26  is arranged distant from the top edge  40  corresponding to 15% of the extension between the bottom edge  44  and the top edge  40 . Remote in lengthwise direction of the web  10 , i.e. in rotational direction of the drum  12  and directly adjacent to the top edge  40 , there is provided a leading top edge holding pin identified with reference numeral  30 . Level with this leading top holding pin  26  and slightly inward of the trailing separation  36  at a trailing corner portion  50  of the lengthwise piece  38 , there is provided a trailing top holding pin  30 . The distance in width direction of this trailing top holding pin  30  to the top edge  40  is identical to the distance of the top edge holding pin  28  to this top edge  40 . Finally, and assigned to each lengthwise piece  38 , there is provided the trailing bottom holding pin  32 . 
         [0048]    Further, the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12  is projected by tag cord holding pins identified with reference numeral  52 ,  54  and  56 . To each lengthwise piece  38 , there is assigned a bottom tag cord holding pin  52  arranged at a position corresponding to an inner layer  46  assigned to the top confronting side surface section  42 . This bottom tag cord holding pin  52  is arranged in a mid-section  53  of the lengthwise piece  38  in width-direction of the unfolded web  10  and slightly shifted toward the leading separation  34  relative to the center of the lengthwise piece  38  in longitudinal direction of the web  10 . Essentially level with the leading separation  34  and above the top edge  40 , i.e. at a location alongside the web  10 , there is provided a leading tag cord holding pin  54 . Level with said leading tag cord holding pin  54  in width direction of the web  10 , i.e. in axial direction of the drum  12 , there is provided a trailing tag cord holding pin  56 . This trailing tag cord holding pin  56  forms the leading tag cord holding pin of the next lengthwise piece  38  in travelling direction TD of the continuous web  10 . Every tag cord holding pin  52 ,  54 ,  56  is movably held to either project the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12  or be at least level with said surface  14  and held in a retracted position. 
         [0049]    In station 1 of  FIG. 2  and cut from a strip by a cutting wheel  57  (cf. Fig.), a tag  58  is placed on the outer circumferential surface  14  by a pressing drum  57   a . This tag  58  has a longitudinal extension in axial direction of the drum  12  and defines confronting tag surfaces  60  separated by a tag folding line  62  extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the web. The tag  58  has a length, i.e. extension in the longitudinal direction of the unfolded web  10  adapted to fit between the top edge holding pin  28  and the trailing top holding pin  30  (cf. station 1 in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0050]    In the next station, a tag cord  64  is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the drum  12 . This tag cord  64  is held by a track cord feeder  66  having a movable arm  68  controlled to provide a movement corresponding to a figure of 8 (cf.  FIG. 1 ). Thus, two closed loops are formed by the continuous movement of the movable arm  68 . With said movement, the tag cord  64  is applied to the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12  and in a tag loop identified with reference numeral  70  in  FIG. 2  at station 2. As the drum  12  is rotating while the movable arm  68  makes a double encircled movement, the tag cord  64  is laid around the tag cord holding pins  52 ,  54 ,  56  to encircle those pins  52 ,  54 ,  56 . As a result of the rotational movement of the drum  12  and an appropriate holding force for holding the tag cord  64  applied by the movable arm  68  while feeding this cord  64  continuously to the drum  12 , the tag cord  64  is straightened to extend in straight lines between the tag cord holding pins  52 ,  54 ,  56 . As depicted for station 3 in  FIG. 2 , respective pattern of the tag cord  64  is a V-shaped pattern  72 . This V-shaped pattern  72  is designed such that a fixing length  74  extends over the lower confronting tag surface  60  and intersects essentially with the tag folding line  62  at a trailing edge of the tag  58  (see station 3 of  FIG. 3 ). A mid-section  59  of the tag cord  64 , i.e. a bottom section of the V-shaped pattern  72  wound around the bottom tag holding pin  52  is arranged at a position corresponding to the inner layer section  46  of the web  10 . Further, and as derivable from graphical information provided for stations 2 and 3, the tag cord  64  is arranged to extend between the top edge holding pin  28  and the leading top holding pin  26 . For the sake of arranging the tag cord  64  in a straight line between the bottom tag cord holding pin  52  and the leading or trailing tag cord holding pin  54 ,  56 , the leading top holding pin  26  has been arranged downwards and away from the top edge  40  and furthermore provides a fairly wide gap for extending the tag cord  64  between holding pin  52  and holding pin  54 . 
         [0051]    As derivable from the sequence from station 3 to 4 in  FIG. 2 , the tag  58  is folded such that the confronting tag surfaces  16  are laid on top of each other with the fixing length  74  in between. At least one of the confronting tag surfaces  60  is coated with a PP- or PE-coating, which will be heated and thereby seal the confronting side surfaces against each other and join the tag cord to the tag  58  upon heating. Heating of the tag cord and sealing of the tag  58  is effected at station 4 by a tag welding wheel  77 . 
         [0052]    In the next position, i.e. station 5 on the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12 , a heat-sealable cord  76  is laid around the holding pins  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  in a heat-sealable cord loop  78 . For providing the heat-sealable cord  76  in such loop  78 , a sealable cord feeder  80  is provided having a feeder arm  82  driven as already described with reference to the movable arm  68  of the tag cord feeder  66  (cf.  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b ). The heat-sealable cord loop  78  is straightened to provide a predetermined essentially U-shaped pattern  81  comprising a leading segment  82  extending parallel to the leading separation  34  directly adjacent thereto but with a slight distance away from this leading separation  34  toward the trailing separation  36 . Between the leading top holding pin  26  and the top edge holding pin, the heat-sealable cord  76  provides an oblique segment  84  such, that a leading corner portion  86  of the lengthwise piece  38  is eliminated from being provided with a seal and defines an unsealed corner section. Between the top edge holding pin  28  and the trailing top holding pin  30 , the heat-sealable cord  76  defines a top edge segment  90  which is adapted to run parallel to the top edge  40  with a slight distance thereto. Finally and between the trailing top holding pin  30  and the trailing bottom holding pin  32 , the heat-sealable cord  76  defines a trailing segment  92  which runs parallel to the trailing separation  36  and is arranged directly adjacent thereto. 
         [0053]    After the heat-sealable cord loop  78  is straightened to provide the segments mentioned above and defining the U-shaped pattern  81 , the continuous web  10  is fed to the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12  and wound around said outer circumferential surface  14  with an angle of approximately 90° (cf.  FIG. 1 ). As the continuous web  10  contacts the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12 , the pins  52 ,  54 ,  56  and  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  are sequentially retracted such that the web  10  is not pierced by the pins  24  through  32 ;  52  through  56 . By the radial pressure of the continuous web  10 , the V-shaped pattern  72  of the tag cord  64  and the U-shaped pattern  81  of the heat-sealable cord  76  is pressed and thereby secured between the web  10  and the drum  12 . 
         [0054]    In a further station on the outer circumferential surface of the drum  12 , a disposable lengthwise piece  94  of the tag cord  64  identified in  FIG. 2 , station 4 is removed by a remover  95  (cf.  FIG. 1 ). This disposable lengthwise piece  94  projects the folded tag  58  and projects toward the trailing tag cord holding pin  56 . Cutting is facilitated in case of a straight cutting line which extends parallel to the top edge  40  of the web  10  and/or the tag  58  essentially level with the upper edge of the folded tag  58 . 
         [0055]    Next and as the web  10  presses and thereby secures the pattern  72  and  81  between the web  10  and the outer circumferential surface  14  of the drum  12 , the pattern  81  of the heat-sealable cord  76  is fixed to the upper confronting side surface section  42  by locally heating and, thus, partially melting the heat-sealable cord  76 , which will be described hereinafter in further detail by referring to  FIG. 2   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 2   a  exemplifies stations 7, 8, 9, which stations are provided at the outer circumference of the drum  12  with circumferential distance thereon not necessarily corresponding to a lengthwise piece  38  adapted to provide a single pouch P. Said stations 7, 8, 9 are provided after the continuous web  10  has been applied to the drum  12 . Stations 7 to 9 are to elucidate further welding steps applied on the drum  12 . The first welding step is the welding at station 4 in  FIG. 2   a  for melting the PE coating of the tag  58  with a welding wheel pressing against the drum  12 , which welding wheel is heated to approximately 160° C. This first welding step for welding the tag strap to the tag is to generally apply a uniform heat essentially to the entire surface of the folded tag  58  to melt the PE coating as well as the tag cord  64  between the confronting tag surfaces  60 . 
         [0057]    At station 7, the V-shaped pattern  72  of the tag cord  64  is tacked to the web  10  by tag cord-web-welds identified with TC-W. Optionally, a further TC-W-weld can be applied in the area of the leading corner section  86 . By means of the two welds TC-W, the tag cord  64  is only secured to the web  10  and not completely melted. Specifically, the tag cord  64  is not heated in a mid-section  53  of the lengthwise piece. Further, and by an adhesive like a heat-sealable melt, the tag cord  64  is secured at end  97  to the unsealed corner section  86  at positions identified with S. Further, the mid-section  59  of the tag cord  64  is tacked to the upper confronting side surface section  42 . As a consequence, the tag cord  64  is releasably secured to the web  10 . 
         [0058]    In a further station, identified as station 8, the heat-sealable cord  56  made of PA or PE is fixed to the web  10  by welds which are identified with reference numeral HSC-W. Those welds in form of tacks secure the U-shaped pattern  81  of the heat-sealable cord  76  and melt the entire heat-sealable cord  76  but omit the holding pins  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
         [0059]    The application of the TC-W welds and the HSC-W tacks is effected by one or more heated drums having a temperature of 160° C. Stations 7 and 8 can be combined at a single position in circumferential direction of the drum  12 . 
         [0060]    Finally, in station 9, the tag  58  is tacked to the web  10  by local welds of the heat-sealable cord  76  identified with reference numeral T-W for station 9 in  FIG. 2   a . Those local weld spots T-W are such that the tag  58  can be removed from the web  10  without destroying the same. For welding the heat-sealable cord  76  to the tag  58 , a heated welding drum is pressed against the folded tag  58  having a temperature of approximately 200° C. 
         [0061]    Next, the continuous web leaves the drum  12 , is guided around a pressing drum  99  pressing the web  10  against the drum and is folded in the folding module  6 . In this course of such folding between folding rolls  101 , the upper confronting side surface section  42  is laid against the lower confronting surface section  43  to provide confronting side surfaces  96  by means of guide elements (cf.  FIG. 4 ). Further, the inner layer sections  46  are abutted against a bottom section  98  provided by the upper and lower confronting side surface sections  42 ,  43 , respectively to provide the gusset  68  depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0062]    Next, the heat-sealable cord  76  is melted to provide vertical seals in the vertical sealer module  4 , which is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0063]    The vertical sealer module  4  has a heated drum  100  heated to about 225° C. and a trailing drum  102 , which are arranged with their rotational axis extending in vertical direction. Assigned to the heated drum  100  there is provided a pressing belt  104  defining vertical pressing elements  106 . The pressing belt  104  is abutted against the heated drum  100  over a circumferential extension corresponding of about 160°. As a folded web  108  is fed to the vertical sealer module  4 , the same is pressed between vertical spines  109  defining the outer circumferential surface of the heated drum  100  and the cooperating surface provided by the pressing elements  106  of the pressing belt  104 . Thus, a leading vertical pressing element  106  is abutted against the leading segment  82  and some part of the oblique segment  84 . A trailing pressing element  106  is abutted against the trailing segment  92  of identical lengthwise piece  38 , which trailing pressing element  106  for said lengthwise piece  38  likewise forms the leading pressing element of the next lengthwise piece  38 . 
         [0064]    The effective heating of each pressing element  106  is identified in  FIG. 3   a  with PE. As a consequence, vertical seals are provided which are identified as leading vertical seals  110  and trailing vertical seals  112  in  FIG. 3   a . Thus, a leading vertical seal  110  and a trailing vertical seal  112  are provided defining a pocket  113  for each lengthwise piece  38  of the pouch train  16 . For facilitating filling of the pocket  113 , an upper end section of the trailing segment  92  near the top edge  40  may not be sealed. This upper end section has a length in width direction of approximately 5% of the overall extension of the folded web in width direction. As derivable from  FIG. 3   a , a portion of the oblique segment  84  defines the leading vertical seal  110  while an end section of the oblique segment  84  remains unsealed in the vertical sealer module  4 . 
         [0065]    Between the heated drum  100  and the trailing drum  102  a longitudinal separation element  114  is introduced into the gusset  28  to separate the inner sections  46  from each other and to provide a V-shaped constitution at the bottom of each lengthwise piece  36  (cf.  FIG. 4 ). As a consequence of heating and pressing, the folded web  108  between the heated drum  100  and the pressing belt  104 , material forming the heat-sealable cord  76  is completely melted. The molten thermoplastic material interfuses the filter material forming the web  10  and, hence, joins the confronting side surfaces  96  against each other and against the inner layer sections  46 . 
         [0066]    The pouch train  16  is the fed to the filler module  8  which can have a conventional constitution with spouts of a spout wheel being introduced into the pockets  113  to fill the same with the material defining the commodity, in the present example tea. Then, the top edge  40  is sealed by heating the remaining upper section the oblique segment  84 , the top edge segment  90  of optionally the upper end section of the trailing segment  92 , each of which left unwelded in the vertical sealer module  4  and pressing the confronting side surfaces  60  against each other make the melt formed by the heat-sealable cord  76  at the top edge  40  interfuse the confronting side surfaces  96  (cf.  FIG. 4 ) and join the same at the top edge  40  to seal and close the entire pocket  113 . Next, the lengthwise pieces  38  forming the pockets  113  may be cut at the leading and the trailing separation  34 ,  36 , respectively to provide individual pouches P. Top sealing of the pockets and/or cutting of the pouch train  16  may either be done at the circumferential surface of a filler wheel of the filler module  8  holding the pouch train  16  as the spouts are introduced into the pockets  113  or after discharging the pouch train  16  from the filler wheel. 
         [0067]    The result of those manufacturing steps for making the pouch P is exemplified in  FIG. 4  showing a perspective side view of the pouch P. Cutting of the pouch P from the pouch train  16  leads to leading and trailing edges identified with reference numeral  116 ,  117 , respectively. At the trailing edge  116 , the weld or melt provided the leading segment  82  of the heat-sealable cord  76  has provided a leading seal  118 . Above said leading seal  118  the unsealed corner section  86  remains unsealed with an oblique seal  119  underlying this unsealed corner section  86  and connecting the leading seal  118  with a top edge seal  120 . Alternatively, an end section defining the fixed end  97  of the tag cord  64  may join the confronting side surfaces at the leading corner section  86  as a consequence of the welding or melting effected by PE (cp.  FIG. 3   a ). This top edge seal  120  intersects with a trailing seal  121 , which extends parallel to the trailing edge  117 . The inner layer sections  46  are folded away thereby providing the gusset  48 . Accordingly, tea provided in a bottom region of the pouch P is received in two joined chambers formed by the gusset  48  in which the folded bottom seal  44  is arranged and folded inwardly. 
         [0068]    The folded tag  58  projects the top edge of the pouch P. The tag cord  64  is fixed to the folded web  108  at the unsealed corner portion  86 . The other end of the tag cord  64  is fixed to the tag  58 . The mid-section  59  of the tag cord  64  is not fixed to the web and projects the bottom fold  122  of the pouch P. A line corresponding to the bottom fold is identified in  FIG. 2  with reference number  122 . Hence, the tag cord  64  may either be removed by tearing off the tag  58  and thereby removing the tag cord  64  from the web, or by gripping the projection formed by the tag cord  64  at the bottom fold  122  and tearing off the tag cord  64  from this position. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are to illustrate a second embodiment of a pouch P and the manufacturing thereof. Identical elements as already described for the first embodiment and in connection with  FIGS. 1 to 4  are used to identify respective elements in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0070]    The production of the pouch P may likewise utilize a drum for preparing a continuous web  10  conveyed in traveling direction TD. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a single cord is used, which is a heat-sealable cord having an unsealable cord core being provided with a fusible coating of e.g. a polymer. The heat-sealable cord  76  is continuously fed to the web  10  and usually around holding pins to provide a pattern  81  depicted in  FIG. 5 . Respective pattern  81  comprises a leading segment  82 , a leading top edge segment  90 L which is projected over the top edge  40  to provide a fixing length  74  extending over the tag  58  which fixing length  74  may be enclosed between two confronting tag surfaces as discussed above. The heat-sealable cord  76  is fed below the top edge  40  and on top of the upper confronting side surface section  42  to define an inner loop  124 . From this inner loop  124 , the heat-sealable cord  76  is provided in the pattern  81  so as to provide a trailing top edge segment  90 T, which at the trailing corner portion  50  intersects with the trailing segment  92 . The heat-sealable cord  76  is laid as a continuous cord in respective pattern  81  for each lengthwise piece  38 . As opposed to the first embodiment, the heat-sealable cord  76  is placed on the web  10 , which has been arranged on the drum  12 . Thereafter, a disposable lengthwise piece  94  already removed in the graphical representation of  FIG. 5  is cut away between the top edge  40  and the tag  58 , which disposable lengthwise piece  94  is assigned to the trailing top edge segment  90 T. Then, the confronting side surface sections  42 ,  43  are folded along a folding line corresponding to the bottom edge  44 . Thereafter, heat is applied to the segments  82 ,  92  to provide open pockets, which may be filled thereafter as the pouch train  16  is abutted against a filler wheel as known from prior art. Then, the open pocket  130  is sealed by heating the segments  90 T and  90 L of the heat-sealable cord  76 . In the course of this heating, the thermoplastic coating on the cord material is melted to fuse the confronting side surface  96  (see  FIG. 6 ). Finally, the closed pockets are separated from the pouch train  16  to provide individualized pouches P. 
         [0071]    Respective pouch P is depicted in  FIG. 6 . In said pouch P the tag  58  is held distant from the upper edge  40  by the heat-sealable cord  76 . For handling the pouch P, the inner loop  124  is drawn out of the pocket  113  defined by the pouch P to provide external length between the pocket  113  and the tag  58 . 
       REFERENCES IN THE DRAWINGS INCLUDE 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               2  web preparation module; 
               4  vertical sealer module; 
               6  folding module; 
               8  filler module; 
               10  continuous unfolded web; 
               12  drum; 
               14  outer circumferential surface; 
               16  pouch train; 
               18  flat projection rear end surface; 
               20  flat projection front end surface; 
               22  front end surface; 
               24  leading bottom holding pin; 
               26  leading top holding pin; 
               28  top edge holding pin; 
               30  trailing top holding pin; 
               32  trailing bottom holding pin; 
               34  leading separation; 
               36  trailing separation; 
               38  lengthwise piece; 
               40  top edge; 
               42  upper confronting side surface section; 
               43  lower confronting side surface section; 
               44  bottom edge; 
               46  inner layer section; 
               48  gusset; 
               50  trailing corner portion; 
               52  bottom tag cord holding pin; 
               53  mid-section of the lengthwise piece; 
               54  leading tag cord holding pin; 
               56  trailing tag cord holding pin; 
               58  tag; 
               59  mid-section of the tag cord; 
               60  confronting tag surface; 
               62  tag folding line; 
               64  tag cord; 
               66  tag cord feeder; 
               68  movable arm; 
               70  tag loop (dotted line); 
               72  V-shaped pattern; 
               74  fixing length; 
               76  heat-sealable cord; 
               77  tag welding wheel; 
               78  heat-sealable cord loop (dotted line); 
               80  sealable cord feeder; 
               81  U-shaped pattern/pattern; 
               82  leading segment; 
               84  oblique segment; 
               86  leading corner section/unsealed corner section; 
               90  top edge segment; 
               90 L leading top edge segment; 
               90 T trailing top edge segment; 
               92  trailing segment; 
               94  disposable lengthwise piece; 
               95  cord remover; 
               96  confronting side surface; 
               97  fixed end of the tag cord; 
               98  bottom side surface section; 
               99  pressing drum; 
               100  heated drum; 
               101  folding rolls; 
               102  trailing drum; 
               104  pressing belt; 
               106  vertical pressing element; 
               108  folded web; 
               109  vertical spine; 
               110  leading vertical seal; 
               112  trailing vertical seal; 
               113  pocket; 
               114  separation element; 
               116  leading edge; 
               117  trailing edge; 
               118  leading seal; 
               119  oblique seal; 
               120  top edge seal; 
               120 L leading top edge seal; 
               120 T trailing top edge seal; 
               121  trailing seal; 
               122  bottom fold; 
               124  inner loop; 
             P pouch; 
             PE area of heating for welding vertical seals; 
             S securing position area for fixing one end of the tag cord to the web  10 ; 
             TD traveling direction; 
             TC-W area for tacking the tag cord  64  to the web  10 ; 
             HSC-W area for fixing the heat-sealable cord  76  to the web; 
             10T-W area for tacking the tag  58  to the web  10 ; and 
             “1” numbers of processing stations.