Patent Publication Number: US-2017369208-A1

Title: Bags and methods of making bags

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/080,104, filed on Mar. 24, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/137,267, filed on Mar. 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to packaging and in particular to preformed bags, a web of preformed bags, and methods of forming and using a web of preformed bags. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828, issued Jun. 7, 1966, to Hershey Lerner under the title Flexible Container Strips is directed to so called bags on a roll (here the AutoBag patent). U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent discloses a web of bags interconnected by lines of weakness, preferably in the form of perforations, with each of the bags being open on one face. In use the bags are sequentially fed to a loading station. When at the loading station, each bag is blown open, a product is inserted and, if desired, the bag is sealed to form a package. The formed package is separated from the web. 
     These container strips in the form of chains of pre-opened bags are supplied either on a roll as taught in the AutoBag patent or festooned in a carton in the manner taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,029, issued May 6, 1980, to Bernard Lerner et al. under the title Method and Apparatus for Packaging, (here the Wig-Wag patent). Such container strips have been sold by Automated Packaging Systems, Inc. of Streetsboro, Ohio, the assignee of the present case, under the trademark AutoBag and have enjoyed great commercial success. 
     Both AutoBag and competitive products have usually been made by feeding two layers or a tube of plastic material through a converting machine. Such a machine forms transverse seals to delineate the bottoms of the bags and transverse lines of weakness by perforating both layers of the tube to delineate contiguous ends of adjacent bags. After the perforations are formed, a “zinging” operation is performed on each bag to open the front of the bag while leaving the perforations of the back layer intact. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of webs of preformed bags and methods of forming the same are disclosed herein. 
     An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side edges that hermetically join the first and second layers, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, a plurality of first lines of weakness in the first layer, and a plurality of second lines of weakness in the second layer. The first lines of weakness are weaker than the second lines of weakness. The preformed bags are defined by the first and second side edges, the first and second lines of weakness, and the transverse seals. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. The method includes providing a web of preformed bags and breaking a first line of weakness without completely breaking a second line of weakness to open a bag of the web of preformed bags. The web of preformed bags includes first and second elongated layers, first and second side edges that hermetically join the first and second layers, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, a plurality of first lines of weakness in the first layer, and a plurality of second lines of weakness in the second layer. The first lines of weakness are weaker than the second lines of weakness. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a fragmentary plan view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of a chain of bags interconnected by a relatively more strong line of separation in a top or outer ply a relatively less strong line of separation in a bottom or inner ply; 
         FIG. 1B  is a fragmentary plan view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of a chain of bags interconnected by a relatively more strong line of separation in a first ply a relatively less strong line of separation in a second ply; 
         FIG. 1C  is a fragmentary plan view of a section of an exemplary embodiment of a chain bags interconnected by a relatively more strong line of separation in a first ply a relatively less strong line of separation in a second ply; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational, schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine for making the bags of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of the machine of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine for making the bags of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a machine for making the bags of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a package; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the package taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart that illustrates a process of opening bags, loading bags with a product, sealing the bags, and separating the bags from a web of bags; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an exemplary apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  10 - 10  in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag in an open condition for loading with a product; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  12 - 12  in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with an engagement member positioned to reduce a volume of air in the loaded bag; 
         FIG. 14  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  14 - 14  in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag being sealed to enclose the product in the package; 
         FIG. 16  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  16 - 16  in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus pulling the web away from the loaded bag to separate the loaded bag from the web by reverse indexing rollers; 
         FIG. 18  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus releasing an exemplary package; 
         FIG. 20  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  20 - 20  in  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with a bag positioned for pre-opening by engagement with an engagement member; 
         FIG. 21A  is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags with a bag positioned for pre-opening by engagement with a sealing device; 
         FIG. 21B  is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags with a bag positioned for opening with a sealing device; 
         FIG. 22  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with a bag being pre-opened by breaking a relatively less strong line of connection in a face ply upon engagement with an engagement member and reverse indexing of a drive; 
         FIG. 23A  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with a bag being pre-opened by breaking a relatively less strong line of connection in a face ply upon engagement with a sealing device and reverse indexing of a drive; 
         FIG. 23B  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with a bag being opened by breaking a relatively less strong line of connection in a face ply by pulling the face ply with a sealing device; 
         FIG. 24  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  24 - 24  in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag being blown open by a source of air; 
         FIG. 25A  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus illustrated by  FIG. 24A  with the bag being blown open by a source of air; 
         FIG. 25B  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus illustrated by  FIG. 24B  with the bag being blown open by a source of air; 
         FIG. 26  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  26 - 26  in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus with the bag in the open condition for loading with a product; 
         FIG. 28  is a view of the apparatus taken along lines  28 - 28  in  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates an engagement member with an optional device that helps the engagement member break the relatively less strong line of connection in the face ply to pre-open the bags; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates an engagement member with an optional device that helps the engagement member break the relatively less strong line of connection in the face ply to pre-open the bags; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates an engagement member with an optional device that helps the engagement member break the relatively less strong line of connection in the face ply to pre-open the bags; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates an engagement member with an optional device that helps the engagement member break the relatively less strong line of connection in the face ply to pre-open the bags; 
         FIGS. 33A and 33B  illustrate a bag opening device that pulls on the web to break the relatively less strong line of connection in the face ply to open the bags; 
         FIGS. 34A-34C  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags; 
         FIGS. 35A and 35B  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary apparatus for making packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags; and 
         FIGS. 36A-36C  is an illustration of a process for making an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags, rolling the elongated web of preformed bags onto a roll, and preopening the bags while on the roll to inhibit air from entering the open bag. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present application relates to an elongated web  16  ( FIGS. 1A and 2A ) of preformed interconnected bags  18 . In an exemplary embodiment, the web  16  has weaker line of separation  30  defined in a first ply  20  and a stronger line of separation  32  in a second ply  22 . The weaker line of separation  30  is weaker than the stronger line of separation  32 . For example, the tensile force required to break or tear the first ply  20  apart at the weaker line of separation  30  is less than the tensile force required to break or tear the second ply  22  apart at the stronger line of separation  32 . In one exemplary embodiment, a tensile force can be applied to the web  16  (i.e. to both plies) that breaks or tears the first ply  20  apart at the weaker line of separation  30  and leaves the stronger line of separation  32  intact. 
     The weaker line of separation  30  allows the openings  130  of the bags  18  to be formed at a packaging machine  10 , instead of during production of the web  16  of bags  18 . That is, the openings  130  can be formed by breaking or tearing the first ply  20  along the weaker line of separation  30  with the packaging machine  10 . 
     The webs  16  of preformed interconnected bags  18  can take a wide variety of different forms. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1C , each preformed bag  18  is defined by first and second plies  20 ,  22  of the web  16 . First and second side edges  24 ,  26  of the web hermetically join the first and second plies. Preformed seals  28  extend between the first and second side edges  24 ,  26 . The weaker line of separation  30  extends between the first and second side edges  24 ,  26 . The stronger line of separation  32 , such as a line of perforations in the second ply  22  extends between the first and second side edges  24 ,  26 . In one exemplary embodiment, the weaker line of separation  30  is superposed over the stronger line of perforations  32 . In another exemplary embodiment, the weaker line of perforations and the stronger line of perforations  32  are offset. 
     The web  16  of preformed bags  18  illustrated by  FIGS. 1A and 1B  is one example of the wide variety of different webs that may be used. Examples of acceptable webs of preformed interconnected bags that can be modified to include a weaker line of separation  30  in the first ply  20  and the stronger line of separation in the second ply  22  include, but are not limited to, the webs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 to H. Lerner and U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,824 to B. Lerner et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     The weaker line of separation  30  may take a wide variety of different forms. In the example illustrated by  FIG. 1A , the perforations  230  of the weaker line of separation  30  are longer than the perforations  232  of the stronger line of separation  32  and the length of the gaps  330  between the perforations  230  of the weaker line of separation  30  are the same or about the same as the length of the gaps  332  between the perforations  232  of the stronger line of separation  32 . As such, the first ply  20  includes less material along the weaker line of separation  30  than the second ply  22  includes along the stronger line of separation  32 . As a result, the weaker line of separation  30  is weaker than the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     In the example illustrated by  FIG. 1B , the weaker line of separation  30  comprises elongated cuts  140  that are connected by a solid section or tick  141  of the ply  20 . Two long cuts  140  that extend inward from the side edges  24 ,  26  to the solid section or tick  141  are illustrated in the  FIG. 1B . However, any number of cuts  140  and ticks  141  can be included. The first ply  20  includes only the tick  141  or ticks along the weaker line of separation  30 . As a result, the weaker line of separation  30  is weaker than the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     In the example illustrated by  FIG. 1C , the weaker line of separation comprises perforations  230  and an elongated cut  140 . The perforations  230  of the weaker line of separation  30  are longer than the perforations  232  of the stronger line of separation  32  and the length of the gaps  330  between the perforations  230  of the weaker line of separation  30  are the same or about the same as the length of the gaps  332  between the perforations  232  of the stronger line of separation  32 . The perforations extend inward from the side edges  24 ,  26  to the elongated cut  140 . 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  provide just a few of the many possible configurations of the weaker line of separation  30 . Any configuration that makes the line of separation  30  weaker than the line of separation  32  can be used. For example, the weaker line of separation  30  and the stronger line of separation  32  perforations may have the same configuration, but the first ply  20  is made from a weaker material than the second ply  22 . As a result, the first ply  20  tears or separates along the weaker line of separation  30  more easily than the second ply  22  tears or separates along the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     The web  16  may be formed of any suitable material. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastic materials, polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl films, pliofilms, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene, polypropylene, and any heat sealable material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , an exemplary package  12  includes a sealed compartment  36 . The package  12  may have any number of compartments. Product  40  is disposed in the compartment  36 . The illustrated product  40  is a plurality of bolts. However, the package  12  may contain any product. The compartment is defined by the first and second side edges  24 ,  26 , the preformed seal  28 , and a seal  44  that is formed after the product  40  is loaded into the bag. In the example, the seal  44  extends from the first side edge  24  to the second side edge  26  to hermetically seal the compartment  36 . In another embodiment, the dividing seal  28  may not extend all the way from the first side edge to the second side edge or may be intermittent to allow communication between the compartment  44  and external air or the compartment  44  and another optional compartment of the package. 
     The webs  18  of interconnected bags  16  can be made in a wide variety of different ways.  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a machine and process for making the webs  18  of bags  16  illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1C . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  a pair of single ply individual web supplies  310 ,  312  are provided which are face and back webs  20 ,  22  respectively. Webs from the supplies  310 ,  312  are respectively fed along individual paths of travel to perforators  330 ,  332 . The perforator  330  provides the weak line of separation  30  in the web  20 . The perforator  332  provides the strong line of separation  32  in the web  22 . 
     The webs  20 ,  22  are fed from the perforators  330 ,  332  to a pair of nip rolls  317 . The webs  20 ,  22  are fed from a juncture of the nip rolls  317  along a common path of travel. Hot knives  322 ,  323  are positioned downstream from the juncture nips  317  to form seals along side edges of the webs and convert the webs into a tube  324 . Trim strips  325 ,  326  formed by the hot knives are removed for collection and recycling. Once formed into a tube the combined webs pass through a sealer  230  which forms transverse seals  28  to become the bottoms of the bags  18  being produced. Thereafter the web, now formed into a container strip of interconnected bags, is collected at a take up  338 . 
     In operation as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , coils of single ply plastic are mounted to provide the front and back supplies  310 ,  312 . The materials of the webs may be other than identical so long as they are capable of being sealed together. For example, one web may be pigmented such that it is translucent or opaque while the other web is clear. Typically the plastic will be polyethylene, although other thermal softenable plastics capable of adherence together on application of heat and pressure are sometimes employed. 
     Webs from the supplies  310 ,  312  are fed along their respective independent paths of travel through the perforators  330 ,  332 . They are then fed along the path  328  past the hot knives  322 , 323 , the transverse sealer  330 , and thence to the take up  338 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a machine and process for making the webs  18  of bags  16  illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1C . A web  560  is fed along a path of travel indicated by an arrow  561 . The weak line of separation  30  and the strong line of separation  32  are concurrently formed in the web  560 . In the illustrated embodiment, the weak line of separation  30  and the strong line of separation  32  are formed by coacting cutting and anvil rolls  565 , 566 . As the web  560  proceeds along its path of travel a fold  568  is formed. Through the folding process a face section  20  of the web  560  is superposed over a back section  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the weak line of separation  30  is superposed over the strong line of separation  32 . 
     Transverse seals  28  are formed by a heat sealer shown schematically at  575 . Each of the seals shown in  FIG. 4 , delineates a bottom of one of the chain of bags  16  being formed. A hot knife  577  forms a seal  578  along the web side edge opposite the fold  568  to complete the chain of bags. Optionally a second hot knife  580  may form an optional opposed seal  581 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a machine and process for making the webs  18  of bags  16  illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1C . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , face and back webs  20 ,  22 , as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , are fed along individual paths. The weak lines of separation  30  and the strong lines of separation  32  are pre-formed in the webs  20 ,  22  in the  FIG. 5  embodiment, rather than forming them with the machine that converts the webs  20 ,  22  to the connected bags. The weak line of separation  30  and the strong line of separation  32  are optionally juxtaposed and the transverse seals  28  and the seal are formed. 
     While in each embodiments illustrated by  FIGS. 2-5 , formation of the transverse seals is depicted before the seals, the sequence can obviously be reversed. Similarly, any of the steps or operations illustrated by  FIGS. 2-5  can be reordered. 
     The webs  18  of interconnected bags  16  can be used in a wide variety of different applications. For example, the webs  18  of interconnected bags  16  can be used in a wide variety of different packaging machines. The weaker line of separation  30  allows the openings  130  of the bags  18  to be formed at the time of use, by packaging machine  10 , instead of during production of the web  16  of bags  18  before the web  16  is loaded onto the packaging machine. The openings  130  can be formed by breaking or tearing the first ply along the weaker line of separation  30  with the packaging machine, while leaving the strong line of separation  32  intact. This breaking or tearing the first ply along the weaker line of separation  30  to form the opening  130  with the packaging machine, while leaving the strong line of separation  32  intact can be accomplished by a packaging machine in a wide variety of different ways. For example, a suction cup or other adhering device can pull the ply  20  to break the weak line of separation  30 . Rollers that advance the web  16  through the machine may be intermittently or continuously rotated at different speeds to pull the ply  20  to break the weak line of separation  30 . A predetermined amount of tension that breaks the ply  20  at the weak line of separation  30 , but leaves the ply  22  intact at the stronger line of separation  32 , may be applied to the web  16 . After the bag  18  is loaded and sealed, the strong line of separation  32  can be broken to separate the loaded bag from the next bag to be loaded. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a method  8  and  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate an apparatus  10  for making packages  12  from an elongated web  16  of preformed interconnected bags  18 , such as the elongated webs  16  of bags  18  illustrated by  FIGS. 1A-1C . In an exemplary embodiment, the web  16  is engaged to move the ply  20  of the web to break the ply  20  at the weak line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart  14  that illustrates the method  8  of making packages. Any one or more of the steps of the method illustrated by  FIG. 8  may be omitted and/or the order of the steps may be changed without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. That is, steps of the method illustrated by  FIG. 8  may be omitted, modified or reduced. For example, any method that breaks the layer  22  at the weak line of separation  30  to form the opening  130  can be used. The flow chart refers to the apparatus  10  shown in  FIGS. 9-28  being operated to make packages  12  from an elongated web  16  of preformed interconnected bags  18 . However, any apparatus can be used that performs the method shown in  FIG. 8 . The concepts of the apparatus  10  can be implemented in any of a wide variety of packaging machines. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,468 to H. Lerner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,455 to Gereby et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,676 to B. Lerner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,201 to Cronauer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,317, U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,676, U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,521, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,520 disclose packaging machines that can be modified in accordance with the present invention to make packages from an elongated web of preformed interconnected bags and are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-12 , the illustrated apparatus  10  includes a supply  50  ( FIG. 11 ) of the elongated web  16  of preformed interconnected bags  18 , an indexing mechanism  52 , an opening arrangement  54 , a sealing arrangement  56 , and a controller  58 . The supply  50  comprises the elongated web  16  that is rolled or folded to stage a relatively large amount of the web in a relatively small space. The web  16  is routed from the supply  50  along a path of travel P to the indexing mechanism  52 . The indexing mechanism  52  receives the web  16  from the supply and moves the web along the path of travel P. The indexing mechanism  52  may take a wide variety of different forms. For example, any indexing mechanism that can be controlled to index bags of the web to selected positions along the path of travel may be used. In the illustrated example, the indexing mechanism comprises a pair of rollers  60  that form a nip that engages the web  16 . The rollers  60  are selectively driven by a motor (not shown) to index bags of the web to selected positions along the path of travel P. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the opening arrangement  54  is positioned along the path of travel P to open each bag that is to be loaded and sealed. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening arrangement  54  comprises a blower  400  and an engagement device  402 . However, the opening arrangement  54  may take a wide variety of different forms. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the controller  58  is in communication with the indexing arrangement  52 , the opening arrangement  54 , and the sealing arrangement  56 . The controller  58  controls the indexing arrangement  52 , the opening arrangement  54 , and the sealing arrangement  56  to convert the preformed bags  18  into packages  12 . A wide variety of controllers can be used and programmed to control the indexing arrangement  52 , the opening arrangement  54 , and the sealing arrangement  56  as described herein. For example, the controller and controller algorithms described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,625 to Kramer can be modified to control the indexing arrangement  52 , the opening arrangement  54 , and the sealing arrangement  56  to perform the method  8  of forming packages. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 11 and 12 , each bag  18  is blown and/or held open with air or by other means at a position where the bag is loaded with a product  40 . The opening of the bags  18  is described in more detail below. When the bag  18  is positioned at the load position and is blown or held open by air, the product  40  is loaded into the bag  18 . The product may be loaded manually or automatically. In the illustrated embodiment, the position where the bag  18  is loaded is also the position where bag  18  is sealed. In another embodiment the position where the bag is loaded is different than the position where the bag is sealed. In this embodiment, the controller  58  causes the indexing mechanism  52  to move the bag  18  to the seal position after the bag is loaded with product  40 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, once the product is loaded in the bag  18 , an operator may provide a signal to the controller  58  that indicates that loading is complete or completion of loading may be automatically detected. The apparatus  10  may be configured to allow the operator to provide the completed loading signal to the controller in a wide variety of different ways. For example, the apparatus may have a control foot pedal (not shown) or the sealing arrangement  56  may have a portion that the operator can push on to indicate that loading is complete and it is time to seal the package. Similarly, the apparatus can be configured to automatically detect completed loading and provide the controller with a signal that indicated this fact. For example, the apparatus may include a counter or may weigh the package to detect completed loading. The signal from the operator or detection of completed loading is communicated to the controller  58 , which may cause actuation of the engagement device  402  as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , actuation of the sealing arrangement  56  as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and/or deactivation of the blower as described in more detail below. This stops or restricts airflow to the bag as the bag is sealed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , once in the seal position, the controller  58  optionally causes a motor or actuator  406  of the engagement device  402  to move an engagement member  404  into engagement with the web  16 . The engagement between the engagement member  404  and the web  16  inhibits further air from the blower  400  from moving into the open bag  18 , and thus functions as an air restrictor. As a result, the amount of air in the bag  18  diminishes as illustrated by  FIG. 13  before the seal is formed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the sealing arrangement  56  is positioned along the path of travel P to provide the seal  44  ( FIG. 5 ). The sealing arrangement  56  may take a wide variety of different forms. For example, any mechanism that applies heat to the web to seal the first and second webs together to form the seal  44  may be implemented. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the sealing arrangement  56  comprises a heated bar  68  that is selectively moved into and out of engagement with a base member  70 . In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 34A-34C and 35A-35C , the sealing arrangement  56  comprises a heated bar  68  mounted to the base  70  and a backing element  3400  that is selectively moved into and out of engagement with the heated bar  68 . Any sealing arrangement  56  can be used in any of the embodiments disclosed by this patent application. 
     When the web is in the seal position, the controller  58  controls the sealing arrangement  56  to clamp the web  16  between the heated bar  68  and the base member  70  (or the backing member  3400  and the heated bar  68 ). Heat is applied to the web to seal the plies of the web together between the first side edge  24  and the second side edge  26 . The first and second plies  20 ,  22  are sealed together to form the compartment  36 . In the exemplary embodiment, the controller  58  causes the motor or actuator  406  of the engagement device  402  to move the engagement member  404  away from the web  16  once the web  16  is clamped by the heated bar. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the formed package  12  is separated from the web  16 . The formed package  12  can be separated from the web  16  in a wide variety of different ways. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the controller  58  controls the indexing mechanism  52  to separate the formed package  12  from the web  16 . The second ply  22  is broken along the stronger line of separation  32  to separate the package  12  from the elongated web  16  of interconnected bags  18 . The controller  58  controls the indexing arrangement  52  to pull the web  16  away from the bag  18  as indicated by arrows  74  while the bag is clamped by the sealing arrangement  56  in an exemplary embodiment. The bag  18  breaks free of the web  16  along the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the formed, separated package  12  is released. The package can be released in a wide variety of different ways. In the illustrated example, the controller  58  controls the sealing arrangement  56  to release the formed package  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the next bag  18  is optionally positioned for opening. In other embodiments discussed below, the next bag  18  can be opened as the next bag moves along the path of travel P to the loading position. The next bag  18  can be positioned for opening in a wide variety of different ways and the next bag can be opened in a wide variety of different ways. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 21 and 22 , the optional engagement device  402  is used to open the next bag. In the example of FIGS.  21  and  22 , the controller  58  controls the indexing mechanism  52  to index the web  16  forward until the weaker line of separation  30  of the next bag  18  is just below the engagement member  404  of the engagement device  402  in the exemplary embodiment. In alternate embodiments, the opening  30  is indexed to other positions. The weaker line of separation  30  can be indexed to any position where engagement of the web by the engagement member  404  and/or movement of the web by the indexing arrangement  52  causes the ply  20  to break at the weaker line of separation  30 . For example, the weaker line of separation  30  may be substantially aligned with the engagement member  404  or the opening may be positioned slightly above the engagement member. 
     In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 21A , the optional engagement device  402  may be omitted and the sealing arrangement  56  is used to open the next bag. In the example of  FIG. 21A , the controller  58  controls the indexing mechanism  52  to index the web  16  forward until the weaker line of separation  30  of the next bag  18  is just below the sealing arrangement  56 . In alternate embodiments, the opening  30  is indexed to other positions. The weaker line of separation  30  can be indexed to any position where engagement of the web by sealing arrangement  56  causes the ply  20  to break at the weaker line of separation  30 . For example, the weaker line of separation  30  may be substantially aligned with the sealing arrangement  56 . 
     In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 21B , the optional engagement device  402  may be omitted and a sealing arrangement  56  that includes an opening arrangement  2100  is used to open the next bag. For example, the opening arrangement  2100  may be a suction cup or a vacuum port that is selectively controlled to provided a vacuum. In the example of  FIG. 21B , the controller  58  controls the indexing mechanism  52  to index the web  16  forward until the weaker line of separation  30  of the next bag  18  is just above the sealing arrangement  56 . In alternate embodiments, the opening  30  is indexed to other positions. The weaker line of separation  30  can be indexed to any position where engagement of the web by opening arrangement  2100  causes the ply  20  to break at the weaker line of separation  30 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , in another exemplary embodiment, the controller  58  may control the indexing mechanism  52  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  to form the opening  130 . For example, one of the rollers of the indexing mechanism may be rotated faster or slower than the other roller when the weaker line of separation is at or near the indexing mechanism  52  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The controller  58  then controls the indexing mechanism  52  to index the web  16  forward until the formed opening  130  of the next bag  18  is just below the engagement member  404  of the engagement device  402  in his embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the controller  58  causes the motor or actuator  406  of the engagement device  402  to move the engagement member  404  into engagement with the web. The engagement of the web  16  with the engagement member  404  alone can be configured to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, the controller  58  causes the indexing mechanism  52  to pull on the web as indicated by arrows  412  while the engagement member  404  is in engagement with the web  16  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . In another embodiment, the indexing mechanism moves the web in the opposite direction to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     The relative movement of the layers  20 ,  22  of the web may manifest in a wide variety of different ways.  FIG. 24  shows that the layer  20  may wrinkle or pucker at the opening  30  when the web is pulled against the engagement member  404 . This wrinkling or puckering creates enough of a space between the two layers at the opening  30  that a small amount of air flow will easily open the bag  18  for filling. The engagement between the engagement member  404  and the web  16  can be at any location on the web that facilitates movement of the two layers  20 ,  22  at the opening. For example, the engagement can occur a significant distance from weaker line of separation  30  and still break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . In an embodiment, a separate engagement device that is used to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130  is included in addition to an engagement device that is used to reduce the amount of air in the package after the bag is loaded as described above. In another embodiment, the engagement device  402  does not function to reduce the amount of air on the loaded package and the engagement device functions primarily to engage the web to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     The engagement device  402  can take a wide variety of different forms. The engagement device  404  may be a pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuator with an extendable portion that engages the web to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130  or a driven cam that rotates to engage the web and break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The engagement device  404  can be any device that moves to engage the web to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 23A  where the sealing arrangement  56  is used to open the next bag  18 , the controller  58  moves the sealing arrangement  56  into engagement with the web, with less force than when the sealing arrangement is sealing the web. The engagement of the web  16  with the sealing arrangement alone can be configured to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, the controller  58  causes the indexing mechanism  52  to pull on the web as indicated by arrows  412  while the sealing arrangement  56  is in engagement with the web  16  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . In another embodiment, the indexing mechanism moves the web in the opposite direction to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     The relative movement of the layers  20 ,  22  of the web may manifest in a wide variety of different ways. The layer  20  may wrinkle or pucker at the opening  30  when the web is pulled against the sealing device  56 . This wrinkling or puckering creates enough of a space between the two layers at the opening  30  that a small amount of air flow will easily open the bag  18  for filling. The engagement between the sealing device  56  and the web  16  can be at any location on the web that facilitates movement of the two layers  20 ,  22  at the opening. For example, the engagement can occur a significant distance from weaker line of separation  30  and still break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 23B  where the opening arrangement  2100  of the sealing arrangement is used to open the next bag  18 , the controller  58  first moves the opening arrangement  2100  into engagement with the web or proximate to the web  2100 . For example, when the opening arrangement  2100  is attached to the sealing device  56 , the controller moves the sealing device  56  to move the opening arrangement  2100  into engagement with the web or proximate to the web  2100 . The opening arrangement  2100  then couples to the web. For example, when the opening arrangement is a suction cup, the suction cup may press against the web. When the opening arrangement  2100  is a vacuum port, the controller  58  may apply a vacuum at the port to suck the web against opening arrangement. The controller  58  then moves the opening arrangement  2100  away  2300  from the base  70  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . For example, when the opening arrangement  2100  is attached to the sealing device  56 , the controller moves the sealing device  56  to form the opening  130 . The opening arrangement  2100  then decouples from the web. For example, when the opening arrangement is a suction cup, the pulling of the suction cup away from the web may cause the suction cup to release the web. When the opening arrangement  2100  is a vacuum port, the controller  58  may stop applying a vacuum at the port to release the web. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 23B , the controller  58  does not need to cause the indexing mechanism  52  to pull on the web as indicated by arrows  412 , since movement of the opening arrangement  2100  breaks the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and forms the opening  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 29-32, 33A, 33B, 34A, 34B, 34C, 35A, 35B  in some embodiments the indexing arrangement is not reversed to pre-open the bags. For example, the optional engagement device may include an optional device  2400  ( FIGS. 29 and 39 ) or member  2600  ( FIGS. 31, 32, 33A, and 33B ) that helps the engagement member  404  break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . Further examples include an optional engagement device  3400  that may be provided along the path of travel P upstream of the rollers  60  ( FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C ) and/or an optional set of rollers  3560  that may cooperate with the rollers  60  ( FIGS. 35A and 35B ) to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the optional device  2400  may be a powered device with a portion  2402  that forces the front layer  20  of the web upward or downward when the engagement member  404  engages the web. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the portion  2402  moves downward as indicated by arrow  2404  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The optional member  2600  may be a spring member or spring biased member that forces the front layer of the web upward or downward when the engagement member  404  engages the web. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 31 and 32 , the optional member  2600  comprises a spring arm or leaf spring that is compressed and extends to move the front layer of the web downward as indicated by arrow  2604  break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 33A and 33B , in another exemplary embodiment, the optional device  2400  or optional member  2600  is simply a device that frictionally engages the ply and pulls  3310  the ply  20  away from the ply  22  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . For example the optional member  2600  may be a suction cup, that may optionally be connected to a source of vacuum, may be configured to statically cling to the ply  20 , or may be abrasive, such as sandpaper. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C , in one exemplary embodiment, an optional engagement device  3400  is provided along the path of travel P upstream of the rollers  60  ( FIGS. 34A, 34B, and 34C ) to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The engagement device  3400  can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement device  3400  includes a rotating projection  3410 . The rotating projection  3410  is driven into contact with the ply  20  ( FIG. 34B ) to zing or break the weaker line of separation  30  and leave the stronger line of separation in tact. The rotation of the rotating projection  3410  can be controlled by the controller to engage each bag only once, proximate to the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130  or the rotating projection can simply be rotated at a constant speed. The rotation may correspond to the direction the web  16  moves as shown or may be opposite of the direction of movement of the web  16 . The engagement device  3400  may be positioned at any point along the path of travel P. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement device  3400  is positioned between an optional set of rollers  3560  and rollers  60 . The engagement device  3400  could also be positioned to engage the web  16  between the supply  50  and the rollers  3560  or the engagement device  3400  could be positioned to engage the web  16 , break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , and form the opening  130 , while the web  16  is still on the illustrated supply roll  50 . 
       FIGS. 35A and 35B  illustrate an exemplary embodiment where the web  16  is stretched as indicated by double arrow  3500  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32 . The web may be stretched to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32  in a wide variety of different ways. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the web  16  is configured such an amount or length of stretching of the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  that causes the ply  20  to break along the weaker line of separation  30  is less than an amount or length of stretching of the ply  18  at the stronger line of separation  32  that causes the ply  18  to break along the stronger line of separation  32 . In one exemplary embodiment, stretching the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  1/16th of an inch causes the ply  20  to break along the weaker line of separation  30 , while the ply  18  at the stronger line of separation  30  remains intact until the ply  18  is stretched at least ⅛th of an inch at the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 35A and 35B , a set of rollers  3560  cooperates with the rollers  60  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The set of rollers  3560  can accomplish this in a wide variety of different ways. Any manner of using the rollers  3560  to stretch the web to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32  can be employed. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the rollers  3560  can be configured to apply a predetermined or controllable drag force on the web  16  between the rollers  3560  and the rollers  60 . For example, stretching  3500  can be accomplished by placing a continuous drag force on one or more of the rollers  3560  and/or selectively braking one or more of the rollers  3560  while the weaker line of separation  30  is between the rollers  3560  and the rollers of the indexing mechanism  52 . The controller may control both the time and duration the rollers  3560  are braked to stretch the web to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32 . 
     As another example, the rollers  3560  can be driven rollers and the controller  58  may control the indexing mechanism  52  and/or the rollers  3560  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  to form the opening  130 . For example, the rollers  3560  may be rotated relatively slower than the rollers of the indexing mechanism  52  when the weaker line of separation  30  is between the rollers  3560  and the rollers of the indexing mechanism  52  to stretch  3500  the web and form the opening  130 . This stretching can be accomplished by selectively rotating the rollers of the indexing mechanism  52  faster than the rollers  3560  or selectively rotating the rollers  3560  slower than the rollers of the indexing mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , the controller causes the motor or actuator  406  of the optional engagement device  402  to move the engagement member  404  out of engagement with the web. Air from the blower  400  is forced between the plies  20 ,  22  at the opening  130  of the bag. The air is forced between the plies through the opening  130  to inflate the bag  18  for depositing product  40  therein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the controller  58  indexes the web  16 , with the open bag  18  to the load position (if the load position does not coincide with the opening position). The bag is blown or held open by the air and the cycle begins again. The controller may repeat the method as required to produce as many packages are needed from the web. 
       FIGS. 36A-36C  illustrate an exemplary embodiment where the opening  130  is formed during the manufacturing and packaging of the web  16 , before the web  16  is provided to the packaging machine  10 . In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 35A-35C  a web  16  as described herein is formed (shown as a partially sectioned plan view in  FIGS. 36A and 36B  to show the formed seals and lines of weakness), moved in direction  3602  and rolled onto a roll  3600  (shown as a side view in  FIGS. 36A and 36B ). In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 36A-36C , the ply  20  is broken at the weaker line of separation  30 , while the web  16  is on the roll  3600  to form the opening  130 , and while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32 . This forming of the opening  130  while the web  16  is on the roll  3600  prevents air from entering the bags, since the bags are already wound tightly on the roll. Still referring to  FIGS. 36A-36C , the forming of the opening  130  while on the roll  3600  can be accomplished in a wide variety of different ways. Any manner of breaking the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30 , while the web  16  is on the roll  3600  to form the opening  130 , and while leaving the ply  18  in tact along the stronger line of separation  32  can be employed. In the example illustrated by  FIGS. 36A-36C , an engagement device  3610  is provided near the roll  3600  to break the ply  20  at the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The engagement device  3610  can take a wide variety of different forms. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement device  3610  includes a rotating projection  3620 . The rotating projection  3620  is driven into contact with the ply  20  ( FIG. 36B ) to zing or break the weaker line of separation  30  and leave the stronger line of separation intact, while the web  16  is on the roll  3600 . The rotation of the rotating projection  3620  can be controlled by a production controller to engage each bag only once, proximate to the weaker line of separation  30  and form the opening  130 . The rotation may correspond to the direction the web  16  moves as shown or may be opposite of the direction of movement of the web  16 . 
     As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be in direct such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members or elements. Also as described herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” are defined as at least close to (and includes) a given value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1% of, and most preferably within 0.1% of) 
     It should be understood that the embodiments discussed above are representative of aspects of the invention and are provided as examples and not an exhaustive description of implementations of an aspect of the invention. While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the disclosures may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present application, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an disclosure, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary meanings and are not limited in any way by the description of the embodiments in the specification.