Patent ID: 7703265

Claim:
Packaging apparatus for packaging a product between upper and lower webs, comprising a web transport conveyor transporting said lower web from upstream to downstream along a web transport direction through a series of stations receiving the product in a lower web package at a loading station, and closing the package with the upper web at a closing station, and including a forming station upstream of said loading station and forming a downwardly dependent product cavity pocket in said lower web into which said product is loaded, said forming station including a forming tooling die box forming said lower web into said product cavity pocket, a plug assist mechanism comprising a cover supporting at least one forming plug movable between a first position in which said forming plug engages said lower web and assists formation of said product cavity pocket, and a second position in which said forming plug is moved away from said lower web, said forming plug having a third position moved away from said cover along a direction different than said web transport direction, said forming plug being moved to said third position to enable replacement thereof.