Patent ID: 7987655

Claim:
A machine that makes foil web into pop-to-open bags for containing articles, comprising: an indentation-forming device including at least one punch that moves from a retracted position to an extended position to form at least two indentations in the foil web, wherein in the retracted position the punch does not contact and deform the foil and in the extended position the punch contacts and deforms the foil to form the indentations; a forming shoulder that reshapes the foil web into a foil tube with the two indentations aligned; a cross-sealing device including two opposing sealing jaws each having an inward-facing contact surface with a blank positioned therein, wherein the blanks are aligned to receive the aligned indentations therein, the jaw contact surfaces cooperate to form a portion of the foil tube into a seal zone with the aligned indentations forming a bubble within the seal zone, the bubble containing a fluid, and the seal zone at least partially defines a newly made one of the pop-to-open bags; and a separating device that separates the newly made pop-to-open bag from the foil tube, wherein each of the pop-to-open bags has an interior space containing the article, the interior space is a separate element from the bubble when the pop-to-open bag is unopened, and under application of a compressive force the bubble bursts by a resulting pressure of the fluid in the bubble creating in the seal zone a failure zone through which the fluid is expelled to thereby expose free edges of the pop-to-open bag that can be gripped and pulled to open the pop-to-open bag.