Patent ID: 8458993

Claim:
A method for performing a sealing operation on a linearly moving web to create a pouch that contains a product, the method comprising: moving the web along a linear web path passing between a first seal plate having a first seal area and a second seal plate, wherein the first seal area of the first seal plate is configured to provide sealed margins that define the pouch; implementing a motion profile for the first seal plate and the second seal plate, the motion profile including a first vector component in which the first and second seal plates are linearly moved substantially parallel with the linear web path at a velocity substantially equal to a velocity of the web, and a second vector component in which the first and second seal plates are moved into contact with the web to perform the sealing operation while the web moves along the linear web path, wherein implementing the motion profile includes maintaining the first and second seal plates substantially parallel to each other and to the linear web path when the first and second seal plates are moved into contact with the web; and applying a desired pressure between the first and second seal plates throughout the sealing operation to provide the sealed margins that define the pouch.