The support device includes a support and a pair of bars spaced apart from each other. The bars include a slot configured to enclose peripheral side edges of a flexible pouch. In one embodiment, the bars are wing shaped and include a first member and a second member. The first member is angled with respect to the second member. The slot extends inwardly from an inner surface of the bar and is disposed between the first and second member. The slot is configured to receive a peripheral side seal of the flexible pouch. The first and second members help keep the body of the pouch within the grips of the gripper. In a second preferred embodiment, the bars are an elongated member. The slot is disposed along the inner surface of the bars. The bars have a length sufficient to receive the side peripheral seal of the pouch.

A package comprises a plastic bag delimiting a seat sealingly housing a product. The plastic bag has plastic film walls (4) and at least one sealing band connecting together opposed wall portions of the plastic film walls at a connecting zone. A tab is coupled with the connecting zone of the plastic bag. The tab includes an easy opening feature at one or more of its perimeter edges.

A package comprises a plastic bag delimiting a seat sealingly housing a product. The plastic bag has plastic film walls (4) and at least one sealing band connecting together opposed wall portions of the plastic film walls at a connecting zone. A tab is coupled with the connecting zone of the plastic bag. The tab includes an easy opening feature at one or more of its perimeter edges.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Heat shrink apparatuses and devices can heat shrink selected portions of containers made from heat shrinkable plastic film. The apparatuses and devices selectively heat shrink a main portion of the container where a product is housed, or a terminal portion of the same container. A packaging line including one or more of the heat shrink apparatuses and devices.

Heat shrink apparatuses and devices can heat shrink selected portions of containers made from heat shrinkable plastic film. The apparatuses and devices selectively heat shrink a main portion of the container where a product is housed, or a terminal portion of the same container. A packaging line including one or more of the heat shrink apparatuses and devices.

Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags, including the following steps: a) an open-mouth bag is appended from beneath to a filling spout of a filling station by way of an at least partially upwardly motion, so that the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended; b) the filling process is started and bulk material is introduced into the open-mouth bag so that the freely suspended bottom end of the open-mouth bag unfolds; and c) the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported.

Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags, including the following steps: a) an open-mouth bag is appended from beneath to a filling spout of a filling station by way of an at least partially upwardly motion, so that the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended; b) the filling process is started and bulk material is introduced into the open-mouth bag so that the freely suspended bottom end of the open-mouth bag unfolds; and c) the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported.

A method includes separating a portion of a flattened tube of stock packing material to a custom length to form a pouch pre-form and closing a first end of the pouch pre-form leaving a second end of the pouch pre-form open. The method can include placing product into the pouch pre-form and closing the one open end of the pouch pre-form to form a closed pouch containing the product.