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.

A supply of inflatable pouches includes an inflatable web defining a series of inflatable chambers, a longitudinal fold in the web such that the web is configured in the form of two juxtaposed inflatable panels joined together at the longitudinal fold, and a series of transverse seals that bond the panels together to form a series of inflatable pouches between pairs of the transverse seals.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags (2), comprising a storage device (3) with a supply (4) of bag film (5), a control device (60) for controlling, a conveying device (6) for conveying the bag film (5) and/or the bag body (16) along a conveying path (7), a welding device (8) with welding means (9, 10) for making a bottom seam (11) in the bag film and a cutting device (12) with a cutting means (13, 14) for separating a predetermined film length (15) of the bag film (5) to form the bag body (16) of an open-mouth bag (2). The control device (60) controls the conveying device (6) so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body (16) and the bag film (5) and a distance (37) between the bag body (16) and the bag film (5) is generated prior to making the bottom seam (11). The control device (60) controls the conveying device (6) and the welding means (9, 10) so that while welding the bottom seam (11) the welding means (9, 10) extend at least up to the bottom end (23) of the bag body (16).

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags (2), comprising a storage device (3) with a supply (4) of bag film (5), a control device (60) for controlling, a conveying device (6) for conveying the bag film (5) and/or the bag body (16) along a conveying path (7), a welding device (8) with welding means (9, 10) for making a bottom seam (11) in the bag film and a cutting device (12) with a cutting means (13, 14) for separating a predetermined film length (15) of the bag film (5) to form the bag body (16) of an open-mouth bag (2). The control device (60) controls the conveying device (6) so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body (16) and the bag film (5) and a distance (37) between the bag body (16) and the bag film (5) is generated prior to making the bottom seam (11). The control device (60) controls the conveying device (6) and the welding means (9, 10) so that while welding the bottom seam (11) the welding means (9, 10) extend at least up to the bottom end (23) of the bag body (16).

Packages made from flexible material, wherein the packages include one or more self-folds formed by applying activation energy to the flexible material.

Packages made from flexible material, wherein the packages include one or more self-folds formed by applying activation energy to the flexible material.

A weighing and packaging system includes a plurality of weighing machines, a plurality of packaging machines, and a control unit. The plurality of weighing machines are configured to weigh articles supplied thereto. The plurality of packaging machines, each of which forms a weighing and packaging unit with a corresponding weighing machine among the plurality of weighing machines, are configured to receive a supply of the articles weighed and discharged by the corresponding weighing machine, and package the articles supplied thereto. The control unit is configured to, in a case where a problem occurs in at least one of weighing by the weighing machine and packaging by the packaging machine in any of the weighing and packaging units, change processing capacities of the weighing machine and the packaging machine of at least some of the weighing and packaging units other than the weighing and packaging units in which the problem occurs.

A weighing and packaging system includes a plurality of weighing machines, a plurality of packaging machines, and a control unit. The plurality of weighing machines are configured to weigh articles supplied thereto. The plurality of packaging machines, each of which forms a weighing and packaging unit with a corresponding weighing machine among the plurality of weighing machines, are configured to receive a supply of the articles weighed and discharged by the corresponding weighing machine, and package the articles supplied thereto. The control unit is configured to, in a case where a problem occurs in at least one of weighing by the weighing machine and packaging by the packaging machine in any of the weighing and packaging units, change processing capacities of the weighing machine and the packaging machine of at least some of the weighing and packaging units other than the weighing and packaging units in which the problem occurs.

A pouch handling machine comprises and a series of pouch related process stations. A reciprocating beams conveyor advances pouches intermittently along the stations. The conveyor comprises a left-hand side and a right-hand side elongated reciprocating beams, each provided along the length thereof with pouch retention members. A left-hand side and a right-hand side support member, each support reciprocating beams and form a linear guide of the reciprocating beams. A left-hand side and a right-hand side electromagnetic linear actuator are provided, each being mounted between the respective reciprocating beams and the respective support member to cause an intermittent reciprocating motion of the reciprocating beams in the longitudinal direction thereof. These actuators are linked to an electronic controller that is adapted to synchronize the motions of the actuators. A transverse motion mechanism causes a periodic transverse motion of the left-hand side and a right-hand side support members away from and towards one another.

A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.