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.

Apparatus for forming product containing pouches from a travelling web of adhered films includes a film support surface, including a plurality of mold configurations, and a film retention chamber in the film support surface preceding and trailing each of the mold configurations. A vacuum system applies vacuum to the mold configurations and film retention chambers to form product containing pockets and to secure the film in the film retention chambers. Separation blades in synchronous register with the mold configurations separate the pouches from the travelling web. In one form the film support surface comprises a rotary forming drum and a rotary blade drum includes the separation blades.

Apparatus for forming product containing pouches from a travelling web of adhered films includes a film support surface, including a plurality of mold configurations, and a film retention chamber in the film support surface preceding and trailing each of the mold configurations. A vacuum system applies vacuum to the mold configurations and film retention chambers to form product containing pockets and to secure the film in the film retention chambers. Separation blades in synchronous register with the mold configurations separate the pouches from the travelling web. In one form the film support surface comprises a rotary forming drum and a rotary blade drum includes the separation blades.

The invention is directed broadly to a method of preparing a texture modified food product, comprising the steps: (a) providing a partially cooked fruit or vegetable; (b) comminuting the partially cooked fruit or vegetable to form a paste; and (c) moulding the paste to form the texture modified food product which is shaped and/or textured into a generic shape of the fruit or vegetable selected to form the paste.

The invention is directed broadly to a method of preparing a texture modified food product, comprising the steps: (a) providing a partially cooked fruit or vegetable; (b) comminuting the partially cooked fruit or vegetable to form a paste; and (c) moulding the paste to form the texture modified food product which is shaped and/or textured into a generic shape of the fruit or vegetable selected to form the paste.

A method of forming an automatic dishwashing pouch comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material (10); identifying one or more regions of the material; heating the material with a heating device having a non-uniform heating profile, the non-uniform heating profile arranged to heat the identified region(s) to a greater temperature than other regions of the material; and forming the material in a mould to form the automatic dishwashing pouch, the automatic dishwashing pouch including a plurality of cavities (12).

A method of forming an automatic dishwashing pouch comprising the steps of: providing a sheet of material (10); identifying one or more regions of the material; heating the material with a heating device having a non-uniform heating profile, the non-uniform heating profile arranged to heat the identified region(s) to a greater temperature than other regions of the material; and forming the material in a mould to form the automatic dishwashing pouch, the automatic dishwashing pouch including a plurality of cavities (12).

A method of forming dual layer water soluble packets includes drawing a base film into a cavity of a mold, drawing air through openings in the base film, metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the cavity, metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product, and, sealing a lid film to the base film.

A method of forming dual layer water soluble packets includes drawing a base film into a cavity of a mold, drawing air through openings in the base film, metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the cavity, metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product, and, sealing a lid film to the base film.

Systems and methods to form openings in water soluble packets are described. The system includes a packet forming assembly to form water soluble packets, and a laser to form one or more openings in the water soluble packets. The method includes forming openings in the water soluble packets with a laser. The openings permit air to escape from the packets. By allowing air to escape, the water soluble packets have improved packaging characteristics. The water soluble packets are packed more tightly with a product.