In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

A bag-making and packaging machine, that makes bags by forming a conveyed film into a cylindrical film and putting product inside the cylindrical film, is disclosed. The bag-making and packaging machine includes a pair of ultrasonic sealing members, a cutting member, and clamps. The pair of ultrasonic sealing members are configured to sandwich the cylindrical film along a direction intersecting a conveyance direction and perform transverse sealing. The cutting member is configured to move between the pair of sealing members and cut transversely sealed portions of bags that have been made. The clamps are provided under the pair of sealing members and the cutting member. The clamps are configured to restrain the bags when the transversely sealed portions are cut.

A bag-making and packaging machine, that makes bags by forming a conveyed film into a cylindrical film and putting product inside the cylindrical film, is disclosed. The bag-making and packaging machine includes a pair of ultrasonic sealing members, a cutting member, and clamps. The pair of ultrasonic sealing members are configured to sandwich the cylindrical film along a direction intersecting a conveyance direction and perform transverse sealing. The cutting member is configured to move between the pair of sealing members and cut transversely sealed portions of bags that have been made. The clamps are provided under the pair of sealing members and the cutting member. The clamps are configured to restrain the bags when the transversely sealed portions are cut.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.

A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.

A packaging machine and apparatus for forming and filling plastic bags for containing dry food products such as cereals or the like. The invention comprising a product dispensing port over which a film enveloping the port may pass and an inner passage through which a product may be dispensed. The dispensing port comprises a pair of opposing flaps pivotally coupled to the outlet of the dispensing port which are movable between an open and a closed position.

A packaging machine and apparatus for forming and filling plastic bags for containing dry food products such as cereals or the like. The invention comprising a product dispensing port over which a film enveloping the port may pass and an inner passage through which a product may be dispensed. The dispensing port comprises a pair of opposing flaps pivotally coupled to the outlet of the dispensing port which are movable between an open and a closed position.